Page 118 of 258

117GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONSTRUCTION FEATURES
DUCATO automatic gearbox is con-
trolled electronically with four for-
ward gears and reverse.
It is controlled by an electronic con-
trol unit which handles:
– the torque distributor;
– gearshifting;
– specific programmes.
The gearbox is coupled with a flow
power torque distributor with piloted
antislip device which makes it possible
to obtain demultiplication ratios.
The characteristic of this gearbox
which works without idle gear enables:
– higher compactness and weight re-
duction;
– improved output due to less fric-
tion;
– lower stress of transmission com-
ponents.GENERAL FEATURES
Electronic gearbox control makes it
possible to obtain gearshifting suited
to momentary engine characteristics
with a certain elasticity.
The electronic control unit has the
following task:
– adapting the oil pressure for
gearshifting to the engine torque;
– activating safety functions;
– defining the manual gearshifting
programme;
– system diagnostics.
For controlling these operating log-
ics the control unit uses the follow-
ing signals:
– engine rpm;
– engine temperature;
– engine torque;
– vehicle speed;
– gearbox oil temperature;– gearshift lever position;
– accelerator pedal position;
– brake pedal position.
The control unit also communicates
with the injection system electronic
control unit.
Conditions of use analysed by
the control unit
The control unit analyses each single
condition of use of the vehicle, dis-
criminating it on the basis of the sig-
nals received from the various sensors.
Analysed conditions are the follow-
ing:
– starting (position/accelerator ped-
al changing speed);
– acceleration (accelerator pedal
completely pushing down speed);
– full load (number of engine full load
kickdown signals or position mainte-
nance time);
Page 119 of 258

118GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
– braking (accelerator pedal release
time and braking system operation);
– type of programme (gearshift se-
lector lever position);
– winter driving (driving wheel
torque reduction);
– driving with trailer or uphill (vehi-
cle speed in relation to transmitted
torque)
– driving downhill (vehicle accelera-
tion in relation to the position of the
accelerator pedal);
– driving in towns or queues (accel-
erator pedal position and vehicle
speed);
– gear required by the driver
(gearshift lever position);
– cold starting (engine temperature).Gearshift programme control
To optimise vehicle handling the
electronic control unit has the fol-
lowing memorised programmes:
– automatic operation;
– manual operation;
– winter driving (to be selected
through buttonWINTER);
– engine warming up;
– protection against excessive gear-
box oil temperature .Automatic programme
This comprises 16 gearshifting pro-
grammes.
In relation to the vehicle speed and
torque transmitted, the control unit
detects the slope of the road surface
and depending on the sporty features
chosen, it autonomously chooses the
programme most suited to the situa-
tion.
During gearshifting, the gearbox con-
trol unit asks the injection control unit
to momentarily reduce the torque.
The duration of torque reduction
varies depending on the travelling con-
ditions.
Page 136 of 258

135IN AN EMERGENCY
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
EMERGENCY
START-UP
DIESEL VERSIONS
Emergency start-ups cannot be per-
formed on versions with a diesel en-
gine; contact aFiat Dealership.
PETROL VERSIONS
If the Fiat CODE cannot deactivate
the engine immobiliser, the Yand
Uwarning lights stay on and the en-
gine will not start. Follow the emer-
gency start-up procedure to start the
engine.
Read the whole procedure care-
fully before trying to carry it out.
If you make a mistake, you must turn
the ignition key back to STOPand re-
peat the whole operation from the be-
ginning (step 1).1) Read the 5-figure electronic code
given on the CODE card.
2) Turn the ignition key to MAR.
3)Press and hold down the accel-
erator pedal. Warning light
Uwill
come on for about 8 seconds, and
then go out. At this point release the
accelerator pedal and get ready to
count the flashes of the warning light
U.
4) Count the number of flashes that
corresponds to the first figure of the
code on the CODE card, then press
the accelerator pedal and keep it there
until the warning light
Ucomes on
for four seconds and then goes out;
release the accelerator pedal.
5) Warning light
Uwill start flash-
ing again: after it has flashed the num-
ber of times that corresponds to the
second figure on the CODE card,
press the accelerator pedal and keep
it pressed.
6) Do the same for the remaining fig-
ures on the CODE card.7) Once the final figure has been en-
tered, keep the accelerator pedal
pressed. Warning light
Uwill light up
for four seconds and then go out; re-
lease the accelerator pedal.
8)Warning light
Uwill flash rapid-
ly for about 4 seconds to indicate that
the operation has been completed
correctly.
9) Start the engine by turning the ig-
nition key from MARto AVV.
If, however, the warning light
U
stays on, turn the ignition key to
STOPan repeat the procedure from
step 1).
IMPORTANT After an emergency
start-up, you should contact a Fiat
Dealership otherwise you will have
to repeat the procedure described
each time you want to start the en-
gine.
Page 164 of 258

163VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
SERVICE SCHEDULE
thousands of kilometres
Check tyre conditions and wear and adjust pressure, if required
Check lighting system operation (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
load compartment light, ceiling lights, warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer operation, adjust nozzles
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear
Check front and rear (where fitted) disc brake pad conditions and wear
Check rear drum brake linings conditions and wear (where fitted)
Inspect conditions and soundness of:
– outer bodywork and underbody protection;
– piping (exhaust - fuel feed and brakes)
– rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushings, etc.)
– fuel feed and braking system hosing
Check tension and conditions of various control belts and adjust, if required
(excluding engines with automatic belt tighteners)
Check accelerator pedal stroke and adjust, if required
Check handbrake lever stroke and adjust, if required
Check tappet clearance and adjust, if required (2.8 JTD version)
Check tappet clearance and adjust, if required (petrol versions)
Check exhaust emissions
30 60 90 120 150 180
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