2005 FIAT DUCATO 244 reverse

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);

138IN AN EMERGENCY
1. STOP THE VEHICLE
– Stop the vehicle in a position that
is not dangerous for oncoming traffic
where you can change the wheel safe-
ly. The ground should be flat and ad-
equately firm. If you have to change
the wheel at night, choose a lit area if
possible.
– Turn the engine off and pull up the
handbrake.
– Engage first or reverse gear.
– Alert other drivers that the vehicle
is stationary in compliance with local
regulations: hazard warning lights,
warning triangle, etc.
Any passengers should get out and
wait as far away as possible from the
danger of traffic.
If the road is sloping or bumpy, place
wedges or other suitable material to
prevent the vehicle from moving, un-
der the wheels.2. TAKE OUT THE TOOLS,
JACK AND SPARE WHEEL
The tools are in the cab near the
seats.
Please note:
– the jack weights 4.2 kg;
– the jack requires no adjustments;
– the jack cannot be repaired. If it
breaks it must be replaced with a new
jack;
– no other tool, apart from the ex-
tension and the ratchet wrench shown
in this chapter can be fitted to the jack.
The spare wheel is located under the
rear part of the load bed.
Do not lubricate the bolt
threads before fitting
them back: they could come
loose.
WARNING
Check tyre pressure and
spare wheel pressure regu-
larly. Refer to section “Technical
Specifications”.
WARNING

179VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
Tyres age even if they are not used
very much. Cracking of the tread rub-
ber and the side walls are a sign of this
ageing. In any case, if the tyres have
been fitted for more than six years
they should be examined by an expert
who can judge whether they are still
fit for use. Remember to check the
spare tyre particularly carefully too.
If a replacement is necessary, always
use new tyres and avoid using ones
the origin of which you are not cer-
tain about.
The Ducato uses tubeless tyres. Un-
der no circumstances use an inner
tube with these tyres.
If you replace a tyre it is a good idea
to change the inflation valve, too.To ensure the front and rear tyres all
wear evenly, you are advised to change
the tyres over every 10 - 15 thousand
kilometres keeping them on the same
side of the vehicle so as not to reverse
the direction of rotation.RUBBER TUBING
Follow the Service Schedule carefully
in the case of braking and fuel supply
system rubber tubing.
Ozone, high temperatures and long
absence of fluid in the system can in
fact cause the hardening and cracking
of the pipes with possible loss of fluid.
A careful check is therefore essential.
Do not change the tyres
over in criss-cross fashion
by moving a tyre from the left-hand
side of the vehicle to the right and
vice versa.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments re-
quiring to use temperatures ex-
ceeding 150°C since the mechani-
cal properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
WARNING

216TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKES
SERVICE AND EMERGENCY
BRAKES
Front: disc, floating caliper with two
operating cylinders for each wheel and
pad wear warning light.
Rear: self-centring shoes and micro-
metric mechanism for clearance take-
up.
Certain versions are fitted with rear
disc brakes with Drum in hat device
(i.e. drum on disc to block the vehicle
when parked with handbrake en-
gaged).
Cross-over hydraulic circuit control.
Four sensors ABS system with EBD.
Automatic recovery of the friction
gasket wear; versions with rear disc
brake excluded (Drum in hat ver-
sions).
Lacking ABS system brakeforce dis-
tributor acting on rear brake hydraulic
circuit according to rear axle load.HANDBRAKE
Controlled by a lever, it works me-
chanically on the rear brake shoes.
For versions with rear disc brakes,
the handbrake works on the Drum in
hat device shoes.
IMPORTANTPull the handbrake
lever only when the vehicle is at a
standstill, or when the vehicle is run-
ning, but however only in case of a
failure of the hydraulic system.
Should the handbrake be exception-
ally used when the vehicle is running,
it is suggested to keep a moderate
traction to avoid causing the rear axle
block, entailing vehicle side skidding.
TRANSMISSION
CLUTCH
Hydraulically controlled without
travel-free pedal.
MECHANICAL GEARBOX
AND DIFFERENTIAL
Five forward gears and reverse with
synchromesh for front gear engage-
ment.
Cyclical gear reduction and differen-
tial assembly incorporated in the gear-
box.
Drive transmission to the front
wheels by means of drive shafts con-
nected to the differential assembly and
the wheels with CV joints.
Water, ice or salt on road
surfaces can deposit on
brake discs, reducing braking effi-
ciency on the first braking.
WARNING

217TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX
(2.8 JTD versions only)
Automatic gearbox with four speeds
plus reverse with self-adapting control
(i.e. capable of adapting to the driver’s
driving style), which transmits power
continuously and with very fast elec-
tro-hydraulic gear engagement times.SUSPENSIONS
FRONT
Independent wheel, McPherson sus-
pension.
Telescopic dampers with flexible an-
chorage to the body and dust guards
on buffers.
Coil springs offset with shock ab-
sorbers and knock-guard buffers.
Lower wishbone with twin taper
rubber bushing on chassis and ball
head on wheel stud.REAR
Rigid tubular axle type.
Lengthways single blade (two-blades
as optional) leaf spring.
Vertical shock absorbers anchored
above on the body (on the inside of
the wheelhouse) and down on the
axle flange.
Knock-guard buffer fixed to the side
member.
Coupling for brake load proportion-
ing.