2005 FIAT DUCATO 244 Side light

94GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
If the vehicle changes owner-
ship, the new owner must be in-
formed of the method of use of
airbags and the above warnings
and also be given this Owner
Handbook.
The triggering of pretensioners
and front and side airbags is de-
cided in a differentiated manner
by the electronic control unit, de-
pending on the type of crash. The
failure to deploy one or more of
them does not mean that the sys-
tem is not working properly.
If the ¬warning light does
not turn on when turning
the ignition key to MAR or if it stays
on when travelling, this could indi-
cate a failure in safety retaining sys-
tems; under this condition air bags
or pretensioners could not trigger
in the event of collision or, in a re-
stricted number of cases, they could
trigger accidentally. Stop the car
and contact Fiat Dealership to have
the system checked immediately.
WARNING
If the vehicle has been
stolen or an attempt to
steal it has been made, if it has
been subjected to vandals or floods,
have the airbag system checked by
Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
Do not apply stickers or
other objects to the steer-
ing wheel or to the airbag console
on the passenger’s side. Never trav-
el with objects on your lap, in front
of your chest or with a pipe, pencil,
etc. between your lips; injury may
result in the event of the airbag be-
ing triggered.
WARNING
Always keep your hands on
the steering wheel rim
when driving, so that if the airbag
is triggered, it can inflate without
meeting any obstacles which could
cause serious harm to you. Do not
drive with the body bent forwards,
keep the seat back rest in the erect
position and lean your back well
against it.
WARNING
When the passenger’s front
airbag is active (passenger
front airbag deactivation switch at
ON), the
Fwarning light will
come on for approx. 4 seconds and
flash for other four seconds when
the ignition key is turned to MAR to
remind the driver that the passen-
ger’s front and side airbags (where
provided) will be fired in the event
of a crash. The warning light should
go off immediately afterwards.
WARNING

95GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The correct operation of
front and side airbags and
pretensioners is only ensured if the
vehicle is not overloaded.
WARNINGEOBD SYSTEM
(petrol versions only)
The EOBD (European On Board Di-
agnosis) system fitted on the vehicle
complies with Directive 98/69/CE
(EURO 3).
This system continuously monitors
the engine emission system compo-
nents. Furthermore, the system warns
the driver of deterioration concerning
the emission system components by
means of the Uwarning light on the
instrument panel.
The objective is to:
– monitor system efficiency;
– warn when failures can increase
emissions over the threshold estab-
lished by the European regulations;
– warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
Remember that with the
key engaged and in the
MAR position, even with the en-
gine not running, the airbags may
be triggered on a stationary vehi-
cle if it is bumped by another mov-
ing vehicle. Therefore, never seat
children on the front seat even
when the vehicle is stationary. On
the other hand, remember that
with the vehicle stationary, with-
out the key engaged and turned,
the airbags are not triggered in the
event of an impact; in these cases,
failure to come into action of the
airbags cannot be considered as a
sign that the system is not working
properly.
WARNING
On vehicles equipped with
side bags, do not cover the
backrest of the front seats with
trims or covers.
WARNING
The airbag does not substi-
tute the seat belts, but on-
ly increases their effectiveness.
Moreover, since the front airbags
do not come into operation in the
event of front impact at low speed,
side collisions, bumps from behind
or overturning, in these circum-
stances the occupants would only
be protected by the seat belts which
must therefore always be fastened.
WARNING
Do not wash the seat back
in vehicles with side bags
with pressurised steam or water in
automatic seat washing station.
WARNING

98GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
SOUND SYSTEM
Visit a Fiat Dealership if
you want to fit a sound
system after buying the
vehicle. They can advise you on
how to safeguard battery life. Ex-
cessive idle intake can damage
the battery and may invalidate
the warranty.LIGHT SET-UP
The system consists of:
– radio power supply cables
– dashboard front speaker cables
– housing for the radio
– aerial and relevant wire
HEAVY SET-UP
The system consists of:
– radio power supply cables
– dashboard front speaker cables
– dashboard speakers
– door speaker cables
– door speakers
– housing for the radio
– aerial and relevant wire.
fig. 145
F0D0171m
For the Panorama version, four ad-
ditional speakers are provided, two on
the right and two on the left side, set
one in the body side and the other on
the top of the pillar.
For the Combi version, two addi-
tional rear speakers are provided, one
per body side.
The sound system should be installed
in the compartment occupied by the
object tray which can be removed by
releasing the two retaining tabs A-
fig. 145.
The power supply, speaker connec-
tion and aerial cables can be found in
this compartment.

104GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
IMPORTANTThe airtight seal of
the cap may lead to a slight increase of
pressure in the tank. A hissing sound
when the cap is removed is therefore
quite normal.
After refuelling, screw the cap until
hearing one or more clicks, turn the
key and then remove it.. close the lid.
IMPORTANTMoreover, before
starting the engine, for the sake of
safety, check whether the refuelling
gun is properly hung onto the fuel
pump.If required, replace the
fuel cap with another gen-
uine cap to avoid affecting
the efficiency of the fuel vapour
recovery system.
fig. 153
F0D0140m
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
Protection of the environment has
been the guiding principle in the design
of the Fiat Ducato right from the start.
The result is the use of materials and
creation of devices that can reduce or
considerably curtail harmful influences
on the environment.
The devices for curtailing petrol en-
gine emissions are:
– a three-way catalytic converter;
– a lambda sensor;
– a fuel evaporation system.
The devices for curtailing diesel en-
gine emissions are:
– an oxidising catalytic converter;
– an exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.) (for certain versions).
Consequently, the Fiat Ducato is
ready to travel well ahead of the most
stringent international pollution control
standards.
Keep naked flames or light-
ed cigarettes away from
the fuel filler hole as there is a dan-
ger of fire. Do not bend too close to
the hole either so as not to breathe
in harmful vapours.
WARNING

107GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
If you still cannot start the engine,
get in touch with a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT When the outside
temperature is low, it is important to
note that the use of a more fluid oil
will facilitate starting the cold engine.
Therefore, in winter, follow the advice
in chapter “Technical specifications”,
paragraph “Fluids and lubricants”.
IMPORTANTNever leave the igni-
tion key at MARwhen the engine is off.
Minibus and School Bus versions:
press the ignition enable button lo-
cated to the left of the steering col-
umn as shown in the specific supple-
ment to this handbook.HOW TO WARM UP
THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST STARTED
(petrol and diesel versions)
– Begin to move forward slowly let-
ting the engine turn at medium revs.
Do not accelerate abruptly.
– Do not push the engine to its lim-
it for the first few kilometres. You are
recommended to wait until the
coolant temperature indicator starts
to move.
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the Fiat CODE system fails to
recognise that code transmitted by the
ignition key (warning light Yon the
instrument panel lit) the emergency
start-up can be performed by using the
CODE card code.
See the “In an emergency” section.Catalysed vehicles must
not be bump started
(pushed, towed or coast-
ed downhill) as this could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic ex-
haust system and damage it be-
yond repair.
Remember that until the
engine has started the
brake booster and power steering
systems will not work and a greater
effort will therefore be required to
depress the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
WARNING

108GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
SWITCHING OFF
THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOPwhile
the engine is idling.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive
you should allow the engine to “catch
its breath” before turning it off by let-
ting it idle to allow temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.PARKING
Switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and engage a gear (1st gear
or reverse, according to whether the
vehicle is facing up or downhill) and
leave the wheels turned. If the vehi-
cle is left on a steep slope, wedges or
a rock should be used to lock the
wheels.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MAR to prevent running the battery
down. Always remove the key when
you leave the vehicle.HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located on
the left-hand side of the driver’s seat.
Pull the lever upwards as far as it will
go to apply the handbrake. Instrument
panel warning light xwill come on
when the key is turned to MAR.
IMPORTANTThe vehicle must be
blocked after three or four lever re-
leases when the vehicle is empty; the
number of releases necessary to block
it depend on the load and on the road
slope.
In case of problems, contact a Fiat
Dealershipto have it adjusted. A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel. It can also damage
turbo-charged engines.
fig. 1
F0D0044m
Never leave children unsu-
pervised in the vehicle.
WARNING

109GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
To release the handbrake:
1)slightly lift the handbrake and press
release button A-fig. 1;
2)keep the button pressed and low-
er the lever. Warning light xwill go
out;
3)press the brake pedal when car-
rying out this operation to prevent the
vehicle moving accidentally.
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 fail-
ure of the hydraulic system.
Should the handbrake be exception-
ally used when the vehicle is running, it
is suggested to keep a moderate trac-
tion to avoid causing the rear axle
block, entailing vehicle side skidding.USING THE
MANUAL GEARBOX
Press the clutch fully before shifting
the gear stick into one of the positions
shown in the diagram fig. 2(the dia-
gram is also on the gear lever knob).
To engage reverse, lift the sliding ring
Aunder the knob and shift the lever
to the left and forth.IMPORTANTOnly engage the re-
verse gear when the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary.
With the engine running, before en-
gaging reverse, wait for at least 2 sec-
onds with the clutch pedal pressed to
avoid damaging the gears and grating.
fig. 2
F0D0057m
You must press the clutch
fully down to change gear
properly. It is therefore essential
that there is nothing under the ped-
als. Make sure that mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way of
pedals.
WARNING

116GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
BUMP STARTING
Starting by pushing or towing the ve-
hicle is not possible. In the event of an
emergency, when the battery is flat,
start the vehicle with a suitable emer-
gency battery, following the instruc-
tions given in section “In an emer-
gency” at paragraph “Jump starting”.
TOWING THE VEHICLE
IMPORTANTFor towing the ve-
hicle comply with current local regu-
lations and follow the instructions giv-
en in section “In an emergency” at
paragraph “Towing the vehicle”.If the vehicle is to be towed, adhere
to the following recommendations:
– if possible, carry the vehicle on the
floor of a rescue vehicle;
– if this is not possible, tow the ve-
hicle raising the driving wheels (front)
from the ground;
– if this, too, is not possible, the ve-
hicle should not be towed for more
than 200 km at a speed of no more
than 50 km/h.
When towing, the gearshift lever
should be at N.
Do not start the engine
while the vehicle is being
towed.
The failure to comply
with these instructions
may cause serious dam-
age to the automatic gearbox.
When travelling with the
gearbox faulty, drive with
the utmost care in consideration of
the limited performance (in terms
of acceleration and speed) that the
vehicle can offer.
WARNING
When travelling with the
gearbox faulty, the revers-
ing gear lock might not be active:
absolutely never move the lever to
the R position with the vehicle on
the move.
WARNING– Warning light flashing= auto-
matic gearbox fault.
Warning light flashing at starting or
when travelling indicates a fault in the
automatic gearbox.
The automatic control system sets
an “emergency programme” engaging
the 3
rdgear.
Switching the engine off and then on
again, the self-test system could ex-
clude the fault and therefore turn off
the warning light. The failure is how-
ever stored and the automatic gear-
box shall be checked at a Fiat Deal-
ership.