2005 FIAT DUCATO 244 Wheels

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

218TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
WHEELS
RIMS AND TYRES
Printed steel rims with ventilated
disk.
Tubeless tyres with radial carcass.
The homologated tyres are listed in
the log book.
IMPORTANT In the event of dis-
crepancies between the information
provided in this Owner Handbook and
the Log Book, consider the specifica-
tions shown in the Log Book only.
To ensure safety of the vehicle in
movement, it must be fitted with tyres
of the same make and type on all
wheels.
IMPORTANT Do not use inner
tubes with tubeless tyres.SPARE WHEEL
Printed steel rim.
Tubeless tyre (same as those fitted).
SNOW CHAINS
Only use low profile chains, see
“Snow chains”.
WHEEL GEOMETRY
Front wheel toe-in measured from
rim to rim: – 2 ± 1 mm.
The values refer to the vehicle in run-
ning order.
STEERING
Energy-absorbing jointed steering
column and wheel.
Height adjustable steering wheel.
Permanently lubricated rack and pin-
ion.
Hydraulic power steering.
Minimum turning circle:
– short wheelbase ................ 11 m
– medium wheelbase ............ 12.1 m
– long wheelbase .................. 13,7 m
Number of steering wheel turns lock
to lock ......................................... 3.52
Do not hold the power as-
sisted steering wheel with
the engine running for longer than
15 seconds. It will make a noise and
you could damage the system.
WARNING

251INDEX
Understanding rim markings ... 219
Understanding tyre markings ... 219
Using the automatic gearbox ... 110
Using the manual gearbox ........ 109
Vehicle maintenance........... 162
Vehicle storage ............................. 134
Ventilation...................................... 56
Warming up the engine
after it has just started ............. 107
Warning lights ............................. 35
Washing the vehicle ................... 182
Weights ......................................... 227
Wheel geometry ......................... 218
Wheels and tyres ........................ 178
- changing a wheel .................... 137
- inflation pressure ................... 220
- snow chains ............................ 133
- snow tyres .............................. 132
- spare wheel ............................. 218- understanding tyre
markings ................................... 219
- wheel geometry ..................... 218
Windows ...................................... 183
Windscreen washer ............ 66-181
Windscreen washer
fluid level .................................... 171
Windscreen
wiper (blades) ..................... 66-180
Writing/reading desk ................. 74