2006 FIAT DUCATO ABS

44GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
PANORAMA VERSIONS
Adjusting the reclining
passenger’s seat back
Turn knobA-fig. 52.
Reaching the third row seats
To reach the third row seats from
the side door, use the second row ex-
ternal seat lever B-fig. 52and tilt the
seat back forwards.
fig. 52
F0D0076m
SEATS WITH ADJUSTABLE
ARMRESTS
Driver and passenger's seat can be
fitted with two adjustable armrests
that can be raised or lowered. To
adjust the armrests use the small
wheels A-fig. 51.
fig. 51
F0D0676m
Should it be absolutely nec-
essary to carry a child, on a
child's seat, on the front seat make
sure the front passenger's air bag
is deactivated, the front passenger's
seat belt is fastened properly and
the armrests are lowered com-
pletely to prevent accidental move-
ments.
WARNING
Before fastening the front
seat belts make sure the
armrests are set in vertical position
(see paragraph “Seat belts”).
WARNING
Before unfastening the seat
belts and getting out of the
vehicle make sure the outer armrest
(on door side) is completely raised.
WARNING

51GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE
STEERING WHEEL
The steering wheel of every version
can be adjusted vertically:
1)Move lever A-fig. 71b to position
1.
2)Adjust the steering wheel.
3)Take the lever back to position 2
to lock the steering wheel.
fig. 71b
F0D0040m
Only make adjustments
when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
WARNING
DRIVING MIRROR
This mirror can be adjusted by means
of lever A-fig. 72.
1- normal position.
2- anti-dazzle position.
This mirror is also fitted with a safety
device that releases the mirror in the
event of an impact.
fig. 72
F0D0168m
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifi-
cations (e.g.: installation of anti-
theft Device) that could badly af-
fect performance and safety, cause
the lapse of warranty and also re-
sult in non-compliance of the car
with homologation requirements.
WARNING

87GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Version
Van (11- 15)
Camping Car (11 - 15)
Van and Camping car (MAXI)
Panorama and Combi (11)
Panorama and Combi (15)
Panorama 4WD (11) with max limit
in load compartment of 550 kg.
Minibus - School Bus (MAXI) - Ambulances
Truck - Crew cab - Chassis cowl (11 and 15)
Truck - Crew cab - Chassis cowl (MAXI)Position 0
driver only
driver only
driver only
1, 2 or 3 people on
front seats
1, 2 or 3 people on
front seats
1, 2 or 3 people on
front seats
all load conditions
driver only
driver onlyPosition 1
do not use
do not use
do not use
all seats occupied
front seats
plus front seat row
occupied
all seats occupied
plus last seat row
occupied
all seats occupied
front seats
plus last seat row
occupied
do not use
do not use
do not usePosition 2
do not use
full load
full load
all seats occupied
plus max load on
rear axle
do not use
do not use
do not use
full load
full loadPosition 3
full load
do not use
do not use
driver
plus max load on
rear axle
all seats occupied
plus max load on
rear axle
driver + max load
on rear axle
all seats occupied
plus max load on
rear axle
driver + max load
on rear axle
do not use
do not use
do not use
IMPORTANTDo not use positions identified in the table with “do not use” for vans, trucks and crew cabs.
IMPORTANTContact Fiat Dealershipfor checking and adjusting front fog lights.

88GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
If you have never driven a vehicle
with ABS before, you should practice
using the system on slippery terrain,
obviously with the necessary safety
precautions and keeping to the High-
way Code of the country you are in.
It is also a good idea to read the fol-
lowing information carefully.
The advantage in using the ABS sys-
tem is that it continues to give you
maximum manoeuvrability even when
braking hard in conditions of poor grip
by preventing the wheels locking.
You should, however, not expect the
braking distance to always decrease:
for example surfaces with gravel or
fresh snow on a slippery road will in
fact increase the braking distance.
To exploit the ABS system to the full
in the event of necessity, you should
take heed of the following advice:ABS
The vehicle is fitted with an ABS
braking system (optional), which pre-
vents the wheels from locking when
braking, makes the most of road grip
and gives the best control when emer-
gency braking under difficult road con-
ditions.
The driver can tell the ABS system
has come into play when he feels the
brake pedal pulsating slightly and the
system gets noiser.
This should not be interpreted as a
fault in the brakes; on the contrary it
is a sign that the ABS system is work-
ing: it tells the driver that the vehicle
is travelling at the limit of its road grip
and that he should alter his speed to
fit the type of road surface.
The ABS system is an addition to the
basic braking system. If there is a mal-
function, the system turns off auto-
matically and only the ordinary brakes
continue to work.
If a failure occurs, and consequently
the anti-lock function is not effective,
the braking system will continue to
work as usual.
If the ABS system cuts in it
is a sign that the grip be-
tween the tyre and the road surface
has reached the limit: you must
slow down to match the speed to
the road grip available.
WARNING
If there is a fault, the warn-
ing light >will light up on
the dashboard. At this point, reduce
speed and go to a Fiat Dealership
to have your vehicle checked and
put right immediately.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the tyre-
road grip available to the
full, but it cannot improve it; you
should therefore take every care
when driving on slippery surfaces,
and not take unnecessary risks.
WARNING

89GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Warning light >alone,
with the engine running,
normally indicates a fault in the
ABS system only. In this case, the
braking system is still efficient,
though without the anti-locking de-
vice. Under these conditions, per-
formance of the EBD system may
be reduced. In this case too, you are
advised to go immediately to the
nearest Fiat Dealership, driving in
such a way to avoid sharp braking
to have the system checked over.
WARNING
If the xbrake fluid low
warning light comes on,
stop the vehicle immediately and
contact the nearest Fiat Dealership.
Fluid leaks from the hydraulic sys-
tem, in fact, can compromise brake
system operation, both traditional
systems and systems with ABS.
WARNING
Braking while cornering always re-
quires extreme care even when using
ABS.
The most important advice to follow
is this:
If you follow these tips you will be
able to brake better in any situation.
IMPORTANTVehicles fitted with
ABS shall only be fitted with wheel rims,
tyres and brake pads of the make and
model approved by the vehicle manu-
facturer.The system is completed with an elec-
tronic brakeforce distributor called
EBD which improves braking system
performance by means of the ABSsys-
tem control unit and sensors.
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the brake pedal
pulsating, do not remove your foot,
but keep it pressed. In doing so you
will stop in the shortest amount of
space possible under the current
road conditions.
WARNING
The vehicle is fitted with an
electronic brakeforce dis-
tributor (EBD). The >and x
warning lights come on at the same
time when the engine is running to
indicate that there is an EBD sys-
tem failure. In this case violent
braking may be accompanied by
early rear wheel locking with the
possibility of skidding. Drive ex-
tremely carefully to the nearest Fi-
at Dealership to have the system
checked.
WARNING

91GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Therefore, failure to come into ac-
tion in the above circumstances does
not mean that the system is not work-
ing properly.
Airbag system efficiency is constant-
ly monitored by an electronic control
unit.
If warning light
¬(A-fig. 139)
comes on when travelling (indicating a
fault), have immediately the system
checked and repaired at a Fiat Deal-
ership.FRONT AIRBAG
PASSENGER SIDE
The passenger’s front airbag has been
designed and calibrated to improve the
protection of a person wearing seat
belts.
At its maximum inflation, its volume
fills most of the space between the
dashboard and the passenger.
fig. 139
F0D0190m
SERIOUS DANGER If it is
absolutely necessary to car-
ry a child on the front pas-
senger seat with the cradle
child’s seat facing back-
wards, the front passenger’s air bag
must be deactivated using the key
switch. In this case it is absolutely
necessary to check the warning
light
F(see paragraph “Passen-
ger’s front air bag”) to make sure
that deactivation has actually tak-
en place.
WARNING
With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle facing back-
wards since the air bag activation
could cause to the child serious in-
juries, even mortal, regardless of the
seriousness of the crash that trig-
gered it. You are advised to carry
children always with proper re-
straint systems on the rear seats, as
this is the most protected position
in the case of a crash.
WARNING

92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
SIDE BAGS fig. 142
The purpose of the side bag is to
protect the front seat passenger’s
chest in the event of a side impact of
medium to high degree.
The device consists of a bag housed
in the front seat backs which imme-
diately inflates. This solution ensures
that the bag is in an optimal position
regardless of the seat position.
In the event of a side impact, the con-
trol unit processes the signals from a
deceleration sensor and fires the side
bag.
The bag inflates instantly and acts as
a soft protective barrier between the
front seat passenger’s chest and vehi-
cle door. The bag deflates immediate-
ly afterwards.
fig. 142
F0D0042m
fig. 140
F0D0163m
Manual deactivation
Should it be absolutely necessary to
carry a child on the front seat, the pas-
senger’s airbag can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand oper-
ating it in the special key switch on the
left side of the tachograph.
IMPORTANTOperate the switch
only when the engine is not running
and the ignition key is removed.The key-operated switch (A-
fig. 140) has two positions:
– front passenger’s airbag on (posi-
tion ON
P): instrument panel warn-
ing light off F; it is absolutely pro-
hibited to carry a child on the front
seat.
– front passenger’s airbag off (posi-
tion OFF F): instrument panel
warning light on F; it is possible to
carry a child protected by special re-
straint system on the front seat.
The instrument panel warning light
F(B-fig. 141) stays on permanent-
ly until the passenger’s airbag is reac-
tivated.
Deactivation of the front passenger’s
airbag does not inhibit operation of
the side airbag.
fig. 141
F0D0227m

97GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
SWITCHING THE ASR
SYSTEM ON AND OFF
The ASR function switches on auto-
matically each time the engine is
started.
When travelling the device can be
switched off and on again pressing
switch A-fig. 143 on the centre con-
sole.
Function deactivation is indicated by
the instrument panel warning light A-
fig. 144coming on. If the ASR func-
tion is turned off when travelling, it
will be restored at the following start-
up.For correct operation of the ASR
system the tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in perfect conditions and,
above all, of the specified type, brand
and size.
IMPORTANTWhen travelling on
snowy road with snow chains, it may
be helpful to turn the ASR device off:
in fact, in these conditions, slipping of
the driving wheels when moving off
makes it possible to obtain better
drive.
fig. 143
F0D0206m
ASR system failure indication
In the event of malfunctioning, the
ASR system is automatically discon-
nected and the warning light Von
the instrument panel comes on with
fixed light.
Press once button A-fig. 143to
check that the signalled information is
correct:
– button pressed, the warning light
goes off, no ASR system faults are de-
tected;
– button pressed, the warning light
stays on, ASR system fault detected.
In this case the vehicle will go o as a
vehicle not equipped with this system.
Anyway, you are recommended to go
to a Fiat Dealershipas soon as pos-
sible.
fig. 144
F0D0251m