2006 FIAT DUCATO Check

86GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
HEADLIGHTS
ADJUSTING THE FRONT
HEADLIGHT BEAM
The correct positioning of the head-
light beams is very important for the
comfort and safety, not only of the
person driving the vehicle but also all
other road users.
This is also covered by a specific law.
To ensure you and other drivers
have the best visibility conditions when
travelling with the headlights on, the
headlights must be set properly.
fig. 136
F0D00043m
Check the positioning of
the headlight beams every
time you change the load to be car-
ried.
WARNINGHave the headlight positioning
checked at aFiat Dealership and
adjusted if necessary.
When the vehicle is loaded, it
“slopes” backwards. This means that
the headlight beam rises. In this case,
it is necessary to return it to the cor-
rect position.
This is achieved by turning knob A-
fig. 136to the load condition illus-
trated on the following page.

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

93GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
In the event of low speed side colli-
sions (for which seat belts are suffi-
cient protection), the airbag is not trig-
gered. Also in this case, it is important
to wear seat belts at all times. This will
ensure correct positioning of the pas-
senger and prevent being projected
from the vehicle in the event of very
violent crashes.
The side bag (driver and passenger)
is therefore not a replacement of but
is complementary to the use of belts,
which should always be worn, as spec-
ified by law in Europe and most non-
European countries.GENERAL WARNINGS
The front and/or side airbags
may be deployed if the vehicle is
subject to heavy knocks or acci-
dents involving the underbody
area, such as for example violent
shocks against steps, kerbs or low
obstacles, falling of the vehicle in
big holes or sags in the road.
Triggering of the airbags re-
leases a small amount of powder.
This powder is not harmful and
does not indicate the start of fire.
The unfold cushion surface and
the vehicle interiors could be cov-
ered by dusty remains: this dust
could irritate skin and eyes. In
case of contact, wash yourself us-
ing neutral soap and water.The airbag system has a validity
of 14 years as to the pyrotechnic
charge and 10 years as to the coil
contact (see the plate set on the
left front door post near hinges).
As these dates approach, con-
tact Fiat Dealership for replace-
ment.
If an accident has triggered the
airbag, contact a Fiat Dealership
so that the whole safety device,
electronic control unit, belt, pre-
tensioners can be replaced and
have the electric system checked
over.
All control, repair and replace-
ment operations concerning the
airbags must only be carried out
at a Fiat Dealership.
If you are having the vehicle
scrapped, have the airbag system
deactivated at a Fiat Dealership
first.

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

96GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
The action of the ASR is particularly
helpful in the following circumstances:
– slipping of the inner wheel due to
the effect of dynamic load changes or
excessive acceleration.
– too much power transmitted to
the wheels also in relation to the con-
ditions of the road surface.
– acceleration on slippery, snowy or
frozen surfaces.
– in the case of loss of grip on a wet
surface (aquaplaning). Furthermore, the system is equipped
with a connector for interfacing with
specific tools used to read the error
codes stored in the control unit mem-
ory along with a set of diagnostic and
engine specific parameters.ASR SYSTEM
(Antislip Regulation)
The ASR system controls the vehicle
drive and cuts in automatically every
time one or both driving wheels slip.
In slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
– if the slipping involves both the dri-
ving wheels, the ASR function inter-
venes reducing the power transmitted
by the engine;
– if slipping involves only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in auto-
matically braking the wheel that is slip-
ping.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the
problem, your Fiat Dealershipwill
run a bench test to fully check the sys-
tem. In some cases, a long road test
may be required.Contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship as soon as possible if
the Uwarning light ei-
ther does not come on when the
key is turned to MAR or comes
on, with fixed or flashing light,
when travelling. Warning light U
operation can be checked by
means of special equipment by
traffic agents. Always comply
with the road traffic regulations
in force in the Country where you
are travelling.
The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce the driver
to take pointless and unnecessary
risks. The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to the
conditions of the road surface, vis-
ibility and traffic. Road safety is al-
ways the driver’s responsibility.
WARNING