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
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
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
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
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
102GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
DIESEL ENGINES
The vehicle must only
be filled with diesel fuel
for motor vehicles, in
compliance with European Spec-
ification EN590. The use of other
products or mixtures may ir-
reparably damage the engine
with invalidation of the warran-
ty due to the damage caused. In
the event of accidentally filling
with another type of fuel, do not
start the engine and empty the
tank. If the engine has been run
even for only a very short time,
in addition to the tank, it is also
necessary to drain out the whole
fuel circuit.AT THE FILLING
STATION
PETROL ENGINES
Use unleaded petrol only.
However, to avoid mistakes, the fu-
el filler is too small for the leaded
petrol pump.
Octane rating (R.O.N.) must not be
lower than 95.
fig. 151
F0D0193m
Never put even the tini-
est amount of leaded
petrol in the fuel tank of
your Ducato even in an emer-
gency. You would damage the
catalytic converter beyond re-
pair.
An inefficient catalytic
converter will allow
harmful exhaust fumes to
be emitted and thus contribute
to air pollution.
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
105GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
G G
E E
T T
T T
I I
N N
G G
T T
H H
E E
B B
E E
S S
T T
O O
U U
T T
O O
F F
Y Y
O O
U U
R R
V V
E E
H H
I I
C C
L L
E E
STARTING
THE ENGINE HOW TO START PETROL
VERSIONS
IMPORTANT Do not press the
accelerator until the engine has start-
ed.
1) Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever into neutral.
3)Press the clutch pedal down to
the floor without touching the accel-
erator.
4) Turn the ignition key to AVVand
release it as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOP before trying to start the
engine again.
If the warning light Ystays on when
the ignition key is at MAR, turn the
key to STOPand then to MAR; if the
warning light stays on, try with the
other keys provided.
If you are still unable to start the en-
gine, go to a Fiat Dealership.IMPORTANTDo not leave the ig-
nition key at MAR when 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.
Never touch the high volt-
age cables (spark plug ca-
bles) when the engine is running.
WARNING
It is dangerous to let the en-
gine run in a garage of oth-
er closed area. The engine con-
sumes oxygen and gives off carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide and oth-
er poisonous fumes.
WARNING