
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

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.

99GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
IMPORTANT The cables are se-
cured to the heater cables bundle with
adhesive tape to cut out noise.
For speakers, use the housings at the
ends of the dashboard fig. 146:
A- left-hand speaker housing
B- right-hand speaker housing.
To install: dismantle the press-fitted
dashboard panel and insert the speak-
er in its special recess.
To fit speakers in the doors, loosen
screws A-fig. 147and remove the
protection grid. After securing the
speakers refit the protecting grid.
fig. 146
F0D0061m
SOUND SYSTEM (optional)
The complete system consists of:
– system set-up (see previous para-
graph)
– sound system (radio with cassette
or CD player) with removable front
panel (for features and operation, see
the attached “Sound system” supple-
ment).
fig. 147
F0D0060m
The wiring diagram is as follows
(fig. 148):
Connector A
A1Vehicle speed
A2Booster
A3Spare
A4Key-controlled power (+15)
A5Aerial power
A6Light
A7Power + (battery)
A8Ground
fig. 148
F0D0672m

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

106GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
HOW TO START DIESEL
VERSIONS
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 MAR. In-
strument panel warning lights mand
Ywill come on.
5)Wait for the instrument panel
warning light Yto go out.
6) Wait for the instrument panel
warning light mto go out. The hot-
ter the engine is, the quicker this will
happen.
7) Turn the key to AVVimmediate-
ly after the mwarning light goes out.
If you wait too long, you will lose the
benefit of the work done by the glow
plugs.
Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.Intake air heater (Heat Flange)
An air heating device is fitted on the
intake manifold inlet in 2.8 JTD ver-
sions to facilitate starting the engine in
cold weather.
This device will be switched on au-
tomatically when the key is turned to
MAR.
The heater is fitted in all 2.8 JTD ver-
sions with EGR system. It is optional
for other JTD versions.
The engine start-up procedure is the
same with and without the heater.GENERAL NOTES
If the engine does not start first time,
return the key to STOPbefore try-
ing to start the engine again.
If warning light Yremains lit 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. The warning light m
will flash (for approxi-
mately 60 seconds) at
start-up or during prolonged
cranking to signal a fault in the
glow plug heating system. You
can use the vehicle as usual if the
engine starts but you should con-
tact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible to have problem seen to.
SELENIA 20K (petrol en-
gines) is recommended
when the vehicle is mainly
used in relatively mild climates. If
however, the vehicle is mainly
used where the climate is partic-
ularly severe, the use of SELENIA
PERFORMER MULTIPOWER
(petrol engines) or SELENIA WR
(diesel engines) is recommended.