2006 FIAT DUCATO Airbags

Always adjust the height of the seat
belt to fit the person wearing it. This
could greatly reduce the risk of injury
in the case of collision.
The belt is adjusted properly when
the webbing passes approximately
halfway between the edge of the
shoulder and the neck.
5 different adjustments in height are
provided.PRETENSIONERS
Ducato vehicles fitted with airbags
are also fitted with pretensioners to
improve protection.
These devices “feel” that a violent
collision is in progress via a sensor and
pull back a few inches of webbing. In
this way the pretensioners ensure that
the belt is adhering perfectly to the
body before the belt begins to hold
back the wearer.
When the pretensioner has been
triggered the retractor will lock. The
seat belt cannot be drawn back up
even when guiding it manually.
After you have made the
adjustment, always make
sure that the loop is attached firm-
ly in one of the preset positions. To
do this, with the button released,
exert a further pressure to allow
the anchoring device to catch if re-
lease did not take place at one of
the preset positions.
WARNING
18GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
To adjust, press button A-fig. 16and
raise or lower the grip B-fig. 16. ADJUSTING THE FRONT
SEAT BELT HEIGHT
fig. 16
F0D 0051m
Only adjust seat belt
height when the vehicle is
stationary.
WARNING

90GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
FRONT AND SIDE
AIRBAGS
FRONT AIRBAGS
Description and operation
The front airbag (driver’s and passen-
ger’s) is a safety device which comes in-
to action in the event of a head-on col-
lision.
It consists of a cushion that inflates
instantaneously contained in a special
recess:
– in the centre of the steering wheel
for the driver; fig. 137;
– in the dashboard and with a bigger
cushion for the passenger fig. 138.The front airbag (driver and passen-
ger) has been designed to protect the
occupants in the event of head-on
crashes of medium-high severity, by
placing the cushion between the oc-
cupant and the steering wheel or dash-
board.
In case of crash, an electronic con-
trol unit processes the signals from de-
celeration sensor and, when required,
triggers the inflation of the cushion.
The bag inflates instantly and acts as
a protective barrier between the front
seat passengers and the structures in
front of them that could cause injury.
The bags deflate immediately after-
wards.
fig. 137
F0D0131m
fig. 138
F0D0169m
In case of crash, a person not wear-
ing the seat belt moves forward and
may come into contact with the cush-
ion while it is still inflating. Under this
circumstance the protection offered
by the airbag is reduced.
The front airbag (driver and passen-
ger) is therefore not a replacement of
but is complementary to the use of
belts, which should always be worn, as
specified by law in Europe and most
non-European countries.
In the case of minor head-on colli-
sions, (for which the restraining action
of the seat belt is sufficient) the airbag
is not triggered.
In collisions against highly deformable
or mobile objects (such as road signs,
heaps of gravel or snow, parked vehi-
cles, etc.), in rear crashes (such as
bumps from behind by another vehi-
cle), side impacts, and in case of wedg-
ing under other vehicles or protective
barriers (for example under a truck or
guard rail), the airbag is not triggered
as it offers no additional protection
compared with the seat belts, conse-
quently, it would be pointless.

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

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

247INDEX
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
Bodywork ..................................... 181
- maintenance ............................ 181
- tips for keeping the body
in good conditions ................. 182
- versions .................................... 187
- warranty ................................... 182
Bodywork paint identification
plate ............................................. 186
Bodywork versions ..................... 187
Bonnet ........................................... 84
Bottle holder ................................ 74
Brake fluid level ........................... 172
Brake light replacement ............. 146
Brakes
- handbrake ......................... 108-216
- service and
emergency brake ................... 216
Bulb replacement ........................ 141
Bulb types ..................................... 142
Bump starting ............................... 137Capacities ................................... 239
Ceiling light .................................... 71
Cellular phone set-up ................ 100
Central door locking system .... 83
Changing a wheel ........................ 137
Cheap running that respects
the environment ....................... 127
Checking fluid levels ................... 167
Child restraint systems .............. 22
Cigar lighter ................................. 77
Cleaning seats and fabrics ......... 184
Cleaning the plastic parts .......... 184
Climate control system ............. 57
Clutch ............................................ 216
Controls ........................................ 71
Consumption
- engine oil .................................. 170
- fuel ............................................. 243
Coolant temperature gauge ..... 30ABS .............................................. 88
Additional heater ........................ 58
Adjusting the headlight beam ... 86
Airbags (front and side) ............. 90
Air cleaner .................................... 173
Air vents ........................................ 54
Annual inspection schedule ...... 165
Ashtray .......................................... 77
ASR system ................................... 96
At the filling station .................... 102
Automatic electronic gearbox .. 110
Battery ........................................ 174
- battery cut out ....................... 73
- checking the charge ............... 175
- jump starting .................... 136-157
- recharging ................................ 157
- replacement ............................ 174
- useful advice ............................ 175