117GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONSTRUCTION FEATURES
DUCATO automatic gearbox is con-
trolled electronically with four for-
ward gears and reverse.
It is controlled by an electronic con-
trol unit which handles:
– the torque distributor;
– gearshifting;
– specific programmes.
The gearbox is coupled with a flow
power torque distributor with piloted
antislip device which makes it possible
to obtain demultiplication ratios.
The characteristic of this gearbox
which works without idle gear enables:
– higher compactness and weight re-
duction;
– improved output due to less fric-
tion;
– lower stress of transmission com-
ponents.GENERAL FEATURES
Electronic gearbox control makes it
possible to obtain gearshifting suited
to momentary engine characteristics
with a certain elasticity.
The electronic control unit has the
following task:
– adapting the oil pressure for
gearshifting to the engine torque;
– activating safety functions;
– defining the manual gearshifting
programme;
– system diagnostics.
For controlling these operating log-
ics the control unit uses the follow-
ing signals:
– engine rpm;
– engine temperature;
– engine torque;
– vehicle speed;
– gearbox oil temperature;– gearshift lever position;
– accelerator pedal position;
– brake pedal position.
The control unit also communicates
with the injection system electronic
control unit.
Conditions of use analysed by
the control unit
The control unit analyses each single
condition of use of the vehicle, dis-
criminating it on the basis of the sig-
nals received from the various sensors.
Analysed conditions are the follow-
ing:
– starting (position/accelerator ped-
al changing speed);
– acceleration (accelerator pedal
completely pushing down speed);
– full load (number of engine full load
kickdown signals or position mainte-
nance time);
