2007 FIAT ULYSSE brake

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
117
In the event of a failure, the braking
capacity of the car will not be pe-
nalised in any way although the an-
tilocking effect cannot be relied upon.
If this is the first time you are dri-
ving a car with ABS, we recommend
you learn how to use it by testing the
brakes on slippery ground - obvious-
ly in conditions of safety and respect-
ing the highway code enforced in the
country you are driving in - and read
the following notes carefully.
The advantage of ABS with respect
to the traditional braking system is the
fact that maximum drivability is en-
sured even when braking to the grip
limit and wheel locking is prevented.
You should, however, not always ex-
pect the braking distance to decrease.
For example, on soft surfaces - i.e.
gravel or fresh snow on a slippery
road - the braking distance could, in
fact, increase.To make the most of the possibilities
offered by the anti-locking system
when it is required, attain to the fol-
lowing advice.If there is a fault, the in-
strument panel warning
light >will come on. At
this point, reduce speed and go to
a Fiat Dealership to have your car
checked and full system opera-
tion restored.
When the ABS inter-
venes and you feel the
brake pedal pushing, do
not release the pressure on the
pedal but hold it down without
hesitation. This will ensure the
car stops in the shortest time
compatibly to the road surface
conditions.In any case, always pay the utmost
care when braking and cornering even
with ABS.
The most important piece of advice
is, however, the following: The ABS makes the
most of the available grip
but cannot increase it.
Consequently, drive very care-
fully on slippery roads without
taking unnecessary risks.
When the ABS inter-
venes, you have reached
the grip limit between
tyres and road surface: slow
down to suit speed to the avail-
able grip.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
118
MBA AND HBA
SYSTEMS
(where fitted)
The MBA (Mechanic Brake Assis-
tance) and HBA (Hydraulic Brake As-
sistance) systems increase braking
pressure in emergency braking. When
the driver is forced by the critical dri-
ving conditions to press violently the
brake pedal, the system increases the
braking pressure to assure the quick-
est vehicle stop.
These two systems behave in the
same way, the only difference is that
one increases braking pressure
through the ESP control unit and the
other with a mechanic action. By following these indications you
will be able to brake in the best con-
ditions in all events.
IMPORTANTVehicles fitted with
ABS may only be fitted with wheel
rims, tyres and brake pads of the make
and model approved by the vehicle
manufacturer.
The system is completed with an
Electronic Brake Distributor EBD
which increases the brake system per-
formance and employs the ABS con-
trol unit and sensors.
If the xbrake fluid low
warning light comes on,
stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and contact the nearest Fi-
at Dealership. Fluid leaks from
the hydraulic system, in fact, can
compromise brake system oper-
ation, both traditional systems
and systems with ABS. The car is fitted with an
electronic braking device
(EBD). The xand >
warning lights will come on at the
same time when the engine is
running to indicate that there is
an EBD system failure. In this
case violent braking may be ac-
companied by early rear wheel
locking with the possibility of
skidding. Drive the car extreme-
ly carefully to the nearest Fiat
Dealership to have the system
checked.Warning light >alone,
with the engine running,
normally indicates a fault
in the ABS system. In this case,
the braking system is still effi-
cient, though without the an-
tilocking device. Under these
conditions, performance of the
EBD system may be reduced. Al-
so in this case, you are advised to
go immediately to the nearest Fi-
at Dealership, driving in such a
way to avoid sharp braking to
have the system checked.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
119
ESP SYSTEM
(where fitted)
The ESP (Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) system controls the vehicle sta-
bility. It brakes drive wheels in a dif-
ferent way from the other wheels and
if grip is lost, it helps the car recover
stability and the correct travelling di-
rection.
While travelling the vehicle is subject
to side and longitudinal forces which
can be controlled by the driver as long
as the tyre grip is good. When the tyre
grip falls below the minimum level, the
vehicle starts deviating from the dri-
ver’s wished direction.
Especially when travelling on uneven
roads (paving, water, ice or earth) or
irregular roads (bends or other ob-
stacles) the tyre grip may be greatly
reduced.When the sensors detect such con-
ditions, the ESP system intervenes on
the engine and the brakes and makes
the vehicle recover stability.
The system perfor-
mance, in terms of active
safety, should not make
the driver run useless risks. Dri-
ving must suit road conditions, vis-
ibility and traffic. Nevertheless it
is always the behaviour of the dri-
ver that determines road safety.
The ESP system helps the driver keep
the vehicle control in the event of tyre
grip loss. Anyway, the ESP operation
depends on the grip between tyre and
roadbed.
ESP SYSTEM OPERATION
The ESP system is activated when-
ever the engine is started; it can be
turned on/off manually by pressing
button A-fig. 165on the dashboard.
fig. 165
F0B0112b

Cars with ESP may only
be fitted with tyres of the
same make, model and
size and be in good conditions.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
120
ESP SYSTEM ACTION
The ESP system action is signalled by
warning light
ñflashing to inform the
driver that the vehicle stability and grip
are critical.
ESP failure indication
In the event of an ESP system failure,
it turns off automatically and warning
light
ñcomes on together with the
relative message on the multifunction
display.
In the event of an ESP system failure,
the vehicle behaves as the version
without this type of system. We rec-
ommend you to contact a Fiat Deal-
ership as soon as possible. The ESP main components are:
– an electronic control unit which
processes the sensor signals and ap-
plies the best strategy;
– an angle sensor which detects the
steering position;
– four sensors which detect each
wheel rotation speed;
– a braking system pressure sensor;
– a yawing sensor which detects the
vehicle spinning around a vertical axis;
– a sensor which detects side accel-
eration (centrifugal force).
The ESP heart is the control unit
which processes the centrifugal forces
deriving from cornering on the basis
of the data coming from the sensors
installed on the vehicle. The yawing
sensor detects the vehicle spinning
around its vertical axis. Centrifugal
forces resulting from cornering are de-
tected by a highly sensible side accel-
eration sensor.
The ESP stabilising action is based on
the control unit processing of data
coming from the steering wheel rota-
tion sensors, side acceleration sensors
and wheel rotation speed sensors.These signals make the control unit
recognise the driver’s manoeuvre
when he/she turns the steering wheel.
The control unit processes such in-
formation and is able to detect the ve-
hicle position at any time and compare
it with the driver’s wished direction. If
they do not match, the control unit is
able to adjust the vehicle’s position in-
stantly, by choosing the best strategy:
it can brake one or more wheels with
different force and reduce the engine
power, if needed.
Adjustments are made for continu-
ously adapting to the driver’s wished
travelling direction.
The ESP system action improves the
vehicle safety in many critical situations
and is useful especially when the
roadbed grip changes.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
121
TC and ASR FUNCTIONS
The TC (Traction Control) and ASR
(Anti Slip Regulation), integrated in the
ESP system, prevent drive wheel slip
in poor grip conditions.
Two different control systems inter-
vene:
– if both drive wheels slip because of
excessive power, the ASR system re-
duces the engine power;
– if only one drive wheel slips, the TC
function brakes the slipping wheel as
a self-locking differential would do.
The TC and ASR functions are par-
ticularly useful in the following condi-
tions:
– inside wheel slipping due to load
variations and excessive acceleration;too much power to the wheels de-
pending also on the road conditions;
– acceleration on snowy or icy roads;
– wet road grip loss.
The TC and ASR system
performance, in terms of
active safety, should not
make the driver run useless risks.
Driving must suit road condi-
tions, visibility and traffic. Never-
theless it is always the behaviour
of the driver that determines
road safety.
Cars with TC and ASR
functions may only be fit-
ted with tyres of the same
make, model and size and be in
good conditions.IMPORTANTWhen travelling on
snowy roads with the snow chains ap-
plied, we suggest turning the ESP sys-
tem off and switching on the TC and
ASR functions, so that the drive action
is increased in the event the drive
wheels slip.
MSR FUNCTION
The MSR (Motor Schleppmoment
Regelung) function controls automat-
ically the engine braking torque while
shifting the gears. In the event of sud-
den gear shifting, this function prevents
the drive wheel dragging, especially in
poor grip conditions, and restores the
vehicle stability.

The T.P.M.S. system
does not exempt the dri-
ver to check tyre and
space-saver spare wheel pressure
at regular intervals.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
123
IMPORTANTTyre pressure
should be checked with tyres rested
and cold. Should it become necessary
for whatever reason to check pres-
sure with hot tyres, do not reduce
pressure although it is higher than the
prescribed value but repeat the check
when tyres are cold.IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT
THE T.P.M.S. SYSTEM
Failure indications will not be stored
and therefore will not be displayed
when turning the engine off and on
again. If failure persists, the control
unit will send warning indications to
the instrument panel only after a few
seconds when the car is moving.
IMPORTANTT.P.M.S. system can-
not indicate sudden tyre pressure
drops (e.g.: tyre burst). In this event,
brake the car cautiously and avoid sud-
den steering.
IMPORTANTReplacing standard
tyres with winter tyres and vice ver-
sa involves T.P.M.S. system set-up that
shall be performed at Fiat Dealer-
ships only.
IMPORTANT The T.P.M.S. system
requires special equipment. Consult
Fiat Dealership to know what type
of accessories are compatible with the
system (wheels, wheel caps, etc.). Us-
ing other accessories could cause sys-
tem malfunctioning.IMPORTANTTyre pressure could
change according to outside temper-
ature. For this reason the T.P.M.S. sys-
tem could temporarily indicate low
tyre pressure. In this event check pres-
sure with cold tyres and restore prop-
er inflation values if required.
IMPORTANTIf the car is fitted
with T.P.M.S. system, tyre and/or rim
removal and refitting operations in-
volve special precautions; to prevent
damages or wrong sensor refitting,
contact Fiat Dealership to have tyre
and/or rim changed.
IMPORTANTIf the car is fitted
with T.P.M.S. system, when changing a
tyre, change also the rubber seal of the
valve. Contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Strong radio-fre-
quency disturbances could inhibit
proper TPMS system operation. This
condition is indicated by a dedicated
massage on the display. This indication
will go off automatically as soon as the
radio-frequency disturbance ceases.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
132
GENERAL NOTES
While parking, pay attention to ob-
stacles above or below the sensors. In
fact certain objects very close to the
vehicle rear part are not detected by
the system and so the car or the sen-
sors might get damaged.
Warnings coming from the damaged
sensors may be altered and no longer
reliable, also when they are covered
with dirt, mud, snow or ice, or con-
founded by nearby ultrasound systems
(e.g. air brakes of trucks or rivetting
hammers).SOUND SYSTEM
For the sound system, see the
“Sound system” handbook enclosed
to this “Owner handbook”.
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If, after purchasing your car, you wish
to add electric accessories (alarm,
satellite antitheft device, etc.) that re-
quire permanent power supply or high
feed accessories, visit a Fiat Dealer-
ship. The staff of experts, beside sug-
gesting the most suitable accessories
in the Lineaccessori Fiat range, will al-
so check whether the car electrical
system can support the the required
load or if a larger size battery needs to
be installed.Take care when fitting
additional spoilers, alloy
rims and non-standard
wheel caps: they might reduce
ventilation of the brakes, thus
their efficiency, during abrupt
and repeated braking, or long
downhill slopes. Make sure that
nothing (mats, etc.) gets in the
way of the pedals when they are
pushed down.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
137
5)Wait for the warning light mto
go out. The hotter the engine is, the
quicker this will happen.
6)Turn the ignition key to Dimme-
diately after the mwarning light
goes out. If you wait too long, you will
lose the benefit of the work done by
the glow plugs. PROCEDURE FOR STARTING
1)Make sure the handbrake is up.
2)Put the gear lever in neutral.
3) Press down the clutch pedal.
4)Turn the ignition key to Mand in-
strument panel warning light mwill
come on.High current absorption electric de-
vices (climate control system, rear
heated window, etc.) are automatical-
ly deactivated during start-up.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to Sand then again to M. If it is still
impossible to start the engine, try with
the other key provided with the car.
If you are still unable to start the en-
gine, contact a Fiat Dealership.