2008 FIAT ULYSSE Owners Manual

DRIVING YOUR CAR
144
DRIVING WITH ABS
ABS is a part of the braking system
offering 2 advantages:
1)it prevents wheel lock-up and
consequent skidding in emergency
stops, particularly when the road does
not offer much grip;
2)it makes it possible to brake and
steer at the same time so you can
avoid sudden objects on the road and
direct the vehicle where you want
while braking; this compatibly with the
physical limits of overall tyre grip.To get the most out of ABS:
– during emergency stops or when
grip conditions are poor, you will feel
a slight pulsation on the brake pedal.
This is the sign that the ABS is in ac-
tion. Do not release the brake pedal
but continue to press so as not to in-
terrupt the braking action;
– ABS prevents the wheels from
locking but it does not increase actu-
al grip conditions between tyre and
road. Therefore, even if your vehicle
is fitted with ABS, respect the safety
distance from the vehicle in front of
you and keep your speed down when
driving into bends.
ABS serves to increase the control-
lability of the vehicle, not to enable you
to go faster. DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE
The main suggestions are the fol-
lowing:
– keep you speed down;
– keep a good distance from the cars
in front of you;
– use chains if the roads are covered
in snow. See “Snow chains” in this
chapter;
– do not keep the engine running for
long periods in deep snow as the snow
could push exhaust gases into the pas-
senger compartment;
– mainly use the engine brake and un-
der all circumstances avoid braking
sharply;
– do not accelerate suddenly and
avoid swerving;
– in the winter, even apparently dry
roads may have icy patches. Be care-
ful therefore when driving over
stretches that do not get much expo-
sure to the sun or that are lined by
trees and rocks, where ice might not
have melted.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
145
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
AND POLLUTION
Tyres
Tyre pressure should be checked at
least once every four weeks: if the
pressure is too low fuel consumption
increases as the resistance to the
rolling movement of the tyre is
greater. In this state, tyre wear is in-
creased and vehicle handling suffers,
which will effect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
vehicle (especially when driving in the
city) and its trim greatly effects con-
sumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof/ski rack from the
roof when no longer necessary. These
accessories reduce the vehicle’s aero-
dynamic penetration, which affects
consumption. Use a trailer, if particu-
larly heavy objects are to be trans-
ported. Some suggestions which may help
you to keep the running costs of the
car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere are given below.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
The overall state of the vehicle is an
important factor that has a marked in-
fluence over fuel consumption, driving
comfort and on the life span of your
vehicle. For this reason, care should
be taken to maintain your vehicle by
carrying out the necessary checks and
observing regulations in accordance
with the specifications given in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme
(see section, idling, air cleaners, tim-
ing).Electrical devices
Use electric devices for the neces-
sary time only. The heated rear win-
dow, supplementary lights, windscreen
wipers, heating system blower require
large amounts of electricity; this means
an increase in the request for power
and consequently an increase in fuel
consumption (up to +25% when dri-
ving in built-up areas).
Climate control system
The climate control unit is an addi-
tional load that greatly affects the en-
gine leading to higher consumption (on
average +20%). When the tempera-
ture outside allows it, use the air
vents.
Spoilers
The use of optional extras which are
not certified for specific use on the car
may reduce the aerodynamic pene-
tration of the car and increase con-
sumption.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
146
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine when the
vehicle is stationary or at high or low
revs: in this way the engine will warm
up gradually increasing consumption
and emissions. You should drive off
slowly straight away avoiding high revs
so that the engine will warm up more
quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving the engine when
stopped at traffic lights or before
switching off the engine and avoid dou-
ble-clutching as these actions have no
purpose on modern vehicles and serve
only to increase consumption and pol-
lution.
Gear selections
As soon as the traffic and road con-
ditions allow it, shift to a higher gear.
Using a lower gear to liven up accel-
eration greatly increases consumption.
In the same way, improper use of the
higher gears will increase consump-
tion, emissions and wear and tear on
the engine.Top speeds
Fuel consumption increases consid-
erably as speed increases. For exam-
ple, when accelerating from 90 to
120 Kph, fuel consumption increases
by about +30%. Your speed should be
kept as even as possible and superflu-
ous braking and acceleration avoided
as this increases both consumption
and emissions. A “soft” way of driving
should be adopted by attempting to
anticipate manoeuvres to avoid immi-
nent danger and to keep a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front to
avoid braking sharply.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the
revs will greatly effect consumption
and emission: acceleration should be
gradual and not exceed the maximum
torque.CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short trips and frequent cold start-
ing will not enable the engine to reach
optimal running temperature (from
+15 to +30% in built up areas) as will
the production of toxic emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Heavy traffic and higher consumption
are synonymous: for example, when
driving slowly with frequent use of
lower gears or in large towns where
there are numerous traffic lights.
Winding roads, mountain roads and
bumpy roads also have a negative ef-
fect on consumption.
Enforced halts
During prolonged stops (traffic lights,
level crossings, etc.) the engine should
be switched off.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
147
CHEAP RUNNING THAT RESPECTS
THE ENVIRONMENT
LOOKING AFTER EMISSION
CONTROL DEVICES
The correct use of pollution control
devices not only ensures respect for
the environment but also has an effect
on the car’s performance. Keeping
these devices in good condition is
therefore a fundamental rule for dri-
ving that is easy on your pocket and
on the environment too.
The first step to take is to follow the
Service Schedule to the letter.
Only use diesel for motor vehicles
(EN590 specification). Environmental protection has been
one of the guiding principles in the
production of the Ulysse. It is no ac-
cident that its pollution control equip-
ment is much more effective than that
required by current legislation.
Nonetheless, the environment can-
not get by without a concerted effort
from everyone.
By following a few simple rules the
motorist can avoid harming the envi-
ronment and often cut down fuel con-
sumption at the same time.
On this subject, a number of useful
tips have been given below to supple-
ment those marked by symbol
#, at
various points of the manual.
You are asked to read both the for-
mer and latter carefully.If you have trouble starting, do not
turn the ignition key for long periods.
Be especially careful to avoid bump
starting the vehicle by pushing, towing
or rolling downhill: these are all ma-
noeuvres that can damage the catalyt-
ic exhaust.
For emergency starts only use an
auxiliary battery.
If the engine begins to “lose its
smoothness” when travelling, contin-
ue your journey but reduce the de-
mands you are making on the engine
and have the vehicle checked at a Fi-
at Dealership.
When the instrument panel fuel re-
serve warning light comes on, fill up as
soon as possible. A fuel level that is
too low can cause an uneven supply of
fuel with the inevitable increase in ex-
haust temperature; this would seri-
ously damage the catalytic converter.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
148
Do not warm up the engine by let-
ting it idle for a while before moving
off unless the outside temperature is
very low and, even in this case, only
do so for less than thirty seconds.
Do not install other heat shields and
do not remove those already fitted to
the catalytic converter and exhaust
pipe.Do not spray anything
on the Lambda sensor
and exhaust pipe.TOWING A TRAILER
IMPORTANT
The car must be fitted with a ho-
mologated tow hitch and suitable elec-
trical system for towing a caravan or
trailer.
To prevent damages to the electric
system of the car, it is recommended
to install a dedicated trailer electron-
ic control unit.
Have the tow hitch fitted by an ex-
pert who will issue specific documen-
tation for use on roads.
Fit special and/or additional rearview
mirrors in accordance with the High-
way Code.
Remember that towing a trailer
makes it harder for the car to climb
the maximum gradients specified, in-
creases braking and overtaking dis-
tance, proportionally to the overall
weight of the trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving down-
hill rather than constantly braking. When functioning nor-
mally the catalytic con-
verter develops high tem-
peratures. For this reason, do not
park the vehicle over inflamma-
ble material (grass, dry leaves,
pine needles, etc.): fire hazard.Failure to heed these
precautions could cause a
fire.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
149
The weight the trailer exerts on the
vehicle’s tow hitch coupling reduces
the vehicle’s payload capacity by the
same amount.
In order to be sure you are not ex-
ceeding the maximum towing weight
(shown in the vehicle’s registration pa-
pers) you have to take into account the
trailer’s weight fully laden including the
accessories and personal luggage.
Do not exceed the speed limits for
towing a trailer either abroad or at
home. In any case, do not exceed the
top speed of 100 km/h.WINTER TYRES
These tyres have been specifically de-
signed for use on snow and ice and
should be fitted in place of the exist-
ing tyres.
Use winter tyres of the same size as
the tyres provided with the car.
Fiat Dealershipwill be glad to of-
fer advice on the right type of tyres ac-
cording to your needs.
The performance of winter tyres is
greatly reduced when the depth of the
tread is less than 4 mm. In this situa-
tion it would be safer to have them re-
placed.
The ABS system does
not control the trailer
braking system. Particu-
lar care must therefore be taken
on slippery road surfaces.Under no circumstances
modify the vehicle’s brak-
ing system for trailer
braking control. The trailer’s
braking system must be com-
pletely independent of the vehi-
cle’s hydraulic system.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
150
The specific characteristics of the
winter tyres mean that under normal
driving conditions or when driving long
distances on motorways, their perfor-
mance is greatly reduced in compari-
son to those normally fitted to the car.
The use of these tyres should there-
fore be limited to the conditions for
which they were designed and certified.
IMPORTANTWhen using winter
tyres with a maximum speed rating
lower than the speed which can be
reached by the car (plus 5%), place a
suitable notice in the passenger com-
partment to inform the driver of the
top speed which the winter tyre can
run at (as per Directive CE).
All four tyres should be the same
(brand and track) to ensure greater
safety when driving, braking and cor-
nering.SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains is regulated
by the legislation in force in the coun-
try the car is driven in.
The chains may only be applied to
the front wheel (drive wheel) tyres.
Use only low profile chains (maxi-
mum 12 mm off the tyre).
We recommend using Lineaccessori
Fiat snow chains.
Check the tautness of the chains af-
ter driving some ten meters. The max speed for snow
tyres with “Q” marking is
160 km/h, 190 Km/h for
tyres with “T” marking and
210 Km/h for tyres with “H”
marking. The Road Traffic Code
speed limits must however be al-
ways strictly observed.
Remember not to invert the tyre di-
rection of rotation.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
151
STORING THE CAR
The following precautions should be
taken if the car will not be used for
several months:
– park the vehicle in covered, dry and
if possible well-ventilated premises;
– engage a gear (Pfor versions with
automatic electronic gear);
– make sure the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
– clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
– sprinkle talcum powder on the rub-
ber windscreen and rear window
wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
– slightly open the windows;
– inflate the tyres to 0.5 bar above
the normal specified pressure and
check it at intervals;– switch off the electronic car alarm;
– disconnect the terminals (–) from
the battery poles (negative pole first)
and check the battery charge. When
the vehicle is in storage, this check
should be carried out once a month.
If no-load voltage is less than 12.5V,
recharge the battery;
– do not drain the engine cooling sys-
tem;
– cover the vehicle with a cloth or
perforated plastic sheet. Do not use
sheets of non-perforated plastic as
they do not allow moisture on the car
body to evaporate.RESTARTING THE CAR
AFTER STORAGE
Before restarting the vehicle after a
long storage, make the following op-
erations:
– do not take dust off the bodywork
without water;
– check if there are fluid leakages (oil,
brake and clutch fluid, engine coolant,
etc.);
– have the engine oil and the filter re-
placed;
– check the level of: brake and clutch
fluid, engine coolant;