2008 FIAT ULYSSE ABS

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
126
Deactivating the passenger’s
front air bag manually
The passenger’s front airbag can be
deactivated if it is absolutely necessary
to carry a child in the front passenger
seat.
Deactivation takes place using the ve-
hicle ignition key in the special key
switch on the right-hand side of the
dashboard fig. 170. Access to the
switch is only possible with the door
open.The key operated switch has two po-
sitions:
POSITION 1 (ON): passenger’s
front air bag activated, warning light
“
on instrument cluster off; it is ab-
solutely prohibited to carry a child on
the front seat;
POSITION 2 (OFF): passenger’s
front air bag activated, warning light
“
on instrument cluster on; it is possible
to carry a child protected by special
restraint system on the front seat.
The
“warning light on the cluster
stays on permanently until the pas-
senger’s air bag is reactivated.
The side airbag will work although
the front airbag is deactivated.
When the door is open, the key can
be inserted and removed in both po-
sitions.
fig. 170
F0B0113b
SERIOUS DANGER
The car is fitted
with an Air bag on
the passenger’s side. Do not place
a child’s seat on the front seat. In
the case of need, always deacti-
vate the passenger’s Air bag
when a child’s seat is placed on
the front seat. Even if not com-
pulsory by law, you are recom-
mended to reactivate the Air bag
immediately as soon as child
transport is no longer necessary.

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.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
138
HOW TO WARM UP
THE ENGINE AFTER
IT HAS JUST STARTED
– Begin to move forward slowly let-
ting the engine turning at medium revs.
Do not accelerate abruptly.
– Do not push the engine to its lim-
it for the first kilometres. You are rec-
ommended to wait until the water
temperature has reached 50° to 60°C.BUMP STARTING
For versions with a cat-
alytic converter, bump
starting by pushing, tow-
ing or rolling downhill must be
avoided at all costs. This ma-
noeuvre could cause a rush of fu-
el into the catalytic exhaust pipe
and damage it beyond repair.STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to Swhile the
engine is idling.
Remember that as long
as the engine is not run-
ning, the power brakes
and power steering do not work.
You therefore have to use con-
siderably more effort on both the
brake pedal and the steering
wheel than you would do other-
wise.
Gunning the accelerator
before turning off the en-
gine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, wastes fuel and
is damaging, particularly to tur-
bocharged engines.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive,
it is better to allow the engine to
“catch its breath” before turning it off
by letting it idle to allow the temper-
ature in the engine compartment to
fall.

DRIVING YOUR CAR
143
Remember that fog also means the
tarmac is wet and therefore manoeu-
vres of all kinds are more difficult and
stopping distances are longer:
– keep a good distance from the cars
in front of you;
– when possible, avoid spurts of
speed or sudden deceleration;
– do not overtake other vehicles if
you can help it;
– if you are forced to stop your ve-
hicle (breakdown, limited visibility,
etc.), first try to stop off the road.
Then turn on the hazard lights and, if
possible, the dipped headlights;
– rhythmically sound the horn if you
realise another vehicle is approaching.DRIVING IN
THE MOUNTAINS
The main suggestions are the fol-
lowing:
– when driving downhill use the en-
gine brake by engaging a low gear so
as not to overheat the brakes;
– under no circumstances should you
drive downhill with the engine off or
with the vehicle in neutral, let alone
with the ignition key out;
– drive at moderate speed without
“cutting” corners;
– remember that overtaking while
going uphill is slower and therefore re-
quires more clear road. If you are be-
ing overtaken while driving uphill,
make it easier for the other vehicle
to pass. DRIVING IN FOG
If the fog is thick, do not start out on
a journey unless you absolutely have to.
If driving in mist, blanket fog or when
there is the danger of fog patches:
– keep your speed down;
– turn on the dipped headlights, rear
fog lights and front fog lights, if fitted,
even during the day. Do not drive with
your headlights at full-beam.
IMPORTANTOn stretches of
road with good visibility, switch off
your rear foglights; the brightness of
these lights could annoy the people
travelling in the cars behind.

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
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.