2009 FIAT ULYSSE ESP

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
119
ESP SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
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
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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.
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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.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
127
SIDE AIR BAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)
Purpose of the side airbags is to in-
crease passenger protection in the
event of a side impact of medium to
high severity.
They consist of two instantly inflat-
able bag types:
– side bags are housed in the back
rest of the front seats; this solution
makes it possible to always have the
cushion in the optimum position with
respect to the passenger, regardless of
the seat position;
– window bags, being a “curtain” sys-
tem, are housed in the side roof lin-
ing and are covered by a special trim
that enables bag deflation downwards.
This solution, designed to protect the
head, offers the occupants the highest
degree of protection in the case of aside crash due to the wide deflation
surface of the bags.
In the event of a side collision the
electronic control unit processes the
signals coming from a deceleration
sensor and, if required, triggers the in-
flation of the bags.
The bags inflate immediately, setting
as a protective barrier between the
passengers and the car door. The bags
deflate immediately afterwards.
In minor side crashes (for which the
restraining action of the seat belts is
sufficient), the air bags are not de-
ployed.Therefore the side air bags are not
a replacement of but complementary
to the belts, which you are recom-
mended to always wear, as specified
by law in Europe and most non-Euro-
pean countries.
Operation of the side air bags is not
disabled by the passenger’s front air
bag deactivation switch, as described
in the previous paragraph.
IMPORTANTThe front and/or
side air bags may be deployed if the car
is subject to heavy knocks or accidents
involving the underbody area, such as
for example violent shocks against
steps, kerbs or low obstacles, falling of
the car in big holes or sags in the road.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
133
INSTALLATION OF
ELECTRIC/ ELECTRONIC
DEVICES
Electric/electronic devices installed
after buying the vehicle or in after-
market shall bear the and marking:
Fiat Auto S.p.A. authorizes the in-
stallation of transceivers provided that
installation is carried out at a special-
ized shop, workmanlike performed
and in compliance with manufacturer's
specifications.IMPORTANT Installation of devices
resulting in modifications of vehicle
characteristics may cause driving li-
cense seizing by traffic agents and al-
so the lapse of the warranty as con-
cerns defects due to the abovemen-
tioned modification or traceable back
to it directly or indirectly.
Fiat Auto S.p.A. declines all respon-
sibility for damages caused by the in-
stallation of non-genuine accessories
or not recommended by Fiat Auto
S.p.A. and installed not in compliance
with the specified requirements.RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Radio transceiver equipment (e.g.: e-
tacs mobile phones, HAM radio sys-
tems and the like) shall not be used in-
side the vehicle unless a separate aer-
ial is mounted on the roof.
IMPORTANT The use of similar de-
vices inside the passenger compart-
ment (without separated aerial) pro-
duces radio-frequency electromag-
netic fields which, amplified by the res-
onance effects inside the passenger
compartment, may cause electrical
systems equipping the vehicle to mal-
function. This could compromise safe-
ty in addition to constituting a poten-
tial hazard for the passengers.
In addition, transmission and recep-
tion of these devices may be affected
by the shielding effect of the vehicle
body.
As concerns EC-approved mobile
phones (GSM, GPRS, UMTS), strictly
comply with the instructions for use
provided by the mobile phone’s man-
ufacturer.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
135
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
Protecting the environment has been
a constant guiding factor of the
Ulysse’s design and manufacture at
every stage. The result of this atten-
tion is to be seen in the choice of ma-
terials and installation of devices able
to drastically limit or reduce harmful
influences on the environment.
Devices for reducing emissions from
JTD engines are:
– oxidising catalytic converter;
– exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.);
– particulate filter (for versions/mar-
kets, where provided): its purpose is
to trap and burn particulate (unburnt
particles) to reduce harmful exhaust
emissions.
The vehicle, therefore, has great ad-
vantages with respect to the strictest
international anti-pollution directives. Do not put open flames
or lighted cigarettes near
the fuel filler hole as there
is a danger of fire. Do not lean out
too close to the hole either so as
not to breathe in harmful
vapours.
Where necessary, to
avoid compromising the
efficiency of the fuel
vapour recovery system, replace
the fuel cap with another genuine
spare part.
IMPORTANTThe waterproof fu-
el filler cap lock may be slightly pres-
surised. Therefore, do not worry if
some air comes out when the cap is
released.
After filling, drive in the cap by turn-
ing it clockwise until it clicks twice or
thrice, then turn the key clockwise and
remove it. Close the flap.
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DRIVING YOUR CAR
142
– only use full-beam headlights when
you are driving outside the city and
when you are sure they do not annoy
other drivers;
– if the headlights are on full, dip
them when you meet cars going in the
other direction and pass them with the
headlights dipped;
– keep all lights clean;
– be careful of animals crossing the
road when driving in the country.
DRIVING IN THE RAIN
Rain and wet road surfaces spell dan-
ger.
All manoeuvres are more difficult on
a wet road because the friction of the
wheels on the tarmac is greatly re-
duced. This is why braking distances
are much longer and roadholding on
bends is lower.
The main suggestions are the fol-
lowing:
– reduce speed and keep a greater
safety distance from the cars in front;– if it is raining particularly heavily,
visibility is also reduced. In these cas-
es, switch on the dipped headlights
even if it is still daylight, to make your-
self easier to be seen;
– do not drive through puddles at
speed and hold on tightly to the wheel:
the loss of grip caused by taking a pud-
dle at speed can make you lose con-
trol of the vehicle (“aquaplaning”);
– move the ventilation controls to
the position for demisting the win-
dows (see the section “Getting to
know your car”), to avoid visibility
problems;
– periodically check the condition of
the windscreen wiper blades. DRIVING AT NIGHT
The main suggestions are the fol-
lowing:
– drive especially carefully: it is hard-
er to drive at night;
– slow down especially if the road is
not lit;
– at the first signs of sleepiness, stop:
continuing would be a risk to yourself
and everybody else. Only start driving
again when you have had enough rest;
– keep a greater safety distance from
the cars in front of you than during
daylight hours: it is hard to judge how
fast other cars are going when all you
can see are their lights;
– make sure the headlight beams are
properly positioned: if they are too
low, they reduce visibility and are hard
on the eyes. If they are too high they
can dazzle other drivers;
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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.
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