2009 FIAT ULYSSE wheel

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
118
MBA AND HBA
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
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.
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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
122
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD (European On Board
Diagnosis) system fitted in this car
complies with Directive 98/69/CE
(EURO 3).
This system continuously monitors
the engine emission system compo-
nents. Furthermore, the system warns
the driver of deterioration concerning
the emission system components by
means of
Uwarning light on the in-
strument panel.
The objective is to:
– monitor system efficiency;
– warn when failures can increase
emissions over the threshold estab-
lished by the European regulations;
– warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
Furthermore, the system is equipped
with a connector for interfacing with
specific tools used to read the error
codes stored in the control unit mem-
ory along with a set of diagnostic and
engine specific parameters. This check can also be performed by
traffic controller agents.
If, turning the ignition
key to M, the warning
light
Udoes not turn on
or if, while travelling it turns on
glowing steadily or flashing, con-
tact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible. Dealership as soon as
possible. Warning light
Uoper-
ation can be checked by traffic
controller agents by means of
special equipment. Always com-
ply with the traffic regulations in
force in the country where you
are travelling.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the
problem, your Fiat Dealershipwill
run a bench test to fully check the sys-
tem. In some cases, a long road test
may be required.
TYRE PRESSURE
MONITORING
SYSTEM - T.P.M.S.
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The car can be equipped with the
T.P.M.S. (Tyre Pressure Monitoring
System). This system consists of a ra-
dio-frequency sensor, installed on each
wheel (on the rim inside the tyre) that
sends pressure information to the
control unit.
IMPORTANTSystem control unit
monitors the pressure of the four car
tyres but not the space-saver spare
wheel. It is therefore recommended
to always check also the space-saver
spare wheel pressure.
IMPORTANTPay the attention
when checking or inflating tyres. Ex-
cessive pressure impairs road holding,
increases suspension and wheel stress
and causes abnormal tyre wear.
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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.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
124fig. 168
F0B0111b
FRONT AND SIDE
AIR BAGS
The car is fitted with front air bags
for the driver fig. 166and for the pas-
senger fig. 167and side air bags, side
bag fig. 169and window bag fig. 168.FRONT AIR BAGS
Description and operation
The front air bag (driver and pas-
senger) is a safety device which comes
into action in the event of a front im-
pact.It consists of an instantly inflatable
double-layer bag housed in a special
compartment:
– in the centre of the steering wheel
on the driver’s side;
fig. 167
F0B0097b
fig. 169
F0B0099b
fig. 166
F0B0455b
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
125
– in the dashboard and with a bigger
cushion for the passenger.
The front air bag (driver and pas-
senger) has been designed to protect
the occupants in the event of head-
on crashes of medium-high severity,
by placing the cushion between the oc-
cupant and the steering wheel or dash-
board.
In case of a crash, an electronic con-
trol unit processes the signals from a
deceleration sensor and, when re-
quired, triggers the inflation of the
cushion.
The bag inflates instantly and acts as
a protective barrier between the front
seat passengers and the structures in
front of them that could cause injury.
The bags deflate immediately after-
wards.In case of crash, a person not wear-
ing the seat belt moves forward and
may come into contact with the cush-
ion while it is still inflating. Under this
circumstance the protection offered
by the air bag is reduced. The front air
bag (driver and passenger) is therefore
not a replacement of but a comple-
mentary to the use of belts, which
should always be worn, as specified by
law in Europe and most non-European
countries.
In the case of minor head-on colli-
sions (for which the restraining action
of the seat belt is sufficient), the air bag
is not triggered.
In collisions against highly deformable
or mobile objects (such as road signs,
heaps of gravel or snow, parked vehi-
cles, etc.), in rear crashes (such as
bumps from behind by another vehi-
cle), side impacts, and in case of wedg-
ing under other vehicles or protective
barriers (for example under a truck or
guard rail), the air bag is not triggered
as it offers no additional protection
compared with the seat belts, conse-
quently, it would be pointless.The fact that the airbag is not trig-
gered in these situations, this does not
signify a malfunction.
PASSENGER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
The passenger’s airbag was designed
and calibrated to protect a person
wearing seat belts.
When fully inflated the bag will fill
most of the space between the dash-
board and the passenger.
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