wheel FIAT DUCATO 2006 3.G Owner's Manual

108GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
SWITCHING OFF
THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOPwhile
the engine is idling.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive
you should allow the engine to “catch
its breath” before turning it off by let-
ting it idle to allow temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.PARKING
Switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and engage a gear (1st gear
or reverse, according to whether the
vehicle is facing up or downhill) and
leave the wheels turned. If the vehi-
cle is left on a steep slope, wedges or
a rock should be used to lock the
wheels.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MAR to prevent running the battery
down. Always remove the key when
you leave the vehicle.HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located on
the left-hand side of the driver’s seat.
Pull the lever upwards as far as it will
go to apply the handbrake. Instrument
panel warning light xwill come on
when the key is turned to MAR.
IMPORTANTThe vehicle must be
blocked after three or four lever re-
leases when the vehicle is empty; the
number of releases necessary to block
it depend on the load and on the road
slope.
In case of problems, contact a Fiat
Dealershipto have it adjusted. A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves ab-
solutely no practical purpose and
wastes fuel. It can also damage
turbo-charged engines.
fig. 1
F0D0044m
Never leave children unsu-
pervised in the vehicle.
WARNING

111GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
SELECTING AUTOMATIC/
SEQUENTIAL MANUAL
OPERATION
The main feature of this gearbox is
the possibility of being used in the au-
tomatic or sequential manual mode.
The operating mode is chosen posi-
tioning the gearshift lever in the right
sector A-fig. 4(automatic gearshift-
ing) or left sector B(sequential man-
ual gearshifting).
fig. 4
F0D0237m
Sector A of the lever: automatic
operation.
The display fig. 5will show lever po-
sitions: P - R - N - D.
Sector B of the lever: sequential
manual mode.
The display fig. 6will show the dif-
ferent engaged ratios: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4.AUTOMATIC OPERATION
For automatic operation move the
gearshift lever to the right sector A-
fig. 4in one of the four positions:
P= parking
R= reverse
N= neutral
D= forward gear.
P - Parking
To prevent accidental movements, the
lever can only be moved to position P
with the button C-fig. 4pressed.
When the vehicle is parked, always set
the lever to this position. A device in
the gearbox locks the driving wheels.
fig. 6
F0D0239m
fig. 5
F0D0247m
Always pull the handbrake
completely before leaving
the vehicle.
WARNING

116GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
BUMP STARTING
Starting by pushing or towing the ve-
hicle is not possible. In the event of an
emergency, when the battery is flat,
start the vehicle with a suitable emer-
gency battery, following the instruc-
tions given in section “In an emer-
gency” at paragraph “Jump starting”.
TOWING THE VEHICLE
IMPORTANTFor towing the ve-
hicle comply with current local regu-
lations and follow the instructions giv-
en in section “In an emergency” at
paragraph “Towing the vehicle”.If the vehicle is to be towed, adhere
to the following recommendations:
– if possible, carry the vehicle on the
floor of a rescue vehicle;
– if this is not possible, tow the ve-
hicle raising the driving wheels (front)
from the ground;
– if this, too, is not possible, the ve-
hicle should not be towed for more
than 200 km at a speed of no more
than 50 km/h.
When towing, the gearshift lever
should be at N.
Do not start the engine
while the vehicle is being
towed.
The failure to comply
with these instructions
may cause serious dam-
age to the automatic gearbox.
When travelling with the
gearbox faulty, drive with
the utmost care in consideration of
the limited performance (in terms
of acceleration and speed) that the
vehicle can offer.
WARNING
When travelling with the
gearbox faulty, the revers-
ing gear lock might not be active:
absolutely never move the lever to
the R position with the vehicle on
the move.
WARNING– Warning light flashing= auto-
matic gearbox fault.
Warning light flashing at starting or
when travelling indicates a fault in the
automatic gearbox.
The automatic control system sets
an “emergency programme” engaging
the 3
rdgear.
Switching the engine off and then on
again, the self-test system could ex-
clude the fault and therefore turn off
the warning light. The failure is how-
ever stored and the automatic gear-
box shall be checked at a Fiat Deal-
ership.

118GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
– braking (accelerator pedal release
time and braking system operation);
– type of programme (gearshift se-
lector lever position);
– winter driving (driving wheel
torque reduction);
– driving with trailer or uphill (vehi-
cle speed in relation to transmitted
torque)
– driving downhill (vehicle accelera-
tion in relation to the position of the
accelerator pedal);
– driving in towns or queues (accel-
erator pedal position and vehicle
speed);
– gear required by the driver
(gearshift lever position);
– cold starting (engine temperature).Gearshift programme control
To optimise vehicle handling the
electronic control unit has the fol-
lowing memorised programmes:
– automatic operation;
– manual operation;
– winter driving (to be selected
through buttonWINTER);
– engine warming up;
– protection against excessive gear-
box oil temperature .Automatic programme
This comprises 16 gearshifting pro-
grammes.
In relation to the vehicle speed and
torque transmitted, the control unit
detects the slope of the road surface
and depending on the sporty features
chosen, it autonomously chooses the
programme most suited to the situa-
tion.
During gearshifting, the gearbox con-
trol unit asks the injection control unit
to momentarily reduce the torque.
The duration of torque reduction
varies depending on the travelling con-
ditions.

119GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
Manual sequential programme
This function enables manual se-
quential use of the gearbox merely
moving the selector lever to the left.
Each time the lever is pressed only
one gear is shifted: more than one shift
cannot be obtained.
To avoid overevving or excessively
low engine rpm, the control unit in-
hibits requests for gearshifting that
would cause such situations.
Winter driving programme
This programme is engaged by press-
ing button WINTERnear the
gearshift lever,
in case of driving wheel skidding and
it changes to specific gears.
Starting is possible only in 2
ndgear.
On snowy roads use however snow
chains and/or tyres.
The WINTERfunction shall always
be off on slopes.Engine warming up programme
This programme allows the engine to
reach normal operating temperature
in the shortest time possible (de-
pending on the outside temperature)
highering the gearshifting points, in re-
lation to engine temperature.
The programme engages automati-
cally after starting, if the engine tem-
perature is below 30 °C and it remains
active up to 34 °C.
Excessive gearbox oil
temperature programme
This is activated when the gearbox
oil temperature reaches 120 °C and it
remains active down to 117 °C.
To facilitate oil cooling, this pro-
gramme inhibits gearshifting, either up
or down. It is however possible to use
the manual programme.
SAFE DRIVING
In designing Ducato, Fiat has made
every effort to come up with a vehicle
able to provide driver and passengers
with top-class levels of safety. Never-
theless it is always the behaviour of the
person at the wheel that determines
road safety.
In the following pages you will find
some simple tips to help you travel in
safety under different conditions. You
will no doubt be familiar with many of
them already but it will be useful to
read them all carefully.

120GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
BEFORE GETTING BEHIND
THE WHEEL
– Make sure all light, including the
headlights, are working properly;
– adjust the position of seats and dri-
ving and door mirrors properly for the
best driving position;
– make sure that nothing (mats, etc.)
gets in the way of the pedals when
they are pushed down;
– make sure that any child restraint
systems (child seats, cradles, etc.) are
properly fixed;
– place any objects in the load com-
partment in such a way that they can-
not be thrown forwards in the event
of an accident;
– light eating will help keep your re-
flexes prompt. Above all, do not have
anything alcoholic to drink.
Remember to periodically check:
– tyre pressure,
– engine oil level,
– engine coolant level and cooling
system conditions,– brake fluid level,
– windscreen washer fluid level.
WHEN TRAVELLING
– The first rule of safe driving is pru-
dence;
– prudence also means putting your-
self into a position where you can pre-
dict wrong or imprudent behaviour
from other drivers;
– stick closely to the rules of the
road in the particular country where
the vehicle is being driven and, above
all, do not exceed speed limits;
– ensure that, besides yourself, all the
other passengers in the vehicle have
their seat belts fastened, that children
are sitting in the appropriate child
seats and any animals in the vehicle are
placed in suitable compartment;
– you should be physically fit and
mentally alert before setting out on
long journeys.
Always fasten both front
and back seat belts
(Panorama, Minibus, Combi and
Crew Cab versions). Travelling with
the seat belts unfastened increas-
es the risk of injury or death if you
are in a collision.
WARNING
Driving while drunk or un-
der the influence of drugs
or certain medicines is dangerous
for both you and other road users.
WARNING

121GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
– Do not drive too many hours at a
time but stop at intervals to stretch
your legs and recoup your energy;
– make sure the air in the passenger’s
compartment is being changed
continuously;
– never coast downhill (i.e. with the
engine off): if you do, you lose the aid
of engine braking, power brakes and
power steering so that braking re-
quires greater effort on the pedal and
steering requires greater effort on the
steering wheel.DRIVING AT NIGHT
These are the main rules to follow
when you are driving at night:
– 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 for yourself
and everybody else. Only start driving
again when you have had enough rest;
– keep a greater safety distance from
the vehicles in front of you than dur-
ing daylight hours: it is hard to judge
how fast other vehicles are going when
all you can see are their lights;
– make sure the headlights beams are
properly positioned: if they are too
low, they reduce visibility and strain
your eyes. If they are too high they can
dazzle other drivers. Adjust headlight
beam according to transported load;
– only use main beam headlights
when you are driving outside town
and when you are sure they do not an-
noy other drivers. dip your headlights
Water, ice or salt sprinkled
on the road can deposit on
the brake discs and reduce effi-
ciency of the first braking.
WARNING
Do not drive with objects
on the floor in front of the
driver’s seat: they could caught un-
der the pedals making braking or
accelerating impossible.
WARNING
Pay attention to the mats:
even a small problem to the
braking system may require in-
creased brake pedal stroke with re-
spect to normal.
WARNING

122GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
as soon as you see vehicles coming 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. Slow
down to avoid the risk of running
them over.
DRIVING IN THE RAIN
Rain and wet road surfaces spell dan-
ger. All manoeuvres are more difficult
on a wet road because the grip of the
wheels on the tarmac is greatly re-
duced. This is why braking distances
are much longer and road-holding is
lower.
Here is some advice for driving in the
rain:
– reduce speed and maintain a
greater safety distance from the vehi-
cles 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 so you can be
seen more easily;– Do not drive through puddles at
speed and hold on tightly to the wheel
if you do: a puddle taken at high speed
might cause you to lose control of the
vehicle (aquaplaning);
– Position the ventilation controls for
demisting (see section “Getting to
know your vehicle”), to prevent visi-
bility from worsening;
– Routinely check the conditions of
the windscreen wiper blades.
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 main beam.IMPORTANT On stretches of
road with good visibility, switch off
your rear foglights; the brightness of
these lights could annoy the people
travelling in the vehicles behind.
– Remember that fog also means the
taramac is wet and therefore ma-
noeuvres of all kinds are more difficult
and stopping distances are longer;
– keep a good distance from the ve-
hicles in front of you;
– as far as possible, avoid spurts of
speed or sudden deceleration;
– do not overtake other vehicles if
possible;

123GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
– if you are forced to stop your ve-
hicle (breakdown, limited visibility,
etc.) try to stop off the road. Turn on
the hazard lights and, if possible, the
dipped beam headlights. Rhythmically
sound the horn if you release anoth-
er vehicle is coming.
DRIVING IN THE
MOUNTAINS
– Check fluid levels (oil, brake fluid,
coolant) and tyre wear before driving
in the mountains;
– when driving downhill use the en-
gine braking effect 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 gear in neutral, let alone with
the ignition key out;
– drive at moderate speed and avoid
“cutting” corners;
– remember that overtaking while
going uphill is slower and therefore re-
quires more free road. If you are be-
ing overtaken while driving uphill,
make it easier for the other vehicle
to pass.DRIVING ON SNOW
AND ICE
Here are some tips for driving in
these conditions:
– keep your speed down;
– use chains if the roads are covered
with snow;
– do not park the vehicle with the
engine running for long periods of
time: snow could divert exhaust fumes
into the passenger compartment;
– mainly use the braking effect of the
engine and under all circumstances
avoid braking sharply;
– when braking a vehicle not fitted
with ABS, reduce the possibility of the
wheels locking by varying the pressure
you exert on the brake pedal;
– 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 are lined with trees
or rocks where ice might not have
melted;
– keep a good distance from the ve-
hicles in front.
DRIVING WITH ABS
– ABS is a braking system that es-
sentially offers two advantages:
1) It prevents wheel lock and con-
sequent 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 and direct the
vehicle where you want while braking.

124GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
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 work-
ing. Do not release the brake pedal but
continue to press so as not to inter-
rupt the braking action;
– ABS enables you to brake and steer
at the same time. If you meet an un-
expected obstacle you can therefore
steer around it;
– the 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, keep a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you and
keep your speed down when driving
into bends.
ABS serves to increase your control
over the vehicle, not to enable you to
go faster.Some suggestions which may help
you to keep the running costs of the
vehicle down and lower the amount
of toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere are given below.
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Vehicle maintenance
Carry out the checks and adjust-
ments/regulations specified in the
“Service Schedule”.
Tyres
Check tyre inflation pressure regu-
larly. Tyres should be checked at least
once every four weeks: if the pressure
is too low, fuel consumption increas-
es as the resistance to the rolling
movement of the tyre is greater.Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much load.
The weight of the vehicle (specially in
urban traffic) and its trim greatly ef-
fects consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof or ski racks from
the vehicle as soon as they are no
longer needed. These accessories re-
duce the aerodynamic penetration of
the vehicle and will increase con-
sumption. When transporting partic-
ularly large objects, use a trailer,
where possible.CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS