cooling FIAT DUCATO 244 2005 3.G Owners Manual

38GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL (red)
(where provided)
When the engine coolant in the radi-
ator drops under the minimum level.
n
AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX OIL TOO
HOT (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light shall come on and go off
after about 4 seconds. If the warning
light stays on or comes on when trav-
elling, it indicates that there is a failure
in the gearbox (flashing light) or that
the gearbox oil is too hot (fixed light).
– Fixed light= automatic gearbox
oil max. temperature.
Warning light coming on with fixed
light when travelling indicates that
gearbox oil temperature has reached
the max. set limit; in this case stop the
vehicle, set the gear selector to “N”
or “P” with engine idling, (in this case
engine cooling fans are on), until the
warning light goes off. You can then
continue driving but you should not
tax the engine.
If the warning light comes on again,
stop the vehicle with engine idling and
wait until the warning light goes off.If the warning light comes on again
after less than 15 minutes, stop the ve-
hicle, do not switch off the engine but
wait for proper cooling of the engine
/ gearbox unit (both engine cooling
fans off).
– Flashing light= automatic gear-
box failure.
Warning light flashing at starting or
when travelling indicates a fault in the
automatic gearbox.
Engaging the 3rd gear, the automat-
ic control system starts an “emer-
gency programme”.
Switching the engine off and then on
again, the self-test system could ex-
clude the fault and therefore turn off
the warning light.
Failure is however stored and the au-
tomatic gearbox shall be checked at
a Fiat Dealership.ENGINE COOLANT
TOO HOT (red)
When the engine coolant
temperature exceeds the maximum
set level.
u
t

57GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
CONTROLS fig. 81
A- Fan knob.
B- Air temperature knob (mixing
hot and cold air).
C- Air distribution knob.
D- Air recirculation slider to cut off
outside air.IMPORTANTThis function speeds
up the air cooling in summer. It is par-
ticularly useful when the outside air
is heavily polluted (in a traffic jam, tun-
nel, etc.). You are advised against us-
ing this function for long periods, how-
ever, especially if there are a lot of pas-
sengers in the vehicle.
E- Climate control system on/off
button.The Panorama and Combi versions
are equipped with a climate control
system consisting of a main system and
a supplementary system (optional) fig.
82set on the left-hand wall near the
first row seats.
fig. 81
F0D0205m
fig. 82
F0D0074m

58GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Turn knob fig. 83 under the roof to
turn the supplementary climate control
system on. It will only work when the
main system is running.
Air flow is distributed to the back
through the directional vents set under
the roof by lever A-fig. 84.
Like for Panorama and Combi, also the
Van versions can be equipped with an
optional climate control system to be set
in the load compartment and to be
switched on using the relevant console
controls.AIR CONDITIONING
(COOLING)
Control settings for quick cooling:
1)air temperature knob: pointer at
the blue sector
2)climate control system: press but-
ton √
3)air recirculation slider: at Ò
4) air distribution knob: pointer at O
5)fan knob: pointer at the required
speed.To reduce the cooling effect: posi-
tion the slider at Ú, to increase the
temperature and decrease the fan
speed.
Do not switch the climate control
system on for heating and ventilation.
Use the ordinary heating and ventila-
tion system (see previous section).
IMPORTANT The climate control
system is very useful for clearing the
windows rapidly because it dries the
air. Simply set the controls for demist-
ing and turn the climate control sys-
tem on with button √.
ADDITIONAL HEATER
Certain versions feature, under the
driver’s seat, an additional heater us-
ing the same heating system controls.
fig. 83
F0D0049m
fig. 84
F0D0075m

59GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
SELF-STANDING SUPPLEMENTARY
HEATER (where provided)
The vehicle can be equipped, upon re-
quest, with two different self-standing
heaters:one is totally automatic
whereas the other is programmable.
AUTOMATIC VERSION
The supplementary heater is totally in-
dependent from the engine.
This heater is switched on automat-
ically (if required) when turning the ig-
nition key to MAR. LOOKING AFTER THE
SYSTEM
During the winter, the climate con-
trol system must be turned on at least
once a month for about ten minutes.
Before summer, have the system
checked at a Fiat Dealership.PROGRAMMABLE VERSION
The supplementary heater is totally
independent from the engine and can
be used to:
– heat the passenger compartment
when the engine is off;
– defrost the windows;
– heat the engine coolant and con-
sequently the engine before starting.
The system consists of:
– a diesel burner to heat coolant with
exhaust fume muffler;
– a metering pump connected to the
vehicle fuel pipes to feed the burner;
– a heat exchanger connected to the
engine cooling system pipes; The system is filled with
R134a refrigerant which
will not pollute the envi-
ronment in the event of leakage.
Under no circumstances should
R12 fluid be used as it is incom-
patible with the system compo-
nents and contains CFC.
The heater burns fuel in the
same way as the engine,
though, of course, to a lesser degree
and therefore to avoid intoxication
and suffocation, never use the sup-
plementary heater in closed areas,
garages or workshops not equipped
with specific exhaust evacuation
devices even for short periods of
time.
WARNING

60GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
– a control unit connected to the
heater/ventilation unit for automatic
operation;
– an electronic control unit to check
and adjusted the integrated heater
burner;
– a digital timer A-fig. 85to start the
heater manually or to program staring
time.In cold weather, the supplementary
heater automatically warms and cir-
culates constant temperature fluid in
the engine cooling system for the time
required to ensure optimal engine ig-
nition and cab temperature conditions.
The heater can be started automat-
ically (programmed by means of the
digital timer) or manually by pressing
the “heat now” button on the timer.
When the heater is turned on (au-
tomatically or manually), the electronic
control unit operates the fluid circu-
lation pump and safely ignites the burn-
er.The electronic control unit also con-
trols the circulation pump delivery in
order to reduce initial heating time.
When the fluid reaches a temperature
of 30°C, the control unit operates the
passenger compartment ventilation
fan.
When the fluid temperature reaches
72°C, the electronic control unit re-
duces the burner power and stops op-
eration when it reaches 76.5°C. The
timer, circulation pump and heater fan
are kept running. When the fluid tem-
perature drops under 71°C the con-
trol unit automatically turns the burn-
er back on.
fig. 85
F0D0165m

75GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
When tilted, the box cover becomes
a writing/reading desk with a clip to
hold sheets/papers, similar to that
shown in fig. 112.
Refrigerator version (food box)
In the refrigerator version, the box
has an internal space of about 12 litres
capacity that can contain 2 one and a
half litre bottles. In this version the
box is insulated and it is fitted with an
electric device to warm up or cool the
box interior as required.
This box can be used as food con-
tainer. Food shall be suitably packed
to avoid direct contact with the inner
walls of the box.
When used for cooling, a tempera-
ture difference of approx. 18 °C can
be achieved between the temperature
inside the box and that of the passen-
ger compartment after a certain time
of operation (with insulated cover and
plug closed). The lowest possible tem-
perature that can be reached in any
case is not lower than 8 -10 °C.To prevent the risk of running the bat-
tery down, the system is connected via
the ignition key; as a result the box will
only work when the engine is running.
You should remove perishables from
the box if you leave the vehicle parked
for longer than two hours.
For proper operation it is necessary
that ventilation grids (outside the box
and on one of the inside walls) should
not be clogged.
Turn the switch to:
1= to warm (red led on);
2= to cool (green led on).
fig. 113
F0D0249m
OBJECT HOLDER/
FOOD BOX
A special (optional) box can be found
in the cab between the driver’s seat
and the passenger’s single seat, avail-
able in two models: object box or
food box fig. 113.
Object holder version
In the object holder version, the box
has an internal space of about 12 litres
capacity suitable to contain a medium
size portable PC. On the outside it has
a document holder pocket, a bottle
holder (for one and a half litre plastic
bottles) and a can or glass holder slot.

115GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
Moving the lever back to position D
the gearbox instantly resumes the au-
tomatic mode selecting the ratio ac-
cording to the driving characteristics.
IMPORTANTThe electronic con-
trol unit is programmed to change
gear one at a time, therefore repeat-
ed fast actuations will not result in re-
peated engagements of the gears. The
higher or lower gear is engaged mov-
ing the lever to the (+) or (–) position
when the previous request has been
performed.
In the event of a fault to the sequen-
tial manual system, the system will se-
lect the automatic mode.FAILURE INDICATIONS
Automatic gearbox faults are indi-
cated by the warning light A-fig. 9 on
the instrument panel.
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light should turn on and go
out after about 4 seconds. If the warn-
ing light stays on or if turns on when
travelling, this indicates a gearbox fault
(flashing light) or gearbox oil over-
heating (steadily glowing light).– Warning light glowing steadi-
ly= automatic gearbox oil maximum
temperature.
If the warning light turns on and
glows steadily when travelling, this in-
dicates that the gearbox oil has
reached the maximum temperature.
You are therefore advised to stop the
vehicle with the engine at idle speed
and gearshift lever in “N” or “P” (in
this case engine cooling fans are on),
until the warning light goes out and re-
sume your journey without pushing
the engine to peak performance.
If the warning light turns on again, it
is necessary to stop again with the en-
gine idling until it goes out.
If there are less than 15 minutes be-
tween one turning on of the warning
light and the next, you are advised to
stop the vehicle, do not switch off the
engine but allow the engine-gearbox
unit to cool down completely (both
engine cooling fans off).
fig. 9
F0D0192m

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

134GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
VEHICLE STORAGE
The following precautions should be
taken if the vehicle will not be used for
several months:
– park the vehicle in covered, dry and
if possible well-ventilated premises;
– engage a gear;
– remove the cables from the battery
(first remove the cable to the negative
terminal) and check the battery
charge. If the vehicle is to be stored
for long periods the charge of the bat-
tery should be checked every month
and recharged if it falls below 12.5 V;– make sure the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
– clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
– clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds readi-
ly available;
– sprinkle talcum powder on the rub-
ber windscreen and rear window
wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
– slightly open the windows;
– 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 ve-
hicle body to evaporate;– inflate the tyres to 0.5 bar above
the normal specified pressure and
check it at intervals;
– do not drain the engine cooling sys-
tem.
IMPORTANTWhere relevant,
switch off the electronic vehicle alarm
with the remote control and deacti-
vate the system by turning the emer-
gency key to OFF (see “Electronic
alarm” in section “Getting to know
your vehicle”).