run flat FIAT DUCATO 244 2005 3.G Owners Manual

32GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
fig. 39
F0D0217m
ENGINE OIL LEVEL GAUGE
(where provided)
The gauge graphically displays the en-
gine oil level between the MINand
MAXreference points.
To perform measurement ensure
the vehicle is on a flat ground, then
proceed as follows:
1)when the engine is not running,
turn the ignition key to MAR;
2)the word “OIL” will be displayed
for 5 seconds together with six dashes
and five or six boxes showing the cor-
rect engine oil level;
Fig. 38- Correct oil level.
Fig. 39- Minimum oil level.
Should oil level be at minimum, re-
store oil level to the correct level as
soon as possible. Anyhow, before top-
ping up, first use the special dipstick
to check the level.
3)If the words “OIL HIGH”fig. 40
are displayed, this means that oil level
is excessive (over maximum level) and
it is therefore necessary to reduce its
level in the sump. DIGITAL CLOCK fig. 37
Clock can always be adjusted (also
with engine off and key removed).
Setting time
The clock will advance by one unit
each time the button G-fig. 37is
pressed. Press the button and hold it
down for a few seconds to rapidly ad-
vance the time automatically.
When the clock draws near to the
correct time, release the button and
complete the regulation manually.
fig. 37
F0D0154m
fig. 38
F0D0254m
fig. 40
F0D0215m

92GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
SIDE BAGS fig. 142
The purpose of the side bag is to
protect the front seat passenger’s
chest in the event of a side impact of
medium to high degree.
The device consists of a bag housed
in the front seat backs which imme-
diately inflates. This solution ensures
that the bag is in an optimal position
regardless of the seat position.
In the event of a side impact, the con-
trol unit processes the signals from a
deceleration sensor and fires the side
bag.
The bag inflates instantly and acts as
a soft protective barrier between the
front seat passenger’s chest and vehi-
cle door. The bag deflates immediate-
ly afterwards.
fig. 142
F0D0042m
fig. 140
F0D0163m
Manual deactivation
Should it be absolutely necessary to
carry a child on the front seat, the pas-
senger’s airbag can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand oper-
ating it in the special key switch on the
left side of the tachograph.
IMPORTANTOperate the switch
only when the engine is not running
and the ignition key is removed.The key-operated switch (A-
fig. 140) has two positions:
– front passenger’s airbag on (posi-
tion ON
P): instrument panel warn-
ing light off F; it is absolutely pro-
hibited to carry a child on the front
seat.
– front passenger’s airbag off (posi-
tion OFF F): instrument panel
warning light on F; it is possible to
carry a child protected by special re-
straint system on the front seat.
The instrument panel warning light
F(B-fig. 141) stays on permanent-
ly until the passenger’s airbag is reac-
tivated.
Deactivation of the front passenger’s
airbag does not inhibit operation of
the side airbag.
fig. 141
F0D0227m

109GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
To release the handbrake:
1)slightly lift the handbrake and press
release button A-fig. 1;
2)keep the button pressed and low-
er the lever. Warning light xwill go
out;
3)press the brake pedal when car-
rying out this operation to prevent the
vehicle moving accidentally.
IMPORTANTPull the handbrake
lever only when the vehicle is at a
standstill, or when the vehicle is run-
ning, but however only in case of a fail-
ure of the hydraulic system.
Should the handbrake be exception-
ally used when the vehicle is running, it
is suggested to keep a moderate trac-
tion to avoid causing the rear axle
block, entailing vehicle side skidding.USING THE
MANUAL GEARBOX
Press the clutch fully before shifting
the gear stick into one of the positions
shown in the diagram fig. 2(the dia-
gram is also on the gear lever knob).
To engage reverse, lift the sliding ring
Aunder the knob and shift the lever
to the left and forth.IMPORTANTOnly engage the re-
verse gear when the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary.
With the engine running, before en-
gaging reverse, wait for at least 2 sec-
onds with the clutch pedal pressed to
avoid damaging the gears and grating.
fig. 2
F0D0057m
You must press the clutch
fully down to change gear
properly. It is therefore essential
that there is nothing under the ped-
als. Make sure that mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way of
pedals.
WARNING

112GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE
IMPORTANTRemoving the igni-
tion key is only allowed with the
gearshift lever in position Pand for a
maximum time of 30 seconds from
when the engine is turned off P, when
the door is opened a buzzer will sound
for about 15 seconds to alert the dri-
ver.
In an emergency (flat battery) it is
possible to move the gearshift lever
from position P, pressing the clamp-
ing device fig. 7set under the gearshift
lever cap.R - Reverse
Move the gearshift lever to Rwith
the vehicle stationary, the engine idling
and the brake pedal pressed.
To prevent accidental movements,
the lever can only be moved to this
position with the button C-fig. 4
pressed.
With the lever in position Rthe re-
verse lights turn on and a buzzer
sounds for about 4 seconds to warn
the driver.
IMPORTANTWith the lever in
position R, reverse gear is not engaged
if the vehicle speed exceeds the es-
tablished limit (approx. 12 km/h).
When the speed falls below this value,
reverse gear engages and stays en-
gaged even if the limit is exceeded.
fig. 7
F0D0240m
Before moving the lever,
press the brake pedal: the
vehicle must be stationary.
WARNING
Move the gearshift lever to position
Pwith the vehicle stationary and the
engine idling before switching off.
For safety reasons the ignition key
can only be removed with the gearshift
lever in this position.
IMPORTANTMovement of the
lever from position P is only allowed
pressing the button C-fig. 4with the
brake pedal pressed.
Move the gearshift lever to
position P when getting out
of the vehicle leaving the engine
running.
WARNING
Before moving the lever
from position P, press the
brake pedal: the vehicle must be
stationary.
WARNING

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

162VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
V V
E E
H H
I I
C C
L L
E E
M M
A A
I I
N N
T T
E E
N N
A A
N N
C C
E E
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the vehicle
is essential for ensuring it stays in tip-
top condition for a long time to come.
This is why Fiat has programmed a
number of service checks and opera-
tions carried out every 30,000 kilo-
metres.
It is however important to remem-
ber that "Scheduled Servicing" is not
all your vehicle requires. Regular
checks - also in the initial period be-
fore the 30,000 kilometre coupon and
later between coupons - ordinary care
is required, such as checking fluid lev-
els and topping up, checking tyre in-
flation pressure, checking cleanness of
bonnet and boot locks, cleaning and
lubricating levers, etc...If it is seen that further replacements
or repairs are necessary in addition to
the work being carried out, these will
only be done after the customer has
given his/her consent.
IMPORTANTYou are recom-
mended to get in touch with a Fiat
Dealershipimmediately if any small
running problems crop up without
waiting for the next coupon.
If the vehicle is fre-
quently used to tow trail-
ers, carry out the sched-
uled service operations more fre-
quently than shown.
IMPORTANTThe Manufacturer
requires the Service Schedule coupon
related checks to be carried out. Fail-
ure to do so could result in the war-
ranty being cancelled for those defects
that can be attributed to such failure.
Scheduled Servicing is performed at
all Fiat Dealershipsand there is a set
time scale for such operations.