Fiat Ducato Switches Part 2 (1 Viewer)

[DerryW]

Part 2 contains the images I omitted to include on the original post.

Having spent a few interesting (Not) hours trawling through the Fiat instruction manual I can't seem to find the info required, so am calling on the expertise of you fellow Funsters.

Please could you tell me what the switches (see images A & B) are and more importantly what they actually do. I've had the MH coming up to 2 years now and haven't had the need to use any of these, or maybe I should have, but didn't as I hadn't a clue what they are for.

Thanks as always.
Derry

 

[tonyidle]

LH is Hill Descent Mode and RH is Traction+ control. The second picture switch is only to be used when carrying giant milk churns up a steep hill.

 

[Speve]

B is your upswitch for auto gear box it holds the gear longer
A is traction + control on right and hill decent on left?

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[Lenny HB]

A is traction control on right and hill decent on left

It's Traction Plus Traction control is permantly on.

 

[Speve]

It's Traction Plus Traction control is permantly on.

Edited thought I had put the plus sign?

 

[Burgo]

Is it me, or is the hill descent about as much good as a chocolate fire guard? Mine only works when you're going dead slow -it's basically useless on the road. And anyway, changing down and using non constant (ie brake to slow down, then release) braking is less likely to overheat brakes on a long descent.

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[Speve]

Is it me, or is the hill descent about as much good as a chocolate fire guard? Mine only works when you're going dead slow -it's basically useless on the road. And anyway, changing down and using non constant (ie brake to slow down, then release) braking is less likely to overheat brakes on a long descent.

Never used mine and we tow a car trailer I find the auto gears hold back quite well on steep descents as long as you dab brakes occasionally.?

 

[Lenny HB]

Is it me, or is the hill descent about as much good as a chocolate fire guard? Mine only works when you're going dead slow -it's basically useless on the road. And anyway, changing down and using non constant (ie brake to slow down, then release) braking is less likely to overheat brakes on a long descent.

I think 25kph is its top limit.

 

[DerryW]

It's Traction Plus Traction control is permantly on.

Lenny does that mean I can forget about the Traction plus Traction Control switch.

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[Lenny HB]

Lenny does that mean I can forget about the Traction plus Traction Control switch.

Why would want to forget it might need it in a muddy field or snow. It's supposed to work like an electronic limited slip diff.

 

[DerryW]

Lenny HB
Sorry I misunderstood your earlier response "its permantly on" I thought you were inferring there's no need to touch it.

 

[gerry mcg]

Lenny HB
Sorry I misunderstood your earlier response "its permantly on" I thought you were inferring there's no need to touch it.

on most cars , traction control (TC) is on by default and acts on all 4 wheels, and if one wheel spins e.g. on snow, ice or mud, the ECU act via the abs unit and gyros to brake wheels. on the driven wheels, the ECU will cut power to the spinning wheel by applying brakes via ABS module -
this means in a low traction environment, the vehicle cuts power as a wheel slips, and eventually the vehicle grinds to a halt. not always the desired option,

so by turning Traction control off (by pressing a button) this deactivates the ABS intervention and allows the spinning wheel to keep spinning - which can be helpful in certain low grip environments / situations such as pulling away in snow, where grip comes and goes and a bit of wheelspin is acceptable as it is only a momentary loss of grip. .

The issue is that without a limited slip diff (LSD) and with TC disabled, the ABS does not intervene and try to stop the spinning wheel, but, all the drive is diverted from the gripping wheel to the slipping wheel - so again, the vehicle can grind to a halt.

As Lenny HB said, the Traction+ system acts a bit like an e-LSD and the ECU keeps some power going to the gripping wheel even when the spinning wheel is not being braked by the ABS - so can give you some extra drive in a slow grip environment

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[DerryW]

Gerry mcg
Many thanks for the comprehensive and detailed explanation.

 

[KUSKUS]

Looks like you have to switch it on to use it ?

TRACTION PLUS
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
Traction Plus is a driving aid, useful
for setting off in poor grip
conditions on non-homogeneous
road surfaces (snow/asphalt,
ice/asphalt, mud/asphalt, etc.),
which allows the drive force to be
distributed adequately on the
engine axle when one of the two
drive wheels slips.
Traction Plus acts by braking the
wheel with poor grip (or slipping
more than the others), thereby
transferring the drive force to that
which has greater grip on the
ground.
This function can be activated
manually by pressing button A on
the dashboard fig. 127 and
operates under 50 km/h. When this
speed is exceeded, it is
automatically deactivated (the LED
on the button is still on) and it is
reactivated again when the speed
falls below 30 km/h.
67) 68)
Traction Plus
operation
The system is deactivated when
starting. To activate the Traction
Plus system, press button A fig.
127: the LED on the button
switches on.
The activation of the Traction Plus
system involves the following
functions being switched on:
❒ inhibition of the ASR function, in
order to fully exploit the engine
torque;
❒ the differential locking effect on the
front axle, through the braking
system, to improve traction
on irregular grounds.
If the Traction Plus system is faulty,
the warning light on the
instrument panel switches on
constantly.
When travelling on snowy roads
with snow chains, it may be helpful
to turn the Traction Plus on and
thus inhibiting the ASR function: in
fact, in these conditions, slipping
of the drive wheels when moving off
makes it possible to obtain better
traction.
WARNING
67) The Traction Plus system acts
effectively only on road surfaces
that are not homogeneous and/or
differentiated between the two
drive wheels.
68) Until the setting off manoeuvre is
terminated, fully depress the
accelerator pedal in order to
transfer all the drive torque to the
wheel with the best grip.
127 F1A0325
88
KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

 

[DerryW]

Thanks KUSKUS
Much appreciated. hope you're enjoying the Matrix

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[KUSKUS]

First night out connection to hot water side of shower came adrift flooded the motorhome , had to come home CAMC refused to refund us the night we had to cancel .
Couldn't fix it, on return got my mobile caravan engineer to sort it now ok.
Otherwise very happy with van.
Going away this weekend for a couple of nights to give it a proper shake down.

 

[gerry mcg]

Looks like you have to switch it on to use it ?

TRACTION PLUS
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
Traction Plus is a driving aid, useful
for setting off in poor grip
conditions on non-homogeneous
road surfaces (snow/asphalt,
ice/asphalt, mud/asphalt, etc.),
which allows the drive force to be
distributed adequately on the
engine axle when one of the two
drive wheels slips.
Traction Plus acts by braking the
wheel with poor grip (or slipping
more than the others), thereby
transferring the drive force to that
which has greater grip on the
ground.
This function can be activated
manually by pressing button A on
the dashboard fig. 127 and
operates under 50 km/h. When this
speed is exceeded, it is
automatically deactivated (the LED
on the button is still on) and it is
reactivated again when the speed
falls below 30 km/h.
67) 68)
Traction Plus
operation
The system is deactivated when
starting. To activate the Traction
Plus system, press button A fig.
127: the LED on the button
switches on.
The activation of the Traction Plus
system involves the following
functions being switched on:
❒ inhibition of the ASR function, in
order to fully exploit the engine
torque;
❒ the differential locking effect on the
front axle, through the braking
system, to improve traction
on irregular grounds.
If the Traction Plus system is faulty,
the warning light on the
instrument panel switches on
constantly.
When travelling on snowy roads
with snow chains, it may be helpful
to turn the Traction Plus on and
thus inhibiting the ASR function: in
fact, in these conditions, slipping
of the drive wheels when moving off
makes it possible to obtain better
traction.
WARNING
67) The Traction Plus system acts
effectively only on road surfaces
that are not homogeneous and/or
differentiated between the two
drive wheels.
68) Until the setting off manoeuvre is
terminated, fully depress the
accelerator pedal in order to
transfer all the drive torque to the
wheel with the best grip.
127 F1A0325
88
KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

Yes, traction+ is not active as standard and is manually activated by pressing button.
But as I outlined, traction+ is not the same as traction control (TC). Traction control on most vehicles is active as default and a button press disables it, to allow wheel spin. But traction+ is a version of an e-LSD

 

[gerry mcg]

I think traction control on the Fiat Ducato is called ASR (anti slip Regulation)
A description of its function is here

ASR button on Fiat Ducato engines

I would be interested in knowing whether Fiat engined funsters drive with their ASR buttons - if fitted - permanently switched on or only when on “dodgy” surfaces such as sodden grass, mud etc. Also if on good surfaces but on hilly terrain would the ASR button be permanently engaged to cope with...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

ASR(AntiSlipRegulation)SYSTEM It is an integral part of the ESC system.It automatically operates in the event of one or both drive wheels slipping, loss of grip on wet roads(aquaplaning)and acceleration on slippery ,snowy or icy roads,etc.Depending on the slipping conditions, two different control systems are activated:if the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR intervenes reducing the power transmitted by the engine; if the slipping only involves one of the drive wheels,it intervenes automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.61)Engagement/disengagement of the ASRsystemTheASRisswitchedonautomaticallyeachtimetheengineisstarted.Whiledriving,the ASR can be switched off and subsequently switched on again by pressing the ASR OFF button(A fig. 101).62) On some versions, the intervention of the system is indicated by a message shown on the display

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[DerryW]

Kuskus

Slightly off topic. Sorry to hear about the shower connection. If I can be so rude as to ask if you purchased new from a dealer, if so would they not have sorted the issue. Mind you if it was something simple I suppose its as quick and more convenient to sort yourself.

Enjoy the next trip. We can't wait for next month when business settles down after the Christmas madness when everyone wants everything done before they break up. and it take 2 - 3 weeks into Jan to make sure you've covered all bases. We're currently undecided as to a couple of weeks in UK or our normal junt over the channel.

 

[tony_g]

I think 25kph is its top limit.

So, in reality, pretty useless

 

[KUSKUS]

not new used from private seller, no warranty May 2017 7000 miles.
Mobile fitter charged £40 and fitting was £4.

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[DerryW]

Same here, it's a June 2016 model. We purchased it privately in May 2018. I previous owner, hardly used, just like new. We had rear assist suspension fitted last February and uprated the GVW to 3850kgs. The air assist has made a massive difference to the ride/drive.

 

[Deneb]

So, in reality, pretty useless

It was initially developed for off road use and is just another function included in the Bosch ABS+ ECU software which manufacturer's can choose whether to activate on the vehicles they fit it to. I suppose the thinking is that a longer spec list is more impressive to a potential buyer who thinks more must be better