Lancia Thema 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emis-
sions control systems can result in
civil penalties being assessed
against you.WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire
if you park over materials that can
burn. Such materials might be grass
or leaves coming into contact with
your exhaust system. Do not park or
operate your vehicle in areas where
your exhaust system can contact
anything that can burn.
In unusual situations involving
grossly malfunctioning engine opera-
tion, a scorching odor may indicate
severe and abnormal catalyst over-
heating. If this should occur, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop,
shut the engine OFF, and allow the
vehicle to cool. Thereafter, obtain ser-
vice, including a tune-up to manufac-
tur er's specifications immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst
damage:  Do not shut off the engine or inter
-
rupt the ignition when the trans-
mission is in gear and the vehicle is
in motion.
 Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle.
 Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires disconnected or
removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods
during very rough idling or mal-
functioning operating conditions.
COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING!
 When working near the radiator cooling fan, disconnect the fan
motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position . The
fan is temperature controlled and
can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
 You or others can be badly burned
by hot engine coolant (antifreeze)
or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming
from under the hood, do not open
the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open
a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator is hot.CAUTION!
Car maintenance should be done at
a LANCIA Dealership. For routine
and minor maintenance operations
you wish to carry out yourself, we do
recommend you have the proper
equipment, genuine LANCIA spare
parts and the necessary fluids; do
not however carry out these opera-
tions if you have no experience.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze)
protection every 12 months (before
the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is dirty or rusty in appear-
ance, the system should be drained,
265

flushed, and refilled with fresh cool-
ant. Check the front of the A/C con-
denser for any accumulation of bugs,
leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose
vertically down the face of the con-
denser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle
tubing for brittle rubber, cracking,
tears, cuts, and tightness of the con-
nection at the bottle and radiator. In-
spect the entire system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating
temperature (but not running), check
the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a
small amount of engine coolant (anti-
freeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) will begin to
drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE
COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN
THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush,
And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is
dirty or contains a considerableamount of sediment, clean and flush
with a reliable cooling system cleaner.
Follow with a thorough rinsing to re-
move all deposits and chemicals.
Properly dispose of the old engine
coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule”
for the proper maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufactur
er's recom-
mended engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
 Mixing of engine coolant (anti- freeze) other than specified engine
coolant (antifreeze), may result in
engine damage and may decrease
corrosion protection. If a non-
specified engine coolant (anti-
freeze) is introduced into the cool-
ing system in an emergency, it
should be replaced with the speci-
fied engine coolant (antifreeze) as
soon as possible.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
 Do not use water alone or alcohol-
based engine coolant (antifreeze)
products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust prod-
ucts, as they may not be compat-
ible with the radiator engine cool-
ant (antifreeze) and may plug the
radiator.
 This vehicle has not been de-
signed for use with propylene
glycol-based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of propylene glycol-
based engine coolant (antifreeze)
is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an
improved engine coolant (antifreeze)
that allows extended maintenance in-
tervals. This engine coolant (anti-
freeze) can be used up to five years or
168 000 km before replacement. To
prevent reducing this extended main-
tenance period, it is important that
you use the same engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) throughout the life of your
vehicle.
266

When adding engine coolant (anti-
freeze):
Use only high purity water such as
distilled or deionized water when
mixing the water/engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) solution. The use of lower
quality water will reduce the amount
of corrosion protection in the engine
cooling system.
Please note that it is theowner's re-
sponsibility to maintain the proper
level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring
in the area where the vehicle is oper-
ated.
NOTE:
Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze)
types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine
coolant (antifreeze) changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to
prevent loss of engine coolant (anti-
freeze), and to ensure that engine
coolant (antifreeze) will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery
bottle. The cap should be inspected and
cleaned if there is any accumulation
of foreign material on the sealing sur-
faces.
WARNING!
 The warning words “DO NOT
OPEN HOT” on the cooling sys-
tem pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant
(antifreeze) when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or re-
move the cap to cool an over-
heated engine. Heat causes pres-
sure to build up in the cooling
system. To prevent scalding or in-
jury, do not remove the pressure
cap while the system is hot or un-
der pressure.
 Do not use a pressure cap other
than the one specified for your
vehicle. Personal injury or engine
damage may result.
Disposal Of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal.
Check with your local authorities to
determine the disposal rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by
animals or children, do not store eth-
ylene glycol-based engine coolant
(antifreeze) in open containers or al-
low it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child or pet,
seek emergency assistance immedi-
ately. Clean up any ground spills im-
mediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick
visual method for determining that
the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine OFF and cold, the level of the
coolant in the bottle should be be-
tween the ranges indicated on the
bottle.
The radiator normally remains com-
pletely full, so there is no need to
remove the radiator cap unless check-
ing for engine coolant (antifreeze)
freeze point or replacing engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Advise your service
attendant of this. As long as the en-
gine operating temperature is satis-
factory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
267

When additional engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a
few kilometers of operation, you
may observe vapor coming from
the front of the engine compart-
ment. This is normally a result of
moisture from rain, or high hu-
midity accumulating on the radia-
tor and being vaporized when the
thermostat opens, allowing hot en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) to enter
the radiator.
If an examination of your engine com-
partment shows no evidence of radia-
tor or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dis-
sipate.
 Do not overfill the coolant recoverybottle.
 Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant recovery bottle. If en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of coolant re-
covery bottle must also be pro-
tected against freezing.
 If frequent engine coolant (anti- freeze) additions are required, or if
the level in the coolant recovery
bottle does not drop when the en-
gine cools, the cooling system
should be pressure tested for leaks.
 Maintain engine coolant (anti- freeze) concentration at 50% en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) (mini-
mum) and distilled water for
proper corrosion protection of your
engine, which contains aluminum
components.
 Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
 Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is equipped with air
conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
 Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter operation. If re-
placement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat.
Other designs may result in unsat- isfactory engine coolant (anti-
freeze) performance, poor gas mile-
age, and increased emissions.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to assure brake system per-
formance, all brake system compo-
nents should be inspected periodi-
cally. Refer to the “Maintenance
Schedule” for the proper maintenance
intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake
failure and possibly an accident.
Driving with your foot resting or rid-
ing on the brake pedal can result in
abnormally high brake tempera-
tures, excessive lining wear, and pos-
sible brake damage. You would not
have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
268

CAUTION!
Car maintenance should be done at
a LANCIA Dealership. For routine
and minor maintenance operations
you wish to carry out yourself, we do
recommend you have the proper
equipment, genuine LANCIA spare
parts and the necessary fluids; do
not however carry out these opera-
tions if you have no experience.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid
Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master
cylinder immediately if the brake sys-
tem warning light indicates system
failure.
Check the fluid level in the master
cylinder when performing underhood
services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder
area before removing the cap. Add
fluid to bring the level up to the
“MAX” mark on the side of the master
cylinder reservoir.
Add enough fluid to bring the level up
to the requirements described on the
brake fluid reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be expected to
fall as the brake pads wear. However,
low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.
Use only manufactur
er's recom-
mended brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids,
Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
WARNING!
 Use only manufactur er's recom-
mended brake fluid. Refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle” for further information. Us-
ing the wrong type of brake fluid
can severely damage your brake
system and/or impair its perfor-
mance. The proper type of brake
fluid for your vehicle is also iden-
tified on the original factory in-
stalled hydraulic master cylinder
reservoir.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
 To avoid contamination from for-
eign matter or moisture, use only
new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container.
Keep the master cylinder reservoir
cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs
moisture from the air resulting in
a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly dur-
ing hard or prolonged braking,
resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a accident.
 Overfilling the brake fluid reser-
voir can result in spilling brake
fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake
fluid can also damage painted and
vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with
these surfaces.
 Do not allow petroleum based
fluid to contaminate the brake
fluid. Brake seal components
could be damaged, causing partial
or complete brake failure. This
could result in an accident.
269

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubri-
cant is used in the transmission to
assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturer’s rec-
ommended transmission fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
for further information. It is impor-
tant that the transmission fluid be
maintained at the prescribed level us-
ing the recommended fluid. No
chemical flushes should be used in
any transmission; only the approved
lubricant may be used.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
is an engineered product and its per-
formance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not
add any fluid additives to the trans-
mission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid
in detecting fluid leaks. In addition,
avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can
damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
Fluid Level Check
Regular automatic transmission fluid
level checks are not required. For this
reason, the dipstick is omitted.
If you notice fluid loss or transmission
malfunction, have your authorized
dealer check the transmission fluid
level.
CAUTION!
 Using a transmission fluid other than the manufactur er's recom-
mended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift qual-
ity and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission
fluid other than that recom-
mended by the manufacturer will
require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids,
Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for
further information.
 The fluid level is preset at the
factory and it does not require
adjustment under normal operat-
ing conditions. If a transmission
fluid leak occurs, visit your autho-
rized dealer immediately. Severe
damage to the transmission may
occur. Your authorized dealer has
the proper tools to adjust the fluid
level accurately.
270

Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule”
for the proper maintenance intervals.
If the transmission is disassembled for
any reason, the fluid and filter should
be changed.CAUTION!
Car maintenance should be done at
a LANCIA Dealership. For routine
and minor maintenance operations
you wish to carry out yourself, we do
recommend you have the proper
equipment, genuine LANCIA spare
parts and the necessary fluids; do
not however carry out these opera-
tions if you have no experience.
REAR AXLE
For normal service, periodic fluid
level checks are not required. When
the vehicle is serviced for other rea-
sons the exterior surfaces of the axle
assembly should be inspected. If gear
oil leakage is suspected inspect the
fluid level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubri-
cants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further in-
formation. Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the
fill plug on the axle. The fluid level
should be at the bottom of the fill
hole. Add fluid, if necessary, to main-
tain the proper level. Refer to “Fluids,
Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
Change Axle Fluid
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule”
for the proper maintenance intervals.
APPEARANCE CARE AND
PROTECTION FROM
CORROSION
Protection Of Body And Paint
From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary
according to geographic locations and
usage. Chemicals that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other
seasons, are highly corrosive to the
metal in your vehicle. Outside park-
ing, which exposes your vehicle to air-
borne contaminants, road surfaces on
which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme
conditions will have an adverse effect
on paint, metal trim, and underbody
protection.
The following maintenance recom-
mendations will enable you to obtain
maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration
or removal of paint and protective
coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
 Road salt, dirt, and moisture accu-
mulation.
 Stone and gravel impact.
 Insects, tree sap, and tar.
 Salt in the air near seacoast locali- ties.
 Atmospheric fallout/industrial pol- lutants.
Washing
 Wash your vehicle regularly. Al- ways wash your vehicle in the shade
using a mild car wash soap, and
rinse the panels completely with
clear water.
271

 Use a high quality cleaner wax toremove road film, stains and to pro-
tect your paint finish. Take care
never to scratch the paint.
 Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing that may dimin-
ish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong clean-
ing materials such as steel wool or
scouring powder that will scratch
metal and painted surfaces.
Special Care
 If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive near the ocean, hose
off the undercarriage at least once a
month.
 It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors,
rocker panels, and trunk be kept
clear and open.
 If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint, touch them
up immediately. The cost of such
repairs is considered the responsi-
bility of the owner.  If your vehicle is damaged due to an
accident or similar cause, which de-
stroys the paint and protective
coating, have your vehicle repaired
as soon as possible. The cost of such
repairs is considered the responsi-
bility of the owner.
 If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers, de-icer salt,
etc., be sure that such materials are
well packaged and sealed.
 If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider mud or stone
shields behind each wheel.
 Use Touch Up Paint or equivalent on scratches as soon as possible.
Your authorized dealer has touch
up paint to match the color of your
vehicle.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially
aluminum and chrome-plated wheels
should be cleaned regularly with a
mild soap and water to prevent corro-
sion. To remove heavy soil and/or ex-
cessive brake dust, use a nonabrasive,
non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scour-
ing pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do not use oven
cleaner. Avoid automatic car washes
that use acidic solutions or harsh
brushes that may damage the wheels’
protective finish.
Stain Repel Fabric Cleaning
Procedure (for versions/markets,
where provided)
Stain Repel seats may be cleaned in
the following manner:
 Remove as much of the stain as
possible by blotting with a clean,
dry towel.
 Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
 For tough stains, apply a mild soap solution to a clean, damp cloth and
remove the stain. Use a fresh, damp
towel to remove soap residue.
 Do not use any harsh solvents or any other form of protectants on
Stain Repel products.
Interior Care
Interior trim should be cleaned start-
ing with a damp cloth. Do not use
harsh cleaners.
272

Your leather upholstery can be best
preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of
dirt can act as an abrasive and dam-
age the leather upholstery and should
be removed promptly with a damp
cloth. Stubborn soils can be removed
easily with a soft cloth and appropri-
ate products. Care should be taken to
avoid soaking your leather upholstery
with any liquid. Please do not use
polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, sol-
vents, detergents, or ammonia-based
cleaners to clean your leather uphol-
stery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the
original condition.WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for
cleaning purposes. Many are poten-
tially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respira-
tory harm.Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights
that are lighter and less susceptible to
stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as
glass and therefore different lens
cleaning procedures must be fol-
lowed.
To minimize the possibility of scratch-
ing the lenses and reducing light out-
put, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild
soap solution followed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning compo-
nents, solvents, steel wool or other
aggressive material to clean the
lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned
on a regular basis with any commer-
cial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner.
Use caution when cleaning the inside
rear window equipped with electric
defrosters or the right rear quarter
window equipped with the radio an- tenna. Do not use scrapers or other
sharp instrument that may scratch
the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror,
spray cleaner on the towel or rag that
you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument
Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments
in this vehicle are molded in clear
plastic. When cleaning the lenses,
care must be taken to avoid scratch-
ing the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag or micro-
fiber towel. A mild soap solution may
be used, but do not use high alcohol
content or abrasive cleaners. If soap is
used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
273

Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye, or clean the belts
with chemical solvents or abrasive
cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fab-
ric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild
soap solution, or lukewarm water. Do
not remove the belts from the vehicle
to wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed
or worn or if the buckles do not work
properly.
Cleaning The Center Console
Cupholders
Clean with a damp cloth or towel us-
ing a mild detergent with the cup-
holder in the center console.
NOTE:
The cupholder cannot be removed.FUSES
Integrated Power Module
The Integrated Power Module is lo-
cated in the engine compartment.
This module contains fuses and re-
lays.
CAUTION!
 When installing the integrated
power module cover, it is impor-
tant to ensure the cover is properly
positioned and fully latched. Fail-
ure to do so may allow water to get
into the integrated power module
and possibly result in an electrical
system failure.
 When replacing a blown fuse, it is
important to use only a fuse hav-
ing the correct amperage rating.
The use of a fuse with a rating
other than indicated may result in
a dangerous electrical system
overload. If a properly rated fuse
continues to blow, it indicates a
problem in the circuit that must
be corrected.
Integrated Power Module
274