catalytic converter Lancia Thema 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING!(Continued)
 Do not attempt to push or tow
your vehicle to get it started. Ve-
hicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started
this way. Unburned fuel could en-
ter the catalytic converter and
once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and ve-
hicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from
a booster battery or the battery in
another vehicle. This type of start
can be dangerous if done improp-
erly. Refer to “Jump Starting” in
“What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.
Clearing A Flooded Engine (Using
ENGINE START/STOP Button)
If the engine fails to start after you
have followed the “Normal Starting”
or “Extreme Cold Weather" proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any
excess fuel, press and hold the brake
pedal, push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it, then
press and release the ENGINE START/STOP button once. The
starter motor will engage automati-
cally, run for 10 seconds, and then
disengage. Once this occurs, release
the accelerator pedal and the brake
pedal, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” proce-
dure.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automati-
cally and it will decrease as the engine
warms up.
NORMAL STARTING –
DIESEL ENGINE
Observe the following when the en-
gine is operating.
 All message center lights are off.
 Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
is off.
 Low Oil Pressure Light is off.
Cold Weather Precautions
If the outside temperature is very low,
the diesel fuel thickens due to the
formation of parrafin clots and could
clog the diesel filter. In order to avoid
these problems, different types of die-
sel fuel are distributed according to the season: summer type, winter type
and arctic type (cold, mountainous
areas).
If refuelling with diesel fuel whose
specifications are not suitable for the
outside temperature, it is advisable to
mix TUTELA DIESEL ART additive
in the proportions shown on the con-
tainer with the fuel. Pour the additive
into the tank before the fuel.
When using or parking the vehicle for
a long time in the mountains or cold
areas, it is advisable to refuel using
locally available diesel. In this case, it
is also advisable to keep the tank over
50% full.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking
power as the battery temperature de-
creases to ­18°C. For the same de-
crease in temperature, the engine re-
quires twice as much power to crank
at the same RPM. The use of battery
blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures.
193

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC
SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a so-
phisticated onboard diagnostic sys-
tem called OBD II. This system moni-
tors the performance of the emissions,
engine, and automatic transmission
control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle
will provide excellent performance
and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions well within current govern-
ment regulations.
If any of these systems require service,
the OBD II system will turn on the
“Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).”
It will also store diagnostic codes and
other information to assist your ser-
vice technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be
drivable and not need towing, see
your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
 Prolonged driving with the MILon could cause further damage to
the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy
and driveability. The vehicle must
be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
 If the MIL is flashing while the
engine is running, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service
is required.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine parts for normal/
scheduled maintenance and repairs is
highly recommended to ensure the de-
signed performance.
Damage or failures caused by the use
of parts which are not quality-
equivalent to genuine parts for main-
tenance and repairs will not be cov-
ered by the manufacturer’s warranty. MAINTENANCE
PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the
re-
quired maintenance services deter-
mined by the engineers who designed
your vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items
specified in the fixed maintenance
schedule, there are other components
which may require servicing or re-
placement in the future.
CAUTION!
 Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or perform repairs and
service when necessary could re-
sult in more costly repairs, dam-
age to other components or nega-
tively impact vehicle
performance. Immediately have
potential malfunctions examined
by an authorized dealership or
qualified repair center.
(Continued)
257

INTERVENTION
REGENERATION
STRATEGY – 3.0L DIESEL
ENGINE
This vehicle is equipped with a state-
of-the-art engine and exhaust system
containing a diesel particulate filter.
The engine and exhaust after-
treatment system work together to
meet the Emission standards. The
system manages engine combustion to
allow the exhaust system’s catalyst to
trap and burn Particulate Matter
(PM) pollutants with no input or in-
teraction on your part.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC)” in “Understand-
ing Your Instrument Cluster” for fur-
ther information.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
The best protection against carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle body
is a properly maintained engine ex-
haust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the
sound of the exhaust system, when
exhaust fumes can be detected inside
the vehicle, or when the underside orrear of the vehicle is damaged, have a
competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent
body areas for broken, damaged, de-
teriorated, or mispositioned parts.
Open seams or loose connections
could permit exhaust fumes to seep
into the passenger compartment. In
addition, have the exhaust system in-
spected each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace
as required.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill.
They contain carbon monoxide
(CO), which is colorless and odor-
less. Breathing it can make you un-
conscious and can eventually poison
you. To avoid breathing CO, refer to
“Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in
“Things To Do Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
The catalytic converter requires the
use of unleaded fuel only. Leaded
gasoline will destroy the effective-
ness of the catalyst as an emissions
control device and may seriously re-
duce engine performance and cause
serious damage to the engine.
Under normal operating conditions,
the catalytic converter will not require
maintenance. However, it is impor-
tant to keep the engine properly tuned
to assure proper catalyst operation
and prevent possible catalyst damage.CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter
can result if your vehicle is not kept
in proper operating condition. In the
event of engine malfunction, par-
ticularly involving engine misfire or
other apparent loss of performance,
have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle
with a severe malfunction could
cause the converter to overheat, re-
sulting in possible damage to the
converter and the vehicle.
264