lights Lancia Thesis 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

214
REARVIEW MIRROR LIGHTS
(fig. 162)
The lower part of the external
rearview mirrors incorporate a light
to illuminate the area through which
passengers get into and out of the
car.
This light will automatically switch
on, for about 3 minutes, when the
door is opened or when the door lock
is released by means of the remote
control.SUN VISORS (fig. 163)
The sun visors can swing up or
down or be pivoted sideways.
Release the visors from hooks Ato
move them sideways.COURTESY MIRRORS (fig. 164)
They are fitted on the back of the
sun visors: they can be accessed by
rotating the visors and lifting the
cover A.
The mirrors are fitted with lights
that will come on automatically
when lifting the cover and will go
out when lowering it again or auto-
matically after 15 minutes after
switching the engine off (ignition
key at STOP).
fig. 162
L0A0195b
fig. 163
L0A0192b
fig. 164
L0A0193b

HEADLIGHTS
GAS-DISCHARGE (BI-XENO)
MAIN BEAM / DIPPED BEAM
HEADLIGHTS AND DYNAMIC
BEAM ADJUSTMENT DEVICE
These headlights, called Bi-Xeno,
use a lamp with a xenon-filled bulb,
both for the dipped beam and the
main beam headlights.
The main characteristics of this
type of headlights are:
– higher brilliancy
– higher light beam width and
adjustability
– lower consumption under work-
ing conditions
– longer bulb life.Each headlight is equipped with an
electronic control unit used to con-
trol supply voltage. Due to high bril-
liancy, bi-Xeno headlights require
the adoption of a dynamic beam
adjustment control system.
This system is controlled by an
electronic control unit operating at
two levels:
– constant headlight beam realign-
ment as a function of the car load
– dynamic headlight beam align-
ment to compensate car pitching
when running.Operation
Light is projected onto the road by
means of a spherical glass lens with
a large surface (70 mm diameter).
A deflector lifts and lowers, so that
light distribution is different for
both the main beam and dipped
beam headlights. The deflector is
electrically operated and the
mechanical lifting/lowering opera-
tion is performed real-time when
lights are switched.
The xenon lamp consists of a bulb
containing low-pressure xenon and
two electrodes.
To obtain light emission, an elec-
tric arc must be triggered between
the two electrodes and maintained.
Each headlight is equipped with a
control unit which:
– checks the voltage/current value
under working operation
– triggers the arc to the electrodes
and cause salt evaporation at
switching on.
242

243
Automatic dynamic beam adjust-
ment device
Bi-Xeno headlights require, due to
produced brilliancy, an automatic,
dynamic beam adjustment system.
This system is managed by an elec-
tronic control unit that controls the
actuators mounted on each dipped
beam headlight. Actuator control
depends on the processing of the sig-
nals from two orientation sensors.
This automatic dynamic beam
adjustment system provides the fol-
lowing advantages:
– it avoids dazzling the vehicles
coming from the opposite direction
– it stabilizes the illuminated area
so as to improve active safety.Headlight beam adjustment con-
trol unit
The control unit calculates the
instant car trim, by comparing the
signals from the orientation sensors.
A “correction” signal is sent to the
actuators to adapt light beam orien-
tation to the calculated car trim.
To avoid oscillation of the anti-
dazzling beam in case of particular
road surfaces (paved surfaces, dirt
roads, etc.) or abrupt movements of
the car caused by the driver (clutch
disengagement, gear change, etc.),
the control unit reduces the number
of corrections to be made on the
light unit.Fault indication
Anomalies in the operation of one
or several system components are
signalled by the lighting of symbol
6on the multifunction display,
together with message “HEAD-
LAMP INCLINATION ADJUST-
MENT SYSTEM FAULT”.
IMPORTANT In case of faults,
contact a Lancia Dealership.
In case of component anomaly or
voltage drop, the system controls in
any case system operation according
to the following logic:
– faulty front sensor: trim calcula-
tion is made by replacing the voltage
value read on the faulty sensor with
a stored, fixed value
– faulty rear sensor: the system is
switched to the safety operation
mode and keeps the headlights in a
preset position of maximum lower-
ing allowed by the light beam.

244
– Failed connection of actuators: if
the control signal is failing, the actu-
ators will be brought back to the
position of maximum lowering per-
mitted for the light beam
– control unit failure: depending on
the type of failure, the system can
remain in the position where it was
when the failure occurred, or set
itself for the maximum lowering per-
mitted for the light beam
– voltage drop: when voltage falls
below 9 V, the system remains in the
position where it was when the fail-
ure occurred.HEADLAMP ORIENTATION FOR
LEFT-/RIGHT HAND DRIVE
The car headlights are equipped
with Bi-Xeno lamps with high light-
ing power; therefore, when you trav-
el from a country with right-hand
drive to one with left-hand drive, or
vice versa, dipped beam headlight
orientation must be modified.
This operation is necessary to avoid
dazzling the vehicle coming from the
opposite direction, as well as to opti-
mize road edge illumination.To carry out this opera-
tion, contact a Lancia
Dealership.
When you go back to
your country of origin,
remember to have the
dipped beam headlight orienta-
tion modified again.

247
The car is fitted with an
electronic brake force
distributor (EBD). The x
and >warning lights come on at
the same time on the multifunc-
tion display, together with mes-
sage “EBD SYSTEM FAULT”,
when the engine is running to
indicate that there is an EBD sys-
tem failure. In this case violent
braking may be accompanied by
early rear wheel locking with the
possibility of skidding. Drive the
car extremely carefully to the
nearest Lancia Dealership to
have the system checked.
If warning light x
comes on together with
message “LOW BRAKE
FLUID LEVEL”, on the multi-
function display, stop the car
immediately and contact a Lancia
Dealership. Fluid leakage will
compromise efficiency of both the
traditional brake system and the
ABS system.The system performance
in terms of active safety
must not lead the driver
to take unnecessary or unjusti-
fied risks. Always suit your dri-
ving style to the weather, visibili-
ty and traffic conditions.
Excessive use of engine
braking (gears tooshort
and limited grip) may
make the wheels slip. The ABS
will have no effect on this type of
skidding.
The maximum possible
deceleration always
depends on the available
road grip. Obviously, grip will be
considerably decreased in the
presence of snow and ice. In these
conditions, the braking space
will still be high, even with the
ABS.The coming on of the
>warning light on the
multifunction display,
together with message “ABS SYS-
TEM FAULT”, when the engine is
running, normally indicates a
fault in the ABS system. In this
case the braking system will still
be effective although without the
anti-lock device assistance. In
these conditions, EBD system
operation may also be reduced.
Drive the car extremely carefully
to the nearest Lancia Dealership
to have the ABS system checked.

255
SAFE DRIVING
In designing THESIS, LANCIA has
made every effort to come up with a
car able to provide driver and pas-
senger with top-class levels of safety.
Nevertheless it is always the behav-
iour of the person at the wheel that
determines road safety.
Below 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.
BEFORE GETTING BEHIND
THE WHEEL
– Make sure all lights, including
the headlights, are working proper-
ly.
– Adjust the position of the seats,
steering wheel, driving and door
mirrors properly for the best driving
position.
– Carefully adjust the head
restraints so that the back of the
head and not the nape of the neck is
supported. 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, carri-
ers etc.) are properly fixed on the
rear seat.
– Place any objects in the boot in
such a way that they cannot be
thrown forwards in the event of an
accident.
– Do not eat a heavy meal before
travelling. Light eating will help
keep your reflexes prompt. Above
all, do not have anything alcoholic to
drink.
Periodically, remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– engine oil level;
– coolant level and cooling system
conditions;
– brake fluid level;
– power steering fluid level;
– windscreen washer fluid level. WHEN TRAVELLING
– The first rule of safe driving is
prudence.
– Prudence also means putting
yourself into a position where you
can predict 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 appropri-
ate child seats and any animals in
the car are placed in suitable com-
partments.
– You should be physically fit and
mentally alert before setting out on
long journeys.

257
– Keep a greater safety distance
from the cars in front of you than
during daylight hours: it is hard to
judge how fast other cars are going
when all you can see are their lights.
– Only use main beam headlights
when you are driving outside town
and when you are sure they do not
annoy other drivers.
– Dip your headlights as soon as
you see cars coming in the other
direction and pass them with the
headlights dipped.
– Keep all lights clean.
– Be careful of animals crossing the
road when driving in the country.
DRIVING IN THE RAIN
Rain and wet road surfaces spell
danger.
All manoeuvres are more difficult
on a wet road because the grip of the
wheels on the tarmac is greatly
reduced. This is why braking dis-
tances are much longer and road-
holding is lower.Here is some advice for driving in
the rain:
– Reduce speed and maintain a
greater safety distance from the cars
in front.
– If it is raining particularly heavi-
ly, visibility is also reduced. In these
cases, switch on the dipped head-
lights even if it is still daylight so you
can be seen more easily.
– Do not drive through puddles at
speed and hold on tightly to the
wheel if you do: a puddle taken at
high speed might cause you to lose
control of the car (“aquaplaning”).
– Move the ventilation controls to
the position for demisting the win-
dows (see the section “Getting to
know your car”), so to avoid visibil-
ity problems.
– Periodically check the condition
of the windscreen wiper blades. – Do not drive too many hours at a
time but stop at intervals to stretch
your legs and recoup your energy.
– Make sure the air in the car is
being changed continuously.
– Never coast downhill (i.e.: with
the engine off): if you do, you lose
the aid of engine braking and power
brakes so that braking requires
greater effort.
DRIVING AT NIGHT
There are the main rules to follow
when you are driving at night.
– Drive especially carefully: it is
harder to drive at night.
– Slow down especially if the road
is not lit.
– At the first signs of sleepiness,
stop: continuing would be a risk for
yourself and everybody else. Only
start driving again when you have
had enough rest.

258
DRIVING IN FOG
If the fog is thick, do not start out
on a journey unless you absolutely
have to. If driving in mist, blanket
fog or when there is danger of fog
patches:
– Keep your speed down.
– Turn on the dipped headlights,
rear fog lights and front fog lights
even during the day. Do not drive
with your headlights at main beam.
IMPORTANTOn stretches of road
with good visibility, switch off your
rear fog lights; the brightness of
these lights could annoy the people
travelling in the cars behind.
– Remember that fog also means
the tarmac is very wet and therefore
manoeuvres of all kinds are more
difficult and stopping distances are
longer.
– Keep a good distance from the
cars in front of you.
– As far as possible, avoid spurts of
speed or sudden decelerations. – Do not overtake other vehicles if
you can help it.
– If you are forced to stop your car
(breakdown, limited visibility etc.),
try to stop off the road. Turn on the
hazard lights and, if possible, the
dipped beam headlights.
Rhythmically sound the horn if you
realise another car is coming. DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS
– When driving downhill use the
engine braking effect by engaging a
low gear so as not to overheat the
brakes.
– Under no circumstances should
you drive downhill with the engine
off or with the gear in neutral, let
alone with the ignition key out.
– Drive at a moderate speed with-
out cutting corners.
– Remember that overtaking while
going uphill is slower and therefore
requires more free road. If you are
being overtaken while driving
uphill, make it easier for the other
vehicle to pass.

260
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS AND
POLLUTION
Some suggestions which may help
you to keep the running costs of the
car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the
atmosphere are given below.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
The overall state of the car is an
important factor which has a
marked influence over fuel con-
sumption and driving comfort and
on the life span of your car. For this
reason care should be taken to main-
tain your car by carrying out the
necessary checks and regulations in
accordance with the specifications
given in the “Service Schedule” (see
sections: spark plugs, air cleaners,
timing...).Tyres
Tyre pressure should be checked at
least once every four weeks: if the
pressure is too low fuel consumption
increases as the resistance to the
rolling movement of the tyre is
greater. In this state, tyre wear is
increased and handling suffers,
which will effect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much load in
the boot. The weight of the car (in
town traffic above all), and its trim
greatly effect consumption and sta-
bility.Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof or ski racks from
the car as soon as they are no longer
needed. These accessories reduce the
aerodynamic penetration of the car
and will increase consumption.
When transporting particularly
large objects, use a trailer, where
possible.
Electrical devices
Use electrical devices for the neces-
sary time only. The heated rear win-
dow, fog lights, windscreen wipers,
heater fan require large amounts of
electricity and increasing the request
for power will also increase fuel con-
sumption (up to +25% when driving
in towns).
Climate control system
The climate control system is an
additional load which greatly effects
the engine leading to higher con-
sumption (up to +20% in average).
When the temperature outside
allows, use the air vents where pos-
sible.

261
Gear selections
As soon as the traffic and road con-
ditions allow it, shift to a higher
gear. Using a lower gear to liven up
acceleration greatly increases con-
sumption. In the same way, improp-
er use of the higher gears will
increase consumption, emissions
and wear and tear on the engine.
Top speeds
Fuel consumption increases con-
siderably as speed increases. For
example, when accelerating from 90
to 120 km/h, fuel consumption
increases up to approximately
+30%. Your speed should be kept as
even as possible and superfluous
braking and acceleration avoided, as
this increases both consumption and
emissions. A “smooth” driving style
should be adopted by attempting to
anticipate manoeuvres to avoid
imminent danger, and to keep a safe
distance from the vehicle in front to
avoid braking sharplyAcceleration
Accelerating violently increasing
the revs will greatly effect consump-
tion and emissions: acceleration
should be gradual and not exceed
the maximum torque.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Frequent cold starting will not
enable the engine to reach optimal
running temperature. It follows,
therefore, that consumption will be
higher (from +15 to +30% in towns)
as will the production of toxic emis-
sions. Spoilers
The use of optional extras which
are not certified for specific use on
the car may reduce the aerodynamic
penetration of the car and increase
consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine when the
car is stationary or at high or low
revs: in this way the engine will
warm up gradually increasing con-
sumption and emissions. You should
drive off slowly straight away avoid-
ing high revs so that the engine will
warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving the engine when
stopped at traffic lights or before
switching off the engine and avoid
doubling the clutch as these actions
have no purpose on modern vehicles
and serve only to increase consump-
tion and pollution.