light Lancia Thesis 2009 Owner handbook (in English)

ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
(EPB) (fig. 133)
The car is fitted with the EPB
(Electric Parking Brake) that cuts in
when switching the engine off and
will cut out when starting the engine
and pressing the accelerator pedal
(for manual gearbox versions when
releasing the clutch pedal at the
same time). The EPB can also be
disengaged manually by pressing
buttonAset on the central console
with engine running or ignition key
toMAR.
After disengaging the EPB manual-
ly, when opening the driver’s door
the EPB will re-engage automatical-
ly, press button Aagain to disengage
it.The button shape is rather large so
the brake can be engaged rapidly,
even by the passenger, in case of
emergency.
The advantages of this system, com-
pared to the usual lever, are several:
– no effort should be made to
engage and disengage the parking
brake
– the parking brake efficiency is
always at top level in any using con-
dition, contrary to the lever which
guarantees the car complete stop only
when fully lifted
– the EPB is controlled by electric
wires, therefore all problems regard-
ing transmission cables, such as
adjustments, freezing or tears, no
longer exist
– improved safety as a result of the
sophisticated electronic control sys-
tem, similar to the ABS one, prevent-
ing wheels from blocking if the park-
ing brake is engaged during driving
– improved safety when the car is
stationary and children are left
inside the car; in this case the brake
cannot be disengaged if the ignition
key is at STOPor removed– it has automatic functions that
other systems lack.
When the parking brake is engaged
and the ignition key is at MAR, the
instrument panel warning light x
turns on.
This warning light turns on when
the parking brake reaches its highest
working level, and it turns off when
the brake is disengaged and com-
pletely released. Unlike usual park-
ing brakes, whose warning light
turns on even when the lever is lift-
ed a little bit, the EPB system warn-
ing light turns on only when the car
has come to a complete stop.
When the brake is engaged, a typi-
cal noise can be heard by the driver;
the parking brake is completely
engaged or disengaged when the
operating noise stops.
fig. 133
L0A0197b
When engaging the park-
ing brake keep the brake
pedal always depressed.
175

177
“Automatic parking brake” function
and the press “OK”. Deactivation of
automatic operation can be achieved
also in the following way:
– turn the key to STOP(the park-
ing brake is engaged)
– turn the key back to MAR,
depress the brake pedal and at the
same time keep button Apressed for
at least 2 seconds. Warning light x
flashes thrice to indicate the auto-
matic operation deactivation.
When the key is turned again to
STOPthe parking brake will not be
engaged. The parking brake auto-
matic operation will be automatical-
ly restored when the key is turned
again to MAR.IMPORTANTIf, after the parking
brake has been disengaged, the car
starts moving at a speed higher than
the usual manual movement, deacti-
vation of the automatic mode is
immediately cancelled and the park-
ing brake is engaged.
If, after the parking
brake has been disen-
gaged, the car starts mov-
ing at a speed higher than the
usual manual movement, deacti-
vation of the automatic mode is
immediately cancelled and the
parking brake is engaged.Proceed as follows: release the
accelerator pedal, press and keep
buttonA(fig. 133) pressed for the
whole manoeuvre: the system elec-
tronic control unit will come imme-
diately into action with alternate
braking on/off cycles on the rear
wheels (thus preventing wheel lock-
ing). Braking cycles are applied
alternately on right and left wheel to
guarantee roadholding, braking
continuity and to reduce braking
distance.
Wheel locking could take place
under the safety speed threshold
(lower than 10 km/h).
A buzzer will sound during the
whole manoeuvre to indicate that
the dynamic mode shall only be used
in an emergency, but this is also use-
ful to warn the driver if the parking
brake has been inadvertently
engaged by other passengers.
Use in an emergency
In particular cases (e.g. fault in the
whole hydraulic brake system, both
service and emergency brake), the
parking brake can be used to stop
the car running (“dynamic mode”).

178
fig. 135
L0A0275b
fig. 134
L0A0274b
Fault indication
The system is controlled by an elec-
tronic control unit signalling possible
failures by turning on the s!warn-
ing light on the multifunction display
together with the message “EPB
FAULT - GO TO DEALER”.
For a higher safety, every time the
parking brake button is pressed dur-
ing a failure, a buzzer will sound to
draw the driver’s attention and the
xwarning light will turn on.
If the parking brake does not reach
the required working force (e.g.
when the battery is partially flat),
the instrument panel warning light
xstarts flashing.
In case of instrument panel warn-
ing light xfault, the s!warning
light on the multifunction display
turns on together with the message
“EPB INDICATOR FAULT - GO TO
DEALER” to informthe driver
about the dangerous situation. In case of failure indi-
cated by the related
warning light and mes-
sage turning on, drive carefully to
a Lancia Dealership because the
parking brake might not work.
Emergency disengagement
The electric parking brake is fitted
with an independent battery which
can be used to disengage the brake,
for instance when the car main bat-
tery is completely flat or it has bro-
ken after an accident.The additional battery, always
kept charged by a dedicated elec-
tronic control unit, can engage and
disengage the parking brake when it
is necessary to push manually the
car.
To engage and disengage the elec-
tric parking brake when the car
main battery is completely flat, turn
the key to MARand press the main
button on the central console.

179
The car is fitted also with an emer-
gency button A(fig. 134), placed in
the boot right compartment, which
can be used to unblock the car if it has
been stopped on the road for a break-
down or an accident and the key can-
not be turned to MAR(accident with
fire risk). To reach the button remove
the compartment cover turning the
catchA(fig. 135) to 1with the igni-
tion key.
To disengage the parking brake
through the emergency button pro-
ceed as follows:
– press and release the main button
on the central console
– press and release the emergency
button in the boot
– press again and release the main
button on the central console.
The time elapsed between these
operations should be lower than 30
seconds.MANUAL GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press down
the clutch and put the gear lever into
one of the positions shown in the
diagram (fig. 136); the diagram is
also on the gear lever knob.
To engage reverse (R), wait for the
car to come to a standstill and lift
the ring Aunder the knob (with the
fingers of the hand operating the
lever).
Release the ring after engaging
reverse gear. You do not need to lift
the ring to disengage reverse.To change gear properly
you must push the clutch
pedal fully down. It is
therefore essential that there is
nothing under the pedals: make
sure mats are lying flat and do
not get in the way of the pedals.
Reverse can only be
engaged when the car is at
a standstill. Wait for two
seconds or longer with the clutch
fully pressed before engaging
reverse when the engine is run-
ning to prevent scraping and
damaging the gears.
Do not drive with your
hand resting on the gear
stick as the force exerted,
even if only slight, could lead to
premature wearing of the gear-
box internal components.
fig. 136
L0A0357b

183
R - Reverse
Shift the lever to Rwith the car
stationary, the engine running idle
and the brake pedal pressed.
When the lever is at Rbackup
lights turn on and a buzzer will
sound for about 4 seconds to warn
other people that reversing is in
progress.
IMPORTANTEven with the lever
in position R, the reverse gear can-
not be engaged if the car speed is
higher than the established value.
When the speed is reduced, the
reverse gear can be engaged and it
remains engaged even if the car
speed overcomes that limit.N - Neutral
This is the position to be used when
the car must be pushed or towed.
D - Forward gear (automatic)
This is the position to be used when
all automatic gearbox functions are
required.
The electronic control unit controls
that the five gears are engaged auto-
matically according to car speed,
engine rpm, accelerator pedal posi-
tion and pressing speed, together
with the main driving conditions
such as hills, slopes, curves and
braking.
Indeed, the electronic automatic
gearbox is able to choose, according
to the type of driving adopted by the
driver, different programmes subdi-
vided into comfortable driving,
economy driving and sporty driving,
with shift points ranging between
low and high. Before leaving the car,
check that the electric
parking brake (EPB) is
on. Shift the lever to position P
even when the car is left with the
engine running.
In case of emergency (failures, flat
battery, etc.), it is possible to shift
the lever from position PtoN,Dor
Rby pressing lever A(fig. 141) set
under the gear lever mask. To reach
the lever, remove the press-fit odd-
ment compartment shelf Bin front
of the gearshift lever.
fig. 141
L0A0276b

187
Even in fault conditions it is possi-
ble to move the lever to R,NandD.
If the lever is in position D,the con-
trol unit of the automatic gearbox
will select only certain gears, accord-
ing to the type of failure detected.
In case of failure of the
automatic gearbox, take
the car immediately to a
Lancia Dealership to have the
failure eliminated.FAILURE INDICATION
Automatic gearbox faults are indi-
cated by multifunction display
warning light tcoming on with
the following messages:
– AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OIL TEMP. HIGH
– AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FAULT.
Automatic transmission oil tem-
perature high
This message is displayed when the
gearbox oil has reached the maxi-
mum preset temperature. In this
case the electronic control unit has
an emergency programme.
Anyway, it is suggested to stop the
car, to set the lever to PorNand to
keep the engine running idle until
the message displayed disappears.
Then start driving again without
taxing the engine.If the message is displayed again,
re-stop the car and let the engine
run idle until the message disap-
pears.
If the interval between the first and
second message appearance is lower
than 15 minutes, stop the car, stop
the engine and wait until the engine-
gearbox unit is completely cold.
Automatic transmission fault
If this message is displayed during
driving, it means that there is a fail-
ure in the automatic gearbox. In this
case the electronic control unit has
an emergency programme.
In such conditions, stop the car and
stop the engine for at least 1 minute.
When the engine is restarted, the
self-diagnosis system could exclude
that failure, that however will be
stored by the electronic control unit.

191
To make ESP, ASR and
ABS systems work prop-
erly, the tyres must
absolutely be of the same brand
and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and, above all, of type,
brand and size specified. stantly changed and controlled in
the attempt to keep the driver’s
direction.
The ESP system considerably
increases the car safety in several
critical conditions and it is particu-
larly useful during overtaking, when
the grip conditions on the road bed
change.ASR FUNCTION (ANTISLIP
REGULATION)
General
The ASR function is part of the
ESP system and it checks the car
drive, taking action every time one
or both driving wheels slip, thus pre-
venting car instability and tyre wear.
On the basis of slipping conditions,
two different check systems are acti-
vated:
– if slipping affects both driving
wheels, as a result of the excessive
force transmitted, the ASR function
reduces the power supplied by the
engine;
– if slipping affects only one of the
driving wheels, the ASR function
automatically brakes the slipping
wheel, with an effect similar to the
self-locking differential.The action of the ASR function is
particularly useful in the following
conditions:
– internal wheel slipping when cor-
nering due to load dynamic varia-
tions and excessive acceleration;
– excessive power supplied to
wheels according to the road bed;
– acceleration on slippery ground,
covered with snow or ice;
– in case of grip loss on wet ground
(aquaplaning).
ASR function activation
The ASR function is activated
automatically whenever the engine
is started.
During driving it is possible to dis-
engage and engage this function by
pressing button A(fig. 142) on the
central console.
When the ASR function is on, sym-
bolVis lighted on the multifunc-
tion display together with the mes-
sage “ASR ON”.

192
When the ASR function is off, sym-
bolVis lighted on the multifunc-
tion display together with the mes-
sage “ASR OFF”.
The function deactivation is indi-
cated by switching on of the related
warning light Bon the button. If this
function is deactivated during dri-
ving, it will be reactivated automat-
ically at the following start up.
IMPORTANTDuring driving on a
snow-covered ground, with snow
chains on, it might be useful to deac-
tivate the ASR function: in these
conditions driving wheel slipping at
start up is useful to reach higher
drive.MSR SYSTEM
(ENGINE DRIVE ADJUSTMENT)
The car is fitted with a system, part
of ASR, affecting the engine torque
in case of sudden gear shift, thus
preventing excessive driving wheel
dragging which, in extremely low
grip conditions, can make the car
loose stability.
ESP SYSTEM ACTION
The ESP action is indicated by
flashing of warning light áon the
instrument panel, to inform the dri-
ver that the car is in critical stability
and grip conditions.
ESP AND ASR FAILURE
INDICATION
In case of failure, ESP and ASR
systems are automatically deactivat-
ed and symbol áand message “ESP
FAULT” will come on with fixed
light on the multifunction display
together with warning light Bon the
ASR button.
If the failure affects only the ESP
system, symbol áand message“ESP FAULT” are lighted on the
multifunction display, while the
warning light on button Bis off and
the ASR system remains operating.
If the failure affects only the ESP
system, symbol áand message
“ESP FAULT” are lighted on the
multifunction display, while the
warning light on button Bis off and
the ASR system remains operating.
In case of ESP or ASR failure, the
car behaves in the same way as a car
that is not fitted with this system: in
any case it is advisable to contact a
Lancia Dealershipas soon as pos-
sible.
fig. 142
L0A0243b

193
The following table summarizes warning light indications according to the different operating conditions.
Operating or failure conditions
Engine start up (key turned to MAR)
Driving in
normal
conditions
Driving inconditions which
might lead to
slipping
ASR fault
ESP fault
System condition
Warning light check
ASR on
ESP on
ASR off
ESP on
ASR active
ESP active
ASR off
ESP active
ASR and ESP off
ASR on
ESP off ASR on
ASR off
manually
ASR on
ASR off
manuallyASR button warning light
On for about 3 seconds
Off
On
Off
On
On
OffESP warning light on
instrument panel
On for about 4 seconds
Off
Off
Flashing
Flashing
On
On
INITIALISING THE ESP SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT
Whenever the battery is electrically connected again or it is reloaded after being completely flat or after replacing one of
the protection fuses, to restore the correct operation of the ESP system, of the door locking, and of the air conditioning, it
is necessary to perform the initialisation operations contained in the paragraph “If battery is to be disconnected” in the chap-
ter “In an emergency”.

194
CRUISE CONTROL
(CONSTANT SPEED
REGULATOR)
GENERAL
The electronic cruise control allows
to drive your car at the required
speed without pressing the accelera-
tor pedal. This reduces fatigue when
driving on motorways, especially
during long journeys, because the
set speed is automatically main-
tained.
IMPORTANTThe device can only
be set to speeds exceeding 30 km/h
(40 to 180 km/h for 2.4 JTD 20V
CAE version).The cruise control must
only be used when the
road and traffic condi-
tions allow to keep a constant
speed in total safety for an ade-
quately long time.CONTROLS (fig. 143)
The cruise control is operated by
means of switch A, ring Band but-
tonC(RCL).
SwitchAhas two positions:
–OFFin this position, the device is
off
–ONthis is the normal device
operating position. When the device
is ON, symbol Ülights up on the
multifunction display, together with
message “CRUISE CONTROL ON”.
RingBis used to set and maintain
the car speed or to increase or
decrease the set speed.
The device is automatically
switched off when:
– the brake pedal is pressed
– the clutch pedal is pressed
– the gear lever is unintentionally
shifted to N.
In versions with auto-
matic transmission, never
shift the lever to N when
the car is running.
fig. 143
L0A0208b