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IMPORTANT - Battery
You should check the battery charge
preferably at the beginning of the
winter to avoid the possibility of the
electrolyte freezing up.
This check should be performed
more frequently if the car is mainly
used for short trips, or if it is fitted
with accessories that absorb energy
even when the ignition key is re-
moved, especially if they are after-
market accessories.
You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the Service Schedule
(see “Car maintenance”) if the car is
used in hot climates or particularly
demanding conditions. IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more fre-
quently than indicated in the Service
Schedule, if the car is normally driven
in one of the following particularly se-
vere conditions:
– towing a trailer or caravan
– on dusty roads
– short, repetitive trips (less than 7
or 8 kilometres) in outside tempera-
tures below zero
– engines that are frequently left to
idle or drive slowly over long dis-
tances.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Change the air cleaner more often
than indicated in the Service Sched-
ule if you use the car on dusty roads.
If you are in doubt about how often
the engine oil or the air cleaner should
be changed in relation to how you use
the car, contact a LANCIA Dealer-
ship.IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is often used in dusty or
highly polluted areas, you should
change the pollen filtering element
more frequently, especially if you no-
tice that the amount of air entering
the passenger compartment is re-
duced.
IMPORTANT - Remote control
If the LED on the remote control
unit flashes only once when you press
the remote control button, you need
to replace the batteries.
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CHECKING
FLUID LEVELS
fig. 1 - 1.2 versions
P4C00385
1.Engine oil - 2.Battery - 3.Brake
fluid - 4.Windscreen washer liquid -
5.Engine coolant - 6.Power-assisted
steering fluid.
1.Engine oil - 2.Battery - 3.Brake
fluid - 4.Windscreen washer liquid -
5.Engine coolant - 6.Power-assisted
steering fluid.
fig. 2 - 1.2 16Vversions
P4C00386
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ENGINE OIL (fig.s 1, 2)
Check the oil level a few minutes
(approx. 5) after the engine has
stopped with the car parked on level
ground.
The oil level must be between the
MINandMAXmarks on the dipstick.
The space between MINandMAX
corresponds to approximately one
litre of oil.If the oil level is near or even below
theMINmark, pour in oil through
the filler hole until it reaches the MAX
mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAXmark.
IMPORTANTIf following a regular
check the oil level is over the MAX
line, go to a LANCIA Dealershipto
have the correct level restored.
IMPORTANTAfter adding or
changing the oil, let the engine turn
over for a few seconds and wait a few
minutes after turning it off before you
check the level.ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
During the beginning of the car’s life
the engine is be tuned in. Engine oil
consumption can only be considered
stabilised after the first 5,000 - 6,000
km.
IMPORTANTOil consumption de-
pends on the driving style and the
conditions of use.
When the engine is hot,
operate very carefully in-
side the engine compart-
ment: danger of burns. Remember
that, when the engine is hot, the
electric fan could start operating:
danger of injuries.
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent specifications from
the oil already in the en-
gine.
Used engine oil and re-
placed oil filters contain
substances that can harm
the environment. We recommend
you have the car seen to at a LAN-
CIA Dealership for the oil and fil-
ter change. It is suitably equipped
for disposing of used oil and filters
in an environmentally-friendly
way that complies with the law.
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ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM
(fig.s 1, 2)
IMPORTANTThe cooling system is
pressurised. If the plug must be re-
placed, replace it only with a genuine
spare part or system efficiency may be
impaired.
The coolant level must be checked
while the engine is cold and must be
between the MINandMAXmarks on
the reservoir.Do not take the cap of the
reservoir off when the en-
gine is very hot as you run
the risk of scalding yourself.
If there is not enough coolant, pour
a 50% mixture of distilled water and
FL Group PARAFLU
11liquid slowly
through the filler hole 5in the reser-
voir, until the level is near the MAX
mark.
A 50-50 mixture of PARAFLU
11
and distilled water gives freeze pro-
tection to –35 °C.WINDSCREEN/REAR WINDOW
WASHER LIQUID (fig.s 1, 2)
To add liquid, remove cap 4then
pour in the liquid until the reservoir
is completely full.
Use a mixture of water and DP1liq-
uid in these percentages:
30%DP1and 70% water in sum-
mer.
50%DP1and 50% water in winter.
If the temperature falls below –20°C,
useDP1undiluted.
IMPORTANTDo not travel with
the windscreen washer bottle empty:
using the windscreen washer is fun-
damental for improving visibility.
Some commercial addi-
tives for windscreen
washer fluids are flamma-
ble. The engine compartment con-
tains hot parts which could ignite
the fluid if it comes into contact
with them.
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POWER-ASSISTED STEERING
FLUID (fig.s 1, 2)
Check the fluid level is not below the
MINmark visible on the reservoir
with the engine cold.
If necessary, add fluid making sure
that it has the same specifications as
the fluid in the reservoir.BRAKE FLUID (fig.s 1, 2)
Check that the fluid level in the
reservoir is at maximum level.
Periodically check that the warning
light on the instrument panel is work-
ing properly by pressing on the reser-
voir cover with the key at MAR.
Warning light
xshould come on.
If you need to add fluid, only use the
type classified DOT4. You are advised
in particular to use TUTELA TOP 4
with which the braking system was
originally filled.
Symbolπon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
type brake fluid distin-
guishing it from the mineral kind.
Using mineral type fluids damages
the special rubber braking system
gaskets beyond repair.
Make sure the power-as-
sisted steering fluid does
not come into contact with
hot parts of the engine as it catches
fire very easily.
Do not push on the power
steering limit switch for
more than 15 seconds with
the engine running. This causes
noise and could damage the sys-
tem.Oil consumption is ex-
tremely low. If further top-
ping up is required soon
after the initial top-up, have the
system checked over at a LANCIA
Dealership for leaks.
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USEFUL ADVICE
FOR LENGTHENING
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
When you park the car, ensure the
doors, boot and bonnet are closed
properly. The ceiling and map-read-
ing lights must be off.
Do not leave accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard lights, etc.) switched on for a
long time when the engine is not run-
ning.
IMPORTANTIf the battery is left
with a charge of less than 50% for a
long time it will be damaged by sul-
phation, engine startup will deterio-
rate and it will be more subject to
freezing (this may occur at –10°C).
If the car is to be inactive for a long
period of time, refer to the “Storing
the car” paragraph in the “Driving
your car” section.
The liquid in the battery
is poisonous and corrosive.
Do not let it touch the skin
or eyes. Do not bring naked flames
or possible sources of sparks near
to the battery: fire and explosion
risk.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car.
IMPORTANTWhen removing/in-
stalling the battery, make sure the
battery is mechanically secured cor-
rectly.
Running the car with the
fluid level too low could
damage the battery beyond
repair, even breaking the casing
and allowing the acid contained in
it to leak out completely.
Always wear goggles to
protect the eyes when
working on or near the
battery.
If the car is to remain un-
used for a long period in
very cold weather, remove
the battery and keep it in a warm
place, otherwise it could freeze.
CHECKING THE BATTERY
FLUID LEVEL (electrolyte)
Check the electrolyte level and top
up, if required, at the frequency
shown in the Service Schedule in this
chapter. Have this operation carried
out at a LANCIA Dealership.
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If, after purchasing the vehicle you
want to install electrical accessories
that require a permanent power sup-
ply (alarm, free-hand phone, radio
navigator with satellite anti theft sys-
tem, etc.) go to a LANCIA Dealer-
ship. The qualified staff are able to
suggest the most suitable Lineacces-
sori devices and will assess the over-
all electric absorption, checking
whether the car can sustain the re-
quired load or if an oversized battery
is required.
Remember that these accessories
continue to absorb electrical power
even when the ignition key is removed
(car parked, engine off) and could
discharge the battery.The overall absorption of these ac-
cessories (standard and after-sale in-
stallations) must be less than 0.6 mA
x Ah (of the battery) as shown in the
table below:ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITS
When the car is being used nor-
mally, special measures are not nec-
essary.
The following instructions must be
followed very carefully, however, if
you work on the electrical system or
in cases where emergency starting is
necessary:
– Never disconnect the battery from
the electrical system while the engine
is running.
– Disconnect the battery from the
electrical system if you are recharging
it. Modern battery chargers can sup-
ply up to 20 volts.
– Never perform emergency starts
with a battery charger. Always use an
auxiliary battery.
– Be particularly careful when con-
necting the battery to the electrical sys-
tem. Ensure the battery posts are con-
nected up to the right leads (the polar-
ity is correct) and check that the con-
nection has been made properly. When Remember also that high current in-
take devices such as bottle heater,
vacuum cleaner, cellular phone, re-
frigerator etc., if powered while the
engine is off will accelerate the bat-
tery discharge.
IMPORTANTIf you need to install
additional systems on the car, im-
proper wiring connections, in partic-
ular if they affect safety devices, are
dangerous.
Battery Maximum
capacity idle
intake
40 Ah 24 mA
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SPARK PLUGS
The cleanness and soundness of the
spark plugs are very important for
keeping the engine efficient and pol-
luting emissions down.
The appearance of the spark plug
(fig. 6), if examined by an expert eye,
is a good way of pinpointing a mal-
function even if it has nothing to do
with the ignition system. Therefore if
the engine has problems, it is impor-
tant to have the spark plugs checked
at a LANCIA Dealership.The spark plugs must be
changed at the times spec-
ified in the Service Sched-
ule. Only use the type of plugs in-
dicated: if the heat ratio is less
than required or the life specified
is not guaranteed, problems can
arise.
the battery is reconnected, the injec-
tion/ignition system control unit must
readapt its internal parameters; conse-
quently performance may not be opti-
mal during the first few kilometres af-
ter reconnecting the battery.
– Do not connect or disconnect the
terminals of the electronic units while
the ignition key is at MAR.
– Do not check polarity through
sparking.
– Disconnect the electronic units if
you are electrically welding the car
body. Remove the units if tempera-
tures exceed 80°C (special operations
on the bodywork etc.).
IMPORTANTIf the radio or car
alarm systems are not installed cor-
rectly, they can interfere with the
working of the electronic control units.
Modifications or repairs
to the electrical system
that are performed incor-
rectly and do not take into account
the system’s technical features can
result in malfunctions with the
risk of fire.
Versions Type of spark plug
1.2ChampionRC10YCC
NKG BKR5EZ
1.216VNGK DCPR8E-N
fig. 6
P4C00308
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