2006 Lancia Thesis battery

326
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have the
battery changed at a Lancia
Dealership. It is properly
equipped for disposing of used
batteries in an environmentally-
friendly way that complies with
the law.
With the battery flat, or
after the interruption of
one of the protection
fuses, or if you want to disconnect
a loaded battery (e.g. for a car
stop period), before opening the
luggage compartment bonnet
carefully read and comply with
the instructions contained in the
paragraph “If battery is to be dis-
connected” in the chapter “In an
emergency”.
DUST/POLLEN
FILTER
This filter has a mechanical/elec-
trostatic air filtering action, provid-
ed that windows and doors are
closed.
Have the dust/pollen filter checked
once a year at a Lancia Dealership,
preferably at the onset of summer.
If the car is often used in dusty or
extremely polluted environments,
have the filter replaced more fre-
quently than specified in the Service
Schedule.
IMPORTANTFailure to replace
this filter can significantly reduce
climate control system effectiveness.
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Low
Maintenance” type and is fitted with
an indicator A(fig. 18) for checking
the electrolyte level and battery
charge.
Under normal condition of use top-
ping up the electrolyte with distilled
water is therefore not required. A
periodical check is however neces-
sary to make sure it is in efficient
conditions through the indicator on
the battery cover which should be
dark in colour with a green central
area.If the indicator is a bright colour,
or dark without the green central
area, contact a Lancia Dealership.
fig. 18
L0A0164b

327
If the car is left inactive
for long periods at cold,
remove the battery and
store it in a warm place to pre-
vent freezing.CHECKING THE BATTERY
CHARGE
The quality of the battery charge can be checked through the indicator (where
required).
If the battery is not fitted with electrolyte level indicator, the relevant checks
must only be carried out by authorised personnel.
To check the battery charge, slacken the two fastening screws and open the
cover. Check the battery charge and then reclose the cover, take care to prevent
pinching and short circuits.
Depending on the colour of the indicator, proceed as described in the table
below or on the label B(fig. 18) on the battery. Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic
accessories can seriously
damage the car. If you want to
add accessories after buying the
car (free-hand phone kit, etc.)
visit a Lancia Dealership. They
can suggest the most suitable
accessories to get and check
whether the electric system can
support the required load or
whether a larger capacity battery
is required.
When working on the
battery or near it, always
wear the proper goggles.
Running the battery with
low fluid level can dam-
age the battery beyond
repair and could also cause its
explosion.
Bright white colour
Dark colour
without green
central area
Dark colour
with green
central areaTop up electrolyte
Low battery
charge
Electrolyte level
and battery charge
sufficientContact a
Lancia Dealership
Charge the battery
(advisable to contact a
Lancia Dealership)
No action needed

328
CHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANTThe battery charg-
ing procedure is described only for
information purposes since this
operation must be carried out by a
Lancia Dealership.
Charging should be slow at a low
amp rating for about 24 hours.
Charging for a longer period of time
may damage the battery.
Before reloading care-
fully read and comply with
instructions contained in
the paragraph “If battery is to be
disconnected” in the chapter “In
an emergency”.
To charge the battery proceed as
follows:
– Disconnect battery negative ter-
minal (–).
– Connect the battery charger wires
to the battery terminals and check
for proper bias.
– Turn the battery charger on.– After charging, turn the battery
charger off before disconnecting it
from the battery.
– Reconnect the battery negative
terminal (–).
The liquid in the battery
is poisonous and corrosive.
Do not let it touch the skin
or eyes. Recharging the battery
should be done in a well-venti-
lated area and away from naked
flames or possible sources of
sparks: explosion and fire risk.
Never attempt to charge
a frozen battery: it must
be thawed first, otherwise
it may explode. If freezing has
took place, the battery should be
checked before charging by spe-
cialised personnel, to make sure
that the internal elements are not
damaged and that the body is not
cracked, with the risk of leaking
poisonous and corrosive acid.IMPORTANTA battery which is
kept at a charge of less than 50% for
any length of time will be damaged
by sulphation leading to a reduction
in cranking power and a higher risk
of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10 °C). If
the car is inactive for a long period
of time, refer to “Storing the car”, in
chapter “Driving your car”.
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
If required, replace the battery
with a genuine spare part presenting
the same specifications. If a battery
with different specifications is fitted,
the frequencies shown in the Service
Schedule in this chapter will no
longer apply. Refer to the instruc-
tions provided by the battery
Manufacturer.
IMPORTANTBefore opening the
luggage compartment bonnet to dis-
connect the battery, carefully read
and comply with instructions con-
tained in the paragraph “If battery is
to be disconnected” in the chapter
“In an emergency”.

329
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To prevent rapidly draining the
battery and ensure that it continues
to work correctly, the following
should be noted:
– Terminals must always be firmly
tightened.
– Do not keep accessories (e.g.
sound system, hazard lights, parking
lights, etc.).
– When you park the car, ensure
the doors, boot and bonnet are
closed properly. The ceiling lights
must be off.
– Before working on the electrical
system, disconnect the negative
cable from the battery.– If after buying the car, you want
to install electric accessories which
require permanent electric supply,
visit a Lancia Dealership, whose
qualified personnel, in addition to
suggesting the most suitable devices
belonging to the Lineaccessori
Lancia, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is
capable of withstanding the load
required, or whether it should be
integrated with a more powerful
battery. These devices in fact take
electricity also when the ignition key
is removed (car parked, engine off),
and can gradually drain the battery.
The overall intake of these devices
(standard and after-market) must
be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the bat-
tery), as shown in the following
table.Battery Maximum
idle intake
70 Ah 42 mA
80 Ah 48 mA
100 Ah 60 mA
It is also important to remember
that high intake devices (such as
bottle warmers, vacuum cleaners,
cellular phones, frigo bar, etc.) will
speed up battery discharging when
powered with engine off or running
idle.
– Please note that when installing
additional systems in the car, incor-
rect wiring can be dangerous espe-
cially when concerning safety sys-
tems.

330
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,
if examined by expert eyes, is a good
way of pinpointing a problem even if
it has nothing to do with the ignition
system. Therefore, if the engine has
problems, it is important to have the
spark plugs checked at a Lancia
Dealership.
The spark plugs must be
changed at the times
specified in the Service
Schedule. Only use the type of
plugs indicated. If the heat ratio
is less than required or the life
specified is not guaranteed, prob-
lems can arise.
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITS
When the car is being used normal-
ly, special measures are not neces-
sary.
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 recharg-
ing it. The modern battery chargers
can discharge voltage up to 20V
– never perform emergency start-
ups with a battery charger. Always
use an auxiliary battery
– be particularly careful when con-
necting the battery to the electrical
system. Make sure that the polarity
is correct and that the connection is
efficient– do not connect or disconnect the
terminals of the electronic control
unit while the ignition key is at MAR
– do not check polarity through
sparking
– disconnect the electronic control
units if you are electrically welding
the car body. Remove the units if
temperatures exceed 80°C (special
operations on the bodywork, etc.).
Modifications or repairs
to the electrical system
carried out incorrectly
and without bearing the features
of the system in mind can cause
malfunctions with the risk of fire.

335
HEADLIGHT
WASHERS
Regularly check that the nozzles
(fig. 22) are intact and clean.
The headlight washers are auto-
matically switched on when the
windscreen washer is operated and
the headlights are on.
CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
During the winter, the climate con-
trol system must be turned on at
least once a month for about ten
minutes.
Before summer, have the system
checked at a Lancia Dealership.INITIALISING THE AIR
CONDITIONING CONTROL UNIT
Whenever the battery is electrically
connected again or it is reloaded after
being completely flat or after replac-
ing one of the protection fuses, to re-
store the correct operation of the air
conditioning, of the door locking and
of the ESP system. It is necessary to
perform the initialisation operations
contained in the paragraph “If battery
is to be disconnected” in the chapter
“In an emergency”.
fig. 22
L0A0122b
The system is filled with
R134a refrigerant which
will not pollute the envi-
ronment in the event of leakage.
Under no circumstances should
R12 fluid be used as it is incom-
patible with the system compo-
nents and contains CFC.

370
Battery
- checking the battery
charge ................................ 327
- disconnecting the loaded
battery ............................... 302
- disconnecting the
unloaded battery................ 303
- initialising the control
units of the door locks,
air conditioner and ESP
system................................ 303
- jump starting ............. 272-304
- maintenance ..................... 326
- recharging the
battery ...................... 304-328
- replacement ...................... 328
- useful advice ..................... 329
Bodywork
- maintenance ..................... 337
- version code ...................... 343Bodywork paint
identification plate .............. 342
Bodywork versions (codes) ..... 343
Bonnet .................................... 237
Boot
- anchoring the load ............ 232
- ceiling light ........................ 231
- closing the boot.................. 231
- functions that can be
modified by the
CONNECT menu ............... 229
- luggage nets ....................... 231
- luggage transport -
important notes ................. 233
- opening by remote
control ............................... 228
- opening from the inside .... 227
- opening from the outside
with the key ....................... 228
- power socket ..................... 234
Boot light
- bulb replacement ............... 290Bose HI-FI audio system ........ 248
Bottle/can holder
- front ................................. 217
- rear ................................... 219
Brake and hydraulic
clutch fluid .......................... 323
Brakes
- fluid level ......................... 323
- technical specifications ...... 348
Bulbs (replacing) .................... 281
- bulbs ................................. 283
- front light cluster ............... 284
- general instructions ........... 282
- rear light cluster ................ 286
- replacing an exterior light .. 284
- types of bulbs ................... 282
Capacities ............................. 362
Car maintenance .................. 309
- additional checks .............. 314

371
- Annual Inspection
Schedule ............................ 314
- Scheduled Servicing .......... 309
- Service Schedule ............... 312
Carrying children safely .......... 81
Catalytic converter
- oxidising catalytic
converter .......................... 7
- three-way catalytic
converter .......................... 6
Central console compartment .. 218
Chassis (marking) .................. 341
Cheap running that
respects the environment ...... 262
Child lock safety device .......... 58
Child restraint systems ........... 81
- passenger seat
compliance with regulations
on child’s seat use .............. 84- presetting for mounting
the “Type Isofix” child restraint
system................................ 85
Children
(transport in safety) ............ 81
CID (Customer
Identification Device) .......... 44
- battery replacement .......... 53
CID device
(Keyless System) ................. 44
Cigar lighter ........................... 215
Climate control system ........... 142
- air vents ........................... 145
- directional and
adjustable vents ................. 144
- initialising the control
units of the door locks,
air conditioner and ESP
system................................ 303
- ventilation during a stop ... 161
Climate-controlled
drink compartment .............. 217CO2emissions .......................... 367
CODE Card
(Lancia CODE system) ....... 28
CONNECT controls ................ 15
CONNECT infotelematic
system .................................. 14
- CONNECT controls ........... 15
- controls on steering wheel .. 18
- control summarising table 21
- remote control .................. 19
Containing running costs
and pollution ........................ 260
Controls ................................. 170
Controls on steering wheel ..... 18
Courtesy mirrors .................... 214
Courtesy mirror lights
- bulb replacement .............. 290
Cruise Control (constant
speed regulator) .................. 194
Dashboard ........................... 12