2008 Lancia Delta Owner handbook (in English)

216CARE AND MAINTENANCE
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, including the spare wheel,
approximately once every two weeks and before starting
a long journey: this check must be performed with the tyre
rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to increase when the car is
used; for the correct tyre inflation pressure, see “Wheels”
in chapter “6”.
Incorrect tyre pressure causes abnormal tyre wear fig. 4:
fig. 4L0E0096m
A normal pressure: evenly worn tread.
B low pressure: tread particularly worn on the edges.
C excessive pressure: tread particularly worn in the mid-
dle.
The tyres must be replaced when the tread is less than 1.6
mm thick. In all cases, follow the laws in force in the coun-
try where you are driving.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Avoid braking suddenly, burning starts and violent
knocks against the curb, potholes or other obstacles
where possible. Long distances on rough roads may
damage the tyres;
check the tyres regularly for cuts on the sides, swelling
or irregular tread wear. Go to a Lancia Dealership if
required;
do not overload your car: this may cause serious dam-
age to wheels and tyres;
if a tyre is punctured, stop immediately and change it
to avoid damage to the tyre, wheel rim, suspension and
steering system;

CARE AND MAINTENANCE217
5
the tyre ages even if rarely used. Cracks in the tread and
on the sidewalls are a sign of ageing. Have the tyres
checked by specialised personnel if they have been fit-
ted for longer than 6 years. Remember to check the spare
wheel very carefully;
when replacing the tyres, always fit new tyres, avoid-
ing those of dubious origin;
if a tyre is changed, also change the inflation valve;
to allow even wear between the front and rear tyres,
it is advisable to change them over every 10-15 thou-
sand kilometres, keeping them on the same side of the
car so as not to reverse the direction of rotation.
Remember that the road holding qualities of
your car also depend on the correct inflation
pressure of the tyres.
If the pressure is too low the tyre will get
overheated, with the risk of serious damage
to the tyre.
Avoid moving the tyres from the right side of
the vehicle to the left side and vice versa.
Do not repaint alloy wheel rims at temper-
atures higher than 150°C. The mechanical
characteristics of the wheels might be dis-
rupted.

218CARE AND MAINTENANCE
RUBBER HOSES
With regards to the maintenance of the brake system and
fuel system rubber hoses, carefully follow the “Sched-
uled Service Plan” in this section.
Ozone, high temperatures and prolonged lack of fluid in
the system may cause hardening and cracking of the hoses,
with possible leaks. Careful inspections are therefore nec-
essary.
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN
WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using special products;
TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC35 is recommended.
Replace the blades if the rubber edge is deformed or worn.
In all cases, it is advisable to replace them approximate-
ly once a year.
A few simple precautions can reduce the possibility of
damage to the blades:
make sure that the rubber part is not stuck to the wind-
screen at sub-zero temperatures. Use an antifreeze
product to release it if required.
remove any snow from the window: this will avoid
overstressing the electrical motor in addition to pro-
tecting the blades;
do not operate the windscreen and the rear screen
wipers on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper blades is a serious
hazard, because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE219
5
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades fig. 5
Proceed as follows:
lift the windscreen wiper arm and position the blade
so that it forms an angle of 90° with the arm;
press tab A and remove the blade from the arm;
insert the new blade making sure it is locked into place.
fig. 5L0E0097m
Changing the rear window blade fig. 6
Proceed as follows:
raise the cover A and remove the arm from the car,
slackening the nut B that fastens it to the pivot pin;
fit the new arm, positioning it correctly, and fully tight-
en the nut;
lower the cover.
fig. 6L0E0098m

220CARE AND MAINTENANCE
SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen washer fig. 7
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly check that there is
fluid in the reservoir: see “Checking fluid levels” in this
section).
Then check that the nozzle holes are not clogged, if nec-
essary use a needle.
The windscreen jets are directed by adjusting the angle
of the nozzles.
Fluid jets should be directed at about 1/3 height from
the window upper edge.
IMPORTANT In versions with a sunroof, make sure that
the sunroof is closed before operating the front jets.
fig. 7L0E0099m
Rear window wiper fig. 8
Rear window washer jets are fixed.
The nozzle holder is on the rear window.
fig. 8 L0E0100m

CARE AND MAINTENANCE221
5
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the following:
atmospheric pollution;
salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or hot humid cli-
mates);
seasonal environment conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust and
sand, as well as mud and gravel raised by other cars is
also not to be underestimated.
On your car, Lancia has implemented the best manufac-
turing technologies to effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.These include:
painting products and systems which give the car par-
ticular resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
use of galvanised (or pre-treated) steel sheets, with high
resistance to corrosion;
spraying the underbody, engine compartment, wheel-
house internal parts and other parts with highly pro-
tective wax products;
spraying of plastic parts, with a protective function, in
the most exposed points: underdoor, inner wing parts,
edges, etc.;
use of “open” boxed sections to prevent condensation
and pockets of moisture from triggering rust inside.
BODY AND UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against perforation due
to rust of any original element of the structure or body.
For the general terms of this warranty, refer to the War-
ranty Booklet.

222CARE AND MAINTENANCE
To wash the car correctly, proceed as follows:
remove the aerial from the roof to prevent damage to
it if the car is washed in an automatic system;
in washing stations keep the steam jet/high pressure
washing nozzles at least 40 cm away from the body-
work to prevent damage. Remember that in the long-
term puddles of water can damage the car;
wash the body using a low pressure jet of water;
wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy solution over the
bodywork, frequently rinsing the sponge;
rinse well with water and dry with a jet of air or leather
pad.
When drying take care to dry the least exposed parts where
the water could collect most easily. It is a good idea to leave
the car in the open for a while after washing it to give time
for the water to evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been parked in the sun
or when the engine is bonnet is hot: this could take the
shine off the paint. ADVICE FOR PRESERVING THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but
also protects the underlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches immediately to prevent
the formation of rust. Only use genuine spare paint prod-
ucts for touch-ups (see “Bodywork paint identification
plate” in the “Technical Specifications” section).
Normal maintenance of paintwork consists in washing the
car: the frequency depends on the conditions and envi-
ronment where the car is used. For example, it is advis-
able to wash the car more often in areas with a high en-
vironmental pollution or on roads sprinkled with salt.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE223
5
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same way
as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees; the resinous sub-
stance many species release give the paint a dull appearance
and increase the possibility of triggering rust processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be washed off imme-
diately and thoroughly as the acid they contain is partic-
ularly aggressive.
Detergents cause water pollution. The car
should be washed in areas equipped for col-
lecting and purifying the liquid used in the
washing process.
Windows
Use specific window cleaner products.
Use also clean cloths to avoid scratching the glass or dam-
aging the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window inside gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to avoid damaging
the heating device.
Engine compartment
At the end of each winter, thoroughly wash the engine
compartment, taking care to avoid directly hitting with
the water jet the electronic control units and the relay/fuse
control unit on the left side of the engine compartment
(running direction). Have this operation performed at a
specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT Perform this operation on a cold engine and
with the key at STOP. After the washing operation, make
sure that the various protections (e.g. rubber caps and
guards) have not been removed or damaged.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic substances (e.g.: petrol)
or ketenes (e.g.: acetone) for cleaning front headlight plas-
tic lens.
To keep intact the aesthetic properties of the
paintwork do not use abrasive and/or pol-
ish products for cleaning the car bodywork.