2008 Lancia Delta engine

STARTING UP AND DRIVING147
3
Starting the engine .......................................................................... 148
Handbrake ...................................................................................... 150
Using the manual gearbox ............................................................... 151
Reducing running costs..................................................................... 152
Towing trailers ................................................................................. 154
Snow tyres ....................................................................................... 155
Snow chains .................................................................................... 156
Storing the car ................................................................................. 156

148STARTING UP AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE
The car is provided with an electronic engine lock device:
refer to “The Lancia CODE system” paragraph in chap-
ter “1” if you cannot start the engine.
The engine may be noisier during the first few seconds
of operation, particularly after a long period of inactivi-
ty. This does not impair functionality and reliability and
is typical of hydraulic tappets: the distribution system
selected for the petrol engine of your car in order to lim-
it the maintenance required.
In the first period of use, we recommend
avoiding excessive stress for the car (for in-
stance excessive accelerations, extended trav-
el at maximum speed, sudden braking etc.).
With engine off, do not leave the key in the ig-
nition switch on MAR to prevent draining the
battery.
Is is dangerous to let the engine run in en-
closed spaces. The engine depletes oxygen and
discharges carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
and other toxic gases.
Remember that the brake servo and electric
power steering are not operational until the
engine has been started, therefore more effort
than usual is required on the brake pedal and steer-
ing wheel.

STARTING UP AND DRIVING149
3
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake;
put the gear lever into neutral;
press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touch-
ing the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and release it the moment
the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating the procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR the
Ywarning light
remains lit together with warning light U, turn the key
to STOP and then back to MAR; if the warning light re-
mains lit, try with the other keys provided with the car.
Contact a Lancia Dealership if you still cannot start the
engine.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake;
put the gear lever into neutral;
turn the ignition key to MAR: instrument panel warn-
ing lights
mandYwill light up;
wait for warning lights
Yandm, to turn off. The
hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen;press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touch-
ing the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the
mwarn-
ing light goes out. Waiting too long will waste the work
done by the glow plugs.
Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT When the engine is cold, the accelerator
pedal must be completely released when the key is turned
to AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return the
ignition key to STOP before repeating the procedure. If,
when the ignition key is at MAR the
Ywarning light re-
mains lit, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if
the warning light remains lit, try with the other keys pro-
vided with the car. Contact a Lancia Dealership if you still
cannot start the engine.
Warning light mwill blink for 60 seconds
after starting or during prolonged cranking
to indicate a fault in the glow plug preheat-
ing system. Use the car normally if the engine starts
and contact the Lancia Dealership as soon as pos-
sible.

150STARTING UP AND DRIVING
Never jump start the engine by pushing, tow-
ing or driving downhill. This could cause a
flow of fuel into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER
IT HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
speed. Do not accelerate abruptly;
do not demand maximum performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge starts
moving.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you should allow the
engine to “catch its breath” before turning it off by letting
it idle to allow the temperature in the engine compartment
to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before turn-
ing off the engine serves absolutely no prac-
tical purpose, it wastes fuel and is damaging
especially to turbocharged engines.
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located between the two front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to operate the handbrake.
The car should be braked after a few snaps
of the lever, if it is not, contact a Lancia Deal-
ership to have it adjusted.
When the handbrake lever is engaged and the ignition key
is on MAR, the instrument panel warning light xwill
light.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
slightly lift the handbrake and press release button
A-fig. 1;
hold button A pressed and lower the lever. The x
warning light on the instrument panel will go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this operation
to prevent the car from moving accidentally.

STARTING UP AND DRIVING151
3
PARKING THE CAR
Proceed as follows:
stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
Engage a gear (on a slope, engage first gear if the car
is faced uphill or reverse if it is faced downhill) and
leave the wheels steered.
If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is further advisable
to block the wheels with a wedge or stone.
Do not leave the ignition key on MAR to prevent drain-
ing the battery. Always remove the key when you leave the
car.
Never leave children unattended in the car. Always remove
the ignition key when leaving the car and take it out with
you.
fig. 1L0E0072m
USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and shift
the gear lever into one of the required positions (the gear
diagram varies according to the different versions and is
shown on the knob or on the plate below the lever fig. 2).
To engage sixth gear, operate the lever by pressing it to-
wards the right in order to avoid engaging fourth gear by
mistake. Use the same action to pass from sixth to fifth
gear.
IMPORTANT Reverse may only be engaged when the car
is at a standstill. With the engine running, wait at least 2
seconds before engaging reverse gear with the clutch
pressed down to the floor in order to avoid damaging or
scraping the gears.
fig. 2L0E0073m

STARTING UP AND DRIVING153
3
Accessories fitted on longitudinal bars
Remove any accessories such as: longitudinal bars, ski
racks, luggage rack, from the roof if they are not being
used. These accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration
and have a negative effect on fuel consumption. It is bet-
ter to use a trailer to transport particularly bulky objects.
Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount of time needed.
The heated rear windscreen, additional headlights, wind-
screen wipers and heater fan need a considerable amount
of energy; increasing the requirement of current increas-
es fuel consumption (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
The climate control system leads to higher fuel consump-
tion (up to +20% on average): use air vents only when the
external temperature allows.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic items may adversely
affect air drag and fuel consumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car standing: the en-
gine warms up very slowly in these conditions, increas-
ing fuel consumption and emissions. It is advisable to start
off immediately and slowly keeping the engine speed
down: the engine will warm up much faster this way.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic lights or before
stopping the engine. The latter action, like doubling the
clutch, is unnecessary and causes increased fuel con-
sumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear as soon as traffic and road conditions
allow. Using a low gear for faster acceleration will increase
fuel consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high gear increases
fuel consumption, emissions and engine wear.
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases as speed in-
creases. Keep your speed as even as possible, avoiding un-
necessary braking and acceleration, which cause excessive
fuel consumption and increased emissions.

154STARTING UP AND DRIVING
Acceleration
Sudden acceleration has a very negative effect on fuel con-
sumption and emissions: accelerate gradually.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-ups will prevent
the engine from reaching optimal running temperature.
Consequently, both fuel consumption (from +15 to +30%
on urban cycle ) and emissions will increase.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high fuel consumption is caused by heavy traffic,
for instance when travelling in a queue with frequent use
of low gears or in cities with many traffic lights. Moun-
tain and rough roads also have a negative effect on fuel
consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
The car must be provided with a type-approved tow hitch
and adequate electrical system to tow caravans or trail-
ers. Installation must be performed by specialised per-
sonnel who will issue the required papers for travelling on
roads.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-view mirrors as
specified by the Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer, steep hills are hard-
er to climb, braking distances increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall weight of the trail-
er.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill, rather than con-
stantly using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the car’s tow hitch will reduce
the loading capacity of the car by the same amount. Con-
sider the weight of the vehicle at full load, including ac-
cessories and luggage to make sure you do not exceed the
maximum towable weight (shown on the registration cer-
tificate).
Respect the speed limits specific for each country for ve-
hicles towing trailers. In all cases, the top speed must not
exceed 100 km/h.

156STARTING UP AND DRIVING
Keep your speed down when snow chains are
fitted. Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes,
steps and pavements and avoid also driving
for long distances on roads not covered with snow
to avoid damaging the car and the roadbed.
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in compliance with lo-
cal regulations.
Snow chains may be applied only to the front wheel tyres
(drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the first few metres
have been driven.
IMPORTANT The spare wheel cannot be fitted with snow
chains. If the front tyre has a puncture, replace a rear wheel
with the spare wheel and move the rear wheel to the front
axle. This way, having two standard size wheels on the
front axle, is it possible to fit the chains.
EXTENDED CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the
following precautions should be observed:
park the car in covered, dry and if possible well-ven-
tilated place;
engage a gear;
check that the handbrake is not engaged;
disconnect battery negative terminal and check the bat-
tery charge (see paragraph “Battery - Charge and elec-
trolyte level check” in chapter “5”);
clean and protect the painted parts of the vehicle with
protective wax;
clean and protect the shiny metal parts using special
compounds readily available;
sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen and
rear window wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
slightly open the windows;
cover the car with a fabric or perforated plastic sheet.
Do not use compact plastic sheets which do not allow
humidity to evaporate from the surface of the car;
inflate the tyres to a pressure of +0.5 bar above the
normal specified pressure and check the pressure at
regular intervals;
do not drain the engine cooling system.