2009 Lancia Delta maintenance

214CARE AND MAINTENANCE
If the vehicle must remain unused for a long
time at very low temperatures, remove the
battery and carry it to a warm place, to avoid
freezing.
When you must perform any operation on the
battery or near it, always protect your eyes
with special goggles.
Incorrect assembly of electric and electronic
devices may cause severe damage to your car.
Go to a Lancia Dealership if you want to in-
stall accessories (alarms, mobile phone, etc.): they
will suggest the most suitable devices and advise
you if a higher capacity battery needs to be in-
stalled.
Batteries contain substances that can be very
dangerous for the environment. It is advis-
able to have the battery changed by a Lancia
Dealership where it will be disposed of according
to the law.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE215
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USEFUL ADVICE FOR LENGTHENING
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make its life longer,
observe the following indications:
when you park the car, ensure the doors, tailgate and
bonnet are closed properly to ensure that the courtesy
lights do not remain lit in the passenger compartment;
switch off all lights inside the car: the car is however
equipped with a system which switches all internal
lights off automatically;
do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system, hazard
lights, etc.) switched on for a long time when the en-
gine is not running;
before performing any operation on the electrical sys-
tem, disconnect the battery negative terminal;
battery terminals should always be perfectly tightened.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains below 50% for
a long time, the battery will be damaged by sulphation,
reducing its capacity and starting attitude.The battery will also be at increased risk of freezing (e.g.
already at -10°C). Refer to the paragraph “Car inactivi-
ty” in chapter “3” if the car is left parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install electric acces-
sories which require permanent electric supply (alarm,
etc.) contact a Lancia Dealership whose qualified per-
sonnel, in addition to suggesting the most suitable devices
from the Lineaccessori Lancia, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption, checking whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding the load required, or
whether it should be integrated with a more powerful bat-
tery.
Since these devices continue absorbing energy even when
the ignition key is off, they gradually run down the bat-
tery.

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.

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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
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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.