2012 Lancia Delta maintenance

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE253
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
climates);
❍seasonal environmental 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:
❍paint products and systems which give the car a spe-
cial resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
❍use of galvanised (or pre-treated) steel sheets with
high resistance to corrosion;
❍spraying the underbody, engine compartment, wheel
arch internal parts and other elements with highly
protective wax-based products;
❍spraying protective plastic materials in the most ex-
posed areas: underdoor, inner wing parts, edges, etc.;
❍using “open” boxed sections to prevent condensation
and pockets of moisture from causing 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.

254SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Dry the less visible parts particularly carefully, such as
the door frames, bonnet and the headlight frames, where
water may stagnate more easily. The car should not be
taken to a closed area immediately, but left outside so that
residual water can evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left in the sun or
with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine of the paint-
work.
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
substance that many species release give the paint a dull
appearance and increase the possibility of triggering rust-
ing processes. 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
rust formation. Use only original paint products 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 en-
vironment where the car is used. For example, in highly
polluted areas, or if the roads are sprayed with salt, it is
wise to wash the car more frequently.
To correctly wash the vehicle, proceed as follows:
❍if taking your car through an automatic car wash, re-
move the aerial from the roof to avoid damaging it;
❍in washing stations keep the steam jet/high pressure
washing nozzles at least 40 cm away from the body-
work to prevent damage. It should be remembered
that the build up of water can damage the car over
a period of time;
❍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 a
chamois leather.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE255
5
Hard Black versions
Detergents pollute the environment. Only
wash the car in areas equipped for the col-
lection and purification of the fluids used in
the washing process.
Glasses
To clean glasses, use specific window cleaner products.
Also use 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 damag-
ing the heating device.
Engine compartment
At the end of each winter, thoroughly wash the engine
compartment, taking care to avoid spraying the water jet
directly onto the electronic control units and the re-
lay/fuse control unit on the left side of the engine com-
partment (as you look from behind the wheel). Have this
operation performed at a specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take place with the en-
gine cold and the ignition key in the STOP position. Af-
ter 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 ketones (e.g.: acetone) for cleaning the front
headlight plastic lenses.
In order to preserve the aesthetic appearance
of the paintwork abrasive products and/or pol-
ishes should not be used for cleaning the car.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be washed off imme-
diately and carefully as the acid they contain is particu-
larly aggressive.
It is recommended to avoid washing with
rollers and/or brushes in car wash stations.
Thus, wash the car only by hands using neu-
tral pH detergents; dry it with a wet chamois leather.
Abrasive products and/or polishes should not be used
for cleaning the car. Bird droppings must be washed
off immediately and thoroughly as the acid they con-
tain is particularly aggressive. Avoid (if possible) to
park your car under trees; remove immediately veg-
etable resins as, when dried, they could only be re-
moved with abrasive products and/or polishes that
are not recommended as they could possibly alter the
typical paint opacity. Do not use pure windscreen
washer fluid for cleaning the front windscreen and
rear screen; dilute it min. 50% with water.

256SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not trapped under the
mats (due to water dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause oxidisation of the sheet metal.
Never use flammable products, such as
petrol ether or rectified petrol to clean the in-
side of the car. The electrostatic charges
which are generated by rubbing during the clean-
ing operation may cause a fire.
Do not keep aerosol cylinders in the vehicle:
risk of explosion. Aerosol cylinders must not
be exposed to a temperature exceeding 50 °C.
When the car is exposed to sunlight, the internal
temperature can greatly exceed this value.
SEATS AND FABRIC PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner. It is
advisable to use a moist brush on velvet upholstery.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened with a solution
of water and neutral detergent.
INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS
It is advisable to clean interior parts with a moist cloth
and a solution of water and mild soap. Use specific prod-
ucts for cleaning plastic, without solvents and specifically
designed to prevent damage to the appearance and colour
of the treated parts to remove grease and tough stains.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol or petroleum to clean the
instrument panel.

LIST OF CONTENTS289
7
Lancia CODE (system) ....... 41
Lane maintenance assistance
system (Driving Advisor) ...108
Magic Parking ....................136
Main beam headlights
(control) ............................ 67
– bulb replacement ............211
Manual climate
control system ................... 57
Manual gearbox (use) .........182
Mirrors ................................ 54
MSR system ........................116
Number plate lights
(bulb replacement) ............214
On-board instruments ......... 9
Paint ..................................254
Parking sensors ...................133
– Assisted parking
(Magic Parking) .............136
Performance .......................272
Power socket ....................... 83
Preparation for Isofix
child seat ...........................166
Pretensioners ......................158
Protecting the environment .. 154
Radio transmitters
and mobile phones ............151
Radio wiring system ............150
Rain sensor ......................... 70
Raising the car ....................227 Glove compartment ....... 79-82
GSI (Gear Shift Indicator) ... 26
Handbrake .........................181
Hazard lights ...................... 77
Headlights ..........................103
Headrests ............................ 53
Hill Holder (system) ...........115
Identification data ..............258
Ignition switch .................... 49
In an emergency ..................189
Instrument panel and
instruments ....................... 9
Interior fittings .................... 79
Interiors ..............................256
Keys ................................... 42