2012 Lancia Flavia service

Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or
keep it out of service (i.e., vacation)
for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about
five minutes in the fresh air and high
blower settings. This will ensure ad-
equate system lubrication to minimize
the possibility of compressor damage
when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can
be quickly removed by turning the
mode selector to Defrost. The Defrost/
Floor mode can be used to maintain a
clear windshield and provide suffi-
cient heating. If side window fogging
becomes a problem, increase blower
speed. Vehicle windows tend to fog on
the inside in mild but rainy or humid
weather.NOTE:
Recirculate without A/C should
not be used for long periods as
fogging may occur.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is lo-
cated at each end of the instrument
panel. These non-adjustable outlets
direct air toward the side windows
when the system is in the FLOOR,
MIX, or DEFROST mode. The air is
directed at the area of the windows
through which you view the outside
mirrors.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located di-
rectly in front of the windshield, is
free of obstructions such as leaves.
Leaves collected in the air intake may
reduce airflow, and if they enter the
plenum, they could plug the water
drains. In winter months, make sure
the air intake is clear of ice, slush, and
snow.A/C Air Filter
The A/C Filter prevents most dust
and pollen from entering the cabin.
The filter acts on air coming from
outside the vehicle and recirculated
air within the passenger compart-
ment. Refer to “Maintenance Proce-
dures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle”
for A/C Air Filter service information
or see your authorized dealer for ser-
vice. Refer to “Maintenance Sched-
ules” for filter service intervals.
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WARNING!(Continued)
 Unintended movement of a ve-
hicle could injure those in and
near the vehicle. As with all ve-
hicles, you should never exit a ve-
hicle while the engine is running.
Before exiting a vehicle, always
apply the parking brake, shift the
transmission into PARK, and re-
move the ignition key. Once the
key is removed, the shift lever is
locked in the PARK position, se-
curing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children
alone in a vehicle, or with access
to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing
children to be in a vehicle unat-
tended is dangerous for a number
of reasons. A child or others could
be seriously or fatally injured.
Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
 Do not leave the key fob in or near
the vehicle, and do not leave a
vehicle equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/
RUN mode. A child could operate
power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION IGNITION
INTERLOCK SYSTEMS
These systems prevent the key fob
from being removed unless the shift
lever is in PARK. They also prevent
shifting out of PARK unless the igni-
tion switch is in the ON/RUN position
and the brake pedal is applied.
KEY IGNITION PARK
INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a Key
Ignition Park Interlock which re-
quires the shift lever to be placed in
PARK before the ignition switch can
be turned to the LOCK/OFF position.
The key fob can only be removed from
the ignition when the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF position and once re-
moved the shift lever is locked in
PARK.
NOTE:
If a malfunction occurs, the system
will trap the key in the ignition
cylinder to warn you that this
safety feature is inoperable. The
engine can be started and stopped,
but the key cannot be removed un-
til you obtain service.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION
INTERLOCK SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake
Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI)
that holds the shift lever in the PARK
position unless the brakes are applied.
To move the shift lever out of the
PARK position, the ignition switch
must be turned to the ON/RUN or
START position (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be
pressed.
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mode (refer to “AutoStick®” in
“Starting And Operating” for further
information) to select a lower gear.
Under these conditions, using a lower
gear will improve performance and
extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmis-
sion operation may be modified de-
pending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed.
This feature improves warm up time
of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engage-
ment of the torque converter clutch is
inhibited until the transmission fluid
is warm (refer to the “Note” under
“Torque Converter Clutch” in this
section). During extremely cold tem-
peratures (­27°C or below), operation
may briefly be limited to third gear
only. Normal operation will resume
once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored
electronically for abnormal condi-
tions. If a condition is detected that
could result in transmission damage,Transmission Limp Home Mode is ac-
tivated. In this mode, the transmis-
sion remains in third gear regardless
of which forward gear is selected.
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL
will continue to operate. The Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL) may
be illuminated. Limp Home Mode al-
lows the vehicle to be driven to an
authorized dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem,
the transmission can be reset to regain
all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK/OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If
the problem is no longer detected, the
transmission will return to normal op-
eration.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be
reset, we recommend that you visit
an authorized dealer at your earli-
est possible convenience. Your au-
thorized dealer has diagnostic
equipment to determine if the
problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset,
authorized dealer service is required.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes
an electronically controlled Overdrive
(sixth gear). The transmission will
automatically shift into the Overdrive
gear if the following conditions are
present:
 the shift lever is in the DRIVE po-
sition,
 the transmission fluid has reached an adequate temperature,
 the engine coolant has reached an adequate temperature,
 vehicle speed is sufficiently high, and
 the driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
140

POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system
will give you good vehicle response
and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will pro-
vide mechanical steering capability if
power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is
interrupted, it will still be possible to
steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially
at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
 Increased noise levels at the endof the steering wheel travel are
considered normal and do not
indicate that there is a problem
with the power steering system.
 Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a
short amount of time. This is due
to the cold, thick fluid in the
steering system. This noise
should be considered normal,
and it does not in any way dam-
age the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced
power steering assist could pose a
safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon
as possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering
system at the end of the steering
wheel travel will increase the steer-
ing fluid temperature and it should
be avoided when possible. Damage
to the power steering pump may oc-
cur.
POWER STEERING FLUID
CHECK
Checking the power steering fluid
level at a defined service interval is
not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnor-
mal noises are apparent, and/or the
system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts
through an authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
power steering system as the chemi-
cals can damage your power steering
components. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a
level surface and with the engine off
to prevent injury from moving parts
and to ensure accurate fluid level
reading. Do not overfill. Use only
manufactur er's recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the
proper indicated level. With a clean
cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubri-
cants, and Genuine Parts” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further in-
formation.
144

WARNING!(Continued)
 Always fully apply the parking
brake when leaving your vehicle
or it may roll and cause damage or
injury. Also, be certain to leave the
transmission in PARK. Failure to
do so may cause the vehicle to roll
and cause damage or injury.CAUTION!
If the “Brake Warning Light” re-
mains on with the parking brake
released, a brake system malfunc-
tion is indicated. Have the brake
system serviced by an authorized
dealer immediately.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
provides increased vehicle stability
and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system oper-
ates with a separate computer to
modulate the hydraulic pressure to
prevent wheel lock-up and avoid
skidding on slippery surfaces.
WARNING!
 Pumping of the anti-lock brakes will diminish their effectiveness
and may lead to a collision.
Pumping makes the stopping dis-
tance longer. Just press firmly on
your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
 The ABS cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condi-
tion of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
 The ABS cannot prevent colli-
sions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning.
 The capabilities of an ABS-
equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner, which could jeopar-
dize the user's safety or the safety
of others. The
“Anti-Lock Brake
Warning Light” monitors
the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. The light will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the “Anti-Lock Brake Warning
Light” remains on or comes on while
driving, it indicates that the anti-lock
portion of the brake system is not
functioning and that service is re-
quired. However, the conventional
brake system will continue to operate
normally if the “Brake Warning
Light” is not on.
If the “Anti-Lock Brake Warning
Light” is on, the brake system should
be serviced as soon as possible to re-
store the benefits of anti-lock brakes.
If the “Anti-Lock Brake Warning
Light” does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, have the bulb repaired as
soon as possible.
If both the “Brake Warning Light”
and the “Anti-Lock Brake Warning
Light” remain on, the Anti-Lock
146

Cuts and punctures in radial tires are
repairable only in the tread area be-
cause of sidewall flexing. Consult
your authorized tire dealer for radial
tire repairs.
TIRE SPINNING
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or icy
conditions, do not spin yourvehicle's
wheels faster than 48 km/h or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously
without stopping.
Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in
“What To Do In Emergencies” for fur -
ther information.WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be danger-
ous. Forces generated by excessive
wheel speeds may cause tire damage
or failure. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your
vehicle's wheels faster than 48 km/h
or for more than 30 seconds con-
tinuously when you are stuck, and
do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed. TREAD WEAR
INDICATORS
Tread wear indicators are in the origi-
nal equipment tires to help you in
determining when your tires should
be replaced.
These indicators are molded into the
bottom of the tread grooves. They will
appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 2 mm. When the tread is
worn to the tread wear indicators, the
tire should be replaced.
LIFE OF TIRE
The service life of a tire is dependent
upon varying factors including but
not limited to:
 Driving style
 Tire pressure
 Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be re-
placed after six years, regardless of
the remaining tread. Failure to fol-
low this warning can result in sud-
den tire failure. You could lose con-
trol and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
1 — Worn Tire
2 — New Tire
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Check TPMS Warning
When a system fault is detected, a
chime will sound and the “Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring Telltale Light” will
flash on and off for 75 seconds and
then remain on solid. In addition, the
EVIC will display a "CHECK TPM
SYSTEM" message for a minimum of
five seconds and then display dashes
(- -) in place of the pressure value to
indicate which sensor is not being re-
ceived.
If the ignition key is cycled, this se-
quence will repeat, providing the sys-
tem fault still exists. If the system
fault no longer exists, the “Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring Telltale Light” will
no longer flash, and the "CHECK
TPM SYSTEM" message will no lon-
ger display, and a pressure value will
display in place of the dashes. A sys-
tem fault can occur due to any of the
following:
1. Jamming due to electronic devices
or driving next to facilities emitting
the same Radio Frequencies as the
TPM sensors.2. Installing some form of aftermar-
ket window tinting that affects radio
wave signals.
3. Lots of snow or ice around the
wheels or wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped
with TPM sensors.
The EVIC will also display a
"CHECK TPM SYSTEM" message
for a minimum of five seconds when a
system fault related to an incorrect
sensor location fault is detected. In
this case, the "CHECK TPM SYS-
TEM" message is then followed with a
graphic display with pressure values
still shown. This indicates that the
pressure values are still being received
from the TPM sensors but they may
not be located in the correct vehicle
position. The system still needs to be
serviced as long as the "CHECK TPM
SYSTEM" message is displayed.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
All engines are designed to meet all
emissions regulations and provide ex-
cellent fuel economy and performance
when using high quality unleaded
gasoline with a minimum research oc-
tane rating of 91.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds
is not harmful to your engine. How-
ever, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and im-
mediate service is required. Poor qual-
ity gasoline can cause problems such as
hard starting, stalling, and hesitations.
If you experience these symptoms, try
another brand of gasoline before con-
sidering service for the vehicle.Over 40 auto manufactur
er's world
wide have issued and endorsed con-
sistent gasoline specifications (the
Worldwide Fuel Charter, WWFC)
which define fuel properties necessary
to deliver enhanced emissions, perfor-
mance, and durability for your ve-
hicle. The manufacturer recommends
the use of gasoline that meets the
WWFC specifications if they are
available.
158

HAZARD WARNING
FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is
located on the instrument panel, be-
low the radio.Press the switch to turn on the
Hazard Warning flasher. When
the switch is activated, all di-
rectional turn signals will flash on and
off to warn oncoming traffic of an
emergency. Press the switch a second
time to turn off the Hazard Warning
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system
and it should not be used when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a
safety hazard for other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to
seek assistance, the Hazard Warning
flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the
OFF position.
NOTE:
With extended use the Hazard
Warning flashers may wear down
your battery. IF YOUR ENGINE
OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you
can reduce the potential for overheat-
ing by taking the appropriate action.
 On the highways — Slow down.
 In city traffic — While stopped, put
transaxle in NEUTRAL, but do not
increase engine idle speed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system
could damage your vehicle. If tem-
perature gauge reads “H”, pull over
and stop the vehicle with the engine
at idle, when safe. Turn the air con-
ditioner off and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal
range. After appropriate action has
been taken, if the pointer remains on
the “H”, turn the engine off imme-
diately, and call for service.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to
slow down an impending overheat
condition:  If your air conditioner (A/C) is
on, turn it off. The A/C system
adds heat to the engine cooling
system and turning the A/C off
can help remove this heat.
 You can also turn the tempera- ture control to maximum heat,
the mode control to floor and the
blower control to high. This al-
lows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and
aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned
by hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or
steam from your radiator. If you see
or hear steam coming from under
the hood, do not open the hood until
the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator or
coolant bottle is hot.
166