2012 Lancia Thema brake

When the parking brake is applied
with the ignition switch in the ON
position, the “Brake Warning Light”
in the instrument cluster will illumi-
nate.
NOTE:
 When the parking brake is ap-plied and the transmission is
placed in gear, the “Brake Warn-
ing Light” will flash. If vehicle
speed is detected, a chime will
sound to alert the driver. Fully
release the parking brake before
attempting to move the vehicle.
 This light only shows that the parking brake is applied. It does
not show the degree of brake ap-
plication.
When parking on a hill, it is important
to turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade.
Apply the parking brake before plac-
ing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking
mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK. The parking brake should always be ap-
plied whenever the driver is not in the
vehicle.
WARNING!
 Never use the PARK position as a
substitute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
 When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the key fob from the igni-
tion and lock your vehicle.
 Never leave children alone in a
vehicle, or with access to an un-
locked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of rea-
sons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren 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.
 Be sure the parking brake is fully
disengaged before driving; failure
to do so can lead to brake failure
and a collision.
 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 allow 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.
207

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
provides increased vehicle stability
and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system auto-
matically “pumps” the brakes during
severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.
The Electronic Brake Force Distribu-
tion (EBD) prevents the rear wheels
from over-braking and provides
greater control of available braking
forces applied to the rear axle.
When the vehicle is driven over
11 km/h, you may also hear a slight
clicking sound as well as some related
motor noises. These noises are the sys-
tem performing its self check cycle to
ensure that the ABS is working prop-
erly. This self check occurs each time
the vehicle is started and accelerated
past 11 km/h.ABS is activated during braking un-
der certain road or stopping condi-
tions. ABS-inducing conditions can
include ice, snow, gravel, bumps, rail-
road tracks, loose debris, or panic
stops.
You also may experience the following
when the brake system goes into Anti-
Lock:
 The ABS motor running (it may
continue to run for a short time
after the stop),
 The clicking sound of solenoid valves,
 Brake pedal pulsations, and
 A slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of
ABS.
WARNING!
 The ABS contains sophisticated electronic equipment that may be
susceptible to interference caused
by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equip-
ment. This interference can cause
possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such
equipment should be performed
by qualified professionals.
 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.
(Continued)
208

WARNING!(Continued)
 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 ex-
ploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner that could jeopardize the
user's safety or the safety of others.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be
the same size and type and tires must
be properly inflated to produce accu-
rate signals for the computer.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE
CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an ad-
vanced electronic brake control sys-
tem that include Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Traction Control Sys-
tem (TCS), Brake Assist System
(BAS), and the Electronic Stability
Control (ESC). All four of these sys-
tems work together to enhance vehicle
stability and control in various driv-
ing conditions. Also, your vehicle is equipped with
Hill Start Assist (HSA), Ready Alert
Braking, and Rain Brake Support.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM (ABS)
This system aids the driver in main-
taining vehicle control under adverse
braking conditions by controlling hy-
draulic brake pressure. This prevents
wheel lock-up to help avoid skidding
on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in
“Starting and Operating” for further
information.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the trac-
tion afforded by prevailing road
conditions. The ABS cannot prevent
collisions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, driv-
ing on very slippery surfaces, or hy-
droplaning. The capabilities of an
ABS-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner that could jeopardize the us-
er's safety or the safety of others.
TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of
wheel spin of each driven wheel. If
wheel spin is detected, brake pressure
is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and
engine power is reduced to provide
enhanced acceleration and stability.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM
(BAS)
This system complements the ABS by
optimizing the vehicle braking
capa-
bility during emergency brake ma-
neuvers. This system detects an emer-
gency braking situation by sensing
the rate and amount of brake applica-
tion and then applies optimum pres-
sure to the brakes. This can help re-
duce braking distances.
Applying the brakes very quickly re-
sults in the best BAS assistance. To
receive the benefits of this system, you
must apply continuous brake pedal
pressure during the stopping se-
quence. Do not reduce brake pedal
pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is re-
leased, the BAS is deactivated.
209

WARNING!
The BAS cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the trac-
tion afforded by prevailing road
conditions. The BAS cannot prevent
collisions, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, driv-
ing on very slippery surfaces, or hy-
droplaning. The capabilities of a
BAS-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner that could jeopardize the us-
er's safety or the safety of others.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL (ESC)
This system enhances directional con-
trol and stability of the vehicle under
various driving conditions. The ESC
corrects for oversteering and under- steering the vehicle by applying the
brake of the appropriate wheel. En-
gine power may also be reduced to
assist in counteracting the condition
of oversteer or understeer and help
the vehicle maintain the desired path.
The ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to
determine the path that the driver
intends to steer the vehicle and com-
pares it to the actual path of the ve-
hicle. When the actual path does not
match the intended path, the ESC
applies the brake of the appropriate
wheel to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer.
 Oversteer - when the vehicle is
turning more than appropriate for
the steering wheel position.
 Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for
the steering wheel position.
WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the trac-
tion afforded by prevailing road
conditions. ESC cannot prevent ac-
cidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, driv-
ing on very slippery surfaces, or hy-
droplaning. Only a safe, attentive,
and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ESC
equipped vehicle must never be ex-
ploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
210

ESC Operating Modes
The ESC system has two available
operating modes:
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for
the ESC. Whenever the vehicle is
started, the ESC system will be in this
mode. This mode should be used for
most driving conditions. The ESC
should only be turned OFF for spe-
cific reasons as noted in the following
paragraphs.
Partial Off
The “Partial Off” mode is intended
for times when a more spirited driving
experience is desired. It is also in-
tended for driving in deep snow, sand,
or gravel. This mode disables the TCS
portion of the ESC and raises the
threshold for ESC activation, which
allows for more wheel spin than what
ESC normally allows.
The “ESC Off” switch is located on
the switch bank in the center of the
instrument panel. To enter the “Par-tial Off” mode, momentarily press the
“ESC Off” switch and the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” will illuminate. To turn the
ESC on again, momentarily press the
“ESC Off” switch and the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” will turn off.
NOTE:
 When in “Partial Off” mode, the
TCS functionality of ESC, (ex-
cept for the limited slip feature
described in the TCS section),
has been disabled and the “ESC
Off Indicator Light” will be illu-
minated. All other stability fea-
tures of ESC function normally.
When in “Partial Off” mode, the
engine power reduction feature
of TCS is disabled, and the en-
hanced vehicle stability offered
by the ESC system is reduced.
 To improve the vehicle's traction when driving with snow chains,
or when starting off in deep
snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Par-
tial Off” mode by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch.
Once the situation requiring
“Partial Off” mode is overcome,
turn the ESC on again by mo-
mentarily pressing the “ESC Off”
switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
HILL START ASSIST (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist
the driver when starting a vehicle
from a stop on a hill. HSA will main-
tain the level of brake pressure the
driver applied for a short period of
time after the driver takes their foot
off of the brake pedal. If the driver
does not apply the throttle during this
short period of time, the system will
release brake pressure and the vehicle
will roll down the hill. The system will
release brake pressure in proportion
to the amount of throttle applied as
the vehicle starts to move in the in-
tended direction of travel.
211

HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in
order for HSA to activate:
 Vehicle must be stopped.
 Vehicle must be on a 6% (approxi-mate) grade or greater hill.
 Gear selection matches vehicle up- hill direction (i.e., vehicle facing
uphill is in forward gear; vehicle
backing uphill is in REVERSE
gear).
HSA will work in REVERSE and all
forward gears when the activation cri-
teria have been met. The system will
not activate if the vehicle is placed in
NEUTRAL or PARK.WARNING!
There may be situations on minor
hills (i.e., less than 8%), with a
loaded vehicle, or while pulling a
trailer, when the system will not ac-
tivate and slight rolling may occur.
This could cause a collision with an-
other vehicle or object. Always re-
member the driver is responsible for
braking the vehicle. Towing With HSA
HSA will provide assistance when
starting on a grade when pulling a
trailer.
WARNING!
 If you use a trailer brake control-
ler with your trailer, your trailer
brakes may be activated and de-
activated with the brake switch. If
so, when the brake pedal is re-
leased, there may not be enough
brake pressure to hold the vehicle
and trailer on a hill and this could
cause a collision with another ve-
hicle or object behind you. In or-
der to avoid rolling down the hill
while resuming acceleration,
manually activate the trailer
brake prior to releasing the brake
pedal. Always remember the
driver is responsible for braking
the vehicle.
 HSA is not a parking brake. Al-
ways apply the parking brake
fully when leaving your vehicle.
Also, be certain to leave the trans-
mission in PARK.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
 Failure to follow these warnings
may cause the vehicle to roll down
the incline and could collide with
another vehicle, object or person,
and cause serious or fatal injury.
Always remember to use the park-
ing brake while parking on a hill
and that the driver is responsible
for braking the vehicle.
HSA Off
If you wish to turn off the HSA sys-
tem, it can be done using the Cus-
tomer Programmable Features in the
Uconnect Touch™ System. Refer to
“Uconnect TOUCH™ SETTINGS” in
“Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
READY ALERT BRAKING
Ready Alert Braking may reduce the
time required to reach full braking
during emergency braking situations.
It anticipates when an emergency
braking situation may occur by moni-
toring how fast the throttle is released
by the driver. When the throttle is
released very quickly, Ready Alert
Braking applies a small amount of
212

brake pressure. This brake pressure
will not be noticed by the driver. The
brake system uses this brake pressure
to allow a fast brake response if the
driver applies the brakes.
RAIN BRAKE SUPPORT
Rain Brake Support may improve
braking performance in wet condi-
tions. It will periodically apply a small
amount of brake pressure to remove
any water buildup on the front brake
rotors. It only functions when the
windshield wipers are in the LO or HI
mode, it does not function in the in-
termittent mode. When Rain Brake
Support is active, there is no notifica-
tion to the driver and no driver inter-
action is required.
ESC ACTIVATION/
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LIGHT AND
ESC OFF INDICATOR
LIGHTThe “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument
cluster will come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. It should go out with the
engine running. If the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” comes on continuously with
the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in the ESC system. If
this light remains on after several ig-
nition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several kilometers at speeds
greater than 48 km/h, see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to
have the problem diagnosed and cor-
rected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction In-
dicator Light” (located in the instru-
ment cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC
system becomes active. The “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” also flashes when TCS is ac-
tive. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins
to flash during acceleration, ease up
on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt
your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions.
NOTE:
 The “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator
Light” come on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is
turned ON.
 Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system will be ON
even if it was turned off previ-
ously.
 The ESC system will make buzz- ing or clicking sounds when it is
active. This is normal; the
sounds will stop when ESC be-
comes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESC
activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator
Light” indicates the Elec-
tronic Stability Control
(ESC) is off.
SYNCHRONIZING ESC
If the power supply is inter-
rupted (battery disconnected
or discharged), the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indi-
cator Light” may illuminate with the
213

vice as long as you do not exceed the
GVWR and the front and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total
weight of your vehicle is to weigh it
when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial
scale to ensure that it is not over the
GVWR.
Figure out the weight on the front and
rear of the vehicle separately. It is
important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential
safety hazards and shorten useful ser-
vice life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily in-
crease thevehicle's GVWR.
LOADING
To load your vehicle properly, first
figure out its empty weight, axle-by-
axle and side-by-side. Store heavier
items down low and be sure you dis-
tribute their weight as evenly as pos-
sible. Stow all loose items securely
before driving. If weighing the loaded
vehicle shows that you have exceeded
either GAWR, but the total load is
within the specified GVWR, you must redistribute the weight. Improper
weight distribution can have an ad-
verse effect on the way your vehicle
steers and handles and the way the
brakes operate.
NOTE:
 Refer to the “Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” affixed to the rear of
the driver's door for your vehi-
cle's GVWR and GAWRs.
 Refer to the “Tire Placard” for your vehicle's proper tire pres-
sure.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section, you will find safety tips
and information on limits to the type
of towing you can reasonably do with
your vehicle. Before towing a trailer,
carefully review this information to
tow your load as efficiently and safely
as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, fol-
low the requirements and recommen-
dations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing. COMMON TOWING
DEFINITIONS
The following trailer towing related
definitions will assist you in under-
standing the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable
weight of your vehicle. This includes
driver, passengers, cargo, and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited
so that you do not exceed the GVWR.
Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle
Certification Label” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer
plus the weight of all cargo, consum-
ables, and equipment (permanent or
temporary) loaded in or on the trailer
in its "loaded and ready for opera-
tion" condition.
The recommended way to measure
GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer
on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of
the trailer must be supported by the
scale.
228