2012 Lancia Thema tow

To Reset The Manual Park Re-
lease:
1. Push the latch (at the base of the
lever, on the rear side) rearward
(away from the lever) to unlatch the
lever.2. Rotate the Manual Park Release
lever forward and down, to its original
position, until the locking tab snaps
into place to secure the lever.
3. Pull up gently on the tether strap
to confirm that the lever is locked in
its stowed position.4. Tuck the tether strap into the base
of the console. Reinstall the console
storage bin.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the Ground ALL MODELS
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is operable:
 Transmission in
NEUTRAL
 48 km/h maxspeed
 24 km maxdistance (5-speed trans)
 48 km maxdistance (8-speed trans)
Wheel Lift
Front
Rear OK
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is
required to prevent damage to your
vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for the purpose,
following equipment manufacturer’s
instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other
towing device to main structural
members of the vehicle, not to bum-
pers or associated brackets. State and
local laws applying to vehicles under
tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wip-
ers, defrosters, etc.) while being
towed, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN position, not the ACC posi-
tion.
If the
vehicle's battery is discharged,
see “Shift Lever Override” in “What
To Do In Emergencies” for instruc-
tions on shifting the automatic trans-
mission out of the PARK position for
towing.
CAUTION!
 Do not use sling type equipment when towing. Damage to the fas-
cia will occur.
 When securing the vehicle to a
flatbed truck, do not attach to
front or rear suspension compo-
nents. Damage to your vehicle
may result from improper towing.
(Continued)
251

CAUTION!(Continued)
 Do not push or tow this vehicle
with another vehicle as damage to
the bumper fascia and transmis-
sion may result.
 If the vehicle being towed requires
steering. the ignition switch must
be in the ON/RUN position, not
the LOCK or ACC positions.
The manufacturer does not recom-
mend that you tow this vehicle on a
tow dolly. Vehicle damage may occur.
The manufacturer recommends tow-
ing your vehicle with all four wheels
OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available,
and the transmission is operable, the
vehicle may be flat towed (with all
four wheels on the ground) under the
following conditions:
 The shift lever must be in NEU- TRAL.  The distance to be traveled must
not exceed 24 km for 5-speed
transmission, or 48 km for 8-speed
transmission.
 The towing speed must not exceed 48 km/h.
If the transmission is not operable, or
the vehicle must be towed faster than
48 km/h or farther than 24 km for
5-speed transmission, or 48 km for
8-speed transmission, tow with the
rear wheels OFF the ground (on a
flatbed, or with the rear wheels raised
using a wheel lift and the transmission
in NEUTRAL).
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these towing meth-
ods can cause severe transmission
damage. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty. Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the
vehicle is towed with the ignition in
the OFF position. The only approved
method of towing without the ignition
key is with a flatbed truck. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to pre-
vent damage to the vehicle.
252

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC
SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a so-
phisticated onboard diagnostic sys-
tem called OBD II. This system moni-
tors the performance of the emissions,
engine, and automatic transmission
control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle
will provide excellent performance
and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions well within current govern-
ment regulations.
If any of these systems require service,
the OBD II system will turn on the
“Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).”
It will also store diagnostic codes and
other information to assist your ser-
vice technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be
drivable and not need towing, see
your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
 Prolonged driving with the MILon could cause further damage to
the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy
and driveability. The vehicle must
be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
 If the MIL is flashing while the
engine is running, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service
is required.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine parts for normal/
scheduled maintenance and repairs is
highly recommended to ensure the de-
signed performance.
Damage or failures caused by the use
of parts which are not quality-
equivalent to genuine parts for main-
tenance and repairs will not be cov-
ered by the manufacturer’s warranty. MAINTENANCE
PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the
re-
quired maintenance services deter-
mined by the engineers who designed
your vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items
specified in the fixed maintenance
schedule, there are other components
which may require servicing or re-
placement in the future.
CAUTION!
 Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or perform repairs and
service when necessary could re-
sult in more costly repairs, dam-
age to other components or nega-
tively impact vehicle
performance. Immediately have
potential malfunctions examined
by an authorized dealership or
qualified repair center.
(Continued)
257

The filter is located in the fresh air
inlet under the hood, behind a remov-
able panel in the cowl on the passen-
ger side of the vehicle, next to the
windshield wipers. When installing a
new filter, ensure its proper orienta-
tion.
1. Remove the access door in the cowl
screen by pressing the retaining clips.
2. Unsnap both ends and lift the filter
access cover.3. Remove the used filter.
4. Install the new filter with arrows
pointing in the direction of airflow,
which is toward the rear of the vehicle
(text and arrows on the filter will in-
dicate this).
5. Close the filter access cover.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule”
for the proper maintenance intervals.
BODY LUBRICATION
Locks and all body pivot points, in-
cluding such items as seat tracks, door
hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, sliding doors and hood
hinges, should be lubricated periodi-
cally with a lithium based grease to
assure quiet, easy operation and to
protect against rust and wear. Prior to
the application of any lubricant, theparts concerned should be wiped
clean to remove dust and grit; after
lubricating excess oil and grease
should be removed. Particular atten-
tion should also be given to hood
latching components to ensure proper
function. When performing other un-
derhood services, the hood latch, re-
lease mechanism and safety catch
should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be
lubricated twice a year, preferably in
the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant
directly into the lock cylinder.
CAUTION!
Car maintenance should be done at
a LANCIA Dealership. For routine
and minor maintenance operations
you wish to carry out yourself, we do
recommend you have the proper
equipment, genuine LANCIA spare
parts and the necessary fluids; do
not however carry out these opera-
tions if you have no experience.
Access Door
Filter Access Cover
A/C Air Filter
262

WINDSHIELD WIPER
BLADES
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper
blades and the windshield periodi-
cally with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will
remove accumulations of salt or road
film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass
for long periods may cause deteriora-
tion of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to
remove salt or dirt from a dry wind-
shield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to re-
move frost or ice from the windshield.
Keep the blade rubber out of contact
with petroleum products such as en-
gine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades
varies depending on geographical
area and frequency of use. Poor
performance of blades may be
present with chattering, marks,
water lines or wet spots. If any ofthese conditions are present, clean
the wiper blades or replace as nec-
essary.
ADDING WASHER FLUID
The windshield washer and the head-
light washer (for versions/markets,
where provided) share the same fluid
reservoir. The fluid reservoir is lo-
cated in the front of the engine com-
partment. Be sure to check the fluid
level in the reservoir at regular inter-
vals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent (not radiator anti-
freeze) and operate the system for a
few seconds to flush out the residual
water.
When refilling the washer fluid reser-
voir, apply some washer fluid to a
cloth or towel and wipe the wiper
blades clean. This will help blade per-
formance.
To prevent freeze-up of your wind-
shield washer system in cold weather,
select a solution or mixture that meets
or exceeds the temperature range of
your climate. This rating information
can be found on most washer fluid
containers.The fluid reservoir will hold nearly
4 Liters of washer fluid when the mes-
sage “Low Washer Fluid” appears in
the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) (for versions/markets,
where provided).
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield
washer solvents are flammable.
They could ignite and burn you.
Care must be exercised when filling
or working around the washer solu-
tion.CAUTION!
Car maintenance should be done at
a LANCIA Dealership. For routine
and minor maintenance operations
you wish to carry out yourself, we do
recommend you have the proper
equipment, genuine LANCIA spare
parts and the necessary fluids; do
not however carry out these opera-
tions if you have no experience.
263

NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emis-
sions control systems can result in
civil penalties being assessed
against you.WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire
if you park over materials that can
burn. Such materials might be grass
or leaves coming into contact with
your exhaust system. Do not park or
operate your vehicle in areas where
your exhaust system can contact
anything that can burn.
In unusual situations involving
grossly malfunctioning engine opera-
tion, a scorching odor may indicate
severe and abnormal catalyst over-
heating. If this should occur, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop,
shut the engine OFF, and allow the
vehicle to cool. Thereafter, obtain ser-
vice, including a tune-up to manufac-
tur er's specifications immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst
damage:  Do not shut off the engine or inter
-
rupt the ignition when the trans-
mission is in gear and the vehicle is
in motion.
 Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle.
 Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires disconnected or
removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods
during very rough idling or mal-
functioning operating conditions.
COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING!
 When working near the radiator cooling fan, disconnect the fan
motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position . The
fan is temperature controlled and
can start at any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
 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 is hot.CAUTION!
Car maintenance should be done at
a LANCIA Dealership. For routine
and minor maintenance operations
you wish to carry out yourself, we do
recommend you have the proper
equipment, genuine LANCIA spare
parts and the necessary fluids; do
not however carry out these opera-
tions if you have no experience.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze)
protection every 12 months (before
the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is dirty or rusty in appear-
ance, the system should be drained,
265

 Use a high quality cleaner wax toremove road film, stains and to pro-
tect your paint finish. Take care
never to scratch the paint.
 Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing that may dimin-
ish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong clean-
ing materials such as steel wool or
scouring powder that will scratch
metal and painted surfaces.
Special Care
 If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive near the ocean, hose
off the undercarriage at least once a
month.
 It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges of the doors,
rocker panels, and trunk be kept
clear and open.
 If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint, touch them
up immediately. The cost of such
repairs is considered the responsi-
bility of the owner.  If your vehicle is damaged due to an
accident or similar cause, which de-
stroys the paint and protective
coating, have your vehicle repaired
as soon as possible. The cost of such
repairs is considered the responsi-
bility of the owner.
 If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers, de-icer salt,
etc., be sure that such materials are
well packaged and sealed.
 If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider mud or stone
shields behind each wheel.
 Use Touch Up Paint or equivalent on scratches as soon as possible.
Your authorized dealer has touch
up paint to match the color of your
vehicle.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially
aluminum and chrome-plated wheels
should be cleaned regularly with a
mild soap and water to prevent corro-
sion. To remove heavy soil and/or ex-
cessive brake dust, use a nonabrasive,
non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scour-
ing pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do not use oven
cleaner. Avoid automatic car washes
that use acidic solutions or harsh
brushes that may damage the wheels’
protective finish.
Stain Repel Fabric Cleaning
Procedure (for versions/markets,
where provided)
Stain Repel seats may be cleaned in
the following manner:
 Remove as much of the stain as
possible by blotting with a clean,
dry towel.
 Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
 For tough stains, apply a mild soap solution to a clean, damp cloth and
remove the stain. Use a fresh, damp
towel to remove soap residue.
 Do not use any harsh solvents or any other form of protectants on
Stain Repel products.
Interior Care
Interior trim should be cleaned start-
ing with a damp cloth. Do not use
harsh cleaners.
272

Your leather upholstery can be best
preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of
dirt can act as an abrasive and dam-
age the leather upholstery and should
be removed promptly with a damp
cloth. Stubborn soils can be removed
easily with a soft cloth and appropri-
ate products. Care should be taken to
avoid soaking your leather upholstery
with any liquid. Please do not use
polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, sol-
vents, detergents, or ammonia-based
cleaners to clean your leather uphol-
stery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the
original condition.WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for
cleaning purposes. Many are poten-
tially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respira-
tory harm.Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights
that are lighter and less susceptible to
stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as
glass and therefore different lens
cleaning procedures must be fol-
lowed.
To minimize the possibility of scratch-
ing the lenses and reducing light out-
put, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild
soap solution followed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning compo-
nents, solvents, steel wool or other
aggressive material to clean the
lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned
on a regular basis with any commer-
cial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner.
Use caution when cleaning the inside
rear window equipped with electric
defrosters or the right rear quarter
window equipped with the radio an- tenna. Do not use scrapers or other
sharp instrument that may scratch
the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror,
spray cleaner on the towel or rag that
you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument
Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments
in this vehicle are molded in clear
plastic. When cleaning the lenses,
care must be taken to avoid scratch-
ing the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag or micro-
fiber towel. A mild soap solution may
be used, but do not use high alcohol
content or abrasive cleaners. If soap is
used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
273