2013 Lancia Thema Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is danger-
ous. Overloading can cause tire
failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance.(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Use tires of the recommended load
capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
227

TIRES — GENERAL
INFORMATION
TIRE PRESSURE
Proper tire inflation pressure is essen-
tial to the safe and satisfactory opera-
tion of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire
pressure:
SafetyWARNING!
 Improperly inflated tires are dan-gerous and can cause collisions.
 Under-inflation increases tire
flexing and can result in over-
heating and tire failure.
 Over-inflation reduces a tire's ability to cushion shock. Objects
on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire
failure.
 Over-inflated or under-inflated
tires can affect vehicle handling
and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
 Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems. You could lose
control of your vehicle.
 Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle to the other can
cause the vehicle to drift to the
right or left.
 Always drive with each tire in- flated to the recommended cold
tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can
cause uneven wear patterns to de-
velop across the tire tread. These ab-
normal wear patterns will reduce
tread life resulting in a need for earlier
tire replacement. Under-inflation also
increases tire rolling resistance result-
ing in higher fuel consumption.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle
Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a
comfortable ride. Over-inflation pro-
duces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride. TIRE INFLATION
PRESSURES
The proper cold tire inflation pressure
is listed on the driver's side “B” Pillar
or rear edge of the driver's side door.
Some vehicles may have Supplemen-
tal Tire Pressure Information for ve-
hicle loads that are less than the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle condition. If
needed, these pressure conditions will
be found in the “Supplemental Tire
Pressure Information” section of this
manual.
The pressure should be checked and
adjusted as well as inspecting for signs
of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality
pocket-type gauge to check tire pres-
sure. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation.
Radial tires may look properly in-
flated even when they are under-
inflated.
228

CAUTION!
After inspecting or adjusting the
tire pressure, always reinstall the
valve stem cap. This will prevent
moisture and dirt from entering the
valve stem, which could damage
the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the
placard are always “cold tire inflation
pressure.” Cold tire inflation pressure
is defined as the tire pressure after the
vehicle has not been driven for at least
three hours, or driven less than
1.6 km after a three hour period. The
cold tire inflation pressure must not
exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire sidewall.
Check tire pressures more often if
subject to a wide range of outdoor
temperatures, as tire pressures vary
with temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approxi-
mately 0.07 BAR per 7°C of air tem-
perature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure inside a
garage, especially in the Winter. Example: If garage temperature =
20°C and the outside temperature =
0°C then the cold tire inflation pres-
sure should be increased by
0.21 BAR, which equals 0.07 kPa for
every 7°C for this outside temperature
condition.
Tire pressure may increase from 0.13
to 0.4 BAR during operation. DO
NOT reduce this normal pressure
build up or your tire pressure will be
too low.
TIRE PRESSURES FOR
HIGH SPEED OPERATION
The manufacturer advocates driving
at safe speeds within posted speed
limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be
driven at high speeds, maintaining
correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure
and reduced vehicle loading may be
required for high-speed vehicle op-
eration. Refer to original equipment
or an authorized tire dealer for recom-
mended safe operating speeds, load-
ing and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your ve-
hicle under maximum load is dan-
gerous. The added strain on your
tires could cause them to fail. You
could have a serious collision. Do
not drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous
speeds above 120 km/h.
RADIAL PLY TIRESWARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with
other types of tires on your vehicle
will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause
a collision. Always use radial ply
tires in sets of four. Never combine
them with other types of tires.
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.
229

COMPACT SPARE TIRE
(for versions/markets,
where provided)The compact spare is for temporary
emergency use only. You can identify if
your vehicle is equipped with a com-
pact spare by looking at the spare tire
description on the Tire and Loading
Information Placard located on the
driver’s side door opening or on the
sidewall of the tire. Compact spare tire
descriptions begin with the letter “T”
or “S” preceding the size designation.
Example: T145/80D18 103M.T, S = Temporary Spare TireSince this tire has limited tread life the
original equipment tire should be re-
paired (or replaced) and reinstalled on
your vehicle at the first opportunity.Do not install a wheel cover or at-
tempt to mount a conventional tire on
the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the
compact spare tire. Do not install
more than one compact spare tire and
wheel on the vehicle at any given time
WARNING!
Compact spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these
spares, do not drive more than
50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use
spares have limited tread life. When
the tread is worn to the tread wear
indicators, the temporary use spare
tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to
follow the warnings, which apply to
your spare. Failure to do so could
result in spare tire failure and loss
of vehicle control.
LIMITED-USE SPARE
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
The limited-use spare tire is for tem-
porary emergency use only. This tire is
identified by a label located on the
limited-use spare wheel. This label
contains the driving limitations for
this spare. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or
rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not.
Installation of this limited-use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same as your original equip-
ment tire, replace (or repair) the origi-
nal equipment tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Limited-use spares are for emer-
gency use only. Installation of this
limited-use spare tire affects ve-
hicle handling. With this tire, do
not drive more than the speed listed
on the limit-use spare wheel. Keep
inflated to the cold tire inflation
pressure listed on your Tire and
Loading Information Placard lo-
cated on the driver’s side door
opening. Replace (or repair) the
original equipment tire at the first
opportunity and reinstall it on your
vehicle. Failure to do so could result
in loss of vehicle control.
TIRE SPINNING
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice
conditions, do not spin your vehicle's
wheels faster than 48 km/h or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously
without stopping when you are stuck.
230

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be danger-
ous. Forces generated by excessive
wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age 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 sec-
onds continuously when you are
stuck, and do not let anyone near a
spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.TREAD WEAR INDICATORSTread 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 the spare tire should be
replaced after six years, regardless
of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in
sudden tire failure. You could lose
control and have a collision result-
ing 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. REPLACEMENT TIRES
The tires on your new vehicle provide
a balance of many characteristics.
They should be inspected regularly
for wear and correct cold tire inflation
pressure. The manufacturer strongly
recommends to always respect the
sizes of the tires given in the Registra-
tion Documentation/Certificate and
that you use tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and perfor-
mance when replacement is needed.
(Refer to the paragraph on “Tread
Wear Indicators”). Refer to the “Tire
and Loading Information” placard
for the size designation of your tire.
The Load Index and Speed Symbol
for your tire will be found on the
original equipment tire sidewall. See
the Tire Sizing Chart example found
in the Tire Safety Information section
of this manual for more information
relating to the Load Index and Speed
Symbol of a tire.
It is recommended to replace the two
front tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. If you
ever replace a wheel, make sure that
1 — Worn Tire
2 — New Tire
231

the wheel’s specifications match those
of the original wheels.
It is recommended you contact your
original equipment or an authorized
tire dealer with any questions you
may have on tire specifications or ca-
pability. Failure to use equivalent re-
placement tires may adversely affect
the safety, handling, and ride of your
vehicle.WARNING!
Do not use a tire, wheel size or
rating other than that specified for
your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels
may change suspension dimen-
sions and performance character-
istics, resulting in changes to steer-
ing, handling, and braking of your
vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steer-
ing and suspension components.
You could lose control and have a
collision resulting in serious injury
or death. Use only the tire and
wheel sizes with load ratings ap-
proved for your vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Never use a tire with a smaller load
index or capacity, other than what
was originally equipped on your
vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller
load index could result in tire over-
loading and failure. You could lose
control and have a collision.Failure to equip your vehicle with
tires having adequate speed capa-
bility can result in sudden tire fail-
ure and loss of vehicle control.CAUTION!Replacing original tires with tires of a
different size may result in false
speedometer and odometer readings.TIRE CHAINS
(TRACTION DEVICES)
Use of Security Chain Company
(SCC) Super Z6 SZ143 or Iceman Z6
IZ-643 cables or equivalent are rec-
ommended on 225/65R17 tires. NOTE:
 These chains can be found at an
authorized LANCIA Dealership.
 Do not use tire chains on a com- pact spare tire.
Use of traction devices require suffi-
cient tire-to-body clearance. Follow
these recommendations to guard
against damage.
 Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as recommended by
the traction device manufacturer.
 Install on Rear Tires Only.

Due to limited clearance, the Security
Chain Company (SCC) Super Z6 low
profile traction device or equivalent is
recommended on P215/65R17,
P225/60R18 or P235/55R18 tires. For an All Wheel Drive vehicle, P235/55R19 tire with the use of a
traction device that meets the SAE
type “Class S” specification is rec-
ommended.
232

WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type
(M+S, Snow) between front and
rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control
and have a collision.CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or
tires, observe the following precau-
tions:
Because of restricted traction de-
vice clearance between tires and
other suspension components, it is
important that only traction de-
vices in good condition are used.
Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immedi-
ately if noise occurs that could in-
dicate device breakage. Remove
the damaged parts of the device
before further use. Install device as tightly as pos-sible and then retighten after
driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
 Do not exceed 48 km/h.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
 Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps, especially
with a loaded vehicle.
 Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement.
Observe the traction device manu-
facturer’s instructions on the
method of installation, operating
speed, and conditions for use. Al-
ways use the suggested operating
speed of the device manufactur-
er’s if it is less than 48 km/h. Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
NOTE:
In order to avoid damage
to tires, chains, and your vehicle do
not drive for a prolonged period on
dry pavement. Observe the tire
chain manufacturer's instructions
on method of installation, operating
speed, and conditions for usage.
Always use the lower suggested operat-
ing speed if both the chain manufac-
turer and vehicle manufacturer suggest
a maximum speed. This notice applies
to all chain traction devices, including
link and cable (radial) chains.
TIRE ROTATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of
vehicles operate at different loads and
perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these rea-
sons, they wear at unequal rates.These effects can be reduced by timely
rotation of tires. The benefits of rotation
are especially worthwhile with aggres-
sive tread designs such as those on all
season type tires. Rotation will increase
tread life, help to maintain mud, snow,
and wet traction levels, and contribute
to a smooth, quiet ride.Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule”
for the proper maintenance intervals.
The reasons for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected prior to ro-
tation being performed.
233

TIRE PRESSURE
MONITOR SYSTEM
(TPMS)
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) will warn the driver of a low
tire pressure based on the vehicle rec-
ommended cold placard pressure.The tire pressure will vary with tem-
perature by about 0.07 BAR for every
7°C. This means that when the outside
temperature decreases, the tire pressure
will decrease. Tire pressure should al-
ways be set based on cold inflation tire
pressure. This is defined as the tire pres-
sure after the vehicle has not been
driven for at least three hours, or driven
less than 1.6 km after a three hour
period. The cold tire inflation pressure
must not exceed the maximum inflation
pressure molded into the tire sidewall.
Refer to “Tires – General Information”
in “Starting and Operating” for infor-
mation on how to properly inflate the
vehicle’s tires. The tire pressure will also
increase as the vehicle is driven - this is
normal and there should be no adjust-
ment for this increased pressure.
The TPMS will warn the driver of a
low tire pressure if the tire pressure
falls below the low-pressure warning
limit for any reason, including low
temperature effects and natural pres-
sure loss through the tire.
The TPMS will continue to warn the
driver of low tire pressure as long as
the condition exists, and will not turn
off until the tire pressure is at or above
the recommended cold placard pres-
sure. Once the low tire pressure warn-
ing (Tire Pressure Monitoring [TPM]
Telltale Light) illuminates, you must
increase the tire pressure to the rec-
ommended cold placard pressure in
order for the TPM Telltale Light to
turn off. The system will automati-
cally update and the TPM Telltale
Light will turn off once the system
receives the updated tire pressures.
The vehicle may need to be driven for
up to 20 minutes above 24 km/h in
order for the TPMS to receive this
information.For example, your vehicle may have a
recommended cold (parked for more
than three hours) placard pressure of
2.1 BAR. If the ambient temperature
is 20°C and the measured tire pres-
sure is 1.9 BAR, a temperature drop to
­7°C will decrease the tire pressure to
approximately 1.6 BAR. This tire
pressure is sufficiently low enough to
turn ON the TPM Telltale Light. Driv-
ing the vehicle may cause the tire
pressure to rise to approximately 1.9
BAR, but the TPM Telltale Light will
still be ON. In this situation, the TPM
Telltale Light will turn OFF only after
the tires are inflated to the vehicle’s
recommended cold placard pressure
value.
234