2014 Lancia Thema Owner handbook (in English)

Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes
an electronically controlled Overdrive
(fifth gear). The transmission will au-
tomatically shift into Overdrive if the
following conditions are present:
The shift lever is in the DRIVE po-sition.
Vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
The driver is not heavily pressing the accelerator.
AUTOSTICK® (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
AutoStick® is a driver-interactive
transmission feature providing
manual shift control, giving you more
control of the vehicle. AutoStick® al-
lows you to maximize engine braking,
eliminate undesirable upshifts and
downshifts, and improve overall ve-
hicle performance.
This system can also provide you with
more control during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, trailer towing, and
many other situations.
OPERATION – 3.6L ENGINE
When the transmission is in DRIVE or
SPORT mode, it will operate auto-
matically, shifting between the eight
available gears. To engage
AutoStick®, simply tap one of the
steering wheel-mounted shift paddles
(+/-) while in DRIVE or SPORT
mode. Tapping (-) to enter
AutoStick® mode will downshift the
transmission to the next lower gear,
while using (+) to enter AutoStick®
mode will retain the current gear.
When AutoStick® is active, the cur-
rent transmission gear is displayed in
the instrument cluster. In AutoStick®
mode, the transmission will shift up or
down when (+/-) is manually selected
by the driver, unless an engine lugging
or overspeed condition would result.
It will remain in the selected gear until
another upshift or downshift is cho-
sen, except as described below.
If AutoStick® is engaged while in
DRIVE mode, the transmission will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached. If the
accelerator is fully depressed, the
transmission will downshift when
possible (based on current vehicle
speed and gear). Lack of accelera-
tor pedal activity will cause the
transmission to revert to automatic
operation.
If AutoStick® is engaged while in SPORT mode, manual gear selec-
tion will be maintained until either
SPORT mode is exited or as de-
scribed below. The transmission
will not upshift automatically at
redline in this mode, nor will down-
shifts be obtained if the accelerator
pedal is pressed to the floor.
In either DRIVE or SPORT mode, the transmission will automatically
downshift as the vehicle slows to a
stop (to prevent engine lugging)
and will display the current gear.
Tapping the (+) paddle (at a stop)
will allow starting in second gear.
After a stop, the driver should
manually upshift (+) the transmis-
sion as the vehicle accelerates.
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If a requested downshift wouldcause the engine to over-speed, that
shift will not occur.
The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
To disengage AutoStick® mode, press
and hold the (+) shift paddle until
“D” or “S” is once again indicated in
the instrument cluster. You can shift
in or out of the AutoStick® mode at
any time without taking your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional en-
gine braking on a slippery surface.
The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid,
causing a collision or personal in-
jury.
OPERATION – 3.0L DIESEL
ENGINE
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE
position, the transmission will operate
automatically, shifting between the five available gears. To engage
AutoStick®, simply tap the shift lever
to the right or left (+/-) while in the
DRIVE position, or tap one of the
steering wheel-mounted shift paddles
(+/-), for versions/markets, where
provided. Tapping (-) to enter
AutoStick® mode will downshift the
transmission to the next lower gear,
while using (+) to enter AutoStick®
mode will retain the current gear.
When AutoStick® is active, the cur-
rent transmission gear is displayed in
the instrument cluster. In AutoStick®
mode, the transmission will shift up or
down when (+/-) is manually selected
by the driver (using the shift lever, or
the shift paddles, for versions/
markets, where provided), unless an
engine lugging or overspeed condition
would result. It will remain in the
selected gear until another upshift or
downshift is chosen, except as de-
scribed below.
The transmission will automati-
cally upshift when necessary to pre-
vent engine over-speed. If the accelerator is fully depressed,
the transmission will downshift
when possible (based on vehicle
speed and gear).
The transmission will automati- cally downshift as the vehicle slows
(to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
The transmission will automati- cally downshift to first gear when
coming to a stop. After a stop, the
driver should manually upshift (+)
the transmission as the vehicle is
accelerated.
You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear. Tapping (+) (at
a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear is
helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
Avoid using speed control when AutoStick® is engaged.
Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when AutoStick® is
engaged.
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To disengage AutoStick® mode, hold
the shift lever to the right or press and
hold the (+) shift paddle (for
versions/markets, where provided)
until “D” is once again indicated in
the instrument cluster. You can shift
in or out of the AutoStick® mode at
any time without taking your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional en-
gine braking on a slippery surface.
The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid,
causing a collision or personal in-
jury.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE
(AWD) (for versions/
markets, where provided)
This vehicle is equipped with an ac-
tive on-demand All-Wheel Drive
(AWD) system which makes available
optimum traction for a wide variety of
road surface and driving conditions.
The system minimizes wheel slip byautomatically redirecting torque to
the front and rear wheels as necessary.
To maximize fuel economy, your AWD
vehicle automatically defaults to rear-
wheel drive (RWD) when road and
environmental conditions are such
that wheel slip is unlikely to occur.
When specific road and environmen-
tal conditions require increased levels
of road traction, the vehicle automati-
cally shifts into AWD mode. Auto-
matic AWD operation could be acti-
vated by outside temperature, wheel
slip, or other predetermined condi-
tions (there may be a slight delay for
AWD engagement after a wheel slip
condition occurs). AWD can also be
manually selected by moving the shift
lever into the AutoStick® mode (+/-)
(for versions/markets, where pro-
vided) or activating the windshield
wipers for an extended period of time.
Drive mode, RWD or AWD, is dis-
played momentarily in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in
the gauge area of the vehicle display
when the transmission is first shifted
into gear, and if the drive mode
changes during vehicle operation.NOTE: If the “SERVICE AWD
SYSTEM” warning message ap-
pears after engine start up, or dur-
ing driving, it means that the AWD
system is not functioning properly
and that service is required. Refer
to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size
and type tires. Unequal tire sizes
must not be used. Unequal tire size
may cause failure of the front dif-
ferential and/or the transfer case.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY
SURFACES
ACCELERATION
Rapid acceleration on snow covered,
wet, or other slippery surfaces may
cause the driving wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenom-
enon occurs when there is a difference
in the surface traction under the rear
(driving) wheels.
213

WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery sur-
faces is dangerous. Unequal trac-
tion can cause sudden pulling of the
rear wheels. You could lose control
of the vehicle and possibly have a
collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to
be poor traction (ice, snow, wet
mud, loose sand, etc.).
TRACTION
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
it is possible for a wedge of water to
build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplan-
ing and may cause partial or complete
loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the
following precautions should be ob-
served:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or
when the roads are slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing
water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear in-
dicators first become visible.4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance be-
tween your vehicle and the vehicle in
front of you to avoid a collision in a
sudden stop.
DRIVING THROUGH
WATER
Driving through water more than a
centimeters deep will require extra
caution to ensure safety and prevent
damage to your vehicle.
FLOWING/RISING WATER
WARNING!
Do not drive on or across a road or
path where water is flowing and/or
rising (as in storm run-off). Flow-
ing water can wear away the road
or path's surface and cause your
vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising
water can carry your vehicle away
swiftly. Failure to follow this warn-
ing may result in injuries that are
serious or fatal to you, your passen-
gers, and others around you.
SHALLOW STANDING
WATER
Although your vehicle is capable of
driving through shallow standing wa-
ter, consider the following Caution
and Warning before doing so.
CAUTION!
Always check the depth of the
standing water before driving
through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper
than the bottom of the tire rims
mounted on the vehicle.
Determine the condition of the road or the path that is under
water and if there are any ob-
stacles in the way before driving
through the standing water.
Do not exceed 8 km/h when driv- ing through standing water. This
will minimize wave effects.
(Continued)
214

CAUTION!(Continued)
Driving through standing watermay cause damage to your vehi-
cle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids
(i.e., engine oil, transmission,
axle, etc.) for signs of contamina-
tion (i.e., fluid that is milky or
foamy in appearance) after driv-
ing through standing water. Do
not continue to operate the ve-
hicle if any fluid appears con-
taminated, as this may result in
further damage. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Getting water inside your vehi- cle’s engine can cause it to lock up
and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine.
Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
WARNING!
Driving through standing waterlimits your vehicle’s traction ca-
pabilities. Do not exceed 8 km/h
when driving through standing
water.
Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s braking ca-
pabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after
driving through standing water,
drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to
dry the brakes.
Getting water inside your vehi- cle’s engine can cause it to lock up
and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
Failure to follow these warnings may result in injuries that are se-
rious or fatal to you, your passen-
gers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with an
electro-hydraulic power steering sys-
tem that will give you good vehicle response and increased ease of ma-
neuverability in tight spaces. The sys-
tem will vary its assist to provide light
efforts while parking and good feel
while driving. If the electro-hydraulic
power steering system experiences a
fault that prevents it from providing
power steering assist, then the system
will provide mechanical steering ca-
pability.
CAUTION!
Extreme steering maneuvers may
cause the electrically driven pump
to reduce or stop power steering
assistance in order to prevent dam-
age to the system. Normal opera-
tion will resume once the system is
allowed to cool.
If the “SERVICE POWER
STEERING SYSTEM”
message and a flashing icon
are displayed on the EVIC
screen, it indicates that the vehicle
needs to be taken to the dealer for
service. It is likely the vehicle has lost
power steering assistance. Refer to
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“Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further
information.
If the “POWER STEERING SYSTEM
OVER TEMP” message and an icon
are displayed on the EVIC screen, it
indicates that extreme steering ma-
neuvers may have occurred, which
caused an over temperature condition
in the power steering system. You will
lose power steering assistance mo-
mentarily until the over temperature
condition no longer exists. Once driv-
ing conditions are safe, then pull over
and let vehicle idle for a few moments
until the light turns off. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further infor-
mation.NOTE:
Even if power steering assis-
tance is no longer operational, it
is still possible to steer the ve-
hicle. Under these conditions
there will be a substantial in-
crease in steering effort, espe-
cially at very low vehicle speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer for ser-
vice.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure
that the parking brake is fully applied
and place the shift lever in the PARK
position.
The foot operated parking brake is
located below the lower left corner of
the instrument panel. To apply the
park brake, firmly push the park
brake pedal fully. To release the park-
ing brake, press the park brake pedal
a second time and let your foot up as
you feel the brake disengage. 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.
Parking Brake
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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 asubstitute 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.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Never leave children alone in avehicle, 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.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location acces-
sible to children), and do not
leave the ignition of 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.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Always fully apply the parkingbrake when leaving your vehicle,
or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also be certain to leave
the transmission in PARK. Fail-
ure to do so may allow the vehicle
to roll and cause damage or in-
jury.
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
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.
217

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 maycontinue 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.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
The ABS cannot prevent thenatural laws of physics from act-
ing on the vehicle, nor can it in-
crease braking or steering effi-
ciency beyond that afforded by
the condition 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 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.
218