Page 185 of 291
3
STARTING AND DRIVING183
Starting the engine ......................................................................184
Handbrake........................................................................\
...........187
Using the gearbox ........................................................................\
188
Saving fu el .....................................................................\
............. 189
Towing trailers ........................................................................\
....191
Snow tyres ......................................................................\
............. 192
Snow chains .....................................................................\
........... 193
Car inactivi ty ........................................................................\
......193
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184STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic engine lock device: if
the engine fails to start, see the “Lancia CODE system”
paragraph in chapter 1.
In the first period of use, we recommend
avoiding excessive stress for the car (for in-
stance excessive accelerations, extended trav-
el at maximum speed, sudden braking etc.).
With engine off, do not leave the key in the ig-
nition switch on MAR to prevent draining the
battery.
It is dangerous to let the engine run in en-
closed spaces. The engine takes in oxygen and
releases carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
and other toxic gases.
Remember that the brake servo and electri-
cal power steering system are not operational
until the engine is started, therefore a greater
effort will be required to press the brake pedal or
turn the steering wheel.
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STARTING AND DRIVING185
3
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake;
❍ put the gear lever into neutral;
❍ turn the ignition key to MAR: the
mandYwarn-
ing lights on the instrument panel will turn on;
❍ wait for the warning lights
Yandmto turn off. The
hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen;
❍ fully depress the clutch pedal without operating the ac-
celerator;
❍ turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the
mwarn-
ing light goes out. Waiting too long will waste the heat-
ing work carried out by the glow plugs.
Release the key as soon as the engine starts. IMPORTANT With cold engine, the accelerator pedal shall
be completely released while turning the ignition key to
AV V.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, turn the
ignition key to STOP again before repeating the procedure.
If instrument panel
Ywarning light remains lit when the
ignition key is turned to MAR, turn the key to STOP and
then back to MAR; if the warning light remains lit, try the
other keys provided with the vehicle. Contact a Lancia Deal-
ership if you still cannot start the engine.
The mwarning light will flash for 60 sec-
onds after starting or during prolonged
cranking to indicate a fault with the glow
plug pre-heating system. Use the car normally if the
engine starts and go to a Lancia Dealership as soon
as possible.
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186STARTING AND DRIVING
Never bump start the engine by pushing, tow-
ing or coasting downhill. This could cause fu-
el to flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE
AFTER IT HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❍ drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
speed. Do not accelerate abruptly;
❍ do not demand maximum performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge starts
moving. ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive, you should al-
low the engine to “catch its breath” before turning it off
by letting it idle to allow the temperature in the engine
compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before turn-
ing off the engine serves absolutely no prac-
tical purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
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STARTING AND DRIVING187
3
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located between the front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to operate the handbrake, until the
car is braked.
The car should be braked after a few clicks
of the lever; if it is not, contact a Lancia Deal-
ership to have it adjusted.
When the handbrake is on and the ignition key is at MAR,
the instrument panel xwarning light will come on.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
❍ slightly lift the lever and press release button A - fig. 1;
❍ keep button A pressed and lower the lever. The x
warning light on the instrument panel turns off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this operation
to prevent the car from moving accidentally.
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❍ stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
❍ engage a gear (on a slope, engage first gear if the car
is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing downhill) and
leave the wheels steered.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if the car is
parked on a steep slope.
Do not leave the ignition key on MAR to avoid draining
the battery. Always remove the key when you leave the
car.
Never leave children unattended in the car. Always remove
the ignition key when leaving the car and take it out with
you.
fig. 1L0E0072m
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188STARTING AND DRIVING
USING THE GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and shift
the gear lever into the required position (the gear diagram
varies according to the different versions and is shown
on the knob or on the plate below the lever fig. 2).
To engage 6
thgear, operate the lever by pressing it towards
the right in order to avoid engaging 4thgear by mistake.
The same goes for changing from 6thto 5th.
IMPORTANT The car can only be put into reverse gear
when it has stopped moving completely. With the engine
running, wait at least 2 seconds before engaging reverse
gear with the clutch pedal fully depress in order to avoid
damaging or grinding the gears.
fig. 2L0E0073m
To engage reverse gear R from neutral, raise sliding ring
A under the knob and at the same time move the gear lever
to the left and then forwards.
To engage reverse R from neutral, lift the sliding ring A
under the knob and move the gear lever to the right and
then backwards.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should be used only to
change gear. Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, however lightly. For versions/markets where
provided, the electronic clutch pedal control could cut in,
interpreting the incorrect driving style as a fault.
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears
correctly. Therefore, the floor area under the
pedal unit should be clear: ensure that any
mats are flat and do not interfere with the pedals.
Do not drive with your hand resting on the
gear lever, because this pressure, even if light,
can wear out the internal components of the
gearbox over time.
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STARTING AND DRIVING189
3
SAVING FUEL
Some useful tips are given below for saving fuel and re-
ducing harmful emissions of CO
2and other pollutants (ni-
trogen oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons, Particulate Matter
(PM), etc.).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Ty r e s
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at an interval of
no more than 4 weeks: if the pressure is too low, con-
sumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded luggage compartment.
The weight of the car (especially when driving in town)
and its ride greatly affect consumption and stability. Accessories installed on longitudinal bars
Remove accessories like: roof racks, ski racks, luggage con-
tainer, etc. from the roof if they are no longer used. These
accessories lower aerodynamic penetration and adverse-
ly affect consumption levels. When transporting particu-
larly large objects, use a trailer if possible.
Electric devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount of time needed.
The heated rear window, additional headlights, wind-
screen/rear window wipers and heater fan need a con-
siderable amount of energy, therefore increasing fuel con-
sumption (by up to 25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
Using the climate control system leads to higher fuel con-
sumption (on average up to +20%). If the temperature
outside permits, try and use the ventilation only.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for aerodynamic control
may adversely affect air drag and consumption levels.
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190STARTING AND DRIVING
DRIVING STYLE
Cranking
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs when the
car is stationary: under these conditions the engine warms
up much more slowly, increasing consumption and emis-
sions. It is therefore advisable to move off immediately,
slowly, avoiding high speeds: in this way the engine will
warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when at traffic lights or before stopping
the engine. The latter action, like double-declutching, is
completely unnecessary and causes increased fuel con-
sumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and road permit,
use a higher gear. Using a low gear for faster accelera-
tion will increase consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high gear increases con-
sumption, emissions and engine wear.
Max. speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases as speed in-
creases. Maintain a constant speed, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration, which cost in terms of both fu-
el consumption and emissions.Acceleration
Accelerating violently will greatly affect consumption and
emissions: acceleration should be gradual.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do not allow the
engine to reach optimum operating temperature. This re-
sults in a significant increase in consumption levels (from
+15 to +30% on the urban cycle) and emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high fuel consumption is caused by heavy traffic,
for instance when travelling in a queue with frequent use
of low gears or in large towns with many traffic lights.
Mountain and rough roads also have a negative effect on
fuel consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.
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