Alfa Romeo 156 2004 Owner handbook (in English)

1
Dear Client,
Thank you for choosing Alfa Romeo.
Your Alfa 156has been designed to guarantee the safety, comfort and driving pleasure typical of Alfa Romeo.
This booklet will help you to get to know the characteristics and operation of your car.
The following pages contain all the indications necessary for you to be able to maintain the high standards of performance, quality, safety and
respect for the environment which characterize this Alfa 156.
The Warranty Booklet also contains the regulations, the warranty certificate and a guide to the services offered by Alfa Romeo.
Services which are essential and precious because, when you purchase an Alfa Romeo you are not only acquiring a car, but the tranquility that
comes from knowing that an efficient, willing and widespread organization is at your service for any assistance problems you may have.
Whats more every single component of the Alfa 156is fully recyclable. At the end of your car’s useful lifespan any Alfa Romeo dealer
would be pleased to make arrangements for you car to be recycled (in compliance with current regulations in force).
Nature benefits in two ways: there’s no pollution from waste disposal, and the demand for raw materials is reduced.
Have a good trip.
This booklet describes all the versions of the Alfa 156, so you should only consider the information concerning
the trim level, engine and version purchased by you.

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MUST BE READ!REFUELLING
Petrol engines:only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) no less than 95.
Diesel engines:only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590.
K
ENGINE START-UP
Petrol engines with mechanical transmission:make sure the handbrake is pulled; put the gear lever into neutral;
press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to AV Vand release it as
soon as the engine starts.
Petrol engines with Selespeed transmission or Q-System:keep the brake pedal fully depressed; turn the igni-
tion key to AV Vand release it as soon as the engine has started; the transmission sets to neutral automatically (the display
shows position N).
Diesel engines:Turn the ignition key to MARand wait for the
Y
and
m
warning lights to go off; turn the ignition
key to AV Vand release it as soon as the engine starts.
PARKING OVER FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While functioning normally, the catalytic converter reaches high temperatures. For this reason do not park the car over in-
flammable material, grass, dry leaves, pine needles, etc.: fire hazard.


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PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protection is fitted in
your car.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical accessories (that will gradually drain the battery), contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the car’s electric system can support the
required load.
U
CODE CARD
Keep the code card in a safe place, not in the car. You should always keep the electronic code written on the CODE card with
you in case you need to carry out an emergency start-up procedure.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring it stays in tip-top condition and safeguards its safety features, its en-
vironmental friendliness and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS…
…information, tips and important warnings regarding the safe, correct driving of your car, and its maintenance. Pay partic-
ular attention to the symbols
"
(personal safety)
#
(environmental protection)
â
(car well-being).

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Any queries concerning servicing should be forwarded to the showroom from which the vehicle was purchased, the subsidiary company or to
our branch offices or associated companies.
Warranty Booklet
The Warranty Booklet is delivered together with every new vehicle and contains the regulations tied to the services given by Alfa Romeo Ser-
vices and to the warranty conditions.
Correctly carrying out the scheduled services specified by the manufacturer is the best way to maintain the performance, safety characteristics
and low running costs of your vehicle. It is also necessary to maintain warranty cover.
“Service” guide
This contains the Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The services can be recognized by the presence of the Alfa Romeo badge and logo.
The Alfa Romeo organization in Italy can be found in the telephone book under the letter “A” Alfa Romeo.
Not all the models described in this booklet are available in all countries. Only some of the fittings described in this booklet are fitted as stan-
dard to the vehicle. The list of available accessories should be requested from the Alfa Romeo Dealers.

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THE SYMBOLS USED IN THIS BOOKLETThe symbols illustrated in these pages show the subjects which should,
in particular, be closely studied.
This indicates the correct procedures
to be followed to prevent
the vehicle from damaging
the environment. Warning: partially or
fully ignoring these rules may lead
to serious injury.Warning: partially or fully ignoring these
rules may lead to serious damage
being caused to the vehicle which, in some
circumstances, may cause forfeiture of the
warranty cover.
PERSONAL
SAFETY
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
VEHICLE
SAFETY
The texts, illustrations and specifications given in this booklet refer to the vehicle at the time of going to press.
As part of our ongoing striving to improve our products, Alfa Romeo may introduce technical changes
during production, therefore the specifications and fittings may be altered without prior notice.
For details on this subject, please apply to the manufacturer’s sales network.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR6
ALFA ROMEO
CODE SYSTEMTo increase protection against attempted
theft, the car is fitted with an electronic en-
gine lock system (Alfa Romeo CODE) which
is activated automatically when the ignition
key is removed. In fact the grip of each key
contains an electronic device which modu-
lates the radio frequency signal transmit-
ted when the engine is started by a special
aerial incorporated in the ignition switch. This
modulated signal is the “password” by
which the control unit recognises the key
and only in this condition can the engine
be started.
THE KEYSThe car is delivered with two keys, key
(A-fig.1) with metal insert and remote
control function and another key with metal
insert only, without remote control.
The key remote control operates:
– door centralised opening/locking
– opening luggage compartment boot/
tailgate
– activation/deactivation of electronic
alarm (if existing)
G G
E E
T T
T T
I I
N N
G G

T T
O O

K K
N N
O O
W W

Y Y
O O
U U
R R

C C
A A
R R
SYMBOLSSpecial coloured labels have been attached
near to or actually on some of the compo-
nents making up your Alfa 156.
These labels bear symbols that remind you
of the precautions to be taken as regards
that particular component.
fig. 1
A0B0016m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR7
Key metal insert operates:
– the ignition switch
– the driver's door lock and, optional for
versions/markets where applicable, the pas-
senger's door lock
– passenger’s side Air bag deactivation.
WARNINGIn order to ensure perfect ef-
ficiency of the electronic devices contained
inside the keys, they should never be directly
exposed to the rays of the sun.
If the car changes owner,
the new owner must be
given all the keys and the
CODE card.
fig. 2
A0B0010m
The CODE card (fig. 2) is also supplied
with the key and it contains the codes of the
keys (both the mechanical one and the elec-
tronic one for emergency starting).
The code numbers on the CODE card must
be kept in a safe place, not in the car.
The driver should always keep the elec-
tronic code given on the CODE card with him
in the event of having to carry out emer-
gency starting.
KEY WITH REMOTE CONTROLThe key with remote control (fig. 3) is
fitted with:
– a metal insert (A) that can be enclosed
in the key grip
– button (B) for remote opening/clos-
ing of the doors and turning the electronic
alarm on/off (where fitted)
– a button (C) for remote boot unlock-
ing
– removable hook ring (D)
– a button (E) for power-assisted opening
of the metal insert.fig. 3
A0B9000m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR8
To insert the metallic insert in the key grip,
press the button (E-fig. 3) to release the
insert and turn it in the direction of the ar-
row until it clicks.
To open/close the doors by remote con-
trol, press button (B). On cars fitted with
electronic alarm system, pressing button (B)
also turns the electronic alarm.
WARNINGCertain radio devices outside
the car (e.g. mobile phones, HAM radio sys-
tems) could disturb the remote control fre-
quency. In this case the remote control could
malfunction.
OPENING THE BOOTThe boot can be opened by remote control
from outside pressing button (C-fig. 3),
also when the electronic alarm (where fit-
ted) is on.
In this case the alarm system switches off
the boot volumetric protection and control
sensor, the system gives two “beeps” (with
the exceptions of versions for certain mar-
kets) and the direction indicators light up for
about three seconds.
Closing the boot again, the control func-
tions are restored, the system gives two
“beeps” (with the exceptions of versions for
certain markets) and the direction indicators
light up for about three seconds. The metallic insert (A) of the key oper-
ates:
– the ignition switch
– the driver's door lock and, optional for
versions/markets where applicable, the pas-
senger's door lock
– passenger’s Air bag deactivation.
To move the metallic insert out of the key
grip, press button (E).
When button (E) is
pressed, take the utmost
care to prevent the metal insert
from causing injury or damage
when it comes out. Button (E) must
only be pressed when the key is
away from the body, in particular
the eyes, and from objects that
could be spoilt (e.g. clothes). Never
leave the key unattended to pre-
vent anyone, especially children,
from holding it and pressing button
(E) inadvertently.
WARNING