engine Alfa Romeo 156 2004 Owner handbook (in English)

CAR MAINTENANCE
257
ENGINE OIL Fig. 7: T.SPARK versions
Fig. 8: 2.0 JTS version
Fig. 9: 2.5 V6 24V version
Fig. 10: JTD versions
Fig. 11: JTD 16V Multijet version
Fig. 12: JTD 20V Multijet version
The engine oil level should be checked
when the car is standing on a level surface
a few minutes (about 5) after the engine
has been switched off.
Remove the dipstick (A), clean it, put it
back completely, remove it once again and
check that the level is between the MIN
and MAXmarks on the dipstick.
The interval between the MINand MAX
marks corresponds to approximately 1 liter
of oil.If the oil level is near or even below the
MIN, mark, add oil trough the filler neck
(B), until reaching the MAXmark. Never add oil with char-
acteristics (classification,
viscosity) which are differ-
ent from those of the oil already in
the circuit.fig. 7 - T.SPARK versions fig. 8 - 2.0 JTS version
A0B0170m
fig. 9 - 2.5 V6 24V version
A0B0169m
A0B0437m
When the engine is hot,
take care when working
inside the engine compartment to
avoid burns. Remember that when
the engine is hot, the fan may cut
in: danger of injury.
WARNING
Scarves, ties and other
loose clothing might be
pulled by moving parts.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
258
WARNINGIf a routine check reveals
that the oil level is above the MAXmark,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the correct level restored.
WARNINGAfter adding or changing the
oil, run the engine for a few seconds and
wait a few minutes after stopping it.Used engine oil and filter
contain pollutants. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the oil and filter
changed as these are equipped to
dispose of the waste oil and filters
respecting the environment and
laws.fig. 10 - JTD version
A0B0165m
fig. 11 - JTD 16V Multijet version
A0B0559m
fig. 12 - JTD 20V Multijet version Engine oil consumption
Max. engine oil consumption is usually
400 grams every 1000 km.
During the initial period of use the engine
settles, therefore the engine oil consump-
tion can only be considered stabilised after
the first 5000 ÷ 6000 km.
WARNINGEngine oil consumption de-
pends on the way of driving and the condi-
tions of use of the car.
A0B0617m

CAR MAINTENANCE
259
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics than
those of the oil already in
the system.Used gearbox oil contain
pollutants. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
to have the oil changed as these
are equipped to dispose of the
waste oil respecting the environ-
ment and laws.
SELESPEED GEARBOX
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OIL(fig. 13)
The oil level of the Selespeed system
should be carried out with the car on a lev-
el surface and with the engine stopped and
cold.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– turn the ignition key to MAR;
– disconnect the breather tube and re-
move the cap (A) checking that the level
corresponds with the MAXmark on the dip-
stick of the actual cap;
– if the level is below the MAXmark, top
up with oil until reaching the correct level;
– after screwing the cap back on, insert
the breather tube completely on the cap
spout and turn the ignition key to STOP.fig. 13
A0B0162m
When the engine is hot,
take care when working
inside the engine compartment to
avoid burns. Remember that when
the engine is hot, the fan may cut
in: danger of injury.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
260
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics than
those of the oil already in
the system.
The oil level should never exceed the
MAXmark on the dipstick on the COLD
side, if the level is checked cold and on the
HOTside if the level is checked with the
gearbox/differential unit hot.
fig. 14
A0B0163m
The level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word COLD(+40°C).
WARNINGAfter long journeys with the
gearbox/differential unit very hot, the oil
level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word HOT(+80°C).
Q-SYSTEM AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX OIL LEVEL
(fig. 14)
The oil should be checked with the engine
idling and at operating temperature, the
gearshift lever at position Pand the car on
level ground.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– remove the dipstick (A);
– clean it with a clean lint free cloth;
– insert the dipstick in its housing pushing
well down to the bottom;
– remove it to check.
If the oil level is near or below the MIN
mark, add TUTELA GI/2oil through the
dipstick housing.
When the engine is very
hot, take care when work-
ing inside the engine compartment
to avoid burns. Remember that
when the engine is hot, the fan may
cut in: danger of injury.
WARNING
Used gearbox oil contain
pollutants. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to
have the oil changed as these are
equipped to dispose of the waste
oil respecting the environment and
laws.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
261
ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Top up only with the same
fluid contained in the cool-
ing circuit. PARAFLU UP
(red) cannot be mixed with
PARAFLU 11 (blue) or with other
fluids. Should this take place, do
not start the engine and contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Service.
The level of the coolant in the header tank
(reservoir) should be checked with the en-
gine cold and the car on a level surface and
it should be between the MINand MAX
marks on the tank. If the level is low, loosen
the header tank cap (A) and slowly pour
a mixture of the fluid specified in the ”Flu-
ids and lubricants ” table in section “Tech-
nical Specifications”, through the filler neck
until nearing the MAXmark; have this op-
eration carried out at Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
The antifreeze mixture contained in the
cooling circuit guarantees protection down
to –35°C.fig. 16 - 2.5 V6 24V version
A0B0160m
fig. 15 - T.SPARK, 2.0 JTS and JTD versions
A0B0161m
Fig. 15: T.SPARK, 2.0 JTS and diesel ver-
sions
Fig. 16: 2.5 V6 24V versionThe cooling system is
pressurised. If necessary,
replace the cap only with
another genuine one, otherwise
system efficiency could be compro-
mised.
Do not remove he cap
when the engine is hot:
danger of burns.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
262
WARNINGContact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services for maintenance and repair
operations. If the level of the oil in the reservoir falls
below the specified level, top up only with
one of the products listed in the table
“Fluids and lubricants” in the “Technical
specifications” chapter as follows:
– Start the engine and allow the oil in the
reservoir to settle.
– When the engine is running turn the
steering wheel lock to lock a few minutes.
– Top up to the MAXlevel notch and
then replace the cover.Oil consumption is very
low, if topping up again is
needed shortly afterwards,
have the system checked for pos-
sible leaks by Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.fig. 19 fig. 18
A0B0158m
A0B0158m
POWER STEERING OIL LEVEL Fig. 17: T.SPARK versions
Fig. 18: 2.0 JTS versions
Fig. 19: 2.5 V6 24V and JTD versions
Check that the oil level in the reservoir is
at the MAX level.
This operation must be carried out with the
car on level ground and when the engine
is stationary and cold.
Check that the level reaches the MAXref-
erence notch on the reservoir or coincides
with the upper notch (maximum level) on
the dipstick integral with the reservoir cap.fig. 17
A0B0159m
Power steering fluid is
highly inflammable. Do not
let it come into contact with hot en-
gine parts.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
264
WINDSCREEN/HEADLIGHT
WASHER FLUID Fig. 21: T.SPARK, 2.0 JTS and diesel ver-
sions
Fig. 22: 2.5 V6 24V version.
Check the level in the reservoir removing
the cap (A).fig. 21
A0A0156m
fig. 22
A0A0155m
To avoid damaging the
pump motors, do not use
the windscreen washers
when the reservoir is empty.
If necessary top up using a mixture of wa-
ter and TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC 35
as follows:
– 30% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 70% water in summer;
– 50% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 50% water in winter;
– in the case of temperatures below
–20°C use TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid neat.
Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reser-
voir empty: the action of the wind-
screen washer is fundamental for
improving vision.
WARNING
Some commercial additives
for windscreen washers
are inflammable. The engine com-
partment contains hot components
which could set it on fire.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
265
DIESEL FILTERDRAINING CONDENSATION
WATER
Water in the supply circuit
can seriously damage the
whole injection system and
cause malfunctions to engine oper-
ation. Should the warning lamp
c
turn on, available for the provid-
ed versions/markets, contact as
soon as possible the Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service for drainage op-
erations.
When the car is habitual-
ly driven in dusty areas,
the cleaner should be
changed at shorter intervals than
those given in the Programmed
Maintenance Schedule.Any attempt to clean the
air cleaner may cause se-
rious engine damage.
AIR FILTERThe air cleaner is connected to the tem-
perature and air flow sensors which send the
electrical signals needed for correct opera-
tion of the injection and ignition system to
the control unit.
It must therefore always be in perfect con-
ditions to ensure correct operation of the en-
gine, low consumption and exhaust emis-
sion levels.
If they are not carried out
correctly and with the due
precautions, the operations
involving cleaner replacement de-
scribed herein may compromise the
safety of the car.
This operation should be carried
out by Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.

CAR MAINTENANCE
269
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERYTo avoid quickly draining the battery and
to preserve its operating conditions over the
course of time, carefully follow the instruc-
tions below:
– The terminals must always be tightened.
– As far as possible, avoid keeping ser-
vices on for a long time with the engine
stopped (radio, hazard lights, parking lights,
etc.).
– When leaving the car parked in a
garage, make sure that the doors, bonnet,
boot and interior lids are properly shut to
prevent lights from staying on.
– Before doing any work on the electric
system, disconnect the battery negative ter-
minal.– If after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which need a
permanent electrical supply (alarm, hands-
free phone, radio-navigator with satellite an-
ti-theft function, etc.) contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services whose qualified per-
sonnel, in addition to suggesting the most
suitable devices from Lineaccessori Alfa
Romeo will be able to evaluate the total
electrical absorption, checking whether the
car’s electric system is able to support the
load required or whether a battery with high-
er capacity is necessary. In fact, these de-
vices continue to absorb current with the
ignition key off (car parked, engine off) and
may gradually drain the battery.
REPLACING THE BATTERYIf required, replace the battery with a gen-
uine spare part having the same specifica-
tions. If a battery with different specifica-
tions is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Programmed Maintenance Schedule in
this section will no longer be valid. Refer
to the instructions provided by the battery
manufacturer.

CAR MAINTENANCE
270
– Do not check for current in the cables by
short-circuiting the ends.
– If electrical welding is to be carried out
on the body of the car, the electronic con-
trol units must be disconnected or removed
if the work involves the production of high
temperatures.
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption activated by the user,
such as bottle warmers, vacuum cleaners,
cellular telephone, mini refrigerator, etc. ac-
celerate the battery drainage process if they
are powered with the engine not run-
ningor running at idle speed.
WARNINGIt should also be noted that
improper branches on connectors of the elec-
tric wiring for installing additional equipment
is dangerous, particularly if safety devices
are involved.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
UNITSWith normal use of the car, no particular
precautions need to be taken.
In the event of work on the electric system
or emergency starting, the instructions giv-
en below must absolutely be adhered to:
– Always switch off the engine before dis-
connecting the battery from the electric sys-
tem.
– If it is necessary to charge the battery,
always disconnect it from the electric sys-
tem.
– When starting in an emergency, only
use an auxiliary battery and not a battery
charger.
– Check that the bias is correct and that
the connections between the battery and
the electric system are in efficient conditions.
– Do not connect or disconnect the ter-
minals of the electronic units while the ig-
nition key is at MAR.
Battery50 Ah60 Ah70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
30 mA
36 mA
42 mAThe total absorption of these accessories
(standard and installed later) must be less
than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the table below:
Alterations or repairs to
the electric system carried
out incorrectly and without taking
into account the specifications of
the system, may cause operating
faults with the risk of fire.
WARNING