ESP Alfa Romeo 156 2004 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR58
A0B0695m
fig. 81a - JTS and T.SPARK (equipped with VDC system)
A.Speedometer (mileage recorder) - B. Odometer with double counter (total and partial) display -C. Check panel - D.Rev counter - E.
Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - F.Clock - G.Engine coolant temperature gauge with maximum temperature warning light - H.
Warning lights - L. Selespeed gearbox display (where fitted).
t
Warning light fitted
only on Selespeed
gearbox versions
´
Warning light fitted
for versions/markets
where applicable

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR62
REV COUNTERThe rev. counter shows engine rpm. The
needle pointed to the danger area (red) in-
dicates excessive high engine speed. Do not
drive for long periods with the needle in this
area.
WARNINGThe electronic injection con-
trol system gradually shuts off the flow of
fuel when the engine is “over-revving” re-
sulting in a gradual loss of engine power.
The rev counter may, when the engine is
idling, indicate gradual or sudden increase
of engine revs as the case may be; such be-
haviour is normal and must not be inter-
preted as a faulty condition as it occurs dur-
ing normal operation, for instance when
climate control or electric fan are switched
on. In particular, slow revs variation helps
keep the battery charged.
FUEL GAUGE AND RESERVE
WARNING LIGHTThis shows the amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank.
This warning light
ç
comes on to indicate
that approximately 7 litres of fuel are left in
the tank.
WARNINGUnder certain conditions
(heavy slopes, for instance), the reading on
the gauge may differ from the actual
amount of fuel in the tank and changes in
level may be indicated late.
This condition falls within the operation log-
ics of the electronic control circuit to avoid
highly unstable readings due to swaying of
the fuel when travelling.
WARNINGRefuelling shall always be
performed with engine off and ignition key
to STOP. If the engine is off but the key
is to MAR, a wrong fuel level could tem-
porarily be indicated. This is due to the in-
ternal system control logic and cannot be
considered as a system malfunctioning.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
WARNING LIGHTThis shows the temperature of the engine
coolant fluid and begins when the fluid tem-
perature exceeds approx. 50°C.
The pointer should normally be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer
reaches the higher temperature values of
the scale (red area), the request for vehi-
cle performance should be decreased.
The illumination of the warning light
ç
(together with the message shown by the
Infocenter display) indicates an excessive
temperature of the engine cooling fluid. In
this case, stop the car and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNINGThe temperature of the en-
gine coolant may rise towards the maximum
values (red) when the vehicle is driven at
low speeds, especially when the ambient air
temperature is high. In this case, the vehi-
cle should be stopped and the engine
switched off for a few minutes after which
the journey can be resumed, preferably at
a higher speed.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR66
CONTROL BUTTONS
(fig. 88-89)
To make use of the information that the Infocenter display (with the key in the MAR position) is able to provide, you should first get fa-
miliar with the relevant control buttons (placed on the central console aside the climate control/ventilation controls and on top of the left
lever for the Trip computer function) and use them in accordance with the descriptions below. It is also recommended that you read over this
chapter before performing any operation.
fig. 88fig. 89
ã
SET button
A single press for less than 2 seconds (pulse), shown by
ä
in the following
screens, to scroll the different Trip computer information screens
A single press for more than 2 seconds, shown by
å
in the following screens,
to reset the Trip computer information (reset) and initiate a new mission INFO,
â
, ã
buttons
Depending on the cases: to scroll the menu screens and their respective options
upwards or to increase the displayed value
Depending on the cases: to scroll the menu screens and their respective options
downwards or to decrease the displayed value A single press for less than 2 seconds (pulse), shown by
ç
in the following
screens, to confirm the desired option and/or switch to the next screen or ac-
cess the menu
A single press for more than 2 seconds, shown by
é
in the following screens,
to confirm the desired option and return to the previous screen
A0A0013m
A0A0014m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR67
MENU OFFSPEED
TRIP B
DATE
DEFAULT VALUES
CONTRAST
WINTER TYRESLANGUAGE
UNITS
BUZZER SERVICE
MENU DESCRIPTIONThe menu is made up of a set of functions arranged in a “circular fashion”, which can be selected by means of buttons
â
and
ã
, for ac-
cess to the different select operations and settings (see the examples “LANGUAGE” and “DATE” in the table below); for further details, also
refer to “Access to the menu screen” in the following pages.
English
Nederlands
EspãnolFrançais
DeutschItalianoPortoguese
Day
Minutes
MonthYear
Hour
ç
ç ç

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR76
DATE SETTING/TIME SETTING (DATE)To set the date (day - month - year) and the time (hours-minutes), proceed as follows:
Menu screen
Return to previously
set screen, e.g.:
â
ã
â
ã
â
ã
â
ãEach press (pulse) on the
â
or ã
buttons increases or
decreases by one unit.
Keeping the corresponding
button pressed obtains fast
increase or decrease.
When you are near
the required value, release the
control and complete adjustment
by single presses.
See INITIAL CHECK and ACCESS
TO THE MENU SCREEN
continues on next page
çé
çé
çé
çé

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR77
Return to menu screen
â
ã
â
ã
Each press (pulse) on the
â
or ã
buttons increases or
decreases buttons increases
or decreases by one unit.
Keeping the corresponding button
pressed obtains fast increase or
decrease. When you are near
the required value, release the
control and complete adjustment
by single presses.
continued from previous page
Return to previously
set screen, e.g.:
çé
çé

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR88
WARNINGAt the beginning of a new mission, due to battery reconnection, the average consumption value is initialised to the “average
predefined standard consumption” equal to 9 l/100 km(for 1.6 T.SPARK, 1.8 T.SPARK, 2.0 JTS and 2.0 JTS Selespeed versions),
12 l/100 km(for 2.5 V6 24V and 2.5 V6 24V Q-System versions) and 6.5 l/100 km(diesel versions only).
The TRIP COMPUTER information is displayed in sequence according to the table below.
Reset GENERAL TRIP and TRIP B, excluding
Range and Actual Consumption
(see next paragraph
RESET GENERAL TRIP
)ä
ä
ää
äå
ä
å
ä
åå å
See INITIAL CHECK and ACCESS
TO THE MENU SCREEN
Continues on
next page
Previously set screen;
e.g.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
102
Warning light Message
on display>
INEFFICIENT ABS SYSTEMWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
This warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol, where required, on the display)
when the system is inefficient. In this case, normal braking is ensured, though without making use
of the ABS system. Caution is recommended, especially in cases of less than perfect grip. In any
case, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as possible.Inefficient EBD electronic braking distributor
x>+
The vehicle is equipped with an electronic braking distributor (EBD). Si-
multaneous lighting of dial warning lights
>
and
x
(together with the
message + symbol on the display) with the engine running indicates an EBD
system failure; in this case, any sudden braking action can cause early locking
of rear wheels, with possible sideslip. Drive very carefully and go immediately
to the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized Service to have the system checked.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
103
Warning light Message
on displayá
VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL)
(optional for versions/markets where applicable)When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the dial warning light comes on but must go out after
a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go out, or if it stays on (together with the message + symbol on the
display and the coming on of the ASR button led) when the vehicle is running, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
The flashing of the warning lamp when the vehicle is running indicates the actuation of the VDC
system.
W
OUTSIDE LIGHT FAILUREThe warning light comes on when an anomaly is found in one of the following lights:
– sidelights
– braking lights or corresponding fuse
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The warning of a fault may mean one or more blown bulbs, a burnt fuse or cut off connection.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
107
Warning light
on the dialMessage
on display
SELESPEED GEARBOX FAILURETurning the ignition key to MAR, the warning light on the cluster shall come on and then go off af-
ter about 4 seconds. If the warning light stays on, it indicates that a fault has been detected in the Se-
lespeed gearbox; at the same time, the buzzer beeps intermittently for 4 seconds to draw the atten-
tion of the driver. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible to remove the fault.Q-SYSTEM AUTOMATIC GEARBOX FAILURETurning the ignition key to MAR, the warning light on the cluster shall come on and then go off
after about 4 seconds. If the warning light stays on or turns on when travelling, it indicates over-
heated gearbox oil (glowing steadily) or a gearbox fault (flashing).
Warning light glowing steadily: it indicates that the gearbox oil has reached the maxi-
mum established temperature.
To make oil cooling down, stop the car, move the lever to Por Nand let the engine idle until the
warning light goes out. Resume driving without demanding high performance from the engine. If
the warning light comes on again, it is necessary to stop again with the engine idling until it goes
out again. If the interval between one lighting up of the warning light and next is below 15 minutes,
you are advised to stop the car, turn the engine off and wait for the engine-gearbox unit to cool down
completely. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible.
Warning light flashing: it indicates a fault in the automatic gearbox.
The automatic control system provides an emergency programme. Under these circumstances,
you are advised to stop the car and turn the engine off; in fact, the next time the engine is started,
the self-diagnostic system could cut off the fault which will however be memorised. Conversely, if
the fault remains (warning light flashing), it is necessary to select the gears manually as if driving
a car with mechanical gearbox, bearing in mind that the only two speeds available are the 2
ndand
4
thgear. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible.
t
t