engine Alfa Romeo 156 2004 Owner handbook (in English)

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
106
l
DIRECTION INDICATORS IF A TRAILER IS TOWEDThe warning light on the dial comes on when the direction indicator control lever is moved up or
down, or when the hazard warning light button is pressed.
Warning light Message
on display1
MAIN-BEAM HEADLIGHTSThe warning light comes on when these lights are turned on.
3Ü
SIDELIGHTS AND DIPPED-BEAM HEADLIGHTSThe warning light on the dial comes on when the sidelights or dipped-beam headlights are
switched on.CONSTANT SPEED ADJUSTMENT (CRUISE CONTROL)
(where applicable)The warning light on the check panel turns on, with the knurled ring of the cruise control in the
ON position, when the device starts to intervene on the engine.

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

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
114
Cooling adjustment
Proceed as follows:
– turn off inside air re-circulation (if on);
– turn knob (1) counterclockwise to re-
duce temperature;
– turn knob (4) counterclockwise to re-
duce the fan speed.
LOOKING AFTER THE SYSTEMDuring the winter the climate control sys-
tem must be turned on at least once a
month for about minutes.
Before summer, have the system checked
at Alfa Romeo Authorized Service.
AUTOMATIC
TWO-ZONE CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEMTo start the system (fig. 100):
– turn the knob rings to set the required
temperatures (driver’s side – passenger’s
side).
– press the
AUTO
button.
WARNINGThe climate control system
makes it possible to adjust the temperatures
required for the two sides with a maximum
difference of 7°C between the driver’s and
the passenger’s sides.
WARNINGThe climate control com-
pressor works only when the engine is run-
ning and the outside temperature is more
than 2°C.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
117
The air quality control is also entrusted
to a combined particle and activated carbon
filter.
The climate control system automatically
controls and adjusts the following parame-
ters and functions:
– temperature of the air admitted to the
passenger compartment (for the driver’s and
passenger’s side separately)
– fan speed
– air distribution
– inside air recirculation on/off
– climate control compressor on/off en-
able.The settings of the following functions can
be modified manually:
– fan speed
– air distribution
– inside air recirculation on/off
– climate control compressor on/off en-
able
– window defrosting/demisting.
The control of the functions that have not
been modified manually will always be au-
tomatic and, in any case, the temperature
of the air flowing into the passenger com-
partment is controlled automatically de-
pending on the temperatures set on the dri-
ver’s and passenger’s displays.WARNINGManual selections prevail
over automatic ones and remain in storage
until the user decides to resume automatic
control. The settings selected manually are
stored when the engine is switched off and
resumed the next time the engine is started.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
128
When the climate control compressor is off,
it is not possible to admit air to the pas-
senger compartment with a temperature be-
low the outside temperature; in this case,
the value flashes on the display concerning
the temperature that cannot be reached
and the left led on button (14
AUTO
-
fig. 110) goes off.
The switching off of the climate control
compressor remains in storage even when
the engine has been stopped. To resume au-
tomatic control for switching on the climate
control compressor, press button (12) √
again, the button led will turn on, or press
button (14)
AUTO
; in which case, the other
manual settings set will be cancelled.
fig. 110
A0B0071m
Operation of the climate
control compressor is nec-
essary for cooling and dehumidify-
ing the air; it is advisable to keep
this function always on, to prevent
window misting problems.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
132
fig. 113
A0B0074m
QUICK FRONT WINDOW
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
BUTTON
(-
MAX
-DEF
function)
(fig. 113)
Pressing button (10)
-
the climate con-
trol automatically activates timed operation
of all the functions needed to quicken
demisting/defrosting of the windscreen and
front side windows, i.e.:
– it turns on the climate control compres-
sor;
– switches off inside air recirculation, if on
(both leds off);
– sets the maximum air temperature (HI)
on both displays (2) and (5);
– operates the fan at a predefined speed;
– directs the flow of air towards the wind-
screen and front side window vents;
– turns on rearscreen heating and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.
When the maximum demisting/defrost-
ing function is on, the led on button (10)
-
, the led on the rearscreen heating but-
ton (9)
(
and the led on button (12)
√
come on; at the same time the leds on
button (7)
v
go out.WARNINGIf the engine is not warm
enough, the function will not engage the
predefined fan speed immediately, to limit
the flow to the passenger compartment of
air that is not warm enough to demist the
windows.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
133
When the maximum demisting/defrost-
ing function is on, the only manual opera-
tions possible are manual adjustment of the
fan and switching rearscreen heating off.
Pressing one of the following buttons:
(10)
-
, (7)
v
, (11)
MONO
, (14)
AUTO
or (12)
√
the system switches off
the maximum demisting/defrosting func-
tion, resuming the system operating condi-
tions prior to turning it on, in addition to
activating the last function required, if any.
WING MIRROR AND
REARSCREEN DEFROSTING/
DEMISTING BUTTON
(
(fig. 114)
Pressing button (9)
(
, turns on demist-
ing/defrosting of the rearscreen and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.
The activation of this function is shown
by the turning on of the led on the button.
This function is timed and switches off au-
tomatically after 20 minutes, or pressing the
button again; the function is also switched
off when the engine is stopped and will not
be switched on again the next time the en-
gine is started.WARNING Rear heated window man-
ual on/off control prevails over automatic
activation decided by the climate control sys-
tem control unit.
fig. 114
A0B0075m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
134
This function is timed and switches off au-
tomatically after 20 minutes, or pressing the
button again; the function is also switched
off when the engine is stopped and will not
be switched on again the next time the en-
gine is started.
WARNINGThe system turns on
rearscreen heating automatically if the tem-
perature is below 3°C.
WARNINGDo not apply stickers on the
inside of the rearscreen over the heating fil-
aments to avoid damage that might cause
it to stop working properly.
WARNINGWhen reconnecting the neg-
ative battery cable after having disconnected
it, wait for 2 minutes before turning the key
to enable the climate control system to re-
set actuator strokes properly.
POLLEN FILTER This filter has the specific capability of com-
bining the mechanical filtering of the air with
an electrostatic effect so that the outside air
admitted to the passenger compartment is
purified and free from particles such as dust,
pollen, etc.
In addition to the above, it also effectively
reduces the concentration of pollutants.
The filtering action takes place under all
air inlet conditions and it is clearly most ef-
fective with the windows shut.
Have the conditions of the filter checked by
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services at least once
a year, preferably on the onset of summer.If the vehicle is used mainly in polluted
or dusty areas it should be checked and if
necessary replaced, at shorter intervals.
Failure to replace the fil-
ter may considerably re-
duce the effectiveness of
the climate control system up to
blocking the air flow from the out-
lets and vents.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
135
ADDITIONAL HEATER(JTD engines) (for versions/
markets where applicable)
The car is equipped with an additional
heater (not programmable) which supports
the engine during cold or winter weather
to quickly reach a comfortable temperature
inside the passenger compartment.
The heater operates with the engine run-
ning when the outside temperature is below
20°C and the engine has not yet reached
normal operating temperature.
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS(fig. 116)
They are switched on by pressing button
(A), regardless of the position of the igni-
tion key.
When the hazard warning lights are
switched on, the switch itself begins to flash
together with the direction indicator warn-
ing lights and the emergency indicator on
the instrument panel. This functions is
switched off by pressing the button again.
CONTROLSTAILGATE OPENING
(fig. 115)
To open the boot pull the lever (A) at the
side of the driver’s seat.
fig. 115
A0B0042m
fig. 116
A0B0036m
Do not operate the boot re-
lease lever with the car on
the move.
WARNING
Use of the hazard warning
lights is ruled by the High-
way Code of the country in which
the car is used. Observe regula-
tions.
WARNING