warning Alfa Romeo 156 2004 Owner handbook (in English)

2
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.


3
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).

5
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 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

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR9
OPERATION
(fig. 4)
Each time the ignition key is turned to
STOPposition, the Alfa Romeo CODE sys-
tem deactivates the functions of the engine
electronic control unit.
Each time the engine is started, turning the
key to the MARposition, the control unit
of the Alfa Romeo CODE system sends a
recognition code to the engine control unit
to deactivate the inhibition of the functions.
The recognition code, which is crypted and
variable between over 4 billion combina-
tions, is only sent if the system control unit
has recognised the code sent to it by the
key, which contains an electronic transmit-
ter, through an aerial in the ignition switch.This condition is indicated by a brief flash
of the warning light (A) on the check panel.
If the code has not been recognised cor-
rectly, the warning light (A) stays on to-
gether with the warning light (B).
In this case, you are recommended to re-
turn the key to the STOPposition and then
back to MAR; if the inhibition persists, try
again possibly with the other key provided
with the car. If it is still impossible to start
the car carry out the emergency starting pro-
cedure described in section “In an emer-
gency” and turn to an Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Service.
WARNINGEvery electronic key has its
own code, which must be memorised by the
system control unit. To memorise new keys,
up to a maximum of eight, apply solely to
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services taking with
you all the keys in your possession, the
CODE card, a personal identity document
and the car’s possession documents.
fig. 4
A0B0599m
The codes of the keys not
provided during the new
memorising procedure are
erased from the memory. This is to
ensure that any lost or stolen keys
can no longer be used to start the
car.
WARNINGThe Alfa Romeo CODE
Y
warning light comes on when travelling with
the ignition key on MAR:
1)If the warning lamp lights up while the
car is moving, it means that the system is
running a self-diagnosis (e.g. due to a volt-
age drop). The first time you stop you can
test the system as follows: switch the en-
gine off by turning the ignition key to
STOP; then turn the key back to MAR:
the warning lamp will light up and should
go out in the space of about one second. If
the warning lamp fails to go out, leave the
key at STOPfor more than 30 seconds and
repeat the procedure described previously.
If the problem persists, contact your Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR10
2)If the warning lamp flashes it means
that the car is not protected by the immo-
biliser. Contact your Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service immediately and get them to store
the codes of all the keys in the memory.
CHANGING THE BATTERY
OF THE KEY WITH REMOTE
CONTROLIf when pressing button (Bor C-fig. 5)
the control is rejected or is not performed,
the battery should be replaced by a new one
of the same type to be found c/o normal
retailers. On versions fitted with electronic
alarm, the need to replace the remote con-
trol battery is indicated by the coming on,
with fixed light, of the deterrent led set on
the dashboard near the central air vent. If after 2 seconds with
the key in the MAR posi-
tion, the warning light turn
on again flashing, this means that
the code of the keys has not been
memorised, thus the car is not pro-
tected by the Alfa Romeo CODE
system against attempted theft. In
this case, contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorized Service to have the key
codes memorised.
Dead batteries are harm-
ful for the environment.
They must be disposed of
in special containers as specified by
current regulations. Avoid expo-
sure to naked flames and high tem-
peratures. Keep out of reach of
children.
fig. 5
A0B9000m
WARNINGThe system is protected by
a 10 A fuse housed in the fuse-holder set
under the dashboard (see paragraph “If a
fuse or relay blows” in the chapter “In an
emergency”).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR11
To change the battery (fig. 7):
– move the metal insert (A) to the un-
locking position;
– turn the pin (B), taking the reference
mark (dot) of the cut to the UNLOCKpo-
sition (2);
– working on the notch (C) remove the
battery holder (D);
– change the battery (E) putting it in the
position shown on the holder;
– insert the holder back in the key and
lock it, turning the reference mark of the pin
(B) to the LOCKposition (1).
ELECTRONIC ALARM(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)DESCRIPTIONThe system comprises: transmitter, re-
ceiver, control unit with siren and volumet-
ric sensors and anti-lift sensor. The electronic
alarm is controlled by a receiver inside the
car and it is turned on and off through the
remote control incorporated in the key which
sends the crypted and variable code. The
electronic alarm monitors: unlawful opening
of the doors, bonnet and boot (perimetral
protection), operation of the ignition key,
battery and emergency key cable cutting,
the presence of moving bodies (volumetric
protection), any abnormal raising/sloping
of the car (for versions/markets where ap-
plicable) and operates the central door lock-
ing system. It also makes it possible to cut
off the volumetric protection.
WARNINGThe engine inhibitor function
is guaranteed by the Alfa Romeo CODE sys-
tem which is activated automatically when
the ignition key is removed.
fig. 7
A0B0047m
REMOTE CONTROL
(fig. 8)
The remote control is built into the key and
it is fitted with a button for activating the
alarm (B-fig.8)
fig. 8
A0B9000m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR12
REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL
KEYS WITH REMOTE CONTROLThe receiver can recognise up to 5 keys
with remote control. If during the life of the
car a new key with remote control is needed
for any reason whatsoever, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services directly, taking
with you the CODE card, a personal iden-
tity document and the car’s possession doc-
uments.
ACTIVATING THE ALARMWhen the doors and boot/bonnet lids are
closed and the ignition key is in the STOP
or PARKposition (key removed), point the
remote control towards the car and then
press and release the button (B-fig. 8).
With the exception of some markets the
system sounds a beep and the door lock is
engaged.
Engagement of the alarm is preceded by
a self-diagnosis phase characterised by a
change in the frequency at which the de-
terrent led (A-fig. 9) on the dashboard
flashes. If an anomaly is detected the sys-
tem gives off a further beep.fig. 9
A0B0563m
Surveillance
When the system has been turned on, the
led (A-fig. 9) on the dashboard will flash
to indicate that the system is in the surveil-
lance mode. The led will flash continuously
while the system is under surveillance.
WARNINGOperation of the electronic
alarm is adapted at the origin to the regu-
lations of the different countries.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR13
Self-diagnosis and monitoring
of doors and bonnet/boot
If, after the alarm has been activated, a
second acoustic signal is heard, check that
all the doors and bonnet/boot are closed
properly and engage the system once again.
On the other if a door or bonnet/boot lid
is not correctly closed it will not be controlled
by the system.
If the control signal is repeated when the
doors and bonnet/boot are closed properly
this means that the self-diagnosis function
has detected a system operating fault, in
which case it is necessary to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
DEACTIVATING THE ALARMTo deactivate the alarm, press the button
on the key with remote control. The system
performs the following (with the exception
of some markets):
– the direction indicators turn on twice
briefly
– two beeps are sounded briefly by the
siren
– the doors are released.
WARNINGIf the led (A-fig. 9) in the
car stays on when the system has been de-
activated, (maximum of 2 minutes or until
the ignition key is moved to MAR) the fol-
lowing should be borne in mind:
– if the led stays on permanently, it means
that the remote control batteries are flat and
need replacing;– if the led continues to flash, but at dif-
ferent intervals than normal, it means that
attempts to steal the car have been made,
counting the number of flashes it is also pos-
sible to identify the type of attempt:
1 flash: right front door
2 flashes: left front door
3 flashes: right rear door
4 flashes: left rear door
5 flashes: volumetric sensors
6 flashes: bonnet
7 flashes: boot
8 flashes: tampering with car starting
cables
9 flashes: tampering with battery or
cutting emergency key ca-
bles
10 flashes: at least three causes of
alarm.