tow Alfa Romeo 156 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

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 CAR16
MINISTERIAL HOMOLOGATIONIn keeping with the laws in force in each
country on the subject of radio frequency,
we point out that:
– the separate homologation numbers for
each market are given on the last pages of
this handbook before the alphabetical index
(for some countries also homologation doc-
ument);
– for markets in which the transmitter
needs to be marked with the homologation
number, this has been stated on the com-
ponent.
(Depending on the versions/markets, the
code may also be marked on the transmit-
ter and/or on the receiver).
REMOTE CONTROL
DOOR LOCKING SYSTEMThe system comprises a receiver inside the
car and a transmitter (remote control) in-
corporated in the key (E-fig. 11).
To lock/unlock the locks, point the trans-
mitter towards the car, press and release the
button (B-fig. 11).WARNINGShould it be necessary to
programme additional remote controls, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.fig. 10
A0B9000m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR18
STEERING LOCKEngaging lock:
– move the ignition key to the STOPor
PARKposition and remove the key lightly
turning the steering wheel to facilitate the
locking action.
Releasing the lock:
– turn the key to the MARposition and
gently rock the steering wheel.
DOORS
– To close the door, turn the key in the op-
posite direction.
Rear doors
– To open the door, only with the inner
knob (A-fig. 14) raised, pull the open-
ing handle (A-fig. 15).
– To close, press the button (A-fig. 14)
also with the door open, then close the door.
OPENING/CLOSING FROM
OUTSIDEFront doors
– To open the driver's door turn the key
clockwise and to open the passengers' door,
optional for versions/markets where ap-
plicable, turn the key anti-clockwise, then
remove the key and press the button (A-
fig. 13).fig. 13
A0B0023m
fig. 14
A0B0369m
Never remove the key
with the car on the move.
The steering wheel would lock au-
tomatically the first time the steer-
ing wheel is turned. This also oc-
curs if the car is towed.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifi-
cations (e.g.: installation of anti-
theft Device) that could badly affect
performance and safety, cause the
lapse of warranty and also result in
non-compliance of the car with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING
Before opening a door, en-
sure that this can be done
safely.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR25
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTThe steering wheel position is adjustable
and may be move nearer to or further away
from the driver and also raised or lowered.
To do this, it is necessary to release lever
(A-fig. 32) and pull it towards the steer-
ing wheel.
After setting the steering wheel in the most
appropriate position, lock it pushing the lever
fully home.
ADJUSTING THE
REAR-VIEW MIRRORSINTERNAL REAR-VIEW
MIRRORThe mirror, fitted with a safety device
which releases it in the event of a violent
impact can be moved to two positions: nor-
mal or anti-glare by operating lever (A-
fig. 33).
fig. 32
A0B0035m
fig. 33
A0B0595m
The steering wheel position
must only be adjusted with
the car stationary.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifi-
cations (e.g.: installation of anti-
theft Device) that could badly affect
performance and safety, cause the
lapse of warranty and also result in
non-compliance of the car with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR30
When the rear seats are not occupied, use
the proper pockets (A-fig. 47) on the
backrest to stow the seat belt clips neatly,
the tab (B) of the central abdominal belt
shall be fitted into (C) (see next paragraph
“Rear abdominal centre housing”).REAR CENTRAL ABDOMINAL
BELT
(fig. 48)
Fasten the belt by inserting the tab (A)
into the clip (B), until a click is heard.
To adjust the belt, run the tape in the
buckle (D) pulling the end (E) to tighten
and part (F) to loosen.
Press button (C) to release the belt.
WARNINGThe belt is adjusted properly
when it fits closely across the hips.
fig. 47
A0B0118m
fig. 48
A0B0003m
Remember that, in the
event of an accident, any
passengers occupying the rear
seats who are not wearing a seat
belt not only subject themselves to
great personal risk but constitute
a danger to the occupants of the
front seats.
WARNING
After tilting, when resetting
the rear seat in straight po-
sition, take care to reposition the
seat belt properly to have it ready
for use.
WARNING
fig. 46
A0B0123m
Make sure the seat back is
correctly hooked on both
sides (not visible red buttons (A) to
prevent seat back being thrown
forwards and injuring passengers
should you brake sharply.
WARNING
Proper backrest coupling is
guaranteed when button
(A-fig. 46) set near each handle (B)
is retracted in the handle.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR48
fig. 70
A0B0373m
STEERING WHEEL
LEVERSThe devices and services controlled by the
levers on the steering wheel can only be ac-
tivated when the ignition key is in the MAR
position.LEFT-HAND LEVERThe left-hand lever controls the external
lights except the foglamps and the rear fog-
light.
When the external lights are switched on
the various controls located on the dash-
board are illuminated.
The sidelights will come on if the ignition
key is in the PARKposition, regardless of
the position of the knurled ring.Lights switched off (fig. 68)
When the pointer on the knurled ring is op-
posite the symbol O, the external lights are
switched off.
Sidelights (fig. 69)
The sidelights are switched on by turning
the knurled ring from Oto
6.
The
3
warning light on the instrument
panel will come on at the same time.
Dipped-beam headlights (fig. 70)
These are switched on by turning the
knurled ring from
6
to 2
.Main-beam headlights (fig. 71)
When the knurled ring is in the
2
posi-
tion, the headlights can be changed from
dipped-beam to main-beam by pushing the
lever towards the dashboard (stable posi-
tion). The
1
warning light will come on
on the instrument panel.
To return from main-beam to dipped-beam,
once again pull the lever towards the steer-
ing wheel and then release.
fig. 68
A0B0371m
fig. 69
A0B0372m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR49
Flashing (fig. 72)
The headlights are flashed by pulling the
lever towards the steering wheel (unstable
position) regardless of the position of the
knurled ring. The
1
warning light on the
instrument panel will come on at the same
time.
WARNINGOnly the main-beam lights
are flashed. To avoid penalties, follow lo-
cal regulations.Direction indicators (fig. 73)
Moving the lever to the stable position will:
up - engage the right-hand direction indi-
cators.
down - engage the left-hand direction in-
dicators.
One of the warning lights (
R
or
E) will
come on on the instrument panel at the
same time.
The lever is returned to its home position
automatically and the indicators are
switched off when the steering wheel is
straightened.WARNINGIf you wish to signal a rapid
change of direction involving only a mini-
mum movement of the steering wheel, the
lever can be moved up or down without
clicking (unstable position). When released
the lever will return to its home position.
fig. 73
A0B0376m
fig. 71
A0B0374m
fig. 72
A0B0375m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR51
“INTELLIGENT WASHING” FUNCTION
Pulling the lever towards the steering
wheel (fig. 76) (unstable position) oper-
ates the windscreen washer.
Keeping the lever pulled, with only one
movement it is possible to operate the
washer jet and the wiper at the same time;
indeed, the latter comes into action auto-
matically if the lever is pulled for more than
half a second.
The wiper stops working a few strokes af-
ter releasing the lever; a further “cleaning
stroke” after a few seconds completes the
wiping operation.Rain sensor
(for versions/markets where
applicable) (fig. 77)
The rain sensor (A), fitted only on cer-
tain versions, is an electronic device com-
bine with the windscreen wiper which has
the purpose of automatically adjusting the
number of wipes during intermittent opera-
tion, to intensity of the rain.
All the other functions controlled by the
right-hand lever remain unchanged.
The rain sensor is activated automatically
moving the right-hand lever to position (B-
fig. 74) and it has a range of adjustment
that gradually varies between wiper sta-
tionary (no wiping) when the windscreen is
dry, to wiper at first continuous speed (con-
tinuous, slow) with heavy rain.Turn ring (F-fig. 75) to set the rain sen-
sor sensitivity level:
■■
= low sensitivity
■■■
= medium ensitivity
■■■■
= high sensitivity.
Operating the windscreen washer with the
rain sensor activated (lever at position B)
the normal washing cycle is performed at
the end of which the rain sensor resumes its
normal automatic function.
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe rain
sensor is deactivated and the next time the
engine is started (MAR position) it will not
be reactivated even if the lever has remained
in position (B). In this case to activate the
rain sensor, simply move the lever to (A)
or (C) and then back to (B).
fig. 76
A0B0374m
fig. 77
A0B0012m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR55
TO INCREASE THE MEMORISED
SPEEDThe speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
1)pressing the accelerator and then mem-
orising the new speed reached (turning the
ring (B) for more than three seconds);
or
2)momentaneously turning the ring (B)
to (+): each pulse of the ring will correspond
to a slight increase in speed (about 1.5
km/h) while pressing continuously will cor-
respond to a continuous speed increase. Re-
leasing the ring (B) the new speed will be
memorised automatically.TO REDUCE THE MEMORISED
SPEEDThe speed memorised can be reduced in
two ways:
1)disengaging the device (for instance
pressing the brake pedal) and then memo-
rising the new speed (turning the ring (B)
to (+) for at least three seconds);
2)keeping the ring pressed (B) at (–)
until reaching the new speed which will be
memorised automatically.
RESETTING THE MEMORISED
SPEEDThe memorised speed is automatically re-
set turning off the engine or moving the ring
(A) to OFF.
When travelling with the
cruise control on, do not
move the gearshift lever to neutral.
WARNING
The cruise control may only
be engaged at speeds be-
tween 30 and 190 km/h.
WARNING
It is advisable to engage
the cruise control only
when the conditions of the traffic
or road so permit under completely
safe conditions: i.e.: straight and
dry roads, dual carriageways or
motorways, flowing traffic and
smooth road surface. Do not en-
gage the device in town or in
heavy traffic conditions.
WARNING
If the device is faulty or
not working, turn the ring
(A) to OFF and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services after checking
that the protection fuse is intact.
WARNING

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.