gearbox Alfa Romeo 156 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
148
fig. 131
A0B0270m
OPERATIONThe gearbox can work in two operating
modes:
– the first is semiautomatic (MANUAL),
in which the driver directly decides when to
shift gear;
– the second is completely automatic
(CITY), in which the system decides di-
rectly when to shift gear according to the
type of driving.
The CITYmode can be selected by press-
ing the specific button CITYon the gearbox
lever knob; when this mode is selected, the
CITY sign appears on the display fitted on
rev counter.
SEMIAUTOMATIC OPERATION
(MANUAL) In the MANUALoperating mode the dis-
play on the rev counter shows the gear en-
gaged.
In this operating mode, the decision to
change gear is left to the driver who decides
the most appropriate moment.
The requests to change gear can take place
through:
– the control lever on the centre console
(A-fig. 130);
– the levers on the steering wheel
(fig. 131), which can be used only when
the vehicle speed exceeds 0.5 km/h.The MANUALoperating mode is set
when, with the CITYmode selected, the
CITYbutton (B-fig. 130) is pressed
again, excluding the previously selected
mode.fig. 130
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
150
AUTOMATIC OPERATION (CITY)The CITYautomatic operating mode is se-
lected pressing the button (A-fig. 132),
at the base of the gearshift lever.
In addition to the gear, the display on the
rev counter will show the word CITY.
The system decides directly when gearshift-
ing according to the engine running speed
and the driving style.
Quickly releasing the accelerator pedal, the
system does not engage a higher gear in or-
der to maintain an adequate level of engine
brake.
FAILURE SIGNALLINGFailures to the Selespeed gearbox are in-
dicated by the
t
(A-fig. 133) warn-
ing light on the instrument cluster.
When the system is turned on (turning the
ignition key to MAR), the warning light
should turn on glowing steadily for about
4 seconds and then turn off.
If the warning light stays on it means that
a fault to the gearbox has been detected; at
the same time a buzzer sounds intermit-
tently for 4 seconds to attract the driver's
attention.In the case of a fault to the gearshift lever,
the system automatically activates the au-
tomatic CITYmode to allow the car to
reach the nearest Authorized Alfa Romeo
Services to have the fault detected elimi-
nated.
In the event of faults to other components
of the gearbox, the system only allows the
engagement of certain ratios: first gear (1),
second (2) and reverse (R).
fig. 132
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fig. 133
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If the warning light
t
comes on, contact the Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible to remove the
fault.In case of transmission
fault, contact the Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible to check the sys-
tem.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
151
SIGNALLING WITH THE BUZZERThe buzzer is activated when:
– reverse gear (R) is engaged;
– the vehicle is parked with the gearbox
at neutral (N); this can be seen turning the
ignition key to STOP;
– clutch overheating takes place during
pick-up;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged (e.g.: the car tends to
do downhill with reverse gear engaged);
– in the event of gearbox failure;
– the system has automatically engaged
neutral (N) after:•
there is no action on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 min-
utes;
•
the brake pedal is pressed for over 10
minutes;
•
the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake pedal are not
pressed for at least 1 second;
•
detection of a gearbox fault.
PARKING THE VEHICLETo park the car safely it is absolutely
necessaryto engage first gear (1) or re-
verse (R) and, when on a sloping road, also
engage the hand-brake.
Turning the engine off with the car facing
uphill and a gear engaged, it is absolutely
necessaryto wait for the display on the
rev counter to go off before releasing the
brake pedal, so that the clutch has innested
completely.
If the gearbox is in neutral (N) and you
want to engage a parking gear, it is neces-
sary to activate the system and engage the
gear (1) or reverse (R) with your foot on
the brake pedal.
TOWING THE VEHICLEWARNINGFor towing the vehicle, ad-
here to local regulations. Make sure that the
gearbox is in neutral (N) (checking that the
car moves when pushed) and proceed as for
towing a normal car with mechanical gear-
box following the instructions given in the
chapter “In an emergency”.
Should it be impossible to set to neutral,
do not tow the vehicle; contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
Do not start the engine
when towing the vehicle.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
Q-SYSTEM
AUTOMATIC GEARBOX(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The 2.5 V6 24V engine can be supplied
with an automatic gearbox which in addi-
tion to the normal functions, makes it pos-
sible to shift gear by hand moving the se-
lector lever to the special sector, Q-System
device.
WARNINGTo be able to use the auto-
matic gearbox correctly, the description given
in this chapter should be read thoroughly
in order to learn the correct, allowed oper-
ations also in concerning the Shift-lock and
Key-lock safety devices with which the gear-
box is fitted right from the start.
STARTING THE ENGINEThe engine can only be started with the
gearshift lever (fig. 134) in position P
or N.
For safety reasons, you are advised to start
the engine with the brake pedal pressed.
WARNINGWhen moving off, after hav-
ing started the engine, do not press the ac-
celerator pedal before and while moving the
gearshift lever. This is particularly important
when the engine is cold.
MOVING OFFAfter starting, with the engine idling and
keeping the brake pedal pressed (Shift-lock
safety device), move the gearshift lever
(fig. 134) to position D, or to the man-
ual position. Release the brake pedal and
gradually press the accelerator pedal.
WARNINGMoving the lever from posi-
tion P, with the ignition key at MAR, is
only allowed with the brake pedal pressed
(Shift-lock safety device).
To move the lever, raise the ring (A-
fig. 134) under the gearshift lever knob.
fig. 134
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
153
In an emergency (failures, flat battery,
etc.), it is possible to move the lever from
position P, pressing the special mechanical
button under the gearshift lever cover, in the
area (A-fig. 135); at the same time
move the lever from position Pto the re-
quired position. If the engine is being
started, move the lever to position N, which
is the only one that allows this operation
in this case.
WARNINGThe ignition key in the
STOPposition can only be removed from
the ignition switch provided that the
gearshift lever is at P(Key-lock).In an emergency (failures, flat battery,
etc.), it is possible to remove the ignition
key also with the selector lever not posi-
tioned at P.
Press the release device (A-fig. 136),
next to the ignition switch inside the trim,
with your finger removing the key at the
same time.
Do not take the car to peak performance
until the engine has reached normal oper-
ating temperature.fig. 135
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fig. 136
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fig. 137
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SELECTING AUTOMATIC/
MANUAL GEARSHIFTINGThe main feature of this gearbox is the pos-
sibility of using it either automatically or
manually. The choice of the operating mode
is carried out positioning the gearshift lever
in the right sector (automatic gearshifting)
or in the left sector (manual gearshifting).
The gearbox operating mode and the gear
engaged are shown on the display inside the
rev counter (A-fig. 137).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
155
N - Neutral
This is the neutral position to be used when
the car has to be pushed or towed.D - Automatic forward gear
This is the position to be used always un-
der “normal” driving conditions, for exam-
ple on the motorway and urban roads and
when wanting to minimise fuel consumption
(combined with the CITYdriving mode).
When the lever is in this position, the gear-
box automatically selects the four available
speeds. It is also the position to be used
for the ICEdriving mode.Shifting to lower gear
(Kick down)
In the event of the need to accelerate
heavily (e.g. for overtaking) pressing the
accelerator fully home beyond the stiff point
will cause automatic kick down to a shorter
ratio, engine speed conditions permitting.
Releasing the accelerator pedal as soon as
the stiff point has been passed, the gearbox
shifts to the optimum ratio in relation to the
driving mode, throttle opening position and
selector lever position.
The Kick-down function is advised only for
overtaking or fast accelerating to avoid in-
creasing fuel consumption.
Kick-down is cut off automatically in the
ICEdriving mode.
With the engine idling,
when moving the lever to
position N the car tends to move
even if it is on level ground: keep
the brake pedal pressed when the
lever is in position N.
WARNING
With the engine idling and
the lever in position D the
vehicle tends to move: always
keep the brake pedal pressed un-
til moving off.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
156
SPORT(button (A-fig. 139)
pressed):
This is selected when wanting to avail of
the vehicle’s peak performance for sporty
driving or on demanding routes.
Driving in the SPORTmode increases fuel
consumption.
WARNINGThe CITYor SPORTdri-
ving modes can be selected under any con-
dition (vehicle stationary or on the move).
WARNINGWhen the car is started with
a cold engine, the system selects the
SPORTdriving mode, even if the CITY
mode has been selected, until the engine
reaches normal operating temperature.
C/S
ICE( button (B-fig. 133) pressed):
This driving mode is recommended when
the road surface offers poor grip (snow, ice,
etc.). Moving off takes place in 2
ndgear.
The ICEdriving mode is available only with
the selector lever at D.
Moving the lever from D, the ICEmode
is automatically cut off.
WARNINGThe ICEdriving mode can
be engaged pressing the corresponding but-
ton also with the car on the move, provided
that the speed is below 45 km/h.
ICE
SELECTING THE DRIVING
MODESThe automatic gearbox for this car is con-
trolled electronically and includes the selec-
tion of three different driving modes, thereby
giving the best response in terms of driving
comfort, consumption levels, sporty perfor-
mance and travelling safety.
The three driving modes CITY, SPORT
and are selected by 2 buttons on the
centre console (fig. 139).
The button (A-fig. 139) selects the
CITYor SPORTfunctions, the button
(B-fig. 139) selects the mode.
With the ignition key at MAR, the driving
mode selected is indicated by the lighting
up of the corresponding word on the display
on the instrument cluster (rev counter):
CITY( button (A-fig. 139)
pressed):
This is used under normal operating con-
ditions; it gives preference to comfortable
driving and balanced consumption control
engaging gears at relatively low engine
speed.
C/S
ICE
ICE
C/SICE
fig. 139
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
157
MANUAL OPERATING MODE,
Q-SYSTEM ACTIVATIONFor manual gearshifting, move the lever
to the left sector (fig. 140).
Moving the gearshift lever to the manual
sector is only possible from position D.
Passing to manual gearshift control is pos-
sible under all driving conditions; however,
the system will allow engagement only of
the gear consistent with engine rpm and the
current speed of the vehicle.
Gearshifting takes place as for a normal
manual gearbox.
STOPPING THE CARTo stop the car, simply press the brake
pedal, regardless of the position of the
gearshift lever.
fig. 140
A0B0263m
Moving the lever back to position Dthe
gearbox will resume automatic operation in-
stantly, engaging the ratio in accordance
with the driving characteristics and driving
mode selected.
When manual operation is
set (Q-System device) and
a high gear is engaged, to acceler-
ate rapidly, for example for over-
taking, it is necessary to shift to
a lower gear by hand, as for nor-
mal cars with mechanical gearbox.
WARNING
With the engine idling even
on level ground, if the
brake pedal is not kept pressed,
the car tends to move.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
158
1st2nd3rd4th
2nd2nd4th4th
Gear engaged Gear ratiomanually available
FAULT SIGNALLINGAutomatic gearbox faults are indicated by
the t
warning light (A-fig. 141) on
the instrument cluster as follows:
–warning light glowing steadily
= maximum automatic gearbox oil temper-
ature;
–warning light flashing= automatic
gearbox fault.
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light should turn on and go out after
approx. 4 seconds.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
during travelling, it indicates a gearbox fault
(flashing) or overheated gearbox oil (glow-
ing steadily).Warning light glowing steadily
If the warning light turns on and glows
steadily when the car is travelling, it indi-
cates that the gearbox oil has reached the
maximum established temperature.
The automatic control system provides an
emergency programme.
It is however advisable to stop the car,
move the lever to Por Nand let the engine
idle until the warning light goes out. Resume
driving without demanding high perfor-
mance 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 the next is below 15
minutes, you are advised to stop the car,
turn off the engine and wait for the engine-
gearbox unit to cool down completely.
fig. 141
A0B0386m
Warning light flashing
The flashing of the warning light when trav-
elling indicates a fault in the automatic gear-
box.
The automatic control system provides an
emergency programme. Under these cir-
cumstances, you are advised to stop the car
and turn off the engine; in fact, the next
time the engine is started, the self-diag-
nostics system could cut off the fault which
will, however, be memorised by the elec-
tronic control device.
Conversely, if the fault remains (warning
light (A- fig. 141) flashing), it is neces-
sary to select the gears manually as if dri-
ving a car with mechanical gearbox, bear-
ing in mind that the only two speeds
available are the 2
ndand 4
thgear, as shown
in the table below:

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
159
If the indicator light re-
mains flashing, contact the
Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service Centers as soon as possi-
ble to remove the fault.
If a fault is indicated when the engine is
started, this means that the gearbox control
system had detected and memorised a fault
during the journey prior to switching the en-
gine off. In this case, too, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to have the au-
tomatic gearbox checked over.It is possible to engage reverse gear.
ACOUSTIC WARNINGThis comes into operation for about 18 sec-
onds when:
– the driver’s door is open and/or the en-
gine is off with the selector lever in a posi-
tion other than P;
– position R(reverse) is engaged.PUSH STARTINGStarting the car by pushing or towing is not
possible. In the event of an emergency,
when the battery is flat, start the car with
a suitable emergency battery, following the
instructions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
When driving with a faulty
gearbox, drive with the ut-
most care considering the restricted
performance levels (in terms of ac-
celeration and speed) the car can
offer.
WARNING
When travelling with a
faulty gearbox, the reverse
lock might not work: absolutely
never move the lever to position
R with the car on the move.
WARNING