check engine light Alfa Romeo 156 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

CAR MAINTENANCE
249
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Thousands of km
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Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,boot lights, passenger compartment lights, glovebox light, warning lights, etc..)Check operation of windscreen wiper/washer system, adjust spray jetsCheck position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper bladesCheck front disk brake pad wear indicatorCheck conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check for the conditions of: exterior bodywork, underbody protection,
pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts (boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.)Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubricationCheck condition of timing drive beltSight check for conditions of Poly-V accessory drive beltCheck/adjust handbrake lever strokeCheck/adjust valve clearance (1.9 JTD 8V versions)Check petrol engine exhaust emissionsCheck engine smoke (diesel versions)Check operation of antievaporation system (petrol engines)

CAR MAINTENANCE
251
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONSEvery 1000 kmor before long journeys
check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant level
– brake fluid/hydraulic clutch control flu-
id level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen washer and headlamp wash-
er fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck the level of the
engine oil and top up if necessary.
You are recommended to use products of
the FL Selenia, designed and developed
expressly for Alfa Romeo cars (see the table
“Specifications of fluids and lubricants” in
the “Technical specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMMEAn annual inspection programme
has been established for cars thet
cover less than 20,000 km (e.g.
10,000 km). It consists of the fol-
lowing:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust
pressure if required (including the compact
spare wheel)
– Check lighting system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
boot lights, passenger compartment lights,
glovebox light, warning lights of instrument
panel, etc.)
– Check windscreen and rear-screen
wiper/washer operation, adjust nozzles
– Check windscreen/rear-screen blade po-
sition/wear
– Check condition and wear of the front
brake pad
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication– Visually check the following: engine,
gearbox, transmission, piping (exhaust - fu-
el - brakes) rubber components (casings -
sleeves - bushings, etc..), brake and fuel
hoses
– Check battery charge condition
– Visually check the condition of the belts
and various controls
– Check and top up if necessary, the flu-
id levels (coolant, brake fluid, windscreen
washer fluid, battery, etc.)
– Change engine oil
– Replace engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.

CAR MAINTENANCE
264
WINDSCREEN/HEADLIGHT
WASHER FLUID Fig. 21: T.SPARK, 2.0 JTS and diesel ver-
sions
Fig. 22: 2.5 V6 24V version.
Check the level in the reservoir removing
the cap (A).fig. 21
A0A0156m
fig. 22
A0A0155m
To avoid damaging the
pump motors, do not use
the windscreen washers
when the reservoir is empty.
If necessary top up using a mixture of wa-
ter and TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC 35
as follows:
– 30% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 70% water in summer;
– 50% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 50% water in winter;
– in the case of temperatures below
–20°C use TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid neat.
Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reser-
voir empty: the action of the wind-
screen washer is fundamental for
improving vision.
WARNING
Some commercial additives
for windscreen washers
are inflammable. The engine com-
partment contains hot components
which could set it on fire.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
269
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERYTo avoid quickly draining the battery and
to preserve its operating conditions over the
course of time, carefully follow the instruc-
tions below:
– The terminals must always be tightened.
– As far as possible, avoid keeping ser-
vices on for a long time with the engine
stopped (radio, hazard lights, parking lights,
etc.).
– When leaving the car parked in a
garage, make sure that the doors, bonnet,
boot and interior lids are properly shut to
prevent lights from staying on.
– Before doing any work on the electric
system, disconnect the battery negative ter-
minal.– If after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which need a
permanent electrical supply (alarm, hands-
free phone, radio-navigator with satellite an-
ti-theft function, etc.) contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services whose qualified per-
sonnel, in addition to suggesting the most
suitable devices from Lineaccessori Alfa
Romeo will be able to evaluate the total
electrical absorption, checking whether the
car’s electric system is able to support the
load required or whether a battery with high-
er capacity is necessary. In fact, these de-
vices continue to absorb current with the
ignition key off (car parked, engine off) and
may gradually drain the battery.
REPLACING THE BATTERYIf required, replace the battery with a gen-
uine spare part having the same specifica-
tions. If a battery with different specifica-
tions is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Programmed Maintenance Schedule in
this section will no longer be valid. Refer
to the instructions provided by the battery
manufacturer.

CAR MAINTENANCE
274
HEADLIGHT WASHERS(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
Regularly check that the spray jets are in-
tact and clean fig. 28.
If it is necessary to direct the jet, contact
an Alfa Romeo Authorized Service.
BODYWORKPROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTSThe main causes of corrosion are:
– atmospheric pollution
– salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or
hot humid climates)
– seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the abra-
sive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust
and sand and mud and gravel raised by oth-
er vehicles.
On your Alfa 156, Alfa Romeo has
implemented the best manufacturing tech-
nologies to effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.
These include:
– Painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to corrosion
and abrasion.
– Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel
sheets, with high resistance to corrosion.
– Spraying the underbody, engine com-
partment, wheel arches and other parts with
highly protective wax products.
SPRAY JETS Make sure that the windscreen and head-
light (where applicable) washer jets deliv-
er a jet of fluid which is adequate and cor-
rectly directed.
If the spray devices are not working check
that the supply circuit is not blocked. If nec-
essary unblock the nozzles using a needle.
fig. 28
A0B0581m

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
327
Bulbs
– general instructions ............... 218
– replacement .......................... 217
– types of bulbs ................. 218-219Car lifting
– with arm hoist ....................... 245
– with jack .............................. 245
– with workshop hoist .............. 245
Car maintenance..................... 248
Carrying children safely ................ 35
Catalytic converter ....................... 188
Ceiling lights................................ 162
– centre rear roof lamp .............. 163
– courtesy light......................... 163
– front roof light ....................... 162
– rear roof light ........................ 163
Centre rear roof lamp.................... 163
– bulb replacement ................... 231
Changing battery of key
with remote control ................... 10
Changing bulbs
– general instructions ............... 218
– replacement .......................... 217
– types of bulbs ................. 218-219
Changing wheels.......................... 209
– general instructions ................ 207Charging the battery .............. 242-268
Checking levels ............................ 254
– brake and clutch fluid ............. 263
– engine coolant....................... 261
– engine oil ............................. 257
– power steering oil .................. 261
– Q-system automatic
gearbox oil............................ 260
– Selespeed gearbox oil ............ 259
– windscreen/rearscreen/
headlamp washing fluid .......... 264
Child safety device .............. 19-35-279
Children (carrying safely) ............. 35
– child’s seats .................... 35-38
– presetting for installing the
Isofix type child restraint system 39
Cigar lighter ............................... 164
Cleaning and maintenance
– car exterior ........................... 274
– car interior ............................ 277
– engine compartment ............. 276
– fabric seats .......................... 277
– leather seats ........................ 277
– plastic parts........................... 277
– windows ............................... 276
Climate control system.................. 108
– air vents................... 108-109-110– controls ................................ 118
Climate control system, automatic
two-zone ................................. 114
Clock .......................... 57-58-59-60-61
Clutch
– checking fluid level
and topping up ...................... 263
CO
2emissions ............................. 324
CODE card................................... 7
Compact spare wheel ................... 294
– technical data ........................ 312
Controls ...................................... 135
Correct use of the car............ 189
Courtesy light .............................. 163
– bulb replacement ................... 232
Cruise control
(constant speed adjustment) ...... 53
Current socket (boot) ................... 285
D
ashboard ................ 57-58-59-60-61
– brighting adjustment............... 63
Dashboard lighting dimming .......... 136
Demisting-defrosting
– door mirrors .................... 25-133
– rearscreen....................... 26-133
– windscreen and front
side windows ........................ 132

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
328
Diesel filter ................................. 265
Dimensions ........................... 315-316
Dipped beam headlights
– aiming for left-hand/
right-hand driving ................... 178
– changing bulbs ..................... 224
– switching on ......................... 48
Direction indicators
– changing front bulbs ............... 223
– changing rear bulbs ................ 228
– changing side bulbs ................ 227
– switching on ......................... 49
Door mirrors.......................... 25-26
Doors
– centralized locking ................. 19
– child safety lock............... 20-279
– opening/closing
from inside ..................... 19-278
– opening/closing
from outside ................... 18-278
– remote control ....................... 7
– remote locking/unlocking ...... 16
Economy and environment-friendly
driving ..................................... 197
Electronic alarm system................. 11
– automatic engagement ........... 14
– cutting out the siren .............. 15
– description ............................ 11
– interrupting the alarm ............. 14
– ministerial homologation ........ 16
– request for additional
emote controls....................... 12
– switching off ........................ 13
– switching on ......................... 12
– volumetric protection ............. 15
– when the alarm is triggered ..... 14
Electronic control units ................. 270
Emergency starting ................ 191-205
– starting by inertia .................. 207
– starting with an auxiliary
battery ................................. 242
Engine
– identification codes................. 301
– marking ............................... 299
– specifications ......................... 302
Engine compartment
– bonnet ................................. 172
– cleaning................................ 276Engine coolant
– checking level and topping up .. 261
– temperature gauge
and warning light ................... 62
Engine lock system
(Alfa Romeo CODE) ................... 6
Engine oil
– checking level and topping up .. 257
– consumption ......................... 258
Environment
– economy and environment-
friendly driving....................... 197
– emission reducing devices . 187-188
– protecting emission
reducing devices .................... 198
– reducing running costs
and environment pollution ....... 195
– use of non-toxic materials........ 187
EOBD system............................... 182
First-aid kit ................................ 247
Fix&Go (quick tyre repair kit) ........ 212
Flashing main beam headlights ..... 49
Fluids and lubricants .................... 320
Front foglights
– adjustment............................ 177
– changing bulbs ..................... 225
– switching on.......................... 136

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
331
N
umber plate lights
– changing bulbs ................ 229-296
O
ddment recesses
– in the boot ........................... 285
– on centre console ................... 165
– on dashboard ........................ 165
Odometer ................................... 59
Paintwork (maintenance) ............ 275
– colour label ........................... 301
Parking....................................... 191
Parking sensors............................ 187
Partial odometer .......................... 63
Performance................................ 314
Pockets and compartments
on front doors ........................... 165
Pollen filter ................................ 266
Power steering
– checking fluid level
and topping up ..................... 262
Power windows ........................... 27
Pre-tensioning devices ................... 32
Protecting emission reducing
devices ....................................... 198
Q
-system automatic gearbox........ 152
– acoustic warning .................... 159
– automatic operation ............... 154
– checking the oil level .............. 260
– fault signalling ....................... 158
– manual operating mode/
Q-System activation................ 157
– moving off ............................ 152
– push starting ......................... 159
– selecting automatic/
manual gearshifting................ 153
– selecting the driving modes ..... 156
– starting the engine ................. 152
– stopping the car ..................... 157
– towing the car ....................... 160
R
adio transmitters and cellular
telephones ............................... 167
Rain sensor ................................. 51
Rear fog guards
– changing bulbs ............... 227-294
– switching on.......................... 136
Rear light units
– bulb replacement ................... 227
Rear roof lights ............................ 163
– changing bulbs ...................... 231
Rear seats................................... 23– centre armrest ................. 23-280
– headrests ....................... 24-279
– ski compartment.............. 24-280
Rear suspensions
(automatic geometry control) ..... 293
Rearscreen heating................. 26-133
Rearscreen washer ....................... 281
– spray jet ............................... 281
Rearscreen wiper
– blade replacement ................. 281
– operation .............................. 281
Reducing running costs
and environment pollution .......... 197
Refilling ..................................... 319
Remote control ............................ 7-12
– additional remote controls ...... 12
– alarm system ........................ 11
– boot opening ......................... 8
– changing the battery .............. 10
– door opening-closing ............... 7
– ministerial homologation ......... 325
– remote door locking/
unlocking .............................. 16
Rev counter................................. 62
Reversing lights
– changing bulbs ................ 227-294

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
332
Roof bars/ski racks ...................... 292
Roof rack provision ....................... 174
Rubber hoses .............................. 272Safe driving ............................... 192
– before driving off ................... 192
– driving in the fog ................... 194
– driving in the rain ................... 194
– driving on snow and ice .......... 195
– driving with ABS .................... 195
– mountain driving .................... 194
– night driving .......................... 193
– when travelling ...................... 192
Safeguarding the environment ...... 187
Scheduled maintenance
programme .............................. 249
Seat belts ................................... 28
– carrying children safely ........... 35
– front and rear side belt
height adjustment .................. 31
– general instructions ................ 33
– maintenance ......................... 34
– pretensioners......................... 32
– rear central abdominal belt ..... 30
– use ...................................... 28
Seats (front and rear) ............ 21-23
Selespeed gearbox ....................... 141– automatic operation (CITY) ..... 150
– checking the oil level .............. 259
– failure signalling .................... 150
– moving off ............................ 146
– operation with the engine off ... 143
– parking the vehicle ................. 151
– semiautomatic operation
(MANUAL) ............................ 148
– signalling with the buzzer........ 151
– starting the engine ................. 145
– stopping the car ..................... 148
– system activation ................... 142
– towing the vehicle .................. 151
– turning the engine off ............. 145
– warnings .............................. 146
Side lights
– changing front bulbs ............... 226
– changing rear bulbs ............... 228
– switching on.......................... 48
Ski compartment ......................... 24
Snow chains................................ 202
Sound system ...................... 183-293
Sound system presetting
system ............................. 183
Spark plugs (technical data) .......... 305
Speedometer............................... 63
Spray jets – windscreen/rearscreen/
headlight .............................. 274
Starting the engine....................... 189
– emergency starting .......... 191-205
– ignition switch ....................... 17
– procedure for JTD versions ....... 190
– procedure for petrol versions .... 189
– switching off the engine .......... 190
– warming the engine ............... 190
Starting with an auxiliary battery ... 242
Steering system
– specifications ......................... 305
– steering wheel adjustments .... 25
Steering lock .............................. 18
Steering wheel
– adjustment............................ 25
Steering wheel levers ................... 48
Stop lights
– changing bulbs ...................... 228
Sunroof ...................................... 167
– emergency operation ............. 169
– sliding forwards/backwards..... 168
– raising to the quarterlight
position ............................... 168
Sun visors .................................. 166
Symbols .................................... 5-6

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
333
Tailgate
– closing ..................... 171-283
– opening from inside .. 135-170-282
– opening with remote
control ..................... 8-170-282
Technical specifications.......... 299
Telephone (provision) .................. 166
– cellular telephone................... 166
– radio transmitters ................... 166
Third stop light ...................... 230-297
Tools .......................................... 294
Tow hook ............................ 199-201
Tow rings .................................... 243
Towing the car....................... 160-244
Towing trailers ............................. 199
Transmission
– technical data ........................ 304
Tyres
– changing............................... 209
– correct reading....................... 311
– FIX&GO
(kit for quick tyre repairing)..... 212
– in the event of a puncture . 207-294
– inflation pressure .................. 307
– snow chains ......................... 202
– tools and compact spare
wheel housing ....................... 294– types of tyres
and rims ............................... 306
– winter tyres........................... 202
U
nderbody protection.................. 274
Useful accessories ........................ 204
V
DC system .............................. 179
– ASR function ......................... 181
Vehicle inactivity ......................... 203
– removing from storage ........... 204
Volumetric protection .................... 15
W
arning lights and indications .... 92
Washing the car
– body .................................... 275
– engine compartment .............. 276
– interiors (cleaning) ................. 277
Weights................................ 317-318
Wheel rims ........................... 306-312
– correct rim reading ................. 312
Wheels and tyres
– FIX&GO (quick tyre repair kit) .. 212
– geometry.............................. 313
– replacement ......................... 209
– snow chains ......................... 202
– tyres and rims ...................... 306
– tyre inflation pressure ....... 271-310Window winders .......................... 28
Windows
– cleaning................................ 276
Windscreen washer
– checking fluid level
and topping up ...................... 264
– “intelligent washing” function . 51
– operation ............................. 50
– spray jets .............................. 274
Windscreen wiper
– blade replacement ................. 273
– rain sensor ........................... 51
– operation .............................. 50
– spray jets .............................. 274
Winter
– snow chains .......................... 202
– winter tyres .......................... 202
X
enon lights
– replacing dipped-beam
headlamps ............................ 221
– replacing direction indicators .... 223
– replacing main beam
headlamps ............................ 222
– replacing sidelights ................. 223