fuel reserve Alfa Romeo 156 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR57
INSTRUMENT CLUSTERfig. 81 - T.SPARK versions
A.Speedometer (mileage recorder) - B. Odometer with double counter (total and partial) display -C. Check panel - D.Rev counter - E.
Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - F.Clock - G.Engine coolant temperature gauge with maximum temperature warning light - H.
Warning lights.
A0B0584m
´
- Warning light fitted
for versions/markets
where applicable

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR58
A0B0695m
fig. 81a - JTS and T.SPARK (equipped with VDC system)
A.Speedometer (mileage recorder) - B. Odometer with double counter (total and partial) display -C. Check panel - D.Rev counter - E.
Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - F.Clock - G.Engine coolant temperature gauge with maximum temperature warning light - H.
Warning lights - L. Selespeed gearbox display (where fitted).
t
Warning light fitted
only on Selespeed
gearbox versions
´
Warning light fitted
for versions/markets
where applicable

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR59
A.Speedometer (mileage recorder) - B. Odometer with double counter (total and partial) display -C. Check panel - D.Rev counter -
E.Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - F.Clock - G.Engine coolant temperature gauge with maximum temperature warning light -
H.Warning lights - L.Q-System gearbox display (where fitted).fig. 82 - 2.5 V6 24V versions
A0B0696m
t
Warning light fitted
only on Q-System
gearbox versions

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR60
A.Speedometer (mileage recorder) - B. Odometer with double counter (total and partial) display -C. Check panel - D.Rev counter - E.
Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - F.Clock - G.Engine coolant temperature gauge with maximum temperature warning light - H.
Warning lights.fig. 83 - JTD versions (equipped with VDC system)
A0B0586m
´
- Warning light fitted
for versions/markets
where applicable

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR61
A0B0597m
fig. 83a - JTD versions
A.Speedometer (mileage recorder) - B. Odometer with double counter (total and partial) display -C. Check panel - D.Rev counter - E.
Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - F.Clock - G.Engine coolant temperature gauge with maximum temperature warning light - H.
Warning lights.
´
- Warning light fitted
for versions/markets
where applicable

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.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
104
Warning light Message
on display
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED The message + symbol turns on, together with the sound of the buzzer, on the display when the
vehicle exceeds the speed limit set previously (see “Speed limit” in this section).
ç
FUEL RESERVEThe warning light comes on when about 7 litres of fuel are left in the tank, and when the car
range is below 50 km.REDUCED RANGE This message is displayed when the car range is below 50 km.SCHEDULED MAINTENANCEThis message appears on the display 2,000 kilometres from the deadline given in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme (every 20,000 km) and it is shown again at timed intervals, turning the
ignition key to MARevery 200 km.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
198
PROTECTING EMISSION
REDUCING DEVICESCorrect operation of the antipollution de-
vices not only guarantees respect for the en-
vironment but also influences car perfor-
mance. Keeping these devices in good con-
dition is therefore the first rule for both en-
vironment-friendly and economy driving.
The first precaution is to closely follow the
“Scheduled Maintenance Programme ”. For
petrol engines only use unleaded petrol (95
RON) (specification EN228), for diesel en-
gines only use fuel oil for motor vehicles
(specification EN590).
If difficulty with starting is experienced do
not insist with extended attempts. Especially
avoid bump, tow or coast starts: these may
all damage the catalyst. Only use an auxil-
iary battery to start the car in an emergency.If the engine is “not running smoothly”
when the vehicle is travelling, reduce the re-
quest for performance to a minimum and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible.
When the fuel reserve warning light comes
on fill up as soon as possible. A low fuel level
may cause an irregular supply to the engine
with inevitable increase of the exhaust gas
temperature; this would result in serious
damage to the catalyst.
Never run the engine, even as a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. Do
not warm the engine at idle speed before
moving off, unless the outside temperature
is very low and, in this case too, for no more
than 30 seconds.
Do not install other heat
guards and do not remove
the existing ones on the catalyst
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
Do not spray anything on
the catalyst, lambda sen-
sor and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
The failure to follow these
rules may cause a fire
hazard.
WARNING
During normal service the
catalyst reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore park
the car over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
277
INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTSFor routine cleaning of interior plastic parts
use a soft cloth moistened with water and
neutral soap. Remove grease or persisting
stains using appropriate solvent-free prod-
ucts designed to preserve appearance and
colour of plastic components.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or petro-
leum to clean the instrument panel or oth-
er plastic parts.
INTERIOR FITTINGSPeriodically check that water is not trapped
under the mats (due to water dripping off
shoes, umbrellas, etc.) which could cause
oxidisation of the sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND FABRIC
AND VELVET PARTS – Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if the
brush is moistened.
– Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral deter-
gent. CLEANING LEATHER SEATS– Remove dried on dirt with a lightly
moistened chamois leather or cloth with-
out pressing too hard.
– Remove liquid or grease stains with a
dry absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap. If the stain per-
sists, use specific products, carefully follow-
ing the instructions for use
WARNINGNever use spirit or alcohol-
based products.
Never use inflammable
products like fuel oil ether
or rectified petrol for cleaning in-
side the car. The electrostatic dis-
charges generated when rubbing to
clean may cause fire.
WARNING
Do not keep aerosol cans in
the car. There is the risk
they might explode. Aerosol cans
must never be exposed to a tem-
perature above 50°C. The temper-
ature inside the car might go well
beyond that figure when exposed
to the sun’s rays.
WARNING

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
284
fig. 19
A0B0092m
fig. 18
A0B0091m
ODDMENTS COMPARTMENT (fig. 18-19)
On the sides of the boot there are two re-
cesses closed by a lid.
To open the cover, press button (A) and
turn it downwards. As optional for ver-
sions/markets where applicable, the odd-
ment compartment on the left-hand side can
be provided with CD-Changer.
When using the boot, nev-
er exceed the maximum
permissible loads given in the
“Technical specifications” chapter.
Also make sure that the items con-
tained in the boot are firmly se-
cured, to prevent them being
thrown forward and harming the
passengers in the event of abrupt
braking.
WARNING
Heavy luggage without
restraints could cause se-
rious harm to the passengers in an
accident.
WARNING
If you want to carry fuel in
a reserve can, you should
comply with legal regulations, on-
ly using a certified can suitably fas-
tened to the load retainer rings at
the corner of the boot. However,
remember that this increases the
risk of fire in the event of an acci-
dent.
WARNING