service Alfa Romeo 156 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

1
Dear Client,
Thank you for choosing Alfa Romeo.
Your Alfa 156has been designed to guarantee the safety, comfort and driving pleasure typical of Alfa Romeo.
This booklet will help you to get to know the characteristics and operation of your car.
The following pages contain all the indications necessary for you to be able to maintain the high standards of performance, quality, safety and
respect for the environment which characterize this Alfa 156.
The Warranty Booklet also contains the regulations, the warranty certificate and a guide to the services offered by Alfa Romeo.
Services which are essential and precious because, when you purchase an Alfa Romeo you are not only acquiring a car, but the tranquility that
comes from knowing that an efficient, willing and widespread organization is at your service for any assistance problems you may have.
Whats more every single component of the Alfa 156is fully recyclable. At the end of your car’s useful lifespan any Alfa Romeo dealer
would be pleased to make arrangements for you car to be recycled (in compliance with current regulations in force).
Nature benefits in two ways: there’s no pollution from waste disposal, and the demand for raw materials is reduced.
Have a good trip.
This booklet describes all the versions of the Alfa 156, so you should only consider the information concerning
the trim level, engine and version purchased by you.

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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).

4
Any queries concerning servicing should be forwarded to the showroom from which the vehicle was purchased, the subsidiary company or to
our branch offices or associated companies.
Warranty Booklet
The Warranty Booklet is delivered together with every new vehicle and contains the regulations tied to the services given by Alfa Romeo Ser-
vices and to the warranty conditions.
Correctly carrying out the scheduled services specified by the manufacturer is the best way to maintain the performance, safety characteristics
and low running costs of your vehicle. It is also necessary to maintain warranty cover.
“Service” guide
This contains the Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The services can be recognized by the presence of the Alfa Romeo badge and logo.
The Alfa Romeo organization in Italy can be found in the telephone book under the letter “A” Alfa Romeo.
Not all the models described in this booklet are available in all countries. Only some of the fittings described in this booklet are fitted as stan-
dard to the vehicle. The list of available accessories should be requested from the Alfa Romeo Dealers.

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 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.

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 CAR17
IGNITION DEVICE THE SWITCH
(fig. 12)
The key can be moved to one of four po-
sitions:
– STOP: engine switched off, key can be
removed, engine lock engaged, steering lock
engaged, all services excluded apart from
those powered directly (e.g. hazard warn-
ing lights).
– MAR: drive position. The engine lock
is deactivated and all electrical devices are
powered.
WARNINGNever leave the key in this
position when the engine is stationary.– AV V: unstable position for starting the
engine.
WARNINGIf the engine does not start,
return the ignition key to the STOPposi-
tion and repeat the sequence.
The ignition block is fitted with a safety de-
vice preventing it from being moved to the
AV Vposition when the engine is already
running.
– PARK: engine switched off, key can
be removed, engine lock engaged, steer-
ing lock engaged, sidelights automatically
switched on.
WARNINGTo turn the key to the
PARKposition, button (A) located on the
switch should be pressed first.If the ignition device is
tampered with (for exam-
ple during an attempted
break-in) have it checked over by
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services,
before travelling again.
fig. 12
A0B0610m
When leaving the car al-
ways remove the key from
the ignition to prevent any pas-
senger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Never leave children unattended in
the car. Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the car is facing
uphill, first gear and if the car is
facing downhill, reverse.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR32
PRE-TENSIONING DEVICESTo increase the efficiency of the front seat
belts, Alfa 156 is fitted with pre-tension-
ing devices.
These devices “feel” that the car is being
subject to a violent impact by way of a sen-
sor rewind the seat belts a few centimetres.
In this way they ensure that the seat belt
adheres to the wearer before the restraining
action begins.
The seat belt locks to indicate that the de-
vice has intervened; the seat belt cannot be
drawn back up even when guiding it man-
ually.
WARNINGThe pretensioner will give
maximum protection when the seat belt ad-
heres snugly to wearer’s chest and hips.
Front seat pretensioners activate only if
front seat belts are properly fitted into buck-
les. A small amount of smoke may be pro-
duced. This smoke is in no way toxic and
presents no fire hazard.
The emergency tensioning retractor needs
no maintenance or lubrication. Any modifi-
cation to its original features will nullify the
retractor’s effectiveness. If, due to unusual
natural events (floods, high waves, etc.),
the device has been affected by water and
mud, it must be replaced.Operations involving
banging, vibrations or
heating (above 100°C for
a maximum of 6 hours) in the area
of the pretensioners may damage
or trigger off the device. Vibrations
from rough road surfaces or acci-
dental jolting caused by mounting
pavements etc. do not have any ef-
fect on the pretensioner. If, how-
ever, you need assistance, go to
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
The pretensioner can only
be used once. After a col-
lision that has triggered it, have it
replaced at Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service. The validity of the device
is written on the plate located on
the front left door near the lock.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have pretensioner re-
placed as this date approaches.
WARNING
After adjustment, always
check that the slider (B) is
anchored in one of the positions
provided. To do this, with the but-
ton (A-fig. 50) or (A-fig. 51) re-
leased, exert a further pressure to
allow the anchor device to catch if
release did not take place at one of
the preset positions.
WARNING
Make the height adjust-
ment when the car is sta-
tionary.
WARNING