lights Alfa Romeo 156 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
103
Warning light Message
on displayá
VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL)
(optional for versions/markets where applicable)When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the dial warning light comes on but must go out after
a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go out, or if it stays on (together with the message + symbol on the
display and the coming on of the ASR button led) when the vehicle is running, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
The flashing of the warning lamp when the vehicle is running indicates the actuation of the VDC
system.
W
OUTSIDE LIGHT FAILUREThe warning light comes on when an anomaly is found in one of the following lights:
– sidelights
– braking lights or corresponding fuse
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The warning of a fault may mean one or more blown bulbs, a burnt fuse or cut off connection.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
105
Warning light Message
on displayR
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR (INTERMITTENT) This warning light comes on when the control lever is moved downwards or, together with right-
hand indicator, when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
4
5
REAR FOG LIGHTSThis warning light comes on when the rear fog lights are turned on.FRONT FOG LIGHTS
(optional for versions/markets where applicable)This warning light comes on when the front fog lights are turned on.
E
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR (INTERMITTENT)This warning light comes on when the control lever is moved upwards or, together with the left-
hand indicator, when the hazard warning lights are switched on.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
106
l
DIRECTION INDICATORS IF A TRAILER IS TOWEDThe warning light on the dial comes on when the direction indicator control lever is moved up or
down, or when the hazard warning light button is pressed.
Warning light Message
on display1
MAIN-BEAM HEADLIGHTSThe warning light comes on when these lights are turned on.
3Ü
SIDELIGHTS AND DIPPED-BEAM HEADLIGHTSThe warning light on the dial comes on when the sidelights or dipped-beam headlights are
switched on.CONSTANT SPEED ADJUSTMENT (CRUISE CONTROL)
(where applicable)The warning light on the check panel turns on, with the knurled ring of the cruise control in the
ON position, when the device starts to intervene on the engine.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
135
ADDITIONAL HEATER(JTD engines) (for versions/
markets where applicable)
The car is equipped with an additional
heater (not programmable) which supports
the engine during cold or winter weather
to quickly reach a comfortable temperature
inside the passenger compartment.
The heater operates with the engine run-
ning when the outside temperature is below
20°C and the engine has not yet reached
normal operating temperature.
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS(fig. 116)
They are switched on by pressing button
(A), regardless of the position of the igni-
tion key.
When the hazard warning lights are
switched on, the switch itself begins to flash
together with the direction indicator warn-
ing lights and the emergency indicator on
the instrument panel. This functions is
switched off by pressing the button again.
CONTROLSTAILGATE OPENING
(fig. 115)
To open the boot pull the lever (A) at the
side of the driver’s seat.
fig. 115
A0B0042m
fig. 116
A0B0036m
Do not operate the boot re-
lease lever with the car on
the move.
WARNING
Use of the hazard warning
lights is ruled by the High-
way Code of the country in which
the car is used. Observe regula-
tions.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
DASHBOARD LIGHTING
ADJUSTMENT
(fig. 118)
When the outside lights are on, the dash-
board lighting is adjusted by pressing button
(A).
Each press of the button (A) cyclically se-
lects one of the three lighting levels pro-
vided: low-medium-high.
FRONT FOGLIGHTS
(fig. 117)
(where required)
These come on when button (A) is
pressed and when the external lights are al-
ready on.
The warning light
5
will light up on the
instrument panel.
By turning the ignition key to STOP, the
fog lights are turned off automatically and
do not come on the next time the engine
is started without pressing button (A).
Press the button (A) again to switch the
front foglights off.
WARNINGThe front foglights should be
used in compliance with the local traffic
laws.
REAR FOG GUARDS
(fig. 117)
These are turned on, with the dipped beam
headlamps or fog lights on, by pressing but-
ton (B).
At the same time, warning light
4
on the
instrument cluster lights up.
By turning the ignition key to STOP, the
fog guards are automatically turned off and
they do not come on the next time the en-
gine is started unless button (B) is pressed.
Press button (B) to turn them off.
WARNINGAlways use the rear fog
guards in accordance with local regulations
in force.
fig. 117
A0B0740m
fig. 118
A0B0326m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
138
HEADLIGHT CORRECTOR (fig. 121)
If the car is fitted with xenon headlights,
beam aiming is electronic and therefore con-
trol (A) on the mask near the steering col-
umn is not present.
The headlights should be aimed correctly
depending on the vehicle load.
The control (A) on the plate at the side of
the steering column can be moved to four
positions corresponding to the vehicle loads
given below:
position 0: 1 or 2 people occupying front
seats, full fuel tank, on-board equipment pre-
sent;
position 1: 5 people on-board;fig. 121
A0B0240m
HAND BRAKE
(fig. 122)
The hand brake lever is located between
the two front seats.
To operate the brake when the vehicle is
“stationary”, pull the lever (A) upwards un-
til the required braking action is obtained.
When the ignition key is in the MARpo-
sition, the
x
warning light will come on on
the instrument panel.
fig. 122
A0B0288m
position 2: 5 people on-board, luggage
compartment full (50 kg approximately);
position 3: Driver and 300 kg in luggage
compartment.
Check the positioning of
the headlight beams every
time you change the load to be car-
ried.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
154
R - Reverse
Move the gearshift lever to Rwith the car
stationary, the engine idling and the brake
pedal pressed.
To prevent accidental engagements, mov-
ing the lever to this position is only allowed
raising the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob.
With the lever in position R the reversing
lights turn on and a beep is sounded for
safety reasons to indicate that reverse gear
has been engaged.
Before moving the lever, press the brake
pedal: the car must be stationary.
WARNINGWith the lever in position R,
reverse gear is not engaged if the vehicle
speed is above the established level. When
the car speed falls below this level, reverse
gear is engaged and remains engaged even
if the speed returns above the limit.
AUTOMATIC OPERATIONSelector lever
For automatic gearshifting, move the
gearshift lever to the right sector
(fig. 138) in one of the following posi-
tions:
P- park (the engine can be started)
R- reverse
N- neutral (the engine can be started)
D- automatic forward gear.
Raise the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob for shifting:
– from Pto Rand vice versa
– from Nto R.P - Park
To prevent accidental engagements, mov-
ing the lever to position Pis only allowed
raising the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob.
When the car is being parked, move the
lever to this position. A device in the gear-
box will lock the driving wheels.fig. 138
A0B0265m
Always pull the hand-
brake completely before
leaving the car.
Move the gearshift lever to posi-
tion P when getting out of the car
leaving the engine running.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
162
CEILING LIGHTS The car is fitted with passenger’s com-
partment ceiling lights (front/rear) with
gradual switching on/off. Timings, defined
as max. switching on time elapsing between
the end of gradual switching on and the start
of gradual switching off are as follows:
1)approx. 6 seconds when:
– unlocking the doors manually or by the
remote control
– closing the driver’s door to get into the
car and fit the key into the ignition switch
– removing the key from the ignition
switch.
2)approx. 3 minutes from the door open-
ing.WARNING With ignition key at STOP
or when opening a door or the tailgate 15
minutes timing is activated, then ceiling
lights go off. Timing restarts each time a
door/tailgate is opened.
Front roof light (fig. 145)
The roof light comprises two lights with the
control switch.
With switch (A) in the central position
(1), both lights turn on when a door is
opened.
When the doors are closed, a timer is ac-
tivated for about 7 seconds, to allow the car
to be started. The lights go out when the ig-
nition key is turned to MAR(with the doors
closed).
Moving switch (A) to the left (position 0),
the lights stay off (position OFF).Moving switch (A) to the right (posi-
tion2) both lights stay on.
The spot function is operated by switch
(B).
Moving switch (B) to the left (position 1)
the left spot light turns on. Moving switch
to the right (position 2) the right spot light
turns on.
With switch (B) in the central position (po-
sition 0) the spotlights stay off.
WARNINGBefore leaving the car, make
sure that both switches are in the central po-
sition. This way, the roof lights will go out
when the doors are closed. If a door is left
open, the lights will go out automatically af-
ter a few seconds.
To turn them on again, simply open an-
other door or close the same one and open
it again.fig. 145
A0B0575m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
172
BONNETThe lever used to open the bonnet is lo-
cated under the left end of the dashboard.
To open:
– Pull the lever (A-fig. 166) until the
bonnet clicks open.
CAUTIONS FOR CARRYING
LUGGAGETravelling at night with a load in the boot
it is necessary to adjust the height of the low
beam headlights (see next paragraph
“Headlights” in this chapter). For correct use
of the aiming device, also make sure that
the load does not exceed the values given
in the same paragraph.
fig. 166
A0B0049m
Do not load the luggage
compartment above the
permitted maximum (see “Tech-
nical specifications”). Also make
sure that the objects contained in
the boot are well secured to pre-
vent them from being thrown for-
ward causing harm to the passen-
gers in the event of sharp braking.
WARNING
A heavy load that has not
been secured may cause
serious harm to passengers in the
event of an accident.
WARNING
When wanting to carry a
spare can of petrol, this
must be done in compliance with
the law, only using a certified can,
appropriately fastened to the load
restraint eyelets. Even so, the risk
of fire is increased.
WARNING
Only with the car sta-
tionary.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
174
HEADLIGHTSLIGHT BEAM AIMINGWARNINGThe adjustment of the head-
lights is vital to your safety and comfort and
to that of other road users. The adjustment
of the headlights is also governed by precise
regulations. To guarantee both to yourself
and to the other drivers the best visibility
conditions when travelling with the head-
lights on, the vehicle must have its head-
lights properly adjusted.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the headlights correctly adjusted.
IMPORTANTOn the inside surface of
the headlight there could appear a slight
coat of fogging; this does not show a defect,
since it is a natural occurrence due to low
temperature and to the degree of humidity
in the air; it will soon disappear as soon as
the lights are turned on. The presence of
drops inside the headlight shows water seep-
age: refer to the Alfa Romeo Dealership.
ROOF RACK
PROVISIONThe car is set for mounting special roof
racks.
Roof racks, especially designed for this car,
must be fastened to pins (A-fig. 168) set
under the packing, as shown in the figure.
Strictly comply with the
regulations in force con-
cerning the maximum over-
all dimensions.
fig. 168
A0B0142m
After a few kilometres,
check that the fastening
screws are firmly tightened.
WARNING
Distribute the load evenly
and when driving, bear in
mind the increased sensitivity to
side wind.
WARNING