service schedule Alfa Romeo 159 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

224
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WARNING - Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, change the
air cleaner more frequently than stated
in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
If in doubt as to how often the engine oil
and air cleaner should be changed ac-
cording to how you use the car, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING - Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments it is ad-
visable to replace the filtering element
more frequently; in particular it should
be replaced if a reduction of the amount
of air admitted to the passenger com-
partment is noted. WARNING - Engine oil
(petrol versions)
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒ short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external tempera-
tures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g. taxis or
door-to-door deliveries) or in case of
a long term inactivity;
replace engine oil more frequently than
required on Service Schedule.WARNING - Engine oil
(diesel versions)
Engine oil and oil filter shall be changed
when the relevant warning message is
displayed (versions with “Reconfigurable
multifunction display”) or when warn-
ing light
vstarts flashing (versions
with “Multifunction display”) (see sec-
tion “Warning lights and Messages”),
or in any case every 2 years.
If the car is mainly used in town, oil will
waste more fastly than in other driving
conditions.
Oil topping up (also sig-
nificant ones) do not re-
place the oil change pro-
cedure requested by the dis-
played message. Change engine
oil at Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services that will also turn off
the warning light on the instru-
ment panel.

225
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WARNING - Battery
The charge in the battery should be
checked at the start of winter to limit
the risk of electrolyte freezing.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used mainly for
short trips, or if it is fitted with acces-
sories that permanently absorb electric-
ity even with the ignition key removed,
especially in the case of after market ac-
cessories. If the car is used in hot cli-
mates or particularly harsh conditions
it is wise to check the level of the bat-
tery fluid (electrolyte) more frequently
than specified in the Service schedule.Car maintenance should
be entrusted to Alfa
Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you
wish to carry out yourself, al-
ways make sure you have the
proper equipment, genuine Alfa
Romeo spare parts and the nec-
essary fluids; do not however
carry out these operations if
you have no experience.WARNING - Diesel filter
Topping up with diesel fuel not comply-
ing with EN590 European Norm might
make it necessary to replace the filter
more frequently than indicated in the
Service schedule.

232
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Do not allow the pow-
er steering fluid to
touch the hot parts of the en-
gine: it is inflammable.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID fig. 13
Unscrew cap Aand check that the flu-
id level in the reservoir is at maximum.
Fluid level in the reservoir shall not ex-
ceed the MAXmark.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
From time to time, check the instrument
panel warning light
x: pressing on cap
A(with key fitted into the ignition de-
vice) the warning light shall turn on.
A0E0016mfig. 13
Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
Check that the fluid level is at the MAX
mark on the reservoir or at the top mark
(maximum level) shown on the dipstick
under the reservoir cap.
If the fluid level in the reservoir is below
the specified level, top up as follows:
❒start the engine and wait until the flu-
id level in the reservoir has stabilized;
❒with the engine started, turn repeat-
edly the steering wheel fully right-
wards and leftwards;
❒top up until reaching the MAXmark
then refit the cap.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.IMPORTANTBrake fluid absorbs
moisture. For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree
of atmospheric humidity, the fluid should
be replaced at more frequent intervals
than specified in the Service schedule.

235
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Service schedule in this section will
no longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car. If after buying
the car, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm,
free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, check-
ing whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding
the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
If the car is left inactive
for long periods at cold,
remove the battery and store
it in a warm place to prevent
freezing.
WARNING
When working on the
battery or near it, al-
ways wear the proper gog-
gles.
WARNING
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services,
which is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries re-
specting nature and the law.

239
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/REAR
SCREEN WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn
they should be replaced. In any case
they should be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
❒ if the temperature fall below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the
rubber against glass. If necessary,
thaw using an antifreeze product;
❒ remove any snow from the glass: in
addition to protecting the blades, this
prevents effort on the motor and
overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen wipers
on dry glass.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rub-
ber hoses are concerned, carefully fol-
low the Service schedule in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and
prolonged lack of fluid in the system
may cause hardening and cracking of
the hoses, with possible leaks. Careful
control is therefore necessary.
Driving with worn
wiper blades is a seri-
ous hazard, because visibility
is reduced in bad weather.
WARNING

265
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
INDEX
265
– recharging .......................... 215
– replacing ............................ 235
– useful advice for
lengthening the life ............. 236
Bodywork (cleaning) ................ 241
Bonnet ................................... 101
Boot ....................................... 97
– light replacement ................ 204
Brakes .................................... 251
Bulb
(replacement) ....................... 192
– general instructions ............. 192
– types of bulbs ..................... 193
Capacities ............................... 260
Car inactivity ............................ 160
Car maintenance................. 219
– additional checks ................ 223
– annual Inspection Schedule .. 223
– service Schedule ................. 221
– scheduled service ................ 220
Carrying children safely ............. 131– child restraint systems ......... 134
– passenger’s seat compliance .. 134
– presetting for mounting
the “Universal Isofix” child
restraint system .................. 136
Ceiling lights
– front ................................. 78
– rear .................................. 80
Checking fluid levels ................. 226
Child lock device ...................... 93
Cigar lighter ............................. 85
Climate control system .............. 53
– automatic two-/three-zone .. 58
– manual .............................. 55
CO
2emissions ......................... 264
CODE card ............................... 11
Containing running costs ........... 153
Controls .................................. 81
Correct use of the car........ 147
Courtesy mirror light
– bulb replacement ................ 202
Cruise Control .......................... 76 ABS system ............................ 104
Accessories purchased
by the owner ......................... 113
Additional heater ...................... 69
Air/pollen filter ........................ 233
Air vents ................................. 54
Alarm ..................................... 17
Alfa Romeo CODE system .......... 9
Armrest
– central ............................... 82
– rear .............................. 83-84
Ashtray ................................... 86
ASR system ............................. 108
At the filling station .................. 121
Automatic headlight sensor ........ 71
Automatic two/three-zone
climate control system ............ 58
Battery
– checking the charge ............ 234
– jump starting ...................... 178
– maintenance ...................... 225
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