key Alfa Romeo 159 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

98
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
OPENING BY REMOTE
CONTROL
Press the electronic key button `.
Opening is indicated by double flashing
of direction indicators.
Opening the boot with alarm (where
provided) on will cause the following:
❒volumetric protection deactivation;
❒anti-raising protection deactivation;
❒tailgate monitoring sensor.
Re-closing the tailgate will restore all the
above functions and direction indicators
will turn on for about 1 second.
TAILGATE CLOSING
Lower the tailgate pressing the lock un-
til hearing the locking click.
IMPORTANT If the option for ”Indep.
boot” is on, before closing the boot,
check whether you have with you the
ignition key since the boot will be locked
automatically.
The addition of objects
(speakers, spoilers, etc.)
on the rear shelf or boot
lid, except those envisaged by
the manufacturer, may prevent
the gas filled struts at the sides
of the boot from working prop-
erly.
Emergency opening of the
boot from the passenger
compartment
If the battery is disconnected, the boot
can be opened by pulling the lever A-
fig. 94set under the rear left seat.
Refit the handle under the cushion after
using it.
A0E0228mfig. 94

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ROOF RACK/
SKI RACK
The car is preset for mounting roof
racks/ski racks.
Front hooks are in points A-fig. 99.
Rear hooks are in points B.
A0E0097mfig. 99
HEADLIGHTS
ADJUSTING THE HEADLIGHT
BEAM
Proper adjustment of the headlight
beams is of vital importance for your
safety and comfort and also for the oth-
er road users. To ensure you and other
drivers have the best visibility conditions
when travelling with the headlights on,
the headlights must be set properly. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the headlights properly adjusted.
HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
It works with the key fitted into the ig-
nition device and dipped beams on.
When the car is loaded, it slopes back-
wards. This means that the headlight
beam rises. In this case, it is necessary
to return it to the correct position.
Distribute the load even-
ly and when driving, bear
in mind the increased
sensitivity to side wind.
IMPORTANTAfter few kilometers,
check that fastening screws are firmly
tightened.
IMPORTANTNever exceed the max.
permissible loads (see section “”Tech-
nical specifications”).

111
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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TECHNICAL
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DASHBOARD
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111
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board
Diagnosis) allows continuous diagnosis
of the components of the car correlat-
ed with emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the
warning light
Uon the instrument pan-
el (on certain versions together with the
message on the display) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”), when
these conditions are no longer in peak
conditions.
The objective is:
❒ to keep system efficiency under con-
trol;
❒ to warn when a fault causes emission
levels to increase;
❒to warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
If when fitting the key
into the ignition device,
the warning light
U
does not turn on or if, while
travelling it turns on glowing
steadily or flashing, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible. Warning
light
Uoperation can be
checked by means of special
equipment by traffic agents. Al-
ways comply with the traffic
regulations in force in the coun-
try where you are travelling.
The system also has a diagnostic con-
nector that can be interfaced with ap-
propriate tools, which makes it possible
to read the error codes stored in the con-
trol unit, together with a series of spe-
cific parameters for engine operation
and diagnosis. This check can also be
carried out by the traffic police.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the in-
convenience, to check the system com-
pletely, Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
are obliged to run a bench test and, if
necessary, road tests which may also
call for a long journey.

114
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PARKING SENSORS
(where provided)
Parking sensors inform the driver about
the presence of obstacles behind the car
(versions fitted with 4 rear sensors) or
behind and in front of the car (versions
fitted with 4 rear sensors and 4 front
sensors).
This system is therefore an aid for the
driver when parking the car since it de-
tects obstacles out of the driver’s sight
range.
The presence and the distance from the
car of an obstacle is indicated by a warn-
ing buzzer - as the distance from the ob-
stacle decreases, the acoustic alarm be-
comes more frequent - and, only on cer-
tain versions, by an image on the dis-
play (see paragraph “Indications on the
display).
A0E0087mfig. 103
ACTIVATION
Versions with 4 sensors
Front sensors are automatically activat-
ed with electronic key fitted into the ig-
nition device when reverse gear is en-
gaged or when pressing the front ceil-
ing light button A-fig. 103 with speed
below 15 km/h.
Sensors are deactivated when exceed-
ing 18 km/h or, on certain versions by
pressing again the button if the speed is
lower than 15 km/h A-fig. 103. If
the system is off on versions with de-
activation button, the button led is off.Versions with 8 sensors
Front and rear sensors are automatical-
ly activated with electronic key fitted in-
to the ignition device when reverse gear
is engaged or when pressing the front
ceiling light buttonA-fig. 103with
speed below 15 km/h.
Sensors are deactivated by pressing
again button A-fig. 103if the speed
is lower than 15 km/h or when ex-
ceeding 18 km/h. If the system is off,
the button led is off.
When sensors are on, front and rear in-
dicators will sound warning signals as
soon as an obstacle is detected: as the
distance from the obstacle decreases,
the acoustic alarm becomes more fre-
quent.
When the distance between the car and
the obstacle is less than 30 cm, the
acoustic alarm becomes continuous. Ac-
cording to obstacle position (in front or
behind the car), the acoustic alarm will
be emitted by front or rear indicators.
In any case the system will indicate the
obstacle closest to the car.

117
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If a failure is indicated, stop the car, turn
the engine off and then clean the sen-
sors. Make sure to be far from possible
ultrasound sources (e.g.: truck pneu-
matic brakes or pneumatic hammers).
If failure cause has been eliminated the
system will resume regular operation
and warning
tand the corresponding
warning message will turn off.
If the warning light stays on, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services to have
the system inspected, although the sys-
tem keeps on working. If the failure de-
tected does not impair system operation,
the system keeps on working and fail-
ure is stored in order to be then detect-
ed by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
at next inspection.
GENERAL WARNINGS
When parking, take the utmost care to
obstacles that may be set above or un-
der the sensors. Objects set close to the
car front or rear part, under certain cir-
cumstances are not detected and could
therefore cause damages to the car or
be damaged.
Indications sent by the sensors can be
altered by dirt, snow or ice deposited on
the sensors or by ultrasound systems
(e.g.: truck pneumatic brakes or pneu-
matic hammers) set nearby the car.
TOWING TRAILERS
Rear sensors are reactivated automati-
cally when removing the trailer cable
plug.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
The system control unit checks every
system component each time the key is
fitted into the ignition device. Sensors
and relevant electrical connections are
then constantly monitored during sys-
tem operation.
Sensor failure is indicated by turning on
of warning light
t(where provided)
on the instrument panel (on certain ver-
sions together with the message on the
display) (see section “Warning lights
and messages”).
Rear sensors operation
is deactivated automat-
ically when the trailer
electric cable plug is fitted into
the car tow hook socket.

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SAFETY
DEVICES
S.B.R. SYSTEM
(Seat Belt Reminder)
The car is fitted with the S.B.R. system
(Seat Belt Reminder), consisting of a
buzzer which, together with the turning
on of warning light
ing light panel, warns the driver and the
front passenger to fasten the seat belt.
The buzzer can be muted temporarily by
the following procedure:
❒fasten the front seat belts;
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition de-
vice;
❒wait for over 20 seconds but less than
1 minute and then unfasten one of the
front seat belts.
This procedure will stand valid till next en-
gine switching off.
For permanent deactivation, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services. The S.B.R.
system can only be reset through the set-
up menu (see paragraph “Reconfigurable
multifunction display“ in section “Dash-
board and controls”). IMPORTANT On certain versions, cor-
rect backrest fastening is guaranteed
when the “red band” A-fig. 3aside
leversBis no longer visible. The “red
band” actually indicates that the back-
rest is not properly secured.
IMPORTANTAfter putting the seats
back to their travelling position, restore
the seat belt position to make them
ready for use.
A0E0085mfig. 3
Make sure the backrest
is properly secured at
both sides (red band A-fig. 3
not visible) to prevent it moves
forward in the event of sharp
braking causing injuries to pas-
sengers.
WARNING
Remember that in the
event of a violent colli-
sion, back seat passengers not
wearing seat belts also repre-
sent a serious danger for the
front seat passengers.
WARNING

132
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SAFETY
DEVICES
GROUP 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried fac-
ing backwards fig. 7on a cradle seat,
which, supporting the head, does not in-
duce stress on the neck in the event of
sharp deceleration.
The cradle is restrained by the car seat
belts and in turn it must restrain the child
with its own belts.
SERIOUS DANGER If it
is absolutely necessary
to carry a child on the
front passenger seat
with the cradle child’s
seat facing backwards, the
front passenger’s air bags
(front air bag, knees air bag,
where provided, and side bag
on seat), must be deactivated
using the key switch. In this
case it is absolutely necessary
to check the warning light
F
on the front ceiling light pan-
el (see paragraph “Passen-
ger’s front air bag”) to make
sure that deactivation has ac-
tually taken place. Moreover,
the front passenger’s seat
shall be adjusted in the most
backward position to prevent
any contact between the
child’s seat and the dashboard.
WARNING
A0E0106mfig. 7
The figure is only an ex-
ample for mounting. At-
tain to the instructions for fas-
tening which must be enclosed
with the specific child restrain-
ing system you are using.
WARNING
A0E0106mfig. 8
GROUP 1
Starting from 9 kg to 18 kg in weight,
children may be carried facing forwards,
with seat fitted with front cushion fig.
8, through which the car seat belt re-
strains both child and seat.

134
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SAFETY
DEVICES
SEAT
Group Range Front Rear
of weight
Seat with Seat with Rear seat side Rear seat central
6 positions 8 positions
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kg U (*) U (*) U U
Group 1 9-18 kg U (*) U (*) U U
Group 2 15-25 kg U (*) U (*) U U
Group 3 22-36 kg U (*) U (*) U U
Key:
U= suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal” category, according to European Standard EEC-R44 for the specified “Groups”.
(*) = on cars not fitted with passenger’s seat adjustable in height, the seat back shall be positioned perfectly upright. On cars fitted with
passenger’s seat adjustable in height, the seat shall be raised as much as possible.
PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON CHILD’S SEAT USE
Your car complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC regulating child’s seat assembling on the different car seats
according to the following tables:
Front and rear seat (fixed and double seat)

140
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SAFETY
DEVICES
MANUAL DEACTIVATION (where provided) OF PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAG , KNEES AIR BAG (where provided) AND
PASSENGER’S FRONT SIDE BAG DRIVER’S AND
PASSENGER’S KNEES AIR
BAG (where provided)
Knees air bag consists of an instant-in-
flating cushion housed into a special
compartment provided for the purpose
under the steering wheel for the driver
fig. 16and into the lower part of the
dashboard for the passenger fig. 17,
to give further protection in the event of
frontal crash.
A0E0092mfig. 17A0E0079mfig. 16
Should it be absolutely necessary to car-
ry a child on the front seat, the pas-
senger’s front air bag, knees air bag
(where provided) and the side bag can
be deactivated. Deactivation/activation
shall be performed (with key removed
from ignition device) using the key
switch set on the right side of dashboard
fig. 18. You can reach the switch on-
ly if the door is opened. When the door
is open, the metal insert of the key can
be inserted and removed in both posi-
tions.IMPORTANTOperate the switch on-
ly when the engine is not running and
the ignition key is removed.
The key-operated switch has two posi-
tions:
❒passenger's front air bag and knees
air bag (where provided) and side
bag activated (ONposition
P):
warning light
Fon front ceiling light
panel off; it is absolutely prohibited
to carry a child on the front seat;
A0E0062mfig. 18

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SAFETY
DEVICES
GENERAL WARNINGS
If when fitting the key
into the ignition device,
the warning light
¬does not
turn on or if it stays on when
travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on
the display) there could be a
failure in safety systems; in
this event air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in
case of impact or, in a minor
number of cases, they could
trigger accidentally. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices immediately to have the
system checked.
WARNING
Do not cover the back-
rest of front seats with
trims or covers that are not
suitable to be used with side
bags.
WARNING
Never travel with ob-
jects on your lap, in
front of your chest or with a
pipe, pencil, etc. between your
lips; injury may result in the
event of the air bag being trig-
gered.
WARNING
Always keep your
hands on the steering
wheel rim when driving, so
that if the air bag is triggered,
it can inflate without meeting
any obstacles which could
cause serious harm to you. Do
not drive with the body bent
forwards, keep the seat back
rest in the erect position and
lean your back well against it.
WARNING
If the car has been
stolen or an attempt to
steal it has been made, if it
has been subjected to vandals
or floods, have the air bag
system checked by Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING