ABS Alfa Romeo 159 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

6
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
D D
A A
S S
H H
B B
O O
A A
R R
D D
A A
N N
D D
C C
O O
N N
T T
R R
O O
L L
S S
CRUISE CONTROL .............................................. 76
CEILING LIGHTS ................................................. 78
CONTROLS ........................................................ 81
INTERIOR FITTINGS............................................. 83
SUNROOF ......................................................... 89
DOORS ............................................................ 92
POWER WINDOWS ............................................ 95
BOOT ............................................................... 97
BONNET............................................................ 101
ROOF RACK/SKI RACK ....................................... 102
HEADLIGHTS...................................................... 102
ABS SYSTEM .................................................... 104
VDC SYSTEM .................................................... 106
EOBD SYSTEM .................................................. 111
SOUND SYSTEM PRESETTING .............................. 112
ACCESSORIES PURCHASED BY THE OWNER .......... 113
PARKING SENSORS ............................................ 114
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(T.P.M.S.) ......................................................... 118
AT THE FILLING STATION ..................................... 121
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ......................... 123 DASHBOARD...................................................... 7
INSTRUMENT PANEL .......................................... 8
SYMBOLS ........................................................ 9
ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEM ................................ 9
ELECTRONIC KEY ............................................... 11
ALARM ............................................................ 17
IGNITION DEVICE................................................ 19
INSTRUMENTS ................................................... 21
MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY .................................... 24
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY .......... 30
SEATS .............................................................. 46
HEAD RESTRAINTS.............................................. 48
STEERING WHEEL .............................................. 49
REARVIEW MIRRORS .......................................... 50
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................................ 53
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................... 55
AUTOMATIC TWO-/THREE-ZONE
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................................ 58
ADDITIONAL HEATER .......................................... 69
EXTERNAL LIGHTS .............................................. 70
WINDOW WASHING .......................................... 73

21
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ed) (or as an alternative, on certain ver-
sions, a symbol and a message are dis-
played). In this event contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTIf after trying to turn on
the instrument panel and/or to start the
engine, the instrument panel warning
light
>(where provided) (or as an al-
ternative, on certain versions the mes-
sage "Vehicle protection system not
available" is displayed), repeat the op-
eration moving the steering wheel in or-
der to release the steering lock. The dis-
played warning message will not impair
steering lock operation.
INSTRUMENTS
REV. COUNTER
Rev counter shows engine rpm. The red
zone at the scale bottom indicates that
the engine is running at excessive rpm
dangerous for mechanical components.
Do not drive with the pointer in this area.
IMPORTANTThe electronic injection
control system gradually shuts off the
flow of fuel when the engine is “over-
revving” (rev counter pointer in the red
area) resulting in a gradual loss of en-
gine power, in order to bring engine rpm
below to the safety limit.
The rev counter may, when the engine
is idling, indicate gradual or sudden in-
crease of engine revs as the case may
be; such behaviour is normal and must
not be interpreted as a faulty condition
as it occurs during normal operation, for
instance when climate control or electric
fan are switched on. In particular, slow
revs variation helps keep the battery
charged.
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
The steering column lock will engage
5 seconds after removing the electron-
ic key from the ignition device and if the
following conditions are present:
❒engine off;
❒instrument panel off with car at a
standstill;
❒electronic key removed from ignition
device.
Disengaging
The steering column lock will disengage
after fitting the electronic key into the
ignition device.
IMPORTANTSwitching the engine off
when the car is running will not engage
the steering column lock till next switch-
ing off with car stopped. In this event
warning light
>(where provided) on the
instrument panel will come on (or as an
alternative, on certain versions, a sym-
bol and a message are displayed).
IMPORTANTSteering column lock
failure is indicated by the instrument
panel warning light
>(where provid-It is absolutely forbid-
den to carry out what-
ever after-market operation
involving steering system or
steering column modifications
(e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect
performance and safety, cause
the lapse of warranty and al-
so result in non-compliance of
the car with homologation re-
quirements.
WARNING

49
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
REAR HEAD RESTRAINTS
Rear seats are fitted with two head re-
straints.
Certain versions are fitted with height-ad-
justable head restraint also for the central
seat (see previous paragraph for height
adjustment).
If required, head restraints can be re-
moved as follows:
❒raise head restraints to max. height;
❒press buttonsA-fig. 35(set aside
the two head restraint supports) then
remove the head restraints by pulling
them upwards.
STEERING WHEEL
The steering wheel can be adjusted both
axially and in height.
Release the lever A-fig. 36pushing it
downwards, then adjust the steering
wheel as required. To lock the steering
wheel, push lever Aupwards.
A0E0137mfig. 35
It is absolutely forbid-
den to carry out what-
ever after-market operation
involving steering system or
steering column modifications
(e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect
performance and safety, cause
the lapse of warranty and al-
so result in non-compliance of
the car with homologation re-
quirements.
WARNING
A0E0136mfig. 36
Any adjustment of the
steering wheel position
must be carried out only with
the car stationary and the en-
gine turned off.
WARNING

77
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
❒pressing the brake pedal, pressing the
clutch pedal (in these cases the last
stored speed will stay memorised, to
resume it press button RES);
❒pressing the accelerator pedal; in this
case the system is disengaged only
temporarily; device operation will be
resumed automatically when releas-
ing the pedal;
❒with car speed below the preset lim-
it (in these cases the last stored
speed will stay memorised, to resume
it press button RES);
Automatic Cruise Control
deactivation
The Cruise Control is temporarily deac-
tivated when the ABS or VDC systems
come into operation (above a max. pre-
set time): in this case the last set speed
will stay memorised, to recall it press
buttonRES.
In the event of Cruise Control or engine
control system failure, the device is de-
activated until removing the electronic
key from the ignition device. In this
event contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
❒engage the gear selected at the time
of speed memorising (4th or 5th
gear);
❒press the RESbutton (set at stalk
end).
TO INCREASE THE
MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
❒pressing the accelerator and then
memorising the new speed reached;
or
❒moving the stalk upwards (+).
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight increase in speed
(about 1.5 km/h), while keeping the
stalk upwards will correspond to a con-
tinuous speed increase.
TO REDUCE MEMORISED
SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
❒disengaging the device and then
memorising the new speed;
or
❒moving the stalk downwards (–) un-
til reaching the new speed which will
be memorised automatically.
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight decrease in speed
(about 1.5 km/h), while keeping the
stalk downwards will correspond to a
continuous speed decrease.
DEVICE DISENGAGEMENT
The device is disengaged in one of the
following cases:
❒turning the knurled ring A-fig. 57
toO;
❒turning the engine off or removing
the electronic key from the ignition
device;

86
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Press button B-fig. 76to switch on
the cigar lighter with key fitted into ig-
nition device.
IMPORTANTAlways check that the cig-
ar lighter has turned off.
IMPORTANTThe cigar lighter gets
very hot. Handle it with care and make
sure that it is not used by children: dan-
ger of fire and/or burns.
IMPORTANT Do not plug electric ac-
cessories with power exceeding 100W
to the front cigar lighter seat.
A0E0152mfig. 76
ASHTRAY
Front ashtray
It is located on the central console, near
the handbrake lever.
To use the cigar lighter, raise cover A-
fig. 78 and open lid B.
Front ashtray is removable: to remove
it, pull it upwards.
IMPORTANT Do not use the ashtray
as paper bin: it could set on fire on con-
tact with cigarette stubs. Rear cigar lighter
(where provided)
It is located on the central console be-
tween the seats (see fig. 77).
IMPORTANTDo not plug electric ac-
cessories with power exceeding 140W
to the rear cigar lighter seat.
IMPORTANTOversize plugs could
damage the cigar lighter outlet tabs.
Do not plug electric ac-
cessories with absorption
exceeding the max. spec-
ified value. Prolonged current ab-
sorption could drain the battery
and impair next engine start up.
OFF
O
I
AUTOAUTO
A0E0068mfig. 77A0E0140mfig. 78

104
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
ABS SYSTEM
The car is fitted with ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from
locking when braking, makes the most
of road grip and gives the best control
when emergency braking under difficult
road conditions.
System is completed by EBD (Electron-
ic Braking Force Distribution), which dis-
tributes the braking action between front
and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To have the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, it is
necessary a setting period of about 500
km: during this period it is better to
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
brakes.
ABS SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
The driver can tell the ABS system has
come into action because the brake ped-
al pulsates slightly and the system gets
noisier: it means that the car speed
should be altered to fit the type of road
surface.
If the ABS system cuts in, it is a sign that
the grip between tyre and the road sur-
face has reached the limit: you must
slow down to match the speed to the
road grip available.
If the ABS system cuts
in, it is a sign that the
grip between tyre and the
road surface has reached the
limit: you must slow down to
match the speed to the road
grip available.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the
tyre-road grip at the
best, but it cannot improve it;
you should therefore take
every care when driving on
slippery surfaces without tak-
ing unnecessary risks.
WARNING
When the ABS cuts in,
and you feel the brake
pedal pulsating, do not remove
your foot, but keep it pressed;
in doing so you will stop in the
shortest amount of space pos-
sible under the current road
conditions.
WARNING

105
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
EBD failure
EBD failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning lights
>+xon the in-
strument panel (on certain versions to-
gether with the dedicated message on
the display) (see section “Warning lights
and messages”).
In this case with sharp braking the rear
wheels might lock too early, with the
possibility of skidding. Drive extremely
carefully to the closest Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the system
checked.
BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking
assistance)
The system, which cannot be cut out,
recognizes emergency braking (on the
ground of the brake pedal operation
speed) and considerably increases the
pressure in the brake circuit.
Brake Assist is deactivated on the ver-
sions equipped with VDC system in the
event of VDC system failure, indicated
by the turning on of warning light
áon
the instrument panel (on certain ver-
sions together with a message on the
display).
FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS
ABS failure
ABS failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning light
>on the instru-
ment panel (on certain versions together
with the dedicated message on the dis-
play) (see section “Warning lights and
messages”). In this case the braking
system is still efficient, though without
the aid of the ABS system.
Drive carefully to the closest Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services to have the system
checked.

107
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Performance of the
VDC system, in terms
of active safety should not in-
duce the driver to take point-
less and unnecessary risks.
The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to
the conditions of the road sur-
face, visibility an traffic. Road
safety is always the driver’s
responsibility.
WARNING
During the use of the
space-saver spare
wheel (where provided), the
VDC system carries on work-
ing. However, you must re-
mind that the space-saver
spare wheel has dimensions
smaller than the standard tyre
and therefore its grip is re-
duced as to the other car tyres.
WARNING
For correct operation of
the VDC system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in perfect conditions
and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
(where provided)
This system is an integral part of the VDC
system and it is provided to facilitate
starting on slopes:
❒uphill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed, gearbox to neutral or
engaged gear other than reverse;
❒downhill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed and reverse gear en-
gaged.
At pickup the VDC system control unit
will keep brake force on wheels until
reaching the torque suitable for starting,
or in any case for about 1 second in or-
der to pass easily from the brake pedal
to the accelerator pedal.

Failure warnings
In the event of malfunctioning, the ASR
system is automatically disconnected
and on versions fitted with “Reconfig-
urable multifunction display” symbol
Vis displayed. In this case contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
110
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
MSR system (engine braking
torque control)
It is an integral part of the ASR system
that in case of sudden gear shifting, cuts
in providing torque to the engine thus
preventing excessive driving wheel dri-
ve that, specially in poor grip conditions,
can lead to loss of stability.
For correct operation of
the ASR system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in normal conditions of
use, at the proper inflation
pressure values and, above all,
of type, brand and size speci-
fied (see paragraph “Wheels”
in section “Technical Specifica-
tions”).
WARNING

112
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Sound system presetting includes:
❒sound system power cables;
❒front and rear speakers cables;
❒aerial power cable;
❒sound system compartment;
❒aerial on car roof.
The sound system shall be installed in
the proper space occupied by the odd-
ment compartment that shall be re-
moved by pressing the two retaining
tabs set in the oddment compartment:
here you will find the power cables.
SOUND SYSTEM
PRESETTING
(where provided)
When the sound system has not been
requested the car is provided with two
oddment compartments on the instru-
ment panel.
If you decide to install
the sound system after
buying the car, contact
first Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services that will give you use-
ful advice about installation and
how to safeguard the battery.
Excessive loadless absorption
damages the battery and the
battery warranty can be inval-
idated.