Alfa Romeo 159 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

119
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
The acoustic alarm will stop immediately
as distance raises. The acoustic alarm is
constant if the distance measured by
central sensors is unvaried, whereas if
this situation takes place for side sen-
sors the acoustic alarm is muted after
about 3 seconds to prevent sound indi-
cations when performing manoeuvres
near walls.
SENSORS
Obstacles are detected by 4 sensors lo-
cated in the front bumper (where pro-
vided)fig. 105and 4 sensors located
in the rear bumperfig. 106.
Parking manoeuvres
however are always
under the driver’s responsibil-
ity that shall always check the
absence of people (specially
children) or animals in the ma-
noeuvre space. This system is
just a help for the driver but
she/he shall never reduce at-
tention during dangerous ma-
noeuvres even if performed at
low speed.
WARNING
A0E0231mfig. 105
A0E0232mfig. 106
BUZZER
The presence of any obstacle and its dis-
tance from the car is indicated by the
buzzers installed inside the passenger
compartment:
❒on versions with 4 rear sensors, the
rear buzzer will indicate the presence
of rear obstacles;
❒on versions with 8 sensors (4 front
sensors and 4 rear sensors) obstacles
are indicated by rear and front
buzzers. This feature gives the dri-
ver the direction (front/rear) of the
obstacle.

120
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SENSOR DETECTION
RANGE
Sensors enable the system to monitor
the front part (versions with 8 sensors)
and the rear part of the car.
Actually their position covers the central
and side areas of the front and rear part
of the car.
An obstacle positioned at central area is
detected at a distance less than 0.9 m
(front) and 1.40 m (rear).
An obstacle positioned at side area is de-
tected at a distance less than 0.6 m.
For proper operation,
the parking sensors shall
always be clean from
mud, dirt, snow or ice. When
cleaning the sensors, take the
utmost care to prevent their
damaging; do not use therefore
dry or rough clothes. Sensors
shall be washed with clean wa-
ter and car detergent, if re-
quired. In washing stations,
clean sensors quickly keeping
the vapour jet/high pressure
washing nozzles at 10 cm at
least from the sensors.
Repainting the bumpers
or touch-up in the sen-
sor area, if required,
shall be carried out at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services on-
ly. Incorrect repainting may im-
pair regular operation of the
parking sensors.
INDICATIONS ON THE
DISPLAY (where provided)
On versions with 8 sensors, sensor acti-
vation is indicated on the “Reconfig-
urable multifunction display” (where pro-
vided) by screen fig.107; therefore ob-
stacle presence and distance is indicated
(in addition to buzzer) also on the in-
strument panel display.
In the event of several obstacles, the ob-
stacle closest to the car will be indicat-
ed.
A0E0239mfig. 107

121
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
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.

122
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
The car can be equipped with the
T.P.M.S. (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem). This system consists of a radio-fre-
quency sensor, installed on each wheel
(on the rim inside the tyre) that sends
pressure information to the control unit.IMPORTANT NOTES
Failure indications will not be stored and
therefore will not be displayed when
turning the engine off and on again. If
failure persists, the control unit will send
warning indications to the instrument
panel only after a few seconds when the
car is moving.
Tyre pressure should be checked with
tyres cold. Should it become necessary
for whatever reason to check pressure
with hot tyres, do not reduce pressure
although it is higher than the prescribed
value but repeat the check when tyres
are cold (see section “Wheels” in sec-
tion “Technical Specifications”).
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM -
T.P.M.S. (where provided)
The T.P.M.S. does not
exempt the driver from
checking tyre pressure, includ-
ing the space-saver spare
wheel (where provided) at
regular intervals.
WARNING
T.P.M.S. cannot indicate sudden tyre
pressure drops (e.g.: tyre burst). In this
event, brake the car cautiously and
avoid sudden steering.
The T.P.M.S. system requires special
equipment. Consult Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services to know what type of ac-
cessories are compatible with the sys-
tem (wheels, wheel caps, etc.). Using
other accessories could cause system
malfunctioning. Due to inflation valve
special characteristics, use only tyre re-
pair sealants approved by Alfa Romeo;
other sealants could cause system mal-
functioning.

123
SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
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If after repairing a punctured tyre with
the Fix&Go automatic kit and restoring
the initial conditions the flat tyre warn-
ing light continues to stay on, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Tyre pressure could change according to
outside temperature. For this reason the
T.P.M.S. system could temporarily indi-
cate low tyre pressure. In this event
check pressure with cold tyres and re-
store proper inflation values if required. If the car is fitted with T.P.M.S. system,
when changing a tyre, change also the
rubber seal of the valve and the fas-
tening ring of the sensor. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
Strong radio-frequency disturbances
could inhibit proper TPMS system oper-
ation. This condition is indicated by a
dedicated massage on the display. This
indication will go off automatically as
soon as the radio-frequency disturbance
ceases.If the car is fitted with T.P.M.S. system,
tyre and/or rim removal and refitting
operations involve special precautions;
to prevent damages or wrong sensor re-
fitting, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have tyre and/or rim
changed.

124
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
In order to use the system properly, refer to the following table when you have to change wheels/tyres:
(*) Given as an alternative on the owner's manual and to be found in Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo.
(**) Not crossed (tyres shall remain on the same side).
Operation
–
Wheel change
with space-saver spare wheel
Wheel change
with snow tyres
Wheel change
with snow tyres
Wheel change
with others of different
size (*)
Wheel cross switching
(front/rear) (**)Sensor presence
–
NO
NO
YES
YES
YESFailure Indication
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NOAlfa Romeo Authorized
Services operation
Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Repair damaged
wheel
Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
–
–
–

125
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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EMERGENCY
CAR
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
DIESEL ENGINES
If the outside temperature is very low,
the diesel thickens due to the formation
of paraffins and could clog the diesel fu-
el filter.
In order to avoid these problems, dif-
ferent types of diesel are distributed ac-
cording to the season: summer type,
winter type arctic type (mountains/cold
areas).
If refuelling with diesel fuel not suitable
for the current temperature, mix diesel
fuel with DIESEL MIXadditive in the
proportions stated on the can, putting
first the antifreeze in the tank and then
the diesel fuel.
DIESEL MIXshall be added to diesel
fuel before the due to cold take place.
Adding it later will be worthless.
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.
AT THE FILLING
STATION
IMPORTANTRefuelling shall always
be performed with engine off. Failing to
observe this precaution could cause the
gauge to provide wrong indications.
Should this occur, to restore proper in-
dication just have next refuelling with
the engine off. Otherwise contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
PETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol. To prevent er-
rors, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is too small to introduce a lead petrol
pump filler. Use petrol with a rated oc-
tane number (R.O.N.) not lower than
95.
IMPORTANTAn inefficient catalyst
leads to harmful exhaust emissions, thus
contributing to air pollution.
IMPORTANT Never use leaded
petrol, even in small amount or in an
emergency, as this would damage the
catalyst beyond repair.
The car must only be
filled with diesel fuel for
motor vehicles, in com-
pliance with European Standard
EN590. The use of other prod-
ucts or mixtures may irrepara-
bly damage the engine with in-
validation of the warranty due
to the damage caused. In the
event of accidentally filling with
another type of fuel, do not
start the engine and empty the
tank. If the engine has been run
even for only a very short time,
in addition to the tank, it is al-
so necessary to drain out the
whole fuel circuit.

126
SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
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DASHBOARD
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EMERGENCY OPENING OF
THE FUEL FILLER CAP
In case of failure, the fuel filler cap can
be opened by pulling string set on the
right side of the boot fig. 110.
A0E0130mfig. 110
FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel filler cap is unlocked when cen-
tral door locking is off and it is auto-
matically locked when activating the
central door locking. To open the fuel
filler cap, operate as shown by the ar-
row infig. 108.
The fuel filler cap is A-fig. 109 fitted
with an antiloss device Bwhich fastens
it to the flap Cso it cannot be mislaid.
A0E0159mfig. 108A0E0160mfig. 109
Do not put naked
flames or lighted ciga-
rettes near the fuel filler hole
as there is danger of fire. Do
not bend too close to the hole
either so as not to breathe in
harmful vapours.
WARNING
When refuelling, position the cap on the
device inside the flap as shown in the
figure.
IMPORTANTThe sealing of the tank
may cause light pressurising in the tank.
A little breathing off, while slackening
the cap, is absolutely normal.

127
SAFETY
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
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The devices for curtailing diesel fuel en-
gine emissions are the following:
❒oxidising catalytic converter;
❒exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.);
❒ diesel particulate filter (DPF).
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
The devices for curtailing petrol engine
emissions are the following:
❒ three-way catalytic converter;
❒ Lambda sensor;
❒ fuel evaporation system.
In addition, do not let the engine run,
even for a test, with one or more spark
plugs disconnected.
During normal service
the diesel particulate
filter (DPF) reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore
park the car over inflammable
materials (grass, dry leaves,
pine needles, etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING

128
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
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Since this filter physically traps particu-
lates, it shall be cleaned (reclaimed) at
regular intervals by burning carbon par-
ticles. Reclaiming procedure is controlled
automatically by the engine control unit
according to the filter conditions and the
conditions of use of the car. During re-
claiming the following phenomena could
take place: idling slight increase, fan ac-
tivation, slight smoke increase, high ex-
haust temperatures. These situations
shall not be considered as faults and they
do not affect car performance and envi-
ronment.DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER
(DPF)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a me-
chanical filter, integral with the exhaust
system, that physically traps particulate
present in the exhaust gases of Diesel
engines.
The diesel particular filter has been
adopted to eliminate almost totally par-
ticulates in compliance with current /
future law regulations.
During normal use of the car, the engine
control unit records a set of data (e.g.:
travel time, type of route, temperatures,
etc.) and it will then calculate how much
particulates has been trapped by the fil-
ter.Diesel particulate filter
clogged
When the Diesel particulate filter is
clogged, the instrument panel warning
light
hwill turn on (on certain ver-
sions symbol
his displayed). In
this case keep the car running until
warning light
h(or symbol
h) turns off.