display Alfa Romeo 159 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

96
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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With key removed the led will turn off
after about 2 minutes.
When doors are unlocked the led is off;
pressing the button will lock all the
doors. Central door locking will only take
place if all doors are perfectly closed.
DOORS
CENTRAL DOOR LOCKING/
UNLOCKING SYSTEM
Door locking from the outside
With the doors closed, press the elec-
tronic key button
Áor fit and turn the
metal insert (inside the key) into the
lock of the driver’s door. Central door
locking can only be activated if all the
doors are closed. If one or more doors
are open after pressing the electronic
key button
Áthe direction indicators and
the driver’s door led will flash fast for
about 3 seconds.
If one or more doors are open by turning
the metal insert of the electronic key, on-
ly the driver’s door led will flash fast for
about 3 seconds. If the doors are closed
but the tailgate is open, central locking
is actuated: the direction indicators (only
for locking performed by pressing button
Á) and the driver’s door led will flash fast
for about 3 seconds.
A0E0025mfig. 90
Through the “Setup menu” (or the Ra-
dionavigation system for certain versions)
it is possible to activate the function that
enables to unlock only the driver’s door
lock by pressing the electronic key button
Ë(see paragraph “Reconfigurable mul-
tifunction display” in this section).
With this function on (ON) it is howev-
er possible to unlock the other doors by
pressing button
q(fig. 90) set on the
central console.
Door unlocking from
the outside
Press the electronic key button
Ëor, fit
and turn the metal insert (inside the
key) into the lock of the driver’s door.
Door locking/unlocking from
the inside
Press button
q(fig. 90) to lock/un-
lock all the doors.
The button is provided with a circular led
indicating the car condition (doors
locked or unlocked). When doors are
locked the led is on: in this case press-
ing the button again will unlock all the
doors and will turn the led off.

101
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
On certain versions, improper boot
closing is indicated by the instrument
panel warning light
´, whereas on
other versions the symbol
Rand a
message are displayed (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
OPENING FROM
THE INSIDE
Press button A-fig. 94set on the
front ceiling light.
ButtonA-fig. 94is disabled when
locking the doors by:
❒pressing the electronic key button
Á;
❒turning the metal insert of the key
into the driver's door lock;
❒automatic locking of the doors
after about 2.5 minutes.
Tailgate opening is facilitated by the
side gas shock springs.
Opening the boot its internal light will
turn on and it will turn off automati-
cally when re-closing the tailgate.
Leaving the tailgate inadvertently
open, the light will turn off automati-
cally after a few minutes.
BOOT
The boot lock is electric and it is dis-
abled when the car is running.
Through the “Setup menu” (or the
Radionavigation system for certain
versions) boot opening can be set by
selecting the option “Indep. boot”
(see paragraph “Reconfigurable multi-
function display” in this section):
when this function is on, the boot can
only be opened by pressing the elec-
tronic key button
`, thus inhibit-
ing the boot opening button on the
ceiling light A-fig. 94.
A0E0096mfig. 94

105
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Improper bonnet closing is indicated (on
certain versions) by the instrument pan-
el warning light
´(where provided), or
by symbol
Sand a message on the
display (see section “Warning lights and
messages”).
IMPORTANTAlways check that the
bonnet is closed properly to avoid its
opening while the car is travelling.
BONNET
TO OPEN THE BONNET
Proceed as follows:
❒pull lever A-fig. 98until hearing
the releasing click;
❒pull leverB-fig. 99and raise the
bonnet keeping the lever pulled
IMPORTANTBonnet raising is aided
by two gas springs. Do not tamper with
these springs and guide the bonnet
while raising it.
IMPORTANT Before opening the bon-
net, check that windscreen wiper arms
are not lifted from the windscreen.A0E0122mfig. 98
A0E0158mfig. 99
TO CLOSE THE BONNET
Lower the bonnet at approx. 20 cen-
timetres from the engine compartment
and then let it drop, ensuring that it is
fully closed and not just held in position
by the safety catch. If the bonnet does
not close properly, do not push it down
but open it again and repeat the above
procedure.
Carry out operations
only when the car is
stationary.
WARNING
For safety reasons the
bonnet must be closed
properly to avoid its opening
while the car is travelling.
Therefore, always check it is
properly closed and the catch
engaged. Should you notice
that the catch is not perfectly
engaged when travelling, stop
the car immediately and close
the bonnet.
WARNING

109
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.

110
SAFETY
DEVICES
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LIGHTS AND
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VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics
Control)
(where provided)
The VDC system is an electronic system
controlling the car stability in the event
of tyre grip loss.
The VDC system is therefore particular-
ly useful when grip conditions of the
road surfaces changes.
VDC SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the
warning light
áon the instrument pan-
el, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
TURNING THE VDC SYSTEM
ON/OFF
The VDC system is automatically acti-
vated when the engine is started. When
travelling, to turn the VDC off press the
ASR/ VDC button on the central console
fig. 103for 2 seconds. Turning off the
VDC will also turn off the ASR. Both func-
tions can be reactivated by pressing the
ASR/VDC button.
VDC system deactivation is indicated
by the instrument panel warning light
á(on certain versions a symbol is dis-
played) and by the circular led around
the ASR/VDC button.
If the VDC has been turned off when
travelling, at next engine start-up it will
turn on again automatically.
FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS
In the event of failure, the VDC system
is automatically disconnected and the
warning light
ácomes on with fixed
light on the instrument panel (on cer-
tain versions together with a message
on the display) (see section “Warning
lights and messages”). In this case con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible.
A0E0026mfig. 103

Failure warnings
System failure is indicated by the turn-
ing on of warning light
*(where pro-
vided) on the instrument panel (on cer-
tain versions together with the dedicat-
ed message on the display) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
IMPORTANTThe Hill Holder system
is not a parking brake. Never get out
of the car without engaging the hand-
brake, switching the engine off and en-
gaging the first gear.
ASR SYSTEM
(AntiSlip Regulation)
This system is an integral part of the VDC
system, it controls car drive and cuts in
automatically every time one or both dri-
ving wheels slip.
According to slipping conditions, two dif-
ferent control systems are activated:
❒ if slipping involves both driving
wheels, the ASR function intervenes
reducing the power transmitted by
the engine;
❒if slipping involves only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in auto-
matically braking the wheel that is
slipping. This time elapsing without starting, the
system will deactivate automatically by
releasing gradually the brake force.
At releasing, the typical brake disen-
gagement noise indicating that the car
is going to move will be heard.
112
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS

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.
114
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
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

115
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
115
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.

118
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
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. 104
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. 104 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. 104. 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. 104with
speed below 15 km/h.
Sensors are deactivated by pressing
again button A-fig. 104if 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.

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