ABS Alfa Romeo 159 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

158
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the traffic
and road allow, use a higher gear. Us-
ing a low gear to obtain brilliant perfor-
mance increases consumption. In the
same way improper use of a high gear
increases consumption, emissions an en-
gine wear.
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increas-
es with speed. Avoid superfluous brak-
ing and accelerating, which cost in terms
of both fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the revs
will greatly affect consumption and emis-
sions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts
do not allow the engine to reach opti-
mum operating temperature. This results
in a significant increase in consumption
levels (from +15 to +30% on the urban
cycle) and emission of harmful sub-
stances.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied
to situations with heavy traffic, for ex-
ample in queues with frequent use of
the lower gears or in cities with many
traffic lights. Also winding mountain
roads and rough road surfaces adverse-
ly affect consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g.: level
crossings) the engine should be
switched off.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car
at a standstill or at idle or high speed:
under these conditions the engine
warms up much more slowly, increasing
electrical consumption and emissions. It
is therefore advisable to move off im-
mediately, slowly, avoiding high speeds.
This way the engine will warm faster.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traf-
fic lights or before switching off the en-
gine. This and also double declutching
is absolutely pointless on modern cars
and also increase consumption and pol-
lution.

159
SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
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CAR
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CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Engage a low gear when driving down-
hill, rather than constantly using the
brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car
tow hook reduces by the same amount
the actual car loading capacity. To make
sure the maximum towable weight is
not exceeded (given in the log book)
account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and
personal belongings.
Do not exceed the speed limits of the
country you are driving in. In any case
do not exceed 100 km/h.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car
must be fitted with a certified tow hook
and an adequate electric system. In-
stallation should be carried out by spe-
cialised personnel who release a special
document for circulation on the road.
Install any specific and/or additional
rear-view mirrors as specified by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the brak-
ing spaces increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight.
The ABS system with
which the car may be
fitted does not control the
trailer braking system. Drive
with extreme care on slippery
roadbeds.
WARNING
Under no circumstances
should the car brake
system be altered to control
the trailer brake. The trailer
braking system must be fully
independent of the car hy-
draulic system.
WARNING

165
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
W W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G
L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S
A A
N N
D D
M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E
S S
LOW BRAKE FLUID/HANDBRAKE ON ..................... 167
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................. 167
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED ................................. 167
AIR BAG FAILURE................................................ 168
PASSANGER’S FRONT AIR BAGS DEACTIVATED ........ 169
ENGINE COOLANT HIGH TEMPERATURE.................. 169
ENGINE OIL HIGH TEMPERATURE .......................... 170
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE/
EXHAUST OIL..................................................... 170
LOW BATTERY CHARGE ....................................... 170
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING ............................... 171
BONNET OPEN ................................................... 171
BOOT OPEN....................................................... 171
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE....................................... 171
CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
STEERING LOCK INHIBITION................................. 172
ALARM FAILURE/BREAK-IN ATTEMPT
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT RECOGNIZED ...................... 172
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE ON THE ROAD............ 173
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUGS/
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUG FAILURE ....................... 173
WATER IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER ............................. 174
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCHED ON ................. 174
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE......................................... 175
EBD SYSTEM FAILURE......................................... 175VDC SYSTEM .................................................... 175
HILL HOLDER FAILURE ........................................ 176
ASR SYSTEM (WHEEL ANTISKID SYSTEM) ............. 176
EXTERNAL LIGHTS FAILURE .................................. 176
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE ....................................... 177
REAR FOGLIGHTS ............................................... 177
FRONT FOG LIGHTS ............................................ 177
SIDE/TAILLIGHTS/FOLLOW ME HOME .................. 177
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS.................................. 177
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS .................................... 177
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ........................ 177
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ...................... 177
LIGHT SENSOR FAILURE........................................ 178
RAIN SENSOR FAILURE......................................... 178
PARKING SENSORS FAILURE ................................ 178
FUEL RESERVE – LIMITED CRUISING RANGE .......... 178
CRUISE CONTROL .............................................. 178
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED .................. 178
ANTIPINCH SYSTEM FAILURE ............................... 179
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID LOW LEVEL ............. 179
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED ..................................... 179
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM FAILURE ................................... 179
CHECK TYRE PRESSURE ...................................... 179
LOW INFLATION PRESSURE ................................. 180
TYRE PRESSURE UNSUITABLE FOR SPEED ............. 180

175
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
EBD SYSTEM
FAILURE
(red)
(amber)
With the engine running the
turning on at the same time of
the
>andxwarning lights (on cer-
tain versions together with the message
on the display) indicates that the EBD
system is inefficient; in this case heavy
braking may cause the rear wheels to
lock before time, with the possibility of
skidding.
Drive with the utmost care to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Service to
have the system checked.
VDC SYSTEM
(where provided)
(amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds.
The warning light flashes when the VDC
cuts in, to alert the driver that the sys-
tem is adapting to the road surface grip
conditions.
VDC deactivation
When the VDC is deactivated manually
(pressing the ASR/VDC button for 2 sec-
onds) (see paragraph “VDC system” in
section “Dashboard and controls”) the
instrument panel warning light turns on
(on certain versions a message is dis-
played).
VDC failure
In case of failure, the VDC system will
deactivate automatically and the in-
strument panel warning light
áwill turn
on glowing steadily (on certain versions
a message will also be displayed). In
this case contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
ABS SYSTEM
FAILURE (amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition
device the warning light turns on, but
it should go off after few seconds.
The warning light turns on (on certain
versions a dedicated message is dis-
played) when the system is inefficient.
In this case the braking system keeps
its effectiveness unchanged, but without
the potential offered by the ABS system.
Drive carefully and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
>
>
xá

194
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
You shall absolutely
communicate that the
tyre has been repaired with
the quick tyre repair kit. Hand
the instruction brochure to the
personnel charged with treat-
ing the tyre repaired with the
kit.
WARNING
A0E0215mfig. 21
A0E0216mfig. 22
CHECKING AND RESTORING
PRESSURE ONLY
The compressor can be also used just for
restoring pressure. Disconnect the quick
connectionA-fig. 21and connect it
directly to the tyre valve fig. 22; in this
way the cylinder is not connected to
compressor and the sealing fluid will not
flow into the tyre.
If pressure falls below
1.8 bar, stop the car
since the tyre is excessively
damaged and the quick tyre
repair kit Fix & Go automatic
cannot guarantee suitable
sealing, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING
❒after driving for about 10 minutes
stop and check again the tyre pres-
sure;pull up the handbrake;❒if at least 1.8 bar pressure is read, re-
store proper pressure (with engine
running and handbrake on) and
restart;
❒drive with the utmost care to the
nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service.

202
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
Reversing light/rear fog
lights
To replace the bulbs proceed as follows:
❒open the tailgate;
❒turn deviceA-fig. 33 to open lid
B;
❒lower the lid and remove the bulb
holder unit by pressing the retaining tabs
C-fig. 34;
❒remove and replace the burnt-out
bulb by pressing it slightly and turn-
ing it counterclockwise fig. 35:
D:reversing light bulb on passenger
side (or right side);
D:reversing light bulb on driver side (or
left side)
❒refit the bulb holder unit securing it
properly using the retaining tabs C-
fig. 34;
❒close lidB-fig. 33.
REAR LIGHT UNITS
Rear light units contain: reversing light,
rear fog light, direction indicators, tail-
lights, number plate lights, brake light
and third brake light bulbs.
A0E0165mfig. 33A0E0166mfig. 34A0E0167mfig. 35

203
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
Direction indicators/
Taillights/Brake lights
To replace the bulbs proceed as follows:
❒open the tailgate;
❒loosen screw A-fig. 37and remove
the protection cover B;
❒remove the bulb holder unit C-
fig. 38by pressing the retaining
tabsD.
A0E0170mfig. 37
Taillight bulb on tailgate
To replace the bulbs proceed as follows:
❒open the tailgate;
❒turn deviceA-fig. 33 to open lid
B;
❒lower the lid and remove the bulb
holder unit by pressing the retaining
tabsC-fig. 34;
A0E0229mfig. 36
❒remove and replace the burnt-out
bulb by pressing it slightly and turn-
ing it counterclockwisefig. 36:
D: taillight bulb on right/left headlight
❒refit the bulb holder unit securing it
properly using the retaining tabs C-
fig. 34;
❒close lidB-fig. 33.
A0E0040mfig. 38

204
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
Additional brake light
(third stop)
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
to have the third brake light replaced. ❒remove and replace the burnt-out
bulb by pressing it slightly and turn-
ing it counter-clockwisefig. 39:
Etaillight/brake light bulb;
Fdirection indicator bulb.
❒refit the bulb holder unit securing it
properly using the retaining tabs D-
fig. 38;
❒refit the protection cover B-fig. 37
and tighten screw A.Number plate light
To replace the bulbs proceed as follows:
❒operate with a flat blade screwdriver pro-
tected by a soft cloth on device A-fig.
40to remove the light unit B;
❒remove the bulb holderC-fig. 41by
turning it slightly and replace the snap-
fitted bulb D.
A0E0041mfig. 39A0E0168mfig. 40A0E0169mfig. 41

216
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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TECHNICAL
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
USERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Water in diesel fuel filter sensor/flow meter F35 7.5 56
Brake light switch/central console control panel F35 7.5 56
Cruise Control F35 7.5 56
AQS sensor F35 7.5 56
Boot branch point/front door branch point power F36 20 56
Instrument panel branch point F37 7.5 56
Front headlight control unit/Power to control unit for gas-discharge
headights (Bixenon) (where provided) F37 7.5 56
Boot locking/unlocking gearmotor F38 15 56
EOBD system diagnostic socket F39 10 56
T.P.M.S. control unit F39 10 56
Mobile phone presetting F39 10 56
Alarm system control unit (where provided) F39 10 56
Climate control system F39 10 56
Heated rear window F40 30 56
Windscreen washer/rear window washer nozzle demister F41 7.5 56
Heated mirror demister F41 7.5 56
Brake branch point power (ABS/VDC) –
Steering angle branch point – Yawing sensor F42 7.5 56
Windscreen wiper/washer F43 30 56

235
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Do not allow the pow-
er steering fluid to
touch the hot parts of the en-
gine: it is inflammable.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID fig. 15
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake
fluid specified in the table “Fluids and
lubricants” (see section “Technical Spec-
ifications ").
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When
opening the cap take the utmost care to
prevent impurities entering the tank.
When topping up, always use a funnel
with built-in filter with mesh equal to
or lower than 0.12 mm.
A0E0016mfig. 15
Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised 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.
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.