brakes Alfa Romeo 159 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

108
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 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

117
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Mobile phones and other radio trans-
ceiver equipment (e.g.: HAM radio sys-
tems and the like) shall not be used in-
side the car unless a separate aerial is
mounted.
IMPORTANTThe use of mobile
phones, HAM radio systems or other
similar devices inside the passenger
compartment (without separate aerial)
may cause electronic systems equipping
the car to malfunction. This could com-
promise safety in addition to constitut-
ing a potential hazard for the passen-
gers.
In addition, transmission and reception
of these devices may be affected by the
shielding effect of the car body.
As concerns the use of mobile phones
(GSM, GPRS, UMTS) with homologa-
tion , keep strictly to the mobile
phone manufacturer’s specifications.
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If after buying the car, you decide to in-
stall electrical accessories that require a
permanent electric supply (alarm, satel-
lite antitheft system, etc.) or accessories
that in any case burden the electric sup-
ply, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices, whose qualified personnel, besides
suggesting the most suitable devices be-
longing to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo, will
also evaluate the overall electric absorp-
tion, checking whether the car’s electric
system is able to withstand the load re-
quired, or whether it needs to be inte-
grated with a more powerful battery.
Take care when fitting
additional spoilers, al-
loy rims and non-standard
wheel caps: they might reduce
ventilation of the brakes, thus
their efficiency, during abrupt
and repeated braking, or long
downhill slopes. Make sure
that nothing (mats, etc.) gets
in the way of the pedals when
they are pushed down.
WARNING
INSTALLATION OF
ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC
DEVICES
Electric/electronic devices installed af-
ter buying the car or in aftermarket shall
bear the and marking:
Fiat Auto S.p.A. authorizes the installa-
tion of transceivers provided that instal-
lation is carried out at a specialized
shop, workmanlike performed and in
compliance with manufacturer’s speci-
fications.
IMPORTANTInstallation of devices
resulting in modifications of car charac-
teristics may cause driving license seiz-
ing by traffic agents and also the lapse
of the warranty as concerns defects due
to the abovementioned modification or
traceable back to it directly or indirectly.
Fiat Auto S.p.A. declines all responsibil-
ity for damages caused by the installa-
tion of non-genuine accessories or not
recommended by Fiat Auto S.p.A. and
installed not in compliance with the spec-
ified requirements.

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.

130
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
Never press button C
when travelling.
Through the reel, the belt automatically
adapts to the body of the passenger
wearing it, allowing freedom of move-
ment.When the car is parked on a steep slope
the reel mechanism may block; this is
normal. The reel mechanism prevents
the webbing coming out when it is jerked
or if the car brakes sharply, in a collision
or when cornering at high speed.
The rear seat is fitted with inertial seat
belts with three anchor points and reel
for side and central seats.
Rear seat belts shall be worn as shown
in the figure fig. 2. To unfasten the seat belts, press button
C. Guide the seat belt with your hand
while it is rewinding, to prevent it from
twisting.
SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
The belt should be worn keeping the
chest straight and rested against the seat
back.
To fasten seat belts, take the tongue A-
fig. 1and insert it into the buckle B,
until hearing the locking click.
At removal, if it jams, let it rewind for
a short stretch, then pull it out again
without jerking.
WARNING
A0E0083mfig. 1A0E0055mfig. 2

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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
30 60 90 120 150 180
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SERVICE SCHEDULE
Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and
adjust pressure if required
Check light system operation (headlights,
direction indicators, hazard lights, boot lights, passenger
compartment lights, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer operation,
adjust nozzles if required
Check windscreen/rear window blade
position/wear
Check front disk brake pad conditions and wear
and wear indicator operation
Check rear disk brake pad conditions and wear
Sight inspect the conditions of: body external parts,
underbody protection, pipes and hoses
(exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts
(boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check cleanness of locks, bonnet and boot and lever cleanness
and lubrication
Check and top up, if required, fluid levels
(brakes/hydraulic clutch, power steering, windscreen washer,
battery, engine coolant, etc.)
Check and adjust handbrake lever stroke
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions (1.8 version)
Sight inspect timing belt conditions (1.8 version)

227
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒ trailer or caravan towing;
❒ dusty roads;
❒ short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒ frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒ urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒ check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒ check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒ sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒ check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒ visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒ change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒ tyre pressure and conditions.
❒ check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒ check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Se-
leniaproducts, designed and produced
specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Techni-
cal specifications”).

249
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS
T T
E E
C C
H H
N N
I I
C C
A A
L L
S S
P P
E E
C C
I I
F F
I I
C C
A A
T T
I I
O O
N N
S S
IDENTIFICATION DATA ......................................... 250
ENGINE CODES - BODYWORK VERSIONS ............... 252
ENGINE ............................................................ 253
FUEL FEED/IGNITION ........................................ 255
TRANSMISSION ................................................ 255
BRAKES ............................................................ 256
STEERING.......................................................... 256
SUSPENSIONS................................................... 256
WHEELS ........................................................... 257
DIMENSIONS..................................................... 261
PERFORMANCE .................................................. 263
WEIGHTS .......................................................... 264
CAPACITIES........................................................ 266
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS .................................... 267
FUEL CONSUMPTION .......................................... 269
CO
2EMISSIONS ............................................... 270
RADIO FREQUENCY REMOTE CONTROL:
MINISTERIAL CERTIFICATIONS ............................. 271

256
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS
1.8 - 1.9 JTS - 2.2 JTS - 3.2 JTS - 2.4 JTDM
1.9 JTDM8v - 1.9 JTDM16v
Service brakes:
– front Disc, self-ventilating Disc, self-ventilating
– rear Disc Disc, self-ventilating
Parking brake Controlled by hand lever, it works on rear brakes
IMPORTANT Water, ice and antifreeze salt on roads may deposit on the brake discs thus reducing braking efficiency at first braking.
1.8 - 1.9 JTS - 2.2 JTS - 3.2 JTS - 1.9 JTDM8V- 1.9 JTDM16v - 2.4 JTDM
Type Rack and pinion with hydraulic power steering
Turning radius
(between pavements) 11.1
BRAKES
STEERING
1.8 - 1.9 JTS - 2.2 JTS - 3.2 JTS - 1.9 JTDM8V- 1.9 JTDM16v - 2.4 JTDM
Front High quadrilateral system
Rear Multi-link system
SUSPENSIONS

292
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
INDEX
Bodywork (cleaning) ................ 245
Bonnet ................................... 105
Boot ................................ 101-277
– light replacement ................ 208
Brakes .................................... 256
Bulb (replacement) .................. 196
– general instructions ............. 196
– types of bulbs ..................... 197
Capacities ............................... 266
Car inactivity ............................ 164
Car maintenance................. 223
– periodical checks ................. 227
– use of the car under heavy
conditions .......................... 227
– service Schedule ................. 225
– scheduled service ................ 224
Carrying children safely ............. 135
– child restraint systems ......... 138
– passenger’s seat compliance . 138
– presetting for mounting the
“Universal Isofix” child restraint
system ....................... 140-285
Ceiling lights
– front ................................. 78
– rear .................................. 80Checking fluid levels ................. 228
Child lock device ...................... 97
Cigar lighter ............................. 85
Climate control system .............. 53
– automatic two-/three-zone .. 58
– manual .............................. 55
CO
2emissions ......................... 270
CODE card ............................... 12
Containing running costs ........... 157
Controls .................................. 81
Correct use of the car........ 151
Courtesy mirror light
– bulb replacement ................ 206
Cruise Control .......................... 76
Dashboard and controls.... 6
Dashboard buttons ................... 72
Diesel fuel filter ........................ 236
Dimensions ............................. 261
Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ................ 200
– control ............................... 70
Direction indicators
– bulb replacement 200-201-203
– control ............................... 70
Doors ..................................... 96 ABS system ............................ 108
Accessories purchased
by the owner ......................... 117
Additional heater ...................... 69
Air/pollen filter ........................ 236
Air vents ................................. 54
Alarm ..................................... 17
Alfa Romeo CODE system .......... 10
Alfa 159 Sportwagon....... 275
Armrest
– central ............................... 82
– rear ............................ 83-84
Ashtray ................................... 87
ASR system ............................. 112
At the filling station .................. 125
Automatic headlight sensor ........ 71
Automatic two/three-zone
climate control system ............ 58
Battery
– checking the charge ............ 237
– jump starting ...................... 182
– recharging .......................... 219
– replacing ............................ 238
– useful advice for
lengthening the life ............. 239
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