service Alfa Romeo 159 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

OWNER’S MANUALALFA
159
SERVICE
ENGLISH
Alfa 159 cop. LUM GB 1-10-2007 9:40 Pagina 1

This booklet describes all the versions of the Alfa 159, so you should only consider the infor-
mation concerning the trim level, engine and version purchased by you.
Dear Customer,
thank you for choosing Alfa Romeo.
Your
Alfa 159has been designed to guarantee the safety, comfort and driving pleasure typical of
Alfa Romeo.
This booklet will help you to get to know the characteristics and operation of your car.
The following pages contain all the indications necessary for you to be able to maintain the high standards of per-
formance, quality, safety and respect for the environment which characterize this
Alfa 159.
The enclosed Warranty Booklet also contains the regulations, the warranty certificate and a guide to the services of-
fered by Alfa Romeo.
Services which are essential and precious because, when you purchase an Alfa Romeo you are not only acquiring a
car, but the tranquillity that comes from knowing that an efficient, willing and widespread organization is at your ser-
vice for any assistance problems you may have.
Have a good trip.

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical accessories (that will gradually drain the battery), contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the car’s elec-
tric system can support the required load.

CODE CARD
Keep the code card in a safe place, not in the car.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring it stays in tip-top condition and safeguards its safety fea-
tures, its environmental friendliness and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS…
…information, tips and important warnings regarding the safe, correct driving of your car, and its mainte-
nance. Pay particular attention to the symbols
"(personal safety) #(environmental protection) â(car well-be-
ing).

Any queries concerning servicing should be forwarded to the showroom from which the car was purchased, the sub-
sidiary company or to our branch offices or any point of the Alfa Romeo Network.
Warranty Booklet
The Warranty Booklet is delivered together with every new car and contains the regulations tied to the services giv-
en by Alfa Romeo Services and to the warranty conditions.
Correctly carrying out the scheduled services specified by the manufacturer is the best way to maintain the perfor-
mance, safety characteristics and low running costs of your car. It is also necessary to maintain warranty cover.
“Service” guide
This contains the Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The services can be recognized by the presence of the Alfa Romeo
badge and logo.
The Alfa Romeo organization in Italy can be found in the telephone book under the letter “A” Alfa Romeo.
Not all the models described in this booklet are available in all countries. Only some of the fittings described in this
booklet are fitted as standard to the car. The list of available accessories should be requested from the Alfa Romeo
Dealers.

11
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Warning light Ycoming on
when driving
If the warning light
Yturns on this
means that the system is running a self-
test (for example for a voltage drop).
If the warning light
Ystays on, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTEvery electronic key has
its own code, which must be memorised
by the system control unit. To memorise
new keys, up to a maximum of eight,
apply solely to Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services taking with you all the keys in
your possession, the CODE card, a per-
sonal identity document and the car’s
possession documents. The codes of the
keys not provided during the new mem-
orising procedure are erased from the
memory. This is to ensure that any lost
or stolen keys can no longer be used
to start the car.
OPERATION
Each time the electronic key is fitted in-
to the ignition switch, the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit sends a recog-
nition code to the engine control unit
to deactivate the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit has recognised
the code transmitted from the electron-
ic key.
If the code has not been recognised cor-
rectly, the warning light
Yturns on (on
certain versions a dedicated message
is displayed) (see section “Warning
lights and messages”).
In this case, the electronic key should
be removed from the ignition device and
then refitted; if the lock continues, pos-
sibly try again with the other keys pro-
vided with the car. If it is still not possi-
ble to start the car contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
The electronic compo-
nents inside the key may
be damaged if the key is
submitted to sharp knocks.
If 2 seconds after fitting
the electronic key into
the ignition switch, the
warning light
Ycomes on again
flashing (on certain versions a
dedicated message is dis-
played), this means that the
code of the keys has not been
memorised, thus the car is not
protected by the Alfa Romeo
CODE system against attempt-
ed theft. In this case, contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service
to have the key codes memo-
rised.

To change the battery fig. 10proceed
as follows:
❒take out the metal insert Aby press-
ing button B;
❒remove the snap-fitted case B-
fig. 11(red) by levering with the
metal insert Aof the electronic key
in the point shown in the figure;
❒remove the battery D-fig. 10from
the case taking note of the bias (in
the figure the positive pole is facing
downwards);
❒put the new battery into the case
with the correct bias;
❒put the case down into its seat and
refit the metal insert.
14
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
A0E0035mfig. 10A0E0242mfig. 11
Used batteries are
harmful to the environ-
ment. They should be
disposed of as specified by law
in the special containers pro-
vided, or take them to Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
which will deal with their dis-
posal.
IMPORTANTNever touch the electric
contacts of the key and prevent fluid or
dust infiltration inside it.
SAFE LOCK DEVICE
(where provided)
This safety system inhibits the operation
of the car door handles.
The safe lock device represents top pro-
tection against break in attempts. Acti-
vate it each time you park the car.
Once the safe lock de-
vice has been actuated,
doors cannot be opened from
inside the car in any way
whatsoever. For this reason,
make sure there are no per-
sons left inside the car.
WARNING

HOW TO DEACTIVATE
THE ALARM
Press button Ë. The system will react as
follows (with the exception of certain
markets):
❒two brief flashes of the direction in-
dicators;
❒two brief “beeps”;
❒door unlocking.
The alarm can be deactivated by fitting
the electronic key into the ignition
switch.
IMPORTANTOn certain versions any
attempt to break in detected by the sys-
tem will be indicated by a warning mes-
sage on the instrument panel display
when fitting the electronic key into the
ignition switch.VOLUMETRIC PROTECTION/
ANTI-RAISING SENSORS
To make sure that the protection sensors
are working properly, check that win-
dows and sunroof (where provided) are
shut.
This function can be cut out (for exam-
ple if you leave animals on the car) by
pressing button A-fig. 14on the front
ceiling light within 1 minute after in-
strument panel turning off.
When this function is off the button led
will turn on. Volumetric protection/anti-
raising sensors cut out shall be repeated
at each instrument panel turning off. Surveillance
When the system has been turned on,
the led A-fig. 13will flash to indicate
that the system is in the surveillance
mode. The led will flash continuously
while the system is under surveillance.
IMPORTANTOperation of the alarm
is adapted at the origin to the regula-
tions of the different countries.
Self-diagnosis and monitoring
of doors/bonnet/boot
If, after the alarm has been activated, a
second acoustic signal is heard, turn the
system off by pressing button
Ë, check
for proper locking of doors, bonnet and
boot, then turn the system on again by
pressing button
Á.
Otherwise if a door or bonnet/boot lid
is not correctly closed it will not be con-
trolled by the system. If the control sig-
nal is repeated when the doors and bon-
net/boot are closed properly this means
that the self-diagnosis function has de-
tected a system operating fault, in which
case it is necessary to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
18
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0E0086mfig. 14

TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL OFF
With engine off and clutch and brake
pedals released, press button START/
STOPor remove the electronic key
from the ignition device.
A few seconds after the instrument pan-
el display will turn off gradually.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn off.
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL ON
Proceed as follows:
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition
device;
❒if the electronic key is fitted yet, press
buttonSTART/STOPwithout
pressing the clutch or brake pedal.
To safeguard the battery, when leaving
the car with the instrument panel on,
electric and electronic devices will be de-
activated after approx. 1 hour.
IMPORTANTFit completely the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device until
it locks into place.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn on.
IMPORTANTIf when fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device, the
warning light
Yon the instrument pan-
el comes on (on certain versions to-
gether with a message on the display),
check whether the electronic key is the
proper one and then try to refit it into
the ignition device. If the problem per-
sists contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
20
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0E0028mfig. 16
ENGINE STARTING
See paragraph “Engine starting” in sec-
tion “Correct use of the car”.
START/STOP BUTTON
fig. 16
ButtonSTART/STOP, set on the
dashboard, controls car electric systems
and engine starting/stopping.
ButtonSTART/STOPis fitted with
knurled ring and led. When the led and
the instrument panel are on, the engine
can be started.

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

22
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARIMPORTANTThe pointer can reach
the red area also for a sum of un-
favourable conditions, i.e.: slow speed,
uphill, fully laden or towing a trailer with
hot outside temperature.
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.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE fig. 18
This shows the temperature of the en-
gine coolant fluid and begins working
when the fluid temperature exceeds ap-
prox. 50°C.
The pointer should normally be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer
reaches the red sector, reduce your de-
mand on the engine.
The turning on of the warning light
u
(on certain versions together with a
message on the display) indicates that
the coolant fluid temperature is too high;
in this case, stop the engine and contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services .
IMPORTANT The pointer can reach
the red area also for a sum of un-
favourable conditions, i.e.: slow speed,
uphill, fully laden or towing a trailer with
hot outside temperature.
FUEL GAUGE fig. 17
This shows the amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank.
0- tank empty.
1- tank full (see the indications given
in paragraph “At the filling station").
The warning light on the fuel level gauge
turns on when about 10 litres fuel are
left in the tank. On certain versions. the
display will show a warning message
when the cruising range is less than 50
km (or 31 mi).
If warning light
Kstarts
flashing when travelling
contact immediately Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
A0E00177mfig. 17A0E0178mfig. 18