ESP Alfa Romeo 159 2009 Owner handbook (in English)

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.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 1

MUST BE READ!
REFUELLING
Petrol engines: only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95.
Diesel engines: only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590. The use of
other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of the warranty due to the
damage caused.
K
ENGINE STARTING
Petrol engines: ensure that the handbrake is up, fully press the clutch pedal, without pressing the accelerator, put
the gear lever neutral, fit the electronic key into the ignition device to stop limit, briefly press the START/STOPbut-
ton.
Diesel engines:ensure that the handbrake is up, fully press the clutch pedal, without pressing the accelerator, put
the gear lever neutral, fit the electronic key down into the ignition device until it stops. The instrument panel warning
light
mwill turn on, wait for the warning light mto turn off. The hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen,
briefly press the START/STOPbutton as soon as the warning light
mturns on.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While working, the catalyst develops a very high temperature. Do not park the car over grass, dry leaves, pine
needles or any other inflammable materials: risk of fire.

RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protec-
tion is fitted in your car.
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12
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARIMPORTANT Never expose the elec-
tronic key to direct sunlight: risk of dam-
ages.
IMPORTANTRemote control fre-
quency may be disturbed by radio trans-
missions outside the car (e.g. mobile
phones, hams, etc…). In this event re-
mote control may be failing. The electronic key fig. 7is fitted with
a metal insert A, that can be extracted
by pressing button B.
The metal insert operates the following:
❒central door locking/unlocking
through the driver's door lock (with
run-down car battery only the driver's
door will open);
❒windows opening/closing;
❒switch (where provided) for deacti-
vating the passenger’s air bag and
knees air bag (where provided);
❒safe-lock device (where provided);
❒emergency unlocking of electronic
key from ignition switch.
A0E0022mfig. 7
Never leave the elec-
tronic key unattended
to prevent anyone, especially
children, from holding it and
pressing button B-fig. 7 inad-
vertently.
WARNING
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 12

To set the speed limit, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒press button MENUuntil selecting
SPEED BEEP: the display will show
SPEED BEEPand setting condition
(ON= speed limit on/ OFF= speed
limit off);
❒press again button MENU:ON(or
OFF) will flash;
❒press buttons +/–to select ONor
OFF;
❒selectingONwill make the last
speed limit set flashing on the dis-
play;
❒press buttons +/–to adjust the val-
ue.
IMPORTANT The possible setting is be-
tween 30 and 250 km/h (or between
20 and 150 mph) depending on the unit
set previously (see paragraph “Units” de-
scribed later). Every press (pulse) of the
button+/–increases or decreases the
value by 5 units. Keeping the button +/–
pressed obtains automatic fast increase or
decrease. When you are near the required
setting complete adjustment with single
presses.
27
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Failure/warning buzzer
volume (BUZZ)
With this function the volume of the
buzzer accompanying any failure/warn-
ing indications can be adjusted accord-
ing to 4 levels. The buzzer can be ad-
justed and excluded.
Proceed as follows:
❒press button MENUuntil selecting
BUZZ: the display will show BUZZ
and a figure corresponding to the
buzzer volume level;
❒press again button MENU: the fig-
ure will flash;
❒press buttons +/–to adjust the
buzzer volume.
To mute the buzzer set the volume lev-
el to “0” using buttons +/–. Clock (TIME REG)
This function enables to adjust the clock.
To adjust the clock proceed as follows:
❒press button MENUuntil selecting
TIME REG;
❒press again button MENU:TIME
and clock will flash;
❒press buttons +/–to adjust time.
Clock is always displayed in 24h mode
(24 hours).
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32
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Selecting “Date” and “Clock”:
❒briefly press button MENUto select
the first value to change (e.g. hours/
minutes or year/month/day);
❒operate buttons +or–(by single
press) to select the new setting;
❒briefly press button MENUto store
the new setting and to go to the next
setup menu option, if this is the last
one you will go back to the previously
selected option of the main menu.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
INDICATION
Fitting the electronic key into the igni-
tion device, the display will show for a
few seconds the engine oil level. At this
stage, to clear this indication and to go
to next screen, press button MENU.
Low oil level will be indicated by a ded-
icated warning message on the display.
IMPORTANT Check the proper en-
gine oil level on the dipstick (see para-
graph “Checking levels” in section “Car
maintenance”).
IMPORTANTProper engine oil level
shall be checked with the car on level
ground.
IMPORTANT To read the correct oil
level after fitting the electronic key, wait
for about 2 seconds before starting the
engine.
IMPORTANT Engine oil level could in-
crease after a long stop.
Selecting an option of the main
menu with submenu:
❒briefly press button MENUto display
the first submenu option;
❒operate buttons +or–(by single
press) to scroll all submenu options;
❒briefly press button MENUto select
the displayed submenu option and to
enter the corresponding setup menu;
❒operate buttons +or–(by single
press) to select the new setting of this
submenu option;
❒briefly press button MENUto store
the new setting and go back to the
previously selected submenu option.
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33
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Briefly press button MENUto access navigation from the standard screen. To surf the menu press buttons +or–. For safety rea-
sons, when the car is running, it is possible to access only the reduced menu (for setting “Speed limit”). When the car is stationary
access to the whole menu is enabled. With the Radionavigation system it is only possible to adjust/set the following functions: “Speed
Limit”, “Light sensor sensitivity ” (where provided) and “S.B.R. buzzer reactivation” (where provided). The other functions are shown
on the Radionavigation system display, that shall be use to adjust/set them as required.
fig. 26
BEEP VOL.SERVICEQUIT SETUPLIGHT SENS.RESET TRIP B
CLOCK
MODE 12/24
DATE
AUDIO RPT.
INDEP. BOOT
UNLOCK FDA
DOOR LOCK
UNITS KEYS VOL.
LANGUAGESPEED LIMIT
A0E0218g
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47
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Seat controls are the
following:
Multifunction control A:
– front seat height adjustment;
– rear seat height adjustment;
– vertical seat movement;
– longitudinal seat movement;
B:Back rest angle adjustment;
C:Driver’s seat positions store buttons;
D:Lombar adjustment.
IMPORTANTSeat can only be ad-
justed when the electronic key is fitted
into the ignition device and for about 1
minute from removing it or after press-
ing button START/STOP. After open-
ing the door the seat can be adjusted for
about 3 minutes or until closing the
door.Storing driver’s seat/door
mirror positions
ButtonsCallows to store and recall three
different driver’s seat and door mirror po-
sitions. Storing and recalling are only pos-
sible with electronic key fitted into igni-
tion device.
Stored position can only be recalled for
about 3 minutes after opening the doors
and for about 1 minute after removing
the electronic key from the ignition de-
vice.
To store the required seat position, ad-
just it as required then press the button
corresponding to position to store for a
few seconds.
To recall the stored position, press briefly
the corresponding button.
Storing a new position will automatically
clear the one stored previously using the
same button.
FRONT SEATS SPORTS
(where provided)
fig. 33/a
Certain versions are fitted with manu-
ally or electrically adjustable front seats
with sports configuration.
To adjust these seats see the indications
contained in previous paragraphs.
A0E0421mfig. 33/a
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61
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
AIR TEMPERATURE
ADJUSTMENT KNOBS
Turning the knob knurled rings (B/
E/P), clockwise or counter-clockwise,
respectively raises or lowers the tem-
perature of the air required respective-
ly in the left front zone (knob B) or right
front zone (knob E) or rear zone (knob
P) of the passenger compartment. The
temperatures set are shown on the dis-
playD/S.
Turning the knob knurled rings fully
clockwise or counter-clockwise until they
reach the extreme selections HIorLO,
the maximum heating or cooling func-
tions are respectively engaged.HI function (HIGH)
(maximum heating power)
It is switched on by setting a tempera-
ture of more than 32°C on the display,
and can be switched on independently
from the driver’s or passengers’ side, or
both of them; this setting brings the sys-
tem to the “one-zone” mode and it is
shown by both displays.
This functions can be switched on when
you wish to heat the passenger com-
partment as quickly as possible, by tak-
ing the greatest advantage from the sys-
tem potential.
The function uses the maximum tem-
perature of the heating fluid, whereas
air distribution and fan speed are con-
trolled automatically by the system.
SWITCHING THE CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM ON
The system can be turned on by press-
ing any button (excluding
(,vand
OFF); it is however advisable to set the
required temperatures on the display
and then to press the AUTO button.
The climate control system allows to per-
sonalise required temperatures (driver and
passengers).
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67
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
AIR RECIRCULATION AND
AQS FUNCTION (AIR
QUALITY SYSTEM)
ON/OFF (where provided)
Inside air recirculation is controlled ac-
cording to the following operating log-
ics:
❒automatic control, indicated by but-
ton led “A”;
❒forced switching on (inside air recir-
culation always on), indicated by the
turning on of the circular led around
the button;
❒forced switching off (air recirculation
always off with air inlet from the out-
side), indicated by the turning off of
the circular led around the button.
With A.Q.S. (air quality sensor - where
provided), the operating logics becomes
sequential by pressing button
v.IMPORTANTThe inside air recircula-
tion system makes it possible to reach
the required heating or cooling condi-
tions faster. It is however inadvisable to
use it on rainy/cold days as it would
considerably increase the possibility of
the windows misting inside, especially
if the climate control compressor is off.
It is advisable to turn on the inside air
recirculation system in queues or tunnels
to avoid admitting polluted air from out-
side. The prolonged use of this function
should however be avoided, especially
with several persons on board, to avoid
the possibility of the windows misting
inside and to guarantee the required
fresh air inlet.
In certain weather con-
ditions (e.g. outside
temperature around
0°C) and with automatic air re-
circulation control on, mist may
form on the windows. In this
case press button
vto
switch off recirculation and if
necessary press button + to in-
crease the flow of air to the
windscreen.
With the outside tem-
perature below -1°C the
climate control compres-
sor is unable to work. It is
therefore inadvisable to use the
inside air recirculation function
with low outside temperature
as windows may mist over
quickly.
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77
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
❒pressing the brake pedal, pressing the
clutch pedal (in these cases the last
stored speed will stay memorised, to
resume it press button RES);
❒pressing the accelerator pedal; in this
case the system is disengaged only
temporarily; device operation will be
resumed automatically when releas-
ing the pedal;
❒with car speed below the preset lim-
it (in these cases the last stored
speed will stay memorised, to resume
it press button RES);
Automatic Cruise Control
deactivation
The Cruise Control is temporarily deac-
tivated when the ABS or VDC systems
come into operation (above a max. pre-
set time): in this case the last set speed
will stay memorised, to recall it press
buttonRES.
In the event of Cruise Control or engine
control system failure, the device is de-
activated until removing the electronic
key from the ignition device. In this
event contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
❒engage the gear selected at the time
of speed memorising (4th or 5th
gear);
❒press the RESbutton (set at stalk
end).
TO INCREASE THE
MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
❒pressing the accelerator and then
memorising the new speed reached;
or
❒moving the stalk upwards (+).
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight increase in speed
(about 1.5 km/h), while keeping the
stalk upwards will correspond to a con-
tinuous speed increase.
TO REDUCE MEMORISED
SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
❒disengaging the device and then
memorising the new speed;
or
❒moving the stalk downwards (–) un-
til reaching the new speed which will
be memorised automatically.
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight decrease in speed
(about 1.5 km/h), while keeping the
stalk downwards will correspond to a
continuous speed decrease.
DEVICE DISENGAGEMENT
The device is disengaged in one of the
following cases:
❒turning the knurled ring A-fig. 57
toO;
❒turning the engine off or removing
the electronic key from the ignition
device;
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