technical specifications Alfa Romeo 159 2010 Owner handbook (in English)

145
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
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DASHBOARD
AND
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SAFETY
DEVICES
❒passenger's front air bag and knees
air bag (for versions/markets, where
provided) and side bag deactivated
(OFFposition
F): warning light
Fon front ceiling light panel on;
it is possible to carry a child protect-
ed by special restraint systems on the
front seat.
The warning light
Fon front ceiling
light panel stays on permanently until the
passenger’s air bags are reactivated.
Passenger's air bags deactivation will
not inhibit the operation of the head pro-
tection side bag (Window Bag).
SIDE AIR BAGS
(Side bag -
Window bag)
The car is fitted with front side bags for
driver and passenger for protecting the
chest and window bags for protecting front
and rear occupant’s head.
Side bags protect car occupants from
side crashes of medium-high severity, by
placing the cushion between the occu-
pant and the internal parts of the side
structure of the car.
Non-activation of side bags in other
types of collisions (front collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc...) is not a system
malfunction.
In case of side crash, an electronic con-
trol unit, when required triggers the in-
flation of the cushion. The cushion im-
mediately inflates, placing itself as a pro-
tection, between the occupant’s body
and the structure that could cause in-
juries. Immediately after, the cushion de-
flates.Side air bags are not a replacement of
but complementary to the belts, which
you are recommended to always wear,
as specified by law in Europe and most
non-European countries.
FRONT SIDE BAGS -
CHEST AND PELVIS
ZONE PROTECTION
They are composed by two types of in-
stant inflation cushions and are housed
in the back rest of the front seats fig.
19. The task of the side air bags is to
increase protection of the occupants’
chest and pelvis zone in the event of a
side crash of medium-high severity.
A0E0093mfig. 19
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WARNING
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TECHNICAL
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AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
IMPORTANTIn the event of side
crash, you can obtain the best protec-
tion by the system keeping a correct po-
sition on the seat, allowing thus a cor-
rect window bag unfolding.
IMPORTANTThe front air bags
and/or side bags may be deployed if
the car is subject to heavy knocks or
accidents involving the underbody area,
such as for example violent shocks,
against steps, kerbs or low obstacles,
falling of the car in big holes or sags in
the road.
IMPORTANTWhen the airbag in-
flates it emits a small amount of dusts.
These dusts are harmless and is not the
beginning of a fire; then the unfold cush-
ion surface and the car interiors can be
covered by a dusty remains: this dust
can irritate skin and eyes. In case of con-
tact, wash yourself using neutral soap
and water.Expiration dates of pyrotechnic charge
and coil contact are indicated on the la-
bel inside the glovebox. As this date ap-
proaches, contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services to have the device re-
placed.
IMPORTANTShould an accident oc-
cur in which any of the safety devices is
activated, take the car to Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services to have the devices
activated replaced and to have the sys-
tem checked.
All control, repair and replacement op-
erations concerning the air bags must
only be carried out c/o Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services. If you are having the
car scrapped, have the air bag system de-
activated at Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices first. If the car changes ownership,
the new owner must be informed of the
method of use of air bags and the above
warnings and also be given this “Own-
er’s Manual”.
SIDE WINDOW BAGS -
HEAD PROTECTION
They are “curtain” cushions located be-
hind the side coverings of the roof fig.
20and covered by proper finishing.
Window bags have been designed for
protecting the head of front and rear oc-
cupants in the event of side crash,
thanks to the wide cushion inflation sur-
face. In minor side crashes (for which
the restraining action of the seat belts is
sufficient), the air bags are not de-
ployed.
Also in this case it is of vital importance
to wear the seat belts since in case of
side crash they guarantee proper posi-
tioning of the occupant and prevent the
occupants to be pitched out of the car in
case of violent crashes.
A0E0185mfig. 20
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147
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
IMPORTANTThe triggering of pre-
tensioners, front air bags and side bags
is decided in a differentiated manner ac-
cording to the type of impact. The fail-
ure to deploy one or more of them does
not mean that the system is not work-
ing properly.
Never rest head, arms
and elbows on the
door, on the windows and in
the window bag unfolding
area to prevent possible in-
juries during the inflation
phase.
WARNING
Never lean head, arms
and elbows out of the
window.
WARNING
GENERAL WARNINGS
If when fitting the key
into the ignition device,
the warning light
¬does not
turn on or if it stays on when
travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on
the display) there could be a
failure in safety systems; in
this event air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in
case of impact or, in a minor
number of cases, they could
trigger accidentally. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices immediately to have the
system checked.
WARNING
Do not cover the back-
rest of front seats with
trims or covers that are not
suitable to be used with side
bags.
WARNING
Never travel with ob-
jects on your lap, in
front of your chest or with a
pipe, pencil, etc. between your
lips; injury may result in the
event of the air bag being trig-
gered.
WARNING
Always keep your
hands on the steering
wheel rim when driving, so
that if the air bag is triggered,
it can inflate without meeting
any obstacles which could
cause serious harm to you. Do
not drive with the body bent
forwards, keep the seat back
rest in the erect position and
lean your back well against it.
WARNING
If the car has been
stolen or an attempt to
steal it has been made, if it
has been subjected to vandals
or floods, have the air bag
system checked by Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING
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148
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AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
Remember that with
the key fitted into the
ignition device and engine off,
the air bags may be triggered
on a stationary car if it is
bumped by another moving
car. Therefore, never seat chil-
dren on the front seat even
when the car is stationary. On
the other hand remember that
if the key is not fitted into the
ignition device, no safety sys-
tem (air bags or pretension-
ers) is triggered in the event
of an impact; in this case, fail-
ure to come into action cannot
be considered as a sign that
the system is not working
properly.
WARNING
Never wash seat back-
rests with pressurised
water or steam (by hand or at
automatic seat washing sta-
tions).
WARNING
When the key is fitted
into the ignition device,
the warning light
F(with pas-
senger’s front air bags deacti-
vation switch at ON) turns on
and flashes for few seconds to
remind that passenger’s front
air bag, knees air bag and side
bag will be deployed in a crash,
after which it should go off.
WARNING
The front air bag is trig-
gered for shocks
greater in magnitude than the
pretensioners. For impacts be-
tween these two thresholds,
it is therefore normal that on-
ly the pretensioners are trig-
gered.
WARNING
Do not hook rigid ob-
jects to the coat hooks
and to the support handles.
WARNING
The air bag does not
substitute the seat
belts, but only increases their
effectiveness. Moreover, since
the front air bags do not come
into operation in the event of
front impact at low speed, side
collisions, bumps from behind
or overturning, in these cir-
cumstances the occupants
would only be protected by
the seat belts which must
therefore always be fastened.
WARNING
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149
SAFETY
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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CORRECT USE
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C C
O O
R R
R R
E E
C C
T T

U U
S S
E E

O O
F F

T T
H H
E E

C C
A A
R R
ENGINE STARTING ............................................. 150
PARKING .......................................................... 155
USING THE GEARBOX......................................... 156
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS ............................. 157
TOWING TRAILERS............................................. 159
SNOW TYRES................................................... 162
SNOW CHAINS ................................................. 163
CAR INACTIVITY ............................................... 164
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARWe recommend that
during the initial period
you do not drive to full
car performance (e.g.: excessive
acceleration, long journeys at
top speed, sharp braking, etc.).
Running the engine in
confined areas is ex-
tremely dangerous. The engine
consumes oxygen and pro-
duces carbon monoxide which
is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
When the engine is
switched off never leave
the electronic key into the
ignition device to prevent point-
less current absorption from
draining the batter.ENGINE STARTING
The car is fitted with an electronic engine
immobilising system. If the engine fails
to start, see paragraph “Alfa Romeo
CODE system” in section “Dashboard
and controls”.
IMPORTANTTampering with the ig-
nition device can cause unrequired steer-
ing lock.
IMPORTANT Fit completely the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device until
it locks into place.IMPORTANT Never take the elec-
tronic key out of the ignition device while
the car is moving unless you have to car-
ry out an emergency removal (see para-
graph “Removing the electronic key from
the ignition device in an emergency”),
this ensures that the steering column lock
is deactivated while the car is moving
(e.g.: towing the car).
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STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ 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.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒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 in-
strument panel warning light
m
will turn on;
❒Wait for the warning light mto
turn off. The hotter the engine is, the
quicker this will happen;
❒Briefly press the START/STOPbut-
ton as soon as the warning light
m
turns on. Waiting for too long means
making spark plugs heating useless. The starter automatically operates until
the engine starts.
With engine off and electronic key in-
serted in the ignition device, it is possible
to operate the automatic ignition briefly
pressing the START/STOPbutton and
keeping the clutch pedal pressed.
IMPORTANTIt is possible to start the
engine keeping pressed only the brake
pedal. In that case, automatic start is not
enabled. Then press the START/STOP
button and release it as soon as the en-
gine starts.
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The starter automatically operates until
the engine starts.
With engine off and electronic key in-
serted in the ignition device, it is possi-
ble to operate the automatic ignition
briefly pressing the START/STOPbut-
ton and keeping the clutch pedal
pressed.
In the event of cold weather, we rec-
ommend to wait for warning light
m
turn off before operating the starter.
IMPORTANTIt is possible to start the
engine keeping pressed only the brake
pedal. In that case, automatic start is not
enabled. Then press the START/STOP
button and release it as soon as the en-
gine starts.IMPORTANT
If at start-up the engine turns off, restart
it by pressing the clutch or brake pedal
and then press button START/STOP.
If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not insist but contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
With car started the electronic key is
locked into the ignition device and it can
be removed only after switching the en-
gine off. With car running and key
locked into the ignition device, forced
key removal could damage the ignition
device.Start-up failures, if any, are indicated by
the turning on of the warning light
Y
on the instrument panel (on certain ver-
sions a dedicated message is displayed).
In this case contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.
If the engine will not start after pressing
button START/STOP, repeat the
start-up procedure by pressing the oth-
er pedal (clutch or brake).
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Start-up failures
The system can recognise start-up fail-
ures.
In the event of failure, the electronic key
can be removed from the ignition device to
enable the driver to carry out the follow-
ing operations:
❒turn the instrument panel off by
pressing button START/STOPor
removing the electronic key from the
ignition device;
❒start the engine again by pressing the
clutch/brake pedal and button
START/STOP.
IMPORTANT In the event of engine
locking while the car is running, due to
safety reasons it will not be possible to
take the electronic key out of the igni-
tion device. To remove it, press button
START/STOPwith brake pedal (or
clutch pedal) released and car stopped.
HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS
JUST STARTED
(petrol and diesel engines)
Proceed as follows:
❒Drive off slowly, letting the engine
turn at medium revs. Do not acceler-
ate abruptly;
❒Do not drive at full performance for
the initial kilometres. Wait until the
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the en-
gine compartment to fall.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
With car stopped press button START/
STOP. When the engine is off it will be
possible to remove the electronic key
from the ignition device.
In an emergency, and
for safety reasons the
engine can be turned off when
the car is running by pressing
repeatedly (3 times within
2 seconds) or by keeping
pressed button START/STOP
for a few seconds. In this case
the steering lock cannot be en-
gaged.
WARNING
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AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
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IMPORTANTTurning the car off will
deactivate the electronic safety systems
and turn off the external lights.
IMPORTANTIn the event of engine
locking while the car is running, due to
safety reasons it will not be possible to
take the electronic key out of the igni-
tion device. To remove it, turn the in-
strument panel on and off by pressing
button START/STOPwith brake ped-
al (and clutch pedal) released and car
stopped. REMOVING THE ELECTRONIC
KEY FROM THE IGNITION
DEVICE IN AN EMERGENCY
In the event of a failure at engine switch-
ing off system or at electronic key un-
locking system proceed as follows:
❒press the unlocking button to remove
the metal insert (see paragraph
“Electronic key” in section “Dash-
board and controls”);
❒fit the metal insert B-fig. 1of the
electronic key into the slot A;
❒remove the electronic key from the
ignition device.
A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves
absolutely no practical purpose,
it wastes fuel and is damaging
especially to turbocharged en-
gines.
IMPORTANTOnly fit the metal insert
Bof the electronic key into slot A-fig.1.
IMPORTANTStop the car before
emergency removal of the key, since re-
moving the key with the engine running
will turn both the engine and the in-
strument panel off and the steering lock
will not be engaged.
A0E0043mfig. 1
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