ignition Alfa Romeo 166 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

56
Never travel with objects
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 triggered.
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 for-
wards, 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 sub-
jected to vandals or floods, have
the Air bag system checked by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING
Do not wash the seat
back rest with pres-
surised water or steam (by hand
or at automatic seat washing sta-
tions).
WARNING
When the ignition key is
turned to the MAR posi-
tion, the warning light
F(with
passenger’s front air bag deacti-
vation switch in the ON position)
turns on and flashes for few sec-
onds to remind that passenger’s
air bag will be deployed in a crash,
after which it should go off.
WARNING
Please remember that
with the ignition key at
MAR, the air bags can be triggered
also on a stationary vehicle, if it is
bumped by another moving vehi-
cle. Therefore, even with the car
stationary, never allow children on
the front seat. On the other hand,
remember that with the car sta-
tionary and ignition key at STOP
no safety device (air bags or pre-
tensioners) will be triggered in the
event of an impact; in this case the
failure to trigger safety devices
should not be considered as a sys-
tem failure.
WARNING
Please don’t apply stickers
or other objects to the
steering wheel, to the air-bag cover
on the passenger's side or on the
side roof lining to the upholstery on
the roof side. Don’t place objects on
the dashboard passenger’s side
(such as mobile phones) because
they could tamper with the correct
opening of the passenger’s air-bag
and than cause serious injuries to
the vehicle occupants.
WARNING

57
LIGHTS SWITCH AND
STEERING WHEEL
LEVERS
The device and services controlled by
the levers on the steering wheel can only
be activated when the ignition key is in
theMARposition (except the parking
lights which can always be switched on).
LIGHTS SWITCH (fig. 66)
Lights switched off
When the pointer on the knurled ring
(A) is opposite the symbol O, the exter-
nal lights are switched off.
The front air bag is trig-
gered for shocks greater
in magnitude than the pretension-
ers. For impacts between these
two thresholds, it is therefore nor-
mal that only the pretensioners are
triggered.
WARNING
Do not hook rigid objects
to the coat hooks and to
the support handles.
WARNING
The air bag does not sub-
stitute 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
fig. 66
A0D0146m

58
Sidelights
The sidelights are switched on by turn-
ing the knurled ring (A) from Oto
6.
The
3warning light on the instru-
ment panel will come on at the same
time.
Dipped-beam headlights
These are switched on by turning the
knurled ring (A) from
6to2.
Parking lights
When the pointer of the switch (A) cor-
responds with the
Fsymbol, the side
lights stay on regardless of the position of
the ignition key.
If moving the left-hand lever (fig. 67)
downward, only the left-hand side park-
ing lights switch on, while moving the
lever upward, only the right-hand side
parking lights switch on.Main-beam headlights (fig. 68)
When the knurled ring in the
2posi-
tion the headlights can be changed form
dipped-beam to main-beam by pushing
the lever towards the dashboard (stable
position).
The
1warning light will come on the
instrument panel.
To return from main-beam to dipped-
beam, once again pull the lever towards
the steering wheel and then release.
LEFT LEVER (fig. 67)
The left lever operates the high beam
lights and the direction indicators.
fig. 67
A0D0014m
A0D0017m
fig. 68

60
RIGHT-HAND LEVER (fig. 72)
The right-hand lever is used to operate
the windscreen wiper and the windscreen
washer.
The control used to activate the wind-
screen washer also activates the head-
light washers (optional for versions/mar-
kets where applicable). “Follow me home” device
(fig. 71)
This function allows the illumination of the
space in front of the car for the length of
time set, and is activated with the ignition
key at STOPor removed, pulling the left-
hand lever towards the steering wheel.This function is activated pulling the lever
within 2 minutes from when the engine is
turned off. At each single movement of the
lever, the staying on of the dipped beams
and sidelights is extended by 30 seconds up
to a maximum of 3.5 minutes; the lights
switch off automatically after the time set.
Each time the lever is operated, the
1
warning light on the cluster turns on.
This function can be interrupted by keep-
ing the lever pulled towards the steering
wheel for more than 2 seconds.
fig. 72
A0D0015m
A0D0018m
fig. 71

65
Each time the knurled ring (B) is oper-
ated the speed increases or lowers by ap-
prox. 1 km/h. Keeping the ring turned
the speed changes continuously. The new
speed reached will be maintained auto-
matically.
With button (C) it is possible to reset
the speed memorised.
IMPORTANT Turning the ignition key
to the STOPposition or switch (A) to
OFF, the memorised speed is cleared
and the system is disengaged.
To memorise the speed
Turn switch (A) to ON, wait for 2 sec-
onds at least, then bring the car to the re-
quired speed as usual by pressing the ac-
celerator pedal or by turning the ring nut
(B) to (+) or to (–) and then releasing
it.The car speed is memorised and it is
therefore possible to release the accelera-
tor pedal.
The car will continue to travel at the re-
quired speed until one of the following
conditions takes place:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– inadvertently moving the automaticgearshift lever to position N.
IMPORTANT In the case of need (for
example overtaking) it is possible to ac-
celerate simply pressing the accelerator
pedal; afterwards, releasing the accelera-
tor pedal, the car will resume the speed
memorised previously.
To restore the speed memorised
If the device has been disengaged, for
example by pressing the brake or clutch
pedal, the speed memorised can be re-
stored as follows:
– gradually accelerate until reaching a
speed approaching the one memorised;
– engage the gear selected when the
speed was memorised (4th, 5th or 6th
gear);
– press button (C).
To increase the speed memorised
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
– pressing the accelerator and then
memorising the new speed reached (turn-
ing the knurled ring (B) for more than
three seconds;or
– turning the knurled ring (B) momen-
taneously to the (+) position: each pulse
of the knurled ring will correspond to a
small increase of the speed (approx. 1
km/h) while pressing continuously will
correspond to a continuous increase of
the speed. Releasing the knurled ring (B)
the new speed will remain automatically
memorised.
To reduce the memorised speed
The memorised speed can be reduced in
two ways:
– disengaging the device (for example
pressing the brake pedal) and then mem-
orising the new speed (turning the
knurled ring (B) to the (+) position for
at least three seconds);
or
– keeping the knurled ring (B) pressed
on the (–) position until reaching the
new speed which will be automatically
memorised.

71
D - Rev counter
The danger zone (red) indicates exces-
sively high engine revs. Do not drive for
long periods with the pointer in this area.
With the engine at idle speed, the rev
counter may indicate a gradual or sudden
speed increase depending on the cases;
this is normal as it occurs in the normal
operation, for example when the climate
control compressor is engaged or the fan.
In particular a slow change in speed helps
preserve the battery charge.
IMPORTANT Depending on the ver-
sions/markets of the car, the rev counter
may have danger sectors (red) of differ-
ent size and with different top of scale
values.
IMPORTANT The electronic ignition
control system gradually shuts off the
flow of fuel when the engine is “over-
revving” resulting in a gradual loss of en-
gine power. Moving the ignition key to MARthe
following warning lights and displays turn
on and go out after approx. 6 seconds:
1- Light failure
2- Low brake fluid and/or handbrake
engaged
3- Front brake pad wear
4- Low engine oil level
5- Fuel reserve
6- Maximum engine coolant fluid tem-
perature
7- Mileage recorder displayAny faults are signalled by the turning
on of the corresponding warning light for
approx. 15 seconds after the end of the
check.
2) Doors and boot open warning.
With the ignition key at MAR, if a led
of the car symbol (10) lights up, the cor-
responding door or the boot has not been
shut properly.
To repeat the check, with the ignition
key in the MARposition and the engine
off, press the button (A-fig. 84).
A0D0026m
fig. 84

73
G - The warning lights
IMPORTANT The presence of the
warning lights may vary depending on
the type of engine and trim level.
Insufficient brake fluid
and/or handbrake on
This warning light stays on for about 15
seconds, after the end of the check,
when the level of the brake fluid falls be-
low the minimum, possibly due to a leak-
age in the system and when the hand-
brake is engaged.
When the ignition key is turned to
MARthe warning light comes on but
must go out after approx. 6 seconds.
x
Air bag malfunction
When the ignition key is turned to the
MARposition the warning light will
come on and should go out as after
about. 4 seconds.
This warning light will come on perma-
nently when an anomaly affecting the Air
bag system is detected.¬
If the ¬warning light
does not turn on when
turning the ignition key to MAR or
if it stays on when travelling, this
could indicate a failure in safety re-
taining systems; under this condi-
tion air bags or pretensioners could
not trigger in the event of collision
or, in a restricted number of cases,
they could trigger accidentally.
Stop the car and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to
have the system checked immedi-
ately.
WARNING
If the warning light
comes on while driving
check if the handbrake is not en-
gaged. If the warning lights stays
on with the handbrake not engaged,
stop immediately and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.x
WARNING

74
If the warning light
comes on when the ve-
hicle is in movement,
switch the engine off immediate-
ly and contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.v
Low engine oil level
This warning light stays on for approx.
15 seconds, after the check, when the
engine oil level is low.
With the ignition key at MAR, pressing
the check button, the warning light turns
on but must go out after approx. 6 sec-
onds.
The oil level is checked only pressing
the check button with the engine
stopped. If the engine is started during
the check, the check procedure is inter-
rupted.k
If the warning light
stays on after the
check, do not try to get
peak performance out of the en-
gine and top up the oil as soon
as possible.k
Insufficient oil pressure
This warning light should be out when
the engine is running.
When the ignition key is turned to the
MARposition the warning light comes
on and should go out as soon as the en-
gine is started. vLow battery charge
This warning light should be out when the
engine is running (a slight delay is permitted
when the engine is running at idle speed).
If the warning light comes on, Alfa
Romeo Authorized services should be con-
tacted immediately.
When the ignition key is moved to the
MARposition the warning light comes
on and should go out as soon as the en-
gine is started.w

75
Seat belts not fastened
When the ignition key is turned to
MARthe warning light turns on but it
must go out after approx. 15 seconds.
For versions/markets where applicable,
the warning light turns on permanently
when, with the key in the MARposi-
tion, the driver’s seat belt is not fastened
properly. This warning light comes on when the
brake pedal is pressed and the front
brake pads are found to be worn, have
them replaced as soon as possible. When
the ignition key is turned to MARthe
warning light comes on but must go out
after approx. 6 seconds.
IMPORTANT As the vehicle is fitted
with brake pad wear sensors for the front
wheels only, when these are replaced
check the back brake pads at the same
time.dAlfa Romeo CODE system
When the ignition key is turned to MAR
the warning light should come on and then
go out. If the warning lights stays on with
the key in the MARposition, it indicates
a possible failure: see “The Alfa Romeo
CODE system”.
IMPORTANT The turning on contem-
poraneously of warning lights and
indicates a failure of the Alfa Romeo
CODE system.
¢
¢

76
Engine control system
(EOBD) failure
(optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
Normally, when you turn the ignition
key to MAR, the warning light must
come on but must switch off when the
engine is running. It initially lights up to
indicate that the warning light is working.
If the warning light stays on permanent-
ly or comes on when the car is moving:
1)With a fixed light- indicates
that the supply/ ignition system is mal-
functioning that could cause high exhaust
emissions, possible loss of performance,
bad driveability and high consumptions.
In these conditions, you way continue
to drive while avoiding asking a lot from
the engine or high speeds. The prolonged
use of the car when this warning light is
on could cause damage. Contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service Station as
soon as possible. The warning light turns
off if the malfunction disappears, howev-
er the system stores the warning anyhow.
U
2)Flashing light - indicates that the
catalytic converter could be damaged
(see paragraph on “EOBD System” in
this chapter).
If the warning light is on and flashing,
take your foot off the accelerator and dri-
ve at low speeds until the warning light
stops flashing; continue travelling at a
moderate speed trying to avoid driving
conditions that could cause the warning
light to flash again. Contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service Station as
soon as possible.
If, when turning the ig-
nition key to MAR, the
Uwarning light does
not switch on or if, when dri-
ving, the light flashes or emits a
fixed light, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service Sta-
tion as soon as possible.
Engine control system
(versions for markets where
applicable)
1) In normal conditions, turning the ig-
nition key to MAR, the dial warning
light turns on but it should go off when
the engine has started. The initial turning
on indicates that the warning light is
working properly.
2) If the warning light stays on or turns
on when travelling, it indicates a fault in
the supply /ignition system which could
cause high exhaust emissions, possible
lack of performance, poor handling and
high consumption levels.
In these conditions, it is possible to con-
tinue driving without however demanding
heavy effort or high speeds.
Prolonged use of the car with the warn-
ing light on may cause damage. Contact
an Alfa Romeo Authorized Service as
soon as possible.
The warning light turns off if the fault
disappears, but it is still stored by the sys-
tem.
U