battery Alfa Romeo 166 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

222
– Before doing any work on the electric
system, disconnect the battery negative
terminal.
If after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which need a
permanent electrical supply (alarm,
hands-free phone, radio-navigator with
satellite anti-theft function, etc.) contact
Authorised Alfa Romeo Services whose
qualified personnel, in addition to sug-
gesting the most suitable devices from
Lineaccessori will be able to evaluate the
total electrical absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is able
to support the load required or whether a
battery with higher capacity is necessary.
In fact, these devices continue to absorb
current with the ignition key off (car
parked, engine off) and may gradually
drain the battery. IMPORTANT A battery kept at below
50% of its capacity is damaged by sul-
phation, the capacity is reduced and start-
ing is difficult, there is also more possibili-
ty of freezing (this can occur at –10°C).
In the event of a prolonged stop, refer to
“Vehicle inactivity”.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid quickly draining the battery
and to preserve its operating conditions
over the course of time, carefully follow
the instructions below.
– The terminals must always be tight-
ened.
– As far as possible avoid keeping ser-
vices on for a long time with the engine
stopped (radio, hazard warning lights,
parking lights, etc.).
– When leaving the vehicle parked in a
garage, make sure that the doors, bon-
net, boot and interior lids are properly
shut to prevent lights from staying on.
The fluid contained in the
battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin or eyes. The battery should be
charged in a ventilated place away
from naked flames or possible
sources of sparks: danger of ex-
plosion and fire.
WARNING
Never attempt to charge
a frozen battery before
thawing it, the danger of explosion
exists. If it has frozen, always
check that the inside elements are
not broken (risk of short circuit)
and that the body is not cracked,
with the risk of acid coming out
which is poisonous and corrosive.
WARNING

223
– If electrical welding is to be carried
out on the body of the vehicle the elec-
tronic control units must be disconnected
or removed if the work involves the pro-
duction of high temperatures.The total absorption of these accessories
(standard and installed later) must be
0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as shown
in the table below:
BatteryMaximum permissible loadless absorption
100 Ah 60 mA
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption activated by the
user, such as bottle warmers, vacuum
cleaners, cellular telephone, mini refriger-
ator, etc. accelerate the battery drainage
process if they are powered with the en-
gine not running.
IMPORTANT It should also be noted
that improper branches on connectors of
the electric wiring for installing additional
equipment is dangerous, particularly if
safety devices are involved.
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITS
With normal use of the vehicle no par-
ticular precautions need to be taken.
If interventions are to be carried out on
the electrical system or emergency start-
ing the following must be heeded:
– Always switch off the engine before
disconnecting the battery from the electri-
cal system.
– If battery charging is necessary dis-
connect it from the electric system.
– When starting in an emergency only
an auxiliary battery must be used and not
a battery charger.
– Check that the polarity is correct and
that the connections between the battery
and the electrical system are sound.
– Before connecting or disconnecting
the terminals of the electronic units en-
sure that the ignition key is not in the
MARposition.
– Do not check for current in the cables
by short-circuiting the ends.
If additional systems are
to be installed on the ve-
hicle the danger of incorrectly tak-
ing branches from the electrical
wires cannot be emphasized too
strongly especially if devices es-
sential to the safety of the vehi-
cle and its occupants are involved
(ignition, injection, ABS ...). The in-
correct installation of radio sys-
tems, electronic theft alarms, ra-
diotelephones etc. can interfere
with the electronic control units and
compromises the warranty cover.
For these interventions we re-com-
mend that you contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.The loadless
absorption of all the accessories in-
stalled in the after market must
not exceed 20 mA (reading with
the vehicle stationary).
WARNING

226
The characteristics of these products are
compatible with the type of paint, gas-
kets and trim of all Alfa Romeo vehicles.
The application of these products should
however be carried out by Alfa Romeo
personnel who will be able to guarantee
the best results and avoid problems which
may compromise the bodywork warranty
cover.
To correctly wash the car, proceed as fol-
lows:
1) Spray the vehicle with a low pres-
sure jet of water.
2) Pass a sponge moistened with a
light detergent solution (2-4% shampoo
in water) over the bodywork rinsing the
sponge frequently.
3) Rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or chamois leather.Detergents cause water
pollution. The car should
therefore be washed in
areas equipped for the collection
and purification of the liquid used
in the washing processes.RECOMMENDATIONS TO
PRESERVE THE BODYWORK
Particular care should be taken to en-
sure that residual deposits of industrial
dust, tar spots, dead insects etc. do not
remain on the bodywork.
Where possible do not park under trees
as, during certain seasons, residues, buds
and leaves containing chemical sub-
stances which are harmful to the paint
may fall onto the vehicle.
When topping up ensure that petrol, lu-
bricating oil, brake fluid, liquid for the
cooling system, battery electrolyte solu-
tion etc. is not splashed onto the body-
work.
If this should occur however, clean the
area immediately and wash the vehicle
as soon as possible.
PAINT
The paintwork does not only serve an
aesthetic purpose but also protects the
underlying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores
you are advised to have the necessary
touching up carried out immediately by a
specialised workshop to avoid the forma-
tion of rust.
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the
conditions and environment of use.
For example:
– in areas with high atmospheric pollu-
tion.
– Roads sprayed with salt.
– Parking under trees that release
resinous substances.
It is wise to wash the car more frequently.
Alfa Romeo markets a complete series
of products specifically designed for the
care and cleanliness of its vehicles (sham-
poo, wax, touch-up paint stick, stain re-
mover, polish etc.).

233
IDENTIFICATION LABEL
This is located in the left-hand side of
the boot (next to the battery) (fig. 5).
It carries the following identification da-
ta:
A- Space for details of national ho-
mologation
B- Space for punching the consecutive
chassis numberC- Space available for maximum
weights authorised by various national
laws
D- Space for version and any supple-
mentary indications to those specified
E- Space for smoke index (JTD 20V
Multijet versions only)
F- Space for punching manufacturer’s
name.
ENGINE AND BODY VERSION CODES
3.2 V6 24V JTD 20VMultijet
Engine Code 936A000 936B000
Body Code 936AXB00 17936AXG00 22
3225CAm
fig. 5

258
381PGSmA0D0149M
fig. 4 fig. 5
DASHBOARD LIGHTING
ADJUSTMENT
(fig. 4)
When the outside lights are on, the
dashboard lighting is adjusted turning but-
ton (A).
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH AND
CIRCUIT BREAKER
The car is fitted with two safety switch-
es that come into operation in the case of
an accident to block fuel supply and pow-
er, thereby stopping the engine and the
car electric utilities.
To reactivate the fuel cut-off switch press
button under the passenger’s seat (fig. 5).
Before resetting fuel cut-
off switch and circuit
breaker, carefully read the related
paragraph in chapter “Getting to
know your car”.
WARNING
Circuit breaker is located on the left side
of the boot, inside a box directly set and
connected to the battery positive terminal.

263
ABS (system) ..............................114
Additional heater ..............................91
Air bags, front and side ....................50
Air cleaner ....................................218
Air conditioner ................................83
Air conditioning ................................80
Alfa Romeo CODE system ..................16
Alfa Romeo I.C.S. system ................14
Ashtray ..........................................99
ASR (system) ................................117
At the filling station ........................124
Automatic fuel cut-off switch
and power supply ......................127
Battery ......................................219
Body maintenance..........................225
Boot ............................................105
Boot light......................................185Brake Assist ............................116-141
Brakes..........................................241
Bulb replacement ....................165-181
Car maintenance......................201
Carrying children safety ....................45
Central locking ................................29
Changing the bulb
- Bulb types ........................165-166
- General instructions ..................165
Child safety ....................................30
Child safety device (doors) ................45
Cigar lighter ....................................98
CO
2emissions ................................241
Coin holder......................................98
Controls ..........................................93
Correct use of the car..............133
Courtesy light ................................101Cruise Control ..................................64
Dashboard ....................................68
Data plates....................................232
Diesel filter....................................219
Dimensions ..................................234
Direction indicators ..........................59
Door lights ....................................102
Doors ............................................28
Dust/pollen filter ......................90-219
Electronic alarm system ..................22
Electronic control units ....................223
Emission control devices ..................129
Engine ..........................................235
Engine codes – Body versions ..........233
Engine coolant temperature gauge ......74
Engine oil consumption ..................236
ALPHABETICAL INDEX