ignition Alfa Romeo 166 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

197 IF THE VEHICLE
IS TO BE LIFTED
USING THE JACK
See paragraph “In the event of a punc-
ture” of this chapter.
You are informed that.
– the jack mass is 2.100 kg;
– the jack requires no adjustment;
– the jack cannot be repaired and in
case of breakage it must be replaced by
another original one.
– no tool other than its cranking lever
may be installed on the jack.
Before beginning to tow
the car, turn the ignition
key to MAR and then to STOP, do
not remove it. Removing the key
automatically engages the steering
lock resulting in the impossibility
to steer the wheels. When towing
remember that without the help of
the servobrake and power steer-
ing, it is necessary to exert more
effort on the brake pedal and for
steering. Do not use flexible cables
for towing and avoid jerks. During
towing operations make sure that
fastening the joint to the car does
not damage the components in
contact with it. When towing the
car it is compulsory to comply with
the specific traffic regulations con-
cerning both the towing device and
behaviour on the road.
WARNING
The car may fall if the
jack is not positioned cor-
rectly. Never use the jack for
higher capacities than the one
stated on its label.
The purpose of the jack is
only for replacing wheels
on the car with which it is provided
or on cars of the same model. It
must never be used for other pur-
poses such as for example raising
cars of other models. In no case
must it be used for repairs under
the car.
WARNING
WARNING

199
– If the doors are blocked, do not try to
get out of the car breaking the wind-
screen which is stratified. The windows
and rearscreen can easily be broken.
– Remove the ignition key from the ve-
hicles involved.
– If you smell fuel or other chemical
products, do not smoke and stub ciga-
rettes.
– To put our even small fires use the ex-
tinguisher, blankets, sand, earth. Never
use water.IF THERE ARE INJURED
PERSONS
– Never abandon an injured person.
Persons not directly involved in an acci-
dent are obliged to give their help.
– Do not crowd around injured people.
– Reassure an injured person that help
is on the way, stay near to cope with any
panic.
– Release or cut the seat belts of in-
jured persons.
– Do not give injured persons to drink.
– An injured person should never be
moved, except in the cases listed below.
– Remove an injured person from the
vehicle only in danger of fire, sinking or
falling.
– When removing an injured person: do
not pull the limbs or bend the head and
keep the body as horizontal as possible.
FIRST AID KIT
In addition to the first-aid kit, it is also
wise to keep an extinguisher and a blan-
ket in the car.

207
IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more frequently
than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme if the car is used pre-
vailingly in one of the following particular-
ly harsh conditions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short, repeated journeys (less than 7-
8 km) with an outside temperature of be-
low freezing point.
– engine idling frequently or driving
long distances at low speed (e.g. taxi or
door-to-door deliveries) or in the case of
prolonged inactivity.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, change
the air cleaner more frequently than stat-
ed in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
For any doubts about the intervals be-
tween engine oil and air cleaner changes
in relation to how the car is used, contact
Authorised Alfa Romeo Services.IMPORTANT - Fuel oil filter
The variety of the degree of purity of
the fuel oil in commerce may make it
necessary to change the fuel oil filter
more frequently than stated in the Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme. If the en-
gine is “sobbing” it is a sign that the fil-
ter needs changing.
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments, you are
recommended to change the activated
carbon filtering element more frequently;
in particular, it should be changed if a
lower flow of air admitted to the passen-
ger compartment is noted.IMPORTANT - Batteries
You are recommended to have the bat-
tery charge conditions checked, prefer-
ably at the onset of winter, to avoid the
possibility of freezing the electrolyte.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used prevailingly
for short journeys, or if it is fitted with
services that absorb high amounts of cur-
rent permanently with the ignition key
off, especially if installed in the after mar-
ket.
In the case of use of the car in hot cli-
mates or particularly harsh conditions, it
is wise to check the level of the battery
fluid (electrolyte) at more frequent inter-
vals than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme.
IMPORTANT - Remote control
If when pressing the remote control but-
ton of the key, the operating led on the
key flashes briefly only once, the battery
need replacing with other of the same
type.

213
Never add oil with
characteristics (classifi-
cation, viscosity) which
are different from those of the
oil already in the circuit.
Remember that when the
engine is warm the elec-
tric fan, which is operated on the
basis of the engine coolant tem-
perature, could cut-in automatical-
ly and cause injury.
WARNING
Never exceed the MAX
level when topping up or
changing engine oil. Too much en-
gine oil would cause it to be tak-
en in through the blow-by cylinder.
For JTD versions this can rapidly in-
crease the engine speed (no longer
controllable, in this case, by re-
leasing the accelerator pedal and
moving the ignition key to STOP)
and damage to the engine with the
risk of seizing or fire.
WARNING

When the cap (B) is
screwed off the reser-
voir ensure that the
electrical connections are not dis-
connected. Make sure that the
highly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the paint-
work. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
IMPORTANT Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services for maintenance and re-
pair operations.Oil consumption is very
low; if topping up again
is needed shortly after-
wards, have the system checked
for possible leaks by Alfa Romeo
Authorized services.
CHECKING AND TOPPING UP
THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH
FLUID
(fig. 11)
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake flu-
id specified in the table “Fluids and lubri-
cants” (see section “Technical Specifica-
tions ").
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When open-
ing the cap take the utmost care to pre-
vent impurities entering the tank. When
topping up, always use a funnel with
built-in filter with mesh equal to or lower
than 0.12 mm. On JTD 20V Multijet versions insert the
tube on the cap and refit the cover fasten-
ing with the three screws.
Do not allow power
steering fluid to touch hot
engine parts: it is inflammable.
WARNING
A0D0102m
fig. 11
216
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
From time to time check the instrument
panel warning light by pressing cover (B)
of the reservoir (A) (with the ignition
key at MAR) the instrument warning
panel light
xshould come on.

218
Any attempt to clean
the air cleaner may
cause serious engine
damage.
If they are not carried
out correctly and with
the due precautions, the
operations involving cleaner re-
placement described herein may
compromise the safety of the
car. This operation should be car-
ried out by Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.
AIR CLEANER
The air cleaner is connected to the tem-
perature and air flow sensors which send
the electrical signals needed for correct
operation of the injection and ignition sys-
tem to the control unit.
It must therefore always be in perfect
conditions to ensure correct operation of
the engine, low consumption and exhaust
emission levels.When the car is habitu-
ally driven in dusty ar-
eas, the cleaner should
be changed at shorter intervals
than those given in the Pro-
grammed Maintenance Schedule.
IMPORTANT When topping up use
the special detergents available in the
shops ensuring that they contain antis-
cale and antifreeze properties.
If in doubt contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services who will be able to recom-
mend the most suitable products.
Do not travel with the
windscreen washer
reservoir empty: the action of the
windscreen washer is fundamental
for improving vision.
WARNING

221
CHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANT The description of the
battery charging procedure is described
only for informative purposes. This opera-
tion should be carried out by Authorized
Alfa Romeo Services.
Charging should be slow at a low amp
rating for about 24 hours. Charging for a
longer time may damage the battery.
Charge the battery as follows:
– If the car is fitted with an alarm sys-
tem, turn off the alarm with the remote
control and deactivate the system turning
the emergency key to “OFF” (see “Elec-
tronic alarm” in the chapter “Getting to
know your car”).– Disconnect the terminals of the elec-
tric system from the battery poles.
– Connect the charger cables to the bat-
tery.
– Turn on the charger.
– After charging turn off the charger be-
fore disconnecting it from the battery.
– Re-connect the terminals to the bat-
tery poles correctly.
– Turn the ignition key to MARand
leave it in this position for 30 seconds to
1 minute, then turn to STOPfor about 5
to 10 seconds, after which the engine
can be started.
– Remember to reactivate the alarm
system (if present) turning the emer-
gency switch to “ON”.
The wrong electric and
electronic accessory in-
stallation may cause se-
vere vehicle damages.When doing any work on
the battery or near it, al-
ways wear special protective gog-
gles.
Working with the fluid
level too low damages
the battery irreparably, even
breaking the body and completely
leaking the acid contained.
WARNING
WARNING

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

224
– Insert a new blade passing it through
the curved top of the arm (A) through
the slot.
– Lift the blade to clamp tab (B) of the
coupling spring with the curved top of the
arm.
IMPORTANT The blades may differ
according to the versions. In any case,
follow the instructions provided in the
packs available as spares from Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.WINDSCREEN WIPER
BLADES
(fig. 17)
Periodically clean the wiper blades and
ensure that they are not damaged. If the
rubber blades are bent of worn in parts
they should be replaced, as follows:
– Press the tab (B) of the blade catch
spring and push the blade towards the
base of the arm (A).
– When the catch spring has been freed
from the curved top of the arm, withdraw
the blade from the arm through the slot. The spark plugs must be
changed at intervals
given in the Pro-
grammed Maintenance Schedule.
Only use spark plugs of the spec-
ified type (see table of “Fuel
Supply and Ignition” in the
“Technical specifications” chap-
ter): if the thermal grade is inad-
equate, or the foreseen life is
not guaranteed inconveniences
may result.
SPARK PLUGS
If the engine is running unevenly have
the spark plugs checked by Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
624PGSm
fig. 17