engine Alfa Romeo 166 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

27
IMPORTANTNever leave the key in
this position when the engine is station-
ary.
–AV V: starting the engine.
IMPORTANT If the engine does not
start return the ignition key to the STOP
position and repeat the sequence.
The ignition block is fitted with a safety
device preventing it from being moved to
theAVV position when the engine is al-
ready running.If the ignition device is
tampered with (for ex-
ample during an at-
tempted break-in) have it checked
over by Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services, before travelling again.
STEERING LOCK
Engaging lock:
– move the key to the STOPposition
and remove the key lightly turning the
steering wheel to facilitate the locking ac-
tion.
Releasing the lock:
– turn the key to the MARposition
and gently rock the steering wheel in
both directions.
When leaving the vehicle
always remove the key
from the ignition to prevent any
passenger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Never leave children unattended in
a car. Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the vehicle is fac-
ing uphill, first gear and if the ve-
hicle is facing downhill, reverse.
WARNING
Never remove the key
with the car on the
move. The steering wheel would
lock automatically the first time
the steering wheel is turned. This
also occurs if the car is towed.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden
to carry out whatever af-
ter-market operation involving
steering system or steering column
modifications (e.g.: installation of
anti-theft Device) that could badly
affect performance and safety,
cause the lapse of warranty and
also result in non-compliance of the
car with homologation require-
ments.
WARNING

53
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand operating
it in the special key switch on the right-
hand side of the dashboard (fig. 65).
You can reach the switch only if the
door is opened.The key switch (fig. 65) has two posi-
tions:
1)Passenger’s front Air bag active
(ONposition
P) warning light on clus-
ter off; it is absolutely prohibited to carry
children on the front seat.
2)Passenger’s front Air bag deactivat-
ed (OFFposition
F) warning light on
cluster on; it is possible to carry children
protected by special restraint systems on
the front seat.
The
Fwarning light on the instru-
ment cluster glows steadily until the pas-
senger’s Air bag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the front passenger’s Air
bag does not inhibit operation of the side
Air bag.
With the door open the key can be in-
serted and removed in both positions.Operate the switch only
when the engine is not
running and the ignition key is re-
moved.
WARNING
Warning light Findi-
cates also warning light
¬failure. This is indicated by in-
termittent flashing, over 4 sec-
onds, of warning light
F. In this
event, warning light
¬could be
not up to indicate restraint system
failures, if any. Stop the car and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the system
checked.
WARNING

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

63
STR SYSTEM
(SPORT THROTTLE
RESPONSE)
(optional for versions/markets where
applicable)
The STR system offers the driver the
possibility of brilliant, sporty driving with-
out forsaking relaxing driving in other cir-
cumstances with smoother, more gradual
engine response.
In fact, according to preference, the dri-
ver can choose between sporty fast accel-
eration control and smoother more grad-
ual control, for example in city driving.To engage the sporty response (also
when travelling), press the switch (A-
fig. 76) on the centre console. To pre-
vent this function from being engaged un-
intentionally, the system requires the ac-
celerator pedal to be completely released
for engagement. When the sporty re-
sponse is enabled warning light (B) on
the switch lights up.
To restore the most comfortable re-
sponse press the button again (A) and
completely release the accelerator: the
warning light (B) on the switch goes out.
Whenever the engine is switched on,
the control unit positions on the most
comfortable response. If before switching
off the sporty response was stored, it will
automatically be retrieved releasing the
accelerator pedal after the first accelera-
tion.Automatic engagement
The system allows passing from the s-
tandard map to the sporty one with a
quick press on the accelerator. This func-
tion is useful in all situations, such as for
example overtaking or emergency ma-
noeuvres, where maximum acceleration
is needed.
When the need for maximum power
ceases, the system automatically resumes
the standard map.
A0D0022m
fig. 76

64 CRUISE CONTROL
(fig. 77)(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The electronic cruise control makes it
possible to drive the car at the required
speed without pressing the accelerator
pedal. This reduces driving fatigue on mo-
torways, especially during long journeys
because the speed memorised is auto-
matically maintained.
IMPORTANT The Cruise Control can
only be engaged with speed over 30
km/h and, just for certain versions up to
180 km/h.
CONTROLS(fig. 78)
The cruise control is controlled by switch
(A), knurled ring (B) and by button (C).Switch (A) has two positions:
–OFFin this position the device is de-
activated;
–ONis the device’s normal operating
position. When the device starts to act on
the engine, the corresponding warning
light on the instrument cluster turns on.
The knurled ring (B) serves to memo-
rise and maintain the car speed or to in-
crease or reduce the speed memorised.
Turn the knurled ring (B) to the (+) po-
sition to memorise the speed reached or
to increase the speed memorised.
Turn the knurled ring (B) to the (–) to
reduce the speed memorised.
The cruise control must
only be activated when
the traffic and the road make it
possible to travel safely at a con-
stant speed for a sufficiently long
time.
WARNING
On vehicles with auto-
matic transmission, nev-
er move the lever to N when the
car is on the move.
WARNING
The device is automatically disengaged
in any one of the following cases:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– inadvertently moving the automatic
gearshift lever to N.
A0D0024m
fig. 78
A0D0023m
fig. 77

66
Resetting the speed memorised
The memorised speed is automatically
reset:
– turning off the engine;
or
– moving the switch (A) to the OFF
position.
When travelling with the
cruise control engaged,
never move the gearshift lever to
neutral and do not move the au-
tomatic gearshift lever to N.
You are advised to engage the
cruise control only when the traf-
fic and road conditions permit un-
der completely safe conditions, i.e.:
straight, dry road, dual carriage-
way or motorway, flowing traffic
and smooth tarmac. Do not engage
the device in town or in heavy traf-
fic conditions.
WARNING
The Cruise Control can
only be engaged with
speed over 30 km/h and, just for
certain versions up to 180 km/h.
The device must only be engaged
in 4
th, 5thor 6thgear, depending on
the vehicle speed. On cars with
electronic automatic gearbox it
must be engaged only with the
lever at position D in the automatic
mode without then moving the
gearshift lever by hand or with 3
nd
or 4thgear engaged inthe sequen-
tial manual mode.
Moving downhill with the device
engaged, the car speed might be
slightly higher than the speed
memorised due to the change in en-
gine load.
WARNING
Should the device not be
working properly or fail
to operate, move the switch (A-fig.
78) to the OFF Position and contact
Authorized Alfa Romeo Services
after checking that the protection
fuse is intact.
The switch (A-fig. 78) may be left
constantly at ON without damag-
ing the device. You are however
advised to deactivate the device
when not in use, moving the switch
(A) to OFF, to avoid accidentally
memorising the speed.
WARNING

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

72
E - Fuel gauge and reserve
warning light
This shows the amount of fuel left in
the fuel tank.
0Tank empty;
1Tank full (see "Refuelling" paragraph
in this section).
This warning light comes on to indicate
that about 9 litres of fuel are left in the
tank.
IMPORTANTUnder certain condi-
tions (heavy slopes, for instance) the
reading on the gauge may differ from the
actual amount of fuel in the tank and
changes in level may be indicated late.
This is part of the operating logic of the
electronic control circuit to avoid highly
unstable readings due to swaying of the
fuel when travelling.F - Engine coolant temperature
gauge and maximum temperature
warning light (fig. 85)
This shows the temperature of the en-
gine coolant fluid and begins when the
fluid temperature exceeds about 50°C.
The pointer should normally be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer
reaches the higher temperature values
the request for vehicle performance
should be decreased.
The illumination of this warning light in-
dicates an excessive temperature of the
engine cooling fluid. In this case, stop the
car and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.IMPORTANT The temperature of the
engine coolant may rise towards the maxi-
mum values by obstruction or dirt on the
outer part of the engine cooling radiator.
In this case you are advised to inspect
and remove any obstructions and have
the outside of the radiator washed as
soon as possible.
fig. 85
A0D0121m

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