Alfa Romeo 166 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

220
Serious damage may be
caused to the vehicle if
electrical accessories
are incorrectly installed. If, after
purchasing your vehicle, you
wish to install accessories (theft
alarm, voice feature, satellite ra-
dio-navigator with antitheft
function, etc.) contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel in ad-
dition to being able to recom-
mend the most suitable devices
from Lineaccessori will determine
whether it will be necessary to
install a more powerful battery.
If the car is to remain
stationary for a long
time in very cold weath-
er, remove the battery and take it
to a warm place, otherwise it
might freeze.
The battery adopted is of the “Limited
Maintenance” type and under normal
conditions of use will not require topping
up.
The level of the electrolyte solution
must however be between the MIN and
MAX reference marks when the vehicle is
stationary on a level surface (fig. 16).
If the level is low, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.The batteries contain
substances which are
extremely harmful to
the environment. Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services should be
contacted when equipped to dis-
pose of the batteries respecting
both the environment and legal
requirements.
3101CAm
fig. 16
A0D0107m
fig. 15

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

225
– Application of enamels with greater
resistance to atmospheric pollutants.
– Adoption of “open” boxed parts to
prevent condensation from triggering cor-
rosion from the inside.
The underbody is treated with the appli-
cation of a special protective material.
If this protective layer requires restora-
tion the exhaust system, lambda probe
and catalytic converter must be left free
of any wax, oil, plastic and/or inflamma-
ble product.
This should therefore be carried out by
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.SPRAY JETS
Make sure that the windscreen and
headlight washer jets deliver a jet of fluid
which is adequate and correctly directed.
If the spray devices are not working
check that the supply circuit is not
blocked. If necessary unclog the nozzles
using a needle.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
Alfa Romeo employs manufacturing
technologies which are designed to pro-
tect the bodywork against chemical corro-
sion caused by various factors, for exam-
ple:
– atmospheric pollution.
– Salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
hot-humid climates).
– Road surfaces covered with salt and
de-icing products during the winter.
To further increase resistance against
corrosion the following procedures have
been adopted:
– painting system and paint products
which render the vehicle particularly resis-
tant to corrosion and abrasion.
– Wide use of sheet metal which is ex-
tremely resistant to corrosion.
– Spraying of the underbody, engine
bay, wheel arches and boxed parts with
suitable products which adhere strongly
to the metal parts and have a high pro-
tection capability.

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.).

227
IMPORTANT The vehicle should be
washed with the engine cold and the igni-
tion key turned to STOP. After washing
make sure that the various protections
(e.g. rubber caps and recess covers) have
not been damaged or removed. When drying off take particular care to
cover the less visible parts like the bonnet
and boot lids and around the headlights
where water may stagnate. The vehicle
should not be taken to an enclosed area
immediately but left in the open so that
the residual water can evaporate. Do not
wash the vehicle after it has been left in
the sun or when the bonnet is hot as this
may alter the shine of the paintwork.
Plastic parts must be cleaned in the same
way as the rest of the vehicle. Specific
products need only be used when dirt is
particularly resistant.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately as the acid con-
tained in them is particularly aggressive.
To better protect the paint, occasionally
polish with special products (silicone
wax) which leave a protective layer on
the body.WINDOWS
Use specific products to clean the win-
dows. Clean cloths should be used to
avoid scratching or altering the trans-
parency of the glass.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
At the end of the winter the engine
compartment should be carefully washed.
Contact a specialised workshop to have
this done.The inside of the rear
windscreen should be
wiped gently with a
cloth in the direction of the fila-
ments to avoid damaging the
heating device.
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.
For washing the engine
compartment, you are
recommended to use
“FULCRON” available in Alfa
Romeo Lineaccessori. In any
case, only use soda-free deter-
gent solutions preferably alka-
lined with metasilicates.After
washing the engine compartment
it must be accurately rinsed with
a specific operation and dried. In
fact the normal passage of the
body washing tunnel is unable to
rinse the engine compartment
adequately.

228 INTERIOR FITTINGS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the carpets (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas etc.) which
could cause oxidisation of the sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND CLOTH
PA R T S
– For the seats and parts in fabric (vel-
vet, suede, etc.)dust may be removed us-
ing a soft brush.
– To remove grease stains specific prod-
ucts may be used closely following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
– For more accurate cleaning, rub the
seats with a sponge moistened with a so-
lution of water and neutral detergent in
the proportions stated on the package.Never use spirit or alco-
hol-based products.
CLEANING LEATHER PARTS
– Remove dried on dirt with a chamois
leather or a lightly moistened cloth with-
out pressing too hard.
– Remove liquid and grease stains with
a dry absorbent cloth without rubbing.
Following this wipe with a soft cloth or
chamois leather moistened with water
and neutral soap.
If the stain persists use specific products
in accordance with the instructions for
use.
Never use inflammable
products such as fuel oil
ether or rectified petrol. The elec-
trostatic charges generated by rub-
bing when cleaning may cause fire.
WARNING
Upholstery of your car
has been designed to
withstand wear deriv-
ing from common use of
the car. You are however recom-
mended to avoid strong and/or
continuous scratching with cloth-
ing accessories such as metallic
buckles, studs, Velcro fastenings
and the like, since these items
cause circumscribed stress of the
cover fabric that could lead to
yarn breaking, and damage the
cover as a consequence.

229
PLASTIC PARTS
Should it be necessary to remove dust,
dirt, etc. from the surface of the light u-
nits (and/or direction indicators) only use
a solution of neutral soap and water and
a soft cloth.
Absolutely never use chemical solvents
and/or petroleum derivatives such as
petrol, methylated spirits, ammonia, ace-
tone, etc. which could spoil the material
and reduce its transparency, adversely af-
fecting travelling safety.
For internal plastic parts use specific
products to preserve the appearance of
the components.
I.C.S. MASK AND CENTRAL
CONSOLE
Remove finger prints with common alco-
hol-free water and surfactants glass deter-
gent. Rub surfaces with a clean cotton
rag moistened with detergent.
Never use spirit or
petrol to clean the glass
on the instrument panel.
Do not keep aerosol cans
in the car. There is the
risk they might explode. Aerosol
cans must never be exposed to a
temperature above 50°C. The tem-
perature inside the car might go
well beyond that figure when ex-
posed to the sun’s rays.
WARNINGSTEERING WHEEL/GEAR LEVER
KNOB WITH GENUINE
LEATHER COVERING
These components shall only be cleaned
with water and neutral soap. Never use
spirit or alcohol-based products.
Before using special products for clean-
ing interiors, read carefully label instruc-
tions and indications to make sure they
are free from spirit and/or alcohol-based
substances.
If when cleaning the windscreen with
special glass products, some drops fall on
the leather covering of the steering
wheel/gear lever knob remove them im-
mediately and then clean with water and
neutral soap.
IMPORTANTTake the utmost care
when engaging the steering lock to pre-
vent scratching the leather covering.