air condition Alfa Romeo 166 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

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1035PGSm
fig. 5
THE ALFA ROMEO
CODE SYSTEM
To increase protection against attempted
theft, the car is fitted with an electronic
engine lock system (Alfa Romeo CODE)
certified in accordance with EC Directive
95/56 which is activated automatically
when the key is removed from the igni-
tion.
In fact the grip of each key contains an
electronic device which modulates the ra-
dio frequency signal transmitted when the
engine is started by a special aerial incor-
porated in the ignition switch.
This modulated signal is the “password”
by which the control unit recognises the
key and only in this condition can the en-
gine be started.
THE KEYS
The car is provided with the key (A-
fig. 4) with metal insert with power-as-
sisted opening, remote control for opening
the boot and remote control for unlock-
ing/locking the doors and electronic alarm
(where applicable). The key operates:
– the ignition
– door locks
– boot lock
– glovebox lock
– remote door locking/unlocking sys-
tem
– alarm system (optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
– deactivation of the passenger’s Air
bag.
IMPORTANT In order to ensure the
perfect efficiency of the electronic devices
contained inside the key, avoid exposing
it to direct sunlight.
A0D0143m
fig. 4

84
EQUIVALENT TEMPERATURE
The system makes it possible to control
the passenger compartment climate main-
taining the “equivalent temperature” lev-
el required by the driver. This “equivalent
temperature” is an estimator of the ideal
temperature (obtained through the devel-
opment of a complex mathematical algo-
rithm) needed to obtain the best temper-
ature and well-being in the passenger
compartment.
To bring about this operating condition,
select:
– the “equivalent temperature” re-
quired pressing the button (B-fig. 94);
– the AUTOposition pressing the but-
ton (D).
IMPORTANT The compressor can be
engaged automatically or manually. To
switch from one operating mode to the
other see the “Compressor on/off but-
ton” paragraph in this chapter.
DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS
(fig. 94)
A- Climate control dedicated screen se-
lector button.
B- Rocker button for adjusting the “e-
quivalent temperature”.
C- Rocker button for fan speed adjust-
ment.
D- Automatic system operation selector
button.
E- Climate control compressor off/on
button.
F- Climate control system off/on but-
ton.
G- Rocker button for selecting air distri-
bution.
H- Air recirculation on/off button.
I- On/off button for maximum defrost-
ing/demisting windscreen and front side
windows, rearscreen heating, door mirror
resistances and resistances at windscreen
base (where applicable).
J- On/off button for rearscreen heating
and mirror defrosting and resistances in
windscreen wiper blade parking are at the
base of the windscreen (where applica-
ble).Adjustment button for
required equivalent
temperature
Pressing this rocker button up or down
respectively raises or lowers the equiva-
lent temperature required in the passen-
ger compartment.
Pressing the button upwards or down-
wards to the extreme HIGHorLOW
positions, the functions with the highest
heating or cooling power are engaged.

85
Fan speed adjustment button
Pressing this rocker button up or down
respectively increases or lowers the fan
speed (thus the amount of air admitted
to the passenger compartment), while
maintaining the objective of the equiva-
lent temperature required.
Automatic operation
button
Pressing the AUTObutton the system
automatically adjusts the amount and dis-
tribution of air admitted to the passenger
compartment.
Compressor off/on
button
Pressing the ECONbutton turns the cli-
mate control compressor on/off.
IMPORTANT With the compressor off
it is not possible to admit air to the pas-
senger compartment at a temperature be-
low the outside temperature, in particular
environment conditions, the windows
may quickly steam.Climate control off/on
button
Pressing the OFFbutton turns the cli-
mate control on/off (including ventilation
only.
IMPORTANT With the climate control
off and in particular environment condi-
tions, the windows may steam quickly.
Passenger compartment
air distribution button
Pressing the MODErocker button to-
wards the left or right manually selects
air distribution in the passenger compart-
ment, while maintaining the objective of
the equivalent temperature required.

86
Air recirculation on/off
button
Pressing this button engages/disen-
gages recirculation of the air admitted to
the passenger compartment.
IMPORTANT Depending on how the
system is working (heating or cooling the
passenger compartment) the recirculation
function makes it possible to reach the re-
quired conditions faster. It is however in-
advisable to use this function on
rainy/cold days as it would considerably
increase the possibility of misting the win-
dows, especially if the conditioner is off.
It is advisable to use this function when
the vehicle is stationary in a queue or tun-
nel to prevent polluted air from entering
the passenger compartment. Prolonged
use of this function should however be
avoided, especially if there are several
persons aboard.Windscreen and front side
windows demisting/
defrosting button
Pressing this button the climate control
automatically activates the necessary
functions (quantity, distribution, tempera-
ture of the air admitted to the passenger
compartment) to quicken demisting/de-
frosting of the windscreen and front side
windows. Rearscreen heating, door mirror
heating and the resistances at the base of
the windscreen (in the wiper blade park-
ing area) are also automatically engaged
(for a determinate length of time) where
applicable.Rearscreen demisting/
defrosting on/off button
Pressing this button engages demist-
ing/defrosting of the rearscreen, door
mirrors and (optional for versions/mar-
kets where applicable) the resistances at
the base of the windscreen (in the wiper
blade parking area).
IMPORTANT Do not stick stickers on
the inside of the rearscreen over the heat-
ing filaments to prevent damage that
might adversely affect the system.

87
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATING
STRATEGIES
Operating the button, the
climate control system sets to automati-
cally control the following functions:
– temperature of the air at the vents
and outlets
– fan speed (constantly changing)
– air distribution
– air recirculation
– compressor engagement.
It is still however possible to intervene
manually on the following functions:
– fan speed
– air distribution
– air recirculation
– compressor engagement.
The functions activated manually have
priority over the automatic ones and they
remain memorised until automatic control
is re-activated.
With one or more functions engaged
manually, adjustment of the temperature
admitted to the passenger compartment
still continues to be controlled automati-
cally by the system except with the com-
pressor off: in fact, in this condition the
air admitted to the passenger compart-
ment cannot be below the outside tem-
perature.Pressing the button for en-
gaging/disengaging automatic operation,
the system may be in one of the follow-
ing conditions:
–FULL AUTOwith automatic control
of the fan speed and air distribution;
–AUTOwith automatic control only of
the fan speed or of air distribution accord-
ing to the driver’s preference;
–MANwith manual operation where
the driver controls the fan speed and air
distribution directly.

88
Pressing the button turns
the compressor on/off. With the com-
pressor off, the air admitted to the pas-
senger compartment can not be cooled or
dehumidified and recirculation is switched
off automatically to avoid misting the
windows: when wanting to activate recir-
culation in the condition, press the corre-
sponding button.
Pressing the button again
with the compressor off, will restore the
operating conditions of before the com-
pressor was turned off.
Pressing the button turns
off/back on the climate control, in the
former case air is no longer admitted to
the passenger compartment which is thus
isolated from outside, in the latter, the
previous operating mode is restored.Pressing the button selects
the possible air distributions to the pas-
senger compartment:
Flow of air towards the windscreen
and front side windows
Distribution of the flow between
the windscreen /front side windows and
lower part of the passenger compartment
Flow of air to the lower part of the
passenger compartment and secondary
flow of air towards the windscreen and
front side windows
Distribution of the flow between
the upper centre, centre, side and rear
outlets and the lower part of the passen-
ger compartment
Flow of air towards the centre up-
per vent, centre and side dashboard out-
lets and rear outlets.If the system was in the FULL AUTO
mode, pressing the button
passes to the simple automatism condi-
tion: i.e. the system chooses the fan
speed and mixing to obtain the equiva-
lent temperature required, but will not
change the distribution selected manually.
Pressing the recirculation button
, the system automatically reac-
tivates the compressor if it was deactivat-
ed manually; to maintain recirculation
with the compressor of, it is necessary to
press the button to deacti-
vate the compressor.

89
IMPORTANT In this condition (recir-
culation on and compressor off), remem-
ber that the windows may steam up very
quickly.
Pressing the button the climate
control automatically activates the func-
tions required to quicken demisting/de-
frosting of the windscreen and side win-
dows. Rearscreen heating and door mirror
heating are also automatically engaged
(for a determinate length of time).
Pressing the button engages
rearscreen heating and door mirror heat-
ing for a determinate length of time.Manually setting one of the climate con-
trol functions, the others continue to be
controlled automatically; in particular the
air temperature is always controlled auto-
matically to reach the required “equiva-
lent temperature” in the passenger com-
partment.
IMPORTANT When working in the
FULL AUTOcondition, the system can
automatically engage recirculation or de-
activate the compressor to cool/heat the
passenger compartment faster or
demist/defrost the windscreen and side
windows.IMPORTANT When the engine is
turned off the system memorises the cli-
mate control operating condition, which
will be automatically resumed when the
engine is started again.

135
IMPORTANT If it is difficult to start the
engine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyzer but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
1) Engage the handbrake.
2) Set the gearshift lever to neutral and
fully depress the clutch without pressing
the accelerator.
3) Turn the ignition key to the MAR
position. the
mwarning light on the in-
strument cluster will turn on.
4) Wait for the
mwarning light to go
off, which will depend on how warm the
engine is. If the engine is very warm the
turning on of the warning light may be so
fast as to go by unobserved.
5) Turn the ignition key to AVV as
soon as the
mwarning light goes off.
Waiting too long would make the glow
plug heating work pointless.IMPORTANT The electric devices that
absorb much energy (air conditioner,
rearscreen heating, etc.) are disengaged
automatically during engine starting.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, move the ignition key back to
theSTOPposition before repeating s-
tarting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa
Romeo CODE system efficient), do not in-
sist with prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if it is not-
ed that the cause is due to low charge of
vehicle’s battery. Never use a battery
charger to start the engine (see ”If the
battery is flat” in the chapter “In an e-
mergency”).
WARMING THE ENGINE
– Drive off slowly, at medium revs
without accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for
the initial kilometres of the journey. Wait
until the engine coolant temperature is
between 50 and 60°C.
SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and
wait until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOP
position and switch off the engine.
IMPORTANT After a hard journey, it
is advisable to allow the engine to “get
its breath back” before switching off, run-
ning it at idle speed to allow the tempera-
ture in the engine compartment to cool
down. For versions/markets
where applicable the
warning light m flashes
for about 30 seconds after start-
ing the engine meaning that
there is a fault to the glow plug
warming system, in which case,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.

137
– Check the operation of the horn.
– Check the operation and degree of
wear of the windscreen wipers.
– Check the operation of the external
lights and if necessary, clean the light
units.
– Above all when driving at night,
check the alignment of headlight beams
before starting off.
– Check that no oil or other liquid is
leaking out under the car.
– Ensure that luggage is stowed away
correctly.
– Ensure that, in addition to yourself,
all passengers have fastened their seat
belts.
– Ensure that the handbrake is re-
leased and that the warning lights on the
instrument panel do not indicate a mal-
function. To avoid accidental movements
of the car, disengage the handbrake
keeping the brake pedal pressed.
The following should also be noted:
– Long distances should be tackled
when in good health and should where
possible be programmed, especially when
the roads are busy.– A light meal containing easily assimil-
able foods will help keep reflexes ready
and aid concentration for a safe journey.– Use the direction indicators when
changing direction.
– Switch on the external lights at sun-
set.
– Keep a safe distance from the vehicle
in front. A “safe” distance will vary ac-
cording to the speed of the vehicle,
weather conditions and road-traffic condi-
tions.
– Never drive with one hand resting on
the gear lever. The involuntary movement
of the gear lever which this causes, even
if slight, will cause avoidable wear to the
internal elements of the gearbox.
– Never drive with the gearbox in neu-
tral.
– Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal as this habit leads to
rapid wearing of the clutch.
– Do not drive for long periods without
a break. During a break get out of the ve-
hicle and move around a bit to shake off
drowsiness.
– Ensure that the air in the vehicle is
changed constantly using the many possi-
bilities offered by the heating-ventilation
and climate control system.
WHEN TRAVELLING
– Driving with care also means being
able to predict the actions of other road
users, respecting the speed limits and oc-
cupying the near-side lane on motorways.
Driving under the influ-
ence of alcohol, drugs
and/or some medicines is highly
dangerous.
Never drive when drunk or under
the effect of drugs or medicines.
WARNING

139
DRIVING UNDER ADVERSE
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Rain and fog can be extremely danger-
ous if the style of driving is not adapted
to suit these conditions. Some sugges-
tions are given below:
– if the road is wet, the friction be-
tween wheel and asphalt is greatly re-
duced thus increasing the stopping dis-
tance and decreasing road holding when
cornering.
Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– Heavy rain and fog reduce visibility.
Headlights should be switched on as the
road traffic laws and common sense dic-
tate, above all to render yourself visible
to others.
– Do not drive over puddles or flooded
roads at high speed as the aquaplaning
phenomenon may cause you to loose
control over the vehicle.
– If visibility is already reduced prevent
it from worsening by ensuring that the
windows do not steam up. Use the heat-
ing-ventilation controls as indicated in the
chapter “Know your vehicle”.– Check the condition of the windscreen
wiper blades.
– If fog is very thick avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling cannot be
avoided drive with extreme care and
moderate your speed. Avoid overtaking.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop owing
to a malfunction or zero visibility condi-
tions, pull off the road, switch on the haz-
ard warning lights and if possible, the
dipped-beam headlights.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING
Mountain driving requires a greater de-
gree of concentration. Some practical
hints follow:
– Before driving off check the level of
fluids (engine oil, brakes, coolant) and
the state of the tyres.
– When travelling down hill use the en-
gine braking by engaging lower gears to
prevent the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast downhill with the engine
off or in neutral and especially not with
the ignition key removed.
– Drive at a moderate speed and avoid
cutting corners.– Remember that overtaking uphill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being
overtaken on a hill move over to enable
the other vehicle to pass in safety.
WINTER DRIVING
If the temperature falls below 0°C or in
the presence of snow or ice the following
recommendations should be followed:
– Before driving off check that the
windscreen wipers are not frozen to the
windscreen.
– Remove the snow from the air intake
(grille) at the base of the windscreen.
– Do not stop long on deep snow with
the engine running: the snow might di-
vert the exhaust gas carbon monoxide in-
to the passenger compartment.
– Ensure that brakes and tyres are in
perfect working order.
–Ensure that the detergent liquid locat-
ed in the windscreen/headlight washers
has been topped up with anti-freeze and
anti-scale additives.
– Use engine braking where possible
and avoid abrupt braking.