engine oil Alfa Romeo 166 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

6 SYMBOLS
Special coloured labels have been attached near to or actually
on some of the components making up your Alfa 166.
These labels bear symbols that remind you of the precautions to
be taken as regards that particular component.
A list of the symbols to be found on your Alfa 166is
given below, with the name of the component to which it relates
at the side of it.
These symbols are divided into the following four categories:
danger, prohibition, warning and obligation.
DANGER SYMBOLS
Battery
Explosion.
Fan
May cut in automatically when the engine is off.
Expansion tank
Do not remove the cap when the coolant is boil-
ing.
Battery
Corrosive fluid.
Coil
High voltage.

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

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

77
Faulty ABS anti
wheel-locking
This warning light comes on when the
system is inefficient. In this case normal
braking is ensured without though, mak-
ing use of the ABS system. Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services should however be
contacted as soon as possible.
When the ignition key is turned to
MARthe warning light comes on but
must go out after approx. 4 seconds.>
Presence of water
in the fuel oil filter
(JTD 20V Multijet versions)
When the ignition key is turned to the
MARposition the warning light should
come on and must go out after approx. 4
seconds.
The warning light switches on fixed
when driving, to indicate the presence of
water in the fuel oil filter.
In case the indicator light switches on,
even if just for a few seconds, we recom-
mend to contact an Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Service as soon as possible in order
to purge the water from the fuel oil filter
and avoid severe damages to the injec-
tion pump and to the fuel oil supply cir-
cuit as well as the engine irregular opera-
tion.
c
Glowplugs
(JTD 20V Multijet versions)
The warning light comes on
when the ignition key is turned to MAR
position. When the glowplugs have
reached the established temperature the
warning light will go out. Start the en-
gine as soon as the warning light has
gone out.
For versions/markets where applica-
ble, the warning light flashes for approx.
30 seconds after starting the engine
meaning that there is a fault to the glow
plug warning system, in which case,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
With a high ambient temperature the
warning light may turn on imperceptibly.
m
The car is fitted with an
electronic braking device
(EDB). If the
>andxwarning
lights turn on at the same time, this
means that there is an EBD system
fault; in this case violent braking
may be accompanied by early rear
wheel locking, with the possibility
of skidding. Drive the car ex-
tremely carefully to the nearest
Authorized Alfa Romeo workshop
to have the system checked.
WARNING

91
ADDITIONAL HEATER
(Optional, for diesel versions, where
applicable)
The additional heater makes it possible
to integrate heating of the engine coolant
fluid, immediately after starting the en-
gine and when travelling, to more quickly
reach and maintain the optimum operat-
ing temperature of the engine and pas-
senger compartment heater.
The device works completely automati-
cally and it is activated only when the en-
gine is running with an outside tempera-
ture of +5°C or less and a coolant fluid
temperature below 60°C.
When the coolant fluid reaches 61°C,
the electronic control unit reduces the
power of the burner and stops the heater
when a temperature of 72°C is reached,
reactivating it automatically when the flu-
id temperature falls below 60°C. Con-
versely, if after reducing the power of the
burner, the fluid temperature begins to
fall, the control unit cuts in to restore full
power.The system comprises:
– a fuel oil burner for heating the water
and a combustion gas exhaust silencer.
– A batching pump connected to the car
reservoir pipes to supply the burner.
– An electronic control unit for control-
ling burner adjustment.
– An outside temperature sensor.IMPORTANT The heater is fitted with
a thermal limiting device which cuts off
combustion in the event of overheating
due to lack/leaks of coolant fluid.
The heater is also protected by the auto-
matic fuel cut-off switch, which shuts off
the fuel in the event of a crash of a cer-
tain size: to see how this works see the
“automatic fuel cut-off switch” para-
graph.

117
VDC AND ASR
SYSTEMS
(on request for versions/markets
where applicable)
VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE
DYNAMICS CONTROL):
GENERAL
The VDC is an electronic vehicle stability
control system which, acting on the
torque and braking the wheels in a differ-
entiated manner, helps to bring the car
back to the correct course in the event of
loss of grip.
While travelling the car is subjected to
lateral and longitudinal forces that may
be controlled by the driver up to when
the tyres offer adequate road-holding;
when this falls below the minimum level,
the car starts to deviate from the course
required by the driver.Above all on rough surfaces (such as
cobbles, or due to the presence of water,
ice or soil), changes in speed (when ac-
celerating or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles)
can cause the tyres to lose grip.
When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC sys-
tem acts on the engine and brakes gener-
ating a stabilising torque.
The system performance
levels, in terms of active
safety, should not induce the dri-
ver to run pointless and unjustified
risks. Driving conduct should al-
ways be suited to the conditions of
the road surface, vision and traf-
fic. The responsibility for road safe-
ty is always and anyway the ve-
hicle driver’s concern.
The VDC system helps the driver
to keep control of the car in the
event of loss of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC sys-
tem to control the lack of stability
of the car always and anyway de-
pend on the grip between the tyre
and the road surface.
WARNING

130
Lambda sensors
The lambda sensors detect the oxygen
content in the exhaust gas.
The signals transmitted by the Lambda
sensors are used by the electronic control
unit of the injection-ignition system to ad-
just the air-fuel mixture.Anti-evaporation system
(only petrol versions)
As it is impossible, even when the en-
gine is switched off, to prevent the forma-
tion of fuel vapours, a system has been
devised which traps them in a special car-
bon container.
During operation of the engine these
vapours are withdrawn and sent to com-
bustion.
Due to the high temper-
ature reached while the
catalysts are working, it is advis-
able not to park the car over in-
flammable material (paper, fuel
oils, grass, dry leaves, etc.).
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.

149
Useless loads
Do not overload the boot (especially in
town), as this will heavily affect fuel con-
sumption and stability of the vehicle.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or ski rack imme-
diately after use. These accessories lower
air drag and adversely affect consumption
levels. For particularly bulky loads the use
of a trailer is preferable.
Electric services
Use electric devices only for the neces-
sary time. Rearscreen heating, additional
headlights, wipers and the heater fan
consume a considerable amount of ener-
gy, increasing the need for current highers
fuel consumption (up to +25% in the ur-
ban cycle).Climate control system
The climate control system is a further
load that weighs considerably on the en-
gine inducing higher consumption levels
(on average up to +20%). Outside tem-
perature permitting, preferably use the air
vents.
Spoilers
The use of spoilers that have not been
certified by Alfa Romeo can adversely af-
fect air drag and fuel consumption.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine stationary at i-
dle speed or high speed: in these condi-
tions the engine warms much more slow-
ly, increasing consumption and emissions.
It is therefore advisable to move off im-
mediately and slowly, avoiding high
speeds. This will warm up the engine
more quickly.
Pointless manoeuvres
Avoid revving the engine when waiting
at traffic lights and before switching the
engine off. This, like revving before
changing gear, serves absolutely no pur-
pose on modern cars and increases con-
sumption and emission levels.
Gearshifting
As soon as the road and traffic condi-
tions permit it, engage a higher gear. The
use of a low gear to obtain lively acceler-
ating increases fuel consumption.
In the same way, incorrect use of a gear
increases consumption, emission and en-
gine wear.

155 VEHICLE INACTIVITY
If the vehicle is to be left inactive for
long periods the following precautions
should be noted:
– House the vehicle under a cover in a
dry and possibly ventilated place.
– Engage a gear.
– Release the handbrake.
– Clean and protect the paintwork by
applying silicon wax.
– Cover the rubber windscreen wiper
blades with talcum powder and raise
them off the glass.
– Open the windows slightly.
– Cover the vehicle with a cloth or per-
forated plastic cover. Do not use compact
plastic covers which prevent the humidity
on the surface of the vehicle from evapo-
rating.
– Inflate the tyres to a pressure of 0.5
bars above normal. If possible rest the
tyres on wooden planks and periodically
check the pressure.– Switch off the alarm system (if fit-
ted) with the remote control, then deacti-
vate it with the emergency key.
– Disconnect the terminals from the
battery poles (negative pole first) and
check the battery charge. When the vehi-
cle is in storage, this check should be car-
ried out once a month. If the no-load volt-
age is less than 12.5V, recharge the bat-
tery.
REMOVING FROM STORAGE
Before using your vehicle after a long
period of inactivity the following opera-
tions should first be carried out:
– Do not dust the outside of the vehi-
cle.
– Visually check that there are no
leaks (oil, brake and clutch fluid, engine
coolant etc.).
– Replace the engine oil and filter.
– Check:
Gearbox-differential oil level
Brake-clutch fluid level
Level of engine coolant fluid.– Check the air cleaner and replace if
necessary.
– Check tyre pressure and ensure that
they are not damaged, cracked or cut. If
they are they must be replaced.
– Check the state of the drive belts in
the engine bay.
– Connect the cables of the battery af-
ter checking that the charge is adequate.
– Re-activate the alarm system, if fit-
ted, using the emergency key.
– With the gear lever in neutral start
the engine and allow the engine to run
for a few seconds whilst repeatedly
pumping the clutch pedal.