key battery Alfa Romeo 156 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
190
WARNINGOn the 2.0 JTS version,
keep the brake pedal pressed when starting
the engine. As the brake pedal stiffens if it
is pressed repeatedly with the engine off. In
this situation, to allow the engine to be
started, it is necessary to increase the pres-
sure exerted on the pedal itself.PROCEDURE FOR JTD VERSIONS1)Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2)Move the gearshift lever to neutral.
3)Turn the ignition key to the MARpo-
sition. The warning light
m
on the instru-
ment cluster will turn on.
4)Wait for the
m
warning light to go
off, which will depend on how warm the en-
gine is. With the engine very hot the warn-
ing light may stay on for such a short time
that it is not noticed.
5)Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6)Turn the ignition key to AV Vas soon
as the
m
warning light goes off. Waiting
too long would make the glow plug heating
work pointless.WARNINGThe electric devices that ab-
sorb much energy (air conditioner,
rearscreen heating, etc.) are disengaged au-
tomatically during engine starting.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, move the ignition key back to the
STOPposition before repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa Romeo
CODE system efficient), do not insist with
prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if it is noted
that the cause is due to low charge of the
car’s battery. Never use a battery charger to
start the engine (see “If the battery is flat”
in the chapter “In an emergency”).
WARMING THE ENGINE– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometers 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 STOPpo-
sition and switch off the engine.
WARNINGAfter a taxing drive it is bet-
ter to allow the engine to “catch its breath”
before turning it off by letting it idle to al-
low the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.

Fuel oil heater (JTD versions, JTD 16V Multijet)Services switched off with startingBattery power supply for Alfa Romeo CODE/Injection system(+15) key-controlled service supply (ignition switch)General service supply (petrol versions)General service supply (diesel versions)General service supplyAdditional heater (diesel version only)Oil pump supply (Selespeed versions only)
Selespeed gearbox(2.0 JTS version)
Automatic gearbox(2.5 V6 24V version)(*) Specific components and values depending on the version/market. If in doubt, especially for the replacement of fuses which protect safety circuits
and/or systems (Air bag, ABS, etc.), you are recommended to contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, also to locate the cause of the fuse tripping.
IN AN EMERGENCY
241
74
71
71
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68 25A
7.5A
7.5A
30A
80A
80A
70A
70A
30A
30A
20A
40A
20A H
1
12
2
4
1
3
10
10
7
8
7
8
SERVICES FUSE AMPERES FIGURE

IN AN EMERGENCY
246
IF AN ACCIDENT
OCCURS– It is important to keep calm.
– If you are not directly involved in the ac-
cident, stop at least ten metres away from
the accident.
– If you are on a motorway do not ob-
struct the emergency lane with your car.
– Turn off the engine and turn on the haz-
ard lights.
– At night, illuminate the scene of the ac-
cident with your headlights.– Act carefully, you must not risk being run
over.
– Mark the accident by putting the red tri-
angle at the regulatory distance from the car
where it can be clearly seen.
– Call the emergency services making the
information you give as accurate as you can.
On the motorway use the special column-
mounted emergency phones.
– In pile-ups on the motorway, particular-
ly when the visibility is bad, there is a high
risk of other vehicles running into those al-
ready immobile. Get out of the vehicle im-
mediately and take refuge behind the guard
rail.
– If the doors are blocked, do not try to
get out of the vehicle by breaking the strat-
ified windscreen. The rear and side windows
are easier to break.
– Remove the ignition keys of the vehi-
cles involved.– If you smell petrol or other chemicals,
do not smoke and make sure all cigarettes
are extinguished.
– Use a fire extinguisher, blanket, sand or
earth to put out fires, no matter how small
they are. Never use water.
– If it is not necessary to use the lighting
system, disconnect the terminal from the
battery negative (–) pole.

CAR MAINTENANCE
253
Car maintenance should be
entrusted to Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services. For
routine and minor maintenance op-
erations you wish to carry out
yourself, always make sure you
have the proper equipment, genuine
Alfa Romeo spare parts and the
necessary fluids; do not however
carry out these operations if you
have no experience.
WARNING
Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments it is advisable
to replace the filtering element more fre-
quently; in particular it should be replaced if
a reduction of the amount of air admitted to
the passenger compartment is noted. WARNING
Battery
You are recommended to have the battery
charge conditions checked, preferably at the
onset of winter, to avoid the possibility of
freezing the electrolyte.
This check should be carried out more fre-
quently if the car is used prevailingly for
short journeys, or if it is fitted with services
that absorb high amounts of current per-
manently with the ignition key off, especially
if installed in the after market.
In the case of use of the car in hot climates
or particularly harsh conditions, it is wise
to check the level of the battery fluid (elec-
trolyte) at more frequent intervals than stat-
ed in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.

CAR MAINTENANCE
268
WARNINGA battery kept at below
50% of its capacity is damaged by sulpha-
tion, the capacity is reduced and starting
is difficult, there is also more possibility of
freezing (this can occur at –10°C). In the
event of a prolonged stop, refer to “Vehi-
cle inactivity”, in the chapter “Getting the
best out of your car”. – Connect the charger cables to the bat-
tery terminals ensuring that the bias is cor-
rect.
– Turn on the charger.
– After charging turn off the charger be-
fore disconnecting it from the battery.
– Reconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
WARNINGIf the car is fitted with an
alarm system, turn off the alarm with the
remote control and deactivate the system
turning the emergency key to “OFF” (see
“Electronic alarm” in “Getting to know your
car” chapter).
Bright white colour
Dark colour without green central area
Dark colour with green central areaTop up electrolyte
Low battery charge
Electrolyte level
and charge sufficientContact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Charge the battery
(advisable to contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services)
No action neededCHARGING THE BATTERYWARNINGThe description of the bat-
tery charging procedure is described only for
informative purposes. This operation should
be carried out by Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
Charging should be slow at a low amp rat-
ing for about 24 hours. Charging for a longer
time may damage the battery.
Charge the battery as follows:
– Disconnect the terminal from the bat-
tery negative (–) pole.
WARNINGWhen reconnecting the neg-
ative battery cable after having disconnect-
ed it, wait for 2 minutes before turning the
key to enable the climate control system
to reset actuator strokes properly.
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 and that the body is not
cracked, with the risk of acid com-
ing out which is poisonous and cor-
rosive.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
269
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERYTo avoid quickly draining the battery and
to preserve its operating conditions over the
course of time, carefully follow the instruc-
tions below:
– The terminals must always be tightened.
– As far as possible, avoid keeping ser-
vices on for a long time with the engine
stopped (radio, hazard lights, parking lights,
etc.).
– When leaving the car parked in a
garage, make sure that the doors, bonnet,
boot and interior lids are properly shut to
prevent lights from staying on.
– Before doing any work on the electric
system, disconnect the battery negative ter-
minal.– 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 an-
ti-theft function, etc.) contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services whose qualified per-
sonnel, in addition to suggesting the most
suitable devices from Lineaccessori Alfa
Romeo 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 high-
er capacity is necessary. In fact, these de-
vices continue to absorb current with the
ignition key off (car parked, engine off) and
may gradually drain the battery.
REPLACING THE BATTERYIf required, replace the battery with a gen-
uine spare part having the same specifica-
tions. If a battery with different specifica-
tions is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Programmed Maintenance Schedule in
this section will no longer be valid. Refer
to the instructions provided by the battery
manufacturer.

CAR MAINTENANCE
270
– Do not check for current in the cables by
short-circuiting the ends.
– If electrical welding is to be carried out
on the body of the car, the electronic con-
trol units must be disconnected or removed
if the work involves the production of high
temperatures.
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption activated by the user,
such as bottle warmers, vacuum cleaners,
cellular telephone, mini refrigerator, etc. ac-
celerate the battery drainage process if they
are powered with the engine not run-
ningor running at idle speed.
WARNINGIt should also be noted that
improper branches on connectors of the elec-
tric wiring for installing additional equipment
is dangerous, particularly if safety devices
are involved.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
UNITSWith normal use of the car, no particular
precautions need to be taken.
In the event of work on the electric system
or emergency starting, the instructions giv-
en below must absolutely be adhered to:
– Always switch off the engine before dis-
connecting the battery from the electric sys-
tem.
– If it is necessary to charge the battery,
always disconnect it from the electric sys-
tem.
– When starting in an emergency, only
use an auxiliary battery and not a battery
charger.
– Check that the bias is correct and that
the connections between the battery and
the electric system are in efficient conditions.
– Do not connect or disconnect the ter-
minals of the electronic units while the ig-
nition key is at MAR.
Battery50 Ah60 Ah70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
30 mA
36 mA
42 mAThe total absorption of these accessories
(standard and installed later) must be less
than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the table below:
Alterations or repairs to
the electric system carried
out incorrectly and without taking
into account the specifications of
the system, may cause operating
faults with the risk of fire.
WARNING

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
327
Bulbs
– general instructions ............... 218
– replacement .......................... 217
– types of bulbs ................. 218-219Car lifting
– with arm hoist ....................... 245
– with jack .............................. 245
– with workshop hoist .............. 245
Car maintenance..................... 248
Carrying children safely ................ 35
Catalytic converter ....................... 188
Ceiling lights................................ 162
– centre rear roof lamp .............. 163
– courtesy light......................... 163
– front roof light ....................... 162
– rear roof light ........................ 163
Centre rear roof lamp.................... 163
– bulb replacement ................... 231
Changing battery of key
with remote control ................... 10
Changing bulbs
– general instructions ............... 218
– replacement .......................... 217
– types of bulbs ................. 218-219
Changing wheels.......................... 209
– general instructions ................ 207Charging the battery .............. 242-268
Checking levels ............................ 254
– brake and clutch fluid ............. 263
– engine coolant....................... 261
– engine oil ............................. 257
– power steering oil .................. 261
– Q-system automatic
gearbox oil............................ 260
– Selespeed gearbox oil ............ 259
– windscreen/rearscreen/
headlamp washing fluid .......... 264
Child safety device .............. 19-35-279
Children (carrying safely) ............. 35
– child’s seats .................... 35-38
– presetting for installing the
Isofix type child restraint system 39
Cigar lighter ............................... 164
Cleaning and maintenance
– car exterior ........................... 274
– car interior ............................ 277
– engine compartment ............. 276
– fabric seats .......................... 277
– leather seats ........................ 277
– plastic parts........................... 277
– windows ............................... 276
Climate control system.................. 108
– air vents................... 108-109-110– controls ................................ 118
Climate control system, automatic
two-zone ................................. 114
Clock .......................... 57-58-59-60-61
Clutch
– checking fluid level
and topping up ...................... 263
CO
2emissions ............................. 324
CODE card................................... 7
Compact spare wheel ................... 294
– technical data ........................ 312
Controls ...................................... 135
Correct use of the car............ 189
Courtesy light .............................. 163
– bulb replacement ................... 232
Cruise control
(constant speed adjustment) ...... 53
Current socket (boot) ................... 285
D
ashboard ................ 57-58-59-60-61
– brighting adjustment............... 63
Dashboard lighting dimming .......... 136
Demisting-defrosting
– door mirrors .................... 25-133
– rearscreen....................... 26-133
– windscreen and front
side windows ........................ 132

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
330
– display rheostat light
adjustment............................ 63
– exit menu ............................. 86
– General Trip - Trip B ................ 87
– initial check........................... 68
– language selection ................. 78
– menu ................................... 67
– programmed maintenance
(Service) .............................. 82
– speed limit ............................ 73
– Trip B on/off ......................... 75
– units selection ....................... 79
– warning/failure buzzer
volume setting....................... 80
– “winter” tyres speed limit ....... 81
Instrument cluster ........................ 56
Intelligent washing function
(windscreen) ............................ 51
Interiors (cleaning) ...................... 277
Interior lighting
– boot lighting ......................... 171
– dashboard............................. 136
– front .................................... 162
– rear ..................................... 163
Internal fittings ...................... 161-292
Internal rear-view mirror ............... 25
Isofix (child’s seat)....................... 39
Jack
– use ............................... 209
– warnings ....................... 207-208K
eys......................................... 6
– remote control ....................... 7
– remote door locking/unlocking 16
– replacing remote control
battery ................................. 10
– request for additional keys
with remote control ................ 12
Lifting points .............................. 245
Lights (controls) .......................... 48
Luggage compartment
– capacity ......................... 317-318
– current socket........................ 285
– extension.............................. 289
– lighting .......................... 171-284
– luggage cover........................ 287
– luggage retainer net ............... 285
– oddment compartments .......... 285
– opening from inside .. 135-170-282
– opening lever ........................ 135
– opening with remote
control ..................... 8-170-282– passenger compartment
separation net (lower) ............ 288
– passenger compartment
separation net (upper)............ 288
– reversible net ........................ 283
– securing the load ............ 171-283
– tailgate closing ............... 171-283
– warnings for carrying
luggage.......................... 172-284
Luggage compartment light
– bulb replacement ............. 233-297
M
ain beam headlights
– changing bulbs ..................... 226
– switching on ......................... 48
Maintenance
– additional operations .............. 251
– annual inspection programme . 251
– checking fluid levels ............... 254
– general information ................ 248
– scheduled maintenance ........... 248
– scheduled maintenance
programme ........................... 249
– warnings .............................. 248
Manual climate control system ....... 11
Mechanical gearbox
– lever .................................... 139