2004 Alfa Romeo 156 ignition

CAR MAINTENANCE
263
WARNINGBrake and hydraulic clutch
fluid is hygroscopic (i.e. it absorbs moisture).
For this reason, if the car is mainly used in
areas with a high degree of atmospheric hu-
midity, the fluid should be replaced at more
frequent intervals than specified in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme.
BRAKE AND HYDRAULIC
CLUTCH FLUID
(fig. 20)
From time to time check the instrument
panel warning light x
by pressing cover
(B) of the reservoir (A) (with the ignition
key at MAR) instrument panel warning
light should come on.
fig. 20
A0B0157m
When loosening the reser-
voir cap do not allow the
fluid to come into contact
with painted parts. If it does, wash
it off immediately with water.
Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and highly cor-
rosive. In the event of accidental
contact, wash the parts involved
immediately with neutral soap and
water, then rinse thoroughly. See
a doctor at once if the fluid is swal-
lowed.
WARNING
Symbol
π
on the contain-
er indicates synthetic type
brake fluid distinguishing it from
the mineral kind. Using mineral
type fluids damages the special
rubber braking system gaskets be-
yond repair.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
265
DIESEL FILTERDRAINING CONDENSATION
WATER
Water in the supply circuit
can seriously damage the
whole injection system and
cause malfunctions to engine oper-
ation. Should the warning lamp
c
turn on, available for the provid-
ed versions/markets, contact as
soon as possible the Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service for drainage op-
erations.
When the car is habitual-
ly driven in dusty areas,
the cleaner should be
changed at shorter intervals than
those given in the Programmed
Maintenance Schedule.Any attempt to clean the
air cleaner may cause se-
rious engine damage.
AIR FILTERThe air cleaner is connected to the tem-
perature and air flow sensors which send the
electrical signals needed for correct opera-
tion of the injection and ignition system to
the control unit.
It must therefore always be in perfect con-
ditions to ensure correct operation of the en-
gine, low consumption and exhaust emis-
sion levels.
If they are not carried out
correctly and with the due
precautions, the operations
involving cleaner replacement de-
scribed herein may compromise the
safety of the car.
This operation should be carried
out by Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.

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
276
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the en-
gine compartment should
be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid
used in the washing process.
WARNINGThe vehicle should washed
with the engine cold and the ignition key at
STOP. After washing make sure that the
various protections (e.g. rubber caps and
various covers) have not been damaged or
removed. Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species release
give the paint a dull appearance and in-
crease the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
WARNINGBird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly ag-
gressive.Windows
Use specific products to clean the windows.
Use clean cloths to avoid scratching or al-
tering the transparency of the glass.
WARNINGThe inside of the rearscreen
should be wiped gently with a cloth in the
direction of the filaments to avoid damag-
ing the heating device. Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed, with-
out directing the jet against electronic con-
trol units. Contact a specialised workshop to
have this done.

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
279
CHILD SAFETY DEVICE
(fig. 4)
The rear doors are fitted with a locking de-
vice (A) which prevents them from being
opened from inside.
WARNINGEach device only acts on the
door on which it is installed.
The device can only be engaged with the
doors open raising or lowering the control
with the ignition key.
Position 1(control up) = Device engaged.
Position 2(control down) = Device re-
leased.
WARNINGAlso follow the instructions
given in the chapter “getting to know your
car” under the paragraph “Child safety de-
vice”.The third headrest (centre) is not remov-
able, whereas the side headrests may be re-
moved as follows:
– Raise the headrests about 2 cm.
– Press the buttons (Aand B-fig. 5) at
the same time and remove the headrests.
– To refit the headrests keep the buttons
pressed (Aand B-fig. 5) and insert them
completely.
fig. 6
A0B0095m
SEATSREAR SEATHeadrest
The car is fitted with two headrests for the
side seats (fig. 5). On request for ver-
sions/markets where applicable, the car
may also be fitted with a third headrest for
the central seat (fig. 6).
To pull out the third headrest, push it up-
wards until hearing the stopping click.
fig. 4
A0B0080m
fig. 5
A0B0094m

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
281
CHANGING THE BLADE(fig. 11)
The rearscreen wiper blade should be re-
placed together with the arm.
To replace:
– mark the position of the blade in rela-
tion to the rearscreen.
– Raise the lid (A), slacken the nut (B)
and remove the arm (C).
– Correctly posiiton the new arm and firm-
ly tighten the fastening nut.
– Lower the lid.fig. 11
A0B0082m
REARSCREEN WIPER –
REARSCREEN WASHEROPERATION
(fig. 10)
This is only possible with the ignition key
at MAR.
To operate the rearscreen wiper turn the
knob (A) to position
(
. The rearscreen
wiper works intermittently.
Pushing the lever (B) forwards the
rearscreen washer jet comes into operation
which is disengaged when the lever is re-
leased.
With the rearscreen washer, the wiper
comes into operation automatically for a few
seconds.
fig. 10
A0B0081m
fig. 12
A0B0083m
SPRAY JET
(fig. 12)
If the jet does not spray, check that there
is fluid in the windscreen washer reservoir:
see the corresponding paragraph in the chap-
ter “Car maintenance”. Then check that the
holes on the jet (A) are not clogged and
free them using a pin, if necessary.

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
285
CURRENT SOCKET (optional for versions/markets
where applicable) (fig. 20)
This is on the left-hand side of the boot.
To use the socket, open the lid (A). The
socket is supplied with the ignition switch at
MARand can only be used with accessories
that absorb a maximum of 15A (power
180W).
OBJECTS RETAINER NET(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The net can be hooked in different posi-
tions (fig. 24-25-26-27) using hous-
ings (Aand B-fig. 21) provided in the
front part of the boot and housings (Cand
D-fig. 22) in the rear part. Do not connect acces-
sories with higher absorp-
tion to the socket. Pro-
longed current absorption might
drain the battery preventing the
engine from being started.
fig. 20
A0B0093m
fig. 22
A0B0102m
fig. 21
A0B0101m

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
305
SPARK PLUGClean, intact spark plugs are determinant
with regard to engine efficiency and for re-
ducing the emission of pollutants.Spark plugs should be re-
placed at the intervals
specified in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme. Only use
spark plugs of the specified type: if
the thermal capacity is inadequate
or if the envisaged life is not guar-
anteed inconveniences may ensue.BRAKESService brakes:
– front
– rearParking brake
If examined by an expert eye, the ap-
pearance of a spark plug is a sound clue
for locating a fault, even if not involving the
ignition system. Therefore if you are expe-
riencing any engine problems, it is impor-
tant to have the spark plugs checked by Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
STEERING
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V 2.5 V6 24V JTD JTD 20V
Selespeed Q-System JTD 16V Multijet
MultijetSelf-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated
disk disk disk disk disk disk disk disk
Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk
Wheel anti-look system (ABS) with electronic braking distribution.
Servo-brake. Electronic control with brake pad wear sensors. Gasket of ecological type.
Controlled by hand lever operating rear brakes.
Type Turning radius(between pavements)
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V 2.5 V6 24V JTD-JTD 16V JTD 20V
Selespeed Q-System Multijet Multijet
Rack and pinion.
Hydraulic power steering with liquid reservoir in engine compartment
11.1 m 11.1 m 11.1 m 11.1 m 11.6 m 11.6 m 11.1 m 11.1