2004 Alfa Romeo 156 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR87
GENERAL TRIP - TRIP BThe TRIP COMPUTER function gives information relating to the operating status of the vehicle on the Infocenter display. This function comprises
the GENERAL TRIP concerning the complete mission of the car and TRIP B concerning the partial car mission. This function (as shown in the
graph below) is contained within the complete mission. Both functions are resettable.
The GENERAL TRIP displays the figures relating to
RANGE
, TRAVEL DISTANCE
, AVERAGE CONSUMPTION
, ACTUAL CONSUMPTION
, AVERAGE VELOCITY
, TRAVELTIME
(com-
plete mission time).
The TRIP B (with automatic reset each time at least 2 hours have passed since stopping the engine), displays information concerning TRAVEL
DISTANCE B
, AVERAGE CONSUMPTION B
, AVERAGE SPEED B
, TRAVEL TIME B
(partial mission time).
Start of journey procedure (reset)
To start a new journey monitored by the GENERAL TRIP, with the ignition key at MAR, press the button
ã
with
å
(see “Control buttons”).
The reset operation (pressing the
å
button) in the presence of the screens concerning the GENERAL TRIP also makes it possible to reset
TRIP B. The reset operation (pressing the å
button) in the presence of only the screens concerning TRIP B makes it possible to reset only the
information associated with this function.
WARNINGThe
RANGE
and
ACTUAL CONSUMPTION
information cannot be reset.
Reset TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial mission
˙
Reset TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial mission
˙
˙
Reset TRIP B
˙
˙
˙
TRIP B
TRIP B
TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial missionReset TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial mission
GENERAL TRIP
Reset GENERAL TRIP
End of complete mission
Start of new mission
˙
Reset GENERAL TRIP
End of complete mission
Start of new mission
˙

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR88
WARNINGAt the beginning of a new mission, due to battery reconnection, the average consumption value is initialised to the “average
predefined standard consumption” equal to 9 l/100 km(for 1.6 T.SPARK, 1.8 T.SPARK, 2.0 JTS and 2.0 JTS Selespeed versions),
12 l/100 km(for 2.5 V6 24V and 2.5 V6 24V Q-System versions) and 6.5 l/100 km(diesel versions only).
The TRIP COMPUTER information is displayed in sequence according to the table below.
Reset GENERAL TRIP and TRIP B, excluding
Range and Actual Consumption
(see next paragraph
RESET GENERAL TRIP
)ä
ä
ää
äå
ä
å
ä
åå å
See INITIAL CHECK and ACCESS
TO THE MENU SCREEN
Continues on
next page
Previously set screen;
e.g.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR89
TRIP
BON?
WARNING
Pressing the
â
button returns
automatically to the standard screen
ä ä
å å å
å ää
Reset TRIP B
(see next paragraph
RESET TRIP B
)
å
Return to previously
set screen, e.g.:
YES
NO
Continued from
previous page

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR90
After resetting TRIP by pressing the button with
å
mode, the display will show the following functions:
Reset GENERAL TRIPå
= Reset GENERAL TRIP and TRIP B
(excluding Range and Actual Consumption)
å
= Reset TRIP B
Reset TRIP B

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR91
RANGE= This shows the distance (in km or miles) the car can still cover before needing fuel if keeping the same driving conditions. The
display will show “- - - -“ after the following events:
A)range values lower than 50 km (approx. 31 miles) (after the reduced range warning message),
B)Parking with running engine or car speed lower than 4 km/h for over 5 minutes.
TRAVEL DISTANCE= This shows the distance traveled by the car from the start of the new mission (*).
AVERAGE CONSUMPTION= This shows the average actual consumption in l/km or in l/100 km depending on the unit selected.
ACTUAL CONSUMPTION= This shows the consumption of the car updated every 5 sec. approx. If parking with running engine or in
case of speed values lower than 4 km/h the display will show “- - - -“. Actual consumption calculation algorithm, according to the above pro-
cedure, restarts as soon as the car speed will be equal to or higher than 4 km/h.
AVERAGE VELOCITY= This shows the average speed of the car as a function of the overall travel time elapsed from the start of the
new mission (*).
TRAVELTIME= time elapsed from the start of the new mission (*).
(*) NEW MISSION: this takes place when performing the “manual” reset by pressing the dedicated button.
WARNINGGENERAL TRIP is reset automatically when the Distance Traveled is equal to 9999,9 km (or mi), when Travel Time is 99:59
(99 hours and 59 minutes) or after reconnecting the battery.
WARNINGIf no information is available, all the TRIP COMPUTER parameters display the message “****” instead of a value, together
with the typical description of each parameter. When the normal operation condition is resumed, the count of the various parameters starts
again normally, with no reset of the values displayed prior to the failure, nor the start of a new mission.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR92
WARNING LIGHTS AND INDICATIONSGENERAL WARNING
The failure indicationsshown on the Infocenter display, together with the buzzer (adjustable) and the turning on of the relevant warn-
ing light (if available), are accompanied by specific warning messages(e.g. “Go to dealer”, “Switch off eng., do not proceed”, etc…).
These warnings are concise and precautionaryand are intended to suggest the prompt actionthat the driver should take when a
failure occurs. However, these warnings are not to be considered exhaustive and/or alternative to the prescriptions of this Owner’s Manual,
which must always be read over carefully. When an anomaly occurs always refer to the contents of this chapter.
WARNINGWhen an anomaly occurs, the Infocenter display reaches its maximum brightness. By pressing button
â
the warning messages
disappear and the symbol referring to the failure warning is reduced to an icon in the right bottom area of the display.
WARNINGThe anomaly warnings that appear on the Infocenter display are divided into two categories: very serious and serious anomalies.
Very serious anomalies are displayed indefinitely, by interrupting any message previously shown on the display, and are proposed again every
time the ignition key is turned to MAR, until the malfunction is eliminated. Moreover, the “cycle” can be interrupted by pressing button
â
: in
this case, the symbol referring to the anomaly will be shown in the right bottom area of the display until the malfunction is eliminated.
Serious anomalies are displayed for about 20 seconds and then disappear, but they are proposed again every time the ignition key in turned
to MAR. At the end of the display cycle, equal to about 20 seconds, or when button
â
is pressed, the symbol referring to the anomaly will
be shown in the right bottom area of the display until the malfunction is eliminated.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR93
Warningl ight Message
on displayx
LOW BRAKE FLUID AND/OR HANDBRAKE ONWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
The warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the display) when
the level of the brake fluid inside the tank falls below the minimum, due to a possible leak in the
circuit and when the handbrake is switch on with the car moving.
d
BRAKE PAD WEARThe warning light on the dial comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the dis-
play) when the front brake pads are worn; in this case, have them replaced as soon as possible.
WARNINGAs the car is fitted with wear sensors for the front brake pads, when replacing them,
also check the rear brake pads.
If the warning light
x
comes on when travelling (together with the
message on the display), check that the handbrake is not engaged. If
the warning light stays on with the handbrake off (together with the message
on the display), stop immediately and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR94
Warning light Message
on display
ç
HIGH ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATUREWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol
shown on the display) when the engine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as follows:
– Normal driving conditions: stop the car, switch the engine off and check if the water
level inside the tank is not below the reference mark MIN.
In this case, wait a few minutes to let the engine cool down, then open the cap slowlyand care-
fully, fill with coolant, making sure its level is between reference marks MINand MAXon the
tank. Moreover, perform a visual check for any fluid leakage. If the warning light comes on again
the next time the engine is started, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
– Car heavy duty(e.g. towing a trailer uphill or car fully loaded): slow down and, if the
warning light stays on, stop the car. Pause for 2 or 3 minutes, keeping the engine on and slightly
accelerated to facilitate better coolant circulation, then switch the engine off.
Check correct fluid level, as described above.
WARNINGIn case of highly demanding use of the car, you are recommended to keep the en-
gine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes before switching it off.
When the engine is very hot, do not remove the tank cap: danger of
burns.
WARNING