2004 Alfa Romeo 156 seats

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR37
GROUP 3For children from 22 kg up to 36 kg the
child’s chest is thick enough not to need the
spacer back rest any more.
Fig. 59shows proper child seat posi-
tioning on the rear seat.
Over 1.50 m tall children may wear seat
belts like adults.
GROUP 2Starting from 15 to 25 kg in weight, chil-
dren may be restrained directly by the car
seat belts. Child seats only have the func-
tion of positioning the child correctly in re-
lation to the belts, so that the diagonal part
adheres to the chest and never to the neck
and that the horizontal part adheres to the
child’s pelvis and not to the abdomen
(fig. 58).fig. 58
A0B0002m
fig. 59
A0B0009m
Seats exist which are suit-
able for covering weight
groups 0 and 1 with a rear con-
nection to the car belts and its own
belts to restrain the child. Because
of their mass, they can be danger-
ous if installed incorrectly fastened
to the car belts with a cushion.
Strictly adhere to the assembly in-
structions provided.
WARNING
Illustrations is indicative
only for assembly. As-
semble the seat according to the
compulsory instructions provided
with it.
WARNING
Illustrations is indicative
only for assembly. As-
semble the seat according to the
compulsory instructions provided
with it.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR38
Group 0, 0+Group 1Group 2Group 3 PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON CHILD’S SEAT USEAlfa 156complies with the new EC Directive 2000/3 regulating child’s seat assembling on the different car seats according to the
following table:
Front and rear seat (saloon and Sportwagon versions)
Key:
U= suitable for child restraint systems of the “Universal” category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Groups”
L= suitable for certain child’s restraint systems available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo for the specified group
(*)= child’s seats cannot be installed on the rear centre seat with lap belt with two anchor points
U
U
U
U(*)
(*)
(*)
(*) U
U
U
U L
L
L
L until to 13 kg
9 -18 kg
15 - 25 kg
22 - 36 kg
Group Range of weight SEAT
Front passenger Rear side passenger Rear centre passenger Rear centre passenger
seat Seat (inertial seat belt Seat (centre lap belt
with three anchor points) with two anchor points)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR39
4)Always pull the tape to check that the
belts are buckled.
5)All restraint systems are strictly for one
child only: never use for two children at the
same time.
6)Always make sure that the belts do not
rest on the child’s neck.
7)During the journey, do not allow the
child to stay in abnormal positions or release
the belts.
8)Do not carry children in your arms, not
even small babies. No-one, however strong,
can keep hold of them in a crash.
9)In the case of accidents, replace the
child’s seat with a new one.
PRESETTING FOR INSTALLING
THE “ISOFIX TYPE” CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMThe car is created preset for mounting the
Isofix type child restraint system. Isofix is
a new European standardised system for car-
rying children. Isofix type child restraint sys-
tem is an additional option that does not
prevent from using traditional child restraint
systems. Isofix type child restraint system
covers three weight groups: 0, 0+ and 1.
Due to its different anchoring system, the
Isofix type child’s seat should be anchored
using only the proper brackets provided for
the purpose in the car.
It is possible to mount both the traditional
restraint system and the Isofix type one, one
on the left and the other on the right, for ex-
ample.
Since sizes are different, it is possible to
install max two Isofix type child's seats us-
ing the proper couplings on the rear seat
or three traditional child's seats using the
seat belts. On the front passenger seat it is
possible to mount only traditional child's
seats. Below is a summary of the safety
rules to be observed when carry-
ing children:
1)The recommended position for in-
stalling a child’s seat is on the rear seat, as
it is the most protected in the event of a
crash.
2)If the passenger’s air bag is deactivated
always check that deactivation has taken
place through the special warning light
F
.
3)Carefully follow the instructions pro-
vided with the child’s seat, which the sup-
plier is obliged to attach. Keep them in the
car together with the documents and this
booklet. Do not use used seats without the
instructions for use.
If a passenger’s air bag is
installed, children should
never travel on the front seat.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR40
fig. 60Isofix type child’s seats are to be anchored
to two metal brackets, set between the rear
seat back and the cushion and that can be
identified through the slots in the seat cover
(A-fig. 60). Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo provides the
Kiddy Isofix seat for babies up to 13 kg
weight to be positioned facing backwards
(groups 0 and 0+) and the seat for babies
from 9 to 18 kg weight to be positioned fac-
ing the running direction (group 1). The
Kiddy Isofix seat has been certified accord-
ing to the European Standard ECE-R44/03.
A0B0298m
Install the child restraint
system only with the car
stationary. The Isofix child re-
straint system is properly anchored
to the preset brackets when clicks
are heard. In any case, keep to the
installation instructions that must
be provided by the child restraint
system’s Manufacturer.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR43
In the event of a crash a person that is not
wearing the seat belt moves forwards and
may come into contact with the cushion
while it is still opening. Under these cir-
cumstances the protection offered by the
cushion is reduced.
Front air bags are designed to protect car’s
occupants in front crashes and therefore non-
activation in other types of collisions (side
collisions, rear-end shunts, roll-overs, etc…)
is not a system malfunction.
In collisions against highly deformable or
mobile objects (road signposts, heaps of ice
or snow, etc.), rear collisions (hit from be-
hind by another vehicle), side collisions,
wedging under other vehicles or protective
barriers (for example under a lorry or guard
rail) cutting in of the air bag is not activated
as it does not offer any more protection than
the seat belts therefore activation would be
inappropriate.
Therefore the failure to be triggered does
not mean that the system is not working
properly.
PASSENGER’S FRONT
AIR BAGThe passenger’s front air bag has been de-
signed to improve the protection of a per-
son wearing a seat belt.
Its volume at maximum inflation fills most
of the space between the dashboard and the
passenger.
SERIOUS DANGER:
The car is fitted
with front passenger’s air bag.
Never place cradle child’s seats on
the front passenger seat of cars
equipped with passenger air bag
since the air bag activation could
cause serious injuries, even mortal.
In the case of need, always deac-
tivate the passenger’s air bag
when a child’s seat is placed on the
front seat. The front passenger
seat shall be adjusted in the most
backward position to prevent any
contact between child’s seat and
dashboard. Even if not ruled by
law, for better protection of adults
you are recommended to reactivate
the air bag immediately as soon as
child transport is no longer neces-
sary.
WARNING
Please don’t apply stickers
or other objects to the
steering wheel, to the air-bag
cover on the passenger's side or on
the side roof lining to the uphol-
stery on the roof side. Don’t place
objects on the dashboard passen-
ger’s side (such as mobile phones)
because they could tamper with the
correct opening of the passenger’s
air-bag and than cause serious in-
juries to the vehicle occupants.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR44
MANUAL DEACTIVATION OF
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAGShould it be absolutely necessary to carry
a child on the front seat, the passenger’s
front air bag can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place with
ignition key at STOPand operating it in the
special key switch on the right-hand side of
the dashboard (fig. 67). Access to the
switch is only possible with the door open.The key switch (fig. 67) has two posi-
tions:
1) Passenger’s front Air bag active: (ON
position
P) warning light on check panel
off; it is absolutely prohibited to carry chil-
dren on the front seat.
2) Passenger’s front Air bag deactivated:
(OFFposition
F
) warning light
F
on
check panel on; it is possible to carry chil-
dren protected by special restraint systems
on the front seat.
The warning light
F
on the check panel
glows steadily until the passenger’s Air bag
is reactivated.
Deactivation of the front passenger’s air
bag does not prevent operation of the side
Air bags.
With the door open the key can be inserted
and removed in both positions.
SIDE AIR BAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)The side bag and window bag have the
task of increasing protection of the occu-
pants in the event of a side crash of medium-
high severity.
They are formed of an instantaneously-in-
flating cushion:
– the side bag is housed in the back rest
of the front seats; with this solution it is al-
ways possible to have the cushion in the op-
timum position in relation to the passenger,
regardless of the adjustment of the seat;
– the window bags, which are “curtain”
cushions, are housed in the side roof lining
covered by a special trim, which makes it
possible to extend the cushion downwards.
This solution, designed to protect the head,
makes it possible to offer the highest degree
of protection to the front and rear occupants
in the event of side crash, thanks to the wide
cushion inflation surface.
In the event of a side crash, an electronic
control unit processes the signals leading
from a deceleration sensor and activates,
when necessary, inflation of the bags.
fig. 67
A0B0583m
Use the switch only with
the engine off and the ig-
nition key removed.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR46
WARNINGIf an accident has triggered
the air bag, Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
must be contacted to have the devices ac-
tivated replaced and to have the whole sys-
tem checked.
All operations involving checking, repair-
ing and replacing components concerning
the Air bag must be carried out by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
If the car is to be demolished, Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services should be contacted be-
forehand to have the system deactivated.
If the car changes ownership, the new
owner must be informed of the instructions
for use and of the above warnings and be
given this “Owner’s Manual”.
WARNINGThe triggering of the pre-
tensioners, front air bags and side bags is
decided by the electronic control unit in a
differentiated manner depending on the type
of crash. The failure to trigger one or more
of them does not necessarily indicate a sys-
tem malfunction.
GENERAL CAUTIONS
If the
¬
warning light does
not turn on when turning the
ignition key to MAR or if it stays on
when travelling, this could indicate a
failure in safety retaining systems; un-
der this condition air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in the event
of collision or, in a restricted number
of cases, they could trigger acciden-
tally. Stop the car and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to have
the system checked immediately.WARNING
Do not cover the back rest
of front seats with trims or
covers there are not set for the use
of side bags.
WARNING
Never travel with objects
on your lap, in front of the
chest or with a pipe, pencil, etc. be-
tween your lips. Serious injury may
result in the case of the air bag be-
ing triggered.
WARNING
Always keep your hands
on the steering wheel rim
when driving, so that if the Air bag
is triggered, it can inflate without
meeting any obstacles. Do not
drive with the body bent forwards,
keep the seat back rest in the erect
position and lean your back well
against it.
WARNING
If the car has been stolen
or an attempt to steal it
has been made, if it has been sub-
jected to vandals or floods, have
the Air bag system checked by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING
Please don’t apply stickers
or other objects to the
steering wheel, to the air-bag
cover on the passenger's side or on
the side roof lining to the uphol-
stery on the roof side. Don’t place
objects on the dashboard passen-
ger’s side (such as mobile phones)
because they could tamper with the
correct opening of the passenger’s
air-bag and than cause serious in-
juries to the vehicle occupants.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
110
REAR SWIVEL OUTLET
ADJUSTMENTFig. 98: front seats (on dashboard ends)
Fig. 99: rear seat (on the console be-
tween seats)
MANUAL CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM (fig. 99a - where applicable)CONTROLS1 Air temperature adjustment knob (mix-
ing warm / cold air)
2Climate control compressor on / off but-
ton
3Inside air re-circulation on / off button
4Fan knob
5Maximum defrosting / demisting on /
off button for windscreen and front side win-
dows and wing mirror coils
6Rearscreen heating and wing mirror de-
frosting on / off button.
7Air distribution knob.
fig. 98
A0B0038m
fig. 99
A0B0289m
Air flow can be adjusted by means of vanes
(A) with press-on opening and closing.
Air flow can be directed by rotating the out-
let by means of the vanes.