2004 Alfa Romeo 156 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
159
If the indicator light re-
mains flashing, contact the
Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service Centers as soon as possi-
ble to remove the fault.
If a fault is indicated when the engine is
started, this means that the gearbox control
system had detected and memorised a fault
during the journey prior to switching the en-
gine off. In this case, too, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to have the au-
tomatic gearbox checked over.It is possible to engage reverse gear.
ACOUSTIC WARNINGThis comes into operation for about 18 sec-
onds when:
– the driver’s door is open and/or the en-
gine is off with the selector lever in a posi-
tion other than P;
– position R(reverse) is engaged.PUSH STARTINGStarting the car by pushing or towing is not
possible. In the event of an emergency,
when the battery is flat, start the car with
a suitable emergency battery, following the
instructions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
When driving with a faulty
gearbox, drive with the ut-
most care considering the restricted
performance levels (in terms of ac-
celeration and speed) the car can
offer.
WARNING
When travelling with a
faulty gearbox, the reverse
lock might not work: absolutely
never move the lever to position
R with the car on the move.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
160
The failure to follow the
above instructions may
cause serious damage to
the automatic gearbox.
TOWING THE CARWARNINGFor towing the car, abide by
current local regulations. Also follow the in-
structions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
If the car needs to be towed, observe the
following recommendations:
– if possible, put the car on a rescue ve-
hicle;
– if this is not possible, tow the car by rais-
ing the driving wheels (front) from the
ground;
– if this, too, is not possible, the car may
only be towed for 50 km at a speed below
50 km/h.
The gearshift lever should be at position N
for towing.Cars with automatic gear-
box may be towed only for
short distances and at low
speed: if longer towing is neces-
sary, the driving wheels must be
raised to prevent the gearbox from
being pulled into rotation during
towing.
Do not start the engine
when the vehicle is being
towed.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
161
INTERNAL FITTINGSGLOVEBOX On the dashboard there is a key glovebox
with light.The compartment is lit by a courtesy light
when it is open (when the ignition key is
at MAR(B-fig. 143).
There is a recess on the lid (C-fig. 143)
for inserting a pen or pencil. For the versions
/ markets where provided, the closure flap
is fitted with a lock. The lock can be
opened/closed using the ignition key.
GRAB HANDLES
(fig. 144)
Grab handles are set above the front doors.
Two grab handles (A) fitted with a coat
hook (B) are located above the rear doors.
fig. 142
A0B0587m
fig. 144
A0B0124m
fig. 143
A0B0261m
To open the glovebox use lever (A-
fig. 142).
Do not travel with the
glovebox open; it could
harm the passenger in the event of
an accident.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
162
CEILING LIGHTS The car is fitted with passenger’s com-
partment ceiling lights (front/rear) with
gradual switching on/off. Timings, defined
as max. switching on time elapsing between
the end of gradual switching on and the start
of gradual switching off are as follows:
1)approx. 6 seconds when:
– unlocking the doors manually or by the
remote control
– closing the driver’s door to get into the
car and fit the key into the ignition switch
– removing the key from the ignition
switch.
2)approx. 3 minutes from the door open-
ing.WARNING With ignition key at STOP
or when opening a door or the tailgate 15
minutes timing is activated, then ceiling
lights go off. Timing restarts each time a
door/tailgate is opened.
Front roof light (fig. 145)
The roof light comprises two lights with the
control switch.
With switch (A) in the central position
(1), both lights turn on when a door is
opened.
When the doors are closed, a timer is ac-
tivated for about 7 seconds, to allow the car
to be started. The lights go out when the ig-
nition key is turned to MAR(with the doors
closed).
Moving switch (A) to the left (position 0),
the lights stay off (position OFF).Moving switch (A) to the right (posi-
tion2) both lights stay on.
The spot function is operated by switch
(B).
Moving switch (B) to the left (position 1)
the left spot light turns on. Moving switch
to the right (position 2) the right spot light
turns on.
With switch (B) in the central position (po-
sition 0) the spotlights stay off.
WARNINGBefore leaving the car, make
sure that both switches are in the central po-
sition. This way, the roof lights will go out
when the doors are closed. If a door is left
open, the lights will go out automatically af-
ter a few seconds.
To turn them on again, simply open an-
other door or close the same one and open
it again.fig. 145
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
163
fig. 146
A0B0259m
Courtesy light (fig. 146)
(where required)
Lowering the passenger’s sun visor, the
courtesy light on the roof lining can be seen.
This light makes it possible to use the cour-
tesy mirror under conditions with dim light.
On Sportwagon versions there is also a
courtesy light under the driver’s sun visor.
Use switch (A) to turn it on and off, with
the ignition key at MAR.Rear roof light (fig. 147)
(except versions with sunroof)
In correspondence with each rear door
there is a light which turns on automatically
when a door is opened.
They are timed and work in the same way
as described for the front roof light.
They can be turned on and off by hand
pressing the transparent cover (A) on the
circular impression.Centre rear roof lamp (fig. 148)
(only versions with sunroof)
On the roof lamp there is a switch with
three positions.
When the switch (A) is in the central po-
sition (0) the roof lamp turns on automat-
ically when a door is opened.
Lighting up is timed and it works as de-
scribed for the front roof lamp.
Moving the switch to the right (position 1)
the roof lamp stays off all the time.
Moving the switch to the left (position 2)
the roof lamp stays on all the time.
WARNINGBefore leaving the car make
sure that the switch (A) is in the central po-
sition (0), so that the lamp goes out when
the doors are closed.
fig. 147
A0B0258m
fig. 148
A0B0257m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
164
REAR ASHTRAYS
(fig. 150)
An ashtray (A) is fitted to each rear door.
To open, pull downwards as shown below.
fig. 150
A0B0255m
FRONT ASHTRAY AND CIGAR
LIGHTER
(fig. 149)
To open the ashtray push and release the
front of the ashtray.
To use the cigar lighter press, with the ig-
nition key at MAR, button (B); after some
seconds the knob will return automatically
to its initial position and the cigar lighter is
ready for use.
Remove the tray (A) to empty and clean
the ashtray.Always ensure that the
cigar lighter has turned off.
fig. 149
A0B0256m
The cigar lighter gets ex-
tremely hot. Handle with
care and prevent its use by children:
danger of fire and/or burning.
WARNING
Do not use the ashtray as
paper bin: it could set on
fire on contact with cigarette stubs.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
165
fig. 151
A0B0283m
ODDMENTS RECESSES ON
CENTRE CONSOLE
(fig. 151)
Centre recess
On the centre console near the handbrake
lever, there are the following oddments re-
cesses:
– oddments recesses (A) and (B);
– coin recess (C).
ODDMENTS RECESSES
ON DASHBOARDLeft side recess (fig. 152)
An oddments recess (A) is provided on the
lower side of the dashboard, on the left of
the steering column.fig. 152
A0B0254m
FRONT DOORS
COMPARTMENTS AND POCKETS(fig. 153)
Each front door has an oddments pocket
(A).fig. 153
A0B0253m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
166
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNERIf, after purchasing your car, you want to
install electric accessories that require per-
manent power supply (burglar alarm, voice
function, radionavigator with satellite bur-
glar alarm, etc.) or other accessories that af-
fect the vehicle’s electric load, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services, whose qualified
staff is able to recommend the most suitable
equipment of the Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
and also assess the electric absorption of the
same, checking if the vehicle can withstand
the required load or if a battery of greater
power must be used.
TELEPHONE
PROVISION(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
On request for versions/markets where
applicable, the car may be fitted with a pro-
vision for the installation of a cellular tele-
phone.
This provision comprises:
– sound system two-function aerial + cel-
lular phone;
– supply and connection cables with spe-
cific connector for voice kit connection.
The voice kit must be pur-
chased separately by the
customer, since it has to be
compatible with the customer’s
own cellular phone.
For the installation of the
cellular phone and connec-
tion to the provision in the
car, contact only Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services; this will guar-
antee first-rate results with no
possibility of any inconvenience
that may compromise the safety of
the vehicle.
fig. 154
A0B0252m
SUN VISORSThey can be adjusted frontally and later-
ally.
On the back of the visors there is a cour-
tesy mirror with sliding cover (A-fig. 154),
lit by the lamp (B).
The passenger’s sun visor bears also the
symbol for correct use of children’s seats in
cars equipped with passenger’s airbag. For
further information, see the descriptions
given in paragraph “Passenger’s front
airbag” in this chapter.