2004 Alfa Romeo 156 stop start

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
145
STARTING THE ENGINEThe engine can be started with the gear
engaged or in neutral (N), provided that the
brake pedal is pressed down.
WARNINGKeep the brake pedal
pressed during the starting operation. As the
brake pedal stiffens if it is pressed repeat-
edly with the engine off, in this situation, to
allow the engine to be started, it is neces-
sary to increase the pressure exerted on the
pedal itself.
After starting, the gearbox automatically
sets to neutral, the display shows the let-
ter (N) and the system selects the operat-
ing mode stored before switching off.
TURNING THE ENGINE OFF
AND SYSTEM DEACTIVATIONTurning the ignition key to STOPthe en-
gine switches off but the Selespeed system
still remains active, waiting for the vehicle
to stop completely. After about 2 - 4 seconds
from when the key has been turned to the
STOPposition, the hydraulic part is deac-
tivated and immediately afterwards the dis-
play on the rev counteralso goes out ; the
Selespeed system is only deactivated at this
point.
The gear selected before turning the en-
gine off remains engaged.
If the engine stops with the gearbox in
neutral (N), the buzzer draws the attention
of the driver so that the vehicle can be put
in safety conditions engaging the first gear
(1) or reverse (R). In this case, it is nec-
essary to turn the ignition key to MARand
with the brake pedal pressed, engage first
gear (1) or reverse (R).
If the engine fails to start
with the gear engaged, the
driver is alerted of the potentially
dangerous situation due to the fact
that the gearbox has automatically
set to neutral by the buzzer and
the display on the rev counter.
WARNING
NEVER leave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (N).
WARNING
Never remove the key
when the car is on the
move, because in addition to the
fact that the Selespeed system
would not work properly until
stopping the car, the steering
wheel would automatically lock at
the first turn.
WARNING
It is absolutely necessary
to turn off the engine con-
sequently deactivating the Sele-
speed system keeping the brake
pedal pressed: release the pedal
ONLY when the display on the rev
counter goes off.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
146
WARNINGS– With the vehicle stationary and a gear
engaged, always keep the brake pedal
pressed until you decide to move off;
– in prolonged stops with the engine run-
ning it is advisable to keep the gearbox is
neutral;
– when the car is parked on a slope, do
not use the pick-up manoeuvre to keep the
vehicle stopped; use the brake pedal and
work on the accelerator pedal only when
you decide to move off;
– use second gear onlywhen necessary
to obtain better control of pick-up in low
speed manoeuvres;
– if, with reverse gear engaged, you need
to engage first gear or vice versa, shift gear
only when the car is completely stationary
and with the brake pedal pressed. This should not be considered as a fault as
it is part of the operating logic. For the same
reason, in the event of sticking on reverse,
the system commands partial clutch closing
to allow engagement of the gear; in this
case engagement of reverse gear (R) will
be less comfortable.
Moving off of the vehicle is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually operating the accelerator
pedal.
The vehicle pick-up torque is higher the
more the accelerator pedal is pressed.
MOVING OFFWith the engine running and the vehicle
stationary, the gears that can be engaged
for moving off are only first (1), second (2)
or reverse (R).
To engage them it is possible to use the
control lever on the centre console, with the
brake pedal pressed, as the levers on the
steering wheel allow gear engagement only
over 0.5 km/h.
WARNINGReverse gear (R) can be en-
gaged from each of the following other ra-
tios: neutral (N), first gear (1) or second
gear (2). If the car is on the move, the re-
quest is not accepted; it is necessary to wait
for the car to be completely stopped and
then request reverse (R) again.
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the intermittent sound
of the buzzer as well as by the display on
the rev counter.
WARNINGIf while shifting from reverse
(R)/first gear (1) to neutral (N)/first gear
(1) sticking occurs on the first gear, the sys-
tem automatically engages second gear
(2).
After a request to shift
gear with the vehicle sta-
tionary, before pressing the accel-
erator pedal to make the car start,
the driver must always check that
the gear engaged shown on the
display is the one required.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
147
STOPPING THE CARTo stop the vehicle, simply release the ac-
celerator pedal and, if necessary, operate
the brake pedal.
Regardless of the gear engaged and of the
operating mode activated (MANUALor
CITY), the system automatically disen-
gages the clutch and downshifts gear.
If you intend to move off again without
having completely stopped the car, this way
the most suitable gear ratio for re-acceler-
ating will be available.
Stopping the vehicle, the system auto-
matically engages first gear (1). Though strongly inadvisable, if due to un-
foreseen circumstances when driving down-
hill the car is allowed to travel with the gear-
box in neutral (N), when the engagement
of a gear is requested, the system auto-
matically engages the best gear to allow
transmission of the torque to the wheels in
relation to the speed of the car.
Downhill with the gear engaged and the
accelerator released (if the vehicle is trav-
elling), if a certain pre-established speed is
exceeded, the system automatically en-
gages the clutch to provide adequate engine
braking.
Due to safety reasons, the Selespeed sys-
tem activates the buzzer when:
– clutch overheating occurs during vehicle
starting; in this case, it is necessary to
“force” moving off avoiding hesitations or
to release the accelerator and use the brake
pedal to park the vehicle if the car is on a
slope;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged, (e.g.: vehicle moving
forward with reverse engaged); in this sit-
uation it is necessary to stop the vehicle and
keeping the brake pedal pressed, engage
the gear correctly.Still for safety reasons, when the vehicle
is stationary, with the engine started and
gear (1), (2) or (R) engaged, the system
activates the buzzer and shifts to neutral
(N) automatically when:
– there is no action on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 minutes;
– the brake pedal is pressed for over 10
minutes;
– the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake pedal are not pressed
for at least 1 second.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
151
SIGNALLING WITH THE BUZZERThe buzzer is activated when:
– reverse gear (R) is engaged;
– the vehicle is parked with the gearbox
at neutral (N); this can be seen turning the
ignition key to STOP;
– clutch overheating takes place during
pick-up;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged (e.g.: the car tends to
do downhill with reverse gear engaged);
– in the event of gearbox failure;
– the system has automatically engaged
neutral (N) after:•
there is no action on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 min-
utes;
•
the brake pedal is pressed for over 10
minutes;
•
the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake pedal are not
pressed for at least 1 second;
•
detection of a gearbox fault.
PARKING THE VEHICLETo park the car safely it is absolutely
necessaryto engage first gear (1) or re-
verse (R) and, when on a sloping road, also
engage the hand-brake.
Turning the engine off with the car facing
uphill and a gear engaged, it is absolutely
necessaryto wait for the display on the
rev counter to go off before releasing the
brake pedal, so that the clutch has innested
completely.
If the gearbox is in neutral (N) and you
want to engage a parking gear, it is neces-
sary to activate the system and engage the
gear (1) or reverse (R) with your foot on
the brake pedal.
TOWING THE VEHICLEWARNINGFor towing the vehicle, ad-
here to local regulations. Make sure that the
gearbox is in neutral (N) (checking that the
car moves when pushed) and proceed as for
towing a normal car with mechanical gear-
box following the instructions given in the
chapter “In an emergency”.
Should it be impossible to set to neutral,
do not tow the vehicle; contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
Do not start the engine
when towing the vehicle.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
153
In an emergency (failures, flat battery,
etc.), it is possible to move the lever from
position P, pressing the special mechanical
button under the gearshift lever cover, in the
area (A-fig. 135); at the same time
move the lever from position Pto the re-
quired position. If the engine is being
started, move the lever to position N, which
is the only one that allows this operation
in this case.
WARNINGThe ignition key in the
STOPposition can only be removed from
the ignition switch provided that the
gearshift lever is at P(Key-lock).In an emergency (failures, flat battery,
etc.), it is possible to remove the ignition
key also with the selector lever not posi-
tioned at P.
Press the release device (A-fig. 136),
next to the ignition switch inside the trim,
with your finger removing the key at the
same time.
Do not take the car to peak performance
until the engine has reached normal oper-
ating temperature.fig. 135
A0B0267m
fig. 136
A0B0266m
fig. 137
A0B0385m
SELECTING AUTOMATIC/
MANUAL GEARSHIFTINGThe main feature of this gearbox is the pos-
sibility of using it either automatically or
manually. The choice of the operating mode
is carried out positioning the gearshift lever
in the right sector (automatic gearshifting)
or in the left sector (manual gearshifting).
The gearbox operating mode and the gear
engaged are shown on the display inside the
rev counter (A-fig. 137).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
158
1st2nd3rd4th
2nd2nd4th4th
Gear engaged Gear ratiomanually available
FAULT SIGNALLINGAutomatic gearbox faults are indicated by
the t
warning light (A-fig. 141) on
the instrument cluster as follows:
–warning light glowing steadily
= maximum automatic gearbox oil temper-
ature;
–warning light flashing= automatic
gearbox fault.
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light should turn on and go out after
approx. 4 seconds.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
during travelling, it indicates a gearbox fault
(flashing) or overheated gearbox oil (glow-
ing steadily).Warning light glowing steadily
If the warning light turns on and glows
steadily when the car is travelling, it indi-
cates that the gearbox oil has reached the
maximum established temperature.
The automatic control system provides an
emergency programme.
It is however advisable to stop the car,
move the lever to Por Nand let the engine
idle until the warning light goes out. Resume
driving without demanding high perfor-
mance from the engine.
If the warning light comes on again, it is
necessary to stop again with the engine
idling until it goes out again.
If the interval between one lighting up of
the warning light and the next is below 15
minutes, you are advised to stop the car,
turn off the engine and wait for the engine-
gearbox unit to cool down completely.
fig. 141
A0B0386m
Warning light flashing
The flashing of the warning light when trav-
elling indicates a fault in the automatic gear-
box.
The automatic control system provides an
emergency programme. Under these cir-
cumstances, you are advised to stop the car
and turn off the engine; in fact, the next
time the engine is started, the self-diag-
nostics system could cut off the fault which
will, however, be memorised by the elec-
tronic control device.
Conversely, if the fault remains (warning
light (A- fig. 141) flashing), it is neces-
sary to select the gears manually as if dri-
ving a car with mechanical gearbox, bear-
ing in mind that the only two speeds
available are the 2
ndand 4
thgear, as shown
in the table below:

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
A0B0575m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
173
– Press the safety lever (fig. 167) up-
wards.
– Raise the bonnet.
WARNINGBonnet raising is aided by
two gas springs. Do not tamper with these
springs and accompany the bonnet while
raising it.
fig. 167
A0B0576m
Before lifting the bonnet,
make sure that the wind-
screen wiper arms are not raised
from the windscreen.
WARNING
DANGER-SERIOUS INJURY.
When carrying out checks
or maintenance operations in the
engine compartment, take special
care not to bump the head on the
raised bonnet.
WARNING
If checks need to be carried
out in the engine compart-
ment when the engine is still
warm, keep away from the fan as
it could start up even when the key
is removed from the ignition. Wait
until the engine cools down.
WARNING
Scarves, ties and loose
clothing may be caught in
the moving parts.
WARNING
To close:
– lower the bonnet to approx. 20 cm from
the engine compartment, then let it drop.
Try lifting it to make sure that it is shut com-
pletely and not simply caught in the safety
position.
If the bonnet does not close properly, do
not push it down but open it again and re-
peat the above procedure.
For safety reasons the
bonnet shall always be
perfectly closed when travelling.
Always check for proper bonnet
locking. If the bonnet is left inad-
vertently open, stop the car im-
mediately and close the bonnet.
WARNING