Page 199 of 357

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
197
Top speeds
Fuel consumption increases considerably
as speed increases. For example, when ac-
celerating from 90 to 120 kph, fuel con-
sumption increases by about +30%. Your
speed should be kept as even as possible
and superfluous braking and acceleration
avoided as this increases both consumption
and emissions. A “soft” way of driving
should be adopted by attempting to antici-
pate manoeuvres to avoid imminent danger
and to keep a safe distance from the vehi-
cle in front in order to avoid braking sharply.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the revs
will greatly affect consumption and emis-
sions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.
CONDITIONS OF USECold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starting
will not enable the engine to reach optimal
running temperature. It follows therefore
that consumption will be higher (from +15%
to +30% in built-up areas) as will the pro-
duction of toxic emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Heavy traffic and higher consumption are
synonymous; for example, when driving
slowly with frequent use of lower gears or
in large towns where there are numerous
traffic lights.
Winding roads, mountain roads and
bumpy roads also have a negative effect on
consumption.
Enforced halts
During prolonged hold-ups (traffic lights,
level crossings) the engine should be
switched off.
ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT-
FRIENDLY DRIVINGEnvironment protection is one of the prin-
ciples that guided the development of your
Alfa 156.
It is not merely by chance that its antipol-
lution devices obtain results far beyond those
specified by current regulations.
The environment, however, still needs the
utmost care from all of us.
By following few simple rules it is possible
to avoid damage to the environment and
very often at the same time to limit fuel con-
sumption. On this subject we are giving
some helpful suggestions to be added to
those marked with the
#, in various points
of this manual.
Kindly read them all carefully.
Page 200 of 357

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
198
PROTECTING EMISSION
REDUCING DEVICESCorrect operation of the antipollution de-
vices not only guarantees respect for the en-
vironment but also influences car perfor-
mance. Keeping these devices in good con-
dition is therefore the first rule for both en-
vironment-friendly and economy driving.
The first precaution is to closely follow the
“Scheduled Maintenance Programme ”. For
petrol engines only use unleaded petrol (95
RON) (specification EN228), for diesel en-
gines only use fuel oil for motor vehicles
(specification EN590).
If difficulty with starting is experienced do
not insist with extended attempts. Especially
avoid bump, tow or coast starts: these may
all damage the catalyst. Only use an auxil-
iary battery to start the car in an emergency.If the engine is “not running smoothly”
when the vehicle is travelling, reduce the re-
quest for performance to a minimum and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible.
When the fuel reserve warning light comes
on fill up as soon as possible. A low fuel level
may cause an irregular supply to the engine
with inevitable increase of the exhaust gas
temperature; this would result in serious
damage to the catalyst.
Never run the engine, even as a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. Do
not warm the engine at idle speed before
moving off, unless the outside temperature
is very low and, in this case too, for no more
than 30 seconds.
Do not install other heat
guards and do not remove
the existing ones on the catalyst
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
Do not spray anything on
the catalyst, lambda sen-
sor and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
The failure to follow these
rules may cause a fire
hazard.
WARNING
During normal service the
catalyst reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore park
the car over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING
Page 209 of 357

IN AN EMERGENCY
207
STARTING BY INERTIA
IN THE EVENT OF A
PUNCTUREWARNINGIf the car is equipped with
“Fix&Go kit for tyre quick repair”, see the
instructions contained in the following
chapter.GENERAL INSTRUCTIONSWheel changing and correct use of the jack
and compact spare wheel call for some pre-
cautions as mentioned below. Never push, tow or coast
start the vehicle. This could
cause fuel to flow into the
catalyst damaging it irreversibly.
Remember that the engine
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
is started, therefore, much greater
effort than usual is needed on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
Signal the presence of the
stationary vehicle accord-
ing to the current regulations: haz-
ard warning lights, reflecting tri-
angle, etc.
Any passengers should leave the
car and wait for the wheel to be
changed out of harm of the traffic.
If parked on a slope or uneven road
surfaces, place wedges or other
suitable devices under the wheels
to prevent the car from rolling.
Never start the engine when the
car is raised on the jack.
When towing a trailer, always
remove the trailer before lifting
the car.
WARNING
Page 239 of 357

IN AN EMERGENCY
237
Remove the cover (A-fig. 73) to
gain access to the following relays/fuses
(fig. 74):
A.Engine radiator cooling fan 2
ndspeed
relay (T.SPARK versions).
B.Engine radiator cooling fan 1
stspeed re-
lay.
C.Fuel pump relay
D.Electronic injection relay
E.Climate control compressor relay
F.Timing variator relay (1.6 T.SPARK on-
ly) or engine radiator fan 2
ndspeed relay
(only 2.5 V6 24V, JTD and JTD 16V Multi-
jet versions).
G.Fuel oil heater relay (only Diesel ver-
sions).For JTD 20v Multijet version refer to
fig. 75For Diesel versions, depending on the op-
tions installed, there is a second bracket fas-
tened to the engine compartment rear bulk-
head for the following fuses (fig. 76):
A.MAXI-FUSE 30A: additional passenger
compartment heater 2
ndlevel relay.
B.MAXI-FUSE 30A: additional passenger
compartment heater 1stlevel relay.
WARNINGStrictly observe the specified
fuse ampere value: in case of doubt, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
fig. 74
A0B0183m
fig. 76
A0B0619m
fig. 75
A0B0618m
Page 242 of 357
IN AN EMERGENCY
240
Remote controlControls lighting/Stop lightsRear control lighting from sidelightsSeat heating/Sunroof/Seat electrical adjustmentAir bag system
ABS systemAlfa Romeo CODE systemClimate control system
Engine cooling radiator fan:
First speed
– T.SPARK and JTS versions
– diesel versions
– 2.5 V6 24V versions
Second speed
– T.SPARK and JTS versions
– diesel versions– 2.5 V6 24V versionsPassenger compartment fan (petrol versions)Passenger compartment fan (diesel versions)
Electronic ignition and injection system Glow plugs and resistances on fuel oil filter (diesel versions)69
71
71
71
71
68
71
71
69
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
71
71
71
68
68 10A
10A
10A
30A
10A (*)
60A
10A (*)
7.5A
15A
50A
60A
40A
30A
40A
40A
40A
40A
7.5A
15A
15A
30A
70A 13
3
6
8
2 (*)
9
11 (*)
13
9
6
6
6
7
7
7
1
4
13
14
15
5
8SERVICES FUSE AMPERES FIGURE
Page 243 of 357
Fuel oil heater (JTD versions, JTD 16V Multijet)Services switched off with startingBattery power supply for Alfa Romeo CODE/Injection system(+15) key-controlled service supply (ignition switch)General service supply (petrol versions)General service supply (diesel versions)General service supplyAdditional heater (diesel version only)Oil pump supply (Selespeed versions only)
Selespeed gearbox(2.0 JTS version)
Automatic gearbox(2.5 V6 24V version)(*) Specific components and values depending on the version/market. If in doubt, especially for the replacement of fuses which protect safety circuits
and/or systems (Air bag, ABS, etc.), you are recommended to contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, also to locate the cause of the fuse tripping.
IN AN EMERGENCY
241
74
71
71
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68 25A
7.5A
7.5A
30A
80A
80A
70A
70A
30A
30A
20A
40A
20A H
1
12
2
4
1
3
10
10
7
8
7
8
SERVICES FUSE AMPERES FIGURE
Page 251 of 357

CAR MAINTENANCE
249
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Thousands of km
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●
●●
●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●
●●●●
●●
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,boot lights, passenger compartment lights, glovebox light, warning lights, etc..)Check operation of windscreen wiper/washer system, adjust spray jetsCheck position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper bladesCheck front disk brake pad wear indicatorCheck conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check for the conditions of: exterior bodywork, underbody protection,
pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts (boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.)Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubricationCheck condition of timing drive beltSight check for conditions of Poly-V accessory drive beltCheck/adjust handbrake lever strokeCheck/adjust valve clearance (1.9 JTD 8V versions)Check petrol engine exhaust emissionsCheck engine smoke (diesel versions)Check operation of antievaporation system (petrol engines)
Page 252 of 357

CAR MAINTENANCE
250
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Thousand of km
Change fuel filter (diesel versions only)Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol engines)Change air cleaner cartridge (diesel versions only)
Check and if necessary top up fluid levels (brakes, hydraulic clutch, power steering, windscreen wiper, battery, engine coolant, etc..) Check and if necessary top up Selespeed oil level (2.0 JTS version)Replacement of timing drive belt (*) and Poly-V accessory drive beltReplacement of counter-rotating shaft drive belt (only 2.0 JTS)Replacement of spark plugs (T.SPARK 16V, 2.0 JTS and 2.5 V6 24V versions) Check operation of engine control systems (through diagnosis)Check gearbox and differential oil levelCheck automatic gearbox oil level (2.5 V6 24V version)Change engine oil and oil filterChange brake fluid (or every 2 year)Replacement of dust/pollen filter
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●
●
●
●●●●
●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●
●●●●●●●●●
(*) Or every 3 years in harsh conditions (cold – hot climates, stop and go city traffic, dusty areas or roads covered with sand and/or salt)
Or every 5 years, regardless of the mileage.