2004 Alfa Romeo 156 heating

CAR MAINTENANCE
271
WHEELS AND TYRESTYRES PRESSURECheck the pressure of each tyre, includ-
ing the compact spare wheel, every two
weeks and before a long journey.
The pressure should be checked with the
tyre rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is in use. If you have to check
or restore the pressure when the tyres are
hot, bear in mind that the pressure should
be +0.3 bar compare with the specified rat-
ing.
For the correct tyre inflation pressure, see
“Wheels” in the “Technical specifications”
chapter.Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wear fig. 25:
A- Normal pressure: tread evenly worn.
B- Low pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
C- High pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
fig. 25
A0B0235m
WARNINGS
Where possible, avoid sudden braking, tyre
squealing starts, etc.
Particularly avoid violent bumps against
kerbs, potholes or obstacles of various kinds.
Prolonged driving on rough roads may dam-
age the tyres.
Routinely check the tyres for cuts on the
sides, swellings or uneven tread wear. If nec-
essary contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
Avoid overloading the vehicle when trav-
elling: this may cause serious damage to the
wheels and tyres.
If a tyre is punctured, stop immediately
and change it to avoid damage to the tyre,
the rim, suspensions and steering system.
Tyres age even if they are not used much.
Cracks in the tread rubber are a sign of ag-
ing. In any case, if the tyres have been on
the car for over 6 years, they should be
checked by specialised personnel, to see if
they can still be used. Also remember to
check the spare wheel.
Remember that car road
holding also depends on
correct tyre inflation pressure.
WARNING
Excessively low pressure
causes overheating of the
tyre with the possibility of serious
damage to it.
WARNING
Tyres should be changed when the tread
thickness is reduced to 1.6 mm. In any case
follow local regulations.

CAR MAINTENANCE
273
Proceed as follows:
– Raise the windscreen wiper arm and po-
sition the blade so that it forms an angle
of 90° with the arm.
– Press tab (B) of the coupling spring and
remove the blade to be replaced from the
arm (A).
– When the spring is released from the
curved top of the arm, move the blade to al-
low the arm to be withdrawn through the slot.
– Insert a new blade passing it through the
curved top of the arm (A) through the slot.
– Lift the blade to clamp tab (B) of the cou-
pling spring with the curved top of the arm.
– Lower the windscreen wiper arm.
WARNINGThe blades may differ ac-
cording to the versions. In any case, follow
the instructions provided in the packs avail-
able as spares from Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services. Changing the windscreen wiper
blade (fig. 27)
WARNINGThe blade on driver’s side
is fitted with a spoiler that improves adhe-
sion between the blade and the windscreen.
To prevent improper fitting, before changing
the blade, check the spoiler direction of the
blade to be replaced, then fit the new blade
following the same spoiler direction.
fig. 27
A0B0580m
WINDSCREEN/REAR
SCREEN WIPERSBLADESPeriodically clean the rubber part using spe-
cial products TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they
should be replaced. In any case they should
be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
– If the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the rub-
ber against the glass. If necessary, thaw us-
ing an antifreeze product.
– Remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this prevents
effort on the motor and overheating.
– Do not operate the windscreen and rear
window wipers on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
276
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the en-
gine compartment should
be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid
used in the washing process.
WARNINGThe vehicle should washed
with the engine cold and the ignition key at
STOP. After washing make sure that the
various protections (e.g. rubber caps and
various covers) have not been damaged or
removed. Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species release
give the paint a dull appearance and in-
crease the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
WARNINGBird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly ag-
gressive.Windows
Use specific products to clean the windows.
Use clean cloths to avoid scratching or al-
tering the transparency of the glass.
WARNINGThe inside of the rearscreen
should be wiped gently with a cloth in the
direction of the filaments to avoid damag-
ing the heating device. Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed, with-
out directing the jet against electronic con-
trol units. Contact a specialised workshop to
have this done.

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
329
Front light units
– bulb arrangement................... 220
Front roof light ............................ 162
– changing bulbs ...................... 230
Front seats .................................. 21
– adjustments .......................... 21
– centre armrest ....................... 22
– electric heating ..................... 22
– headrests .............................. 23
– rear pockets .......................... 23
Fuel
– consumption ......................... 322
– emergency flap opening
device ............................ 186-292
– fuel cap ............................... 186
– fuel flap................................ 137
– inertial fuel cut-off switch ........ 137
– level gauge and reserve
warning light ......................... 62
– refilling ................................ 319
– refuelling ........................ 185-292
– specifications ......................... 319
Fuel reserve ......................... 62-319
Fuel supply (technical data)........... 303
Fuel tank (capacity) .................... 319
Fuses and relays
– fuse summary table................ 238– fuses above the main fusebox.. 236
– fuses and relays accessible from
the glovebox ......................... 236
– fuses and relays in engine bay . 236
– fuses and relays in the main
fusebox ................................ 235
– generalities and cautions ........ 234
– list of protected devices .......... 238
– specific fuses for Sportwagon
versions ................................ 299
G
earshift lever ........................... 139
Getting to know your car.... 6
Glovebox light
– changing bulbs ..................... 232
Grab handles .......................... 161-292
H
andbrake lever......................... 138
Hazard lights
– switching on ......................... 135
Headlight aiming device
(corrector)................................ 138
Headlight washer ................... 52-274
Headlights
– beam adjustment .................. 138
– beam adjustment abroad ........ 177
– bulb replacement ............. 217-220– compensation for tilt............... 175
– gas discharge headlights ......... 176
Headrests
– front .................................... 23
– rear ............................... 24-279
Horn .......................................... 56
Identification data ....................... 299
Identification labels ...................... 300
Ignition device and steering lock 17-18
In an emergency.................... 205
In the event of a puncture ....... 207-294
– changing a wheel................... 209
– FIX&GO (quick tyre repair kit) . 212
– general instructions ................ 207
In the event of an accident ............ 246
– first aid kit ............................ 247
– if anybody is injured .............. 246
Inertial fuel cut-off switch .............. 137
Infocenter ................................... 64
– access to main menu screen .... 72
– control buttons ...................... 66
– date setting/time setting ........ 76
– default value reset ................. 85
– display ................................. 64
– display contrast adjustment ..... 84

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
331
N
umber plate lights
– changing bulbs ................ 229-296
O
ddment recesses
– in the boot ........................... 285
– on centre console ................... 165
– on dashboard ........................ 165
Odometer ................................... 59
Paintwork (maintenance) ............ 275
– colour label ........................... 301
Parking....................................... 191
Parking sensors............................ 187
Partial odometer .......................... 63
Performance................................ 314
Pockets and compartments
on front doors ........................... 165
Pollen filter ................................ 266
Power steering
– checking fluid level
and topping up ..................... 262
Power windows ........................... 27
Pre-tensioning devices ................... 32
Protecting emission reducing
devices ....................................... 198
Q
-system automatic gearbox........ 152
– acoustic warning .................... 159
– automatic operation ............... 154
– checking the oil level .............. 260
– fault signalling ....................... 158
– manual operating mode/
Q-System activation................ 157
– moving off ............................ 152
– push starting ......................... 159
– selecting automatic/
manual gearshifting................ 153
– selecting the driving modes ..... 156
– starting the engine ................. 152
– stopping the car ..................... 157
– towing the car ....................... 160
R
adio transmitters and cellular
telephones ............................... 167
Rain sensor ................................. 51
Rear fog guards
– changing bulbs ............... 227-294
– switching on.......................... 136
Rear light units
– bulb replacement ................... 227
Rear roof lights ............................ 163
– changing bulbs ...................... 231
Rear seats................................... 23– centre armrest ................. 23-280
– headrests ....................... 24-279
– ski compartment.............. 24-280
Rear suspensions
(automatic geometry control) ..... 293
Rearscreen heating................. 26-133
Rearscreen washer ....................... 281
– spray jet ............................... 281
Rearscreen wiper
– blade replacement ................. 281
– operation .............................. 281
Reducing running costs
and environment pollution .......... 197
Refilling ..................................... 319
Remote control ............................ 7-12
– additional remote controls ...... 12
– alarm system ........................ 11
– boot opening ......................... 8
– changing the battery .............. 10
– door opening-closing ............... 7
– ministerial homologation ......... 325
– remote door locking/
unlocking .............................. 16
Rev counter................................. 62
Reversing lights
– changing bulbs ................ 227-294

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
342
DASHBOARD1.Side air outlets - 2.Defrosting/demisting vents for side windows - 3.Upper side vents - 4.Passanger’s Air bag - 5.Sound system -
6.Engine coolant temperature gauge - 7.Clock - 8.Centre air vents - 9.Infocenter display - 10.Fuel level gauge - 11.Cruise control
lever (where fitted) - 12.Outside lights control lever - 13.Speedometer. - mileage recorder - 14.Check panel - 15.Rev counter -
16.Windscreen wiper control lever - 17.Bonnet opening lever - 18.Radio controls on the steering wheel (where applicable) -19.Igni-
tion switch - 20.Steering wheel lock/release lever - 21.Driver’s Air bag and horns - 22.Controls unit: instrument panel lighting adjust-
ment and healamp diming - 23.Controls for heating, ventilation and climate control - 24.Ashtray and cigar lighter - 25.Hazard warning
lights switch - 26.Glove box.fig. 1
A0B0611m

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
348
HEATING AND CLIMATE CONTROL1.Central vents for demisting/defrosting the windscreen - 2.Upper adjustable side vents - 3.Vents for demisting/defrosting the side win-
dows - 4.Movable side outlets - 5.Upper adjustable vent - 6.Central movable and adjustable vents - 7.Front seat floor vents - 8.Rear seat
floor vents - 9.Rear seat adjustable and movable outlets. fig. 8
A0A0615m