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.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
326
A A
L L
P P
H H
A A
B B
E E
T T
I I
C C
A A
L L
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
A
BS (wheel anti-lock system)
– operation and warnings........... 177
Accessories purchased by
the owner ................................ 166
Additional heater ......................... 135
Additional operations
(car maintenance) ..................... 251
Additional stop light (3rd stop) 230-297
Air bags, front and side ................ 42
– deactivating passenger’s
air bag ................................ 44
– front air bags ........................ 42
– general cautions ................... 46
– passenger side front air bag .... 43
– side air bags
(side bag - window bag) ........ 44
Air cleaner................................... 265
Air recirculation ........................... 129
Air vents .............................. 108-109
Alfa 156 Sportwagon........... 278
Alfa Romeo CODE system .............. 6
– operation .............................. 9
Annual inspection programme
(car maintenance) ..................... 251Armrests
– centre ............................ 23-280
– front .............................. 22
– rear ............................... 23-280
Ashtray
– front .................................... 164
– rear .................................... 164
ASR system ................................. 181
Battery
– advice for prolonging life ........ 269
– charging ........................ 242-268
– checking the charge ............... 267
– maintenance ......................... 266
– replacement ......................... 269
– starting with an auxiliary
battery ................................ 242
Body
– cleaning ............................... 274
– marking................................ 299
– versions ................................ 301
Bodywork paint identification label . 300
Bonnet ....................................... 172
Boot
– capacity ......................... 317-309– current socket ....................... 285
– extension ............................. 289
– lighting ......................... 171-284
– luggage cover ....................... 287
– object retainer net .................. 285
– oddment compartments .......... 285
– opening from inside .. 131-170-282
– opening lever ....................... 135
– opening with remote
control ........................ 8-170-282
– passenger compartment
separation net (lower) ............ 288
– passenger compartment
separation net (upper)............ 288
– securing the load ............ 171-283
– tailgate closing ............... 171-283
– warnings for carrying
luggage.......................... 172-284
Brake and clutch fluid
– checking level and topping up .. 263
Brakes
– checking fluid level
and topping up ..................... 263
– handbrake ........................... 138
– specifications ......................... 305
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
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
332
Roof bars/ski racks ...................... 292
Roof rack provision ....................... 174
Rubber hoses .............................. 272Safe driving ............................... 192
– before driving off ................... 192
– driving in the fog ................... 194
– driving in the rain ................... 194
– driving on snow and ice .......... 195
– driving with ABS .................... 195
– mountain driving .................... 194
– night driving .......................... 193
– when travelling ...................... 192
Safeguarding the environment ...... 187
Scheduled maintenance
programme .............................. 249
Seat belts ................................... 28
– carrying children safely ........... 35
– front and rear side belt
height adjustment .................. 31
– general instructions ................ 33
– maintenance ......................... 34
– pretensioners......................... 32
– rear central abdominal belt ..... 30
– use ...................................... 28
Seats (front and rear) ............ 21-23
Selespeed gearbox ....................... 141– automatic operation (CITY) ..... 150
– checking the oil level .............. 259
– failure signalling .................... 150
– moving off ............................ 146
– operation with the engine off ... 143
– parking the vehicle ................. 151
– semiautomatic operation
(MANUAL) ............................ 148
– signalling with the buzzer........ 151
– starting the engine ................. 145
– stopping the car ..................... 148
– system activation ................... 142
– towing the vehicle .................. 151
– turning the engine off ............. 145
– warnings .............................. 146
Side lights
– changing front bulbs ............... 226
– changing rear bulbs ............... 228
– switching on.......................... 48
Ski compartment ......................... 24
Snow chains................................ 202
Sound system ...................... 183-293
Sound system presetting
system ............................. 183
Spark plugs (technical data) .......... 305
Speedometer............................... 63
Spray jets – windscreen/rearscreen/
headlight .............................. 274
Starting the engine....................... 189
– emergency starting .......... 191-205
– ignition switch ....................... 17
– procedure for JTD versions ....... 190
– procedure for petrol versions .... 189
– switching off the engine .......... 190
– warming the engine ............... 190
Starting with an auxiliary battery ... 242
Steering system
– specifications ......................... 305
– steering wheel adjustments .... 25
Steering lock .............................. 18
Steering wheel
– adjustment............................ 25
Steering wheel levers ................... 48
Stop lights
– changing bulbs ...................... 228
Sunroof ...................................... 167
– emergency operation ............. 169
– sliding forwards/backwards..... 168
– raising to the quarterlight
position ............................... 168
Sun visors .................................. 166
Symbols .................................... 5-6