2004 Alfa Romeo 156 oil level

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR64
INFOCENTER DISPLAY(where required)The Infocenter display is able to display all
the useful and necessary information during
driving, in particular:
INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON STANDARD
SCREEN
– Date (A-fig. 87)
– Outside temperature (B)
– Failure and warning symbol (e.g.: pos-
sible presence of ice on the road C).The standard screen will remain on until
a function is activated which requires be-
ing shown on the display (e.g. “Infocenter
display rheostat lights adjustment”).
INFORMATION ABOUT VEHICLE
CONDITION (for each event)
– Scheduled maintenance programme ex-
piry
– Trip computer information
– Rheostat brightness adjustment
– Engine oil level (only JTD versions).
Moreover, a menu is available which al-
lows the driver to perform, by operating the
control buttons (see “Control buttons” in the
next pages) the following controls and set-
tings:Set-up menu
SPEED LIMIT
– Switching on/off the relevant signal
(ON/OFF)
– Speed limit setting
TRIP B ON/OFF
– Switching on/off the relevant function
(ON/OFF)
DATE SETTING/TIME SETTING
– Day setting
– Month setting
– Year setting
– Hour setting
– Minute setting
LANGUAGE SELECTION
– Setting the language for the messages
shown on the displayfig. 87
A0B2126g

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR68
If the display shows an anomaly message, see paragraph
“Warning lights and indications” in this chapter.
INITIAL CHECK
By turning the ignition key to the MARposition, the Infocenter display will show the message CHECK ACTIVE: this indicates the start of the
diagnosis phase for all the electronic systems available on the vehicle; this phase lasts a few seconds (in diesel versions only, the Infocenter
display is able to provide the engine oil level indication too, see following paragraph “Engine oil level check”). If, during this phase, no anom-
aly is found and after the engine has been started, the display will show the message CHECK OK.
Standard screen display
JTD versions only
If no
failures
are
present
Is the
engine
started?
YES
NO
or
continues on next page

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR70
Engine oil level check
(JTD versions only)
By turning the ignition key to the MAR
position, the Infocenter display will show the
engine oil level display for about 3 seconds.
During this phase, to clear the display and
move to the following screen, press
ç
.
WARNINGTo ensure correct reading of
the engine oil level, the check must be car-
ried out with the vehicle on level ground.The following display in fig. 90refers to
correct engine oil level. As the oil level grad-
ually falls, the full bars go off leaving room
for the empty bars.
fig. 90
A0B2129g
fig. 91
A0B2134g
fig. 92
A0B2135g
The following fig. 91andfig. 92re-
fer to the display with an oil level below the
foreseen minimum. Under this condition, the
bars are all empty with symbol and warn-
ing messages.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR71
The following refers to the display
(fig. 93) (appearing for about 3 seconds)
with an oil level above the foreseen maxi-
mum. Under this condition the bars are all
full.fig. 93
A0B2136g
Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have
the engine oil restored to
its correct level.
Restore correct engine oil
level (see paragraph
“Checking fluid levels” in
chapter “Car maintenance”).Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics from
those of the oil already
used in the engine (see “Fluids and
lubricants” in chapter “Car main-
tenance”).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
101
Warning light Message
on display
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCHThe message + symbol are shown on the display when the fuel cut-off switch comes into operation.ENGINE OIL SENSOR FAILURE (JTD versions)The message + symbol are shown on the display when there is a failure in the engine oil level
sensor. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as possible to have the fault eliminated.
If, after the message has been displayed, you can smell fuel or notice
leaks from the supply system, do not re-engage the switch to avoid
the risk of fire.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
179
If the
x
low brake fluid
warning light comes on (to-
gether with the message + symbol
shown by the display), stop the car
immediately and contact the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices. Indeed, any leak of fluid
from the hydraulic system com-
promises the effectiveness of both
the conventional brake system and
the system with antilock system.
WARNING
The turning on of the
>
warning light (together
with the message + symbol shown
by the display) with the engine
running normally indicates an ABS
system fault. In this case the brak-
ing system preserves its effec-
tiveness, without however making
use of the antilock device. Under
these circumstances, the EBD sys-
tem may fail to give top perfor-
mance. In this case, too, you are
recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services imme-
diately, driving in such a way as to
avoid abrupt braking, to have the
system checked.
WARNING
VDC AND ASR
SYSTEMS(where required)VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE
DYNAMICS CONTROL):
GENERALThe VDC is an electronic vehicle stability
control system which, acting on the torque
and braking the wheels in a differentiated
manner, helps to bring the car back to the
correct course in the event of loss of grip.
While travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces that may be
controlled by the driver up to when the
tyres offer adequate road-holding; when
this falls below the minimum level, the car
starts to deviate from the course required
by the driver.
Above all on rough surfaces (such as cob-
bles, or due to the presence of water, ice
or soil), changes in speed (when accelerat-
ing or braking) and/or course (bends or the
need to avoid obstacles) can cause the tyres
to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
acts on the engine and brakes generating
a stabilising torque.
The system performance
levels, in terms of active
safety, should not induce the dri-
ver to run pointless and unjustified
risks. Driving conduct should al-
ways be suited to the conditions of
the road surface, vision and traf-
fic. The responsibility for road
safety is always and anyway the
vehicle driver’s concern.
The VDC system helps the driver
to keep control of the car in the
event of loss of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC sys-
tem to control the lack of stability
of the car always and anyway de-
pend on the grip between the tyre
and the road surface.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
192
SAFE DRIVINGIn designing your Alfa 156, Alfa
Romeo has worked thoroughly to achieve a
vehicle able to offer top levels of safety to
its passengers. However, the behaviour of
the driver is still a decisive factor for road
safety.
Below you will find a few simple rules for
travelling safely under different conditions.
You are certainly familiar with many of them
but it is still helpful to read them all care-
fully.BEFORE DRIVING OFF– Make sure the lights and headlights are
working properly.
– Adjust the seat, steering wheel and
rearview mirrors, in order to obtain a correct
position for driving.
– Adjust the seat back upright and keep
your head as close as possible to the head
restraint.– Carefully adjust the headrests so that
the head and not the neck rests on them.
Check that nothing (mats, etc.) can get un-
der the foot pedals.
– Make sure that any child restraint sys-
tem (seats, cradles, etc.) are correctly fas-
tened on the rear seat.
– Place any objects in the boot with care
to prevent abrupt braking from throwing
them forwards.
– Avoid heavy meals before a journey. A
light meal will help to keep reflexes ready.
Above all avoid alcohol.
Routinely remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– engine oil level;
– engine coolant level and system condi-
tions;
– brake fluid level;
– power steering oil level;
– windscreen washer fluid level.
WHEN TRAVELLING– The first rule for safe driving is care.
– Care also means being able to predict
the actions of other road users.
– Strictly respect the traffic regulations in
all countries, especially the speed limits.
– Ensure that both yourself and your pas-
sengers are wearing their seat belts, that
children are carried with the appropriate
seats and that any animals are in appropri-
ate compartments.
– Long distances should be trackled in
good health.
Driving under the influence
of drugs and/or some
medicines is highly dangerous for
oneself and for others.
WARNING

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