2004 Alfa Romeo 156 shift lock

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
139
To release the hand brake:
– slightly lift the lever (A) and press the
release button (B);
– holding the button down lower the lever.
The
x
warning light on the instrument
panel will go out.
To prevent the car from moving acciden-
tally, keep the brake pedal pressed when
engaging the handbrake.WARNINGThe handbrake lever (A) is
fitted with a safety device which prevents
the brake from being released when, if the
lever is pulled, button (B) is pressed. There-
fore, to release the brake, in addition to
pressing button (B), it is also necessary to
pull lever (A) further upwards to release the
safety device, then lower the lever com-
pletely
GEARSHIFT LEVER
(fig. 123)
Depending on the versions the car is fitted
with a five or six speed mechanical gearbox
(see “Technical specifications” chapter).
The position of the individual gears is
shown by the pictogram on the gearshift
lever knob.
When changing gear, always fully depress
the clutch pedal. Before engaging reverse
gear (R) wait for the car to be stationary.
fig. 123
A0B0290m
The wheels should be
locked after a few clicks of
the hand brake. If this does not oc-
cur, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the hand brake
adjusted.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
Q-SYSTEM
AUTOMATIC GEARBOX(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The 2.5 V6 24V engine can be supplied
with an automatic gearbox which in addi-
tion to the normal functions, makes it pos-
sible to shift gear by hand moving the se-
lector lever to the special sector, Q-System
device.
WARNINGTo be able to use the auto-
matic gearbox correctly, the description given
in this chapter should be read thoroughly
in order to learn the correct, allowed oper-
ations also in concerning the Shift-lock and
Key-lock safety devices with which the gear-
box is fitted right from the start.
STARTING THE ENGINEThe engine can only be started with the
gearshift lever (fig. 134) in position P
or N.
For safety reasons, you are advised to start
the engine with the brake pedal pressed.
WARNINGWhen moving off, after hav-
ing started the engine, do not press the ac-
celerator pedal before and while moving the
gearshift lever. This is particularly important
when the engine is cold.
MOVING OFFAfter starting, with the engine idling and
keeping the brake pedal pressed (Shift-lock
safety device), move the gearshift lever
(fig. 134) to position D, or to the man-
ual position. Release the brake pedal and
gradually press the accelerator pedal.
WARNINGMoving the lever from posi-
tion P, with the ignition key at MAR, is
only allowed with the brake pedal pressed
(Shift-lock safety device).
To move the lever, raise the ring (A-
fig. 134) under the gearshift lever knob.
fig. 134
A0B0268m

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
154
R - Reverse
Move the gearshift lever to Rwith the car
stationary, the engine idling and the brake
pedal pressed.
To prevent accidental engagements, mov-
ing the lever to this position is only allowed
raising the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob.
With the lever in position R the reversing
lights turn on and a beep is sounded for
safety reasons to indicate that reverse gear
has been engaged.
Before moving the lever, press the brake
pedal: the car must be stationary.
WARNINGWith the lever in position R,
reverse gear is not engaged if the vehicle
speed is above the established level. When
the car speed falls below this level, reverse
gear is engaged and remains engaged even
if the speed returns above the limit.
AUTOMATIC OPERATIONSelector lever
For automatic gearshifting, move the
gearshift lever to the right sector
(fig. 138) in one of the following posi-
tions:
P- park (the engine can be started)
R- reverse
N- neutral (the engine can be started)
D- automatic forward gear.
Raise the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob for shifting:
– from Pto Rand vice versa
– from Nto R.P - Park
To prevent accidental engagements, mov-
ing the lever to position Pis only allowed
raising the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob.
When the car is being parked, move the
lever to this position. A device in the gear-
box will lock the driving wheels.fig. 138
A0B0265m
Always pull the hand-
brake completely before
leaving the car.
Move the gearshift lever to posi-
tion P when getting out of the car
leaving the engine running.
WARNING

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