2005 Alfa Romeo 156 gas type

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
176
The electromechanical system to auto-
matically keep constant trim makes the
headlight tilt compensating device unnec-
essary.
The xenon lamps have very long life which
makes possible fault very unlikely.
If necessary, have the sys-
tem checked and repairs (if
any) made only by Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
WARNING
GAS DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The gas (xenon) discharge headlights op-
erate with a voltaic arc, in an ambient sat-
urated with pressure xenon, instead of the
glow filament.
The resulting illumination is sensibly higher
to that of conventional lamps, both for light
quality (clearer light) and for the width and
positioning of the illuminated area.
The advantages of better illumination can
be perceived (due to less eyesight fatigue
and greater orientation capacity for the dri-
ver, which in turn means higher driving
safety) especially in case of bad weather,
fog and/or insufficient road signs, thanks
to the better illumination of the side parts
of the visual field, normally obscured.The large increase of the side part illumi-
nation increases driving safety since it allows
the driver to better see the other users on
the edge of the road (pedestrians, cyclists
and bikers).
The triggering of the voltaic arc requires a
very high voltage, while subsequent power
supply can take place at a low voltage.
The headlights achieve their top luminos-
ity approx. 15 seconds after they are
switched on.
The intense light produced by this type of
headlights requires the use of an automatic
system to keep headlight trim constant and
avoid dazzling the vehicles coming from the
opposite direction in case of braking, accel-
eration or when carrying loads.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
177
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHT
AIMING FOR LEFT-HAND/
RIGHT-HAND DRIVING(only for versions with gas
discharge headlights)
As regards cars equipped with gas dis-
charge headlights (xenon lamps)(optional
for versions/markets where applicable) with
very great lighting power, when passing
from a country with right-hand driving to one
with left-hand driving, or vice versa, it is nec-
essary to modify the orientation of the
dipped beam headlights, to optimize the il-
lumination of the road edge and avoid daz-
zling the vehicles coming from the opposite
direction.
To have this operation
carried out, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
When you go back to your
country of origin, remem-
ber to have the dipped beam head-
light orientation modified again.
WARNING
In the event of a failure, though being un-
able to rely on the antilock effect, there is
absolutely no adverse effect on vehicle brak-
ing performance in terms of braking capac-
ity.
If you have never used a car with ABS be-
fore, you are advised to learn how to use
it with a few preliminary trials on a slippery
surface, naturally under safety conditions
and fully adhering to the Highway Code of
the country concerned. You are also advised
to carefully read the following information.
The advantage of the ABS compared with
the conventional system is that it makes it
possible to maintain maximum vehicle han-
dling performance also in the case of hard
braking under grip limit conditions, avoiding
wheel lock.
Do not however expect the braking dis-
tance always to be reduced with the ABS
system: for example, on soft surfaces such
as gravel or fresh snow on slippery surfaces,
the distance might increase.
ABSThe car is fitted with an ABS system which
prevents wheel lock when braking, better
exploits wheel grip and keeps the vehicle
controllable within the limits of the available
grip also during emergency braking.
The driver can feel that the ABS is opera-
tional by a light pulsing of the brake pedal,
accompanied by noise.
This should not interpreted as malfunc-
tioning of the brakes, but it is the signal to
the driver that the ABS system is working:
it is the warning that the car is travelling at
the limit of grip an that, therefore, it is nec-
essary to adapt the speed to the type of road
on which you are travelling.
The ABS system is an additional part of the
basic braking system; in the event of a fault
it is disabled, leaving the braking system
in the same conditions as a car without ABS.

CAR MAINTENANCE
254
fig. fig. fig. 2 - 2.0 JTS version
A0B00436m
fig. 1 - 1.6 T.SPARK, 1.8 T.SPARK versions
A0B00174m
CHECKING FLUID
LEVELS1Engine oil - 2Battery - 3Brake fluid -
4Windscreen washer fluid - 5Engine
coolant fluid - 6Power steering fluid When topping up take
care not to confuse the var-
ious types of fluids: they
are all incompatible with one an-
other and could seriously damage
the car.
Never smoke while work-
ing in the engine compart-
ment; gas and inflammable
vapours may be present, with the
risk of fire.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
263
WARNINGBrake and hydraulic clutch
fluid is hygroscopic (i.e. it absorbs moisture).
For this reason, if the car is mainly used in
areas with a high degree of atmospheric hu-
midity, the fluid should be replaced at more
frequent intervals than specified in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme.
BRAKE AND HYDRAULIC
CLUTCH FLUID
(fig. 20)
From time to time check the instrument
panel warning light x
by pressing cover
(B) of the reservoir (A) (with the ignition
key at MAR) instrument panel warning
light should come on.
fig. 20
A0B0157m
When loosening the reser-
voir cap do not allow the
fluid to come into contact
with painted parts. If it does, wash
it off immediately with water.
Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and highly cor-
rosive. In the event of accidental
contact, wash the parts involved
immediately with neutral soap and
water, then rinse thoroughly. See
a doctor at once if the fluid is swal-
lowed.
WARNING
Symbol
π
on the contain-
er indicates synthetic type
brake fluid distinguishing it from
the mineral kind. Using mineral
type fluids damages the special
rubber braking system gaskets be-
yond repair.
WARNING

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
305
SPARK PLUGClean, intact spark plugs are determinant
with regard to engine efficiency and for re-
ducing the emission of pollutants.Spark plugs should be re-
placed at the intervals
specified in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme. Only use
spark plugs of the specified type: if
the thermal capacity is inadequate
or if the envisaged life is not guar-
anteed inconveniences may ensue.BRAKESService brakes:
– front
– rearParking brake
If examined by an expert eye, the ap-
pearance of a spark plug is a sound clue
for locating a fault, even if not involving the
ignition system. Therefore if you are expe-
riencing any engine problems, it is impor-
tant to have the spark plugs checked by Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
STEERING
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V 2.5 V6 24V JTD JTD 20V
Selespeed Q-System JTD 16V Multijet
MultijetSelf-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated
disk disk disk disk disk disk disk disk
Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk
Wheel anti-look system (ABS) with electronic braking distribution.
Servo-brake. Electronic control with brake pad wear sensors. Gasket of ecological type.
Controlled by hand lever operating rear brakes.
Type Turning radius(between pavements)
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V 2.5 V6 24V JTD-JTD 16V JTD 20V
Selespeed Q-System Multijet Multijet
Rack and pinion.
Hydraulic power steering with liquid reservoir in engine compartment
11.1 m 11.1 m 11.1 m 11.1 m 11.6 m 11.6 m 11.1 m 11.1