2005 Alfa Romeo 156 handbrake

2
MUST BE READ!REFUELLING
Petrol engines:only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) no less than 95.
Diesel engines:only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590.
K
ENGINE START-UP
Petrol engines with mechanical transmission:make sure the handbrake is pulled; put the gear lever into neutral;
press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to AV Vand release it as
soon as the engine starts.
Petrol engines with Selespeed transmission or Q-System:keep the brake pedal fully depressed; turn the igni-
tion key to AV Vand release it as soon as the engine has started; the transmission sets to neutral automatically (the display
shows position N).
Diesel engines:Turn the ignition key to MARand wait for the
Y
and
m
warning lights to go off; turn the ignition
key to AV Vand release it as soon as the engine starts.
PARKING OVER FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While functioning normally, the catalytic converter reaches high temperatures. For this reason do not park the car over in-
flammable material, grass, dry leaves, pine needles, etc.: fire hazard.


GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR17
IGNITION DEVICE THE SWITCH
(fig. 12)
The key can be moved to one of four po-
sitions:
– STOP: engine switched off, key can be
removed, engine lock engaged, steering lock
engaged, all services excluded apart from
those powered directly (e.g. hazard warn-
ing lights).
– MAR: drive position. The engine lock
is deactivated and all electrical devices are
powered.
WARNINGNever leave the key in this
position when the engine is stationary.– AV V: unstable position for starting the
engine.
WARNINGIf the engine does not start,
return the ignition key to the STOPposi-
tion and repeat the sequence.
The ignition block is fitted with a safety de-
vice preventing it from being moved to the
AV Vposition when the engine is already
running.
– PARK: engine switched off, key can
be removed, engine lock engaged, steer-
ing lock engaged, sidelights automatically
switched on.
WARNINGTo turn the key to the
PARKposition, button (A) located on the
switch should be pressed first.If the ignition device is
tampered with (for exam-
ple during an attempted
break-in) have it checked over by
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services,
before travelling again.
fig. 12
A0B0610m
When leaving the car al-
ways remove the key from
the ignition to prevent any pas-
senger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Never leave children unattended in
the car. Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the car is facing
uphill, first gear and if the car is
facing downhill, reverse.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR93
Warningl ight Message
on displayx
LOW BRAKE FLUID AND/OR HANDBRAKE ONWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
The warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the display) when
the level of the brake fluid inside the tank falls below the minimum, due to a possible leak in the
circuit and when the handbrake is switch on with the car moving.
d
BRAKE PAD WEARThe warning light on the dial comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the dis-
play) when the front brake pads are worn; in this case, have them replaced as soon as possible.
WARNINGAs the car is fitted with wear sensors for the front brake pads, when replacing them,
also check the rear brake pads.
If the warning light
x
comes on when travelling (together with the
message on the display), check that the handbrake is not engaged. If
the warning light stays on with the handbrake off (together with the message
on the display), stop immediately and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING

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
165
fig. 151
A0B0283m
ODDMENTS RECESSES ON
CENTRE CONSOLE
(fig. 151)
Centre recess
On the centre console near the handbrake
lever, there are the following oddments re-
cesses:
– oddments recesses (A) and (B);
– coin recess (C).
ODDMENTS RECESSES
ON DASHBOARDLeft side recess (fig. 152)
An oddments recess (A) is provided on the
lower side of the dashboard, on the left of
the steering column.fig. 152
A0B0254m
FRONT DOORS
COMPARTMENTS AND POCKETS(fig. 153)
Each front door has an oddments pocket
(A).fig. 153
A0B0253m

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
189
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
ENGINESWARNINGIt is important not to press
the accelerator until the engine has started.
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2)Move the gear lever to neutral.
3)Fully depress the clutch pedal so that
the starter motor is not forced to crank the
toothed wheels of the gearbox.
4)Ensure that the systems and electrical
devices, especially if they absorb high quan-
tities of energy (e.g. heated rear wind-
screen) are switched off.
5)Turn the ignition to the AV Vposition
and release it as soon as the engine starts.
6)If the engine does not start, return the
key to the STOPposition and repeat the
operation.
WARNINGIf it is difficult to start the en-
gine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyzer but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
device which obliges the driver to return the
ignition key to the STOPposition before re-
peating the starting operation if the engine
does not start immediately.
Similarly, when the engine is running, the
device prevents the key being moved from
the MARto the AV Vposition.
STARTING
THE ENGINEWARNINGThe car is fitted with an elec-
tronic engine lock device. If the engine fails
to start see “Alfa Romeo CODE system”.
C C
O O
R R
R R
E E
C C
T T

U U
S S
E E

O O
F F

T T
H H
E E

C C
A A
R R
In addition to the notes
and specifications given be-
low we recommend that,
during the initial period, you do not
drive to full vehicle performance
(for example excessive accelera-
tion, long journeys at top speed,
hard braking, etc.).
To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining the bat-
tery, never leave the ignition key
in the MAR position when the en-
gine is not running.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely
dangerous. The engine consumes
oxygen and produces carbon
monoxide which is a highly toxic
and lethal gas.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
190
WARNINGOn the 2.0 JTS version,
keep the brake pedal pressed when starting
the engine. As the brake pedal stiffens if it
is pressed repeatedly with the engine off. In
this situation, to allow the engine to be
started, it is necessary to increase the pres-
sure exerted on the pedal itself.PROCEDURE FOR JTD VERSIONS1)Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2)Move the gearshift lever to neutral.
3)Turn the ignition key to the MARpo-
sition. The warning light
m
on the instru-
ment cluster will turn on.
4)Wait for the
m
warning light to go
off, which will depend on how warm the en-
gine is. With the engine very hot the warn-
ing light may stay on for such a short time
that it is not noticed.
5)Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6)Turn the ignition key to AV Vas soon
as the
m
warning light goes off. Waiting
too long would make the glow plug heating
work pointless.WARNINGThe electric devices that ab-
sorb much energy (air conditioner,
rearscreen heating, etc.) are disengaged au-
tomatically during engine starting.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, move the ignition key back to the
STOPposition before repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa Romeo
CODE system efficient), do not insist with
prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if it is noted
that the cause is due to low charge of the
car’s battery. Never use a battery charger to
start the engine (see “If the battery is flat”
in the chapter “In an emergency”).
WARMING THE ENGINE– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometers of the journey, Wait until
the engine coolant temperature is between
50 and 60°C.SWITCHING OFF– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOPpo-
sition and switch off the engine.
WARNINGAfter a taxing drive it is bet-
ter to allow the engine to “catch its breath”
before turning it off by letting it idle to al-
low the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
191
EMERGENCY STARTINGIf the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (Alfa Romeo CODE
Y
warning
light on the instrument cluster on glowing
steadily) emergency starting may be carried
out using the code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
PARKINGWhen the vehicle is parked, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Switch off the engine.
– Engage the handbrake.
– Engage first gear if the car is facing up-
hill or reverse if the car is facing downhill.
– Turn the front wheels so that the car will
immediately come to a half if the handbrake
slips. Starting by pushing, tow-
ing or running downhill
must absolutely be
avoided. These manoeuvres may
cause fuel to flow into the catalyst
and damage it irreparably.
To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining the bat-
tery, never leave the ignition key
in the MAR position when the en-
gine is not running.
For vehicles equipped
with turbocharger in par-
ticular and for other vehi-
cles in general, revving the engine
before switching off should be
avoided.
Revving the engine serves no pur-
pose and consumes fuel for no rea-
son. It may also cause damage to
the bearings on the rotor of the
turbocharger.
WARNINGIf the engine turns off with
the car on the move, the next time it is
started, the Alfa Romeo CODE warning lightY
may turn on. In this case, check that
switching off and starting the engine again
with the car stationary, the warning light
stays off. If not, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not activated until the engine
is started, therefore considerably
greater effort is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car. Always
remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the car and take it
with you.
WARNING