2005 Alfa Romeo 156 oil change

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
193
– Do not drive for long periods without a
break. During breaks get out of the vehicle
and move around a bit to shake off the
drowsiness.
– Make sure the air in the passenger com-
partment is changed constantly.
– Never coast the vehicle downhill with
the engine switched off as this eliminates
the engine braking and power steering ef-
fect thus requiring a greater effort on the
pedal and steering wheel.
NIGHT DRIVINGHere are some suggestions for night dri-
ving.
– Drive with particular care: night driving
involves a greater degree of concentration.
– Reduce speed, especially on unlit roads.
– At the first signs of drowsiness stop the
car: continuing the journey is dangerous for
yourself and others. Continue driving only
after sufficient rest.
– Maintain a greater distance from the ve-
hicle in front than in the day: it is more dif-
ficult to judge the speed of the vehicle when
only the lights can be seen.
– Ensure that the headlights are correctly
aligned: if they are too low, visibility is re-
duced and eyesight is tired. If they are too
high they may cause disturbance to other
road users.
– Use the main beams only outside built-
up areas and only when you are certain that
other drivers are not disturbed by their use.
– When meeting vehicles coming in the
opposite direction, switch off the main
beams and drive with the dipped-beam
headlights on.
– Keep headlights and lights clean.
– Outside built-up areas take care of ani-
mal crossings.
Always fasten the front
and rear seat belts includ-
ing those of any child’s seat. Trav-
elling without seat belts increases
the risks of serious injury or even
death in the event of an accident.
WARNING
Take care when fitting ad-
ditional spoilers, alloy
wheels and wheel caps: they might
reduce ventilation of the brakes,
thus their efficiency, during abrupt
and repeated braking, or long
downhill slopes.
WARNING
Never drive with objects
on the floor in front of the
driver’s seat: they might get stuck
under the pedals making it impos-
sible to accelerate or brake.
WARNING
Make sure any mats are
appropriate in size: even a
slight inconvenience to the braking
system may require a higher pedal
stroke than normal.
WARNING
Water, ice and salt on the
roads may deposit on the
brake discs, reducing the effec-
tiveness of the brakes the first
time they are used.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
250
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Thousand of km
Change fuel filter (diesel versions only)Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol engines)Change air cleaner cartridge (diesel versions only)
Check and if necessary top up fluid levels (brakes, hydraulic clutch, power steering, windscreen wiper, battery, engine coolant, etc..) Check and if necessary top up Selespeed oil level (2.0 JTS version)Replacement of timing drive belt (*) and Poly-V accessory drive beltReplacement of counter-rotating shaft drive belt (only 2.0 JTS)Replacement of spark plugs (T.SPARK 16V, 2.0 JTS and 2.5 V6 24V versions) Check operation of engine control systems (through diagnosis)Check gearbox and differential oil levelCheck automatic gearbox oil level (2.5 V6 24V version)Change engine oil and oil filterChange brake fluid (or every 2 year)Replacement of dust/pollen filter
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(*) Or every 3 years in harsh conditions (cold – hot climates, stop and go city traffic, dusty areas or roads covered with sand and/or salt)
Or every 5 years, regardless of the mileage.

CAR MAINTENANCE
251
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONSEvery 1000 kmor before long journeys
check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant level
– brake fluid/hydraulic clutch control flu-
id level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen washer and headlamp wash-
er fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck the level of the
engine oil and top up if necessary.
You are recommended to use products of
the FL Selenia, designed and developed
expressly for Alfa Romeo cars (see the table
“Specifications of fluids and lubricants” in
the “Technical specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMMEAn annual inspection programme
has been established for cars thet
cover less than 20,000 km (e.g.
10,000 km). It consists of the fol-
lowing:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust
pressure if required (including the compact
spare wheel)
– Check lighting system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
boot lights, passenger compartment lights,
glovebox light, warning lights of instrument
panel, etc.)
– Check windscreen and rear-screen
wiper/washer operation, adjust nozzles
– Check windscreen/rear-screen blade po-
sition/wear
– Check condition and wear of the front
brake pad
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication– Visually check the following: engine,
gearbox, transmission, piping (exhaust - fu-
el - brakes) rubber components (casings -
sleeves - bushings, etc..), brake and fuel
hoses
– Check battery charge condition
– Visually check the condition of the belts
and various controls
– Check and top up if necessary, the flu-
id levels (coolant, brake fluid, windscreen
washer fluid, battery, etc.)
– Change engine oil
– Replace engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.

CAR MAINTENANCE
252
WARNING
Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy condi-
tions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external temperatures be-
low zero.
– frequently idling engines or long distance
low speed driving (e.g. taxis or door-to-door
deliveries) or in case of a long term inac-
tivity.
Replace engine oil more frequently than
required on
SERVICE SCHEDULE
.WARNING
Fuel oil filter
The variety of the degree of purity of the
fuel oil in commerce may make it necessary
to change the fuel oil filter more frequently
than stated in the Scheduled Maintenance
Programme. If the engine is “sobbing” it
is a sign that the filter needs changing.WARNING
Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, change the
air cleaner more frequently than stated in
the Scheduled Maintenance Programme.
For any doubts about the intervals be-
tween engine oil and air cleaner changes
in relation to how the car is used, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.

CAR MAINTENANCE
258
WARNINGIf a routine check reveals
that the oil level is above the MAXmark,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the correct level restored.
WARNINGAfter adding or changing the
oil, run the engine for a few seconds and
wait a few minutes after stopping it.Used engine oil and filter
contain pollutants. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the oil and filter
changed as these are equipped to
dispose of the waste oil and filters
respecting the environment and
laws.fig. 10 - JTD version
A0B0165m
fig. 11 - JTD 16V Multijet version
A0B0559m
fig. 12 - JTD 20V Multijet version Engine oil consumption
Max. engine oil consumption is usually
400 grams every 1000 km.
During the initial period of use the engine
settles, therefore the engine oil consump-
tion can only be considered stabilised after
the first 5000 ÷ 6000 km.
WARNINGEngine oil consumption de-
pends on the way of driving and the condi-
tions of use of the car.
A0B0617m

CAR MAINTENANCE
259
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics than
those of the oil already in
the system.Used gearbox oil contain
pollutants. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
to have the oil changed as these
are equipped to dispose of the
waste oil respecting the environ-
ment and laws.
SELESPEED GEARBOX
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OIL(fig. 13)
The oil level of the Selespeed system
should be carried out with the car on a lev-
el surface and with the engine stopped and
cold.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– turn the ignition key to MAR;
– disconnect the breather tube and re-
move the cap (A) checking that the level
corresponds with the MAXmark on the dip-
stick of the actual cap;
– if the level is below the MAXmark, top
up with oil until reaching the correct level;
– after screwing the cap back on, insert
the breather tube completely on the cap
spout and turn the ignition key to STOP.fig. 13
A0B0162m
When the engine is hot,
take care when working
inside the engine compartment to
avoid burns. Remember that when
the engine is hot, the fan may cut
in: danger of injury.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
260
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics than
those of the oil already in
the system.
The oil level should never exceed the
MAXmark on the dipstick on the COLD
side, if the level is checked cold and on the
HOTside if the level is checked with the
gearbox/differential unit hot.
fig. 14
A0B0163m
The level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word COLD(+40°C).
WARNINGAfter long journeys with the
gearbox/differential unit very hot, the oil
level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word HOT(+80°C).
Q-SYSTEM AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX OIL LEVEL
(fig. 14)
The oil should be checked with the engine
idling and at operating temperature, the
gearshift lever at position Pand the car on
level ground.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– remove the dipstick (A);
– clean it with a clean lint free cloth;
– insert the dipstick in its housing pushing
well down to the bottom;
– remove it to check.
If the oil level is near or below the MIN
mark, add TUTELA GI/2oil through the
dipstick housing.
When the engine is very
hot, take care when work-
ing inside the engine compartment
to avoid burns. Remember that
when the engine is hot, the fan may
cut in: danger of injury.
WARNING
Used gearbox oil contain
pollutants. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to
have the oil changed as these are
equipped to dispose of the waste
oil respecting the environment and
laws.
WARNING