2005 Alfa Romeo 156 snow chains

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
181
ASR FUNCTION (ANTISLIP
REGULATION): GENERALThe ASR system integrates the VDC sys-
tem controlling the vehicle drive and com-
ing into operation automatically each time
one or both driving wheels skid.
Two different control systems are activated,
depending on the skidding conditions:
– If skidding concerns both driving wheels,
because it is caused by the excessive power
transmitted, the ASR system cuts in reduc-
ing the power transmitted by the engine.
– If skidding concerns only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in automatically
braking the skidding wheel, with an effect
similar to that of a self-locking differential.The action of the ASR system is particularly
helpful under the following conditions:
– Skidding of the inner wheel on a bend,
due to the effect of the dynamic changes of
the load or over-accelerating.
– Excessive power transmitted to the
wheels, also in relation to the conditions of
the road surface.
– Acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy
surfaces.
– In the case of loss of grip on a wet sur-
face (aquaplaning).
CUTTING IN OF THE VDC
SYSTEMThe cutting in of the VDC system is indi-
cated by the flashing of the warning lightá
on the instrument cluster, to inform the
driver that the car is in critical conditions of
stability and grip.
TURNING ON THE ASR
FUNCTIONThe ASR function turns on automatically
each time the engine is started.
When travelling it is possible to switch the
system off and on again pressing the switch
(A-fig. 171
) on the centre console.
Function disconnection is shown by the led
on the ASR button being turned on. If the
function is turned off while travelling, it will
turn on again automatically the next time
the engine is started.
WARNING When driving on snow, with
snow chains fitted, if may be helpful to switch
off the ASR function: in these conditions in
fact, skidding of the driving wheels when
moving off helps to obtain better traction.
fig. 171
A0B0557m

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
195
DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICEHere are few suggestions for driving in
these conditions:
– Keep your speed down.
– On a snowy road, fit winter tyres or
snow chains; see the related paragraphs in
this section.
– Use exhaust brake where possible and
avoid abrupt braking.
– Avoid abrupt acceleration and changes
of direction.
– During cold weather even apparently dry
roads may be covered with occasional
patches of ice. Pay great attention therefore
when driving on roads which are in the
shade, or where rocks or trees line the road
and on which ice may persist.
– Keep further back from the vehicle in
front.
DRIVING WITH ABSThe ABS is a part of the braking system
which essentially offers two advantages:
1)It prevents wheel lock-up and conse-
quent skidding in emergency stops, partic-
ularly when the road does not offer much
grip;
2)It makes it possible to brake and steer
at the same time so you can avoid unex-
pected obstacles and direct the car where
you want while braking. The extent to which
this can be done will depend on the physi-
cal limits of the tyre’s sideways grip.
To make the most of the ABS:
– In emergency braking or when grip is
low, a slight pulsing can be felt on the brake
pedal: this means that the ABS has come
into action. Do not release the pedal, but
continue pressing it to give continuity to the
braking action.
– The ABS prevents the wheels from lock-
ing but it does not increase the physical lim-
its of grip between the asphalt and the road.
Therefore, also with a car fitted with ABS,
keep within a safety distance from the ve-
hicle in front and limit speed when ap-
proaching bends.
The ABS serves to increase car controlla-
bilty not to go faster.
REDUCING RUNNING
COSTS AND
ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTIONSome suggestions which may help you to
keep the running costs of your vehicle down
and lower the amount of toxic emissions re-
leased into the atmosphere are given below.GENERAL CONSIDERATIONSVehicle maintenance
The overalll state of the vehicle is an im-
portant factor which has a marked influence
over fuel consumption and driving comfort
and on the life span of your vehicle. For this
reason care should be taken to maintain
your vehicle by carrying out the necessary
checks and regulations in accordance with
specifications given in the “Scheduled Main-
tenance Programme” (see sections... spark
plugs, air cleaner, timing).

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
202
It is therefore necessary to limit their use
to the purposes for which they are certified.
WARNINGWhen snow tyres are used
with a max. speed index below the one that
can be reached by the car (increased by
5%), place a notice in the passenger com-
partment, plainly in the driver’s view which
states the max. permissible speed of the
snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety when
driving and braking and better driveability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.
WINTER TYRESThese tyres are specially designed for dri-
ving on snow and ice, to be fitted in place
of the existing tyres.
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services will be
glad to provide advice concerning the most
suitable type of tyre for the customer’s re-
quirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in chap-
ter “Technical Specifications”.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread depth
is below 4 mm. In this case, they should be
replaced. Due to the snow tyre features, un-
der normal conditions of use or on long mo-
torway journeys, the performance of these
tyres is lower than that of normal tyres.
SNOW CHAINSUse of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
Use snow chains with reduced size:
– for tyres 185/65 R15” e 205/60
R15” use snow chains with reduced size
with max. protrusion beyond the tyre pro-
file of 12 mm.
– for tyres 205/55 R16” use snow
chains with reduced size with max. protru-
sion beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
Tyres 215/45 R17” can-
not be fitted with snow
chains due to interference
with front suspension support. Snow chains should only be applied to the
driving wheels (front wheels).
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services should first
be contacted before purchasing or using
snow chains.
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven.
The max. speed for snow
tyres with “Q” marking is
160 km/h, 190 km/h for tyres
with “T” marking and 210 km/h
for tyres with “H” marking. The
Road Traffic Code speed limits must
however be always strictly ob-
served.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
203
Keep your speed
down when snow
chains are fitted.
Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements and
avoid also to drive for long dis-
tances on roads not covered with
snow to prevent damaging the car
and the roadbed.
VEHICLE INACTIVITYIf the car is to be left inactive for long pe-
riods, the following precautions should be
noted:
– House the vehicle under cover in a dry
and possibly ventilated place.
– Engage a gear.
– Check that the handbrake is not en-
gaged.
– Clean and protect the painted parts us-
ing protective wax.
– Disconnect the negative terminal (–)
and check the battery charge. This check is
to be repeated every three months.
Recharge if the optical indicator shows a
dark colour without the central green area.
WARNINGWhere applicable, switch off
the electronic car alarm with the remote con-
trol.– Clean and protect the shiny metal parts
using special compounds readily available.
– Sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber
windscreen and rear window wiper blades
and lift them off the glass.
– Slightly open the windows.
– Cover the car with a cloth or perforated
plastic sheet. Do not use sheets of non-per-
forated plastic as they do not allow mois-
ture on the car body to evaporate.
– Inflate the tyres to 0.5 bar above the
normal specified pressure and check it at in-
tervals.
– If you don’t disconnect the battery from
the electric system, check its charge every
month and recharge it if the optical indica-
tor shows a dark colour without the central
green area.
– Do not drain the engine cooling system. Snow chains cannot be
fitted to the spare wheel
so, if a front (drive) tyre is
punctured and chains must be fit-
ted, the rear wheel should be fit-
ted to the front of the vehicle (in-
flate the tyres to the specified
pressure as soon as possible) and
the spare tyre should be fitted to
the rear. A snow chain can then be
safely fitted to the front wheel.

IN AN EMERGENCY
209
CHANGING A WHEEL(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
You are informed that:
– The jack mass is 2,100 kg.
– The jack requires no adjustment.
– The jack cannot be repaired, in the event
of breakage it must be replaced by anoth-
er original one.
– No tools other than its operating crank
can be fitted to the jack.
To change the wheel proceed as follows:
– Stop the car in such a position that it is
not dangerous for the traffic, where it is pos-
sible to change the wheel safely. Where pos-
sible, park on a level, compact surface.– Stop the engine and engage the hand-
brake.
– Engage first gear or reverse.
– Lift the boot carpet and hook it as shown
in (fig. 1a).
– Loosen the clamping device (handle)
(A-fig. 2).
fig. 2
A0B0234m
fig. 1a
A0B0577m
Snow chains cannot be fit-
ted to the compact spare
wheel, so, if a front wheel is punc-
tured and chains need to be used,
the front axle should be fitted with
normal wheels and the spare
wheel fitted to the rear. In this
way, as two normal tyres are fit-
ted to the front of the vehicle,
snow chains can be mounted,
thereby overcoming an emergency.
Absolutely never tamper with the
inflation valve.
Do not insert tools of any kind be-
tween the rim and the tyre.
Routinely check that the pressure
of the tyres and of the compact
spare wheel is as specified in the
“Technical specifications” chapter.
WARNING

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
306
WHEELS AND TYRES
1.8 T.SPARK
PROGRESSION
6J x 15”
185/65 R15” 88V
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17“ (*)1.8 T.SPARK
DISTINCTIVE
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17“ (*) 1.6 T.SPARK
PROGRESSION
6J x 15”
185/65 R15” 88H
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15” (❒)
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
6,5J x 16” (❒)
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17 ”
215/45 ZR17 (*)1.6 T.SPARK
DISTINCTIVE
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17“ (*)1.8 T.SPARK
IMPRESSION
6J x 15”
185/65 R15” 88V
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
1.6 T.SPARK
IMPRESSION
6J x 15”
185/65 R15” 88H
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
VersionsStandard fittingsSteel wheelTyres
Alloy wheelTyres
Spare – rimwheel: – tyreOptional fittingsAlloy wheelTyre
Alloy wheelTyres
Alloy wheelTyres(*) = Snow chains may not be used on this tyres
(●) = Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
(▼) = Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 12 mm.
(❒) = Excluding Sportwagon versions
Winter tyres: winter tyres with “Q” min. speed index can be used.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
307
2.5 V6 24V
PROGRESSION
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91W
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91W
(▼)
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91W
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17” (*) 2.0 JTS Selespeed
PROGRESSION
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17” (*) 2.0 JTS
DISTINCTIVE
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17“ (*) 2.0 JTS
PROGRESSION
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17“ (*) 2.0 JTS
IMPRESSION
6J x 15”
185/65 R15” 88V
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
2.0 JTS Selespeed
DISTINCTIVE
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17” (*)
VersionsStandard fittingsSteel wheelTyres
Alloy wheel
Tyres Spare – rimwheel: – tyreOptional fittingsAlloy wheel
TyreAlloy wheelTyre
Alloy wheelTyres(*) = Snow chains may not be used on this tyres
(●) = Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
(▼) = Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 12 mm.
Winter tyres: winter tyres with “Q” min. speed index can be used.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
308
(*) = Snow chains may not be used on this tyres
(●) = Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
(▼) = Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 12 mm.
Winter tyres: winter tyres with “Q” min. speed index can be used.
VersionsStandard fittings
Steel wheelTyres
Alloy wheelTyres
Spare wheel:
– rim
– tyre
Optional fittings
Alloy wheel
Tyre
Alloy wheelTyres
Alloy wheelTyres
JTD
PROGRESSION
6J x 15”
185/65 R15” 88V
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17“ (*)JTD
DISTINCTIVE
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91V
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17“ (*) JTD
IMPRESSION
6J x 15”
185/65 R15” 88V
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91V
(▼)
2.5 V6 24V
Q-System
DISTINCTIVE
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91W
(●)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91W
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17” (*)2.5 V6 24V
DISTINCTIVE
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91W
(●)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91W
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17” (*) 2.5 V6 24V
Q-System
PROGRESSION
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91W
(▼)
4J x 15”
T125/80 R15” 95M
6,5J x 15”
205/60 R15” 91W
(▼)
6,5J x 16”
205/55 R16” 91W
(●)
7J x 17”
215/45 ZR17” (*)