2005 Alfa Romeo 159 ABS

Failure warnings
In the event of malfunctioning, the ASR
system is automatically disconnected
and on versions fitted with “Reconfig-
urable multifunction display” symbol
Vis displayed. In this case contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
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MSR system (engine braking
torque control)
It is an integral part of the ASR system
that in case of sudden gear shifting, cuts
in providing torque to the engine thus
preventing excessive driving wheel dri-
ve that, specially in poor grip conditions,
can lead to loss of stability.
For correct operation of
the ASR system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in normal conditions of
use, at the proper inflation
pressure values and, above all,
of type, brand and size speci-
fied (see paragraph “Wheels”
in section “Technical Specifica-
tions”).
WARNING

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Sound system presetting includes:
❒sound system power cables;
❒front and rear speakers cables;
❒aerial power cable;
❒sound system compartment;
❒aerial on car roof.
The sound system shall be installed in
the proper space occupied by the odd-
ment compartment that shall be re-
moved by pressing the two retaining
tabs set in the oddment compartment:
here you will find the power cables.
SOUND SYSTEM
PRESETTING
(where provided)
When the sound system has not been
requested the car is provided with two
oddment compartments on the instru-
ment panel.
If you decide to install
the sound system after
buying the car, contact
first Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services that will give you use-
ful advice about installation and
how to safeguard the battery.
Excessive loadless absorption
damages the battery and the
battery warranty can be inval-
idated.

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RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Radio transceiver equipment (e.g.: e-
tacs mobile phones, HAM radio systems
and the like) shall not be used inside the
car unless a separate aerial is mounted
outside the car.
The use of these devices inside the pas-
senger compartment (without external
aerial) may cause electrical systems
equipping the car to malfunction. This
could compromise car safety in addition
to constituting a potential hazard for the
passengers.
In addition, transmission and reception
of these devices may be affected by the
shielding effect of the car body.
As concerns the use of mobile phones
(GSM, GPRS, UMTS) provided with of-
ficial EC approval, strictly comply with
the instructions given by the mobile
phone manufacturer.
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If after buying the car, you decide to in-
stall electrical accessories that require a
permanent electric supply (alarm, satel-
lite antitheft system, etc.) or accessories
that in any case burden the electric sup-
ply, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices, whose qualified personnel, besides
suggesting the most suitable devices be-
longing to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo, will
also evaluate the overall electric absorp-
tion, checking whether the car’s electric
system is able to withstand the load re-
quired, or whether it needs to be inte-
grated with a more powerful battery.
Take care when fitting
additional spoilers, al-
loy rims and non-standard
wheel caps: they might reduce
ventilation of the brakes, thus
their efficiency, during abrupt
and repeated braking, or long
downhill slopes. Make sure
that nothing (mats, etc.) gets
in the way of the pedals when
they are pushed down.
WARNING

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The acoustic alarm will stop immediately
as distance raises. The acoustic alarm is
constant if the distance measured by
central sensors is unvaried, whereas if
this situation takes place for side sen-
sors the acoustic alarm is muted after
about 3 seconds to prevent sound indi-
cations when performing manoeuvres
near walls.
SENSORS
Obstacles are detected by 4 sensors lo-
cated in the front bumper (where pro-
vided)fig. 104and 4 sensors located
in the rear bumperfig. 105.
Parking manoeuvres
however are always
under the driver’s responsibil-
ity that shall always check the
absence of people (specially
children) or animals in the ma-
noeuvre space. This system is
just a help for the driver but
she/he shall never reduce at-
tention during dangerous ma-
noeuvres even if performed at
low speed.
WARNING
A0E0231mfig. 104
A0E0232mfig. 105
BUZZER
The presence of any obstacle and its dis-
tance from the car is indicated by the
buzzers installed inside the passenger
compartment:
❒on versions with 4 rear sensors, the
rear buzzer will indicate the presence
of rear obstacles;
❒on versions with 8 sensors (4 front
sensors and 4 rear sensors) obstacles
are indicated by rear and front
buzzers. This feature gives the dri-
ver the direction (front/rear) of the
obstacle.

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EMERGENCY OPENING OF
THE FUEL FILLER CAP
In case of failure, the fuel filler cap can
be opened by pulling string set on the
right side of the boot fig. 109.
A0E0130mfig. 109
FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel filler cap is unlocked when cen-
tral door locking is off and it is auto-
matically locked when activating the
central door locking. To open the fuel
filler cap, operate as shown by the ar-
row infig. 107.
The fuel filler cap is A-fig. 108 fitted
with an antiloss device Bwhich fastens
it to the flap Cso it cannot be mislaid.
A0E0159mfig. 107A0E0160mfig. 108
Do not put naked
flames or lighted ciga-
rettes near the fuel filler hole
as there is danger of fire. Do
not bend too close to the hole
either so as not to breathe in
harmful vapours.
WARNING
When refuelling, position the cap on the
device inside the flap as shown in the
figure.
IMPORTANTThe sealing of the tank
may cause light pressurising in the tank.
A little breathing off, while slackening
the cap, is absolutely normal.

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SAFETY
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The results of research on the best child
restraint systems are contained in the
European Standard ECE-R44. This Stan-
dard enforces the use of restraint sys-
tems classified in five groups:
Group 0 - 0-10 kg in weight
Group 0+ - 0-13 kg in weight
Group 2 9-18 kg in weight
Group 2 15-25 kg in weight
Group 3 22-36 kg in weight
As it may be noted, the groups overlap
partly and in fact, in commerce it is pos-
sible to find devices that cover more
than one weight group.
All restraint devices must bear the cer-
tification data, together with the control
brand, on a solidly fixed label which
must absolutely never be removed.
Over 1.50 m in height, from the point
of view of restraint systems, children are
considered as adults and wear the seat
belts normally.Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo offers seats for
each weight group, which are the rec-
ommended choice, as they have been
designed and experimented specifical-
ly for Alfa Romeo cars.CARRYING
CHILDREN SAFELY
For optimal protection in the event of
a crash, all passengers must be seated
and wearing adequate restraint systems.
This is even more important for children.
This prescription is compulsory in all EC
countries according to EC Directive
2003/20/EC.
Compared with adults, a child’s head is
proportionately larger and heavier than
the rest of the body, while muscles and
bone structure are not completely de-
veloped. Therefore, in order to restraint
them correctly in the event of a crash,
different systems are needed than adult
seat belts.
With passenger’s air
bag active, never place
child’s seats with the cradle
facing backwards since the air
bag activation could cause to
the child serious injuries, even
mortal, regardless of the seri-
ousness of the crash that trig-
gered it. You are advised to
carry children always with
proper restraint systems on
the rear seats, as this is the
most protected position in the
case of a crash.
WARNING

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SAFETY
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GROUP 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried fac-
ing backwards fig. 7on a cradle seat,
which, supporting the head, does not in-
duce stress on the neck in the event of
sharp deceleration.
The cradle is restrained by the car seat
belts and in turn it must restrain the child
with its own belts.
SERIOUS DANGER If it
is absolutely necessary
to carry a child on the
front passenger seat
with the cradle child’s
seat facing backwards, the
front passenger’s air bags
(front air bag, knees air bag,
where provided, and side bag
on seat), must be deactivated
using the key switch. In this
case it is absolutely necessary
to check the warning light
F
on the front ceiling light pan-
el (see paragraph “Passen-
ger’s front air bag”) to make
sure that deactivation has ac-
tually taken place. Moreover,
the front passenger’s seat
shall be adjusted in the most
backward position to prevent
any contact between the
child’s seat and the dashboard.
WARNING
A0E0106mfig. 7
The figure is only an ex-
ample for mounting. At-
tain to the instructions for fas-
tening which must be enclosed
with the specific child restrain-
ing system you are using.
WARNING
A0E0106mfig. 8
GROUP 1
Starting from 9 kg to 18 kg in weight,
children may be carried facing forwards,
with seat fitted with front cushion fig.
8, through which the car seat belt re-
strains both child and seat.

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SAFETY
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MANUAL DEACTIVATION (where provided) OF PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAG , KNEES AIR BAG (where provided) AND
PASSENGER’S FRONT SIDE BAG DRIVER’S AND
PASSENGER’S KNEES AIR
BAG (where provided)
Knees air bag consists of an instant-in-
flating cushion housed into a special
compartment provided for the purpose
under the steering wheel for the driver
fig. 16and into the lower part of the
dashboard for the passenger fig. 17,
to give further protection in the event of
frontal crash.
A0E0092mfig. 17A0E0079mfig. 16
Should it be absolutely necessary to car-
ry a child on the front seat, the pas-
senger’s front air bag, knees air bag
(where provided) and the side bag can
be deactivated. Deactivation/activation
shall be performed (with key removed
from ignition device) using the key
switch set on the right side of dashboard
fig. 18. You can reach the switch on-
ly if the door is opened. When the door
is open, the metal insert of the key can
be inserted and removed in both posi-
tions.IMPORTANTOperate the switch on-
ly when the engine is not running and
the ignition key is removed.
The key-operated switch has two posi-
tions:
❒passenger's front air bag and knees
air bag (where provided) and side
bag activated (ONposition
P):
warning light
Fon front ceiling light
panel off; it is absolutely prohibited
to carry a child on the front seat;
A0E0062mfig. 18