2005 Alfa Romeo 159 engine

72
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Parking lights
With instrument panel off they turn on
by pressing button C. When pressing the
button a buzzer will sound and the in-
strument panel warning light
3will
turn on.
Press the button again to turn the lights
off.
With parking lights on, move the exter-
nal lights left-hand stalk upwards or
downwards to select on which side
(right or left) the lights must stay on. In
this event warning light
3will turn
off.
With left stalk at central position the four
parking lights and the number plate light
will turn on.
DASHBOARD BUTTONS
fig. 52
Front fog lights
(where provided)
To turn front fog lights on, press button
A; to activate these lights it is necessary
to have the side/taillights switched on.
The instrument panel warning light
5
will turn on. Press the button again or turn
side/taillights off to turn the lights off.
Rear fog lights
To turn rear fog lights on, press button
Bto activate these lights it is necessary
to have the dipped beams or front fog
lights switched on. The instrument pan-
el warning light
4will turn on. They turn
off by pressing the button again, turn-
ing the front or rear fog lights off or by
turning the engine off.
A0E0061mfig. 52
Hazard lights
These lights are turned on by pressing
buttonA-fig. 53.
When these lights are on, the switch
flashes and warning lights
Îand¥on
the instrument panel will turn on at the
same time.
Press switch Aagain to turn the lights
off.
Use of the hazard
warning lights is ruled
by the Highway Code of the
country in which the car is
used. Observe regulations.
WARNING
A0E0100mfig. 53

74
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Turning the knurled ringA-fig. 54it
is possible to increase the sensitivity of
the rain sensor, obtaining a quicker
change from stationary (no wiping)
when the windscreen is dry, to first con-
tinuous speed (continuous, slow). A fur-
ther stroke will confirm operation.
Operating the windscreen washer with
the rain sensor activated (stalk at posi-
tion1-fig. 54) the normal washing
cycle is performed at the end of which
the rain sensor resumes its normal au-
tomatic function.
Removing the electronic key from the
ignition device, the rain sensor is deac-
tivated and the next time the engine is
started it will not be reactivated even if
the stalk has remained in position 1-
fig. 54. In this case to activate the rain
sensor, simply move the stalk to 0or2
and then back to 1.
When the rain sensor is reactivated in
this way, the wiper performs one stroke,
even if the windscreen is dry, to indicate
that reactivation has occurred. “Smart washing” function
Pulling the lever towards the steering
wheel (unstable position) operates the
windscreen washer.
Keeping the stalk pulled with just one
movement it is possible to operate the
washer jet and the wiper at the same
time; the wiper actually comes into op-
eration automatically when the stalk is
pulled for more than half a second.
The wiper stops working 3 strokes after
releasing the stalk; a further stroke af-
ter about 6 seconds will complete the
wiping operation.
RAIN SENSOR
(where provided)
The rain sensor A-fig. 55, located be-
hind the driving mirror, is an electronic de-
vice combined with the windscreen wiper
which has the purpose of automatically
adjusting the number of wipes to intensi-
ty of the rain. All the other functions con-
trolled by the right-hand stalk remain un-
changed.
The rain sensor is activated automati-
cally moving the right-hand stalk to po-
sition1-fig. 54and it has a range of
adjustment that gradually varies be-
tween wiper stationary (no wiping)
when the windscreen is dry, to wiper
at second speed (continuous, medium
wiping) with heavy rain.
A0E0227mfig. 55

77
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
❒pressing the brake pedal, pressing the
clutch pedal (in these cases the last
stored speed will stay memorised, to
resume it press button RES);
❒pressing the accelerator pedal; in this
case the system is disengaged only
temporarily; device operation will be
resumed automatically when releas-
ing the pedal;
❒with car speed below the preset lim-
it (in these cases the last stored
speed will stay memorised, to resume
it press button RES);
Automatic Cruise Control
deactivation
The Cruise Control is temporarily deac-
tivated when the ABS or VDC systems
come into operation (above a max. pre-
set time): in this case the last set speed
will stay memorised, to recall it press
buttonRES.
In the event of Cruise Control or engine
control system failure, the device is de-
activated until removing the electronic
key from the ignition device. In this
event contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
❒engage the gear selected at the time
of speed memorising (4th or 5th
gear);
❒press the RESbutton (set at stalk
end).
TO INCREASE THE
MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
❒pressing the accelerator and then
memorising the new speed reached;
or
❒moving the stalk upwards (+).
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight increase in speed
(about 1.5 km/h), while keeping the
stalk upwards will correspond to a con-
tinuous speed increase.
TO REDUCE MEMORISED
SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
❒disengaging the device and then
memorising the new speed;
or
❒moving the stalk downwards (–) un-
til reaching the new speed which will
be memorised automatically.
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight decrease in speed
(about 1.5 km/h), while keeping the
stalk downwards will correspond to a
continuous speed decrease.
DEVICE DISENGAGEMENT
The device is disengaged in one of the
following cases:
❒turning the knurled ring A-fig. 57
toO;
❒turning the engine off or removing
the electronic key from the ignition
device;

79
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
In the following table are summarised the causes that make front/rear ceiling lights turn on/off and their turning on/off
mode:
Cause
Opening one of the front/rear doors
Closing all the doors
Removing the electronic key from the ignition device
Locking the doors
Unlocking the doors
Cutting in of the fuel cut-off switch
Front and rear ceiling lights turning on/off mode
Central front light and rear light turning on for a few minutes.
This timed operation will be reactivated each time a door is opened.
With electronic key removed from ignition device: ceiling lights
will stay on for other 10 seconds. This timed operation
is stopped when refitting the electronic key into the ignition
device
Starting the engine: front central and rear courtesy lights will
turn off
Front central and rear courtesy lights turning on for about
10 seconds
Front central and rear courtesy lights turning off
Front central and rear courtesy lights turning on for about
10 seconds
Front central and rear courtesy lights turning on for a few
minutes. Reactivating the fuel cut-off switch will turn off the
ceiling lights
In all the cases tabulated above, front and rear ceiling lights turning on/off is gradual, for 2 seconds.

81
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CONTROLS
POWER SUPPLY AND FUEL
CUT-OFF SWITCHES
The car is fitted with a safety switch that
in the event of a crash comes into op-
eration by cutting off fuel and turning
off the engine as a consequence.
Certain versions are equipped with an
additional safety switch that in the event
of a crash comes into operation by cut-
ting off the power supply.
These two safety switches therefore pre-
vent dangerous fuel leaks due to fuel
line cracking, and sparks or electric dis-
charges due to damaging or malfunc-
tioning of the electric components of the
car in the event of a crash.
IMPORTANTAfter a crash, remem-
ber to remove the key from the ignition
device to prevent battery run-down.
If, after a crash, you
smell fuel or see leaks
from the fuel system, do not
reset the switches to avoid
fire risk.
WARNING
If central door locking
has been activated
from inside the car and after a
crash the fuel cut-off switch
cannot activate automatic door
unlocking, it will not be pos-
sible to get into the car. In any
case, door opening from the
outside depends on door con-
ditions after the crash: if a
door is badly damaged it will
be impossible to open it. In this
event try to open one of the
other doors.
WARNING
Door unlocking in the event
of a crash
In the event of a crash that triggers the
fuel cut-off switch, the doors will unlock
automatically to enable getting into the
car and at the same time the passen-
ger’s compartment lights will turn on.
It is however always possible to open
the doors from the passenger’s com-
partment by means of the internal door
handles.
If, after a crash no fuel leaks or dam-
ages to the electric devices (e.g. head-
lights) are found and the car can be
started again, reset the fuel cut-off
switch and the power supply cut-off
switch (where provided). Follow the in-
structions given below.

86
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Press button B-fig. 76to switch on
the cigar lighter with key fitted into ig-
nition device.
IMPORTANTAlways check that the cig-
ar lighter has turned off.
IMPORTANTThe cigar lighter gets
very hot. Handle it with care and make
sure that it is not used by children: dan-
ger of fire and/or burns.
IMPORTANT Do not plug electric ac-
cessories with power exceeding 100W
to the front cigar lighter seat.
A0E0152mfig. 76
ASHTRAY
Front ashtray
It is located on the central console, near
the handbrake lever.
To use the cigar lighter, raise cover A-
fig. 78 and open lid B.
Front ashtray is removable: to remove
it, pull it upwards.
IMPORTANT Do not use the ashtray
as paper bin: it could set on fire on con-
tact with cigarette stubs. Rear cigar lighter
(where provided)
It is located on the central console be-
tween the seats (see fig. 77).
IMPORTANTDo not plug electric ac-
cessories with power exceeding 140W
to the rear cigar lighter seat.
IMPORTANTOversize plugs could
damage the cigar lighter outlet tabs.
Do not plug electric ac-
cessories with absorption
exceeding the max. spec-
ified value. Prolonged current ab-
sorption could drain the battery
and impair next engine start up.
OFF
O
I
AUTOAUTO
A0E0068mfig. 77A0E0140mfig. 78

101
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Improper bonnet closing is indicated (on
certain versions) by the instrument pan-
el warning light
´(where provided), or
by symbol
Sand a message on the
display (see section “Warning lights and
messages”).
IMPORTANTAlways check that the
bonnet is closed properly to avoid its
opening while the car is travelling.
BONNET
TO OPEN THE BONNET
Proceed as follows:
❒pull lever A-fig. 97until hearing
the releasing click;
❒pull leverB-fig. 98and raise the
bonnet keeping the lever pulled
IMPORTANTBonnet raising is aided
by two gas springs. Do not tamper with
these springs and guide the bonnet
while raising it.
IMPORTANT Before opening the bon-
net, check that windscreen wiper arms
are not lifted from the windscreen.A0E0122mfig. 97
A0E0158mfig. 98
TO CLOSE THE BONNET
Lower the bonnet at approx. 20 cen-
timetres from the engine compartment
and then let it drop, ensuring that it is
fully closed and not just held in position
by the safety catch. If the bonnet does
not close properly, do not push it down
but open it again and repeat the above
procedure.
Carry out operations
only when the car is
stationary.
WARNING
For safety reasons the
bonnet must be closed
properly to avoid its opening
while the car is travelling.
Therefore, always check it is
properly closed and the catch
engaged. Should you notice
that the catch is not perfectly
engaged when travelling, stop
the car immediately and close
the bonnet.
WARNING

106
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics
Control)
(where provided)
The VDC system is an electronic system
controlling the car stability in the event
of tyre grip loss.
The VDC system is therefore particular-
ly useful when grip conditions of the
road surfaces changes.
VDC SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the
warning light
áon the instrument pan-
el, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
TURNING THE VDC SYSTEM
ON/OFF
The VDC system is automatically acti-
vated when the engine is started. When
travelling, to turn the VDC off press the
ASR/ VDC button on the central console
fig. 102for 2 seconds. Turning off the
VDC will also turn off the ASR. Both func-
tions can be reactivated by pressing the
ASR/VDC button.
VDC system deactivation is indicated
by the instrument panel warning light
á(on certain versions a symbol is dis-
played) and by the circular led around
the ASR/VDC button.
If the VDC has been turned off when
travelling, at next engine start-up it will
turn on again automatically.
FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS
In the event of failure, the VDC system
is automatically disconnected and the
warning light
ácomes on with fixed
light on the instrument panel (on cer-
tain versions together with a message
on the display) (see section “Warning
lights and messages”). In this case con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible.
A0E0026mfig. 102