2005 Alfa Romeo 159 ignition

114
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
PARKING SENSORS
(where provided)
Parking sensors inform the driver about
the presence of obstacles behind the car
(versions fitted with 4 rear sensors) or
behind and in front of the car (versions
fitted with 4 rear sensors and 4 front
sensors).
This system is therefore an aid for the
driver when parking the car since it de-
tects obstacles out of the driver’s sight
range.
The presence and the distance from the
car of an obstacle is indicated by a warn-
ing buzzer - as the distance from the ob-
stacle decreases, the acoustic alarm be-
comes more frequent - and, only on cer-
tain versions, by an image on the dis-
play (see paragraph “Indications on the
display).
A0E0087mfig. 103
ACTIVATION
Versions with 4 sensors
Front sensors are automatically activat-
ed with electronic key fitted into the ig-
nition device when reverse gear is en-
gaged or when pressing the front ceil-
ing light button A-fig. 103 with speed
below 15 km/h.
Sensors are deactivated when exceed-
ing 18 km/h or, on certain versions by
pressing again the button if the speed is
lower than 15 km/h A-fig. 103. If
the system is off on versions with de-
activation button, the button led is off.Versions with 8 sensors
Front and rear sensors are automatical-
ly activated with electronic key fitted in-
to the ignition device when reverse gear
is engaged or when pressing the front
ceiling light buttonA-fig. 103with
speed below 15 km/h.
Sensors are deactivated by pressing
again button A-fig. 103if the speed
is lower than 15 km/h or when ex-
ceeding 18 km/h. If the system is off,
the button led is off.
When sensors are on, front and rear in-
dicators will sound warning signals as
soon as an obstacle is detected: as the
distance from the obstacle decreases,
the acoustic alarm becomes more fre-
quent.
When the distance between the car and
the obstacle is less than 30 cm, the
acoustic alarm becomes continuous. Ac-
cording to obstacle position (in front or
behind the car), the acoustic alarm will
be emitted by front or rear indicators.
In any case the system will indicate the
obstacle closest to the car.

117
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
If a failure is indicated, stop the car, turn
the engine off and then clean the sen-
sors. Make sure to be far from possible
ultrasound sources (e.g.: truck pneu-
matic brakes or pneumatic hammers).
If failure cause has been eliminated the
system will resume regular operation
and warning
tand the corresponding
warning message will turn off.
If the warning light stays on, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services to have
the system inspected, although the sys-
tem keeps on working. If the failure de-
tected does not impair system operation,
the system keeps on working and fail-
ure is stored in order to be then detect-
ed by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
at next inspection.
GENERAL WARNINGS
When parking, take the utmost care to
obstacles that may be set above or un-
der the sensors. Objects set close to the
car front or rear part, under certain cir-
cumstances are not detected and could
therefore cause damages to the car or
be damaged.
Indications sent by the sensors can be
altered by dirt, snow or ice deposited on
the sensors or by ultrasound systems
(e.g.: truck pneumatic brakes or pneu-
matic hammers) set nearby the car.
TOWING TRAILERS
Rear sensors are reactivated automati-
cally when removing the trailer cable
plug.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
The system control unit checks every
system component each time the key is
fitted into the ignition device. Sensors
and relevant electrical connections are
then constantly monitored during sys-
tem operation.
Sensor failure is indicated by turning on
of warning light
t(where provided)
on the instrument panel (on certain ver-
sions together with the message on the
display) (see section “Warning lights
and messages”).
Rear sensors operation
is deactivated automat-
ically when the trailer
electric cable plug is fitted into
the car tow hook socket.

127
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
S.B.R. SYSTEM
(Seat Belt Reminder)
The car is fitted with the S.B.R. system
(Seat Belt Reminder), consisting of a
buzzer which, together with the turning
on of warning light
ing light panel, warns the driver and the
front passenger to fasten the seat belt.
The buzzer can be muted temporarily by
the following procedure:
❒fasten the front seat belts;
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition de-
vice;
❒wait for over 20 seconds but less than
1 minute and then unfasten one of the
front seat belts.
This procedure will stand valid till next en-
gine switching off.
For permanent deactivation, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services. The S.B.R.
system can only be reset through the set-
up menu (see paragraph “Reconfigurable
multifunction display“ in section “Dash-
board and controls”). IMPORTANT On certain versions, cor-
rect backrest fastening is guaranteed
when the “red band” A-fig. 3aside
leversBis no longer visible. The “red
band” actually indicates that the back-
rest is not properly secured.
IMPORTANTAfter putting the seats
back to their travelling position, restore
the seat belt position to make them
ready for use.
A0E0085mfig. 3
Make sure the backrest
is properly secured at
both sides (red band A-fig. 3
not visible) to prevent it moves
forward in the event of sharp
braking causing injuries to pas-
sengers.
WARNING
Remember that in the
event of a violent colli-
sion, back seat passengers not
wearing seat belts also repre-
sent a serious danger for the
front seat passengers.
WARNING

140
WARNING
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AND
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SAFETY
DEVICES
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

144
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
GENERAL WARNINGS
If when fitting the key
into the ignition device,
the warning light
¬does not
turn on or if it stays on when
travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on
the display) there could be a
failure in safety systems; in
this event air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in
case of impact or, in a minor
number of cases, they could
trigger accidentally. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices immediately to have the
system checked.
WARNING
Do not cover the back-
rest of front seats with
trims or covers that are not
suitable to be used with side
bags.
WARNING
Never travel with ob-
jects on your lap, in
front of your chest or with a
pipe, pencil, etc. between your
lips; injury may result in the
event of the air bag being trig-
gered.
WARNING
Always keep your
hands on the steering
wheel rim when driving, so
that if the air bag is triggered,
it can inflate without meeting
any obstacles which could
cause serious harm to you. Do
not drive with the body bent
forwards, keep the seat back
rest in the erect position and
lean your back well against it.
WARNING
If the car has been
stolen or an attempt to
steal it has been made, if it
has been subjected to vandals
or floods, have the air bag
system checked by Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING

145
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
Remember that with
the key fitted into the
ignition device and engine off,
the air bags may be triggered
on a stationary car if it is
bumped by another moving
car. Therefore, never seat chil-
dren on the front seat even
when the car is stationary. On
the other hand remember that
if the key is not fitted into the
ignition device, no safety sys-
tem (air bags or pretension-
ers) is triggered in the event
of an impact; in this case, fail-
ure to come into action cannot
be considered as a sign that
the system is not working
properly.
WARNING
Never wash seat back-
rests with pressurised
water or steam (by hand or at
automatic seat washing sta-
tions).
WARNING
When the key is fitted
into the ignition device,
the warning light
F(with pas-
senger’s front air bags deacti-
vation switch at ON) turns on
and flashes for few seconds to
remind that passenger’s front
air bag, knees air bag and side
bag will be deployed in a crash,
after which it should go off.
WARNING

148
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever neutral;
❒Fit the electronic key into the ignition
device to stop limit;
We recommend that
during the initial period
you do not drive to full
car performance (e.g.: excessive
acceleration, long journeys at
top speed, sharp braking, etc.).
Running the engine in
confined areas is ex-
tremely dangerous. The engine
consumes oxygen and pro-
duces carbon monoxide which
is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
When the engine is
switched off never leave
the electronic key into the
ignition device to prevent point-
less current absorption from
draining the batter.❒Press the clutch (or brake) pedal down
to the floor without pressing the ac-
celerator;
❒Press button START/STOPand re-
lease it as soon as the engine starts.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR
DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒Ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒Put the gear lever neutral;
❒fit the electronic key down into the
ignition device until it stops. The in-
strument panel warning light
m
will turn on;
❒Wait for the warning light mto
turn off. The hotter the engine is, the
quicker this will happen;
❒Press the clutch (or brake) pedal
down to the floor without pressing the
accelerator;
❒Press button START/STOPas soon
as warning light
mgoes out. If you
wait too long you will lose the ben-
efit of the work done by the glow
plugs. Release the button as soon as
the engine starts.
ENGINE STARTING
The car is fitted with an electronic engine
immobilising system. If the engine fails
to start, see paragraph “Alfa Romeo
CODE system” in section “Dashboard
and controls”.
IMPORTANTTampering with the ig-
nition device can cause unrequired steer-
ing lock.
IMPORTANT Fit completely the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device until
it locks into place.
IMPORTANT Never take the elec-
tronic key out of the ignition device while
the car is running unless you have to car-
ry out an emergency removal (see para-
graph “Removing the electronic key from
the ignition device in an emergency”).

149
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IMPORTANT
If at start-up the engine turns off, restart
it by pressing the clutch or brake pedal
and then press button START/STOP.
If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not insist but contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
With car started the electronic key is
locked into the ignition device and it can
be removed only after switching the en-
gine off. With car running and key
locked into the ignition device, forced
key removal could damage the ignition
device.
Start-up failures, if any, are indicated by
the turning on of the warning light
Y
on the instrument panel (on certain ver-
sions a dedicated message is displayed).
In this case contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.
If the engine will not start after pressing
buttonSTART/STOP, repeat the
start-up procedure by pressing the oth-
er pedal (clutch or brake). Start-up failures
The system can recognise start-up fail-
ures.
In the event of failure, the electronic key
can be removed from the ignition device to
enable the driver to carry out the follow-
ing operations:
❒turn the instrument panel off by
pressing button START/STOPor
removing the electronic key from the
ignition device;
❒start the engine again by pressing the
clutch/brake pedal and button
START/STOP.
IMPORTANT In the event of engine
locking while the car is running, due to
safety reasons it will not be possible to
take the electronic key out of the igni-
tion device. To remove it, press button
START/STOPwith brake pedal (or
clutch pedal) released and car stopped.
HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS
JUST STARTED
(petrol and diesel engines)
Proceed as follows:
❒Drive off slowly, letting the engine
turn at medium revs. Do not acceler-
ate abruptly;
❒Do not drive at full performance for
the initial kilometres. Wait until the
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.