2005 Alfa Romeo 159 spare wheel

107
SAFETY
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
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CORRECT USE
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DASHBOARD
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Performance of the
VDC system, in terms
of active safety should not in-
duce the driver to take point-
less and unnecessary risks.
The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to
the conditions of the road sur-
face, visibility an traffic. Road
safety is always the driver’s
responsibility.
WARNING
During the use of the
space-saver spare
wheel (where provided), the
VDC system carries on work-
ing. However, you must re-
mind that the space-saver
spare wheel has dimensions
smaller than the standard tyre
and therefore its grip is re-
duced as to the other car tyres.
WARNING
For correct operation of
the VDC system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in perfect conditions
and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
(where provided)
This system is an integral part of the VDC
system and it is provided to facilitate
starting on slopes:
❒uphill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed, gearbox to neutral or
engaged gear other than reverse;
❒downhill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed and reverse gear en-
gaged.
At pickup the VDC system control unit
will keep brake force on wheels until
reaching the torque suitable for starting,
or in any case for about 1 second in or-
der to pass easily from the brake pedal
to the accelerator pedal.

118
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The car can be equipped with the
T.P.M.S. (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem). This system consists of a radio-fre-
quency sensor, installed on each wheel
(on the rim inside the tyre) that sends
pressure information to the control unit.IMPORTANT NOTES
Failure indications will not be stored and
therefore will not be displayed when
turning the engine off and on again. If
failure persists, the control unit will send
warning indications to the instrument
panel only after a few seconds when the
car is moving.
Tyre pressure should be checked with
tyres cold. Should it become necessary
for whatever reason to check pressure
with hot tyres, do not reduce pressure
although it is higher than the prescribed
value but repeat the check when tyres
are cold (see section “Wheels” in sec-
tion “Technical Specifications”).
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM -
T.P.M.S. (where provided)
The T.P.M.S. does not
exempt the driver from
checking tyre pressure, includ-
ing the space-saver spare
wheel (where provided) at
regular intervals.
WARNING
T.P.M.S. cannot indicate sudden tyre
pressure drops (e.g.: tyre burst). In this
event, brake the car cautiously and
avoid sudden steering.
The T.P.M.S. system requires special
equipment. Consult Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services to know what type of ac-
cessories are compatible with the sys-
tem (wheels, wheel caps, etc.). Using
other accessories could cause system
malfunctioning. Due to inflation valve
special characteristics, use only tyre re-
pair sealants approved by Alfa Romeo;
other sealants could cause system mal-
functioning.

120
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In order to use the system properly, refer to the following table when you have to change wheels/tyres:
(*) Given as an alternative on the owner's manual and to be found in Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo.
(**) Not crossed (tyres shall remain on the same side).
Operation
–
Wheel change
with space-saver spare wheel
Wheel change
with snow tyres
Wheel change
with snow tyres
Wheel change
with others of different
size (*)
Wheel cross switching
(front/rear) (**)Sensor presence
–
NO
NO
YES
YES
YESFailure Indication
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NOAlfa Romeo Authorized
Services operation
Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Repair damaged
wheel
Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
–
–
–

159
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IMPORTANTSnow chains cannot be
fitted to the space-saver spare wheel.
So, if a front (drive) wheel is punctured
and chains are needed, a rear wheel
should be fitted to the front of the car
and the spare wheel should be fitted to
the rear (adjust tyre pressure to the spec-
ified value as soon as possible). This
way with two normal drive wheels,
snow chains can be fitted to them to
solve an emergency.
Tyres 235/45 R18” can-
not be fitted with snow
chains due to interference
with the fender.SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
Snow chains should only be applied to
the driving wheels (front wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven.
Use snow chains with reduced size: for
tyres 205/55 R16” and 215/55
R16” use snow chains with reduced size
with max protrusion beyond the tyre pro-
file of 9 mm.
Traditional snow chains
may not be used on tyres
type 225/50 R17” on-
ly spider type chains can be used.
Keep your speed down
when snow chains are
fitted. Do not exceed
40 km/h. Avoid pot-
holes, steps and pave-
ments and avoid also to drive
for long distances on roads not
covered with snow to prevent
damaging the car and the
roadbed.
WARNING
When snow chains are
fitted, switch the ASR
system off. Press the
ASR/VDC button (see para-
graph “ASR system” in section
“Dashboard and controls”).

176
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
LOW TYRE
PRESSURE
(where provided)
On certain versions the display will show
a warning message + symbol (red) (and
buzzer will sound) when the pressure of
one or more tyres falls below the preset
threshold. In this way the T.P.M.S. sys-
tem warns the driver that tyre/s is/are
dangerously flat; possible puncture.
IMPORTANTStop immediately with
one or more tyres flat, avoid braking
sharply and abrupt turns. Replace im-
mediately the punctured tyre with the
space-saver spare wheel (where provid-
ed) or repair the puncture tyre using the
proper kit (see paragraph “If a tyre is
punctured” in section “In an emer-
gency”) and then contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services as soon as possible.
TYRE PRESSURE
UNSUITABLE FOR
SPEED
(where provided)
Should it be required to journey at a
speed higher than 160 km/h, inflate
tyres at full load pressures (see paragraph
“Cold inflation pressures” in section "Tech-
nical Specifications").
On certain versions, if the T.P.M.S. sys-
tem detects that the pressure of one or
more tyres is unsuitable for the current
speed the display will show a message +
symbol (amber) that will stay on until the
car speed slow downs below the preset
threshold.IMPORTANT In this case slow down
immediately since tyre overheating could
impair tyre performance and life beyond
repair, and even make the tyre to blow-
out.
IMPORTANT Should you have to jour-
ney anyway a speed higher than 160
km/h, stop the car when the display
shows the warning symbol to inflate tyres
to the proper pressure values (see para-
graph "Cold inflation pressures" in section
"Technical Specifications ").
nn

179
SAFETY
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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TECHNICAL
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
IF A TYRE
IS PUNCTURED
For versions/markets where applicable,
the car can be equipped with the “Quick
tyre repair kit Fix&Go automatic“. Op-
erations required to change a wheel are
described in the following chapter.
As an alternative to the kit “Fix & Go
automatic”, the car can be provided (up-
on request) with space-saver spare
wheel or standard size spare wheel;
wheel changing and correct use of the
jack and space-saver spare wheel call for
some precautions as listed below.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine (by push-
ing, towing, or coasting downhill) as this
could cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
exhaust system and damage it beyond
repair.
Remember that the
brake booster and the
power steering system are not
operating until the engine is
started, a greater effort will
therefore be required to press
the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
WARNING
Alert other drivers that
the car is stationary in
compliance with local regula-
tions: hazard warning lights,
warning triangle etc. Any pas-
sengers on board should leave
the car, especially if it is heav-
ily laden. Passengers should
stay away from oncoming
traffic while the wheel is be-
ing changed on. If the wheel is
being changed on a steep or
badly surfaced road, place the
wedges or other suitable ma-
terial under the wheel to stop
the car. Never start the engine
when the car is jacked up. If
you were towing a trailer, un-
couple the trailer before jack-
ing the car.
WARNING

180
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
The space-saver spare
wheel (for versions/
markets where applicable) is
specific to your car; do not use
it on other models, or use the
spare wheel of other models
on your car. The space-saver
spare wheel shall only be used
in an emergency. It shall only
be used for the distance nec-
essary to reach a service point
and the car speed shall not ex-
ceed 80 Km/h. The spare
wheel has a sticker that sum-
marises the main cautions for
use and limitations. The stick-
er should never be removed or
covered!. Never fit a wheel
cap on a space-saver spare
wheel.
WARNING
When driving with a
space-saver spare
wheel fitted, the driving per-
formance of the car changes.
Avoid accelerating or braking
sharply, abrupt turns or fast
cornerings. The life of the
spare wheel is approx. 3000
Km, after this distance it
should be replaced with an-
other of the same type. Nev-
er attempt to fit a conven-
tional tyre on a rim designed
for use as a space-saver spare
wheel. Have the punctured
wheel repaired and refitted as
soon as possible. Two or more
space-saver spare wheels
should never be used togeth-
er. Do not grease the threads
of bolts before installing them:
they might slip out.
WARNING
The jack shall only be
used for changing
wheels on the car with which
it is provided or on cars of the
same model. It must not be used
for other purposes such as for
instance raising cars of other
models. In no case should it be
used for repairs under the car.
Incorrect positioning of the jack
may cause the jacked car to fall.
Do not use the jack for higher
capacities than stated on its la-
bel. Snow chains cannot be fit-
ted to the space-saver spare
wheel. So, if a front (drive)
wheel is punctured and chains
are needed, a rear wheel should
be fitted to the front of the car
and the spare wheel should be
fitted to the rear. This way with
two normal drive wheels, snow
chains can be fitted to them to
solve an emergency.
WARNING

181
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
Please note:
❒the jack weight is 1.76 kg;
❒the jack requires no adjustment;
❒the jack cannot be repaired. If it
breaks it must be replaced with a
new jack;
❒no tool other than its cranking device
may be fitted on the jack.To change a wheel proceed as follows:
❒Stop the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic where
you can change the wheel safely. The
ground should be flat and adequate-
ly firm;
❒Turn the engine off, pull up the hand-
brake and engage first gear or re-
verse;
❒Using handle A-fig. 2, lift the stiff
coverBand secure it as shown in
fig. 3;
Never tamper with the
inflation valve. Never
place tools between the rim
and tyre. Check and restore, if
required, the pressure of tyres
and spare wheel to the values
given in section “Technical
Specifications”.
WARNING
A0E0132mfig. 2A0E0133mfig. 3