2006 Alfa Romeo 147 engine

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
38
The key-operated switch (fig. 51) has
two positions:
1) Passenger’s front Air bag activated:
(ONposition
P) warning light on instru-
ment cluster off; it is absolutely prohibited
to carry a child on the front seat.
2) Passenger’s front Air bag deactivated:
(OFFposition
F) warning light on in-
strument cluster on; it is possible to carry a
child protected by special restraint systems
on the front seat.
The warning light
Fon the cluster stays
on permanently until the passenger’s Air bag
is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front Air
bag does not inhibit operation of the side Air
bag.
When the door is open, the key can be
inserted and removed in both positions.
SIDE AIR BAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)
The side bag and window bag have the
task of increasing protection of the occu-
pants in the event of a side crash of medi-
um-high severity.
They are formed of an instantaneously-in-
flating cushion:
– the side bag is housed in the back rest
of the front seats; with this solution it is al-
ways possible to have the cushion in the op-
timum position in relation to the passenger,
regardless of the adjustment of the seat;
– the window bags, which are “curtain“
cushions, are housed in the side roof lining
covered by a special trim, which makes it
possible to extend the cushion downwards.
This solution, designed to protect the head,
makes it possible to offer the highest degree
of protection to the front and rear occupants
in the event of side crash, thanks to the wide
cushion inflation surface.
In the event of a side crash, an electronic
control unit processes the signals leading
from a deceleration sensor and activates,
when necessary, inflation of the bags.The bags inflate instantaneously, setting
themselves between the body of the front
passengers and the car door. The bags de-
flate immediately afterwards.
In the event of minor side crashes (for
which the restraining action of the seat belts
is sufficient), the air bags are not deployed.
Also in this case it is of vital importance to
wear the seat belts since in case of side
crash they guarantee proper positioning of
the occupant and prevent the occupant to
be pitched out of the car in case of violent
crashes.
Therefore the side air bags do not replace
but are complementary to the use of belts,
which you are recommended to always
wear, as specified by law in Europe and most
non-European countries.
Operation of the side air bags and window
bags is not disabled by the front air bag de-
activation switch, as described in the previ-
ous paragraphs.
Use the switch only with
the engine off and the ig-
nition key removed.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
44
“Follow me home” device
(fig. 58)
This function allows the illumination of the
space in front of the car for the length of
time set, and is activated with the ignition
key at STOPor removed, pulling the left-
hand stalk towards the steering wheel.
This function is activated pulling the lever
within 2 minutes from when the engine is
turned off. At each single movement of the
lever, the staying on of the dipped beams
and sidelights is extended by 30 seconds up
to a maximum of 3.5 minutes; the lights
switch off automatically after the time set.
Each time the lever is operated, the
1
warning light on the cluster turns on.
This function can be interrupted by keep-
ing the lever pulled towards the steering
wheel for more than 2 seconds.
RIGHT-HAND LEVER
The right-hand lever is used to operate the
windscreen wiper-washer and rearscreen
wiper-washer. The windscreen washer con-
trol also activates the headlamp washers,
if fitted.
fig. 59
A0A0070m
Windscreen wiper - washer
(fig. 59-60)
The lever can be moved to five different
positions, corresponding to:
A- Windscreen wiper off.
B- Intermittent.
With the lever in position (B), turning the
ring (F) four possible intermittent speeds
are obtained:
■= intermittent slow.
■■= intermittent medium.
■■■= intermittent medium-fast.
■■■■= fast intermittent.
C- Continuous, slow.
D- Continuous, fast.
E- Fast, temporary (unstable position).
Operation in position (E) is limited to the
time the lever is held in this position. When
the lever is released, it returns to position
(A) automatically stopping the wiper.
IMPORTANTWhen the wiper is on, en-
gaging reverse gear automatically turns on
the rearscreen wiper.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
45
Rain sensor (fig. 61)
The rain sensor (A), fitted only on cer-
tain versions, is an electronic device com-
bined with the windscreen wiper which has
the purpose of automatically adjusting the
number of wipes during intermittent opera-
tion, to the intensity of the rain.
All the other functions controlled by the
right-hand lever remain unchanged.
The rain sensor is activated automatically
moving the right-hand lever to position (B-
fig. 59) and it has a range of adjustment
that gradually varies between wiper sta-
tionary (no wiping) when the windscreen is
dry, to wiper at first continuous speed (con-
tinuous, slow) with heavy rain.Turning the knurled ring (F-fig. 59) it
is possible to increase the sensitivity of the
rain sensor, obtaining a quicker change from
stationary when the windscreen is dry, to
first continuous speed (continuous, slow).
Operating the windscreen washer with the
rain sensor activated (lever at position B)
the normal washing cycle is performed at
the end of which the rain sensor resumes its
normal automatic function.
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe rain
sensor is deactivated and the next time the
engine is started (MARposition) it will not
be reactivated even if the lever has remained
in position (B). In this case to activate the
rain sensor, simply move the lever to (A)
or (C) and then back to (B).
When the rain sensor is reactivated in this
way, the wiper performs at least one stroke,
even if the windscreen is dry, to indicate that
reactivation has occurred.
The rain sensor is located behind the inner
rear-view mirror in contact with the wind-
screen and inside the area cleaned by the
wiper and it controls an electronic control
unit which in turn controls the wiper motor. “INTELLIGENT WASHING” FUNCTION”
Pulling the lever towards the steering
wheel (instable position) operates the wind-
screen washer.
Keeping the lever pulled, with only one
movement it is possible to operate the wash-
er jet and the wiper at the same time; in-
deed, the latter comes into action auto-
matically if the lever is pulled for more than
half a second.
The wiper stops working a few strokes af-
ter releasing the lever; a further “cleaning
stroke” after a few seconds completes the
wiping operation.
fig. 60
A0A0071m
fig. 61
A0A0489m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
49
The device may only be engaged in 4th,
5th or 6th gear, depending on the speed
of the car. Travelling downhill with the de-
vice engaged the car speed may increase
more than the memorised one, due to the
change in the engine load.
The ring (A) may be left constantly at ON
without damaging the device. You are, how-
ever, advised to switch the device off when
not in use, turning the ring to OFF, to avoid
memorising speeds by accident. It is advisable to engage the cruise control
only when the conditions of the traffic or
road so permit under completely safe con-
ditions, i.e.: straight and dry roads, dual car-
riageways or motorways, flowing traffic and
smooth road surface. Do not engage the de-
vice in town or in heavy traffic conditions.TO REDUCE
THE MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be reduced in
two ways:
1) disengaging the device (for instance
pressing the brake pedal) and then memo-
rising the new speed (turning the ring (B)
to (+) for at least three seconds);
2) keeping the ring pressed (B) at (–)
until reaching the new speed which will be
memorised automatically.
Cruise Control can only be
engaged at speeds above
30 km/h. The max. speed at which
the Cruise Control can be engaged
is 190 km/h, at speeds higher than
190 km/h it will not be engaged.
WARNING
When travelling with the
cruise control on, do not
move the gearshift lever to neu-
tral.
WARNING
If the device is faulty or
not working, turn the ring
(A) to OFF and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services after checking
that the protection fuse is intact.
WARNING
RESETTING THE MEMORISED
SPEED
The memorised speed is automatically re-
set turning off the engine or moving the ring
(A) to OFF.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
50
DASHBOARD
1. Side swivel air vents - 2. Fixed side window air vents - 3. Outer light control lever - 4. Speedometer with mileage recorder and trip recorder
and headlamp aiming display - 5. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - 6. Multifunction display - 7. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge - 8. Rev counter - 9. Tailgate release button - 10. Card holder - 11. Radio - 12. Centre swivel air vents - 13. Fixed upper vent - 14.
Glass holder - 15. Fog lamp button - 16. Hazard warning light switch - 17. Rear fog guard button - 18. Passenger’s front Air bag - 19. Glove-
box - 20. Door locking button - 21. Controls for heating, ventilation and climate control - 22. Cigar lighter - 23. Ashtray - 24. Temperature
sensor - 25. Windscreen/rearscreen wiper control lever - 26. Ignition key and switch - 27. Horn - 28. Steering wheel locking/release lever -
29. Driver’s front Air bag - 30. Set of controls: trip meter reset, headlamp aiming device, trip computer - 31. Bonnet opening lever. fig. 66
A0A0426m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
51
MILEAGE RECORDER
Display with double meter (total and trip)
and headlamp position display.
The display shows:
– the mileage on the first line (6 figures)
– the trip meter on the second line (4 fig-
ures)
– the position relating to the headlamp
aiming device.
To reset the trip meter, keep the button
(A-fig. 68) on the plate at the side of the
steering column pressed for a few seconds.IMPORTANTIf the battery is discon-
nected the trip meter reading is not stored. A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Display (mileage
recorder, trip meter and headlamp position
display) - E. Reconfigurable multifunction
display - F. Rev counter
REV COUNTER
The rev. counter shows engine rpm. The nee-
dle pointed to the danger area (red) indicates
excessive high engine speed. Do not drive for
long periods with the needle in this area.
IMPORTANTThe electronic injection con-
trol system gradually shuts off the flow of fu-
el when the engine is “over-revving” resulting
in a gradual loss of engine power.
When the engine is idling, the rev counter
may indicate a gradual or sudden highering of
the speed, this is normal as it takes place dur-
ing normal operation, for example when en-
gaging the climatecontrol system or the fan.
In particular a slow change in the speed pre-
serves the battery charge.
fig. 67
A0A0427m
INSTRUMENT PANEL
fig. 68
A0A0466m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
52
IMPORTANTThe temperature of the en-
gine coolant may rise towards the maximum
values (red zone) when the vehicle is dri-
ven at low speeds, especially when the am-
bient air temperature is high. In this case it
is advisable to stop the vehicle and switch
off the engine for a few minutes, after which
the journey can be resumed, preferably at
a higher speed.ENGINE COOLANT FLUID
TEMPERATURE GAUGE WITH
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
WARNING LIGHT
This shows the temperature of the engine
coolant fluid and begins when the fluid tem-
perature exceeds approx. 50°C.
Normally the pointer should be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer reach-
es the higher temperatures of the scale (red
area) the request for vehicle performance
should be decreased.
The turning on of the
uwarning light (on
some versions together with the message
shown on the reconfigurablemultifunction
display) indicates that the coolant fluid tem-
perature is too high; in this case, stop the
engine and contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WITH
RESERVE INDICATOR
This shows the amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank.
The warning light
Kturns on to indicate that
approx. 7 litres of fuel are left in the tank.
IMPORTANTUnder certain conditions
(heavy slopes, for instance), the reading on
the gauge may differ from the actual amount
of fuel in the tank and changes in level may
be indicated late.
This condition falls within the operation log-
ics of the electronic control circuit to avoid
highly unstable readings due to swaying of
the fuel when travelling.
IMPORTANTRefuelling shall always be
performed with engine off and ignition key
toSTOP. If the engine is off but the key
is to MAR, a wrong fuel level could tem-
porarily be indicated. This is due to the in-
ternal system control logic and cannot be
considered as a system malfunctioning.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
56
If the display shows a failure message, see the details given in the
“Warning lights” chapter; if there are two or more failures, the display
shows them in cycle, one after the other. To eliminate the display of the
message and/or of the warning light repeated on the rev counter
by the reconfigurable multifunction display, press button
Q.
INITIAL CHECK
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the reconfigurable multifunction display shows the message CHECK ACTIVE: the diagnostic phase of all the
electronic systems on the car has started, this lasts for about 4 seconds. If no faults are detected when the engine has started, the display shows
the OK message.
IMPORTANT If the reconfigurable multifunction display shows a failure message, see the details given in the “Warning lights” chapter.
Standard screen
The Programmed Maintenance
Schedule includes vehicle
maintenance every 20,000
km; this is shown
automatically, with the ignition
key at MAR, starting from
2,000 km (or miles) from this
deadline and it is shown again
every 200 km.
If no
failures
are
presentIs the
engine
started?YES
NO