2006 Alfa Romeo 156 service

CAR MAINTENANCE
270
– Do not check for current in the cables by
short-circuiting the ends.
– If electrical welding is to be carried out
on the body of the car, the electronic con-
trol units must be disconnected or removed
if the work involves the production of high
temperatures.
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption activated by the user,
such as bottle warmers, vacuum cleaners,
cellular telephone, mini refrigerator, etc. ac-
celerate the battery drainage process if they
are powered with the engine not run-
ningor running at idle speed.
WARNINGIt should also be noted that
improper branches on connectors of the elec-
tric wiring for installing additional equipment
is dangerous, particularly if safety devices
are involved.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL
UNITSWith normal use of the car, no particular
precautions need to be taken.
In the event of work on the electric system
or emergency starting, the instructions giv-
en below must absolutely be adhered to:
– Always switch off the engine before dis-
connecting the battery from the electric sys-
tem.
– If it is necessary to charge the battery,
always disconnect it from the electric sys-
tem.
– When starting in an emergency, only
use an auxiliary battery and not a battery
charger.
– Check that the bias is correct and that
the connections between the battery and
the electric system are in efficient conditions.
– Do not connect or disconnect the ter-
minals of the electronic units while the ig-
nition key is at MAR.
Battery50 Ah60 Ah70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
30 mA
36 mA
42 mAThe total absorption of these accessories
(standard and installed later) must be less
than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the table below:
Alterations or repairs to
the electric system carried
out incorrectly and without taking
into account the specifications of
the system, may cause operating
faults with the risk of fire.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
273
Proceed as follows:
– Raise the windscreen wiper arm and po-
sition the blade so that it forms an angle
of 90° with the arm.
– Press tab (B) of the coupling spring and
remove the blade to be replaced from the
arm (A).
– When the spring is released from the
curved top of the arm, move the blade to al-
low the arm to be withdrawn through the slot.
– Insert a new blade passing it through the
curved top of the arm (A) through the slot.
– Lift the blade to clamp tab (B) of the cou-
pling spring with the curved top of the arm.
– Lower the windscreen wiper arm.
WARNINGThe blades may differ ac-
cording to the versions. In any case, follow
the instructions provided in the packs avail-
able as spares from Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services. Changing the windscreen wiper
blade (fig. 27)
WARNINGThe blade on driver’s side
is fitted with a spoiler that improves adhe-
sion between the blade and the windscreen.
To prevent improper fitting, before changing
the blade, check the spoiler direction of the
blade to be replaced, then fit the new blade
following the same spoiler direction.
fig. 27
A0B0580m
WINDSCREEN/REAR
SCREEN WIPERSBLADESPeriodically clean the rubber part using spe-
cial products TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they
should be replaced. In any case they should
be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
– If the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the rub-
ber against the glass. If necessary, thaw us-
ing an antifreeze product.
– Remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this prevents
effort on the motor and overheating.
– Do not operate the windscreen and rear
window wipers on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
274
HEADLIGHT WASHERS(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
Regularly check that the spray jets are in-
tact and clean fig. 28.
If it is necessary to direct the jet, contact
an Alfa Romeo Authorized Service.
BODYWORKPROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTSThe main causes of corrosion are:
– atmospheric pollution
– salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or
hot humid climates)
– seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the abra-
sive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust
and sand and mud and gravel raised by oth-
er vehicles.
On your Alfa 156, Alfa Romeo has
implemented the best manufacturing tech-
nologies to effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.
These include:
– Painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to corrosion
and abrasion.
– Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel
sheets, with high resistance to corrosion.
– Spraying the underbody, engine com-
partment, wheel arches and other parts with
highly protective wax products.
SPRAY JETS Make sure that the windscreen and head-
light (where applicable) washer jets deliv-
er a jet of fluid which is adequate and cor-
rectly directed.
If the spray devices are not working check
that the supply circuit is not blocked. If nec-
essary unblock the nozzles using a needle.
fig. 28
A0B0581m

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
283
CLOSING THE TAILGATE (fig. 15)
To lower the tailgate use the grip (A) on
the interior trim.fig. 15
A0B0084m
fig. 16
A0B0085m
CAUTIONS FOR CARRYING
LUGGAGEOn versions not fitted with the automatic
rear geometry control system, when trav-
elling at night with a load in the boot, it is
necessary to adjust the height of the low
beams (see “Headlamps” paragraph in the
chapter “Getting to know your car”). For
correct use of the aiming device, also make
sure that the load does not exceed the val-
ues given in the same paragraph.
RESTRAINING THE LOAD(fig. 16-17)
The loads carried can be held in place with
the belts hooked to the rings provided at the
corners of the boot.
The rings also serve for fastening the lug-
gage retainer net (available on request for
versions/markets where applicable c/o Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services).
fig. 17
A0B0086m

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
305
SPARK PLUGClean, intact spark plugs are determinant
with regard to engine efficiency and for re-
ducing the emission of pollutants.Spark plugs should be re-
placed at the intervals
specified in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme. Only use
spark plugs of the specified type: if
the thermal capacity is inadequate
or if the envisaged life is not guar-
anteed inconveniences may ensue.BRAKESService brakes:
– front
– rearParking brake
If examined by an expert eye, the ap-
pearance of a spark plug is a sound clue
for locating a fault, even if not involving the
ignition system. Therefore if you are expe-
riencing any engine problems, it is impor-
tant to have the spark plugs checked by Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
STEERING
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V 2.5 V6 24V JTD JTD 20V
Selespeed Q-System JTD 16V Multijet
MultijetSelf-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated Self-ventilated
disk disk disk disk disk disk disk disk
Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk Disk
Wheel anti-look system (ABS) with electronic braking distribution.
Servo-brake. Electronic control with brake pad wear sensors. Gasket of ecological type.
Controlled by hand lever operating rear brakes.
Type Turning radius(between pavements)
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V 2.5 V6 24V JTD-JTD 16V JTD 20V
Selespeed Q-System Multijet Multijet
Rack and pinion.
Hydraulic power steering with liquid reservoir in engine compartment
11.1 m 11.1 m 11.1 m 11.1 m 11.6 m 11.6 m 11.1 m 11.1

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
330
– display rheostat light
adjustment............................ 63
– exit menu ............................. 86
– General Trip - Trip B ................ 87
– initial check........................... 68
– language selection ................. 78
– menu ................................... 67
– programmed maintenance
(Service) .............................. 82
– speed limit ............................ 73
– Trip B on/off ......................... 75
– units selection ....................... 79
– warning/failure buzzer
volume setting....................... 80
– “winter” tyres speed limit ....... 81
Instrument cluster ........................ 56
Intelligent washing function
(windscreen) ............................ 51
Interiors (cleaning) ...................... 277
Interior lighting
– boot lighting ......................... 171
– dashboard............................. 136
– front .................................... 162
– rear ..................................... 163
Internal fittings ...................... 161-292
Internal rear-view mirror ............... 25
Isofix (child’s seat)....................... 39
Jack
– use ............................... 209
– warnings ....................... 207-208K
eys......................................... 6
– remote control ....................... 7
– remote door locking/unlocking 16
– replacing remote control
battery ................................. 10
– request for additional keys
with remote control ................ 12
Lifting points .............................. 245
Lights (controls) .......................... 48
Luggage compartment
– capacity ......................... 317-318
– current socket........................ 285
– extension.............................. 289
– lighting .......................... 171-284
– luggage cover........................ 287
– luggage retainer net ............... 285
– oddment compartments .......... 285
– opening from inside .. 135-170-282
– opening lever ........................ 135
– opening with remote
control ..................... 8-170-282– passenger compartment
separation net (lower) ............ 288
– passenger compartment
separation net (upper)............ 288
– reversible net ........................ 283
– securing the load ............ 171-283
– tailgate closing ............... 171-283
– warnings for carrying
luggage.......................... 172-284
Luggage compartment light
– bulb replacement ............. 233-297
M
ain beam headlights
– changing bulbs ..................... 226
– switching on ......................... 48
Maintenance
– additional operations .............. 251
– annual inspection programme . 251
– checking fluid levels ............... 254
– general information ................ 248
– scheduled maintenance ........... 248
– scheduled maintenance
programme ........................... 249
– warnings .............................. 248
Manual climate control system ....... 11
Mechanical gearbox
– lever .................................... 139

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
343
INSTRUMENT PANELfig. 2 - petrol engine versions
A.Speedometer - B.Mileage recorder and trip meter display - C.Check panel - D.Rev counter - E.Engine coolant temperature gauge -
F.Clock - G.Fuel level gauge - H.Services warning lights.
WARNING Depending on the version of the vehicle the instrument dials may be black or light grey and the rev counter and speedometer
may vary with regard to the red sector and the clock values.
A0B0612m

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
344
A.Speedometer - B.Mileage recorder and display - C.Check panel - D.Rev counter - E.Engine coolant temperature gauge - F.Clock -
G.Fuel level gauge - H.Services warning lights.
WARNINGDepending on the version of the vehicle the instrument dials may be black or light grey and the rev counter and speedometer
may vary with regard to the red sector and the clock values.fig. 3 - diesel engine versions
A0B0613m