2006 Alfa Romeo 156 warning

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
145
STARTING THE ENGINEThe engine can be started with the gear
engaged or in neutral (N), provided that the
brake pedal is pressed down.
WARNINGKeep the brake pedal
pressed during the starting operation. As the
brake pedal stiffens if it is pressed repeat-
edly with the engine off, in this situation, to
allow the engine to be started, it is neces-
sary to increase the pressure exerted on the
pedal itself.
After starting, the gearbox automatically
sets to neutral, the display shows the let-
ter (N) and the system selects the operat-
ing mode stored before switching off.
TURNING THE ENGINE OFF
AND SYSTEM DEACTIVATIONTurning the ignition key to STOPthe en-
gine switches off but the Selespeed system
still remains active, waiting for the vehicle
to stop completely. After about 2 - 4 seconds
from when the key has been turned to the
STOPposition, the hydraulic part is deac-
tivated and immediately afterwards the dis-
play on the rev counteralso goes out ; the
Selespeed system is only deactivated at this
point.
The gear selected before turning the en-
gine off remains engaged.
If the engine stops with the gearbox in
neutral (N), the buzzer draws the attention
of the driver so that the vehicle can be put
in safety conditions engaging the first gear
(1) or reverse (R). In this case, it is nec-
essary to turn the ignition key to MARand
with the brake pedal pressed, engage first
gear (1) or reverse (R).
If the engine fails to start
with the gear engaged, the
driver is alerted of the potentially
dangerous situation due to the fact
that the gearbox has automatically
set to neutral by the buzzer and
the display on the rev counter.
WARNING
NEVER leave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (N).
WARNING
Never remove the key
when the car is on the
move, because in addition to the
fact that the Selespeed system
would not work properly until
stopping the car, the steering
wheel would automatically lock at
the first turn.
WARNING
It is absolutely necessary
to turn off the engine con-
sequently deactivating the Sele-
speed system keeping the brake
pedal pressed: release the pedal
ONLY when the display on the rev
counter goes off.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
146
WARNINGS– With the vehicle stationary and a gear
engaged, always keep the brake pedal
pressed until you decide to move off;
– in prolonged stops with the engine run-
ning it is advisable to keep the gearbox is
neutral;
– when the car is parked on a slope, do
not use the pick-up manoeuvre to keep the
vehicle stopped; use the brake pedal and
work on the accelerator pedal only when
you decide to move off;
– use second gear onlywhen necessary
to obtain better control of pick-up in low
speed manoeuvres;
– if, with reverse gear engaged, you need
to engage first gear or vice versa, shift gear
only when the car is completely stationary
and with the brake pedal pressed. This should not be considered as a fault as
it is part of the operating logic. For the same
reason, in the event of sticking on reverse,
the system commands partial clutch closing
to allow engagement of the gear; in this
case engagement of reverse gear (R) will
be less comfortable.
Moving off of the vehicle is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually operating the accelerator
pedal.
The vehicle pick-up torque is higher the
more the accelerator pedal is pressed.
MOVING OFFWith the engine running and the vehicle
stationary, the gears that can be engaged
for moving off are only first (1), second (2)
or reverse (R).
To engage them it is possible to use the
control lever on the centre console, with the
brake pedal pressed, as the levers on the
steering wheel allow gear engagement only
over 0.5 km/h.
WARNINGReverse gear (R) can be en-
gaged from each of the following other ra-
tios: neutral (N), first gear (1) or second
gear (2). If the car is on the move, the re-
quest is not accepted; it is necessary to wait
for the car to be completely stopped and
then request reverse (R) again.
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the intermittent sound
of the buzzer as well as by the display on
the rev counter.
WARNINGIf while shifting from reverse
(R)/first gear (1) to neutral (N)/first gear
(1) sticking occurs on the first gear, the sys-
tem automatically engages second gear
(2).
After a request to shift
gear with the vehicle sta-
tionary, before pressing the accel-
erator pedal to make the car start,
the driver must always check that
the gear engaged shown on the
display is the one required.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
149
When shifting gear, releasing the acceler-
ator pedal is not necessary because the Se-
lespeed system directly controls the engine
so as to:
– reduce and then increase the engine
torque;
– adapt the engine speed to the new gear
ratio engaged.
When downshifting, double de-clutching
(acceleration of the engine to bring it to the
speed necessary with the new gear ratio) is
carried out automatically.
The move to neutral (N) command is ac-
cepted when the car speed exceeds 20 km/h.
The command to engage reverse gear (R)
is accepted only if the car is stationary.With the accelerator pedal pressed by over
60% of its stroke and with an engine speed
of over 5,000 rpm, gearshifting becomes
quicker.
In the MANUALmode there are some
automatic/safety devices which make dri-
ving easier:
– when slowing down, the clutch is
opened and the gear ratio is reduced auto-
matically to be ready for possibly picking up
speed again; if not, stopping the vehicle,
first gear (1) will be engaged automatically;
– request to change gear that could take
the engine above the maximum rpm or be-
low the minimum permissible rpm are not
accepted;– if the engine reaches the maximum per-
missible rpm and accelerating continues
(without coming into operation of the VDC
system), the system automatically engages
a higher gear; with the activation of the VDC
system, with the maximum engine rpm,
gear shifting is excluded;
– if sticking occurs during the engagement
of a gear, the system firstly tries to engage
the required gear again and, if it is still not
possible, it automatically engages the im-
mediately higher one to avoid leaving the
vehicle in neutral speed.
WARNINGIt is advisable to wait for a
gearshift to end before requesting another
one, this will avoid multiple requests in quick
succession.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
150
AUTOMATIC OPERATION (CITY)The CITYautomatic operating mode is se-
lected pressing the button (A-fig. 132),
at the base of the gearshift lever.
In addition to the gear, the display on the
rev counter will show the word CITY.
The system decides directly when gearshift-
ing according to the engine running speed
and the driving style.
Quickly releasing the accelerator pedal, the
system does not engage a higher gear in or-
der to maintain an adequate level of engine
brake.
FAILURE SIGNALLINGFailures to the Selespeed gearbox are in-
dicated by the
t
(A-fig. 133) warn-
ing light on the instrument cluster.
When the system is turned on (turning the
ignition key to MAR), the warning light
should turn on glowing steadily for about
4 seconds and then turn off.
If the warning light stays on it means that
a fault to the gearbox has been detected; at
the same time a buzzer sounds intermit-
tently for 4 seconds to attract the driver's
attention.In the case of a fault to the gearshift lever,
the system automatically activates the au-
tomatic CITYmode to allow the car to
reach the nearest Authorized Alfa Romeo
Services to have the fault detected elimi-
nated.
In the event of faults to other components
of the gearbox, the system only allows the
engagement of certain ratios: first gear (1),
second (2) and reverse (R).
fig. 132
A0B0269m
fig. 133
A0B0383m
If the warning light
t
comes on, contact the Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible to remove the
fault.In case of transmission
fault, contact the Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible to check the sys-
tem.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
151
SIGNALLING WITH THE BUZZERThe buzzer is activated when:
– reverse gear (R) is engaged;
– the vehicle is parked with the gearbox
at neutral (N); this can be seen turning the
ignition key to STOP;
– clutch overheating takes place during
pick-up;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged (e.g.: the car tends to
do downhill with reverse gear engaged);
– in the event of gearbox failure;
– the system has automatically engaged
neutral (N) after:•
there is no action on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 min-
utes;
•
the brake pedal is pressed for over 10
minutes;
•
the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake pedal are not
pressed for at least 1 second;
•
detection of a gearbox fault.
PARKING THE VEHICLETo park the car safely it is absolutely
necessaryto engage first gear (1) or re-
verse (R) and, when on a sloping road, also
engage the hand-brake.
Turning the engine off with the car facing
uphill and a gear engaged, it is absolutely
necessaryto wait for the display on the
rev counter to go off before releasing the
brake pedal, so that the clutch has innested
completely.
If the gearbox is in neutral (N) and you
want to engage a parking gear, it is neces-
sary to activate the system and engage the
gear (1) or reverse (R) with your foot on
the brake pedal.
TOWING THE VEHICLEWARNINGFor towing the vehicle, ad-
here to local regulations. Make sure that the
gearbox is in neutral (N) (checking that the
car moves when pushed) and proceed as for
towing a normal car with mechanical gear-
box following the instructions given in the
chapter “In an emergency”.
Should it be impossible to set to neutral,
do not tow the vehicle; contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
Do not start the engine
when towing the vehicle.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
Q-SYSTEM
AUTOMATIC GEARBOX(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The 2.5 V6 24V engine can be supplied
with an automatic gearbox which in addi-
tion to the normal functions, makes it pos-
sible to shift gear by hand moving the se-
lector lever to the special sector, Q-System
device.
WARNINGTo be able to use the auto-
matic gearbox correctly, the description given
in this chapter should be read thoroughly
in order to learn the correct, allowed oper-
ations also in concerning the Shift-lock and
Key-lock safety devices with which the gear-
box is fitted right from the start.
STARTING THE ENGINEThe engine can only be started with the
gearshift lever (fig. 134) in position P
or N.
For safety reasons, you are advised to start
the engine with the brake pedal pressed.
WARNINGWhen moving off, after hav-
ing started the engine, do not press the ac-
celerator pedal before and while moving the
gearshift lever. This is particularly important
when the engine is cold.
MOVING OFFAfter starting, with the engine idling and
keeping the brake pedal pressed (Shift-lock
safety device), move the gearshift lever
(fig. 134) to position D, or to the man-
ual position. Release the brake pedal and
gradually press the accelerator pedal.
WARNINGMoving the lever from posi-
tion P, with the ignition key at MAR, is
only allowed with the brake pedal pressed
(Shift-lock safety device).
To move the lever, raise the ring (A-
fig. 134) under the gearshift lever knob.
fig. 134
A0B0268m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
153
In an emergency (failures, flat battery,
etc.), it is possible to move the lever from
position P, pressing the special mechanical
button under the gearshift lever cover, in the
area (A-fig. 135); at the same time
move the lever from position Pto the re-
quired position. If the engine is being
started, move the lever to position N, which
is the only one that allows this operation
in this case.
WARNINGThe ignition key in the
STOPposition can only be removed from
the ignition switch provided that the
gearshift lever is at P(Key-lock).In an emergency (failures, flat battery,
etc.), it is possible to remove the ignition
key also with the selector lever not posi-
tioned at P.
Press the release device (A-fig. 136),
next to the ignition switch inside the trim,
with your finger removing the key at the
same time.
Do not take the car to peak performance
until the engine has reached normal oper-
ating temperature.fig. 135
A0B0267m
fig. 136
A0B0266m
fig. 137
A0B0385m
SELECTING AUTOMATIC/
MANUAL GEARSHIFTINGThe main feature of this gearbox is the pos-
sibility of using it either automatically or
manually. The choice of the operating mode
is carried out positioning the gearshift lever
in the right sector (automatic gearshifting)
or in the left sector (manual gearshifting).
The gearbox operating mode and the gear
engaged are shown on the display inside the
rev counter (A-fig. 137).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
154
R - Reverse
Move the gearshift lever to Rwith the car
stationary, the engine idling and the brake
pedal pressed.
To prevent accidental engagements, mov-
ing the lever to this position is only allowed
raising the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob.
With the lever in position R the reversing
lights turn on and a beep is sounded for
safety reasons to indicate that reverse gear
has been engaged.
Before moving the lever, press the brake
pedal: the car must be stationary.
WARNINGWith the lever in position R,
reverse gear is not engaged if the vehicle
speed is above the established level. When
the car speed falls below this level, reverse
gear is engaged and remains engaged even
if the speed returns above the limit.
AUTOMATIC OPERATIONSelector lever
For automatic gearshifting, move the
gearshift lever to the right sector
(fig. 138) in one of the following posi-
tions:
P- park (the engine can be started)
R- reverse
N- neutral (the engine can be started)
D- automatic forward gear.
Raise the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob for shifting:
– from Pto Rand vice versa
– from Nto R.P - Park
To prevent accidental engagements, mov-
ing the lever to position Pis only allowed
raising the ring (A-fig. 138) placed un-
der the gearshift lever knob.
When the car is being parked, move the
lever to this position. A device in the gear-
box will lock the driving wheels.fig. 138
A0B0265m
Always pull the hand-
brake completely before
leaving the car.
Move the gearshift lever to posi-
tion P when getting out of the car
leaving the engine running.
WARNING