2006 Alfa Romeo 156 ignition

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR68
If the display shows an anomaly message, see paragraph
“Warning lights and indications” in this chapter.
INITIAL CHECK
By turning the ignition key to the MARposition, the Infocenter display will show the message CHECK ACTIVE: this indicates the start of the
diagnosis phase for all the electronic systems available on the vehicle; this phase lasts a few seconds (in diesel versions only, the Infocenter
display is able to provide the engine oil level indication too, see following paragraph “Engine oil level check”). If, during this phase, no anom-
aly is found and after the engine has been started, the display will show the message CHECK OK.
Standard screen display
JTD versions only
If no
failures
are
present
Is the
engine
started?
YES
NO
or
continues on next page

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR69
The Programmed Maintenance Schedule includes car maintenance every 20,000 km
(or 12,000 miles) or one year; this is shown automatically, with the ignition key at
MAR
,
starting from 2,000 km (or 1,240 miles) or 30 day from this deadline and it is shown again
every 200 km (or 124 miles) or 3 days. When a programmed maintenance interval
(“coupon”) is near to come, turning the ignition key to
MAR
, will display the message
SCHEDULED SERVICE WITHIN followed by the number of kilometers, days or miles to go before
vehicle maintenance. The PROGRAMMED MAINTENANCE message is displayed in km,
mi or days, according to the approaching service interval. At the very moment the value
of 0 km, 0 miles or 0 days is reached, the display will show, every time the ignition key
is turned to
MAR
, the message SCHEDULED SERVICE EXPIRED, followed by the number
of kilometers, miles or days. In this case, to reset this visual information contact
Authorised Alfa Romeo Services.
continued from previous page

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR70
Engine oil level check
(JTD versions only)
By turning the ignition key to the MAR
position, the Infocenter display will show the
engine oil level display for about 3 seconds.
During this phase, to clear the display and
move to the following screen, press
ç
.
WARNINGTo ensure correct reading of
the engine oil level, the check must be car-
ried out with the vehicle on level ground.The following display in fig. 90refers to
correct engine oil level. As the oil level grad-
ually falls, the full bars go off leaving room
for the empty bars.
fig. 90
A0B2129g
fig. 91
A0B2134g
fig. 92
A0B2135g
The following fig. 91andfig. 92re-
fer to the display with an oil level below the
foreseen minimum. Under this condition, the
bars are all empty with symbol and warn-
ing messages.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR83
The Programmed Maintenance Schedule includes vehicle maintenance
every 20,000 km (or 12,000 miles) or one year; this is shown
automatically, with the ignition key at
MAR
, starting from 2,000
km (or 1,240 miles) or 30 day from this deadline and it is shown
again every 200 km (or 124 miles) or 3 days. When a programmed maintenance interval
(“coupon”) is near to come, turning the ignition key to
MAR
, will display the message
SCHEDULED SERVICE WITHIN followed by the number of kilometers, days or miles to go
before vehicle maintenance. The PROGRAMMED MAINTENANCE message is displayed in km,
mi or days, according to the approaching service interval. At the very moment the value of 0
km, 0 miles or 0 days is reached, the display will show, every time the ignition key is turned
to
MAR
, the message SCHEDULED SERVICE EXPIRED, followed by the number of
kilometers, miles or days. In this case, to reset this visual information contact Authorized Alfa
Romeo Services.
WARNINGProducts shown in the SERVICE screen and to be used for scheduled maintenance could be subject to modifications. Refer to
paragraph “Fluids and lubricants” in section “Technical specifications”.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR87
GENERAL TRIP - TRIP BThe TRIP COMPUTER function gives information relating to the operating status of the vehicle on the Infocenter display. This function comprises
the GENERAL TRIP concerning the complete mission of the car and TRIP B concerning the partial car mission. This function (as shown in the
graph below) is contained within the complete mission. Both functions are resettable.
The GENERAL TRIP displays the figures relating to
RANGE
, TRAVEL DISTANCE
, AVERAGE CONSUMPTION
, ACTUAL CONSUMPTION
, AVERAGE VELOCITY
, TRAVELTIME
(com-
plete mission time).
The TRIP B (with automatic reset each time at least 2 hours have passed since stopping the engine), displays information concerning TRAVEL
DISTANCE B
, AVERAGE CONSUMPTION B
, AVERAGE SPEED B
, TRAVEL TIME B
(partial mission time).
Start of journey procedure (reset)
To start a new journey monitored by the GENERAL TRIP, with the ignition key at MAR, press the button
ã
with
å
(see “Control buttons”).
The reset operation (pressing the
å
button) in the presence of the screens concerning the GENERAL TRIP also makes it possible to reset
TRIP B. The reset operation (pressing the å
button) in the presence of only the screens concerning TRIP B makes it possible to reset only the
information associated with this function.
WARNINGThe
RANGE
and
ACTUAL CONSUMPTION
information cannot be reset.
Reset TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial mission
˙
Reset TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial mission
˙
˙
Reset TRIP B
˙
˙
˙
TRIP B
TRIP B
TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial missionReset TRIP B
End of partial mission
Start of new partial mission
GENERAL TRIP
Reset GENERAL TRIP
End of complete mission
Start of new mission
˙
Reset GENERAL TRIP
End of complete mission
Start of new mission
˙

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR92
WARNING LIGHTS AND INDICATIONSGENERAL WARNING
The failure indicationsshown on the Infocenter display, together with the buzzer (adjustable) and the turning on of the relevant warn-
ing light (if available), are accompanied by specific warning messages(e.g. “Go to dealer”, “Switch off eng., do not proceed”, etc…).
These warnings are concise and precautionaryand are intended to suggest the prompt actionthat the driver should take when a
failure occurs. However, these warnings are not to be considered exhaustive and/or alternative to the prescriptions of this Owner’s Manual,
which must always be read over carefully. When an anomaly occurs always refer to the contents of this chapter.
WARNINGWhen an anomaly occurs, the Infocenter display reaches its maximum brightness. By pressing button
â
the warning messages
disappear and the symbol referring to the failure warning is reduced to an icon in the right bottom area of the display.
WARNINGThe anomaly warnings that appear on the Infocenter display are divided into two categories: very serious and serious anomalies.
Very serious anomalies are displayed indefinitely, by interrupting any message previously shown on the display, and are proposed again every
time the ignition key is turned to MAR, until the malfunction is eliminated. Moreover, the “cycle” can be interrupted by pressing button
â
: in
this case, the symbol referring to the anomaly will be shown in the right bottom area of the display until the malfunction is eliminated.
Serious anomalies are displayed for about 20 seconds and then disappear, but they are proposed again every time the ignition key in turned
to MAR. At the end of the display cycle, equal to about 20 seconds, or when button
â
is pressed, the symbol referring to the anomaly will
be shown in the right bottom area of the display until the malfunction is eliminated.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR93
Warningl ight Message
on displayx
LOW BRAKE FLUID AND/OR HANDBRAKE ONWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
The warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the display) when
the level of the brake fluid inside the tank falls below the minimum, due to a possible leak in the
circuit and when the handbrake is switch on with the car moving.
d
BRAKE PAD WEARThe warning light on the dial comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the dis-
play) when the front brake pads are worn; in this case, have them replaced as soon as possible.
WARNINGAs the car is fitted with wear sensors for the front brake pads, when replacing them,
also check the rear brake pads.
If the warning light
x
comes on when travelling (together with the
message on the display), check that the handbrake is not engaged. If
the warning light stays on with the handbrake off (together with the message
on the display), stop immediately and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR94
Warning light Message
on display
ç
HIGH ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATUREWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
The engine coolant temperature warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol
shown on the display) when the engine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as follows:
– Normal driving conditions: stop the car, switch the engine off and check if the water
level inside the tank is not below the reference mark MIN.
In this case, wait a few minutes to let the engine cool down, then open the cap slowlyand care-
fully, fill with coolant, making sure its level is between reference marks MINand MAXon the
tank. Moreover, perform a visual check for any fluid leakage. If the warning light comes on again
the next time the engine is started, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
– Car heavy duty(e.g. towing a trailer uphill or car fully loaded): slow down and, if the
warning light stays on, stop the car. Pause for 2 or 3 minutes, keeping the engine on and slightly
accelerated to facilitate better coolant circulation, then switch the engine off.
Check correct fluid level, as described above.
WARNINGIn case of highly demanding use of the car, you are recommended to keep the en-
gine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes before switching it off.
When the engine is very hot, do not remove the tank cap: danger of
burns.
WARNING