2006 Alfa Romeo 156 service

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
166
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNERIf, after purchasing your car, you want to
install electric accessories that require per-
manent power supply (burglar alarm, voice
function, radionavigator with satellite bur-
glar alarm, etc.) or other accessories that af-
fect the vehicle’s electric load, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services, whose qualified
staff is able to recommend the most suitable
equipment of the Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
and also assess the electric absorption of the
same, checking if the vehicle can withstand
the required load or if a battery of greater
power must be used.
TELEPHONE
PROVISION(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
On request for versions/markets where
applicable, the car may be fitted with a pro-
vision for the installation of a cellular tele-
phone.
This provision comprises:
– sound system two-function aerial + cel-
lular phone;
– supply and connection cables with spe-
cific connector for voice kit connection.
The voice kit must be pur-
chased separately by the
customer, since it has to be
compatible with the customer’s
own cellular phone.
For the installation of the
cellular phone and connec-
tion to the provision in the
car, contact only Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services; this will guar-
antee first-rate results with no
possibility of any inconvenience
that may compromise the safety of
the vehicle.
fig. 154
A0B0252m
SUN VISORSThey can be adjusted frontally and later-
ally.
On the back of the visors there is a cour-
tesy mirror with sliding cover (A-fig. 154),
lit by the lamp (B).
The passenger’s sun visor bears also the
symbol for correct use of children’s seats in
cars equipped with passenger’s airbag. For
further information, see the descriptions
given in paragraph “Passenger’s front
airbag” in this chapter.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
171
CLOSING THE BOOTTo close the boot, lower it and press down
above the locking mechanism until it is
heard to click into place.
BOOT LIGHTING
(fig. 163)
Opening the boot, the light (A) in the up-
per part of the boot turns on automatically.
The light goes out closing the boot or af-
ter a few minutes (about 15) if the boot is
left open. In this case, to turn it on again
close the boot, then open it again.
fig. 163
A0B0000m
fig. 165
A0B0243m
fig. 164
A0B0242m
SECURING THE LOAD(fig. 164-165)
The load carried may be blocked with
straps hooked to the special rings in the boot
corners.
The rings also serve to secure the luggage
retaining net (available upon request, for
versions/markets where applicable) c/o
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
174
HEADLIGHTSLIGHT BEAM AIMINGWARNINGThe adjustment of the head-
lights is vital to your safety and comfort and
to that of other road users. The adjustment
of the headlights is also governed by precise
regulations. To guarantee both to yourself
and to the other drivers the best visibility
conditions when travelling with the head-
lights on, the vehicle must have its head-
lights properly adjusted.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the headlights correctly adjusted.
IMPORTANTOn the inside surface of
the headlight there could appear a slight
coat of fogging; this does not show a defect,
since it is a natural occurrence due to low
temperature and to the degree of humidity
in the air; it will soon disappear as soon as
the lights are turned on. The presence of
drops inside the headlight shows water seep-
age: refer to the Alfa Romeo Dealership.
ROOF RACK
PROVISIONThe car is set for mounting special roof
racks.
Roof racks, especially designed for this car,
must be fastened to pins (A-fig. 168) set
under the packing, as shown in the figure.
Strictly comply with the
regulations in force con-
cerning the maximum over-
all dimensions.
fig. 168
A0B0142m
After a few kilometres,
check that the fastening
screws are firmly tightened.
WARNING
Distribute the load evenly
and when driving, bear in
mind the increased sensitivity to
side wind.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
175
COMPENSATION FOR TILT(fig. 169)
If the car is fitted with xenon headlights,
beam aiming is electronic and therefore con-
trol (A) on the mask near the steering col-
umn is not present.
When the vehicle is loaded, the beam from
the headlights is raised due to the back-
wards tilt of the vehicle.
In this case the headlights must be ad-
justed using control (A) located on the plate
at the side of the steering column.This control has four positions corre-
sponding to various vehicle loads given be-
low:
– position 0: 1 or 2 people occupying
front seats, full fuel tank, on-board equip-
ment present;
– position 1: 5 people on-board;
– position 2: 5 people on-board, luggage
compartment full (50 kg approximately);
– position 3: driver and 300 kg in lug-
gage compartment.fig. 169
A0B0240m
Check the positioning of
the headlight beams every
time you change the load to be car-
ried.
WARNING
ADJUSTING THE FRONT
FOGLIGHTS (for versions/markets where
applicable)
To adjust the height of the beam of the
front foglights, act on adjusting screw (A-
fig. 170).fig. 170
A0B0239m
Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have
the headlights correctly ad-
justed.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
176
The electromechanical system to auto-
matically keep constant trim makes the
headlight tilt compensating device unnec-
essary.
The xenon lamps have very long life which
makes possible fault very unlikely.
If necessary, have the sys-
tem checked and repairs (if
any) made only by Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
WARNING
GAS DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The gas (xenon) discharge headlights op-
erate with a voltaic arc, in an ambient sat-
urated with pressure xenon, instead of the
glow filament.
The resulting illumination is sensibly higher
to that of conventional lamps, both for light
quality (clearer light) and for the width and
positioning of the illuminated area.
The advantages of better illumination can
be perceived (due to less eyesight fatigue
and greater orientation capacity for the dri-
ver, which in turn means higher driving
safety) especially in case of bad weather,
fog and/or insufficient road signs, thanks
to the better illumination of the side parts
of the visual field, normally obscured.The large increase of the side part illumi-
nation increases driving safety since it allows
the driver to better see the other users on
the edge of the road (pedestrians, cyclists
and bikers).
The triggering of the voltaic arc requires a
very high voltage, while subsequent power
supply can take place at a low voltage.
The headlights achieve their top luminos-
ity approx. 15 seconds after they are
switched on.
The intense light produced by this type of
headlights requires the use of an automatic
system to keep headlight trim constant and
avoid dazzling the vehicles coming from the
opposite direction in case of braking, accel-
eration or when carrying loads.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
178
Braking on corners always requires the ut-
most caution, even with the help of the ABS.
The most important piece of advice, how-
ever, is the following:Following these instructions you will be
in a condition to obtain peak braking per-
formance at all times.
WARNINGCars fitted with ABS must
only be fitted with wheel rims, tyres and
brake linings of the type and brand approved
by the Manufacturer.
The braking system is completed by the
electronic control braking distribution system
called EBD(Electronic Braking Force Dis-
tributor) which distributes the braking action
through the ABSsystem control unit and
sensors.
In the event of a system
fault, with lighting up of
the
>
warning light on the instru-
ment cluster (together with the
message + symbol shown by the
display), have the vehicle checked
immediately by Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services, driving slowly
to be able to regain full system
performance.
WARNING
When the ABS cuts in and
you feel the pedal pulse, do
not reduce the pressure, but keep
the brake pedal firmly pressed
with no fear; this way you will
stop in the shortest possible space,
compatibly with the conditions of
the road surface.
WARNING
The car is fitted with an
electronic brake distributor
(EBD). If the
>
and
x
warning
lights, where required, come on at
the same time (together with the
message + symbol shown by the
display) when the engine is run-
ning, there is an EBD system fault;
in this case, violent braking may
lock the rear wheels too early, with
the possibility of skidding. Drive
extremely carefully to the nearest
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the system checked over.
WARNING
In order to be able to exploit as far as pos-
sible the possibility of the antilock system
in the case of need, it is wise to follow a few
pieces of advice:
The ABS exploits the avail-
able grip in full, but it can-
not increase it; therefore, caution
is required on slippery surfaces,
without running unnecessary risks.
WARNING
If the ABS cuts in, it means
that the grip limit between
the tyres and the road surface has
been reached: it is necessary to
slow down and adapt driving to
the grip available.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
179
If the
x
low brake fluid
warning light comes on (to-
gether with the message + symbol
shown by the display), stop the car
immediately and contact the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices. Indeed, any leak of fluid
from the hydraulic system com-
promises the effectiveness of both
the conventional brake system and
the system with antilock system.
WARNING
The turning on of the
>
warning light (together
with the message + symbol shown
by the display) with the engine
running normally indicates an ABS
system fault. In this case the brak-
ing system preserves its effec-
tiveness, without however making
use of the antilock device. Under
these circumstances, the EBD sys-
tem may fail to give top perfor-
mance. In this case, too, you are
recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services imme-
diately, driving in such a way as to
avoid abrupt braking, to have the
system checked.
WARNING
VDC AND ASR
SYSTEMS(where required)VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE
DYNAMICS CONTROL):
GENERALThe VDC is an electronic vehicle stability
control system which, acting on the torque
and braking the wheels in a differentiated
manner, helps to bring the car back to the
correct course in the event of loss of grip.
While travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces that may be
controlled by the driver up to when the
tyres offer adequate road-holding; when
this falls below the minimum level, the car
starts to deviate from the course required
by the driver.
Above all on rough surfaces (such as cob-
bles, or due to the presence of water, ice
or soil), changes in speed (when accelerat-
ing or braking) and/or course (bends or the
need to avoid obstacles) can cause the tyres
to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
acts on the engine and brakes generating
a stabilising torque.
The system performance
levels, in terms of active
safety, should not induce the dri-
ver to run pointless and unjustified
risks. Driving conduct should al-
ways be suited to the conditions of
the road surface, vision and traf-
fic. The responsibility for road
safety is always and anyway the
vehicle driver’s concern.
The VDC system helps the driver
to keep control of the car in the
event of loss of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC sys-
tem to control the lack of stability
of the car always and anyway de-
pend on the grip between the tyre
and the road surface.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
182
EOBD SYSTEMThe EOBD (European On Board Diagnosis)
system fitted in the car conforms with the
98/69/EC (EURO 3) Directive and the
2001/1/EC Directive, level B (EURO4) for
2.0 JTS, 2.0 JTS Selespeed and JTD 20V
Multijet versions.
This system continuously monitors the
components of the vehicle related to emis-
sions; it also indicates, when the warning
light
U
comes on on the instrument panel
(together with the message + symbol
shown by the display) that the components
in question are in poor conditions.
The objective is the following:
– to keep under control the efficiency of
the system;
– to indicate when a malfunction causes
an increase in the emissions beyond the
threshold established by European regula-
tions;
– to indicate the need to replace the de-
teriorated components.
The system also has a diagnostic connec-
tor, which can be interfaced with adequate in-
struments, that enables the error codes stored
in the control unit to be read, together with
a series of specific parameters concerning the
operation and diagnosis of the engine.This check can also be made by the traf-
fic control agents.
If, when the ignition key
is turned to MAR, the
U
warning light does not
come on or if, when driving, it
lights up and emits a fixed light or
a flashing one (together with the
message + symbol shown by the
display), contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorized Service Station as soon
as possible. The operation of the
U
warning light can also be
checked by means of special equip-
ment available to the traffic con-
trol officers. Comply with the reg-
ulations in force in country where
you drive your car.
WARNINGAfter the problem has beel
resolved, to completely check the system,
the Alfa Romeo Authorized Services must
carry out tests on a test bench and, if nec-
essary, road tests that could be long.
WARNING LIGHT ON
INSTRUMENT PANELWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the dial warning light
á
comes on but must
go out after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go out, or if it
stays on (together with the message + sym-
bol on the display and the coming on of the
ASR button led) when the vehicle is running,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
The flashing of the warning lamp when the
vehicle is running indicates the actuation of
the VDC system.
VDC system failure warning
In the event of a failure the VDC system
disengages automatically and the
á
warn-
ing light on the instrument cluster turns on
glowing steadily (together with the message
+ symbol shown on the display and the com-
ing on of the ASR button led).
In the event of a VDC system failure the
car behaves like a vehicle not fitted with this
system: in any case it is advisable to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.