2006 Alfa Romeo 156 service

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
183
SOUND SYSTEM(where applicable)
The fixed sound system, with cassette
player (radio with cassette player) or CD
player with parametric sound equalizer (ra-
dio with CD player) has been designed to
suit the specific characteristics of the pas-
senger compartment, with a personalised
design that matches the style of the dash-
board. The sound system instructions for use
are described in the attached supplement.
SOUND SYSTEM
PRESETTING SYSTEM(for versions/markets where
applicable)
The car, if not delivered with sound sys-
tem, is fitted with a glove compartment
(fig. 172) on the instrument panel.
Sound system presetting system includes
the following:
– sound system power cables;
– front and rear speaker power cables;
– aerial power cable;
– sound system housing;
– aerial on car roof (where provided).The sound system shall be installed in the
proper housing occupied by the glove com-
partment that can be removed by pressing
the two retaining tabs in the glove com-
partment: here are the power cables.
If after buying the car you
want to install the sound
system, contact first Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services whose
qualified personnel, in addition to
suggesting the most suitable de-
vices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption to safeguard the
battery. Excessive loadless ab-
sorption could damage the battery
and lose warranty.fig. 172
A0B742m

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
189
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
ENGINESWARNINGIt is important not to press
the accelerator until the engine has started.
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2)Move the gear lever to neutral.
3)Fully depress the clutch pedal so that
the starter motor is not forced to crank the
toothed wheels of the gearbox.
4)Ensure that the systems and electrical
devices, especially if they absorb high quan-
tities of energy (e.g. heated rear wind-
screen) are switched off.
5)Turn the ignition to the AV Vposition
and release it as soon as the engine starts.
6)If the engine does not start, return the
key to the STOPposition and repeat the
operation.
WARNINGIf it is difficult to start the en-
gine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyzer but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
device which obliges the driver to return the
ignition key to the STOPposition before re-
peating the starting operation if the engine
does not start immediately.
Similarly, when the engine is running, the
device prevents the key being moved from
the MARto the AV Vposition.
STARTING
THE ENGINEWARNINGThe car is fitted with an elec-
tronic engine lock device. If the engine fails
to start see “Alfa Romeo CODE system”.
C C
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In addition to the notes
and specifications given be-
low we recommend that,
during the initial period, you do not
drive to full vehicle performance
(for example excessive accelera-
tion, long journeys at top speed,
hard braking, etc.).
To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining the bat-
tery, never leave the ignition key
in the MAR position when the en-
gine is not running.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely
dangerous. The engine consumes
oxygen and produces carbon
monoxide which is a highly toxic
and lethal gas.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
191
EMERGENCY STARTINGIf the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (Alfa Romeo CODE
Y
warning
light on the instrument cluster on glowing
steadily) emergency starting may be carried
out using the code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
PARKINGWhen the vehicle is parked, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Switch off the engine.
– Engage the handbrake.
– Engage first gear if the car is facing up-
hill or reverse if the car is facing downhill.
– Turn the front wheels so that the car will
immediately come to a half if the handbrake
slips. Starting by pushing, tow-
ing or running downhill
must absolutely be
avoided. These manoeuvres may
cause fuel to flow into the catalyst
and damage it irreparably.
To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining the bat-
tery, never leave the ignition key
in the MAR position when the en-
gine is not running.
For vehicles equipped
with turbocharger in par-
ticular and for other vehi-
cles in general, revving the engine
before switching off should be
avoided.
Revving the engine serves no pur-
pose and consumes fuel for no rea-
son. It may also cause damage to
the bearings on the rotor of the
turbocharger.
WARNINGIf the engine turns off with
the car on the move, the next time it is
started, the Alfa Romeo CODE warning lightY
may turn on. In this case, check that
switching off and starting the engine again
with the car stationary, the warning light
stays off. If not, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not activated until the engine
is started, therefore considerably
greater effort is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car. Always
remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the car and take it
with you.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
198
PROTECTING EMISSION
REDUCING DEVICESCorrect operation of the antipollution de-
vices not only guarantees respect for the en-
vironment but also influences car perfor-
mance. Keeping these devices in good con-
dition is therefore the first rule for both en-
vironment-friendly and economy driving.
The first precaution is to closely follow the
“Scheduled Maintenance Programme ”. For
petrol engines only use unleaded petrol (95
RON) (specification EN228), for diesel en-
gines only use fuel oil for motor vehicles
(specification EN590).
If difficulty with starting is experienced do
not insist with extended attempts. Especially
avoid bump, tow or coast starts: these may
all damage the catalyst. Only use an auxil-
iary battery to start the car in an emergency.If the engine is “not running smoothly”
when the vehicle is travelling, reduce the re-
quest for performance to a minimum and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible.
When the fuel reserve warning light comes
on fill up as soon as possible. A low fuel level
may cause an irregular supply to the engine
with inevitable increase of the exhaust gas
temperature; this would result in serious
damage to the catalyst.
Never run the engine, even as a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. Do
not warm the engine at idle speed before
moving off, unless the outside temperature
is very low and, in this case too, for no more
than 30 seconds.
Do not install other heat
guards and do not remove
the existing ones on the catalyst
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
Do not spray anything on
the catalyst, lambda sen-
sor and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
The failure to follow these
rules may cause a fire
hazard.
WARNING
During normal service the
catalyst reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore park
the car over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
202
It is therefore necessary to limit their use
to the purposes for which they are certified.
WARNINGWhen snow tyres are used
with a max. speed index below the one that
can be reached by the car (increased by
5%), place a notice in the passenger com-
partment, plainly in the driver’s view which
states the max. permissible speed of the
snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety when
driving and braking and better driveability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.
WINTER TYRESThese tyres are specially designed for dri-
ving on snow and ice, to be fitted in place
of the existing tyres.
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services will be
glad to provide advice concerning the most
suitable type of tyre for the customer’s re-
quirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in chap-
ter “Technical Specifications”.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread depth
is below 4 mm. In this case, they should be
replaced. Due to the snow tyre features, un-
der normal conditions of use or on long mo-
torway journeys, the performance of these
tyres is lower than that of normal tyres.
SNOW CHAINSUse of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
Use snow chains with reduced size:
– for tyres 185/65 R15” e 205/60
R15” use snow chains with reduced size
with max. protrusion beyond the tyre pro-
file of 12 mm.
– for tyres 205/55 R16” use snow
chains with reduced size with max. protru-
sion beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
Tyres 215/45 R17” can-
not be fitted with snow
chains due to interference
with front suspension support. Snow chains should only be applied to the
driving wheels (front wheels).
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services should first
be contacted before purchasing or using
snow chains.
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven.
The max. speed for snow
tyres with “Q” marking is
160 km/h, 190 km/h for tyres
with “T” marking and 210 km/h
for tyres with “H” marking. The
Road Traffic Code speed limits must
however be always strictly ob-
served.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
205
3)Fully depress the accelerator pedal and
keep it pressed. The warning light
U
will
come on for eight seconds approximately
and will then go out; now release the ac-
celerator pedal.
4)The warning light
U
begins to flash:
after it has flashed for the same number of
times as the first digit on the code of the
card, press completely and hold down the
accelerator pedal until the warning light
U
comes on (for 4 seconds) and then goes out
again; now release the accelerator pedal.
5)The warning light
U
will begin to
flash: after it has flashed for the same num-
ber of times as the second digit on the code
of the card, press completely and hold down
the accelerator pedal.
6)Repeat this procedure in the same way
for the other digits on the CODE card code.
7)After entering the last figure, keep the
accelerator pedal pressed. The warning light
U
turns on (for four seconds) and then goes
off; now release the accelerator pedal.8)A quick flash of the warning light
U
(for appr. 4 seconds) confirms that the op-
eration has taken place correctly.
9)Start the car turning the ignition key
from theMAR position to the AVV posi-
tion without returning the key to theSTOP
position.
Conversely, if the warning light
U
stays
on, turn the ignition key to STOPand re-
peat the procedure starting from point 1.
WARNINGAfter emergency starting it
is advisable to turn to an Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Service, because the procedure de-
scribed must be repeated each time the en-
gine is started.
EMERGENCY
STARTINGIf the Alfa Romeo CODE system is not able
to deactivate the engine inhibitor, warning
lights
Y
and
U
remain lit and the engine
cannot be started. To start the engine it is
necessary to follow the emergency starting
procedure.
WARNINGYou are advised to careful-
ly read the entire procedure before carry-
ing it out.
If a mistake is made during the emergency
procedure, the ignition key should be turned
to STOPand the operations must be re-
peated from the start (point 1).
1)Read the 5-figure electronic code on
the CODE card.
2)Turn the ignition key to theMAR po-
sition.
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IN AN EMERGENCY
206
STARTING WITH AN
AUXILIARY BATTERYIf the battery is flat (for battery with op-
tical hydrometer: dark in colour with no
green area in the centre), the engine can be
started using another battery of the same
or a little higher capacity than the flat one.
This is what you should do fig. 1:
1)Remove the protecting cover on the
battery positive pole by pressing the related
side wings (front side), then connect the
positive terminals (plus sign +next to the
terminal) of the two batteries with a special
cable.
2)Connect a second cable to the negative
terminal (–) of the auxiliary battery with
an earth point
Eon the engine or the gear-
box of the car to be started.WARNINGDo not directly connect the
negative terminals of the two batteries: any
sparks may set fire to the gas that may be
released from the battery. If the auxiliary bat-
tery in installed on another car, no metal part
shall accidentally come into contact with this
car and the one with the flat battery.
3)Start the engine.
4)When the engine is running remove the
cables in reverse order.
If after a few attempts the engine does not
start, do not insist but contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
fig. 1
A0B0181m
Never use a quick battery
charger to start the engine
in an emergency as this
could damage the electronic sys-
tems of your vehicle, particularly
the control units which manage the
starting and supply functions.
The battery terminal con-
necting and disconnecting
operations generate cur-
rent that may cause problems to
the car’s electronic systems. There-
fore, this operation should be car-
ried out by skilled personnel.This starting procedure
must be carried out by
qualified personnel as incorrect op-
erations may provoke electrical
discharge of great intensity. The
liquid contained in the battery is
toxic and corrosive. Avoid contact
with skin and eyes. Keep naked
flame and lighted cigarettes away
from the battery. Do not cause
sparks.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
215
After about 10 minutes, stop and check
the tyre pressure once again; remember to
engage the handbrake.
fig. 15
A0B0336m
fig. 16
A0B0337m
If it is not possible to reach the prescribed
pressure, move the car forwards or back-
wards for about 10 metres, so that the seal-
er is distributed inside the tyre, then repeat
inflation.
If, in spite of the last operation, the pre-
scribed pressure is not achieved, do not
move the vehicle and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
Once the correct tyre pressure has been
reached, start driving immediately so that
the sealer is distributed evenly inside the
tyre.
Place the sticker in a posi-
tion where it can be clear-
ly seen by the driver as a notice
that the tyre has been treated with
the quick repairing kit. Drive care-
fully especially in a bend. Do not
overcome 80 km/h. Avoid sudden
acceleration or braking.
WARNING
If the pressure is below
1,3 bars, do not drive any
further; FIX & GO cannot guaran-
tee proper hold because the tyre is
too much damaged. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
Conversely, if at least 1,3 bars are
detected, restore the correct pres-
sure (with the engine running and
the handbrake engaged) and start
driving the car with great care.
WARNING