2006 Alfa Romeo 156 fog light

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR48
fig. 70
A0B0373m
STEERING WHEEL
LEVERSThe devices and services controlled by the
levers on the steering wheel can only be ac-
tivated when the ignition key is in the MAR
position.LEFT-HAND LEVERThe left-hand lever controls the external
lights except the foglamps and the rear fog-
light.
When the external lights are switched on
the various controls located on the dash-
board are illuminated.
The sidelights will come on if the ignition
key is in the PARKposition, regardless of
the position of the knurled ring.Lights switched off (fig. 68)
When the pointer on the knurled ring is op-
posite the symbol O, the external lights are
switched off.
Sidelights (fig. 69)
The sidelights are switched on by turning
the knurled ring from Oto
6.
The
3
warning light on the instrument
panel will come on at the same time.
Dipped-beam headlights (fig. 70)
These are switched on by turning the
knurled ring from
6
to 2
.Main-beam headlights (fig. 71)
When the knurled ring is in the
2
posi-
tion, the headlights can be changed from
dipped-beam to main-beam by pushing the
lever towards the dashboard (stable posi-
tion). The
1
warning light will come on
on the instrument panel.
To return from main-beam to dipped-beam,
once again pull the lever towards the steer-
ing wheel and then release.
fig. 68
A0B0371m
fig. 69
A0B0372m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
103
Warning light Message
on displayá
VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL)
(optional for versions/markets where applicable)When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the dial warning light 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 + symbol 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.
W
OUTSIDE LIGHT FAILUREThe warning light comes on when an anomaly is found in one of the following lights:
– sidelights
– braking lights or corresponding fuse
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The warning of a fault may mean one or more blown bulbs, a burnt fuse or cut off connection.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
105
Warning light Message
on displayR
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR (INTERMITTENT) This warning light comes on when the control lever is moved downwards or, together with right-
hand indicator, when the hazard warning lights are switched on.
4
5
REAR FOG LIGHTSThis warning light comes on when the rear fog lights are turned on.FRONT FOG LIGHTS
(optional for versions/markets where applicable)This warning light comes on when the front fog lights are turned on.
E
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR (INTERMITTENT)This warning light comes on when the control lever is moved upwards or, together with the left-
hand indicator, when the hazard warning lights are switched on.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
DASHBOARD LIGHTING
ADJUSTMENT
(fig. 118)
When the outside lights are on, the dash-
board lighting is adjusted by pressing button
(A).
Each press of the button (A) cyclically se-
lects one of the three lighting levels pro-
vided: low-medium-high.
FRONT FOGLIGHTS
(fig. 117)
(where required)
These come on when button (A) is
pressed and when the external lights are al-
ready on.
The warning light
5
will light up on the
instrument panel.
By turning the ignition key to STOP, the
fog lights are turned off automatically and
do not come on the next time the engine
is started without pressing button (A).
Press the button (A) again to switch the
front foglights off.
WARNINGThe front foglights should be
used in compliance with the local traffic
laws.
REAR FOG GUARDS
(fig. 117)
These are turned on, with the dipped beam
headlamps or fog lights on, by pressing but-
ton (B).
At the same time, warning light
4
on the
instrument cluster lights up.
By turning the ignition key to STOP, the
fog guards are automatically turned off and
they do not come on the next time the en-
gine is started unless button (B) is pressed.
Press button (B) to turn them off.
WARNINGAlways use the rear fog
guards in accordance with local regulations
in force.
fig. 117
A0B0740m
fig. 118
A0B0326m

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.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
194
DRIVING IN THE RAINRain and wet roads can be dangerous.
If the road is wet, the traction between
wheel and asphalt is greatly reduced, thus
increasing the stopping distance and de-
creasing road holding.
Here are few suggestions in the case of
rain:
– Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– If it is raining particularly heavily, visi-
bility is also reduced. In these cases, switch
on the dipped headlights even if it is still day-
light so you can be seen more easily.
– Do not drive through puddles at speed
and hold on tightly to the wheel if you do: a
puddle taken at high speed might cause you
to lose control of the car (“aquaplaning”).
– Position the ventilation controls for
demisting (see chapter “Getting to know
your car”), to prevent visibility from wors-
ening.
– Routinely check the conditions of the
windscreen wiper blades.
DRIVING IN THE FOG– If fog is very thick, avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling with mist,
ground fog or the possibility of fog banks:
– Drive at moderate speed.
– Also in the day turn on the dipped-beam
headlights, rear fog guards and front fog
lights. Do not use the main beam headlights.
WARNINGOn stretches of road with
good visibility, switch off your rear foglights;
the brightness of these lights could annoy
the people travelling in the cars behind.
– Remember that fog also involves wet
asphalt, thus greater difficulty in all types of
manoeuvres and longer stopping distances.
– Keep well away from the vehicle in
front.
– Where possible avoid sudden changes
in speed.
– Possibly avoid overtaking other vehicles.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop (faults,
impossibility to continue due to poor visi-
bility, etc.), firstly try to pull off the road.
Then turn on the hazard warning lights and,
if possible the dipped beam headlights. Ry-
thmically sound the horn if you note another
car coming.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING– When driving downhill, use the engine
braking by engaging a low gear, to prevent
the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast downhill with the engine off
or in neutral and especially not with the ig-
nition key removed.
– Drive at moderate speed and avoid “cut-
ting” corners.
– Remember that overtaking up hill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being over-
taken on a hill, move over to enable the
other vehicle to pass in safety.