2006 Alfa Romeo 156 stop start

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR9
OPERATION
(fig. 4)
Each time the ignition key is turned to
STOPposition, the Alfa Romeo CODE sys-
tem deactivates the functions of the engine
electronic control unit.
Each time the engine is started, turning the
key to the MARposition, the control unit
of the Alfa Romeo CODE system sends a
recognition code to the engine control unit
to deactivate the inhibition of the functions.
The recognition code, which is crypted and
variable between over 4 billion combina-
tions, is only sent if the system control unit
has recognised the code sent to it by the
key, which contains an electronic transmit-
ter, through an aerial in the ignition switch.This condition is indicated by a brief flash
of the warning light (A) on the check panel.
If the code has not been recognised cor-
rectly, the warning light (A) stays on to-
gether with the warning light (B).
In this case, you are recommended to re-
turn the key to the STOPposition and then
back to MAR; if the inhibition persists, try
again possibly with the other key provided
with the car. If it is still impossible to start
the car carry out the emergency starting pro-
cedure described in section “In an emer-
gency” and turn to an Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Service.
WARNINGEvery electronic key has its
own code, which must be memorised by the
system control unit. To memorise new keys,
up to a maximum of eight, apply solely to
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services taking with
you all the keys in your possession, the
CODE card, a personal identity document
and the car’s possession documents.
fig. 4
A0B0599m
The codes of the keys not
provided during the new
memorising procedure are
erased from the memory. This is to
ensure that any lost or stolen keys
can no longer be used to start the
car.
WARNINGThe Alfa Romeo CODE
Y
warning light comes on when travelling with
the ignition key on MAR:
1)If the warning lamp lights up while the
car is moving, it means that the system is
running a self-diagnosis (e.g. due to a volt-
age drop). The first time you stop you can
test the system as follows: switch the en-
gine off by turning the ignition key to
STOP; then turn the key back to MAR:
the warning lamp will light up and should
go out in the space of about one second. If
the warning lamp fails to go out, leave the
key at STOPfor more than 30 seconds and
repeat the procedure described previously.
If the problem persists, contact your Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR14
AUTOMATIC ENGAGEMENT
OF THE ALARM (optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
If the alarm has not been engaged with
the remote control it will come on auto-
matically after an established time of 30
seconds from the moment that the ignition
key has been turned to the STOPor
PARKpositions and a door or the boot has
been opened and then closed again. This
condition is shown by the intermittent illu-
mination of the led in the car and by the sig-
nalling described previously.
To deactivate the alarm press the button
on the remote control.
The alarm is also automatically engaged
when the doors are closed using the key.
When the alarm is engaged automatically
the doors are not locked.
WHEN THE ALARM
IS TRIGGEREDWhen the alarm is engaged it will sound
when:
– one of the doors, the bonnet or the tail-
gate is opened;
– the battery is disconnected or the elec-
tric cables are cut, or the emergency key ca-
bles are cut;
– intrusion into the passenger compart-
ment, e.g. window being broken (volumetric
protection);
– attempt to start the engine (key at
MAR);
– abnormal car raising/sloping (for ver-
sions/markets where applicable).
Depending on the markets, the triggering
of the alarm will activate the siren and the
hazard warning lights (for about 26 sec-
onds). The methods of operation and the
number of cycles may vary depending on
the versions/markets.
However a maximum number of cycles is
foreseen.
Once the alarm cycle has come to an end,
the system will return to its normal moni-
toring state.
INTERRUPTING THE ALARMTo interrupt the alarm press the button on
the remote control or, if the remote control
battery is down, get into the car, insert the
key into the ignition switch and turn the key
to MAR.
WARNINGIf it is necessary for the ve-
hicle to lie inactive for long periods (over 3
weeks), close the vehicle using the key to
deactivate the alarm.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR17
IGNITION DEVICE THE SWITCH
(fig. 12)
The key can be moved to one of four po-
sitions:
– STOP: engine switched off, key can be
removed, engine lock engaged, steering lock
engaged, all services excluded apart from
those powered directly (e.g. hazard warn-
ing lights).
– MAR: drive position. The engine lock
is deactivated and all electrical devices are
powered.
WARNINGNever leave the key in this
position when the engine is stationary.– AV V: unstable position for starting the
engine.
WARNINGIf the engine does not start,
return the ignition key to the STOPposi-
tion and repeat the sequence.
The ignition block is fitted with a safety de-
vice preventing it from being moved to the
AV Vposition when the engine is already
running.
– PARK: engine switched off, key can
be removed, engine lock engaged, steer-
ing lock engaged, sidelights automatically
switched on.
WARNINGTo turn the key to the
PARKposition, button (A) located on the
switch should be pressed first.If the ignition device is
tampered with (for exam-
ple during an attempted
break-in) have it checked over by
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services,
before travelling again.
fig. 12
A0B0610m
When leaving the car al-
ways remove the key from
the ignition to prevent any pas-
senger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Never leave children unattended in
the car. Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the car is facing
uphill, first gear and if the car is
facing downhill, reverse.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR33
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR
THE USE OF THE SEAT BELTSAll the occupants of the car are obliged to
respect the local traffic laws regarding the
wearing of seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before starting.
fig. 52
A0B0004m
Never disassemble or
tamper with the preten-
sioner components. All interven-
tions must be carried out by qual-
ified and authorised personnel.
Always contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
WARNING
To ensure the highest de-
gree of protection, you are
recommended to keep the seat
backrest in the straightest position
possible, and the belt adhering well
to the chest and pelvis.
Seat belt should always be worn
in both the front and rear positions!
Travelling without seat belt in-
creases the risk of serious injury or
death in the case of accident.
WARNING
The seat belt must not be
twisted and should cling
tightly to the body. The upper part
must pass over the shoulder and di-
agonally across the chest. The
lower part must rest across the
pelvis and not across the stomach
to eliminate the risk of sliding for-
wards (fig. 52). Do not use devices
(clips, stoppers, etc.) which keep
the belts away from the body.
WARNING
Under no circumstances should
the components of the seat
belts and pretensioner be tampered
with or removed. Any operation should
be carried out by qualified and autho-
rised personnel. Always contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR51
“INTELLIGENT WASHING” FUNCTION
Pulling the lever towards the steering
wheel (fig. 76) (unstable position) oper-
ates the windscreen washer.
Keeping the lever pulled, with only one
movement it is possible to operate the
washer jet and the wiper at the same time;
indeed, the latter comes into action auto-
matically if the lever is pulled for more than
half a second.
The wiper stops working a few strokes af-
ter releasing the lever; a further “cleaning
stroke” after a few seconds completes the
wiping operation.Rain sensor
(for versions/markets where
applicable) (fig. 77)
The rain sensor (A), fitted only on cer-
tain versions, is an electronic device com-
bine with the windscreen wiper which has
the purpose of automatically adjusting the
number of wipes during intermittent opera-
tion, to intensity of the rain.
All the other functions controlled by the
right-hand lever remain unchanged.
The rain sensor is activated automatically
moving the right-hand lever to position (B-
fig. 74) and it has a range of adjustment
that gradually varies between wiper sta-
tionary (no wiping) when the windscreen is
dry, to wiper at first continuous speed (con-
tinuous, slow) with heavy rain.Turn ring (F-fig. 75) to set the rain sen-
sor sensitivity level:
■■
= low sensitivity
■■■
= medium ensitivity
■■■■
= high sensitivity.
Operating the windscreen washer with the
rain sensor activated (lever at position B)
the normal washing cycle is performed at
the end of which the rain sensor resumes its
normal automatic function.
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe rain
sensor is deactivated and the next time the
engine is started (MAR position) it will not
be reactivated even if the lever has remained
in position (B). In this case to activate the
rain sensor, simply move the lever to (A)
or (C) and then back to (B).
fig. 76
A0B0374m
fig. 77
A0B0012m

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 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

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR98
Warning lightMessage
on displayU
ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM (EOBD) FAILUREIn normal conditions, turning the ignition key to MAR, the dial warning light turns on but it should
go off when the engine has started. The initial turning on indicates that the warning light is work-
ing properly.
If the warning light stays on or turns on (together with the message + symbol shown on the dis-
play) when travelling:
glowing steadily- indicates a fault in the supply/ignition/injection system which could cause
high exhaust emissions, possible lack of performance, poor handling and high consumption levels.
In these conditions, it is possible to continue driving without however demanding heavy effort or
high speeds. Prolonged use of the car with the warning light on may cause damage. Contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service as soon as possible.
The warning light turns off if the fault disappears, but it is still stored by the system;
flashing- indicates that the catalyst could be damaged (see paragraph on “EOBD system” in this
chapter).
If the warning light flashes, it is necessary to release the accelerator pedal to lower the speed un-
til the warning light stops flashing; continue travelling at moderate speed trying to avoid driving
conditions that could cause the warning light to flash again. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vice as soon as possible.
If, when turning the ignition key to MAR, the warning light
U
does
not switch on or if it turns on glowing steadily or flashing when trav-
elling, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Service as soon as possible. The
operation of the warning light
U
can be checked by traffic agents by proper
equipment, therefore comply with the regulations in force in the country where
you are driving.