2006 Alfa Romeo 159 service

234
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
POWER STEERING FLUID
fig. 11-12
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum level: this operation shall
be carried out with the car on level sur-
face, engine not running and cold.
Check that the fluid level is at the MAX
mark on the reservoir or at the top mark
(maximum level) shown on the dipstick
under the reservoir cap.
A0E0027mfig. 11 1.9 JTS - 2.2 JTS - 2.4 JTDMversions
A0E0234mfig. 12 3.2 JTS -
1.9 JTDM8V- 1.9 JTDM16Vversions
If the fluid level in the reservoir is below
the specified level, top up as follows:
❒start the engine and wait until the flu-
id level in the reservoir has stabilized;
❒with the engine started, turn repeat-
edly the steering wheel fully right-
wards and leftwards;
❒top up until reaching the MAXmark
then refit the cap.IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Do not allow the pow-
er steering fluid to
touch the hot parts of the en-
gine: it is inflammable.
WARNING

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CAR
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BRAKE FLUID fig. 13
Unscrew cap Aand check that the flu-
id level in the reservoir is at maximum.
Fluid level in the reservoir shall not ex-
ceed the MAXmark.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
A0E0016mfig. 13
Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.From time to time, check the instrument
panel warning light
x: pressing on cap
A(with key fitted into the ignition de-
vice) the warning light shall turn on.
IMPORTANTBrake fluid absorbs
moisture. For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree
of atmospheric humidity, the fluid should
be replaced at more frequent intervals
than specified in the Service schedule.

236
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DASHBOARD
AND
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
Brake fluid is poisonous
and highly corrosive. In
the event of accidental contact,
wash the parts involved im-
mediately with neutral soap
and water, then rinse thor-
oughly. Call the doctor imme-
diately if the fluid is swal-
lowed.
WARNING
Symbolπon the con-
tainer indicates syn-
thetic brake fluid, distinguish-
ing it from the mineral kind.
Using mineral fluids irre-
versibly damages the special
braking system rubber seals.
WARNING
AIR FILTER/
POLLEN FILTER
Air cleaner or pollen filter replacement
shall be carried out at Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
DIESEL FUEL FILTER
DRAINING THE
CONDENSE
The presence of water in
the fuel circuit can se-
verely damage the in-
jection system and make the en-
gine misfire. If the warning light
cturns on (on certain versions
together with a message on the
display) contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services as soon as
possible to have the bleeding
operation carried out. Should
the warning light turn on after
refuelling, water has probably
been poured into the tank: turn
the engine off immediately and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.

237
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TECHNICAL
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited mainte-
nance” type: under normal conditions
of use the electrolyte does not need top-
ping up with distilled water.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
The battery charge may be checked sat-
isfactorily through the indicatorA-fig.
14and acting according to the colour
the indicator shows.
Refer to the table below.
A0E0127mfig. 14
Bright white colourTop up electrolyte Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Dark colour withoutLow charge level Charge the battery
green area in the centre(advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services)
Dark colour withElectrolyte level and charge No action
green area in the centresufficient
IMPORTANTThe charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.

238
SAFETY
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AND
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Service schedule in this section will
no longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car. If after buying
the car, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm,
free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, check-
ing whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding
the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services,
which is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries re-
specting nature and the law.
The liquid in the bat-
tery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring
naked flames or possible
sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
WARNING
Running the battery
with low fluid level can
damage the battery beyond
repair and could also cause its
explosion.
WARNING
After connecting/dis-
connecting the battery,
wait for 3 minutes at
least before fitting the electronic
key into the ignition device in
order to allow the climate con-
trol system control unit to reset
the positions of the electric ac-
tuators that adjust air temper-
ature and distribution.

240
SAFETY
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TECHNICAL
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CORRECT USE
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Moreover, this might lead to a higher
risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10°C). If the
car is inactive for a long period of time,
refer to “Car inactivity”, in section “Cor-
rect use of the car”. In fact, since these devices continue ab-
sorbing energy even when the ignition
key is off, they gradually run down the
battery.
The total intake of these systems (factory and after-market) must be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery) as shown in
the following table:
Battery Maximum admitted stand-by intake
60 Ah 36 mA
70 Ah 42 mA
90 Ah 54 mAIf after buying the car, you want to in-
stall electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric ab-
sorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is capable of withstand-
ing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more pow-
erful battery.

241
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TECHNICAL
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wearfig. 15:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn.
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
Chigh pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
Tyres must be replaced when the tread
wears down to 1.6 mm. In any case,
comply with the laws in the country
where the car is being driven.
IMPORTANT NOTES
As far as possible, avoid sharp braking
and screech starts, etc. Be careful not to
hit the kerb, potholes or other obstacles
hard. Driving for long stretches over
bumpy roads can damage the tyres.
Periodically check that the tyres have no
cuts in the side wall, abnormal swelling
or irregular tyre wear. If any of these oc-
cur, have the car seen to at Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
Avoid overloading the car when travel-
ling: this may cause serious damage to
the wheels and tyres; if a tyre is punc-
tured, stop immediately and change it
to avoid damage to the tyre, the rim,
suspensions and steering system.
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, includ-
ing the space-saver spare wheel, every
four weeks and before long journeys:
pressure should be checked with the tyre
rested and cold.
For the correct tyre inflation pressure,
see “Wheels” in “Technical specifica-
tions” section.
A0E0120mfig. 15

243
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/REAR
SCREEN WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn
they should be replaced. In any case
they should be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
❒ if the temperature fall below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the
rubber against glass. If necessary,
thaw using an antifreeze product;
❒ remove any snow from the glass: in
addition to protecting the blades, this
prevents effort on the motor and
overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen wipers
on dry glass.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rub-
ber hoses are concerned, carefully fol-
low the Service schedule in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and
prolonged lack of fluid in the system
may cause hardening and cracking of
the hoses, with possible leaks. Careful
control is therefore necessary.
Driving with worn
wiper blades is a seri-
ous hazard, because visibility
is reduced in bad weather.
WARNING