2006 Alfa Romeo 159 Owner handbook (in English)

111
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Performance of the
VDC system, in terms
of active safety should not in-
duce the driver to take point-
less and unnecessary risks.
The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to
the conditions of the road sur-
face, visibility an traffic. Road
safety is always the driver’s
responsibility.
WARNING
During the use of the
space-saver spare
wheel (where provided), the
VDC system carries on work-
ing. However, you must re-
mind that the space-saver
spare wheel has dimensions
smaller than the standard tyre
and therefore its grip is re-
duced as to the other car tyres.
WARNING
For correct operation of
the VDC system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in perfect conditions
and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
(where provided)
This system is an integral part of the VDC
system and it is provided to facilitate
starting on slopes:
❒uphill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed, gearbox to neutral or
engaged gear other than reverse;
❒downhill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed and reverse gear en-
gaged.
At pickup the VDC system control unit
will keep brake force on wheels until
reaching the torque suitable for starting,
or in any case for about 1 second in or-
der to pass easily from the brake pedal
to the accelerator pedal.

Failure warnings
System failure is indicated by the turn-
ing on of warning light
*(where pro-
vided) on the instrument panel (on cer-
tain versions together with the dedicat-
ed message on the display) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
IMPORTANTThe Hill Holder system
is not a parking brake. Never get out
of the car without engaging the hand-
brake, switching the engine off and en-
gaging the first gear.
ASR SYSTEM
(AntiSlip Regulation)
This system is an integral part of the VDC
system, it controls car drive and cuts in
automatically every time one or both dri-
ving wheels slip.
According to slipping conditions, two dif-
ferent control systems are activated:
❒ if slipping involves both driving
wheels, the ASR function intervenes
reducing the power transmitted by
the engine;
❒if slipping involves only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in auto-
matically braking the wheel that is
slipping. This time elapsing without starting, the
system will deactivate automatically by
releasing gradually the brake force.
At releasing, the typical brake disen-
gagement noise indicating that the car
is going to move will be heard.
112
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS

113
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
The performance of the
system, in terms of ac-
tive safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless
and unnecessary risks. The
style of driving must in any
case always be adapted to the
conditions of the road surface,
visibility an traffic. Road safe-
ty is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNINGThe action of the ASR is particularly help-
ful in the following circumstances:
❒slipping of the inner wheel due to the
effect of dynamic load changes or ex-
cessive acceleration;
❒ too much power transmitted to the
wheels also in relation to the condi-
tions of the road surface;
❒ acceleration on slippery, snowy or
frozen surfaces;
❒in the case of loss of grip on a wet
surface (aquaplaning).Switching the ASR system
on/off
ASR turns on automatically when turn-
ing the instrument panel on.
When travelling the ASR can be
switched off by pressing briefly the
ASR/VDC button on the central console.
When the ASR is switched off this is
shown by the lighting up of the
ASR/VDC button led (on versions fitted
with “Reconfigurable multifunction dis-
play” symbol Vwill also be dis-
played).
If the ASR is switched off when travel-
ling, it will turn on again automatically
the next time the engine is started.
When travelling on snowy roads with
snow chains, it may be helpful to turn
the ASR off: in fact, in these conditions,
slipping of the driving wheels when mov-
ing off makes it possible to obtain bet-
ter drive.

Failure warnings
In the event of malfunctioning, the ASR
system is automatically disconnected
and on versions fitted with “Reconfig-
urable multifunction display” symbol
Vis displayed. In this case contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
114
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
MSR system (engine braking
torque control)
It is an integral part of the ASR system
that in case of sudden gear shifting, cuts
in providing torque to the engine thus
preventing excessive driving wheel dri-
ve that, specially in poor grip conditions,
can lead to loss of stability.
For correct operation of
the ASR system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in normal conditions of
use, at the proper inflation
pressure values and, above all,
of type, brand and size speci-
fied (see paragraph “Wheels”
in section “Technical Specifica-
tions”).
WARNING

115
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
115
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board
Diagnosis) allows continuous diagnosis
of the components of the car correlat-
ed with emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the
warning light
Uon the instrument pan-
el (on certain versions together with the
message on the display) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”), when
these conditions are no longer in peak
conditions.
The objective is:
❒ to keep system efficiency under con-
trol;
❒ to warn when a fault causes emission
levels to increase;
❒to warn of the need to replace dete-
riorated components.
If when fitting the key
into the ignition device,
the warning light
U
does not turn on or if, while
travelling it turns on glowing
steadily or flashing, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible. Warning
light
Uoperation can be
checked by means of special
equipment by traffic agents. Al-
ways comply with the traffic
regulations in force in the coun-
try where you are travelling.
The system also has a diagnostic con-
nector that can be interfaced with ap-
propriate tools, which makes it possible
to read the error codes stored in the con-
trol unit, together with a series of spe-
cific parameters for engine operation
and diagnosis. This check can also be
carried out by the traffic police.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the in-
convenience, to check the system com-
pletely, Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
are obliged to run a bench test and, if
necessary, road tests which may also
call for a long journey.

116
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Sound system presetting includes:
❒sound system power cables;
❒front and rear speakers cables;
❒aerial power cable;
❒sound system compartment;
❒aerial on car roof.
The sound system shall be installed in
the proper space occupied by the odd-
ment compartment that shall be re-
moved by pressing the two retaining
tabs set in the oddment compartment:
here you will find the power cables.
SOUND SYSTEM
PRESETTING
(where provided)
When the sound system has not been
requested the car is provided with two
oddment compartments on the instru-
ment panel.
If you decide to install
the sound system after
buying the car, contact
first Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services that will give you use-
ful advice about installation and
how to safeguard the battery.
Excessive loadless absorption
damages the battery and the
battery warranty can be inval-
idated.

117
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Radio transceiver equipment (e.g.: e-
tacs mobile phones, HAM radio systems
and the like) shall not be used inside the
car unless a separate aerial is mounted
outside the car.
The use of these devices inside the pas-
senger compartment (without external
aerial) may cause electrical systems
equipping the car to malfunction. This
could compromise car safety in addition
to constituting a potential hazard for the
passengers.
In addition, transmission and reception
of these devices may be affected by the
shielding effect of the car body.
As concerns the use of mobile phones
(GSM, GPRS, UMTS) provided with of-
ficial EC approval, strictly comply with
the instructions given by the mobile
phone manufacturer.
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If after buying the car, you decide to in-
stall electrical accessories that require a
permanent electric supply (alarm, satel-
lite antitheft system, etc.) or accessories
that in any case burden the electric sup-
ply, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices, whose qualified personnel, besides
suggesting the most suitable devices be-
longing to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo, will
also evaluate the overall electric absorp-
tion, checking whether the car’s electric
system is able to withstand the load re-
quired, or whether it needs to be inte-
grated with a more powerful battery.
Take care when fitting
additional spoilers, al-
loy rims and non-standard
wheel caps: they might reduce
ventilation of the brakes, thus
their efficiency, during abrupt
and repeated braking, or long
downhill slopes. Make sure
that nothing (mats, etc.) gets
in the way of the pedals when
they are pushed down.
WARNING

118
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
PARKING SENSORS
(where provided)
Parking sensors inform the driver about
the presence of obstacles behind the car
(versions fitted with 4 rear sensors) or
behind and in front of the car (versions
fitted with 4 rear sensors and 4 front
sensors).
This system is therefore an aid for the
driver when parking the car since it de-
tects obstacles out of the driver’s sight
range.
The presence and the distance from the
car of an obstacle is indicated by a warn-
ing buzzer - as the distance from the ob-
stacle decreases, the acoustic alarm be-
comes more frequent - and, only on cer-
tain versions, by an image on the dis-
play (see paragraph “Indications on the
display).
A0E0087mfig. 104
ACTIVATION
Versions with 4 sensors
Front sensors are automatically activat-
ed with electronic key fitted into the ig-
nition device when reverse gear is en-
gaged or when pressing the front ceil-
ing light button A-fig. 104 with speed
below 15 km/h.
Sensors are deactivated when exceed-
ing 18 km/h or, on certain versions by
pressing again the button if the speed is
lower than 15 km/h A-fig. 104. If
the system is off on versions with de-
activation button, the button led is off.Versions with 8 sensors
Front and rear sensors are automatical-
ly activated with electronic key fitted in-
to the ignition device when reverse gear
is engaged or when pressing the front
ceiling light buttonA-fig. 104with
speed below 15 km/h.
Sensors are deactivated by pressing
again button A-fig. 104if the speed
is lower than 15 km/h or when ex-
ceeding 18 km/h. If the system is off,
the button led is off.
When sensors are on, front and rear in-
dicators will sound warning signals as
soon as an obstacle is detected: as the
distance from the obstacle decreases,
the acoustic alarm becomes more fre-
quent.
When the distance between the car and
the obstacle is less than 30 cm, the
acoustic alarm becomes continuous. Ac-
cording to obstacle position (in front or
behind the car), the acoustic alarm will
be emitted by front or rear indicators.
In any case the system will indicate the
obstacle closest to the car.