2006 Alfa Romeo 159 driving

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Electrically folding of the
mirror (only versions with 4
power windows)
When required (for example when the
mirror causes difficulty in narrow spaces)
it is possible to fold the mirrors by press-
ing button C-fig. 39.
To bring the mirrors back to driving po-
sition press again button C-fig. 39.
A0E0081mfig. 40
To adjust the mirror selected press but-
tonBin the four directions shown by
the arrows.
IMPORTANTAfter adjusting the mir-
ror, turn selector Ato0to prevent ac-
cidental movements.
Manually folding of the mirror
When required (for example when the
mirror causes difficulty in narrow spaces)
it is possible to fold the mirror moving it
from positionA-fig. 40 to position B.DOOR MIRRORS
Door mirror can only be adjusted and
folded when the electronic key is fitted
into the ignition device.
Adjusting the mirror
Use device A-fig. 39to select the re-
quired mirror:
❒turn selector Ato1to select the left
door mirror;
❒turn selector Ato2to select the right
door mirror.
A0E0036mfig. 39
As the driver’s door mir-
ror is curved, it may
slightly alter the per-
ception of distance.
When driving the mir-
rors shall always be in
open position.
WARNING

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To guarantee perfect
and regular sensor op-
eration do not apply
stickers in the “monitoring”
area between sensor and wind-
screen. Keep windscreen and
sensor clean and avoid to accu-
mulate dust or other sub-
stances.
AUTOMATIC TWO-/
THREE-ZONE
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
(where provided)
DESCRIPTION
The car is fitted with a two-/three-zone
climate control system which makes it
possible to separately adjust the air tem-
perature in the two/three passenger’s
compartment areas to reach the required
comfort.
For top quality temperature control in
the two/three areas of the passenger's
compartment, the system is fitted with
external temperature sensor, passen-
ger's compartment temperature sensor
and two-side sun radiation sensor.
The climate control system automatically
controls and adjusts the following pa-
rameters and functions:
❒air temperature at driver/passengers
vents;
❒fan speed;
❒air distribution at driver/passenger
vents;
❒compressor activation;
❒air recirculation.
The following parameters and functions
can be set or changed manually:
❒required temperature;
❒fan speed;
❒air distribution on seven levels ;
❒compressor on/off;
❒window demisting/defrosting;
❒air recirculation;
❒one-zone function.
The system is fitted with AQS (Air Qual-
ity System) sensor (where provided),
that turns on air recirculation automati-
cally when it detects the presence of out-
side polluted air (for example in queues
and tunnels).
Where provided, the system also features
a demisting sensorA-fig. 48 ( set be-
hind the driving mirror), capable of mon-
itoring a preset area of the internal wind-
screen pane and to cut in automatically
to prevent or to reduce misting up through
a suitable strategy.
A0E0091mfig. 48
This sensor can be disabled by any man-
ual control and it is activated each time
the engine is started and in any case
when the user presses one of the AUTO
buttons.

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Turning the knurled ringA-fig. 54it
is possible to increase the sensitivity of
the rain sensor, obtaining a quicker
change from stationary (no wiping)
when the windscreen is dry, to first con-
tinuous speed (continuous, slow). A fur-
ther stroke will confirm operation.
Operating the windscreen washer with
the rain sensor activated (stalk at posi-
tion1-fig. 54) the normal washing
cycle is performed at the end of which
the rain sensor resumes its normal au-
tomatic function.
Removing the electronic key from the
ignition device, the rain sensor is deac-
tivated and the next time the engine is
started it will not be reactivated even if
the stalk has remained in position 1-
fig. 54. In this case to activate the rain
sensor, simply move the stalk to 0or2
and then back to 1.
When the rain sensor is reactivated in
this way, the wiper performs one stroke,
even if the windscreen is dry, to indicate
that reactivation has occurred. “Smart washing” function
Pulling the lever towards the steering
wheel (unstable position) operates the
windscreen washer.
Keeping the stalk pulled with just one
movement it is possible to operate the
washer jet and the wiper at the same
time; the wiper actually comes into op-
eration automatically when the stalk is
pulled for more than half a second.
The wiper stops working 3 strokes after
releasing the stalk; a further stroke af-
ter about 6 seconds will complete the
wiping operation.
RAIN SENSOR
(where provided)
The rain sensor A-fig. 55, located be-
hind the driving mirror, is an electronic de-
vice combined with the windscreen wiper
which has the purpose of automatically
adjusting the number of wipes to intensi-
ty of the rain. All the other functions con-
trolled by the right-hand stalk remain un-
changed.
The rain sensor is activated automati-
cally moving the right-hand stalk to po-
sition1-fig. 54and it has a range of
adjustment that gradually varies be-
tween wiper stationary (no wiping)
when the windscreen is dry, to wiper
at second speed (continuous, medium
wiping) with heavy rain.
A0E0227mfig. 55

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CRUISE CONTROL
(where provided)
GENERAL
The speed regulator (CRUISE CON-
TROL), with electronic control, makes
it possible to drive the car at the required
speed, without pressing the accelerator
pedal. This reduces driving fatigue dur-
ing long journeys (specially on high-
ways) because the speed memorised is
automatically maintained.
IMPORTANTThe device can only be
engaged at speeds between 30 and
190 km/h.
A0E0095mfig. 57
DEVICE ENGAGEMENT
Turn knurled ring A-fig. 57toÜ.
The device cannot be engaged in first
speed or reverse. It is recommended to
engage it in 4th or higher speeds. Trav-
elling downhill with the device engaged,
the car speed may increase more than
the memorised one.
When the device is activated the in-
strument panel warning light
Üturns
on (on certain versions together with a
message on the display) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
TO MEMORISE SPEED
Proceed as follows:
❒turn the knurled ring A-fig. 57to
Üand press the accelerator pedal to
the required speed;
❒push the stalk upwards (+) or down-
wards (–), then release it: car speed
is memorised and it is therefore pos-
sible to release the accelerator ped-
al.
In the case of need (when overtaking
for instance) acceleration is possible sim-
ply pressing the accelerator pedal: re-
leasing the accelerator pedal, the car will
return to the speed memorised previ-
ously.
TO RESET THE MEMORISED
SPEED
If the device has been disengaged for
example pressing the brake or clutch
pedal, the memorised speed can be re-
set as follows:
❒accelerate gradually until reaching a
speed approaching the one memo-
rised;

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ROOF RACK/
SKI RACK
The car is preset for mounting roof
racks/ski racks.
Front hooks are in points A-fig. 100.
Rear hooks are in points B.
A0E0097mfig. 100
HEADLIGHTS
ADJUSTING THE HEADLIGHT
BEAM
Proper adjustment of the headlight
beams is of vital importance for your
safety and comfort and also for the oth-
er road users. To ensure you and other
drivers have the best visibility conditions
when travelling with the headlights on,
the headlights must be set properly. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the headlights properly adjusted.
HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
It works with the key fitted into the ig-
nition device and dipped beams on.
When the car is loaded, it slopes back-
wards. This means that the headlight
beam rises. In this case, it is necessary
to return it to the correct position.
Distribute the load even-
ly and when driving, bear
in mind the increased
sensitivity to side wind.
IMPORTANTAfter few kilometers,
check that fastening screws are firmly
tightened.
IMPORTANTNever exceed the max.
permissible loads (see section “”Tech-
nical specifications”).

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ABS SYSTEM
The car is fitted with ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from
locking when braking, makes the most
of road grip and gives the best control
when emergency braking under difficult
road conditions.
System is completed by EBD (Electron-
ic Braking Force Distribution), which dis-
tributes the braking action between front
and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To have the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, it is
necessary a setting period of about 500
km: during this period it is better to
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
brakes.
ABS SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
The driver can tell the ABS system has
come into action because the brake ped-
al pulsates slightly and the system gets
noisier: it means that the car speed
should be altered to fit the type of road
surface.
If the ABS system cuts
in, it is a sign that the
grip between tyre and the
road surface has reached the
limit: you must slow down to
match the speed to the road
grip available.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the
tyre-road grip at the
best, but it cannot improve it;
you should therefore take
every care when driving on
slippery surfaces without tak-
ing unnecessary risks.
WARNING
When the ABS cuts in,
and you feel the brake
pedal pulsating, do not remove
your foot, but keep it pressed;
in doing so you will stop in the
shortest amount of space pos-
sible under the current road
conditions.
WARNING

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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.
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