2006 Alfa Romeo 159 driving

226
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Thousands of km
Check and adjust tappet clearance
(1.9 JTDM8v version)
Check exhaust emissions (petrol versions)
Check exhaust emissions/smoke (diesel versions)
Check antievaporation system (petrol versions)
Check engine control system operation
(through diagnosis socket)
Replace accessory drive belt/s
Replace timing belt (diesel versions) (*)
Change spark plugs (petrol versions)
Replace diesel fuel filter (diesel versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (diesel versions)
Change front transmission gear oil (3.2 JTS versions)
Change engine oil and oil filter (petrol versions)
(or every 24 months)
Change engine oil and oil filter (diesel versions)(**)
(or every 24 months)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) Regardless of the km covered, the timing belt shall be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates, driving
in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
(**) Engine oil and oil filter shall actually be changed according to the conditions of use of the car and it is indicated by the relevant
warning light or message (where provided) on the instrument panel (see section “Warning lights and messages”).
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227
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EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒ trailer or caravan towing;
❒ dusty roads;
❒ short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒ frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒ urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒ check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒ check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒ sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒ check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒ visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒ change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒ tyre pressure and conditions.
❒ check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒ check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Se-
leniaproducts, designed and produced
specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Techni-
cal specifications”).

231
SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
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TECHNICAL
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CORRECT USE
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AND
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
Engine oil consumption
Max engine oil consumption is usually
400 grams every 1000 km.
When the car is new, the engine needs
to run in, therefore the engine oil con-
sumption can only be considered sta-
bilised after the first 5000 - 6000 km.
IMPORTANTThe oil consumption de-
pends on driving style and the conditions
under which the car is used.
IMPORTANTDo not add oil with
specifications other than that already
in the engine. Topping up engine oil
If the oil level is near or even below the
MINmark, add oil through the filler
neckB, until reaching the MAXmark.
Oil level shall never exceed the MAX
mark.
IMPORTANT If a routine check re-
veals that the oil level is above the
MAXmark, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the correct lev-
el restored.
IMPORTANT After adding or changing
the oil, let the engine turn over for a few
seconds and wait a few minutes after
turning it off before you check the level.
When the engine is hot,
take care when work-
ing inside the engine compart-
ment to avoid burns. Remem-
ber that when the engine is
hot, the fan may cut in: danger
of injury. Scarves, ties and
other loose clothing might be
pulled by moving parts.
WARNING
Used engine oil and fil-
ter contain harmful sub-
stances for the environ-
ment. Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the oil
and filter changed.

241
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
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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
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
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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

260
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS
COLD TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Add +0.3 bar to the prescribed inflation pressure when the tyres are warm. Recheck pressure value with cold tyres.
With snow tyres, add +0.2 bar to the inflation pressure value prescribed for standard tyres.
Inflate tyres to full load pressures if driving at continuous speed exceeding 160 km/h.
average load bar
full load barSpace-saver
spare wheel
T125/80 R17
4.2 Tyres
215/55 R16 93V
front rear
2.3 2.3
2.6 2.6 Tyres
205/55 R16 91V
front rear
2.3 2.3
2.6 2.6Tyres
225/50 R17 98W
front rear
2.5 2.5
2.7 2.7Tyres
235/45 R18 95W
front rear
2.7 2.5
2.8 2.6
– camber
Front wheels: – caster
– half toe-in(per wheel)
– camber
Rear wheels:
– half toe-in
(per wheel)
WHEEL GEOMETRY
All types
–35’ ± 18’
max. difference right/left: 24’
4° 15’ ± 18’
max. difference right/left: 18’
–8’ ± 4’
max. difference right/left: 4’
–40’ ± 18’
max. difference right/left: 24’
13’ ± 7’
(total toe-in: 26’ ± 7’)

269
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS
–extra-urban cycle: frequent ac-
celerating in all gears, simulating ex-
traurban use of the car; the speed varies
between 0 and 120 km/h;
–combined consumption: is cal-
culated weighing about 37% of urban
cycle consumption and about 63% of
extraurban consumption.IMPORTANT The type of route,
traffic situations, weather condi-
tions, driving style, general con-
ditions of the car, trim level/
equipment/accessories, load, cli-
mate control system, roof rack,
other situations that affect air
drag may lead to different fuel
consumption levels than those
measured.FUEL CONSUMPTION
The fuel consumption figures given in
the table below are determined on the
basis of the homologation tests set
down by specific European Directives.
The procedures below are followed for
measuring consumption:
–urban cycle: cold starting followed
by driving that simulates urban use of
the car;
Fuel consumption according to Urban Extra-urban Combined
1999/100/ECDirective (litres x 100 km)
1.9 JTS12,2 (
) 6.6 () 8.7 ()12.4 () 6.7 () 8.8 ()
2.2 JTS13.0 (
) 7.3 () 9.4 ()13.2 () 7.3 () 9.5 ()
3.2 JTS 16.9 (
) 8.4 () 11.5 ()17.0 () 8.4 () 11.6 ()
1.9 JTD
M8v7.8 () 4.9 () 5.9 ()7.9 () 4.9 () 6.0 ()
1.9 JTD
M16v8.1 () 4.8 () 6.0 ()8.3 () 4.8 () 6.1 ()
2.4 JTD
M9.2 () 5.4 () 6.8 ()9.4 () 5.6 () 7.0 ()
(
) Saloon versions
(
) Sportwagon versions

ENGINE OIL REPLEACEMENT (litres)
REFUELLING (litres)
QUALITYASSISTENZA TECNICA - INGEGNERIA ASSISTENZIALE
Largo Senatore G. Agnelli, 5 - 10040 Volvera - Torino (Italia)
Fiat Auto S.p.A.
Publication no. 60431542 - 1
stEdition - 11/2005All rights reserved. Reproduction, even in part is prohibited without written permission
from Fiat Auto S.p.A.
SERVICE
1.9 JTS - 2.2 JTS - 3.2 JTS 1.9 JTDM8v 2.4 JTDM1.9 JTDM16v
Lubrication system
engine5.4 4.6 6.4
Do not discard used oil in the environment.
COLD TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Tyres
205/55 R16 91V
front rear
2.3 2.3
2.6 2.6Tyres
215/55 R16 93V
front rear
2.3 2.3
2.6 2.6Tyres
225/50 R17 98W
front rear
2.5 2.5
2.7 2.7Tyres
235/45 R18 98W
front rear
2.7 2.5
2.8 2.6
Add +0.3 bar to the prescribed inflation pressure when the tyres are warm. Recheck pressure value with cold tyres.
With snow tyres, add +0.2 bar to the inflation pressure value prescribed for standard tyres.
Inflate tyres to full load pressures if driving at continuous speed exceeding 160 km/h.Space-saver
spare wheel
T125/80 R17
4.2
average load bar
full load bar
1.9 JTS - 2.2 JTS - 1.9 JTDM8v - 1.9 JTDM16v - 2.4 JTDM3.2 JTS
Fuel tank capacity 70 69
Reserve 10 10
For cars with petrol engine, only use unleaded petrol with over 95 R.O.N. (Specification EN228).
For cars with diesel engine only use Diesel fuel for motor vehicles (Specification EN590).