2006 Alfa Romeo 166 headlights

108
SECURING THE LOAD
The loads carried may be blocked with
straps hooked to the special rings in the
boot corners (fig. 140). The rings also
serve to secure the luggage retaining net
(available on request c/o Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services).
fig. 140
678PGSm
Do not load the luggage
compartment above the
permitted maximum (see “Techni-
cal specifications”). Also make sure
that the objects contained in the
boot are well secured to prevent
them from being thrown forward
causing harm to the passengers in
the event of sharp braking.
WARNING
A heavy load that has not
been secured may cause
serious harm to passengers in the
event of an accident.
WARNINGIMPORTANT Travelling at night with
a load in the boot it is necessary to adjust
the height of the low beam headlights
(see next paragraph “Headlights” in this
chapter). For correct use of the aiming
device, also make sure that the load does
not exceed the values given in the same
paragraph.

110
To close:
– Lower the bonnet to approx. 20 cm.
from the engine bay, then let it drop. Try
lifting it to make sure that it is shut com-
pletely and not simply caught in the safe-
ty position.
If the bonnet does not close properly do
not push it down but open it again and
repeat the above procedure.HEADLIGHTS
IMPORTANTOn the inside surface of
the headlight there could appear a slight
coat of fogging; this does not show a defect,
since it is a natural occurrence due to low
temperature and to the degree of humidity
in the air; it will soon disappear as soon as
the lights are turned on. The presence of
drops inside the headlight shows water seep-
age, refer to the Alfa Romeo Dealership.
For safety reasons the
bonnet shall always be
perfectly closed when travelling.
Always check for proper bonnet
locking. If the bonnet is left inad-
vertently open, stop the car im-
mediately and close the bonnet.
WARNING

111
GAS DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS
(optional for versions/markets where
applicable)
Gas discharge headlights (xenon) work
with a voltaic arc, in an atmosphere satu-
rated with pressurised xenon gas, instead
of the incandescent filament.
The lighting produced is remarkably
higher than that of the conventional light
in both terms of the quality of the light
(lighter) and of the amplitude and posi-
tion of the lit area.
The advantages offered by better light-
ing are noted (due to less sight fatigue
and better orientation capability of the
driver, thus of travelling safety) especially
in bad weather, fog and/or insufficient
signs, because of the higher lighting
of the side beams which are normally
shaded.
The heavy increase of lighting in the
side beams considerably increases driving
safety because it allows the driver to bet-
ter see other users at the sides of the
road (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcy-
clists).Very high voltage is needed to trigger
the voltaic arc, after which the supply can
be at low voltage.
The headlights reach their maximum in-
tensity after about 15 seconds from
switching on.
The high luminosity produced by this
type of headlight calls for the use of an
automatic system to keep the headlight
beam aiming constant and prevent daz-
zling other vehicles when braking, accel-
erating and carrying loads.
The electromechanical system for auto-
matic constant beam aiming makes the
headlight aiming device superfluous.
Xenon lights are very long-lasting and
failure is unlikely.
If necessary, have the
system checked and any
repairs done only by Authorized Al-
fa Romeo Services.
WARNING

112
AIMING LOW BEAM
HEADLAMPS FOR
LEFT/RIGHT CIRCULATION
(only for versions with gas discharge
headlamps)
On cars fitted with gas discharge head-
lamps (xenon bulbs)(optional for ver-
sions/markets where applicable) with
high lighting power, when passing from a
country with right circulation to one with
left circulation or vice versa it is necessary
to change the aiming of the low beams,
to optimise lighting of the edge of the
road and avoid glaring vehicles met.
IMPORTANT Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Services to have low beam head-
lamps correctly adjusted.
BEAM AIMING
(excluding versions with gas discharge
headlights)
The adjustment of the headlights is vital
to your safety and comfort and to that of
other road users.
The adjustment of the headlights is also
governed by precise regulations.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
to have the headlights correctly adjusted.
When returning to the
country of origin, re-
member to change the low beam
aiming again.
WARNING
To have the position
checked and if neces-
sary adjusted, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
ADJUSTING THE FRONT
FOGLIGHTS
(fig. 143)
To adjust the height of the beam of the
front foglight adjust screw (A).
fig. 143
A0D0034m

127
AUTOMATIC FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
The car is equipped with a safety switch
which is triggered in the event of a crash
to interrupt the flow of fuel and stopping
the engine as a consequence. This also
prevents fuel leaks due to fuel lines
breaking.If no leaks or damages to electric de-
vices (e.g.: headlights) are found and the
car can be restarted, reactivate the fuel
cut-off switch. Follow the instructions giv-
en below.
If, after an accident, you
can smell petrol or see
that the fuel feed system is leak-
ing, do not reset the switches to
avoid the risk of fire.
WARNING
After the crash, remember to turn the ig-
nition key to STOPto prevent the bat-
tery running down.

128
RESETTING THE FUEL CUT-OFF
SWITCH
381PGSm
fig. 153
Anyway, door opening
from the outside depends
on their conditions after the acci-
dent: if a door is distorted it might
be impossible to open it even if it
is unlocked. In this case try to open
the other car doors.
WARNING
Before resetting the fuel
cut-off switch, carefully
check for any fuel leaks or dam-
ages to the car electric devices
(e.g.: headlights).
WARNING
To reactivate the automatic fuel cut-off
switch, press button (fig. 153) under
the driver's seat.DOOR UNLOCKING IN CASE
OF ACCIDENT
In case of accident with activation of the
inertial switch as a consequence, door
locks are automatically unlocked to let
rescuers reach the passenger compart-
ment from the outside.

138
PARKING
When the vehicle is parked, proceed as
follows:
– Switch off the engine.
– Engage the handbrake.
– Engage first gear if parking the car
uphill or reverse if parking the car on a s-
loping road. On cars with automatic gear-
box set the gear lever to P.
– Turn the front wheels so that the vehi-
cle will immediately come to a halt if the
handbrake slips.
NIGHT DRIVING
Night driving involves a greater degree
of concentration, both physical and ner-
vous. Some suggestions concerning night
driving follow:
– Drive with particular care, reducing
speed if necessary especially on unlit
roads.
– Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front than during the day as it
is more difficult to judge the speed of a
vehicle when only the lights can be seen.
– If you become drowsy stop the car
and rest. continuing the journey when
sleepy is dangerous for yourself and for
others.
–Ensure that the headlights are correct-
ly aligned: if they are too low visibility is
reduced and if they are too high they
may cause disturbance to other users.
– use the main-beam outside built-up
areas and only when you are certain that
other drivers are not disturbed by their
use.
– When meeting vehicles coming in the
opposite direction, switch off the main-
beam and drive with the dipped-beam
headlights on.
– Keep the headlights and light units
clean at all times. – Do not coast the vehicle down hill
with the engine switched off as this elimi-
nates the engine braking effect thus re-
quiring a greater effort on the brake ped-
al, on the power steering and consider-
ably more effort on the steering wheel.
– If it is necessary to stop the vehicle
following a malfunction, park off the
road, switch on the hazard warning lights
and set up the warning triangle to alert
other road users of the presence of your
vehicle. At all times comply with the cur-
rent road traffic regulations.To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining of the
battery, never leave the ignition
key in the MAR position when
the engine is not running.Ensure that both yourself
and your passengers are
wearing their seat belts. Travelling
without seat belts greatly in-
creases the risks of serious injury
or even death in the event of an
accident.
WARNING
Never leave children un-
attended in the vehicle.
Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the vehicle
and take it with you.
WARNING

139
DRIVING UNDER ADVERSE
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Rain and fog can be extremely danger-
ous if the style of driving is not adapted
to suit these conditions. Some sugges-
tions are given below:
– if the road is wet, the friction be-
tween wheel and asphalt is greatly re-
duced thus increasing the stopping dis-
tance and decreasing road holding when
cornering.
Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– Heavy rain and fog reduce visibility.
Headlights should be switched on as the
road traffic laws and common sense dic-
tate, above all to render yourself visible
to others.
– Do not drive over puddles or flooded
roads at high speed as the aquaplaning
phenomenon may cause you to loose
control over the vehicle.
– If visibility is already reduced prevent
it from worsening by ensuring that the
windows do not steam up. Use the heat-
ing-ventilation controls as indicated in the
chapter “Know your vehicle”.– Check the condition of the windscreen
wiper blades.
– If fog is very thick avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling cannot be
avoided drive with extreme care and
moderate your speed. Avoid overtaking.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop owing
to a malfunction or zero visibility condi-
tions, pull off the road, switch on the haz-
ard warning lights and if possible, the
dipped-beam headlights.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING
Mountain driving requires a greater de-
gree of concentration. Some practical
hints follow:
– Before driving off check the level of
fluids (engine oil, brakes, coolant) and
the state of the tyres.
– When travelling down hill use the en-
gine braking by engaging lower gears to
prevent the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast downhill with the engine
off or in neutral and especially not with
the ignition key removed.
– Drive at a moderate speed and avoid
cutting corners.– Remember that overtaking uphill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being
overtaken on a hill move over to enable
the other vehicle to pass in safety.
WINTER DRIVING
If the temperature falls below 0°C or in
the presence of snow or ice the following
recommendations should be followed:
– Before driving off check that the
windscreen wipers are not frozen to the
windscreen.
– Remove the snow from the air intake
(grille) at the base of the windscreen.
– Do not stop long on deep snow with
the engine running: the snow might di-
vert the exhaust gas carbon monoxide in-
to the passenger compartment.
– Ensure that brakes and tyres are in
perfect working order.
–Ensure that the detergent liquid locat-
ed in the windscreen/headlight washers
has been topped up with anti-freeze and
anti-scale additives.
– Use engine braking where possible
and avoid abrupt braking.