2006 Alfa Romeo 166 warning light

27
IMPORTANTNever leave the key in
this position when the engine is station-
ary.
–AV V: starting the engine.
IMPORTANT If the engine does not
start return the ignition key to the STOP
position and repeat the sequence.
The ignition block is fitted with a safety
device preventing it from being moved to
theAVV position when the engine is al-
ready running.If the ignition device is
tampered with (for ex-
ample during an at-
tempted break-in) have it checked
over by Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services, before travelling again.
STEERING LOCK
Engaging lock:
– move the key to the STOPposition
and remove the key lightly turning the
steering wheel to facilitate the locking ac-
tion.
Releasing the lock:
– turn the key to the MARposition
and gently rock the steering wheel in
both directions.
When leaving the vehicle
always remove the key
from the ignition to prevent any
passenger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Never leave children unattended in
a car. Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the vehicle is fac-
ing uphill, first gear and if the ve-
hicle is facing downhill, reverse.
WARNING
Never remove the key
with the car on the
move. The steering wheel would
lock automatically the first time
the steering wheel is turned. This
also occurs if the car is towed.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden
to carry out whatever af-
ter-market operation involving
steering system or steering column
modifications (e.g.: installation of
anti-theft Device) that could badly
affect performance and safety,
cause the lapse of warranty and
also result in non-compliance of the
car with homologation require-
ments.
WARNING

37
Folding(fig. 41-42)
– If necessary (for example when the
size of the mirror causes difficulty in nar-
row paces) the door mirror can be folded
in towards the vehicle from position (A-
fig. 42) to position (B).
For some versions/markets the mirrors
can be folded electrically using a button
(C-fig. 41).Defrosting/demisting(fig. 43)
The electric mirrors can be fitted with
heating coils which are operated together
with rearscreen heating pressing button
(A) which prevent the mirrors from frost-
ing and/or misting.
This function is timed and is deactivated
after a few minutes.
DOOR MIRRORS
Electrically adjustable (fig. 41)
– Select the mirror to be adjusted using
switch (A) (right or left).
– Press button (B) to one of the four
directions and adjust the mirror selected
previously.
– Position the switch (A) in the inter-
mediate locking position.
The mirror can only be adjusted electri-
cally when the ignition key is in the
MARposition.Curved door mirrors (for
versions/markets where
applicable) slightly alter the per-
ception of distance.
WARNING
When travelling the door
mirrors must always be
in position (A).
WARNING
fig. 41
570PGSm
fig. 42fig. 43
P4C00057A0D0007mA0D0010m

45
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYFor optimal protection in the event of a
crash, all passengers must be seated and
wearing adequate restraint systems.
This is even more warning for children.
According to 2003/20/EC Directive,
this prescription is compulsory for all Euro-
pean Community countries.
Compared with adults, their head is pro-
portionally larger and heavier than the
rest of the body, while the muscles and
bone structure are not completely devel-
oped. Therefore, correct restraint systems
are necessary, other then adult seat belts.
fig. 56
003STZm
SERIOUS DANGER: Never place cradle child’s seats on the
front passenger seat of cars fitted with passenger air bag
since the air bag activation could cause serious injuries, even mortal. You
are advised to carry children always on the rear seat, as this is the most
protected position in the case of a crash. In any case, children's seats must
absolutely not be fitted on the front seat of car’s with passenger’s air bag,
which during inflation could cause serious injury, even mortal, regardless
of the seriousness of the crash that triggered it.
Children may be placed on the front seat of cars fitted with passenger’s
air bag deactivation. In this case, it is absolutely necessary to check the
warning light
Fon the cluster to make sure that deactivation has ac-
tually taken place (see paragraph “Front and side air bags” at item “Pas-
senger’s front air bag”). The front passenger seat shall be adjusted in the
most backward position to prevent any contact between child’s seat and
dashboard.
AIRBAGWARNING

48
Below is a summary of the
rules of safety to be followed
for carrying children:
1)The recommended position for in-
stalling children’s seat is on the rear seat,
as it is the most protected in the case of
a crash.2)If the passenger’s air bag is deacti-
vated always check the warning light
Fon the cluster to make sure that it
has actually been deactivated.
3)Attain to the instructions for fasten-
ing the specific child restraint system
which you are using. These instructions
must be provided by the manufacturer.
Keep the child restraint system installa-
tion instructions with the car documents
and this Handbook. Never use a child re-
straint system without installation instruc-
tions.
4)Always check the seat belt is well
fastened by pulling the webbing.
5)Only one child is to be strapped to
each retaining system.
6)Always check the seat belts do not
fit around the child’s throat.
7)While travelling, do not let the child
sit incorrectly or release the belts.
8)Passengers should never carry chil-
dren on their laps. No-one, however
strong they are, can hold a child in the
event of a crash.
9)In case of an accident, replace the
seat with a new one.
In cars fitted with pas-
senger air bag never
place child’s restraint systems on
the front seat since children shall
never be seated on the front pas-
senger seat.
WARNING
Illustration is indicative
for assembly only. As-
semble the seat according to the
compulsory instructions provided
with it. Child’s seat shall not be
assembled on the rear central seat.
WARNING

53
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand operating
it in the special key switch on the right-
hand side of the dashboard (fig. 65).
You can reach the switch only if the
door is opened.The key switch (fig. 65) has two posi-
tions:
1)Passenger’s front Air bag active
(ONposition
P) warning light on clus-
ter off; it is absolutely prohibited to carry
children on the front seat.
2)Passenger’s front Air bag deactivat-
ed (OFFposition
F) warning light on
cluster on; it is possible to carry children
protected by special restraint systems on
the front seat.
The
Fwarning light on the instru-
ment cluster glows steadily until the pas-
senger’s Air bag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the front passenger’s Air
bag does not inhibit operation of the side
Air bag.
With the door open the key can be in-
serted and removed in both positions.Operate the switch only
when the engine is not
running and the ignition key is re-
moved.
WARNING
Warning light Findi-
cates also warning light
¬failure. This is indicated by in-
termittent flashing, over 4 sec-
onds, of warning light
F. In this
event, warning light
¬could be
not up to indicate restraint system
failures, if any. Stop the car and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the system
checked.
WARNING

55
IMPORTANTSThe triggering of air
bags releases a small amount of powder.
This powder is not harmful and does not
indicate a start of fire; also the surfaces
of the deployed bag and the car interior
may be covered with dusty residue: this
may irritate the skin and eyes. In the
event of exposure, wash with neutral
soap and water.
The air bag system has a validity of 14
years as concerns the pyrotechnic charge
and 10 years as concerns the coil contact.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
this date approaches.IMPORTANTIf an accident has trig-
gered the air bag, Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services must be contacted to have the de-
vices activated replaced and to have the
whole system checked.
All operations involving checking, repair-
ing and replacing components concerning
the Air bag must be carried out by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
If the car is to be demolished, Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services should be contacted be-
forehand to have the system deactivated.
If the car changes ownership, the new
owner must be informed of the instructions
for use and of the above warnings and be
given this “Owner’s Manual”.
IMPORTANTThe triggering of the pre-
tensioners, front air bags and side bags is
decided by the electronic control unit in a
differentiated manner depending on the
type of crash. The failure to trigger one or
more of them does not necessarily indicate
a system malfunction.GENERAL WARNINGS
Never lean head, arms
and elbows out of the
window.
WARNING
If the ¬warning light
does not turn on when
turning the ignition key to MAR or
if it stays on when travelling, this
could indicate a failure in safety re-
taining systems; under this condi-
tion air bags or pretensioners could
not trigger in the event of collision
or, in a restricted number of cases,
they could trigger accidentally.
Stop the car and contact a Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to
have the system checked.
WARNING
Do not cover back rest of
front seats with trims or
covers there are not set for the
use of side bags.
WARNING

56
Never travel with objects
on your lap, in front of
your chest or with a pipe, pencil,
etc. between your lips; injury may
result in the event of the air bag
being triggered.
WARNING
Always keep your hands
on the steering wheel rim
when driving, so that if the Air bag
is triggered, it can inflate without
meeting any obstacles which could
cause serious harm to you. Do not
drive with the body bent for-
wards, keep the seat back rest in
the erect position and lean your
back well against it.
WARNING
If the car has been stolen
or an attempt to steal it
has been made, if it has been sub-
jected to vandals or floods, have
the Air bag system checked by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING
Do not wash the seat
back rest with pres-
surised water or steam (by hand
or at automatic seat washing sta-
tions).
WARNING
When the ignition key is
turned to the MAR posi-
tion, the warning light
F(with
passenger’s front air bag deacti-
vation switch in the ON position)
turns on and flashes for few sec-
onds to remind that passenger’s
air bag will be deployed in a crash,
after which it should go off.
WARNING
Please remember that
with the ignition key at
MAR, the air bags can be triggered
also on a stationary vehicle, if it is
bumped by another moving vehi-
cle. Therefore, even with the car
stationary, never allow children on
the front seat. On the other hand,
remember that with the car sta-
tionary and ignition key at STOP
no safety device (air bags or pre-
tensioners) will be triggered in the
event of an impact; in this case the
failure to trigger safety devices
should not be considered as a sys-
tem failure.
WARNING
Please don’t apply stickers
or other objects to the
steering wheel, to the air-bag cover
on the passenger's side or on the
side roof lining to the upholstery on
the roof side. Don’t place objects on
the dashboard passenger’s side
(such as mobile phones) because
they could tamper with the correct
opening of the passenger’s air-bag
and than cause serious injuries to
the vehicle occupants.
WARNING

57
LIGHTS SWITCH AND
STEERING WHEEL
LEVERS
The device and services controlled by
the levers on the steering wheel can only
be activated when the ignition key is in
theMARposition (except the parking
lights which can always be switched on).
LIGHTS SWITCH (fig. 66)
Lights switched off
When the pointer on the knurled ring
(A) is opposite the symbol O, the exter-
nal lights are switched off.
The front air bag is trig-
gered for shocks greater
in magnitude than the pretension-
ers. For impacts between these
two thresholds, it is therefore nor-
mal that only the pretensioners are
triggered.
WARNING
Do not hook rigid objects
to the coat hooks and to
the support handles.
WARNING
The air bag does not sub-
stitute the seat belts, but
only increases their effectiveness.
Moreover, since the front air bags
do not come into operation in the
event of front impact at low
speed, side collisions, bumps from
behind or overturning, in these cir-
cumstances the occupants would
only be protected by the seat belts
which must therefore always be
fastened.
WARNING
fig. 66
A0D0146m