2006 Alfa Romeo 166 trailer

133
Reading this chapter and following the advice, recommendations
and specification given in it will make it possible for you to get the
best from your vehicle in terms of safety, performance, reliability
and length of life.
This chapter mostly deals with procedures of a general nature.
However, in some cases, it may deal with exclusive and particular
operations.
Pay close attention therefore to the information given as this will
allow you to exploit your vehicle to the full.STARTING THE ENGINE............................................................................page 134
SAFE DRIVING
.........................................................................................................136
WINTER TYRES
........................................................................................................147
SNOW CHAINS
........................................................................................................147
ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY DRIVING
.................................148
TOWING TRAILERS
................................................................................................152
VEHICLE INACTIVITY
..............................................................................................155
INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC DEVICES
...................................156
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND CELLULAR TELEPHONES
..............................156
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR CAR

149
Useless loads
Do not overload the boot (especially in
town), as this will heavily affect fuel con-
sumption and stability of the vehicle.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or ski rack imme-
diately after use. These accessories lower
air drag and adversely affect consumption
levels. For particularly bulky loads the use
of a trailer is preferable.
Electric services
Use electric devices only for the neces-
sary time. Rearscreen heating, additional
headlights, wipers and the heater fan
consume a considerable amount of ener-
gy, increasing the need for current highers
fuel consumption (up to +25% in the ur-
ban cycle).Climate control system
The climate control system is a further
load that weighs considerably on the en-
gine inducing higher consumption levels
(on average up to +20%). Outside tem-
perature permitting, preferably use the air
vents.
Spoilers
The use of spoilers that have not been
certified by Alfa Romeo can adversely af-
fect air drag and fuel consumption.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine stationary at i-
dle speed or high speed: in these condi-
tions the engine warms much more slow-
ly, increasing consumption and emissions.
It is therefore advisable to move off im-
mediately and slowly, avoiding high
speeds. This will warm up the engine
more quickly.
Pointless manoeuvres
Avoid revving the engine when waiting
at traffic lights and before switching the
engine off. This, like revving before
changing gear, serves absolutely no pur-
pose on modern cars and increases con-
sumption and emission levels.
Gearshifting
As soon as the road and traffic condi-
tions permit it, engage a higher gear. The
use of a low gear to obtain lively acceler-
ating increases fuel consumption.
In the same way, incorrect use of a gear
increases consumption, emission and en-
gine wear.

152 TOWING TRAILERS
GENERALITIES
The vehicle can be used to tow trailers
after a suitable tow hook has been fitted.
Alfa Romeo retails a tow hook which ful-
fils the safety and legal requirements.
This tow hook should be fitted by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services which will en-
sure a better result and avoid problems
arising which may jeopardise the body-
work warranty cover.The trailer’s braking system must be
separate from the vehicle’s hydraulic sys-
tem.
The vehicle-trailer match must conform
to the specifications of the road-traffic
laws.
Towing weight refers to the overall
weight of a fully loaded trailer including
all accessories and personal belongings.
To avoid sanctions the overall weight of a
fully loaded trailer should be checked to
ensure that it does not exceed the limits
given in the log book.
The vertical loading on the ball hook
should not in any case exceed the limits
specified in the “Technical specifications”
section.When hooking up a caravan or trailer
check that the maximum towable
weights (given in the log book) and the
maximum load permitted on the vehicle’s
tow hook (given on the label applied to
the structure of the trailer), are above or
equal to the overall weight and loading
on the towing eye.
WARNINGS AND
SUGGESTIONS
Some indications concerning driving
with a trailer are given below:
– Install the specific rear-view mirrors
as specified by law.
– Remember that when towing a trailer
steep inclines are harder to climb.
– When travelling down hill engage a
low gear rather than constantly using the
brake.
– Drive within the permitted speed lim-
its for vehicles with trailers. In any case
the maximum speed should never exceed
100 km/h.
The ABS system with
which the car is fitted
does not control the trailer brak-
ing system. Particular care is
therefore necessary on slippery
surfaces.
WARNING
Under no circumstances
should the hydraulic
braking system of the vehicle be
tampered with to control the
brakes of the trailer.
WARNING

153
Apart from the electrical branches taken
off for the obligatory signalling devices,
the vehicle’s electrical system can only be
connected to the supply cable for an elec-
tric brake and to the cable for internal
light, though not above 15W, in the trailer.
The electric brake must be directly sup-
plied by the battery through a cable with
a cross-section of over 2.5 mm
2.
INSTALLING TOW HOOK
(fig. 3)
The chart shows the attachment points
for fixing the tow hook to the body.
These points must not be changed irre-
spective of the shape and size of the
hook. For mechanical connection the fol-
lowing must be used:
– “ISO 50” 2nd category ball hook
(CUNA Table NC 138-40)
– 2nd category ball eyelet model “CU-
NA 502” (CUNA Table NC 438-40)
The tow hook structure must be fas-
tened in the points shown by the symbol
Øwith a total of 12 M10 screws.
The inner plate (1) should be at least 4
mm thick.
The side plates (2) should be at least 5
mm thick.
The fastening points (3) must be fitted
with a spacer with a 25 mm diameter
and 6 mm thickness.IMPORTANTIt is compulsory to fas-
ten a label of suitable size and material
(clearly visible) at the height of the hook
ball with the wording:
MAX. LOAD ON BALL 60 kg.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
The attachment for the trailer wiring
connections are to be applied to the tow
hook support in the most suitable posi-
tion.
For the electrical connections a 13 pole,
12V connection must be used.
For vehicle-trailer electrical connections
contact Authorized Alfa Romeo Services.Do not connect any
trailer services (fan,
fridge, etc.) to the vehi-
cle’s electrical system.
After assembly, the fas-
tening screw holes
should be sealed to prevent the in-
filtration of exhaust gas.
WARNING

190
FUSES AND RELAYS IN THE
BOOT
Fuses and relays are housed in the
right-hand side of the boot are housed in
a box, in the recess closed by cover (A-
fig. 92).
To open the cover turn the knob (B).
The devices protected by the fuses in
the boot are listed in the tables on next
pages.IMPORTANTThe arrangement of the
relays may vary depending on the ver-
sions and markets. In the event of a sus-
pected anomaly, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.Circuits operated by relays are the fol-
lowing (fig. 93):
A.Air mixing actuator, climate control
unit, additional heater control (JTD ver-
sions)
B.Rearscreen heating relay
C.Seat warming control, elec-
trochromic driving mirror, sun visor light,
rain sensor, parking sensor control unit,
door mirror control light, remote control
receiver, alarm system control unit, dri-
ver's power window control LOCK warn-
ing light
D.Windscreen heating, door mirror de-
frosting
E.Front seat warming, rear current
socket, front seat electric adjustment,
powered sunroof
F.Direction indicators, trailer presetting
518PGS
fig. 93
A0D0097m
A0D0111m
fig. 92

193
System/Component Fuse no. Ampere Location
Rearscreen heating 1 30A fig. 93
Relay coil T21, T22, T23 (boot box) 3 5A fig. 86
Relay coil T24 (boot box) 5 10A fig. 86
Remote control receiver 15 10A fig. 93
Sound amplifier 20 25A fig. 93
Sound system 4 15A fig. 86
Sound system controls on steering wheel 5 10Afig. 86
Starter motor 1 30A fig. 89
Trailer presetting 12 10A fig. 93
Windscreen heating 7 15A fig. 93
Windscreen wiper 14 25A fig. 86
System/Component Fuse no. Ampere Location
Navigator 18 5A fig. 86
Parking sensors (control unit) 15 10A fig. 93
Power windows (driver's control
LOCK warning light) 15 10A fig. 93
Powered sunroof 10 20A fig. 93
Presetting 4 – fig. 93
11 – fig. 93
Rain sensor 15 10A fig. 93
Rear current socket 16 20A fig. 93
Rear LH power window (ABI control unit) 14 20Afig. 93
Rear RH power window (ABI control unit) 17 20Afig. 93

203
It is possible to ask the Alfa Romeo Or-
ganisation for an estimate of the cost of
service coupon operations.
IMPORTANTYou are advised to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services in
the event of any minor operating faults,
without waiting for the next service cou-
pon.
IMPORTANTThe programmed main-
tenance coupons are specified by the
Manufacturer. The failure to have them
carried out may invalidate the warranty.GENERALITIES
Perfect performance and the life of eve-
ry car are strictly connected with correct
use of it, but above all on the care with
which routine maintenance operations are
carried out for which new programming
criteria have been adopted owing to prod-
uct development.
The mileage for programmed mainte-
nance coupons is 20,000 km.
It is however wise to remember that the
car still needs routine care such as for in-
stance checking and topping up the
fluids, checking the tyre pressure, etc.
Correct vehicle maintenance is surely
the best way to preserve its performance
levels, safety and environment protection
features and low running costs over the
years.
Also remember that strictly observing
the maintenance instructions given in this
Handbook marked by the symbol
—can be a necessary condition for the guar-
antee. If the car is frequently
used for towing trailers,
the interval between
programmed maintenance opera-
tions should be reduced.
Warning, when topping
up never confuse the
various types of fluids
which are incompatible and could
seriously damage the vehicle.

207
IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more frequently
than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme if the car is used pre-
vailingly in one of the following particular-
ly harsh conditions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short, repeated journeys (less than 7-
8 km) with an outside temperature of be-
low freezing point.
– engine idling frequently or driving
long distances at low speed (e.g. taxi or
door-to-door deliveries) or in the case of
prolonged inactivity.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, change
the air cleaner more frequently than stat-
ed in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
For any doubts about the intervals be-
tween engine oil and air cleaner changes
in relation to how the car is used, contact
Authorised Alfa Romeo Services.IMPORTANT - Fuel oil filter
The variety of the degree of purity of
the fuel oil in commerce may make it
necessary to change the fuel oil filter
more frequently than stated in the Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme. If the en-
gine is “sobbing” it is a sign that the fil-
ter needs changing.
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments, you are
recommended to change the activated
carbon filtering element more frequently;
in particular, it should be changed if a
lower flow of air admitted to the passen-
ger compartment is noted.IMPORTANT - Batteries
You are recommended to have the bat-
tery charge conditions checked, prefer-
ably at the onset of winter, to avoid the
possibility of freezing the electrolyte.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used prevailingly
for short journeys, or if it is fitted with
services that absorb high amounts of cur-
rent permanently with the ignition key
off, especially if installed in the after mar-
ket.
In the case of use of the car in hot cli-
mates or particularly harsh conditions, it
is wise to check the level of the battery
fluid (electrolyte) at more frequent inter-
vals than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme.
IMPORTANT - Remote control
If when pressing the remote control but-
ton of the key, the operating led on the
key flashes briefly only once, the battery
need replacing with other of the same
type.