2007 Alfa Romeo 156 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
183
SOUND SYSTEM(where applicable)
The fixed sound system, with cassette
player (radio with cassette player) or CD
player with parametric sound equalizer (ra-
dio with CD player) has been designed to
suit the specific characteristics of the pas-
senger compartment, with a personalised
design that matches the style of the dash-
board. The sound system instructions for use
are described in the attached supplement.
SOUND SYSTEM
PRESETTING SYSTEM(for versions/markets where
applicable)
The car, if not delivered with sound sys-
tem, is fitted with a glove compartment
(fig. 172) on the instrument panel.
Sound system presetting system includes
the following:
– sound system power cables;
– front and rear speaker power cables;
– aerial power cable;
– sound system housing;
– aerial on car roof (where provided).The sound system shall be installed in the
proper housing occupied by the glove com-
partment that can be removed by pressing
the two retaining tabs in the glove com-
partment: here are the power cables.
If after buying the car you
want to install the sound
system, contact first Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services whose
qualified personnel, in addition to
suggesting the most suitable de-
vices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption to safeguard the
battery. Excessive loadless ab-
sorption could damage the battery
and lose warranty.fig. 172
A0B742m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
184
The wiring diagram is the following (fig.
173):
Connector A
A1N.C.
A2N.C.
A3N.C.
A4+ 30 (battery-powered)
A5Aerial power supply
A6Light
A7+ 15 (key-powered)
A8Ground
Connector B
B1RH rear speaker
B2RH rear speaker
B3RH front speaker
B4RH front speaker
B5LH front speaker
B6LH front speaker
B7LH rear speaker
B8LH rear speaker
TECHNICAL INFORMATIONSpeakers (fig. 174-175)
For cars fitted with presetting system, the
sound system includes the following:
– 2 tweeters (A-fig. 174), with 30W
power;
– 4 speakers (B-fig. 174) and (A-fig.
175), 165 mm diameter (2 front and 2
rear), with 40W power.Aerial
For versions/markets where applicable,
the aerial can be built into the rear heated
window or can be located on the car roof.fig. 173
A0B741m
fig. 174
A0B387m
fig. 175
A0B237m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
185
REFUELLING PETROL ENGINESIn order to prevent the vehicle being filled
with leaded petrol, the diameter of the filler
neck is smaller than the nozzle used on
pumps delivering leaded petrol.At low temperatures, the degree of fluid-
ity of fuel oil may become insufficient due
to the formation of paraffins leading to dan-
ger of clogging the fuel oil filter.
Therefore, to avoid inconveniences, sum-
mer and winter fuel oils are normally dis-
tributed depending on the season.
However, during the intermediate season,
characterised by a large difference between
outside temperatures (0°C to 15°C), the
quality of the fuel oil distributed to the
pumps may not be adequate.
In this case, and above all if the use of the
car involves stopping and then starting again
at low temperatures (e.g. mountains),
make sure the car is filled with winter fuel
oil; if not, you are advised to mix the fuel
oil with a DIESEL MIXadditive in the pro-
portions stated on the can, pouring first the
antifreeze and then the fuel oil into the tank.
TheDIESEL MIXantifreeze should be
mixed with the fuel oil before reactions due
to cold take place. Adding it too late will
prove pointless. The anti-pollution devices
present on the vehicle im-
pose the use of four-star
unleaded fuel with an octane num-
ber (R.O.N.) above 95.
Under no circumstances
should conventional leaded
petrol be used, as this
would irreparably damage the cat-
alyst. If the tank is accidentally
filled with leaded fuel, even in
minute quantities, DO NOT START
THE ENGINE. Do not attempt to di-
lute the petrol with lead free fuel.
Drain the entire fuel circuit and
tank.
If the catalyst is not
working properly, harmful
emissions reach the ex-
haust, resulting in environment pol-
lution.The car must be refuelled
only with fuel oil for motor
vehicles, in conformity with
European specification EN590. The
use of other products or mixtures
may damage the engine irrepara-
bly, resulting in invalidation of the
warranty for the damage caused.
If the tank is accidentally filled
with another type of fuel, do not
start the engine but drain the tank.
If the engine has been run even for
a brief period, the tank must be
drained together with the entire
fuel circuit.
JTD ENGINES

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
186
FUEL CAP
(fig. 176)
The fuel flap is released from inside the
car, raising the front part of the lever (A).
The fuel cap (A-fig. 177) has a catch
to prevent misplacing it (B) that fastens it
to the flap (C).
WARNINGThe fuel tank is sealed her-
metically and pressure may build up inside.
Any noise of rushing air when the cap is re-
moved is perfectly normal.
fig. 176
A0B0044m
fig. 177
A0B0045m
In case of need, replace
the fuel cap only with an
original one; otherwise,
the efficiency of the petrol vapour
recovery system could be badly af-
fected.
EMERGENCY FLAP OPENING
DEVICEIf the lever (A-fig. 176) fails to work,
it is still possible to open the flap by pulling
the cord (A-fig. 178) on the right-hand
side of the luggage compartment.fig. 178
A0B0388m
WARNINGFor your safety, make sure
that the fuelling pump nozzle is inserted cor-
rectly into the housing, before starting the
engine.
Do not get near the fuel
filler with naked flames or
lit cigarettes: danger of fire. Also
avoid going too near the filler with
the face to avoid inhaling harmful
vapours.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
187
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTIONThe design and construction of the vehi-
cle have not only been developed with the
traditional aspects of performance and
safety in mind, but also take into account
the increasingly pressing problems tied to
protecting the environment.
The choice of materials, techniques and
particular parts are the result of work which
has made it possible to drastically reduce
the harmful effects on the environment and
guarantee respect for the severest interna-
tional norms.USE OF NON-TOXIC
MATERIALSNone of the components of the vehicle con-
tains asbestos. The padding and the climate
control system do not contain CFCs which
are held to be responsible for the depletion
of the ozone layer.
The colouring agents and the corrosion in-
hibitors used on the nuts, screws and bolts
do not contain cadmium any more, which
could pollute the atmosphere or water tables.
PARKING SENSORS
(WHERE PROVIDED)(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The parking system detects and informs
the driver (through an intermittent acoustic
signal) about the presence of obstacles in
the rear part of the car (fig. 179). ACTIVATIONThe sensors are automatically activated
when the reverse gear is engaged.
The sound produced by the acoustic alarm
becomes continuous when the distance be-
tween the car and the obstacle is less that
30 cm.
ACOUSTIC SIGNALWhen the reverse gear is engaged an in-
termittent acoustic signal is automatically
activated.
The acoustic signal:
– raises with the reduction of distance be-
tween the car and the obstacle;
– becomes continuous when the distance
between the car and the obstacle is less that
30 cm and stops if the distance raises.
– is constant if the distance is unvaried.
If this situation takes place for side sensors,
the signal is stopped after about 3 seconds
to prevent sound indications when per-
forming manoeuvres near walls.fig. 179
A0B0609m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
188
EMISSION REDUCING DEVICES
(petrol engines)Trivalent catalytic converter
(catalytic silencer)
The exhaust system is fitted with a cat-
alyzer formed of alloys of noble metals. It
is housed in a stainless steel container which
is able to resist the high operating temper-
atures.
The catalyzer converts the unburnt hydro-
carbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen ox-
ides present in the exhaust gas (even if in
small quantities thanks to the electronic in-
jection and ignition system) into harmless
compounds.Lambda probe
A sensor (lambda probe) measures the
content of oxygen present in the exhaust
gas. The signal transmitted by the lambda
probe is use by the injection and ignition
electronic control unit to adjust the air-fuel
mixture.
Anti-evaporation system
As it is impossible, even when the engine
is switched off, to prevent the formation of
fuel vapours, a system has been devised
which imprisons the vapours in a special ac-
tivated carbon container.
During operation of the engine, these
vapours are sucked up and sent to com-
bustion.
EMISSION REDUCING DEVICES
(JTD engines )Oxidising catalytic converter
Converts the polluting substances present
in the exhaust gases (carbon monoxide, un-
burned hydrocarbons and particulate) into
harmless substances, thus reducing the
fumes and smell that are typical of diesel
engines.
The catalytic converter consists of a stain-
less steel case that houses a ceramic hon-
eycomb body coated with noble metal used
as a catalyst.
Exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.)
This system recycles, i.e. re-uses, a vary-
ing percentage of the exhaust gases, de-
pending on engine operating conditions.
It is used, when necessary, to control ni-
tric oxides.
Due to the high tempera-
tures reached during oper-
ation of the catalytic converter, the
vehicle should not be parked over
inflammable materials (paper, fuel
oils, grass, dry leaves, etc.).
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
189
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
ENGINESWARNINGIt is important not to press
the accelerator until the engine has started.
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2)Move the gear lever to neutral.
3)Fully depress the clutch pedal so that
the starter motor is not forced to crank the
toothed wheels of the gearbox.
4)Ensure that the systems and electrical
devices, especially if they absorb high quan-
tities of energy (e.g. heated rear wind-
screen) are switched off.
5)Turn the ignition to the AV Vposition
and release it as soon as the engine starts.
6)If the engine does not start, return the
key to the STOPposition and repeat the
operation.
WARNINGIf it is difficult to start the en-
gine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyzer but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
device which obliges the driver to return the
ignition key to the STOPposition before re-
peating the starting operation if the engine
does not start immediately.
Similarly, when the engine is running, the
device prevents the key being moved from
the MARto the AV Vposition.
STARTING
THE ENGINEWARNINGThe car is fitted with an elec-
tronic engine lock device. If the engine fails
to start see “Alfa Romeo CODE system”.
C C
O O
R R
R R
E E
C C
T T

U U
S S
E E

O O
F F

T T
H H
E E

C C
A A
R R
In addition to the notes
and specifications given be-
low we recommend that,
during the initial period, you do not
drive to full vehicle performance
(for example excessive accelera-
tion, long journeys at top speed,
hard braking, etc.).
To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining the bat-
tery, never leave the ignition key
in the MAR position when the en-
gine is not running.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely
dangerous. The engine consumes
oxygen and produces carbon
monoxide which is a highly toxic
and lethal gas.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
190
WARNINGOn the 2.0 JTS version,
keep the brake pedal pressed when starting
the engine. As the brake pedal stiffens if it
is pressed repeatedly with the engine off. In
this situation, to allow the engine to be
started, it is necessary to increase the pres-
sure exerted on the pedal itself.PROCEDURE FOR JTD VERSIONS1)Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2)Move the gearshift lever to neutral.
3)Turn the ignition key to the MARpo-
sition. The warning light
m
on the instru-
ment cluster will turn on.
4)Wait for the
m
warning light to go
off, which will depend on how warm the en-
gine is. With the engine very hot the warn-
ing light may stay on for such a short time
that it is not noticed.
5)Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6)Turn the ignition key to AV Vas soon
as the
m
warning light goes off. Waiting
too long would make the glow plug heating
work pointless.WARNINGThe electric devices that ab-
sorb much energy (air conditioner,
rearscreen heating, etc.) are disengaged au-
tomatically during engine starting.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, move the ignition key back to the
STOPposition before repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa Romeo
CODE system efficient), do not insist with
prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if it is noted
that the cause is due to low charge of the
car’s battery. Never use a battery charger to
start the engine (see “If the battery is flat”
in the chapter “In an emergency”).
WARMING THE ENGINE– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometers of the journey, Wait until
the engine coolant temperature is between
50 and 60°C.SWITCHING OFF– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOPpo-
sition and switch off the engine.
WARNINGAfter a taxing drive it is bet-
ter to allow the engine to “catch its breath”
before turning it off by letting it idle to al-
low the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.