2007 Alfa Romeo 156 gearbox

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
156
SPORT(button (A-fig. 139)
pressed):
This is selected when wanting to avail of
the vehicle’s peak performance for sporty
driving or on demanding routes.
Driving in the SPORTmode increases fuel
consumption.
WARNINGThe CITYor SPORTdri-
ving modes can be selected under any con-
dition (vehicle stationary or on the move).
WARNINGWhen the car is started with
a cold engine, the system selects the
SPORTdriving mode, even if the CITY
mode has been selected, until the engine
reaches normal operating temperature.
C/S
ICE( button (B-fig. 133) pressed):
This driving mode is recommended when
the road surface offers poor grip (snow, ice,
etc.). Moving off takes place in 2
ndgear.
The ICEdriving mode is available only with
the selector lever at D.
Moving the lever from D, the ICEmode
is automatically cut off.
WARNINGThe ICEdriving mode can
be engaged pressing the corresponding but-
ton also with the car on the move, provided
that the speed is below 45 km/h.
ICE
SELECTING THE DRIVING
MODESThe automatic gearbox for this car is con-
trolled electronically and includes the selec-
tion of three different driving modes, thereby
giving the best response in terms of driving
comfort, consumption levels, sporty perfor-
mance and travelling safety.
The three driving modes CITY, SPORT
and are selected by 2 buttons on the
centre console (fig. 139).
The button (A-fig. 139) selects the
CITYor SPORTfunctions, the button
(B-fig. 139) selects the mode.
With the ignition key at MAR, the driving
mode selected is indicated by the lighting
up of the corresponding word on the display
on the instrument cluster (rev counter):
CITY( button (A-fig. 139)
pressed):
This is used under normal operating con-
ditions; it gives preference to comfortable
driving and balanced consumption control
engaging gears at relatively low engine
speed.
C/S
ICE
ICE
C/SICE
fig. 139
A0B0264m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
157
MANUAL OPERATING MODE,
Q-SYSTEM ACTIVATIONFor manual gearshifting, move the lever
to the left sector (fig. 140).
Moving the gearshift lever to the manual
sector is only possible from position D.
Passing to manual gearshift control is pos-
sible under all driving conditions; however,
the system will allow engagement only of
the gear consistent with engine rpm and the
current speed of the vehicle.
Gearshifting takes place as for a normal
manual gearbox.
STOPPING THE CARTo stop the car, simply press the brake
pedal, regardless of the position of the
gearshift lever.
fig. 140
A0B0263m
Moving the lever back to position Dthe
gearbox will resume automatic operation in-
stantly, engaging the ratio in accordance
with the driving characteristics and driving
mode selected.
When manual operation is
set (Q-System device) and
a high gear is engaged, to acceler-
ate rapidly, for example for over-
taking, it is necessary to shift to
a lower gear by hand, as for nor-
mal cars with mechanical gearbox.
WARNING
With the engine idling even
on level ground, if the
brake pedal is not kept pressed,
the car tends to move.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
158
1st2nd3rd4th
2nd2nd4th4th
Gear engaged Gear ratiomanually available
FAULT SIGNALLINGAutomatic gearbox faults are indicated by
the t
warning light (A-fig. 141) on
the instrument cluster as follows:
–warning light glowing steadily
= maximum automatic gearbox oil temper-
ature;
–warning light flashing= automatic
gearbox fault.
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light should turn on and go out after
approx. 4 seconds.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
during travelling, it indicates a gearbox fault
(flashing) or overheated gearbox oil (glow-
ing steadily).Warning light glowing steadily
If the warning light turns on and glows
steadily when the car is travelling, it indi-
cates that the gearbox oil has reached the
maximum established temperature.
The automatic control system provides an
emergency programme.
It is however advisable to stop the car,
move the lever to Por Nand let the engine
idle until the warning light goes out. Resume
driving without demanding high perfor-
mance from the engine.
If the warning light comes on again, it is
necessary to stop again with the engine
idling until it goes out again.
If the interval between one lighting up of
the warning light and the next is below 15
minutes, you are advised to stop the car,
turn off the engine and wait for the engine-
gearbox unit to cool down completely.
fig. 141
A0B0386m
Warning light flashing
The flashing of the warning light when trav-
elling indicates a fault in the automatic gear-
box.
The automatic control system provides an
emergency programme. Under these cir-
cumstances, you are advised to stop the car
and turn off the engine; in fact, the next
time the engine is started, the self-diag-
nostics system could cut off the fault which
will, however, be memorised by the elec-
tronic control device.
Conversely, if the fault remains (warning
light (A- fig. 141) flashing), it is neces-
sary to select the gears manually as if dri-
ving a car with mechanical gearbox, bear-
ing in mind that the only two speeds
available are the 2
ndand 4
thgear, as shown
in the table below:

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
159
If the indicator light re-
mains flashing, contact the
Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service Centers as soon as possi-
ble to remove the fault.
If a fault is indicated when the engine is
started, this means that the gearbox control
system had detected and memorised a fault
during the journey prior to switching the en-
gine off. In this case, too, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to have the au-
tomatic gearbox checked over.It is possible to engage reverse gear.
ACOUSTIC WARNINGThis comes into operation for about 18 sec-
onds when:
– the driver’s door is open and/or the en-
gine is off with the selector lever in a posi-
tion other than P;
– position R(reverse) is engaged.PUSH STARTINGStarting the car by pushing or towing is not
possible. In the event of an emergency,
when the battery is flat, start the car with
a suitable emergency battery, following the
instructions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
When driving with a faulty
gearbox, drive with the ut-
most care considering the restricted
performance levels (in terms of ac-
celeration and speed) the car can
offer.
WARNING
When travelling with a
faulty gearbox, the reverse
lock might not work: absolutely
never move the lever to position
R with the car on the move.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
160
The failure to follow the
above instructions may
cause serious damage to
the automatic gearbox.
TOWING THE CARWARNINGFor towing the car, abide by
current local regulations. Also follow the in-
structions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
If the car needs to be towed, observe the
following recommendations:
– if possible, put the car on a rescue ve-
hicle;
– if this is not possible, tow the car by rais-
ing the driving wheels (front) from the
ground;
– if this, too, is not possible, the car may
only be towed for 50 km at a speed below
50 km/h.
The gearshift lever should be at position N
for towing.Cars with automatic gear-
box may be towed only for
short distances and at low
speed: if longer towing is neces-
sary, the driving wheels must be
raised to prevent the gearbox from
being pulled into rotation during
towing.
Do not start the engine
when the vehicle is being
towed.
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

Fuel oil heater (JTD versions, JTD 16V Multijet)Services switched off with startingBattery power supply for Alfa Romeo CODE/Injection system(+15) key-controlled service supply (ignition switch)General service supply (petrol versions)General service supply (diesel versions)General service supplyAdditional heater (diesel version only)Oil pump supply (Selespeed versions only)
Selespeed gearbox(2.0 JTS version)
Automatic gearbox(2.5 V6 24V version)(*) Specific components and values depending on the version/market. If in doubt, especially for the replacement of fuses which protect safety circuits
and/or systems (Air bag, ABS, etc.), you are recommended to contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, also to locate the cause of the fuse tripping.
IN AN EMERGENCY
241
74
71
71
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68
68 25A
7.5A
7.5A
30A
80A
80A
70A
70A
30A
30A
20A
40A
20A H
1
12
2
4
1
3
10
10
7
8
7
8
SERVICES FUSE AMPERES FIGURE

IN AN EMERGENCY
244
TOWING THE 2.0 JTS
SELESPEED VERSIONWARNINGFor version with Selespeed
gearbox, make sure that it is in neutral (N)
(checking that the car moves when pushed)
and proceed as for towing a normal car with
mechanical gearbox following the instruc-
tions given on the previous page.
Should it be impossible to set to neutral,
do not tow the vehicle; contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
TOWING THE VERSION WITH
AUTOMATIC GEARBOX
(2.5 V6 24V Q-SYSTEM)WARNINGFor towing the vehicle com-
ply with current local regulations. Also fol-
low the instructions given on the previous
page.
If the car needs to be towed, observe the
following recommendations:
– if possible, put the car on a rescue ve-
hicle;
– if this is not possible, tow the car rais-
ing the driving wheels (front) from the
ground;
– if this, too, is not possible, the car may
only be towed for 50 Km at a speed of
50 km/h.
The gearshift lever should be at position N
for towing.The failure to follow the
above instructions may
cause serious damage to
the automatic gearbox.
Cars with automatic gear-
box may be towed only for
short distances and at a
low speed: if longer towing is nec-
essary, the driving wheels must be
raised to prevent the gearbox from
being pulled into rotation during
towing.
Do not start the engine
when towing the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not start the engine
when the vehicle is being
towed.
WARNING