2007 Alfa Romeo 156 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR23
ADJUSTING THE HEADRESTS (fig. 24)
To increase the safety of passengers, the
headrests are adjustable in height and, for
versions with Recaro seats they are also ad-
justable in rake.
To adjust the height: move the headrest
up or down, then release it and make sure
that it is locked in one of the pre-established
positions.
For angle adjustment (where applicable):
take hold of the headrest and turn it to the
most suitable position.
WARNINGThe shape of the headrest
may vary depending on the version and/or
market. The example shown is used only to
demonstrate the methods by which it can
be adjusted.
REAR POCKETS (where
required)
(fig. 25)
The front seats are provided with a pocket
in the rear of the seat back.
REAR SEATCENTRE ARMREST
(fig. 26)
(where required)
To use the centre armrest, lower it holding
the grip (A) as illustrated.
fig. 24
A0B0050m
fig. 25
A0B0320m
fig. 27
A0B0565m
fig. 26
A0B0564m
Remember that the head
restraints must be posi-
tioned so that they are supporting
the back of the head and not the
neck. They will only be able to pro-
vide effective protection in the
event of a collision if they are in
this position.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR24
SKI COMPARTMENT (optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The compartment may be used for carry-
ing long loads.To gain access to this compartment, lower
the armrest, pull the grip (A-fig. 27) of
the lid and lower it onto the armrest
(fig. 28).
The compartment can be extended by re-
moving the armrest: with the armrest low-
ered, press the two small handles (B-
fig. 29) at the base of the armrest inwards
and remove it. Then pull the grip of the lid
and lower it onto the rear seat (fig. 30).
HEADREST The car is fitted with two headrests for the
side seats. On request, for versions/markets
where applicable, a third headrest is avail-
able for the centre seat.
If necessary the headrests can be removed
as follows:
– raise the headrest to the maximum
height (where required);
– press both buttons (Aand B-fig. 31)
and remove the headrests.
fig. 28
A0B0322m
fig. 29
A0B00323m
fig. 30
A0B0324m
fig. 31
A0B0566m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR25
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTThe steering wheel position is adjustable
and may be move nearer to or further away
from the driver and also raised or lowered.
To do this, it is necessary to release lever
(A-fig. 32) and pull it towards the steer-
ing wheel.
After setting the steering wheel in the most
appropriate position, lock it pushing the lever
fully home.
ADJUSTING THE
REAR-VIEW MIRRORSINTERNAL REAR-VIEW
MIRRORThe mirror, fitted with a safety device
which releases it in the event of a violent
impact can be moved to two positions: nor-
mal or anti-glare by operating lever (A-
fig. 33).
fig. 32
A0B0035m
fig. 33
A0B0595m
The steering wheel position
must only be adjusted with
the car stationary.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifi-
cations (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 ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR26
Folding (fig. 35)
– If necessary (for example when the size
of the mirror causes difficulty in narrow
spaces) the door mirror can be folded in to-
wards the car from position (A) to position
(B).Defrosting/demisting (fig. 36)
The electric mirrors can be fitted with heat-
ing coils which are operated together with
rearscreen heating pressing button (A) and
prevent the mirrors from frosting and/or
misting.
WARNINGThis function is timed and
is deactivated after a few minutes.
fig. 36
A0B0399m
fig. 35
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When travelling the door
mirrors must always be in
position (A).
WARNING
As the driver’s door mirror
is curved, it may slightly
alter the perception of distance.
WARNING
DOOR MIRRORSElectrically adjustable (fig. 34)
Select the mirror to be adjusted (right or
left) using switch (A):
– move switch (A) to (B) to adjust the
left door mirror;
– move switch (A) to (D) to adjust the
right door mirror.
Then, reposition the switch (A) in the in-
termediate locking position (C).
WARNINGThe mirror can only be ad-
justed electrically when the ignition key is
in the MARposition.fig. 34
A0B0018m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR27
POWER WINDOWSFRONTWARNINGWith ignition key at STOP
windows can be opened manually for about
max. 2 minutes or until opening one of the
front doors.
Driver’s (fig. 37-39)
The driver’s door panel plate contains the
buttons which, with the ignition key at
MAR, operate the following windows:
A– left front window
B– right front window
C– left rear window (where fitted)
D– right rear window (where fitted)
E– rear door window control inhibitor
(where fitted) (with the inhibitor activated
the button is up, press again to re-enable
the rear buttons).WARNINGThe driver’s power window
is fitted with a “continuous automatic op-
eration” for both lowering and raising the
window device. A brief press on the upper
or lower part of the button will cause the
window to move and continue its stroke au-
tomatically: the window stops in the posi-
tion required by pressing either the upper or
lower part of the button again.
Passenger’s (fig. 38)
Button (A) is used to operate the pas-
senger’s window.
WARNINGThe passenger’s window is
fitted with a device for “continuous auto-
matic operation” only for lowering it. The
device works as described for the driver’s
window.
fig. 37
A0B0031m
fig. 38
A0B0032m
REAR (where required)The rear windows are operated by the han-
dles on the door panels.
On request for versions/markets where
applicable, the rear doors can be fitted with
power windows with split controls on driver’s
door (C and D-fig. 39) and on each rear
door (A-fig. 40).
With the ignition key at MAR, press the
button to lower the window; pull the button
to raise it.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR28
Do not hold the button
down when the window is
fully open or fully closed.
Versions not fitted with power windows
have a window winder (A-fig. 40a) for
working the window by hand.
SEAT BELTSUSING THE SEAT BELTS The belt should be worn keeping the chest
straight and rested against the seat back.
Take hold the tongue (A-fig. 41) and in-
sert it into the buckle (B), until hearing the
locking click.
At removal, if it jams, let it rewind for a
short stretch, then pull it out again without
jerking.
To unfasten the seat belts, press button
(C). Guide the seat belt with your hand
while it is rewinding, to prevent it from twist-
ing.fig. 41
A0B0325m
fig. 40a
A0B0608m
When leaving the car al-
ways remove the ignition
key to prevent passengers (espe-
cially children) from being injured
by the power windows inadver-
tently operated.
WARNING
fig. 40
A0B0034m
fig. 39
A0B0033m
Incorrect use of the power
windows can be dangerous.
Before and during operation of them
always make sure that the passen-
gers are not exposed to the risk of
harm caused either directly by the
windows in motion or by personal
objects drawn or knocked by them.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR29
fig. 44
A0B0300m
Through the reel, the belt automatically
adapts to the body of the passenger wear-
ing it, allowing freedom of movement.
When the car is parked on a steep slope
the reel mechanism may block; this is nor-
mal. The reel mechanism prevents the web-
bing coming out when it is jerked or if the
car brakes sharply, in a collision or when cor-
nering at high speed.
Never press button (C)
when travelling.
WARNING
The centre seat is fitted with inertial seat
belt with three anchor points and reel like
side seats (fig. 42).
On request, for versions/markets where
applicable, the rear seat can be fitted with
inertial seat belt with three anchor points
and reel for side seats and lap belt with two
anchor points for the centre seat (fig. 44).
In order to ensure that the correct tabs, are
fitted in the correct clips, the tabs of the side
belts and the clip of the central belt (only
abdominal) are incompatible (fig. 43).
fig. 45
A0B0466m
fig. 42
A0B0301m
fig. 43
A0B0467m
To offer the highest level of
protection, the rear seat
belts should be fastened as shown
in fig. 42 and fig. 44.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR30
When the rear seats are not occupied, use
the proper pockets (A-fig. 47) on the
backrest to stow the seat belt clips neatly,
the tab (B) of the central abdominal belt
shall be fitted into (C) (see next paragraph
“Rear abdominal centre housing”).REAR CENTRAL ABDOMINAL
BELT
(fig. 48)
Fasten the belt by inserting the tab (A)
into the clip (B), until a click is heard.
To adjust the belt, run the tape in the
buckle (D) pulling the end (E) to tighten
and part (F) to loosen.
Press button (C) to release the belt.
WARNINGThe belt is adjusted properly
when it fits closely across the hips.
fig. 47
A0B0118m
fig. 48
A0B0003m
Remember that, in the
event of an accident, any
passengers occupying the rear
seats who are not wearing a seat
belt not only subject themselves to
great personal risk but constitute
a danger to the occupants of the
front seats.
WARNING
After tilting, when resetting
the rear seat in straight po-
sition, take care to reposition the
seat belt properly to have it ready
for use.
WARNING
fig. 46
A0B0123m
Make sure the seat back is
correctly hooked on both
sides (not visible red buttons (A) to
prevent seat back being thrown
forwards and injuring passengers
should you brake sharply.
WARNING
Proper backrest coupling is
guaranteed when button
(A-fig. 46) set near each handle (B)
is retracted in the handle.
WARNING