2007 Alfa Romeo 156 ESP

CAR MAINTENANCE
259
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics than
those of the oil already in
the system.Used gearbox oil contain
pollutants. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
to have the oil changed as these
are equipped to dispose of the
waste oil respecting the environ-
ment and laws.
SELESPEED GEARBOX
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM OIL(fig. 13)
The oil level of the Selespeed system
should be carried out with the car on a lev-
el surface and with the engine stopped and
cold.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– turn the ignition key to MAR;
– disconnect the breather tube and re-
move the cap (A) checking that the level
corresponds with the MAXmark on the dip-
stick of the actual cap;
– if the level is below the MAXmark, top
up with oil until reaching the correct level;
– after screwing the cap back on, insert
the breather tube completely on the cap
spout and turn the ignition key to STOP.fig. 13
A0B0162m
When the engine is hot,
take care when working
inside the engine compartment to
avoid burns. Remember that when
the engine is hot, the fan may cut
in: danger of injury.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
260
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics than
those of the oil already in
the system.
The oil level should never exceed the
MAXmark on the dipstick on the COLD
side, if the level is checked cold and on the
HOTside if the level is checked with the
gearbox/differential unit hot.
fig. 14
A0B0163m
The level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word COLD(+40°C).
WARNINGAfter long journeys with the
gearbox/differential unit very hot, the oil
level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word HOT(+80°C).
Q-SYSTEM AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX OIL LEVEL
(fig. 14)
The oil should be checked with the engine
idling and at operating temperature, the
gearshift lever at position Pand the car on
level ground.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– remove the dipstick (A);
– clean it with a clean lint free cloth;
– insert the dipstick in its housing pushing
well down to the bottom;
– remove it to check.
If the oil level is near or below the MIN
mark, add TUTELA GI/2oil through the
dipstick housing.
When the engine is very
hot, take care when work-
ing inside the engine compartment
to avoid burns. Remember that
when the engine is hot, the fan may
cut in: danger of injury.
WARNING
Used gearbox oil contain
pollutants. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to
have the oil changed as these are
equipped to dispose of the waste
oil respecting the environment and
laws.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
266
BATTERYThe battery is of the “Limited Mainte-
nance” type and is fitted with an optical in-
dicator (A-fig. 23) for checking the elec-
trolyte level and charge.
Under normal conditions of use the elec-
trolyte does not need topping up with dis-
tilled water. To make sure that it is in effi-
cient conditions, at routine intervals check
the indicator on the battery cover which
should be dark in colour with a green cen-
tral area.
If the indicator is a bright light colour, or
dark without the green central area, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have the
battery changed at Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services, which are
properly equipped for disposing of
used batteries respecting nature
and the law.
POLLEN FILTER This has mechanical/electrostatic air fil-
tering actions, provided that the windows
and doors are shut.
Have the pollen filter checked once a year
by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, prefer-
ably at the onset of summer.
If the car is mainly used in dusty or heav-
ily polluted areas, the filter should be
changed at more frequent intervals than
specified in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
WARNINGThe failure to replace the fil-
ter can considerably reduce the effectiveness
of the climate control system.
fig. 23
A0B0147m
The liquid in the battery is
poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with eyes and skin.
Do not bring naked flames or pos-
sible sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and explosion.
WARNING

CAR MAINTENANCE
273
Proceed as follows:
– Raise the windscreen wiper arm and po-
sition the blade so that it forms an angle
of 90° with the arm.
– Press tab (B) of the coupling spring and
remove the blade to be replaced from the
arm (A).
– When the spring is released from the
curved top of the arm, move the blade to al-
low the arm to be withdrawn through the slot.
– Insert a new blade passing it through the
curved top of the arm (A) through the slot.
– Lift the blade to clamp tab (B) of the cou-
pling spring with the curved top of the arm.
– Lower the windscreen wiper arm.
WARNINGThe blades may differ ac-
cording to the versions. In any case, follow
the instructions provided in the packs avail-
able as spares from Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services. Changing the windscreen wiper
blade (fig. 27)
WARNINGThe blade on driver’s side
is fitted with a spoiler that improves adhe-
sion between the blade and the windscreen.
To prevent improper fitting, before changing
the blade, check the spoiler direction of the
blade to be replaced, then fit the new blade
following the same spoiler direction.
fig. 27
A0B0580m
WINDSCREEN/REAR
SCREEN WIPERSBLADESPeriodically clean the rubber part using spe-
cial products TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they
should be replaced. In any case they should
be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
– If the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the rub-
ber against the glass. If necessary, thaw us-
ing an antifreeze product.
– Remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this prevents
effort on the motor and overheating.
– Do not operate the windscreen and rear
window wipers on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
281
CHANGING THE BLADE(fig. 11)
The rearscreen wiper blade should be re-
placed together with the arm.
To replace:
– mark the position of the blade in rela-
tion to the rearscreen.
– Raise the lid (A), slacken the nut (B)
and remove the arm (C).
– Correctly posiiton the new arm and firm-
ly tighten the fastening nut.
– Lower the lid.fig. 11
A0B0082m
REARSCREEN WIPER –
REARSCREEN WASHEROPERATION
(fig. 10)
This is only possible with the ignition key
at MAR.
To operate the rearscreen wiper turn the
knob (A) to position
(
. The rearscreen
wiper works intermittently.
Pushing the lever (B) forwards the
rearscreen washer jet comes into operation
which is disengaged when the lever is re-
leased.
With the rearscreen washer, the wiper
comes into operation automatically for a few
seconds.
fig. 10
A0B0081m
fig. 12
A0B0083m
SPRAY JET
(fig. 12)
If the jet does not spray, check that there
is fluid in the windscreen washer reservoir:
see the corresponding paragraph in the chap-
ter “Car maintenance”. Then check that the
holes on the jet (A) are not clogged and
free them using a pin, if necessary.

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
287
LUGGAGE COVERThe luggage cover (A-fig. 28) can be
rolled up and removed.
To roll, remove the two rear pins (B-
fig. 29) from their housings.
WARNINGAccompany the cover when
rolling, holding it by the handle (C-fig. 28). To avoid damage to the
cover do not rest any ob-
jects on it.
fig. 29
A0B0109m
fig. 30
A0B0604m
fig. 28
A0B0603m
To remove the cover roll it and check that
the passenger compartment separation net
is also rolled (see following paragraph), then
pull the hooks back (A-fig. 30). Raise and
remove the cover from the boot.
To put the cover back on, insert the ends
of the reel in the respective housings, mak-
ing sure that the catches are correctly locked
forwards making the green symbols at the
base of the actual button visible, then pull
it by the handle (C-fig. 28) and hook the
two rear pins (B-fig. 29).
In the event of an accident
or abrupt braking any ob-
jects on top of the cover might be
thrown into the passenger com-
partment, with the risk of harming
the occupants; use of the passen-
ger compartment separation net is
recommended.
WARNING

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
289
EXTENDING THE BOOTThe split rear seat makes partial (1/3 or
2/3) or total extension of the boot possible.
To use the maximum loading volume, re-
move the luggage cover following the in-
structions given in the corresponding para-
graph.
1/3 Partial extension (fig. 35)
Extension of the left-hand side of the boot
makes it possible to carry two passengers
on the right-hand part of the rear seat.2/3 Partial extension (fig. 36)
Extension of the right-hand side of the boot
makes it possible to carry one passenger on
the left-hand part of the rear seat. To rewind the net, release the hooks (B)
from the rings (C) and accompany it while
it winds.
fig. 34
A0B0114m
fig. 35
A0B0605m
fig. 36
A0B0606m

ALFA 156 SPORTWAGON
292
REFUELLINGEMERGENCY FUEL FLAP
OPENING
(fig. 45)
If the fuel flap opening lever fails to work,
pull the emergency cord (A) on the right-
hand side of the boot.
INTERNAL FITTINGSGRAB HANDLES
(fig. 44)
There are two grab handles in correspon-
dence with the front doors.
Two grab handles (A) are located above
the rear doors fitted with a coat hook (B).
ROOF BARS -
SKI RACK(fig. 46) (optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
The car may be fitted with two longitudi-
nal bars that can be used, with the addi-
tion of specific accessories, for carrying var-
ious items (skis, windsurf boards, etc.).
fig. 45
A0B0125m
Never exceed the maxi-
mum permissible loads giv-
en in the “Technical speci-
fications” chapter.
fig. 46
A0B0126m
fig. 44
A0B0124m