2007 Alfa Romeo 156 brake

2
MUST BE READ!REFUELLING
Petrol engines:only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) no less than 95.
Diesel engines:only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590.
K
ENGINE START-UP
Petrol engines with mechanical transmission:make sure the handbrake is pulled; put the gear lever into neutral;
press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to AV Vand release it as
soon as the engine starts.
Petrol engines with Selespeed transmission or Q-System:keep the brake pedal fully depressed; turn the igni-
tion key to AV Vand release it as soon as the engine has started; the transmission sets to neutral automatically (the display
shows position N).
Diesel engines:Turn the ignition key to MARand wait for the
Y
and
m
warning lights to go off; turn the ignition
key to AV Vand release it as soon as the engine starts.
PARKING OVER FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While functioning normally, the catalytic converter reaches high temperatures. For this reason do not park the car over in-
flammable material, grass, dry leaves, pine needles, etc.: fire hazard.


GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR17
IGNITION DEVICE THE SWITCH
(fig. 12)
The key can be moved to one of four po-
sitions:
– STOP: engine switched off, key can be
removed, engine lock engaged, steering lock
engaged, all services excluded apart from
those powered directly (e.g. hazard warn-
ing lights).
– MAR: drive position. The engine lock
is deactivated and all electrical devices are
powered.
WARNINGNever leave the key in this
position when the engine is stationary.– AV V: unstable position for starting the
engine.
WARNINGIf the engine does not start,
return the ignition key to the STOPposi-
tion and repeat the sequence.
The ignition block is fitted with a safety de-
vice preventing it from being moved to the
AV Vposition when the engine is already
running.
– PARK: engine switched off, key can
be removed, engine lock engaged, steer-
ing lock engaged, sidelights automatically
switched on.
WARNINGTo turn the key to the
PARKposition, button (A) located on the
switch should be pressed first.If the ignition device is
tampered with (for exam-
ple during an attempted
break-in) have it checked over by
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services,
before travelling again.
fig. 12
A0B0610m
When leaving the car al-
ways remove the key from
the ignition to prevent any pas-
senger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Never leave children unattended in
the car. Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the car is facing
uphill, first gear and if the car is
facing downhill, reverse.
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

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR53
CRUISE CONTROL(optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
GENERALThe speed regulator (CRUISE CON-
TROL), with electronic control, makes it
possible to drive the car at the required
speed without pressing the accelerator
pedal. This reduces driving fatigue on mo-
torways, especially during long journeys be-
cause the speed memorised is automatically
maintained.
WARNINGThe device can only be en-
gaged at speeds between 30 and 190
km/h.
The device may only be engaged in the
4th, 5
thor 6
thgear. Travelling downhill with
the device engaged, the car speed may in-
crease more than the memorised one, due
to the change in the engine load.The device is disengaged automatically in
any one of the following cases:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– if the VDC, ASR system cuts in;
– with Selespeed or Q-System transmis-
sion if a gear is changed;
– if car speed is below the set limit.
CONTROLS
(fig. 79)
Cruise Control is controlled by the
ON/OFFknurled ring (A), by the +/-
ring (B) and by the RCLbutton (C).
Ring (A) has two positions:
– OFF: in this position the device is de-
activated;
– ON: is the normal operating position of
the device: the warning light
Ü
on the check
panel turns on.
Ring (B) serves for memorising and main-
taining the car speed or for increasing or low-
ering the speed memorised.
Turn the ring (B) to (+) to memorise the
speed reached or increase the speed mem-
orised.
fig. 79
A0B0055m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR54
Turn the ring (B) to (–) to lower the speed
memorised.
Each time the ring is actuated (B) the
speed increases or lowers by about 1.5
km/h.
Keeping the ring turned the speed changes
continuously. The new speed reached will
be maintained automatically.
The RCLbutton (C) resets the memorised
speed.
WARNINGTurning the ignition key to
STOPor the ring (A) to OFF, the speed
memorised is cleared and the system is
switched off.
The ring (A) can be constantly left to ON
without damaging the device. However, we
suggest to disconnect the device when it is
not used, turning the ring to OFF, to avoid
fortuituous speed memorisations.
TO MEMORISE THE SPEEDMove the ring (A) to ONand take the car
to the required speed normally. Turn the ring
(B) to (+) for at least three seconds, then
release it. The car speed is memorised and
it is therefore possible to release the accel-
erator pedal.
The car will continue to travel at the mem-
orised constant speed until one of the fol-
lowing condition takes place:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– if the VDC, ASR system cuts in;
– with Selespeed or Q-System transmis-
sion if a gear is changed.
WARNINGIn the case of need (when
overtaking for instance) acceleration is pos-
sible simply pressing the accelerator pedal;
later, releasing the accelerator pedal, the car
will return to the speed memorised previ-
ously.
TO RESET THE MEMORISED
SPEEDIf the device has been disengaged for ex-
ample pressing the brake or clutch pedal,
the memorised speed can be reset as fol-
lows:
– accelerate gradually until reaching a
speed approaching the one memorised;
– engage the gear selected at the time
of speed memorising (4
th, 5
thor 6
thspeed);
– press the RCLbutton (C).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR55
TO INCREASE THE MEMORISED
SPEEDThe speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
1)pressing the accelerator and then mem-
orising the new speed reached (turning the
ring (B) for more than three seconds);
or
2)momentaneously turning the ring (B)
to (+): each pulse of the ring will correspond
to a slight increase in speed (about 1.5
km/h) while pressing continuously will cor-
respond to a continuous speed increase. Re-
leasing the ring (B) the new speed will be
memorised automatically.TO REDUCE THE MEMORISED
SPEEDThe speed memorised can be reduced in
two ways:
1)disengaging the device (for instance
pressing the brake pedal) and then memo-
rising the new speed (turning the ring (B)
to (+) for at least three seconds);
2)keeping the ring pressed (B) at (–)
until reaching the new speed which will be
memorised automatically.
RESETTING THE MEMORISED
SPEEDThe memorised speed is automatically re-
set turning off the engine or moving the ring
(A) to OFF.
When travelling with the
cruise control on, do not
move the gearshift lever to neutral.
WARNING
The cruise control may only
be engaged at speeds be-
tween 30 and 190 km/h.
WARNING
It is advisable to engage
the cruise control only
when the conditions of the traffic
or road so permit under completely
safe conditions: i.e.: straight and
dry roads, dual carriageways or
motorways, flowing traffic and
smooth road surface. Do not en-
gage the device in town or in
heavy traffic conditions.
WARNING
If the device is faulty or
not working, turn the ring
(A) to OFF and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services after checking
that the protection fuse is intact.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR93
Warningl ight Message
on displayx
LOW BRAKE FLUID AND/OR HANDBRAKE ONWhen the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light comes on but must go out after a
few seconds.
The warning light comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the display) when
the level of the brake fluid inside the tank falls below the minimum, due to a possible leak in the
circuit and when the handbrake is switch on with the car moving.
d
BRAKE PAD WEARThe warning light on the dial comes on (together with the message + symbol shown on the dis-
play) when the front brake pads are worn; in this case, have them replaced as soon as possible.
WARNINGAs the car is fitted with wear sensors for the front brake pads, when replacing them,
also check the rear brake pads.
If the warning light
x
comes on when travelling (together with the
message on the display), check that the handbrake is not engaged. If
the warning light stays on with the handbrake off (together with the message
on the display), stop immediately and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING