GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
146
WARNINGS– With the vehicle stationary and a gear
engaged, always keep the brake pedal
pressed until you decide to move off;
– in prolonged stops with the engine run-
ning it is advisable to keep the gearbox is
neutral;
– when the car is parked on a slope, do
not use the pick-up manoeuvre to keep the
vehicle stopped; use the brake pedal and
work on the accelerator pedal only when
you decide to move off;
– use second gear onlywhen necessary
to obtain better control of pick-up in low
speed manoeuvres;
– if, with reverse gear engaged, you need
to engage first gear or vice versa, shift gear
only when the car is completely stationary
and with the brake pedal pressed. This should not be considered as a fault as
it is part of the operating logic. For the same
reason, in the event of sticking on reverse,
the system commands partial clutch closing
to allow engagement of the gear; in this
case engagement of reverse gear (R) will
be less comfortable.
Moving off of the vehicle is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually operating the accelerator
pedal.
The vehicle pick-up torque is higher the
more the accelerator pedal is pressed.
MOVING OFFWith the engine running and the vehicle
stationary, the gears that can be engaged
for moving off are only first (1), second (2)
or reverse (R).
To engage them it is possible to use the
control lever on the centre console, with the
brake pedal pressed, as the levers on the
steering wheel allow gear engagement only
over 0.5 km/h.
WARNINGReverse gear (R) can be en-
gaged from each of the following other ra-
tios: neutral (N), first gear (1) or second
gear (2). If the car is on the move, the re-
quest is not accepted; it is necessary to wait
for the car to be completely stopped and
then request reverse (R) again.
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the intermittent sound
of the buzzer as well as by the display on
the rev counter.
WARNINGIf while shifting from reverse
(R)/first gear (1) to neutral (N)/first gear
(1) sticking occurs on the first gear, the sys-
tem automatically engages second gear
(2).
After a request to shift
gear with the vehicle sta-
tionary, before pressing the accel-
erator pedal to make the car start,
the driver must always check that
the gear engaged shown on the
display is the one required.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
147
STOPPING THE CARTo stop the vehicle, simply release the ac-
celerator pedal and, if necessary, operate
the brake pedal.
Regardless of the gear engaged and of the
operating mode activated (MANUALor
CITY), the system automatically disen-
gages the clutch and downshifts gear.
If you intend to move off again without
having completely stopped the car, this way
the most suitable gear ratio for re-acceler-
ating will be available.
Stopping the vehicle, the system auto-
matically engages first gear (1). Though strongly inadvisable, if due to un-
foreseen circumstances when driving down-
hill the car is allowed to travel with the gear-
box in neutral (N), when the engagement
of a gear is requested, the system auto-
matically engages the best gear to allow
transmission of the torque to the wheels in
relation to the speed of the car.
Downhill with the gear engaged and the
accelerator released (if the vehicle is trav-
elling), if a certain pre-established speed is
exceeded, the system automatically en-
gages the clutch to provide adequate engine
braking.
Due to safety reasons, the Selespeed sys-
tem activates the buzzer when:
– clutch overheating occurs during vehicle
starting; in this case, it is necessary to
“force” moving off avoiding hesitations or
to release the accelerator and use the brake
pedal to park the vehicle if the car is on a
slope;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged, (e.g.: vehicle moving
forward with reverse engaged); in this sit-
uation it is necessary to stop the vehicle and
keeping the brake pedal pressed, engage
the gear correctly.Still for safety reasons, when the vehicle
is stationary, with the engine started and
gear (1), (2) or (R) engaged, the system
activates the buzzer and shifts to neutral
(N) automatically when:
– there is no action on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 minutes;
– the brake pedal is pressed for over 10
minutes;
– the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake pedal are not pressed
for at least 1 second.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
149
When shifting gear, releasing the acceler-
ator pedal is not necessary because the Se-
lespeed system directly controls the engine
so as to:
– reduce and then increase the engine
torque;
– adapt the engine speed to the new gear
ratio engaged.
When downshifting, double de-clutching
(acceleration of the engine to bring it to the
speed necessary with the new gear ratio) is
carried out automatically.
The move to neutral (N) command is ac-
cepted when the car speed exceeds 20 km/h.
The command to engage reverse gear (R)
is accepted only if the car is stationary.With the accelerator pedal pressed by over
60% of its stroke and with an engine speed
of over 5,000 rpm, gearshifting becomes
quicker.
In the MANUALmode there are some
automatic/safety devices which make dri-
ving easier:
– when slowing down, the clutch is
opened and the gear ratio is reduced auto-
matically to be ready for possibly picking up
speed again; if not, stopping the vehicle,
first gear (1) will be engaged automatically;
– request to change gear that could take
the engine above the maximum rpm or be-
low the minimum permissible rpm are not
accepted;– if the engine reaches the maximum per-
missible rpm and accelerating continues
(without coming into operation of the VDC
system), the system automatically engages
a higher gear; with the activation of the VDC
system, with the maximum engine rpm,
gear shifting is excluded;
– if sticking occurs during the engagement
of a gear, the system firstly tries to engage
the required gear again and, if it is still not
possible, it automatically engages the im-
mediately higher one to avoid leaving the
vehicle in neutral speed.
WARNINGIt is advisable to wait for a
gearshift to end before requesting another
one, this will avoid multiple requests in quick
succession.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
179
If the
x
low brake fluid
warning light comes on (to-
gether with the message + symbol
shown by the display), stop the car
immediately and contact the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices. Indeed, any leak of fluid
from the hydraulic system com-
promises the effectiveness of both
the conventional brake system and
the system with antilock system.
WARNING
The turning on of the
>
warning light (together
with the message + symbol shown
by the display) with the engine
running normally indicates an ABS
system fault. In this case the brak-
ing system preserves its effec-
tiveness, without however making
use of the antilock device. Under
these circumstances, the EBD sys-
tem may fail to give top perfor-
mance. In this case, too, you are
recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services imme-
diately, driving in such a way as to
avoid abrupt braking, to have the
system checked.
WARNING
VDC AND ASR
SYSTEMS(where required)VDC SYSTEM (VEHICLE
DYNAMICS CONTROL):
GENERALThe VDC is an electronic vehicle stability
control system which, acting on the torque
and braking the wheels in a differentiated
manner, helps to bring the car back to the
correct course in the event of loss of grip.
While travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces that may be
controlled by the driver up to when the
tyres offer adequate road-holding; when
this falls below the minimum level, the car
starts to deviate from the course required
by the driver.
Above all on rough surfaces (such as cob-
bles, or due to the presence of water, ice
or soil), changes in speed (when accelerat-
ing or braking) and/or course (bends or the
need to avoid obstacles) can cause the tyres
to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
acts on the engine and brakes generating
a stabilising torque.
The system performance
levels, in terms of active
safety, should not induce the dri-
ver to run pointless and unjustified
risks. Driving conduct should al-
ways be suited to the conditions of
the road surface, vision and traf-
fic. The responsibility for road
safety is always and anyway the
vehicle driver’s concern.
The VDC system helps the driver
to keep control of the car in the
event of loss of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC sys-
tem to control the lack of stability
of the car always and anyway de-
pend on the grip between the tyre
and the road surface.
WARNING
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
197
Top speeds
Fuel consumption increases considerably
as speed increases. For example, when ac-
celerating from 90 to 120 kph, fuel con-
sumption increases by about +30%. Your
speed should be kept as even as possible
and superfluous braking and acceleration
avoided as this increases both consumption
and emissions. A “soft” way of driving
should be adopted by attempting to antici-
pate manoeuvres to avoid imminent danger
and to keep a safe distance from the vehi-
cle in front in order to avoid braking sharply.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently increasing the revs
will greatly affect consumption and emis-
sions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.
CONDITIONS OF USECold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starting
will not enable the engine to reach optimal
running temperature. It follows therefore
that consumption will be higher (from +15%
to +30% in built-up areas) as will the pro-
duction of toxic emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Heavy traffic and higher consumption are
synonymous; for example, when driving
slowly with frequent use of lower gears or
in large towns where there are numerous
traffic lights.
Winding roads, mountain roads and
bumpy roads also have a negative effect on
consumption.
Enforced halts
During prolonged hold-ups (traffic lights,
level crossings) the engine should be
switched off.
ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT-
FRIENDLY DRIVINGEnvironment protection is one of the prin-
ciples that guided the development of your
Alfa 156.
It is not merely by chance that its antipol-
lution devices obtain results far beyond those
specified by current regulations.
The environment, however, still needs the
utmost care from all of us.
By following few simple rules it is possible
to avoid damage to the environment and
very often at the same time to limit fuel con-
sumption. On this subject we are giving
some helpful suggestions to be added to
those marked with the
#, in various points
of this manual.
Kindly read them all carefully.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
302
ENGINECode typeCycleNo./position cylinders
Piston bore and stroke mmTotal displacement
Maximum horsepower
(EEC): kW
HPat rpm
Maximum torque (EEC):
Nm
kgmat rpm
Spark plugs (*)Fuel
1.6 T.SPARKAR32104
Otto
4 in line
82 x 75.65
1598 cm
3
88
120
6200
146
14.9
4200
NGK PFR6B +
NGK PMR7A
NGK BKR6EKPA
+
NGK PMR7A
Unleaded
petrol
95 RON
(specification
EN228)
1.8 T.SPARKAR32205
Otto
4 in line
82 x 82.7
1747 cm
3
103
140
6500
163
16.6
3900
NGK PFR6B +
NGK PMR7A
NGK BKR6EKPA
+
NGK PMR7A
Unleaded
petrol
95 RON
(specification
EN228)
2.0 JTS937A1000
Otto
4 in line
83 x 91
1970 cm
3
121
165
6400
206
21
3250
NGK PFR6B
NGK BKR6EKPAUnleaded
petrol
95 RON
(specification
EN228)
2.0 JTS
Selespeed937A1000
Otto
4 in line
83 x 91
1970 cm
3
121
165
6400
206
21
3250
NGK PFR6B
NGK BKR6EKPAUnleaded
petrol
95 RON
(specification
EN228)
2.5 V6 24V AR32405
Otto
6 in 60° V
88 x 68.3
2492 cm
3
141
192
6300
218
22.2
5000
NGK R PFR6B
Unleaded
petrol
95 RON
(specification
EN228)
2.5 V6 24V
Q-SystemAR32405
Otto
6 in 60° V
88 x 68.3
2492 cm
3
141
192
6300
218
22.2
5000
NGK R PFR6B
Unleaded
petrol
95 RON
(specification
EN228)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
303
JTD937A2000
Diesel
4 in line82 x 90.4
1910 cm
3
85
115
4000
275
28
2000
Diesel fuel for
motor vehicles
(Specification
EN590)
JTD 16V
Multijet192A5000
Diesel
4 in line82 x 90.4
1910 cm
3
103
140
4000
305
31
2000
Diesel fuel for
motor vehicles
(Specification
EN590)
JTD 16V
Multijet (*)937A4000
Diesel
4 in line82 x 90.4
1910 cm
3
93
126
4000
305
31
2000
Diesel fuel for
motor vehicles
(Specification
EN590)
JTD 16V
Multijet (*)192B1000
Diesel
4 in line82 x 90.4
1910 cm
3
100
136
4000
305
31
2000
Diesel fuel for
motor vehicles
(Specification
EN590)
JTD 20V
Multijet841G000
Diesel
5 in line82 x 90.4
2387 cm
3
129
175
4000
385
39.3
2000
Diesel fuel for
motor vehicles
(Specification
EN590)
JTD 20V
Multijet (*)841M000
Diesel
4 in line82 x 90.4
2387 cm
3
120
163
4000
385
39.3
2000
Diesel fuel for
motor vehicles
(Specification
EN590)
JTD 16V
Multijet (**)937A5000
Diesel
4 in line82 x 90.4
1910 cm
3
110
150
4000
305
31
2000
Diesel fuel for
motor vehicles
(Specification
EN590)
Code typeCycleNo./position cylindersPiston bore and stroke mmTotal displacement
Maximum horsepower
(EEC): kW
HPat rpm
Maximum torque (EEC):
Nm
kgmat rpm
Fuel(*) Version for specific markets
(**) For versions/markets where applicable