168
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition
device the warning light turns on, but
it should go off after few seconds.
The warning light stays on glowing
steadily (on certain versions together
with the message on the display) to in-
dicate a failure in the air bag system.
¬
If the ¬warning light
does not turn on when
fitting the key into the ignition
device, or if stays on when
travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on
the display), this could indicate
a failure in safety retaining sys-
tem; under this condition air
bags or pretensioners could not
trigger in the event of collision
or, in a restricted number of
cases, they could trigger acci-
dentally. Before restarting con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
WARNING
The buzzer can be muted temporarily by
the following procedure:
❒fasten the front seat belts;
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition de-
vice;
❒wait for over 20 seconds but less than
1 minute and then unfasten one of the
front seat belts.
This procedure will stand valid till next en-
gine switching off.
For permanent deactivation, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services. The S.B.R.
system can only be reset through the set-
up menu (see paragraph “Reconfigurable
multifunction display“ in section “Dash-
board and controls”).
Failure of the ¬warn-
ing light is indicated by
the flashing for more than the
normal 4 seconds of the pas-
senger's front air bag deacti-
vated warning light
F. In ad-
dition, the air bag system will
deactivate automatically the
passenger's front air bag (front
and side where provided). In
this event warning light
¬
could not indicate failure in
safety systems. Before restart-
ing contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services immediately to
have the system checked.
WARNING
169
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAGS
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
The warning light (set on the front ceil-
ing light panel) turns on when passen-
ger’s front air bags, passenger’s knees
air bag (where provided) and passen-
ger’s front side bag are deactivated
through the relevant key switch (for ver-
sions/markets where applicable).
With passenger's air bags active, when
fitting the electronic key into the ignition
device the warning light will turn on for
about 4 seconds, will flash for the next
4 seconds and then it will turn off.
F
–Car heavy duty(e.g.: towing trail-
er uphill or fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on, stop
the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes leaving
the engine on and slightly accelerated to
further activate the circulation of the
coolant fluid, then switch the engine off.
IMPORTANTUnder severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated for few minutes before switch-
ing it off.
Warning light Ffailure
is indicated by warning
light
¬. In addition, the air bag
system will deactivate auto-
matically the passenger's front
air bag (front and side). Before
restarting contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services immedi-
ately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
ENGINE COOLANT
HIGH TEMPERATURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition device,
the warning light (set on engine coolant
gauge) turns on but it shall go off after
a few seconds.
The warning light turns on (on certain
versions a dedicated message is dis-
played) to indicate engine overheating.
If the warning light comes on, proceed
as follows:
–Normal driving conditions: stop
the car, switch off the engine and check
whether the water level in the reservoir
is not below the MINmarl. Otherwise
wait for few seconds to allow engine
cooling, then open slowly and carefully
the cap, top up coolant and check
whether its level is falling between MIN
andMAXmarks in the reservoir. Check
visually any leak. If when restarting the
warning light comes on again, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
u
With engine hot, do not
remove the cap: risk of
burnt.
WARNING
223
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
C C
A A
R R
M M
A A
I I
N N
T T
E E
N N
A A
N N
C C
E E
SCHEDULED SERVICING....................................... 224
SERVICE SCHEDULE ............................................ 225
PERIODICAL CHECKS ........................................... 227
USE OF THE CAR UNDER HEAVY CONDITIONS ........ 227
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS ..................................... 228
AIR FILTER/POLLEN FILTER ................................. 236
DIESEL FUEL FILTER ........................................... 236
BATTERY ........................................................... 237
WHEELS AND TYRES........................................... 241
RUBBER HOSES ................................................. 243
WINDSCREEN WIPER ......................................... 243
BODYWORK ...................................................... 245
INTERIORS ........................................................ 247
226
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Thousands of km
Check and adjust tappet clearance (1.9 JTDM8v version)
Check and adjust tappet clearance, if required (1.8 version)
Check exhaust emissions (petrol versions)
Check exhaust emissions/smoke (diesel versions)
Check antievaporation system (petrol versions)
Check engine control system operation
(through diagnosis socket)
Replace accessory drive belt/s
Replace accessory drive belt/s (1.8 version)
Replace timing belt (1.8 version) (*)
Replace timing belt (diesel versions) (*)
Change spark plugs (petrol versions except 1.8)
Change spark plugs (1.8 version)
Replace diesel fuel filter (diesel versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (diesel versions)
Change front transmission gear oil (3.2 JTS versions)
Change engine oil and oil filter (petrol versions)
(or every 24 months)
Change engine oil and oil filter (diesel versions)(**)
(or every 24 months)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) Regardless of the km covered, the timing belt shall be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates, driving in the city, idling
for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
(**) Engine oil and oil filter shall actually be changed according to the conditions of use of the car and it is indicated by the relevant warning light or
message (where provided) on the instrument panel (see section “Warning lights and messages”).
30 60 90 120 150 180
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227
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒ trailer or caravan towing;
❒ dusty roads;
❒ short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒ frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒ urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒ check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒ check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒ sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒ check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒ visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒ change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒ tyre pressure and conditions.
❒ check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒ check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Se-
leniaproducts, designed and produced
specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Techni-
cal specifications”).
245
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
245
These include:
❒Painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to
corrosion and abrasion;
❒Use of galvanised (or pretreated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to
corrosion;
❒Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender parts,
edges, etc.;
❒Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of
moisture from triggering rust inside;
❒use of special anti-abrasion protective
tapes in the most exposed areas
(e.g.: rear mudguard, rear door,
etc.).
BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original el-
ement of the structure or body. For the
general terms of this warranty, refer to
the Alfa Romeo Warranty booklet.
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an
aestethic purpose, but also protects the
underlying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores,
you are advised to have the necessary
touching up carried out immediately to
avoid the formation of rust. Use only
original paint products for touching up
(see “Bodywork paint identification
plate” in section “Technical specifica-
tion”).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the
conditions and environment of use. For
example, in highly polluted areas, or if
the roads are sprayed with salt, it is wise
to wash the car more frequently.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the fol-
lowing:
❒atmospheric pollution;
❒salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates);
❒ seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the
abrasive action of wind-borne atmos-
pheric dust and sand and mud and grav-
el raised by other cars.
On your car, Alfa Romeo implemented
the best manufacturing technologies to
effectively protect the bodywork against
corrosion.
292
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
INDEX
Bodywork (cleaning) ................ 245
Bonnet ................................... 105
Boot ................................ 101-277
– light replacement ................ 208
Brakes .................................... 256
Bulb (replacement) .................. 196
– general instructions ............. 196
– types of bulbs ..................... 197
Capacities ............................... 266
Car inactivity ............................ 164
Car maintenance................. 223
– periodical checks ................. 227
– use of the car under heavy
conditions .......................... 227
– service Schedule ................. 225
– scheduled service ................ 224
Carrying children safely ............. 135
– child restraint systems ......... 138
– passenger’s seat compliance . 138
– presetting for mounting the
“Universal Isofix” child restraint
system ....................... 140-285
Ceiling lights
– front ................................. 78
– rear .................................. 80Checking fluid levels ................. 228
Child lock device ...................... 97
Cigar lighter ............................. 85
Climate control system .............. 53
– automatic two-/three-zone .. 58
– manual .............................. 55
CO
2emissions ......................... 270
CODE card ............................... 12
Containing running costs ........... 157
Controls .................................. 81
Correct use of the car........ 151
Courtesy mirror light
– bulb replacement ................ 206
Cruise Control .......................... 76
Dashboard and controls.... 6
Dashboard buttons ................... 72
Diesel fuel filter ........................ 236
Dimensions ............................. 261
Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ................ 200
– control ............................... 70
Direction indicators
– bulb replacement 200-201-203
– control ............................... 70
Doors ..................................... 96 ABS system ............................ 108
Accessories purchased
by the owner ......................... 117
Additional heater ...................... 69
Air/pollen filter ........................ 236
Air vents ................................. 54
Alarm ..................................... 17
Alfa Romeo CODE system .......... 10
Alfa 159 Sportwagon....... 275
Armrest
– central ............................... 82
– rear ............................ 83-84
Ashtray ................................... 87
ASR system ............................. 112
At the filling station .................. 125
Automatic headlight sensor ........ 71
Automatic two/three-zone
climate control system ............ 58
Battery
– checking the charge ............ 237
– jump starting ...................... 182
– recharging .......................... 219
– replacing ............................ 238
– useful advice for
lengthening the life ............. 239
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