2007 Alfa Romeo 166 ABS

77
Faulty ABS anti
wheel-locking
This warning light comes on when the
system is inefficient. In this case normal
braking is ensured without though, mak-
ing use of the ABS system. Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services should however be
contacted as soon as possible.
When the ignition key is turned to
MARthe warning light comes on but
must go out after approx. 4 seconds.>
Presence of water
in the fuel oil filter
(JTD 20V Multijet versions)
When the ignition key is turned to the
MARposition the warning light should
come on and must go out after approx. 4
seconds.
The warning light switches on fixed
when driving, to indicate the presence of
water in the fuel oil filter.
In case the indicator light switches on,
even if just for a few seconds, we recom-
mend to contact an Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Service as soon as possible in order
to purge the water from the fuel oil filter
and avoid severe damages to the injec-
tion pump and to the fuel oil supply cir-
cuit as well as the engine irregular opera-
tion.
c
Glowplugs
(JTD 20V Multijet versions)
The warning light comes on
when the ignition key is turned to MAR
position. When the glowplugs have
reached the established temperature the
warning light will go out. Start the en-
gine as soon as the warning light has
gone out.
For versions/markets where applica-
ble, the warning light flashes for approx.
30 seconds after starting the engine
meaning that there is a fault to the glow
plug warning system, in which case,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
With a high ambient temperature the
warning light may turn on imperceptibly.
m
The car is fitted with an
electronic braking device
(EDB). If the
>andxwarning
lights turn on at the same time, this
means that there is an EBD system
fault; in this case violent braking
may be accompanied by early rear
wheel locking, with the possibility
of skidding. Drive the car ex-
tremely carefully to the nearest
Authorized Alfa Romeo workshop
to have the system checked.
WARNING

78
LLeft-hand direction
indicator (intermittent)
This warning light comes on when the
control lever is moved downwards or, to-
gether with the right-hand warning light,
when the hazard warning lights are
switched on. R
Sidelights
This warning light comes on when the
sidelights are switched on.3
Right-hand direction
indicator (intermittent)
This warning light comes on when the
control lever is moved upwards or, togeth-
er with the left-hand warning light, when
the hazard warning lights are switched
on.E
Lights failure
The warning light stays on for about
15 seconds, after the check, when a fail-
ure is detected on one of the following
lights:
– low beam headlights
– high beam headlights
– flashing (only gas discharge headlights)
– side/taillights
– direction indicators
– brake lights (stop lights)
– third stop light
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The warning of a fault may mean one
or more blown bulb, a burnt fuse or cut
off connection.
Turning the key to MARthe warning
light turns on, but it should go out after
about 5 seconds.The turning on of only
the
>warning light with
the engine running normally indi-
cates a fault to the ABS system
only. In this case the braking sys-
tem is still efficient, though with-
out the aid of the anti-lock device.
Under these conditions perfor-
mance of the EBD system may be
reduced. in this case too, you are
advised to go immediately to the
nearest Authorized Alfa Romeo
workshop, driving in such a way
as to avoid sharp braking, to have
the system checked over.
WARNING

79
Main-beam headlights
This warning light comes on when the
main-beam is switched on.
Cruise Control
(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
The warning light turns on, with the
control switch in the ONposition, when
the device starts to act on the engine.
1VDC System (Vehicle
Dynamics Control)
(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the
warning light on the instrument cluster
lights up and must go out after about 4
seconds.
If the warning light does not go out or s-
tays on when travelling, contact Autho-
rised Alfa Romeo Services. Although the
absence of the VDC function does not af-
fect the car safety, it is however recom-
mended to drive at moderate speed.
Flashing of the warning light when travel-
ling means that the VDC system has cut in.
áPassenger’s Air bag
deactivated
This warning light turns on when the
passenger’s Air bag is deactivated.
Warning light Findi-
cates also warning light
¬failure. This is indicated by in-
termittent flashing, over 4 sec-
onds, of warning light F. In this
event, warning light ¬could be
not up to indicate restraint system
failures, if any. Stop the car and
contact Authorized Alfa Romeo
Services have the system checked.
WARNING

83
CLIMATE CONTROL UNITThe climate control sys-
tem uses “R134a”
coolant fluid which
meets current regulations on the
subject and which does not harm
the environment in the event of
leakage. Absolutely avoid the
use of other fluids which are in-
compatible with the system com-
ponents.
A0D0029m
fig. 94

114 ABS
The car is fitted with an ABS system
which prevents wheel lock when braking,
better exploits wheel grip and keeps the
vehicle controllable within the limits of
the available grip also during emergency
braking.
The driver can feel that the ABS is oper-
ational by a light pulsing of the brake
pedal, accompanied by noise.
This should not be interpreted as malfunc-
tioning of the brakes, but it is the signal to
the driver that the ABS system is working:
it is the warning that the car is travelling at
the limit of grip and that it is therefore nec-
essary to adapt the speed to the type of
road on which you are travelling.
The ABS system is an additional part of
the basic braking system; in the event of
a fault it is disabled, leaving the braking
system in the same conditions as a car
without ABS.In the event of a failure, though being
unable to rely on the antilock effect,
there is absolutely no adverse effect on
vehicle braking performance in terms of
braking capacity.
If you have never used a car with ABS
before, you are advised to learn how to
use it with a few preliminary trials on a
slippery surface, naturally under safety
conditions and fully adhering to the High-
way Code of the country concerned. You
are also advised to carefully read the fol-
lowing information.
The advantage of the ABS compared
with the conventional system is that it
makes it possible to maintain maximum
vehicle handling performance also in the
case of hard braking under grip limit con-
ditions, avoiding wheel lock.
Do not however expect the braking dis-
tance always to be reduced with the ABS
system: for example, on soft surfaces
such as gravel or fresh snow on slippery
surfaces, the distance might increase.In order to be able to exploit as far as
possible the possibility of the antilock
system in the case of need, it is wise to
follow a few pieces of advice.
The ABS exploits the
available grip in full, but
it cannot increase it; therefore cau-
tion is required on slippery surfac-
es, without running un-necessary
risks.
WARNING

115
Braking on corners always requires the
utmost caution, even with the help of the
ABS.
The most important piece of advice
however, is the following:WARNINGCars fitted with ABS must
only be fitted with wheel rims, tyres and
brake linings of the type and brand ap-
proved by the Manufacturer.
The braking system is completed by the
EBD (Electronic Brake Distributor) which
distributes the braking action through the
ABS control unit and sensors.
Following these instructions you will be
in a condition to obtain peak braking per-
formance at all times.
If the ABS cuts in, it
means that the grip limit
between the tyres and the road
surface has been reached: it is nec-
essary to slow down and adapt
driving to the grip available.
WARNING
In the event of a system
fault, with lighting up of
the
>warning light, have the ve-
hicle checked immediately by Au-
thorized Alfa Romeo Services, driv-
ing slowly to be able to regain full
system performance.
WARNING
When the ABS cuts in and
you feel the pedal pulse,
do not reduce the pressure, but
keep the brake pedal firmly
pressed with no fear; this way you
will stop in the shortest space pos-
sible, compatibly with the condi-
tions of the road surface.
WARNING
The car is fitted with an
electronic brake distrib-
utor (EBD). If the
>andxwarn-
ing lights come on at the same time
when the engine is running, there
is an EBD system fault; in this case,
violent braking may lock the rear
wheels too early, with the possibil-
ity of skidding. Drive extremely
carefully to the nearest Authorized
Alfa Romeo Services to have the
system checked over.
WARNING

116
BRAKE ASSIST (Brake assist in
an emergency)
This system, that cannot be cut out, rec-
ognizes emergency braking on the
ground of the brake pedal operation
speed and allows to speed up the braking
action.
On versions fitted with VDC system,
Brake Assist is deactivated in the event of
VDC system failure (indicated by the
switching on of the relevant warning
light).
The turning on of the>
warning light with the
engine running normally indicates
an ABS system fault. In this case
the braking system preserves its
effectiveness, without however
making use of the antilock device.
Under these circumstances, the EBD
system may fail to give top perfor-
mance. In this case, too, you are
recommended to contact Author-
ized Alfa Romeo Services immedi-
ately driving in such a way as to
avoid abrupt braking, to have the
system checked.
WARNING
If the xlow brake fluid
level warning light comes
on, stop the car immediately and
contact the nearest Authorized Al-
fa Romeo Services. Indeed, any
leak of fluid from the hydraulic
system compromises the effective-
ness of both the conventional
brake system and the system with
antilock system.
WARNING

119
The action of the ASR system is particu-
larly helpful under the following condi-
tions:
– Skidding of the inner wheel on a
bend, due to the effect of the dynamic
changes of the load or over-accelerating.
– Excessive power transmitted to the
wheels, also in relation to the conditions
of the road surface.
– Acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy
surfaces.
– In the case of loss of grip on a wet
surface (aquaplaning).ASR FUNCTION (ANTISLIP
REGULATION): GENERAL
The ASR system integrates the VDC sys-
tem controlling the vehicle drive and com-
ing into operation automatically each
time one or both driving wheels skid.
Two different control systems are acti-
vated, depending on the skidding condi-
tions:
– If skidding concerns both driving
wheels, because it is caused by the exces-
sive power transmitted, the ASR system
cuts in reducing the power transmitted by
the engine.
– If skidding concerns only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in automati-
cally braking the skidding wheel, with an
effect similar to that of a self-locking dif-
ferential.
For the VDC, ASR and
ABS systems to work
correctly, the tyres must be of the
same brand and type on all
wheels, in perfect conditions and
above all of the specified type,
brand and size.
WARNING