2008 Alfa Romeo 159 emergency towing

181
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
JUMP STARTING ................................................ 182
IF A TYRE IS PUNCTURED .................................... 183
QUICK TYRE REPAIR KIT
FIX&GO automatic ............................................. 190
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB ................... 196
IF AN EXTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ...................... 199
IF AN INTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ....................... 205
IF A FUSE BLOWS .............................................. 209
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT ...................................... 219
JACKING THE CAR............................................... 220
TOWING THE CAR .............................................. 221

183
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
IF A TYRE
IS PUNCTURED
For versions/markets where applicable,
the car can be equipped with the “Quick
tyre repair kit Fix&Go automatic“. Op-
erations required to change a wheel are
described in the following chapter.
As an alternative to the kit “Fix & Go
automatic”, the car can be provided (up-
on request) with space-saver spare
wheel or standard size spare wheel;
wheel changing and correct use of the
jack and space-saver spare wheel call for
some precautions as listed below.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine (by push-
ing, towing, or coasting downhill) as this
could cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
exhaust system and damage it beyond
repair.
Remember that the
brake booster and the
power steering system are not
operating until the engine is
started, a greater effort will
therefore be required to press
the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
WARNING
Alert other drivers that
the car is stationary in
compliance with local regula-
tions: hazard warning lights,
warning triangle etc. Any pas-
sengers on board should leave
the car, especially if it is heav-
ily laden. Passengers should
stay away from oncoming
traffic while the wheel is be-
ing changed on. If the wheel is
being changed on a steep or
badly surfaced road, place the
wedges or other suitable ma-
terial under the wheel to stop
the car. Never start the engine
when the car is jacked up. If
you were towing a trailer, un-
couple the trailer before jack-
ing the car.
WARNING

221
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TOWING THE CAR
The tow hook provided with the car is
contained into the Fix&Go automatic
container.
A0E0111mfig. 64
PRECAUTIONS FOR
TOWING THE CAR
To prevent damaging the transmission
components, tow the car only in one of
following ways:
❒with front wheels raised and rear
wheels resting on a truck provided for
the purpose;
❒with rear wheels raised and front
wheels resting on a truck provided for
the purpose;
❒with front and rear wheels on the
flatbed of a wrecker or maintenance
vehicle.
TOW RING HOOKING
Front
Proceed as follows:
❒take the tow hookA-fig. 64from
the Fix&Go automatic container.

222
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
Do not start the engine
when towing the car.
WARNING
Before fitting the hook,
clean accurately its
threaded seat. Before starting
to tow, make sure to have
tighten the hook.
WARNING
Before starting to tow,
disengage the steering
lock (see paragraph “Ignition de-
vice” in section “Dashboard and
controls”). When towing, re-
member that without the help of
the brake booster and power
steering, a greater effort is re-
quired on the pedal and steer-
ing wheel. Do not use flexible ca-
bles for towing and avoid jerks.
During towing operations make
sure that fastening the joint to
the car does not damage the
components in contact with it.
When towing the car, you must
comply with the specific traffic
regulations regarding the tow
ring and how to tow on the road.
WARNING
Rear
The tow hook A-fig. 66for the rear
bumper is fixed.
A0E0176mfig. 66
❒remove the snap-fitted plug A-fig. 65
from the front bumper. If using the flat
blade screwdriver B-fig. 64 provided
as standard, protect its tip with a soft
cloth to prevent damaging the car.
❒tighten the tow hook in its seat.
A0E0230mfig. 65

224
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance is essential for en-
suring long car life under the best condi-
tions.
This is why Alfa Romeo has programmed
a series of checks and maintenance op-
erations every 30,000 km.
IMPORTANTAt 2,000 km from the
scheduled service, the display will show
a dedicated message.
It is however important to remember that
scheduled servicing does not completely
cover all the car’s requirements: also in
the initial period before 30,000 km ser-
vice coupon and later, between one
coupon and another, ordinary care is still
required such as for example routine
check and topping up the level of fluids,
tyre pressure check, etc...IMPORTANTThe Programmed Main-
tenance coupons are specified by the
Manufacturer. The failure to have them
carried out may invalidate the warranty.
Scheduled Servicing is performed by all
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, at pre-
established times.
If during whatever service operation, in
addition to the ones programmed, the
need arises for further replacements or
repairs, these may be carried out only
with the explicit agreement of the Cus-
tomer.IMPORTANTYou are advised to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services in
the event of any minor operating faults,
without waiting for the next service
coupon.
If your car is used frequently for towing,
the interval between one service coupon
and the other must be reduced.

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”).

294
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
INDEX
Roof rack/ski rack ............. 106-284
Rubber hoses ........................... 243
Safe lock device ....................... 14
Safety devices.................... 129
S.B.R. system .......................... 131
Seat belts ............................... 130
Seats ...................................... 45
Side/taillights
– bulb replacement ......... 200-203
– control ............................... 70
Ski tunnel ............................... 84
Smart washing ........................ 74
Snow chains ............................ 163
Sound system (presetting) ........ 116
Steering .................................. 256
Steering lock ........................... 21
Steering wheel (adjustment) ..... 49
Sun curtains ............................ 88
Sun visors ............................... 88
Sunroof .................................. 93
Suspensions ............................ 256
Symbols ................................. 10
Technical Specifications...... 249
Third brake light ....................... 204
Top speeds .............................. 263
Towing the car ......................... 221
Towing trailers
– installing the tow hook ........ 159
T.P.M.S. system ........................ 122
Transmission ............................ 255
Tyres– changing ........................... 183
– inflation pressures ............... 260
– snow tyres ......................... 162
– standard tyres .................... 259
– understanding tyre marking .. 257
VDC system ............................ 110
Warning lights and
messages.......................... 165
Weights .................................. 264
Wheel geometry ...................... 260
Wheel rims
– understanding rim marking ... 258
Wheels
– changing ........................... 183
– technical data ..................... 257
Wheels and tyres ..................... 241
Windows (cleaning) ................. 247
Windscreen washer
– control ............................... 75
– fluid level ........................... 232
Windscreen wiper
– blades ............................... 243
– control ............................... 73
– nozzle ............................... 244 Parking sensors ........................ 118
Performance ............................ 263
Power windows ....................... 99
Pretensioners ........................... 132
Protecting the environment ........ 127
Puddle light
– bulb replacement ................ 208
Quick tyre repair kit
Fix&Go automatic .................. 190
Radio frequency remote control:
ministerial certifications ........... 271
Radio transmitters
and cellular telephones ............ 117
Rain sensor ............................. 74
Rear ceiling lights
– bulb replacement ................ 205
– control ............................... 80
Rear fog lights
– bulb replacement ................ 202
– control ............................... 72
Rearview mirrors ...................... 50
Reconfigurable multifunction
display .................................. 30
Rev counter ............................. 21
Reverse light
– bulb replacement ................ 202
Right hand drive version.. 292
Rims
– understanding rim marking ... 258