2008 Alfa Romeo 159 ignition

209
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
IF A FUSE BLOWS
GENERAL
The fuse is a protective device for the
electric system: it comes into action (i.e.
it cuts off) mainly due to a fault or im-
proper action on the system.
When a device does not work, check the
efficiency of its fuse. The conductor el-
ement must be intact; if not, replace the
fuse with one of the same amp rating
(same colour).
A:undamaged fuse
B:fuse with damaged filament.
To replace a fuse, use the pliers C
hooked to the fusebox on the dash-
board.
A0E0119mfig. 54
Never replace a broken
fuse with anything oth-
er than a new fuse.
Never change a fuse
with another with a
higher amp rating, danger of
fire.
WARNING
If a general fuse
(MEGA-FUSE, MAXI-
FUSE) cuts in, do not attempt
any repair and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
Before changing a fuse, check
the ignition key has been re-
moved and that all the other
electric devices have been
turned off/disabled.
WARNING
If the fuse blows again,
contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
WARNING

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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
USERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Climate control system fan F02 (MAXI-FUSE) 40 60
Electric steering lock F03 (MAXI-FUSE) 20 60
Brake branch point (pump) F04 (MAXI-FUSE) 40 60
Brake branch point (solenoid valve) F05 (MAXI-FUSE) 40 60
Radiator fan (low speed) F06 (MAXI-FUSE) 40 60
Radiator fan (high speed) F07 (MAXI-FUSE) 50 60
Headlight washer F09 20 60
Horns F10 15 60
Electronic injection sundry secondary services F11 15 60
+ INT for electronic injection system F16 7.5 60
Electronic injection primary services F17 10 60
Engine control branch point F18 15 60
Climate control system compressor F19 7.5 60
Rear window heating F20 20 60
Fuel pump supply F21 20 60
Ignition coils/injectors (petrol versions) F22 15 60
Electronic injection primary services diesel versions) F22 20 60
Sound system/radionavigation system power F23 15 60
Body Computer branch point/Headlight washer relay coil F31 7.5 56
Driver’s door branch point/passenger’s door branch point/
ignition device F32 15 56
Rear left power window F33 20 56
Rear right power window F34 20 56

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SAFETY
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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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

235
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Do not allow the pow-
er steering fluid to
touch the hot parts of the en-
gine: it is inflammable.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID fig. 15
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake
fluid specified in the table “Fluids and
lubricants” (see section “Technical Spec-
ifications ").
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When
opening the cap take the utmost care to
prevent impurities entering the tank.
When topping up, always use a funnel
with built-in filter with mesh equal to
or lower than 0.12 mm.
A0E0016mfig. 15
Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
From time to time, check the instrument
panel warning light
x: pressing on cap
A(with key fitted into the ignition de-
vice) the warning light shall turn on.
IMPORTANTBrake fluid absorbs
moisture. For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree
of atmospheric humidity, the fluid should
be replaced at more frequent intervals
than specified in the Service schedule.

237
SAFETY
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited mainte-
nance” type: under normal conditions
of use the electrolyte does not need top-
ping up with distilled water.
Contact at Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices to have the battery checked/re-
placed.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
fig. 16
The battery charge may be checked
through the indicator A(where re-
quired) set on the battery cover and act-
ing according to the colour the indica-
tor shows.Should the battery be not fitted with bat-
tery charge inspection device (optical
electrolyte indicator), inspection opera-
tions shall be carried out by skilled per-
sonnel only.
Refer to the table below.
A0E0127mfig. 16
Bright white colourTop up electrolyte Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Dark colour withoutLow charge level Charge the battery
green area in the centre(advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services)
Dark colour withElectrolyte level and charge No action
green area in the centresufficient
IMPORTANTThe charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.

238
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Service schedule in this section will
no longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car. If after buying
the car, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm,
free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, check-
ing whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding
the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services,
which is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries re-
specting nature and the law.
The liquid in the bat-
tery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring
naked flames or possible
sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
WARNING
Running the battery
with low fluid level can
damage the battery beyond
repair and could also cause its
explosion.
WARNING
After connecting/dis-
connecting the battery,
wait for 3 minutes at
least before fitting the electronic
key into the ignition device in
order to allow the climate con-
trol system control unit to reset
the positions of the electric ac-
tuators that adjust air temper-
ature and distribution.

240
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Moreover, this might lead to a higher
risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10°C). If the
car is inactive for a long period of time,
refer to “Car inactivity”, in section “Cor-
rect use of the car”. In fact, since these devices continue ab-
sorbing energy even when the ignition
key is off, they gradually run down the
battery.
The total intake of these systems (factory and after-market) must be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery) as shown in
the following table:
Battery Maximum admitted stand-by intake
60 Ah 36 mA
70 Ah 42 mA
90 Ah 54 mAIf after buying the car, you want to in-
stall electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric ab-
sorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is capable of withstand-
ing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more pow-
erful battery.

LEANING LEATHER SEATS
(optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
Remove dried on dirt with lightly moist-
ened chamois leather or cloth without
pressing too hard.
Remove liquid or grease stains with a dry
absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap.
If the stain persists, use specific prod-
ucts, carefully following the instructions
for use.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or al-
cohol-based products.
247
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electronic
control units. Contact a specialised work-
shop to have this done.
IMPORTANT The car should be
washed with the engine cold and the key
removed from the ignition device. After
washing make sure that the various pro-
tections (e.g. rubber caps and various cov-
ers) have not been damaged or removed.INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause oxidisation of the
sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND
FABRIC AND VELVET PARTS
Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if
the brush is moistened.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral de-
tergent.