2008 Alfa Romeo 159 Engine

This booklet describes all the versions of the Alfa 159, so you should only consider the infor-
mation concerning the trim level, engine and version purchased by you.
Dear Customer,
thank you for choosing Alfa Romeo.
Your
Alfa 159has been designed to guarantee the safety, comfort and driving pleasure typical of
Alfa Romeo.
This booklet will help you to get to know the characteristics and operation of your car.
The following pages contain all the indications necessary for you to be able to maintain the high standards of per-
formance, quality, safety and respect for the environment which characterize this
Alfa 159.
The enclosed Warranty Booklet also contains the regulations, the warranty certificate and a guide to the services of-
fered by Alfa Romeo.
Services which are essential and precious because, when you purchase an Alfa Romeo you are not only acquiring a
car, but the tranquillity that comes from knowing that an efficient, willing and widespread organization is at your ser-
vice for any assistance problems you may have.
Have a good trip.

MUST BE READ!
REFUELLING
Petrol engines: only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95.
Diesel engines: only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590. The use of
other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of the warranty due to the
damage caused.
K
ENGINE STARTING
Petrol engines: make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fit the electronic key in-
to the ignition switch to the stop limit; fully depress the clutch or the brake pedal without pressing the accelerator; press
buttonSTART/STOPand release it as soon as the engine has started.
Diesel engines
:make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fit the electronic key in-
to the ignition switch to the stop limit; wait for the
Yandmwarning lights to go off; fully depress the clutch or or
the brake pedal without pressing the accelerator; press buttonSTART/STOPand release it as soon as the engine has
started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While working, the catalyst develops a very high temperature. Do not park the car over grass, dry leaves, pine
needles or any other inflammable materials: risk of fire.

RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protec-
tion is fitted in your car.

7
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
A0E0056mfig. 1
1.Adjustable swivel side air vents - 2.Front side window demisting/defrosting vents - 3.External lights control lever - 4.In-
strument panel - 5.Driver’s air bag and horn -6.Windscreen wiper control lever - 7.Upper central vent - 8.Adjustable swiv-
el centre air vents - 9.Fuel level gauge/engine coolant temperature gauge/engine oil temperature gauge (petrol versions)
or turbocharger pressure gauge (diesel versions) - 10.Passenger’s air bag - 11.Passenger’s knees air bag (where provid-
ed) - 12.Glove box - 13.Sound system (where provided) - 14.Heating/ventilation/climate controls - 15.Engine
START/STOPbutton - 16.Ignition device - 17.Driver’s knees air bag - 18.Sound system controls on the steering
wheel (where provided) - 19.Cruise Control lever (where provided) - 20.Bonnet opening lever - 21.Dashboard fusebox
lid - 22.Switches for external lights, trip meter reset and headlamp aiming device.

10
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
ALFA ROMEO
CODE SYSTEM
To further protect you car from theft, it
has been fitted with an engine immo-
bilising system. This system is auto-
matically activated when the electronic
key is removed.
An electronic device, in fact, is fitted in
each electronic key grip. The device
transmits a radio-frequency signal when
the engine is started through a special
aerial built into the ignition switch on the
dashboard. The modulated signal, which
changes each time the engine is start-
ed, is the “password”, by means of
which the control unit recognises the
electronic key and enables to start the
engine.
SYMBOLS
Special coloured labels have been at-
tached near or actually on some of the
components of your car. These labels
bear symbols that remind you of the pre-
cautions to be taken as regards that par-
ticular component.
The plate summarising the symbols used
fig. 5can be found under the bonnet.
A0E0138mfig. 5

11
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Warning light Ycoming on
when driving
If the warning light
Yturns on this
means that the system is running a self-
test (for example for a voltage drop).
If the warning light
Ystays on, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTEvery electronic key has
its own code, which must be memorised
by the system control unit. To memorise
new keys, up to a maximum of eight,
apply solely to Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services taking with you all the keys in
your possession, the CODE card, a per-
sonal identity document and the car’s
possession documents. The codes of the
keys not provided during the new mem-
orising procedure are erased from the
memory. This is to ensure that any lost
or stolen keys can no longer be used
to start the car.
OPERATION
Each time the electronic key is fitted in-
to the ignition switch, the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit sends a recog-
nition code to the engine control unit
to deactivate the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit has recognised
the code transmitted from the electron-
ic key.
If the code has not been recognised cor-
rectly, the warning light
Yturns on (on
certain versions a dedicated message
is displayed) (see section “Warning
lights and messages”).
In this case, the electronic key should
be removed from the ignition device and
then refitted; if the lock continues, pos-
sibly try again with the other keys pro-
vided with the car. If it is still not possi-
ble to start the car contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
The electronic compo-
nents inside the key may
be damaged if the key is
submitted to sharp knocks.
If 2 seconds after fitting
the electronic key into
the ignition switch, the
warning light
Ycomes on again
flashing (on certain versions a
dedicated message is dis-
played), this means that the
code of the keys has not been
memorised, thus the car is not
protected by the Alfa Romeo
CODE system against attempt-
ed theft. In this case, contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service
to have the key codes memo-
rised.

17
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Depending on the markets, the trigger-
ing of the alarm will activate the siren
and the hazard warning lights (for about
26 seconds). The methods of operation
and the number of cycles may vary de-
pending on the versions/markets.
A maximum number of sound/sight cy-
cles is however envisaged. Once the
alarm cycle is over, the system will re-
store its normal operation.
IMPORTANTCentral door unlocking
by the emergency electronic key will not
deactivate the alarm, therefore with
alarm on the siren will activate when
opening one of the doors or the boot.
To deactivate the siren see paragraph
“How to deactivate the alarm”.
IMPORTANTThe engine immobiliser
function is guaranteed by the Alfa
Romeo CODE system, which is auto-
matically activated when the electronic
key is removed from the ignition device.
HOW TO ACTIVATE
THE ALARM
With the doors, bonnet and boot shut
and electronic key removed from igni-
tion switch, point the electronic key in
the direction of the car, then press and
release the button
Á.
With the exception of certain markets,
the system sounds a “beep” and the
doors are locked.
Engagement of the alarm is preceded
by a self-diagnostic test characterised by
a different flashing of the round led lo-
cated around the door lock/unlock but-
ton (see fig. 13): if a fault is detect-
ed the system sounds a further warning
“beep”.
ALARM
(where provided)
WHEN THE ALARM
IS TRIGGERED
The alarm comes into action in the fol-
lowing cases:
❒unlawful opening of doors, bonnet
and boot (perimetral protection);
❒attempt to start the engine with
unauthorised electronic key;
❒ battery cable cutting;
❒ presence of moving bodies in the pas-
senger’s compartment (volumetric
protection);
❒abnormal raising/sloping of the car
(for versions/markets where applic-
able);
Volumetric and anti-raising protections
can be cut off by operating the front ceil-
ing light controls(see paragraph “Volu-
metric protection/Anti-raising sensor”
on the following pages).
A0E0025mfig. 13

19
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IGNITION DEVICE
The ignition device is located on the
dashboard and it consists of the follow-
ing:
❒electronic key reading device A-fig.
15(set near the steering wheel);
❒buttonSTART/STOP(set under the
electronic key reading device).
IMPORTANTTo prevent running
down the battery do not leave the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device when
the engine is off.
HOW TO CUT OFF
THE ALARM SYSTEM
To deactivate the alarm system com-
pletely (for instance during prolonged
inactivity of the car) simply lock the car
by rotating the metal insert (provided
inside the electronic key) into the dri-
ver’s door lock.
MINISTERIAL
HOMOLOGATION
In keeping with the laws in force in each
country on the subject of radio fre-
quency, for markets in which the trans-
mitter needs to be marked the certifi-
cation number is given on the compo-
nent. For certain versions/markets, the
code may also be marked on the trans-
mitter and/or on the receiver.
A0E0219mfig. 15
If the ignition device is
tampered with (for ex-
ample during an attempted
break-in) have it checked over
by Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices before travelling again.
WARNING
When leaving the car
always remove the
electronic key from the ignition
device to prevent any passen-
ger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the car is fac-
ing uphill, first gear and if the
car is facing downhill, reverse.
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car.
WARNING

TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL OFF
With engine off and clutch and brake
pedals released, press button START/
STOPor remove the electronic key
from the ignition device.
A few seconds after the instrument pan-
el display will turn off gradually.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn off.
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL ON
Proceed as follows:
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition
device;
❒if the electronic key is fitted yet, press
buttonSTART/STOPwithout
pressing the clutch or brake pedal.
To safeguard the battery, when leaving
the car with the instrument panel on,
electric and electronic devices will be de-
activated after approx. 1 hour.
IMPORTANTFit completely the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device until
it locks into place.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn on.
IMPORTANTIf when fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device, the
warning light
Yon the instrument pan-
el comes on (on certain versions to-
gether with a message on the display),
check whether the electronic key is the
proper one and then try to refit it into
the ignition device. If the problem per-
sists contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
20
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0E0028mfig. 16
ENGINE STARTING
See paragraph “Engine starting” in sec-
tion “Correct use of the car”.
START/STOP BUTTON
fig. 16
ButtonSTART/STOP, set on the
dashboard, controls car electric systems
and engine starting/stopping.
ButtonSTART/STOPis fitted with
knurled ring and led. When the led and
the instrument panel are on, the engine
can be started.