2008 Alfa Romeo 166 ESP

61
Windscreen wiper (fig. 72-73)
The lever can be moved to five different
positions corresponding to:
A- Stationary (off)
B- Intermittent.
With the lever in position B, turning the
ring (1-fig. 73) four possible intermit-
tent speeds are obtained (except versions
with rain sensor):
■= intermittent slow
■■= intermittent medium
■■■= intermittent medium-fast
■■■■= intermittent fast.
C- Continuous, slow
D- Continuous, fast
E- Fast, temporary (unstable position).
Operation in position Eis limited to the
time the lever is held in this position.
When the lever is released, it returns to
positionAautomatically stopping the
wiper.Rain sensor (fig. 72-73)
(optional for versions/markets where
applicable)
The rain sensor is an electronic device
coupled with the windscreen wiper and its
purpose is to automatically adapt the fre-
quency of the wiper strokes according to
the intensity of the rain during intermit-
tent operation.
All the other functions controlled by the
right-hand lever (switching the wiper off,
slow and fast continuous operation, fast
temporary operation, windscreen washer
and headlight washer) remain un-
changed.
The rain sensor is activated automatical-
ly moving the right-hand lever to position
(B) and its field of adjustment changes
gradually.Operating the windscreen washer with
the rain sensor activated (lever in position
B) the normal washing cycle is carried
out at the end of which the rain sensor
resumes normal operation automatically.
Moving the key to the STOPposition
the rain sensor is deactivated and the
next time the car is started (key in MAR
position) it is not reactivated even if the
lever is still in position (B). In this case to
activate the rain sensor, simply move the
lever to position (A) or (C) and then
back to position (B).
When the rain sensor is reactivated in
this way, the wiper performs at least one
stroke, even if the windscreen is dry, to
signal that the sensor has been reactivat-
ed.
The rain sensor is fastened to the wind-
screen inside the area cleaned by the
wiper and it controls an electronic control
unit, which in turn controls the wind-
screen wiper motor.
A0D0019m
fig. 73

63
STR SYSTEM
(SPORT THROTTLE
RESPONSE)
(optional for versions/markets where
applicable)
The STR system offers the driver the
possibility of brilliant, sporty driving with-
out forsaking relaxing driving in other cir-
cumstances with smoother, more gradual
engine response.
In fact, according to preference, the dri-
ver can choose between sporty fast accel-
eration control and smoother more grad-
ual control, for example in city driving.To engage the sporty response (also
when travelling), press the switch (A-
fig. 76) on the centre console. To pre-
vent this function from being engaged un-
intentionally, the system requires the ac-
celerator pedal to be completely released
for engagement. When the sporty re-
sponse is enabled warning light (B) on
the switch lights up.
To restore the most comfortable re-
sponse press the button again (A) and
completely release the accelerator: the
warning light (B) on the switch goes out.
Whenever the engine is switched on,
the control unit positions on the most
comfortable response. If before switching
off the sporty response was stored, it will
automatically be retrieved releasing the
accelerator pedal after the first accelera-
tion.Automatic engagement
The system allows passing from the s-
tandard map to the sporty one with a
quick press on the accelerator. This func-
tion is useful in all situations, such as for
example overtaking or emergency ma-
noeuvres, where maximum acceleration
is needed.
When the need for maximum power
ceases, the system automatically resumes
the standard map.
A0D0022m
fig. 76

64 CRUISE CONTROL
(fig. 77)(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The electronic cruise control makes it
possible to drive the car at the required
speed without pressing the accelerator
pedal. This reduces driving fatigue on mo-
torways, especially during long journeys
because the speed memorised is auto-
matically maintained.
IMPORTANT The Cruise Control can
only be engaged with speed over 30
km/h and, just for certain versions up to
180 km/h.
CONTROLS(fig. 78)
The cruise control is controlled by switch
(A), knurled ring (B) and by button (C).Switch (A) has two positions:
–OFFin this position the device is de-
activated;
–ONis the device’s normal operating
position. When the device starts to act on
the engine, the corresponding warning
light on the instrument cluster turns on.
The knurled ring (B) serves to memo-
rise and maintain the car speed or to in-
crease or reduce the speed memorised.
Turn the knurled ring (B) to the (+) po-
sition to memorise the speed reached or
to increase the speed memorised.
Turn the knurled ring (B) to the (–) to
reduce the speed memorised.
The cruise control must
only be activated when
the traffic and the road make it
possible to travel safely at a con-
stant speed for a sufficiently long
time.
WARNING
On vehicles with auto-
matic transmission, nev-
er move the lever to N when the
car is on the move.
WARNING
The device is automatically disengaged
in any one of the following cases:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– inadvertently moving the automatic
gearshift lever to N.
A0D0024m
fig. 78
A0D0023m
fig. 77

65
Each time the knurled ring (B) is oper-
ated the speed increases or lowers by ap-
prox. 1 km/h. Keeping the ring turned
the speed changes continuously. The new
speed reached will be maintained auto-
matically.
With button (C) it is possible to reset
the speed memorised.
IMPORTANT Turning the ignition key
to the STOPposition or switch (A) to
OFF, the memorised speed is cleared
and the system is disengaged.
To memorise the speed
Turn switch (A) to ON, wait for 2 sec-
onds at least, then bring the car to the re-
quired speed as usual by pressing the ac-
celerator pedal or by turning the ring nut
(B) to (+) or to (–) and then releasing
it.The car speed is memorised and it is
therefore possible to release the accelera-
tor pedal.
The car will continue to travel at the re-
quired speed until one of the following
conditions takes place:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– inadvertently moving the automaticgearshift lever to position N.
IMPORTANT In the case of need (for
example overtaking) it is possible to ac-
celerate simply pressing the accelerator
pedal; afterwards, releasing the accelera-
tor pedal, the car will resume the speed
memorised previously.
To restore the speed memorised
If the device has been disengaged, for
example by pressing the brake or clutch
pedal, the speed memorised can be re-
stored as follows:
– gradually accelerate until reaching a
speed approaching the one memorised;
– engage the gear selected when the
speed was memorised (4th, 5th or 6th
gear);
– press button (C).
To increase the speed memorised
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
– pressing the accelerator and then
memorising the new speed reached (turn-
ing the knurled ring (B) for more than
three seconds;or
– turning the knurled ring (B) momen-
taneously to the (+) position: each pulse
of the knurled ring will correspond to a
small increase of the speed (approx. 1
km/h) while pressing continuously will
correspond to a continuous increase of
the speed. Releasing the knurled ring (B)
the new speed will remain automatically
memorised.
To reduce the memorised speed
The memorised speed can be reduced in
two ways:
– disengaging the device (for example
pressing the brake pedal) and then mem-
orising the new speed (turning the
knurled ring (B) to the (+) position for
at least three seconds);
or
– keeping the knurled ring (B) pressed
on the (–) position until reaching the
new speed which will be automatically
memorised.

71
D - Rev counter
The danger zone (red) indicates exces-
sively high engine revs. Do not drive for
long periods with the pointer in this area.
With the engine at idle speed, the rev
counter may indicate a gradual or sudden
speed increase depending on the cases;
this is normal as it occurs in the normal
operation, for example when the climate
control compressor is engaged or the fan.
In particular a slow change in speed helps
preserve the battery charge.
IMPORTANT Depending on the ver-
sions/markets of the car, the rev counter
may have danger sectors (red) of differ-
ent size and with different top of scale
values.
IMPORTANT The electronic ignition
control system gradually shuts off the
flow of fuel when the engine is “over-
revving” resulting in a gradual loss of en-
gine power. Moving the ignition key to MARthe
following warning lights and displays turn
on and go out after approx. 6 seconds:
1- Light failure
2- Low brake fluid and/or handbrake
engaged
3- Front brake pad wear
4- Low engine oil level
5- Fuel reserve
6- Maximum engine coolant fluid tem-
perature
7- Mileage recorder displayAny faults are signalled by the turning
on of the corresponding warning light for
approx. 15 seconds after the end of the
check.
2) Doors and boot open warning.
With the ignition key at MAR, if a led
of the car symbol (10) lights up, the cor-
responding door or the boot has not been
shut properly.
To repeat the check, with the ignition
key in the MARposition and the engine
off, press the button (A-fig. 84).
A0D0026m
fig. 84

84
EQUIVALENT TEMPERATURE
The system makes it possible to control
the passenger compartment climate main-
taining the “equivalent temperature” lev-
el required by the driver. This “equivalent
temperature” is an estimator of the ideal
temperature (obtained through the devel-
opment of a complex mathematical algo-
rithm) needed to obtain the best temper-
ature and well-being in the passenger
compartment.
To bring about this operating condition,
select:
– the “equivalent temperature” re-
quired pressing the button (B-fig. 94);
– the AUTOposition pressing the but-
ton (D).
IMPORTANT The compressor can be
engaged automatically or manually. To
switch from one operating mode to the
other see the “Compressor on/off but-
ton” paragraph in this chapter.
DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS
(fig. 94)
A- Climate control dedicated screen se-
lector button.
B- Rocker button for adjusting the “e-
quivalent temperature”.
C- Rocker button for fan speed adjust-
ment.
D- Automatic system operation selector
button.
E- Climate control compressor off/on
button.
F- Climate control system off/on but-
ton.
G- Rocker button for selecting air distri-
bution.
H- Air recirculation on/off button.
I- On/off button for maximum defrost-
ing/demisting windscreen and front side
windows, rearscreen heating, door mirror
resistances and resistances at windscreen
base (where applicable).
J- On/off button for rearscreen heating
and mirror defrosting and resistances in
windscreen wiper blade parking are at the
base of the windscreen (where applica-
ble).Adjustment button for
required equivalent
temperature
Pressing this rocker button up or down
respectively raises or lowers the equiva-
lent temperature required in the passen-
ger compartment.
Pressing the button upwards or down-
wards to the extreme HIGHorLOW
positions, the functions with the highest
heating or cooling power are engaged.

85
Fan speed adjustment button
Pressing this rocker button up or down
respectively increases or lowers the fan
speed (thus the amount of air admitted
to the passenger compartment), while
maintaining the objective of the equiva-
lent temperature required.
Automatic operation
button
Pressing the AUTObutton the system
automatically adjusts the amount and dis-
tribution of air admitted to the passenger
compartment.
Compressor off/on
button
Pressing the ECONbutton turns the cli-
mate control compressor on/off.
IMPORTANT With the compressor off
it is not possible to admit air to the pas-
senger compartment at a temperature be-
low the outside temperature, in particular
environment conditions, the windows
may quickly steam.Climate control off/on
button
Pressing the OFFbutton turns the cli-
mate control on/off (including ventilation
only.
IMPORTANT With the climate control
off and in particular environment condi-
tions, the windows may steam quickly.
Passenger compartment
air distribution button
Pressing the MODErocker button to-
wards the left or right manually selects
air distribution in the passenger compart-
ment, while maintaining the objective of
the equivalent temperature required.

86
Air recirculation on/off
button
Pressing this button engages/disen-
gages recirculation of the air admitted to
the passenger compartment.
IMPORTANT Depending on how the
system is working (heating or cooling the
passenger compartment) the recirculation
function makes it possible to reach the re-
quired conditions faster. It is however in-
advisable to use this function on
rainy/cold days as it would considerably
increase the possibility of misting the win-
dows, especially if the conditioner is off.
It is advisable to use this function when
the vehicle is stationary in a queue or tun-
nel to prevent polluted air from entering
the passenger compartment. Prolonged
use of this function should however be
avoided, especially if there are several
persons aboard.Windscreen and front side
windows demisting/
defrosting button
Pressing this button the climate control
automatically activates the necessary
functions (quantity, distribution, tempera-
ture of the air admitted to the passenger
compartment) to quicken demisting/de-
frosting of the windscreen and front side
windows. Rearscreen heating, door mirror
heating and the resistances at the base of
the windscreen (in the wiper blade park-
ing area) are also automatically engaged
(for a determinate length of time) where
applicable.Rearscreen demisting/
defrosting on/off button
Pressing this button engages demist-
ing/defrosting of the rearscreen, door
mirrors and (optional for versions/mar-
kets where applicable) the resistances at
the base of the windscreen (in the wiper
blade parking area).
IMPORTANT Do not stick stickers on
the inside of the rearscreen over the heat-
ing filaments to prevent damage that
might adversely affect the system.