2008 Alfa Romeo 166 tow

60
RIGHT-HAND LEVER (fig. 72)
The right-hand lever is used to operate
the windscreen wiper and the windscreen
washer.
The control used to activate the wind-
screen washer also activates the head-
light washers (optional for versions/mar-
kets where applicable). “Follow me home” device
(fig. 71)
This function allows the illumination of the
space in front of the car for the length of
time set, and is activated with the ignition
key at STOPor removed, pulling the left-
hand lever towards the steering wheel.This function is activated pulling the lever
within 2 minutes from when the engine is
turned off. At each single movement of the
lever, the staying on of the dipped beams
and sidelights is extended by 30 seconds up
to a maximum of 3.5 minutes; the lights
switch off automatically after the time set.
Each time the lever is operated, the
1
warning light on the cluster turns on.
This function can be interrupted by keep-
ing the lever pulled towards the steering
wheel for more than 2 seconds.
fig. 72
A0D0015m
A0D0018m
fig. 71

62
At each start the rain sensor automati-
cally (in about 2 minutes) stabilises at a
temperature of about 40°C to eliminate
any condensation from the control surface
and prevent the formation of ice.
The rain sensor is capable of detecting
and adapting automatically to the pres-
ence of the following particular conditions
which call for different sensitivity:
– impurities on the control surface
(saline deposits, dirt, etc.)
– streaks of water caused by partial
wear of the windscreen wiper
– difference between day and night
(the human eye is more disturbed during
the night by a wet windscreen surface.Headlight washer (fig. 75)
(optional for versions/markets where
applicable)
These are operated when the low beam
headlights are on and the windscreen
washer is switched on. Windscreen washer (fig. 74)
The windscreen washer is operated by
pulling the lever towards the steering
wheel.
Keeping the lever pulled the windscreen
wiper is turned on continuously. When
the lever is released the wiper continues
for a few strokes and then stops or con-
tinues at the speed set.
A0D0020m
fig. 74
A0D0021m
fig. 75

66
Resetting the speed memorised
The memorised speed is automatically
reset:
– turning off the engine;
or
– moving the switch (A) to the OFF
position.
When travelling with the
cruise control engaged,
never move the gearshift lever to
neutral and do not move the au-
tomatic gearshift lever to N.
You are advised to engage the
cruise control only when the traf-
fic and road conditions permit un-
der completely safe conditions, i.e.:
straight, dry road, dual carriage-
way or motorway, flowing traffic
and smooth tarmac. Do not engage
the device in town or in heavy traf-
fic conditions.
WARNING
The Cruise Control can
only be engaged with
speed over 30 km/h and, just for
certain versions up to 180 km/h.
The device must only be engaged
in 4
th, 5thor 6thgear, depending on
the vehicle speed. On cars with
electronic automatic gearbox it
must be engaged only with the
lever at position D in the automatic
mode without then moving the
gearshift lever by hand or with 3
nd
or 4thgear engaged inthe sequen-
tial manual mode.
Moving downhill with the device
engaged, the car speed might be
slightly higher than the speed
memorised due to the change in en-
gine load.
WARNING
Should the device not be
working properly or fail
to operate, move the switch (A-fig.
78) to the OFF Position and contact
Authorized Alfa Romeo Services
after checking that the protection
fuse is intact.
The switch (A-fig. 78) may be left
constantly at ON without damag-
ing the device. You are however
advised to deactivate the device
when not in use, moving the switch
(A) to OFF, to avoid accidentally
memorising the speed.
WARNING

72
E - Fuel gauge and reserve
warning light
This shows the amount of fuel left in
the fuel tank.
0Tank empty;
1Tank full (see "Refuelling" paragraph
in this section).
This warning light comes on to indicate
that about 9 litres of fuel are left in the
tank.
IMPORTANTUnder certain condi-
tions (heavy slopes, for instance) the
reading on the gauge may differ from the
actual amount of fuel in the tank and
changes in level may be indicated late.
This is part of the operating logic of the
electronic control circuit to avoid highly
unstable readings due to swaying of the
fuel when travelling.F - Engine coolant temperature
gauge and maximum temperature
warning light (fig. 85)
This shows the temperature of the en-
gine coolant fluid and begins when the
fluid temperature exceeds about 50°C.
The pointer should normally be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer
reaches the higher temperature values
the request for vehicle performance
should be decreased.
The illumination of this warning light in-
dicates an excessive temperature of the
engine cooling fluid. In this case, stop the
car and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.IMPORTANT The temperature of the
engine coolant may rise towards the maxi-
mum values by obstruction or dirt on the
outer part of the engine cooling radiator.
In this case you are advised to inspect
and remove any obstructions and have
the outside of the radiator washed as
soon as possible.
fig. 85
A0D0121m

87
DESCRIPTION OF OPERATING
STRATEGIES
Operating the button, the
climate control system sets to automati-
cally control the following functions:
– temperature of the air at the vents
and outlets
– fan speed (constantly changing)
– air distribution
– air recirculation
– compressor engagement.
It is still however possible to intervene
manually on the following functions:
– fan speed
– air distribution
– air recirculation
– compressor engagement.
The functions activated manually have
priority over the automatic ones and they
remain memorised until automatic control
is re-activated.
With one or more functions engaged
manually, adjustment of the temperature
admitted to the passenger compartment
still continues to be controlled automati-
cally by the system except with the com-
pressor off: in fact, in this condition the
air admitted to the passenger compart-
ment cannot be below the outside tem-
perature.Pressing the button for en-
gaging/disengaging automatic operation,
the system may be in one of the follow-
ing conditions:
–FULL AUTOwith automatic control
of the fan speed and air distribution;
–AUTOwith automatic control only of
the fan speed or of air distribution accord-
ing to the driver’s preference;
–MANwith manual operation where
the driver controls the fan speed and air
distribution directly.

88
Pressing the button turns
the compressor on/off. With the com-
pressor off, the air admitted to the pas-
senger compartment can not be cooled or
dehumidified and recirculation is switched
off automatically to avoid misting the
windows: when wanting to activate recir-
culation in the condition, press the corre-
sponding button.
Pressing the button again
with the compressor off, will restore the
operating conditions of before the com-
pressor was turned off.
Pressing the button turns
off/back on the climate control, in the
former case air is no longer admitted to
the passenger compartment which is thus
isolated from outside, in the latter, the
previous operating mode is restored.Pressing the button selects
the possible air distributions to the pas-
senger compartment:
Flow of air towards the windscreen
and front side windows
Distribution of the flow between
the windscreen /front side windows and
lower part of the passenger compartment
Flow of air to the lower part of the
passenger compartment and secondary
flow of air towards the windscreen and
front side windows
Distribution of the flow between
the upper centre, centre, side and rear
outlets and the lower part of the passen-
ger compartment
Flow of air towards the centre up-
per vent, centre and side dashboard out-
lets and rear outlets.If the system was in the FULL AUTO
mode, pressing the button
passes to the simple automatism condi-
tion: i.e. the system chooses the fan
speed and mixing to obtain the equiva-
lent temperature required, but will not
change the distribution selected manually.
Pressing the recirculation button
, the system automatically reac-
tivates the compressor if it was deactivat-
ed manually; to maintain recirculation
with the compressor of, it is necessary to
press the button to deacti-
vate the compressor.

99
Always ensure that the
cigar lighter has turned
off.
FRONT ASHTRAY (fig. 119)
To open the protective lid (A) press in
the point shown by the arrow.
To empty the ashtray, pull out the tray,
pressing towards the left on the open lid:
the tray is released and it moves up auto-
matically. Re-insert the tray in the special
guides and pressing gently.
The ashtray is lit when the key is at
MAR.REAR ASHTRAYS (fig. 120)
There is an ashtray on each rear door.
To empty remove the ashtray pressing
the tab (A). When refitting, firstly insert
the lower part, press the tab, then push
the upper part into place.
fig. 120
602PGSm
fig. 119
P4C00057370PGSm
The cigar lighter gets ex-
tremely hot. Handle with
care and prevent its use by children:
danger of fire and/or burning.
WARNING
Do not use the ashtray as
paper bin: it might set on
fire in contact with cigarette stubs.
WARNING

133
Reading this chapter and following the advice, recommendations
and specification given in it will make it possible for you to get the
best from your vehicle in terms of safety, performance, reliability
and length of life.
This chapter mostly deals with procedures of a general nature.
However, in some cases, it may deal with exclusive and particular
operations.
Pay close attention therefore to the information given as this will
allow you to exploit your vehicle to the full.STARTING THE ENGINE............................................................................page 134
SAFE DRIVING
.........................................................................................................136
WINTER TYRES
........................................................................................................147
SNOW CHAINS
........................................................................................................147
ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY DRIVING
.................................148
TOWING TRAILERS
................................................................................................152
VEHICLE INACTIVITY
..............................................................................................155
INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC DEVICES
...................................156
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND CELLULAR TELEPHONES
..............................156
GETTING THE BEST OUT OF YOUR CAR