2008 Alfa Romeo 166 clutch

3 VERY IMPORTANT!
FUEL CAPACITY
Petrol engines:only use unleaded petrol with no less than 95 R.O.N.
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
STARTING THE ENGINE
Petrol engines:engage the handbrake; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fully depress the clutch without pressing the accel-
erator, then turn the ignition key to AV Vand release it as soon as the engine has started.
JTD engines:engage the handbrake; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fully depress the clutch without pressing the ac-
celerator; turn the ignition key to MARand wait for the
mwarning light to go off, then turn the ignition key to AV V
and 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.


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.

95
GEARSHIFT LEVER (fig. 101)
When changing gear always fully de-
press the clutch pedal. Before engaging
reverse gear (R) wait for the car to be
stationary.
To engage reverse gear (R) it is neces-
sary to wait for the car to be stationary,
then raise the ring under the grip (A)
(with the fingers of the same hand hold-
ing the lever). After engaging reverse
gear, release the ring. It is not necessary
to raise the ring on the lever when shift-
ing from reverse to another gear.
fig. 101
A0D0031m
HAND BRAKE (fig. 102)
The hand brake is located between the
two front seats.
To operate the brake when the vehicle
is stationary pull the lever upwards until
the required braking action is obtained.
When the ignition key is in the MAR
position the
xwarning light will come
on on the instrument panel.To release the hand brake:
– Slightly lift the lever (A) and press
the button (B).
– holding the button down lower the
lever: the
xwarning light on the instru-
ment panel will go out.
To prevent the car from moving acciden-
tally, keep the brake pedal pressed when
engaging the handbrake.
The wheels should be
locked after a few clicks
of the hand brake lever.
if this does not occur contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized services to
have the hand brake adjusted.
fig. 102
372PGSm

134
In addition to the notes
and specifications given
below we recommend
that, during the initial period, y-
ou do not drive to full vehicle
performance (for example exces-
sive acceleration, long journeys
at top speed, hard braking etc.).
STARTING
THE ENGINE
IMPORTANT The car is fitted with an
electronic engine lock device. if the en-
gine fails to start see “The Alfa Romeo
CODE system”.The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
device which obliges the driver to return
the ignition key to the STOPposition be-
fore repeating the starting operation if
the engine does not start immediately.
Similarly, when the engine is running,
the device prevents the key being moved
fromMARto the AVV position.
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
ENGINES
With cold engine:
1) Engage the handbrake.
2) Ensure that the systems and electri-
cal devices, especially if they absorb high
quantities of energy (e.g. heated rear
windscreen), are switched off.
3) Set the gearshift lever to neutral and
fully depress the clutch without pressing
the accelerator.
4) Turn the ignition key to the AVV posi-
tion releasing it as soon as the engine starts.
Never leave the ignition
key in the MAR position
when the engine is
switched off.
5) If the engine does not start immedi-
ately, return the key to the STOPposi-
tion and repeat the operation
With hot engine:
1) Engage the handbrake.
2) Ensure that the systems and electri-
cal devices, especially if they absorb high
quantities of energy (e.g. heated rear
windscreen), are switched off.
3) Set the gearshift lever to neutral and
fully depress the clutch without pressing
the accelerator.
4) Turn the ignition key to the AVV posi-
tion releasing it as soon as the engine starts.
5) If the engine does not start immedi-
ately, return the key to the STOPposition
and repeat the procedure, slightly pressing
the accelerator pedal without pumping it.
Running the engine in
confined areas is ex-
tremely dangerous. The engine
consumes oxygen and produces
carbon monoxide which is a highly
toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING

135
IMPORTANT If it is difficult to start the
engine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyzer but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
1) Engage the handbrake.
2) Set the gearshift lever to neutral and
fully depress the clutch without pressing
the accelerator.
3) Turn the ignition key to the MAR
position. the
mwarning light on the in-
strument cluster will turn on.
4) Wait for the
mwarning light to go
off, which will depend on how warm the
engine is. If the engine is very warm the
turning on of the warning light may be so
fast as to go by unobserved.
5) Turn the ignition key to AVV as
soon as the
mwarning light goes off.
Waiting too long would make the glow
plug heating work pointless.IMPORTANT The electric devices that
absorb much energy (air conditioner,
rearscreen heating, etc.) are disengaged
automatically during engine starting.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, move the ignition key back to
theSTOPposition before repeating s-
tarting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa
Romeo CODE system efficient), do not in-
sist with prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if it is not-
ed that the cause is due to low charge of
vehicle’s battery. Never use a battery
charger to start the engine (see ”If the
battery is flat” in the chapter “In an e-
mergency”).
WARMING THE ENGINE
– Drive off slowly, at medium revs
without accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for
the initial kilometres of the journey. Wait
until the engine coolant temperature is
between 50 and 60°C.
SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and
wait until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOP
position and switch off the engine.
IMPORTANT After a hard journey, it
is advisable to allow the engine to “get
its breath back” before switching off, run-
ning it at idle speed to allow the tempera-
ture in the engine compartment to cool
down. For versions/markets
where applicable the
warning light m flashes
for about 30 seconds after start-
ing the engine meaning that
there is a fault to the glow plug
warming system, in which case,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.

137
– Check the operation of the horn.
– Check the operation and degree of
wear of the windscreen wipers.
– Check the operation of the external
lights and if necessary, clean the light
units.
– Above all when driving at night,
check the alignment of headlight beams
before starting off.
– Check that no oil or other liquid is
leaking out under the car.
– Ensure that luggage is stowed away
correctly.
– Ensure that, in addition to yourself,
all passengers have fastened their seat
belts.
– Ensure that the handbrake is re-
leased and that the warning lights on the
instrument panel do not indicate a mal-
function. To avoid accidental movements
of the car, disengage the handbrake
keeping the brake pedal pressed.
The following should also be noted:
– Long distances should be tackled
when in good health and should where
possible be programmed, especially when
the roads are busy.– A light meal containing easily assimil-
able foods will help keep reflexes ready
and aid concentration for a safe journey.– Use the direction indicators when
changing direction.
– Switch on the external lights at sun-
set.
– Keep a safe distance from the vehicle
in front. A “safe” distance will vary ac-
cording to the speed of the vehicle,
weather conditions and road-traffic condi-
tions.
– Never drive with one hand resting on
the gear lever. The involuntary movement
of the gear lever which this causes, even
if slight, will cause avoidable wear to the
internal elements of the gearbox.
– Never drive with the gearbox in neu-
tral.
– Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal as this habit leads to
rapid wearing of the clutch.
– Do not drive for long periods without
a break. During a break get out of the ve-
hicle and move around a bit to shake off
drowsiness.
– Ensure that the air in the vehicle is
changed constantly using the many possi-
bilities offered by the heating-ventilation
and climate control system.
WHEN TRAVELLING
– Driving with care also means being
able to predict the actions of other road
users, respecting the speed limits and oc-
cupying the near-side lane on motorways.
Driving under the influ-
ence of alcohol, drugs
and/or some medicines is highly
dangerous.
Never drive when drunk or under
the effect of drugs or medicines.
WARNING

155 VEHICLE INACTIVITY
If the vehicle is to be left inactive for
long periods the following precautions
should be noted:
– House the vehicle under a cover in a
dry and possibly ventilated place.
– Engage a gear.
– Release the handbrake.
– Clean and protect the paintwork by
applying silicon wax.
– Cover the rubber windscreen wiper
blades with talcum powder and raise
them off the glass.
– Open the windows slightly.
– Cover the vehicle with a cloth or per-
forated plastic cover. Do not use compact
plastic covers which prevent the humidity
on the surface of the vehicle from evapo-
rating.
– Inflate the tyres to a pressure of 0.5
bars above normal. If possible rest the
tyres on wooden planks and periodically
check the pressure.– Switch off the alarm system (if fit-
ted) with the remote control, then deacti-
vate it with the emergency key.
– Disconnect the terminals from the
battery poles (negative pole first) and
check the battery charge. When the vehi-
cle is in storage, this check should be car-
ried out once a month. If the no-load volt-
age is less than 12.5V, recharge the bat-
tery.
REMOVING FROM STORAGE
Before using your vehicle after a long
period of inactivity the following opera-
tions should first be carried out:
– Do not dust the outside of the vehi-
cle.
– Visually check that there are no
leaks (oil, brake and clutch fluid, engine
coolant etc.).
– Replace the engine oil and filter.
– Check:
Gearbox-differential oil level
Brake-clutch fluid level
Level of engine coolant fluid.– Check the air cleaner and replace if
necessary.
– Check tyre pressure and ensure that
they are not damaged, cracked or cut. If
they are they must be replaced.
– Check the state of the drive belts in
the engine bay.
– Connect the cables of the battery af-
ter checking that the charge is adequate.
– Re-activate the alarm system, if fit-
ted, using the emergency key.
– With the gear lever in neutral start
the engine and allow the engine to run
for a few seconds whilst repeatedly
pumping the clutch pedal.