2008 Alfa Romeo 166 service interval

20
This condition is indicated by a brief
flash of the warning light (A-fig.
10) on the check panel.
If the code has not been recognised cor-
rectly, the Alfa Romeo CODE system
warning light (A-fig. 10) stays on
together with the EOBD/fuel supply-igni-
tion system failure warning light (B-fig.
10) .
In this case, you are recommended to re-
turn the key to the STOPposition and
than back to MAR; if the inhibition per-
sists, try again possibly with the other key
provided with the car. If it is still impossible
to start the car, carry out the emergency
starting procedure described herein and
turn to an Alfa Romeo Authorized Service.
U
¢
¢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 seven,
apply solely to Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services taking with you all the keys in
your possession, the CODE card, a person-
al identity document and the car’s posses-
sion documents.
The codes of the keys
not provided during the
new memorising proce-
dure are erased from the memo-
ry. This is to ensure that any lost
or stolen keys can no longer be
used to start the car.
IMPORTANTThe Alfa Romeo CODE
warning light comes on when travelling
with the ignition key on MAR:
1) If the warning lamp lights up while
the car is moving, it means that the sys-
tem is running a self-diagnosis (e.g. due to
a voltage drop). The first time you stop y-
ou can test the system as follows: switch
the engine off by turning the ignition keytoSTOP; then turn the key back to
MAR: the warning lamp will light up and
should go out in the space of about one
second. If the warning lamp fails to go
out, leave the key at STOPfor more than
30 seconds and repeat the procedure de-
scribed previously. If the problem persists,
contact your Authorised Alfa Romeo Dealer.
2) If the warning lamp flashes it means
that the car is not protected by the immo-
biliser. Contact your Authorized Alfa
Romeo Code Dealer immediately and get
them to store the codes of all the keys in
the memory.
If after about 2 seconds
with the key in the
MAR position, the Alfa
Romeo CODE warning light turns
on again flashing at appr. half
second intervals, 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 attempted
theft. In this case, contact an Au-
thorized Alfa Romeo Service to
have the key codes memorised.
fig. 10
A0D0091m

23
ACTIVATING THE ALARM
When the doors and boot/bonnet lids
are closed and the ignition key is in the
STOPposition (key removed), point the
remote control towards the car and press
the button on the ignition key.
With the exception of some markets the
system sounds a “BEEP”, the hazard
warning lights turn on for appr. three sec-
onds and the door lock is engaged.
Engagement of the alarm is preceded
by a self-diagnosis characterised by a
change in the frequency at which the led
(A-fig. 12) flashes. If an anomaly is
detected the system gives off a further
“BEEP”.Surveillance
When the system has been turned on,
the led (A-fig. 12) on the dashboard
will flash to indicate that the system is in
the surveillance mode.
The led (A) inside the car flashes
throughout the whole time the vehicle is
under surveillance.
IMPORTANT Operation of the elec-
tronic alarm is adapted at the origin to
the regulations of the different countries.
Self-diagnosis and monitoring of
doors and bonnet/boot
If, after the alarm has been activated, a
second acoustic signal is heard, check
that all the doors and bonnet/boot are
closed properly and engage the system
once again.
On the other hand, if a door or bon-
net/boot lid is not correctly closed it will
not be controlled by the system.
If the control signal is repeated when
the doors and bonnet/boot are closed
properly this means that the self-diagno-
sis function has detected a system operat-
ing fault, in which case it is necessary
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
DEACTIVATING THE ALARM
To deactivate the alarm press the button
on the remote control. The system per-
forms the following (with the exception
of some markets):
– the direction indicators turn on twice
briefly
– two beeps are sounded briefly by the
siren
– the doors are released.
IMPORTANT If the led in the car s-
tays on when the system has been deac-
tivated, (maximum of 2 minutes or until
the ignition key is moved to MAR) the
following should be borne in mind:
– if the led stays on permanently, it
means that the remote control batteries
are flat and need replacing;
– if the led continues to flash, but at
different intervals than normal, it means
that attempts to steal the car have been
made, counting the number of flashes it
is also possible to identify the type of at-
tempt:
1 flash: right front door
2 flashes: left front door
fig. 12
305PGSm

92
The temperature near
the heater should never
exceed 120°C (e.g. dur-
ing body painting operations in
the workshop oven). Higher tem-
perature could damage the elec-
tronic control unit components.
For maintenance and repairs con-
tact only Authorized Alfa Romeo
Services and only use original
spare parts.
The burner exhaust gas
is released in the centre
floor area: therefore never park
the car with the engine running
over inflammable surfaces, fire
hazard!
WARNING
IMPORTANT When the heater is
working with the vehicle stationery and
the engine running, standing outside the
car near the rear wheel arch a low noise
caused by normal operation of the heater
can be heard.MAINTENANCE
Have the additional heater checked at
regular intervals by Authorized Alfa
Romeo Services. This will ensure safe,
cost-effective working of the heater and
also long life.

143
WHEELS
The wheels (rims and tyres) installed in
the factory are those which are most suit-
ed to the characteristics of the vehicle
and guarantee the greatest degree of
safety and comfort under all normal dri-
ving conditions.
Before replacing the rims or tyres in-
stalled on your vehicle consult the table
indicating the permitted types given in
the “Technical specifications” chapter of
this manual or contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.
The original rim-tyre match should be
followed when changing tyres.IMPORTANTS (when using a s-
pare wheel different from the
other wheels of the car)
– The spare wheel should only be used in
an emergency.
– Use of the spare wheel should be kept
to a minimum. Do not drive at speeds of
over 80 km/h.
– The car will handle differently when the
spare wheel is fitted. Avoid sudden acceler-
ation or braking, sharp corners and fast
bends.
– Check at regular intervals that spare
wheel pressure is equal to 2.7 bar (2.7
kg/cm
2).
SPARE WHEEL
Cars fitted with steel rims and tyres
215/55 R16 (*) have spare wheel iden-
tical with the standard wheels. Cars fitted
with aluminium alloy rims and tyres
215/55 R16 (*), 225/45 R17 and
235/40 R18 have the spare wheel with
steel rim and tyre 215/55 R16 (*).
(*) For versions/markets where applic-
able tyres 205/55 R16.
The jack should only be
used when changing a
wheel; Do not work under the ve-
hicle when this is only supported
using the jack.
WARNING
While the specified di-
mensions remain un-
changed, for travelling safety and
correct operation of the VDC, ASR
and ABS systems the tyres must
absolutely be of the same brand
and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and above all of the
specified type and brand.
WARNING
On cars fitted with tyres
215/55 R16 (*), 225/45
R17, 235/40 R18 and spare wheel
with tyre 215/55 R16 (*), since
the spare wheel is different from
the standard wheels, observe the
instructions for use given below.
(*) For versions/markets where ap-
plicable tyres 205/55 R16.
WARNING

158IN THE EVENT
OF A PUNCTURE
Wheel changing and cor-
rect use of the jack and
spare wheel call for some precau-
tions as mentioned below.
Signal the presence of the station-
ary vehicle according to current
regulations: hazard warning lights,
reflecting triangle, etc.
Any passengers should leave the
car, specially if the vehicle is heav-
ily laden, and wait for the wheel
to be changed out of harm of the
traffic.
If parked on a slope or rough road,
place wedges or other suitable de-
vices under the wheels to prevent
the car from rolling. Do not grease
the threads of bolts before in-
stalling them; they might slip out.
WARNING
The spare wheel is specific
to your model of car: do
not use it on another model or use
the spare wheel of other models on
your car. On cars fitted with tyres
215/55 R16 (*), 225/45 R17,
235/40 R18 and spare wheel with
tyre 215/55 R16 (*), since the
spare wheel is different from the
standard wheels, observe the in-
structions for use given below:
– The spare wheel should only be
used in an emergency.
– Use of the spare wheel should
be kept to a minimum. Do not
drive at speeds of over 80 km/h.
– The car will handle differently
when the spare wheel is fitted.
Avoid sudden acceleration or brak-
ing, sharp corners and fast bends.
– Check at regular intervals that
spare wheel pressure is equal to
2.7 bar (2.7 kg/cm
2).
– Two or more spare wheels
should never be used together.
Have the wheel changed repaired
and refitted as soon as possible.
WARNING
On cars fitted with tyres
215/55 R16 (*), 225/
45 R17, 235/40 R18 and spare
wheel with tyre 215/55 R16 (*),
do not apply the wheel cap on the
spare wheel. The spare wheel has
an orange sticker with the main
cautions about use of the wheel it-
self and instructions for use.
The sticker must absolutely never
be removed or covered.
The sticker contains the following
instructions in four languages:
– WARNING! Only for temporary
use 80 km/h max!
– Replace with standard service
wheel as soon as possible.
– Do not cover these instructions.
The vehicle may fall if the jack is
not positioned correctly.
WARNING
(*) Tyre 205/55 R16 for versions/mar-
kets where applicable.

203
It is possible to ask the Alfa Romeo Or-
ganisation for an estimate of the cost of
service coupon operations.
IMPORTANTYou are advised to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services in
the event of any minor operating faults,
without waiting for the next service cou-
pon.
IMPORTANTThe programmed main-
tenance coupons are specified by the
Manufacturer. The failure to have them
carried out may invalidate the warranty.GENERALITIES
Perfect performance and the life of eve-
ry car are strictly connected with correct
use of it, but above all on the care with
which routine maintenance operations are
carried out for which new programming
criteria have been adopted owing to prod-
uct development.
The mileage for programmed mainte-
nance coupons is 20,000 km.
It is however wise to remember that the
car still needs routine care such as for in-
stance checking and topping up the
fluids, checking the tyre pressure, etc.
Correct vehicle maintenance is surely
the best way to preserve its performance
levels, safety and environment protection
features and low running costs over the
years.
Also remember that strictly observing
the maintenance instructions given in this
Handbook marked by the symbol
—can be a necessary condition for the guar-
antee. If the car is frequently
used for towing trailers,
the interval between
programmed maintenance opera-
tions should be reduced.
Warning, when topping
up never confuse the
various types of fluids
which are incompatible and could
seriously damage the vehicle.

207
IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more frequently
than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme if the car is used pre-
vailingly in one of the following particular-
ly harsh conditions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short, repeated journeys (less than 7-
8 km) with an outside temperature of be-
low freezing point.
– engine idling frequently or driving
long distances at low speed (e.g. taxi or
door-to-door deliveries) or in the case of
prolonged inactivity.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, change
the air cleaner more frequently than stat-
ed in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
For any doubts about the intervals be-
tween engine oil and air cleaner changes
in relation to how the car is used, contact
Authorised Alfa Romeo Services.IMPORTANT - Fuel oil filter
The variety of the degree of purity of
the fuel oil in commerce may make it
necessary to change the fuel oil filter
more frequently than stated in the Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme. If the en-
gine is “sobbing” it is a sign that the fil-
ter needs changing.
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments, you are
recommended to change the activated
carbon filtering element more frequently;
in particular, it should be changed if a
lower flow of air admitted to the passen-
ger compartment is noted.IMPORTANT - Batteries
You are recommended to have the bat-
tery charge conditions checked, prefer-
ably at the onset of winter, to avoid the
possibility of freezing the electrolyte.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used prevailingly
for short journeys, or if it is fitted with
services that absorb high amounts of cur-
rent permanently with the ignition key
off, especially if installed in the after mar-
ket.
In the case of use of the car in hot cli-
mates or particularly harsh conditions, it
is wise to check the level of the battery
fluid (electrolyte) at more frequent inter-
vals than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme.
IMPORTANT - Remote control
If when pressing the remote control but-
ton of the key, the operating led on the
key flashes briefly only once, the battery
need replacing with other of the same
type.

208
When topping up take
care not to confuse the
various types of fluids:
they are all incompatible and
could seriously damage the car.
If the vehicle is fre-
quently used for towing
trailers, the interval be-
tween one programmed mainte-
nance and the next should be re-
duced.
Vehicle maintenance
should be entrusted to
the Alfa Romeo Service
Network. For ordinary and minor
operations you can do yourself,
always make sure you have ade-
quate tools, original Alfa Romeo
spares and the correct fluids. Do
not carry out these operations if
you have no experience.
Never smoke during
work in the engine com-
partment: there is the possibility
of inflammable gas and vapours
with the risk of fire.
WARNING