2008 Alfa Romeo 166 towing

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

152 TOWING TRAILERS
GENERALITIES
The vehicle can be used to tow trailers
after a suitable tow hook has been fitted.
Alfa Romeo retails a tow hook which ful-
fils the safety and legal requirements.
This tow hook should be fitted by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services which will en-
sure a better result and avoid problems
arising which may jeopardise the body-
work warranty cover.The trailer’s braking system must be
separate from the vehicle’s hydraulic sys-
tem.
The vehicle-trailer match must conform
to the specifications of the road-traffic
laws.
Towing weight refers to the overall
weight of a fully loaded trailer including
all accessories and personal belongings.
To avoid sanctions the overall weight of a
fully loaded trailer should be checked to
ensure that it does not exceed the limits
given in the log book.
The vertical loading on the ball hook
should not in any case exceed the limits
specified in the “Technical specifications”
section.When hooking up a caravan or trailer
check that the maximum towable
weights (given in the log book) and the
maximum load permitted on the vehicle’s
tow hook (given on the label applied to
the structure of the trailer), are above or
equal to the overall weight and loading
on the towing eye.
WARNINGS AND
SUGGESTIONS
Some indications concerning driving
with a trailer are given below:
– Install the specific rear-view mirrors
as specified by law.
– Remember that when towing a trailer
steep inclines are harder to climb.
– When travelling down hill engage a
low gear rather than constantly using the
brake.
– Drive within the permitted speed lim-
its for vehicles with trailers. In any case
the maximum speed should never exceed
100 km/h.
The ABS system with
which the car is fitted
does not control the trailer brak-
ing system. Particular care is
therefore necessary on slippery
surfaces.
WARNING
Under no circumstances
should the hydraulic
braking system of the vehicle be
tampered with to control the
brakes of the trailer.
WARNING

196 IF THE VEHICLE
IS TO BE TOWED
Towing the vehicle (fig. 97)
The rings for towing the vehicle are
housed in the right and left lower part of
the underbody.
Towing another vehicle
(fig. 98-99)
The tow ring supplied with the vehicle is
housed in the tool container under the
boot mat.To install the tow ring, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Take the tow ring from the tool con-
tainer.
– Remove the cover (A-fig. 98) s-
nap-fitted on the rear bumper as follows:
Take the screwdriver from the tool con-
tainer in the boot, under the trim.Using the flat bladed side protected with
a soft cloth, insert the screwdriver on the
upper part of the cap and press gently to
prise the catch from its housing.
– Firmly screw the ring (B-fig. 99) in
its housing.
Make sure that the tow
ring is firmly tightened (it
must be turned about 8 times in its
threaded housing); carefully clean
the threaded housing before tight-
ening the ring.
WARNING
448PGS
fig. 97
A0D0089mA0D0088m
fig. 98 fig. 99
A0D0090m

197 IF THE VEHICLE
IS TO BE LIFTED
USING THE JACK
See paragraph “In the event of a punc-
ture” of this chapter.
You are informed that.
– the jack mass is 2.100 kg;
– the jack requires no adjustment;
– the jack cannot be repaired and in
case of breakage it must be replaced by
another original one.
– no tool other than its cranking lever
may be installed on the jack.
Before beginning to tow
the car, turn the ignition
key to MAR and then to STOP, do
not remove it. Removing the key
automatically engages the steering
lock resulting in the impossibility
to steer the wheels. When towing
remember that without the help of
the servobrake and power steer-
ing, it is necessary to exert more
effort on the brake pedal and for
steering. Do not use flexible cables
for towing and avoid jerks. During
towing operations make sure that
fastening the joint to the car does
not damage the components in
contact with it. When towing the
car it is compulsory to comply with
the specific traffic regulations con-
cerning both the towing device and
behaviour on the road.
WARNING
The car may fall if the
jack is not positioned cor-
rectly. Never use the jack for
higher capacities than the one
stated on its label.
The purpose of the jack is
only for replacing wheels
on the car with which it is provided
or on cars of the same model. It
must never be used for other pur-
poses such as for example raising
cars of other models. In no case
must it be used for repairs under
the car.
WARNING
WARNING

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

237
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT
WEIGHTS
(*) Loads not to be exceeded. It is the owner’s responsibility to place loads in the boot and/or on the loading surface within the maximum permissible weight limits.
(**) With special fittings (sunroof, trailer towing device, etc.) the unloaded weight increases, thereby reducing the useful capacity with regard to maximum permissible
loads.
3.2 V6 24V JTD 20VMultijet
Capacity (dm3) 490 490
3.2 V6 24V JTD 20V
Multijet
Weight empty (including fluids, 90% fuel in the tank and no optional) 1540 kg 1540 kg
Max. permitted weight (*) 2050 kg 2050 kg
Payload including
driver (**) 510 kg 510 kg
Towable weight 1500 kg 1500 kg
Max. load on ball 60 kg 60 kg