235
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Do not allow the pow-
er steering fluid to
touch the hot parts of the en-
gine: it is inflammable.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID fig. 15
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake
fluid specified in the table “Fluids and
lubricants” (see section “Technical Spec-
ifications ").
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When
opening the cap take the utmost care to
prevent impurities entering the tank.
When topping up, always use a funnel
with built-in filter with mesh equal to
or lower than 0.12 mm.
A0E0016mfig. 15
Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
From time to time, check the instrument
panel warning light
x: pressing on cap
A(with key fitted into the ignition de-
vice) the warning light shall turn on.
IMPORTANTBrake fluid absorbs
moisture. For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree
of atmospheric humidity, the fluid should
be replaced at more frequent intervals
than specified in the Service schedule.
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237
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited mainte-
nance” type: under normal conditions
of use the electrolyte does not need top-
ping up with distilled water.
Contact at Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices to have the battery checked/re-
placed.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
fig. 16
The battery charge may be checked
through the indicator A(where re-
quired) set on the battery cover and act-
ing according to the colour the indica-
tor shows.Should the battery be not fitted with bat-
tery charge inspection device (optical
electrolyte indicator), inspection opera-
tions shall be carried out by skilled per-
sonnel only.
Refer to the table below.
A0E0127mfig. 16
Bright white colourTop up electrolyte Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Dark colour withoutLow charge level Charge the battery
green area in the centre(advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services)
Dark colour withElectrolyte level and charge No action
green area in the centresufficient
IMPORTANTThe charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.
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238
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Service schedule in this section will
no longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car. If after buying
the car, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm,
free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, check-
ing whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding
the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services,
which is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries re-
specting nature and the law.
The liquid in the bat-
tery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring
naked flames or possible
sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
WARNING
Running the battery
with low fluid level can
damage the battery beyond
repair and could also cause its
explosion.
WARNING
After connecting/dis-
connecting the battery,
wait for 3 minutes at
least before fitting the electronic
key into the ignition device in
order to allow the climate con-
trol system control unit to reset
the positions of the electric ac-
tuators that adjust air temper-
ature and distribution.
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240
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Moreover, this might lead to a higher
risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10°C). If the
car is inactive for a long period of time,
refer to “Car inactivity”, in section “Cor-
rect use of the car”. In fact, since these devices continue ab-
sorbing energy even when the ignition
key is off, they gradually run down the
battery.
The total intake of these systems (factory and after-market) must be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery) as shown in
the following table:
Battery Maximum admitted stand-by intake
60 Ah 36 mA
70 Ah 42 mA
90 Ah 54 mAIf after buying the car, you want to in-
stall electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric ab-
sorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is capable of withstand-
ing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more pow-
erful battery.
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:44 Pagina 240
LEANING LEATHER SEATS
(optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
Remove dried on dirt with lightly moist-
ened chamois leather or cloth without
pressing too hard.
Remove liquid or grease stains with a dry
absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap.
If the stain persists, use specific prod-
ucts, carefully following the instructions
for use.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or al-
cohol-based products.
247
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electronic
control units. Contact a specialised work-
shop to have this done.
IMPORTANT The car should be
washed with the engine cold and the key
removed from the ignition device. After
washing make sure that the various pro-
tections (e.g. rubber caps and various cov-
ers) have not been damaged or removed.INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause oxidisation of the
sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND
FABRIC AND VELVET PARTS
Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if
the brush is moistened.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral de-
tergent.
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:44 Pagina 247
CURRENT OUTLET
(optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
The current outlet is located on the left
side of the boot.
To use the current outlet, open the lid
A-fig. 12. The current outlet only
works with the key fitted into the igni-
tion device and can only be used to pow-
er accessories having max. 15A intake
(180 W).
280
ALFA 159 SPORTWAGON
ODDMENT COMPARTMENTS
fig. 10 - 11
The boot sides are equipped with two odd-
ment compartments closed by a cover.
To open the cover press button Aand
turn it downwards.
A0E0273mfig. 10A0E0274mfig. 12A0E0272mfig. 11
Never use the outlet for
accessories with power
over the max. specified
one. Long power intake can run
down the battery and inhibit
engine starting.
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303
SOUND SYSTEM
SELECTING CD/CD CHANGER
FUNCTIONS
Pressing briefly and repeatedly button CD
it is possible to select the following audio
sources in sequence:
❒CD (only if the Compact Disc is inserted);
❒CHANGER (CD Changer - only if the CD
Changer is connected).
AUDIO SOURCE MEMORY
FUNCTION
If while listening to a CD another function is
selected (e.g.: the radio), playing is stopped
and when the CD mode is resumed, it starts
again from the point in which it was
stopped.
If while listening to the radio another func-
tion is selected, when the Radio mode is
resumed, it is tuned to the last station se-
lected.
VOLUME ADJUSTMENT
Adjust volume through button/knob
ON/OFF.
If the volume level is changed during the
broadcast of a traffic bulletin, the new set-
ting is maintained only until the end of the
bulletin.
SPEED VOLUME FUNCTION
(excluding versions with Bose
HI-FI system)
The SVC function makes it possible to au-
tomatically adapt the volume level to the
speed of the car, increasing it as the speed
increases to maintain the ratio with the noise
level inside the passenger compartment.
See section MENU for activating/deacti-
vating this function.
TURNING THE
SOUND SYSTEM ON
The set is switched on pressing briefly the
button/knob ON/OFF.
When turning the sound system on, the vol-
ume level will be brought to 20 if it was set
to over.
If the radio is turned on when the key is not
fitted into the ignition device, it will turn off
automatically after about 20 minutes. After
automatic switching off, it is however possi-
ble to turn the radio on again for other 20 min-
utes by pressing the button/knob ON/OFF.
TURNING THE
SOUND SYSTEM OFF
Keep button/knob ON/OFF pressed.
SELECTING RADIO FUNCTIONS
Pressing briefly and repeatedly button FM-
AS it is possible to select the following func-
tions in sequence:
❒TUNER (“FM1”, “FM2”, “FMT”);
Pressing briefly and repeatedly button AM it
is possible to select the following functions
in sequence:
❒TUNER (“MW”, “LW”).
F F
U U
N N
C C
T T
I I
O O
N N
S S
A A
N N
D D
A A
D D
J J
U U
S S
T T
M M
E E
N N
T T
S S
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311
SOUND SYSTEM
EXTERNAL AUDIO VOL function
With this function it is possible to adjust (set-
ting from 0 to 40) or exclude (OFF) external
audio sources.
To turn this function on/off, use button
÷or˜.
The display will show the current status of
the function:
❒“EXTERN FUNCTION OFF”: function off.
❒“EXTERN VOLUME: 23”: function on with
volume level 23.
RADIO OFF function
(system power on/off mode)
This function enables to switch off the sound
system according to two different modes.
To turn the function on use button
÷or
˜.
The display will show the selected mode:
❒“00 MIN”: deactivation dependent on ig-
nition key. The sound system will turn off
automatically as soon as the key is re-
moved from the ignition device;
❒“20 MIN”: deactivation independent of
ignition key. The sound system will stay
on for max. 20 minutes after removing
the key from the ignition device.IMPORTANT When the sound system is
switched off automatically after removing
the key from the ignition device (for both
immediate or 20-minute delayed power
off), it will switch on automatically fitting
the key into the ignition device. If the sound
system has been switched off pressing the
button ON/OFF, when fitting the key into
the ignition device, it will stay off.
RESTORE DEFAULT function
This function enables to restore default set-
tings. Options available are the following:
❒NO: no restore;
❒YES: restore default settings. During this
operation the display will show the mes-
sage “RESTORING”. At the end of this op-
eration, the audio source will not be
changed and the previous situation is dis-
played. SPEED VOLUME function
(volume changing with speed)
(excluding versions with
Bose HI-FI system)
This function makes it possible to automat-
ically adapt the volume level to the speed
of the car, increasing it as the speed in-
creases to maintain the ratio with the noise
level inside the passenger compartment.
To turn the function on/off use button
÷or˜. The display will show the current
status of the function:
❒OFF: function off
❒LOW: function on
(low sensitivity)
❒HIGH: function on
(high sensitivity).
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