157
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Climate control
The air conditioner is an additional load
which greatly affects the engine leading
to higher consumption. When the tem-
perature outside the car permits it, use
the air vents where possible.
Spoilers
The use of aerodynamic optional extras
which are not certified for the specific
use on the vehicle, may reduce the aero-
dynamic penetration of the vehicle and
increase consumption. Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
car (especially when driving in town)
and its trim greatly affects consumption
and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack
from the roof as soon as they are no
longer used. These accessories lower air
penetration and adversely affect con-
sumption levels. When needing to car-
ry particularly voluminous objects, prefer-
ably use a trailer.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window,
additional headlights, windscreen wipers
and heater fan need a considerable
amount of energy, therefore increasing
the requirement of current increases fu-
el consumption (up to +25% in the ur-
ban cycle).CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of
your car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service sched-
ule”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routine-
ly at an interval of no more than 4
weeks: if the pressure is too low, con-
sumption levels increase as resistance
to rolling is higher.
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168
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition
device the warning light turns on, but
it should go off after few seconds.
The warning light stays on glowing
steadily (on certain versions together
with the message on the display) to in-
dicate a failure in the air bag system.
¬
If the ¬warning light
does not turn on when
fitting the key into the ignition
device, or if stays on when
travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on
the display), this could indicate
a failure in safety retaining sys-
tem; under this condition air
bags or pretensioners could not
trigger in the event of collision
or, in a restricted number of
cases, they could trigger acci-
dentally. Before restarting con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
WARNING
PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAGS
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
The warning light (set on the front ceil-
ing light panel) turns on when passen-
ger’s front air bags, passenger’s knees
air bag (where provided) and passen-
ger’s front side bag are deactivated
through the relevant key switch (for ver-
sions/markets where applicable).
With passenger's air bags active, when
fitting the electronic key into the ignition
device the warning light will turn on for
about 4 seconds, will flash for the next
4 seconds and then it will turn off.
F
Warning light Ffailure
is indicated by warning
light
¬. In addition, the air bag
system will deactivate auto-
matically the passenger's front
air bag (front and side). Before
restartingcontact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services immedi-
ately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
Failure of the ¬warn-
ing light is indicated by
the flashing for more than the
normal 4 seconds of the pas-
senger's front air bag deacti-
vated warning light
F. In ad-
dition, the air bag system will
deactivate automatically the
passenger's front air bag (front
and side where provided). In
this event warning light
¬
could not indicate failure in
safety systems. Before restart-
ing contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services immediately to
have the system checked.
WARNING
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216
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
USERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Fuel pump supply F21 20 60
Electronic injection service F22 20 60
Sound system/radionavigation system power/Blue&Me F23 15 60
Supply + key for relay coils of engine compartment control unit/
dashboard control unit/Body Computer F31 7.5 56
Driver’s door branch point/passenger’s door branch point/
ignition device F32 15 56
Rear left window control/boot node F33 20 56
Rear right window control/boot node F34 20 56
Water in diesel fuel filter sensor/flow meter/Brake light switch/
central console control panel/Cruise Control/AQS sensor F35 7.5 56
Supply of boot node/locks actuators F36 20 56
Positive under key for stop lights/third stop/instrument/
lights direction F37 7.5 56
Boot opening F38 15 56
Supply + battery for air conditioner, ceiling lights, volumetric alarm,
EOBD system diagnostic socket F39 10 56
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223
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
CC C
A A
R R
M M
A A
I I
N N
T T
E E
N N
A A
N N
C C
E E
SCHEDULED SERVICING...................................... 224
SERVICE SCHEDULE........................................... 225
PERIODICAL CHECKS.......................................... 227
USE OF THE CAR UNDER HEAVY CONDITIONS ........ 227
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS.................................... 228
AIR FILTER/POLLEN FILTER ................................ 236
DIESEL FUEL FILTER .......................................... 236
BATTERY .......................................................... 237
WHEELS AND TYRES.......................................... 241
RUBBER HOSES................................................ 243
WINDSCREEN WIPER ........................................ 243
BODYWORK..................................................... 245
INTERIORS....................................................... 247
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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
35 70 105 140 175
●●●●●
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Thousands of km
Check and adjust tappet clearance (1.9 JTDM8v version)
Check and adjust tappet clearance, if required (1.8 version)
Check exhaust emissions (petrol versions)
Check exhaust emissions/smoke (diesel versions)
Check engine control system operation (through diagnosis socket)
Replace accessory drive belt/s (except 1.8 version)
Replace accessory drive belt/s (1.8 version)
Replace timing belt (1.8 version) (*)
Replace timing belt (diesel versions) (*)
Change spark plugs (petrol versions except 1.8)
Change spark plugs (1.8 version)
Replace diesel fuel filter (diesel versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (diesel versions)
Change front transmission gear oil (3.2 JTS 4x4 versions)
Change engine oil and oil filter (1.8 petrol versions) (or every 12 months)
Changing engine oil and oil filter (petrol versions excluding 1.8 version)
(or every 24 months) (***)
Change engine oil and oil filter (dieselversions with DPF) (**)
(or every 24 months)
Change engine oil and oil filter (dieselversions without DPF)
(or every 24 months)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) Regardless of the km covered, the timing belt shall be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates, driving in the city,
idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
(**) Engine oil and oil filter shall actually be changed according to the conditions of use of the car and it is indicated by the relevant warning light or
message (where provided) on the instrument panel.
(***) If the car is mainly used for town driving or in particularly harsh climate conditions and has a low annual mileage, the engine oil and filter should
be changed every 12 months.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒ trailer or caravan towing;
❒ dusty roads;
❒ short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒ frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒ urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒ check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒ check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒ sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒ check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒ visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒ change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒ check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒ tyre pressure and conditions.
❒ check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒ check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Se-
leniaproducts, designed and produced
specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Techni-
cal specifications”).
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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
245
These include:
❒Painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to
corrosion and abrasion;
❒Use of galvanised (or pretreated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to
corrosion;
❒Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender parts,
edges, etc.;
❒Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of
moisture from triggering rust inside;
❒use of special anti-abrasion protective
tapes in the most exposed areas
(e.g.: rear mudguard, rear door,
etc.).
BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original el-
ement of the structure or body. For the
general terms of this warranty, refer to
the Alfa Romeo Warranty booklet.
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an
aestethic purpose, but also protects the
underlying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores,
you are advised to have the necessary
touching up carried out immediately to
avoid the formation of rust. Use only
original paint products for touching up
(see “Bodywork paint identification
plate” in section “Technical specifica-
tion”).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the
conditions and environment of use. For
example, in highly polluted areas, or if
the roads are sprayed with salt, it is wise
to wash the car more frequently.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the fol-
lowing:
❒atmospheric pollution;
❒salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates);
❒ seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the
abrasive action of wind-borne atmos-
pheric dust and sand and mud and grav-
el raised by other cars.
On your car, Alfa Romeo implemented
the best manufacturing technologies to
effectively protect the bodywork against
corrosion.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
INDEX
– useful advice for
lengthening the life ............. 239
Bodywork (cleaning) ................ 245
Bonnet ................................... 105
Boot ...............................101-277
– light replacement ................ 208
Brakes ................................... 256
Bulb (replacement) .................. 196
– general instructions ............. 196
– types of bulbs .................... 197
Capacities.............................. 266
Car inactivity ........................... 164
Car maintenance................ 223
– periodical checks ................ 227
– use of the car under heavy
conditions.......................... 227
– service Schedule ................. 225
– scheduled service ................ 224
Carrying children safely ............. 135
– child restraint systems ......... 138
– passenger’s seat compliance . 138
– presetting for mounting the
“Universal Isofix” child restraint
system .......................140-285Ceiling lights
– front ................................. 78
– rear .................................. 80
Checking fluid levels ................. 228
Child lock device ...................... 97
Cigar lighter ............................ 85
Climate control system .............. 53
– automatic two-/three-zone .. 58
– manual ............................. 55
CO
2emissions......................... 270
CODE card .............................. 12
Containing running costs ........... 157
Controls................................. 81
Correct use of the car........ 149
Courtesy mirror light
– bulb replacement ................ 206
Cruise Control .......................... 76
Dashboard and controls.... 6
Dashboard buttons ................... 72
Diesel fuel filter ....................... 236
Dimensions............................. 261
Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ................ 201
– control .............................. 70 ABS system ............................ 108
Accessories purchased
by the owner ........................ 116
Additional heater ..................... 69
Air bags ...........................141-145
Air/pollen filter ........................ 236
Air vents ................................. 54
Alarm ..................................... 17
Alfa Romeo CODE system .......... 9
Alfa 159 Sportwagon....... 275
Armrest
– central .............................. 82
– rear ........................... 83-84
Ashtray.................................. 87
ASR system ............................ 112
At the filling station .................. 125
Automatic headlight sensor ........ 71
Automatic two/three-zone
climate control system ............ 58
Battery
– checking the charge ............ 237
– jump starting ..................... 182
– recharging ......................... 219
– replacing ........................... 238
II I
N N
D D
E E
X X
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