MUST BE READ!
REFUELLING
Petrol engines: only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95.
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
ENGINE STARTING
Petrol engines: ensure that the handbrake is up, fully press the clutch pedal, without pressing the accelerator, put
the gear lever neutral, fit the electronic key into the ignition device to stop limit, briefly press the START/STOPbut-
ton.
Diesel engines:ensure that the handbrake is up, fully press the clutch pedal, without pressing the accelerator, put
the gear lever neutral, fit the electronic key down into the ignition device until it stops. The instrument panel warning
light
mwill turn on, wait for the warning light mto turn off. The hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen,
briefly press the START/STOPbutton as soon as the warning light
mturns on.
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.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protec-
tion is fitted in your car.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 2
6
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
DD D
A A
S S
H H
B B
O O
A A
R R
D D
A A
N N
D D
C C
O O
N N
T T
R R
O O
L L
S S
CRUISE CONTROL ............................................. 76
CEILING LIGHTS................................................ 78
CONTROLS....................................................... 81
INTERIOR FITTINGS............................................ 83
SUNROOF........................................................ 93
DOORS ........................................................... 96
POWER WINDOWS ........................................... 99
BOOT .............................................................. 101
BONNET.......................................................... 105
ROOF RACK/SKI RACK ...................................... 106
HEADLIGHTS..................................................... 106
ABS SYSTEM ................................................... 108
VDC SYSTEM ................................................... 110
EOBD SYSTEM ................................................. 115
SOUND SYSTEM PRESETTING.............................. 116
ACCESSORIES PURCHASED BY THE OWNER .......... 116
INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC DEVICES .. 117
PARKING SENSORS ........................................... 118
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(T.P.M.S.)........................................................ 122
AT THE FILLING STATION .................................... 125
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ........................ 127 DASHBOARD.................................................... 7
INSTRUMENT PANEL ......................................... 8
SYMBOLS....................................................... 9
ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEM............................... 9
ELECTRONIC KEY .............................................. 11
ALARM ........................................................... 17
IGNITION DEVICE............................................... 19
INSTRUMENTS.................................................. 21
MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY ................................... 25
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY.......... 30
SEATS ............................................................ 45
HEAD RESTRAINTS............................................. 48
STEERING WHEEL ............................................. 49
REARVIEW MIRRORS......................................... 50
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ............................... 53
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................... 55
AUTOMATIC TWO-/THREE-ZONE
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ............................... 58
ADDITIONAL HEATER ......................................... 69
EXTERNAL LIGHTS............................................. 70
WINDOW WASHING ......................................... 73
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 6
INSTRUMENT PANEL
A.Speedometer (speed indicator)
B.Warning lights - C.Rev counter -
D.Multifunction display
hcmWarning lights on
diesel versions only
On diesel versions the rev counter
end scale value is at 6000 rpm.
8
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
fig. 2 - Versions with multifunction displayA0E0312m
A.Speedometer (speed indicator)
B.Warning lights - C.Rev counter -
D.Reconfigurable multifunction display
cmWarning lights on diesel
versions only
On diesel versions the rev counter
end scale value is at 6000 rpm.
A0E0422mfig. 3 - Versions with reconfigurable multifunction display
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 8
HOW TO DEACTIVATE
THE ALARM
Press button Ë. The system will react as
follows (with the exception of certain
markets):
❒two brief flashes of the direction in-
dicators;
❒two brief “beeps”;
❒door unlocking.
The alarm can be deactivated by fitting
the electronic key into the ignition
switch.
IMPORTANTOn certain versions any
attempt to break in detected by the sys-
tem will be indicated by a warning mes-
sage on the instrument panel display
when fitting the electronic key into the
ignition switch.VOLUMETRIC PROTECTION/
ANTI-RAISING SENSORS
To make sure that the protection sensors
are working properly, check that win-
dows and sunroof (where provided) are
shut.
This function can be cut out (for exam-
ple if you leave animals on the car) by
pressing button A-fig. 13on the front
ceiling light within 1 minute after in-
strument panel turning off.
When this function is off the button led
will turn on. Volumetric protection/anti-
raising sensors cut out shall be repeated
at each instrument panel turning off. Surveillance
When the system has been turned on,
the led A-fig. 12will flash to indicate
that the system is in the surveillance
mode. The led will flash continuously
while the system is under surveillance.
IMPORTANTOperation of the alarm
is adapted at the origin to the regula-
tions of the different countries.
Self-diagnosis and monitoring
of doors/bonnet/boot
If, after the alarm has been activated, a
second acoustic signal is heard, turn the
system off by pressing button
Ë, check
for proper locking of doors, bonnet and
boot, then turn the system on again by
pressing button
Á.
Otherwise if a door or bonnet/boot lid
is not correctly closed it will not be con-
trolled by the system. If the control sig-
nal is repeated when the doors and bon-
net/boot are closed properly this means
that the self-diagnosis function has de-
tected a system operating fault, in which
case it is necessary to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
18
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0E0480mfig. 13
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 18
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL OFF
With engine off and clutch and brake
pedals released, press button START/
STOPor remove the electronic key
from the ignition device.
A few seconds after the instrument pan-
el display will turn off gradually.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn off.
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL ON
Proceed as follows:
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition
device;
❒if the electronic key is fitted yet, press
buttonSTART/STOPwithout
pressing the clutch or brake pedal.
To safeguard the battery, when leaving
the car with the instrument panel on,
electric and electronic devices will be de-
activated after approx. 1 hour.
IMPORTANTFit completely the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device until
it locks into place.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn on.
IMPORTANTIf when fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device, the
warning light
Yon the instrument pan-
el comes on (on certain versions to-
gether with a message on the display),
check whether the electronic key is the
proper one and then try to refit it into
the ignition device. If the problem per-
sists contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
20
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0E0028mfig. 15
ENGINE STARTING
See paragraph “Engine starting” in sec-
tion “Correct use of the car”.
START/STOP BUTTON
fig. 15
ButtonSTART/STOP, set on the
dashboard, controls car electric systems
and engine starting/stopping.
ButtonSTART/STOPis fitted with
knurled ring and led. When the led and
the instrument panel are on, the engine
can be started.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 20
21
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ed) (or as an alternative, on certain ver-
sions, a symbol and a message are dis-
played). In this event contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTIf after trying to turn on
the instrument panel and/or to start the
engine, the instrument panel warning
light
>(where provided) (or as an al-
ternative, on certain versions the mes-
sage "Vehicle protection system not
available" is displayed), repeat the op-
eration moving the steering wheel in or-
der to release the steering lock. The dis-
played warning message will not impair
steering lock operation.
INSTRUMENTS
REV. COUNTER
Rev counter shows engine rpm. The red
zone at the scale bottom indicates that
the engine is running at excessive rpm
dangerous for mechanical components.
Do not drive with the pointer in this area.
IMPORTANTThe electronic injection
control system gradually shuts off the
flow of fuel when the engine is “over-
revving” (rev counter pointer in the red
area) resulting in a gradual loss of en-
gine power, in order to bring engine rpm
below to the safety limit.
The rev counter may, when the engine
is idling, indicate gradual or sudden in-
crease of engine revs as the case may
be; such behaviour is normal and must
not be interpreted as a faulty condition
as it occurs during normal operation, for
instance when climate control or electric
fan are switched on. In particular, slow
revs variation helps keep the battery
charged.
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
The steering column lock will engage
5 seconds after removing the electron-
ic key from the ignition device and if the
following conditions are present:
❒engine off;
❒instrument panel off with car at a
standstill;
❒electronic key removed from ignition
device.
Disengaging
The steering column lock will disengage
after fitting the electronic key into the
ignition device.
IMPORTANTSwitching the engine off
when the car is running will not engage
the steering column lock till next switch-
ing off with car stopped. In this event
warning light
>(where provided) on the
instrument panel will come on (or as an
alternative, on certain versions, a sym-
bol and a message are displayed).
IMPORTANTSteering column lock
failure is indicated by the instrument
panel warning light
>(where provid-
It is absolutely forbid-
den to carry out what-
ever after-market operation
involving steering system or
steering column modifications
(e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect
performance and safety, cause
the lapse of warranty and al-
so result in non-compliance of
the car with homologation re-
quirements.
WARNING
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 21
24
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
AUTOMATIC INSTRUMENT
PANEL LIGHT DIMMER
To give max. visibility and comfort un-
der whatever driving conditions (e.g.:
lights on in daylight, tunnels, etc…),
the speedometer is fitted with a sensor
for adjusting automatically, after fitting
the electronic key into the ignition de-
vice and pressing button START/
STOP, the light intensity of the indi-
cations given on the instrument panel
display, sound system display (where
provided), climate control system dis-
play, radionavigation system display
(where provided), and instrument pan-
el gauges (fuel level gauge, engine oil
temperature gauge (petrol versions) or
supercharger pressure gauge (diesel ver-
sions) and engine coolant temperature
gauge).
MANUAL INSTRUMENT
PANEL LIGHT DIMMER
With this function it is possible to adjust
on 8 levels the light intensity of the indi-
cations given on the instrument panel dis-
play, sound system display (where pro-
vided), climate control system display, ra-
dionavigation system display (where pro-
vided), and instrument panel gauges (fu-
el level gauge, engine oil temperature
gauge (petrol versions) or supercharger
pressure gauge (diesel versions) and en-
gine coolant temperature gauge).
To increase light intensity press briefly
button+on the left-hand stalk, to re-
duce it press button –: the display will
show an indication and a figure corre-
sponding to the current light intensity
level. This screen will be displayed for
a few seconds and then it will go off.
TRIP METER RESET fig. 21
To reset the trip meter, keep button A
pressed for a few seconds.
A0E0072mfig. 21
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 24
25
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INFORMATION ABOUT CAR
CONDITIONS (at event)
❒Scheduled servicing (symbol õ
D-fig. 22).
❒Instrument panel light dimmer.
❒Symbol of possible presence of ice on
the road (symbol
√E-fig. 22).
❒Speed limit exceeded.
❒Engine oil level.
MULTIFUNCTION
DISPLAY
(where provided)
The “Multifunction display” shows all
the useful information necessary when
driving, more particularly:
INFORMATION ON
STANDARD SCREEN
❒ClockA-fig. 22;
❒External temperature B;
❒Total km (or mi) or trip meter C
(when total kilometres (or miles) are
indicated the display will also show
the wording TOT).
Fitting the electronic key into the igni-
tion device will display the total km (or
mi), press button A-fig. 23for trip me-
ter (or mi).
A0E0060mfig. 22
A0E0072mfig. 23
To reset the trip meter (or mi), press for
long button A-fig. 23during display-
ing.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 4-06-2008 9:38 Pagina 25