2010 Alfa Romeo 159 warning

163
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IMPORTANTSnow chains cannot be
fitted to the space-saver spare wheel.
So, if a front (drive) wheel is punctured
and chains are needed, a rear wheel
should be fitted to the front of the car
and the spare wheel should be fitted to
the rear (adjust tyre pressure to the spec-
ified value as soon as possible). This
way with two normal drive wheels,
snow chains can be fitted to them to
solve an emergency.
Also for 3.2 JTS version,
snow chains shall be fit-
ted on the FRONT axle of
the car.
SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
Snow chains should only be applied to
the driving wheels (front wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven.
Use snow chains with reduced size: for
tyres 205/55 R16” and 215/55
R16” use snow chains with reduced size
with max protrusion beyond the tyre pro-
file of 9 mm.
Use of snow chains may be compulso-
ry also for cars with four-wheel drive.
Traditional snow chains
may not be used on tyres
type 225/50 R17” on-
ly spider type chains can be used.
Tyres 235/45 R18” and
235/40 ZR 19” cannot be fitted
with snow chains due to inter-
ference with the fender.
Keep your speed down
when snow chains are
fitted. Do not exceed
40 km/h. Avoid pot-
holes, steps and pave-
ments and avoid also to drive
for long distances on roads not
covered with snow to prevent
damaging the car and the
roadbed.
WARNING
When snow chains are
fitted, switch the ASR
system off. Press the
ASR/VDC button (see para-
graph “ASR system” in section
“Dashboard and controls”).
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164
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒ park the car in covered, dry and if
possible well-ventilated premises;
❒ engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
❒disconnect battery negative terminal
and check the battery charge. This
check is to be repeated every three
months when the car is left inactive.
Recharge if the optical(where pro-
vided) indicator shows a dark colour
without the central green area (see
paragraph “Battery” in “Car main-
tenance” section);
❒clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds read-
ily available;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber
windscreen and rear window wiper
blades and lift them off the glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a cloth or perfo-
rated plastic sheet. Do not use sheets
of non-perforated plastic as they do
not allow moisture on the car body
to evaporate;
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the
normal specified pressure and check
it at intervals;
❒if you don’t disconnect the battery
from the electric system, check its
charge every month and recharge it
if the optical indicator shows a dark
colour without the central green area;
❒ do not drain the engine cooling sys-
tem.
IMPORTANTIf the car is fitted with
alarm system, switch off the alarm with
the remote control.
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165
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
W W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G

L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S

A A
N N
D D

M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E
S S
LOW BRAKE FLUID/HANDBRAKE ON .................... 166
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................. 167
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED................................. 167
AIR BAG FAILURE............................................... 168
PASSANGER’S FRONT AIR BAGS DEACTIVATED ........ 168
ENGINE COOLANT HIGH TEMPERATURE ................. 169
ENGINE OIL HIGH TEMPERATURE.......................... 169
MINIMUM ENGINE OIL LEVEL .............................. 170
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE/EXHAUST OIL ........... 170
LOW BATTERY CHARGE....................................... 170
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING .............................. 171
BONNET OPEN.................................................. 171
BOOT OPEN..................................................... 171
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE...................................... 171
CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
STEERING LOCK INHIBITION ................................ 172
ALARM FAILURE/BREAK-IN ATTEMPT
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT RECOGNIZED ...................... 172
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE ON THE ROAD ........... 173
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUGS/
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUG FAILURE....................... 173
WATER IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER ............................. 174
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCHED ON ................ 174
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................ 175
EBD SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................ 175VDC SYSTEM ................................................... 175
HILL HOLDER FAILURE ....................................... 176
ASR SYSTEM (WHEEL ANTISKID SYSTEM) ............ 176
EXTERNAL LIGHTS FAILURE ................................. 176
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE ...................................... 177
REAR FOGLIGHTS.............................................. 177
FRONT FOG LIGHTS........................................... 177
SIDE/TAILLIGHTS/FOLLOW ME HOME.................. 177
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS ................................. 177
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS ................................... 177
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ........................ 177
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ...................... 177
LIGHT SENSOR FAILURE....................................... 178
RAIN SENSOR FAILURE........................................ 178
PARKING SENSORS FAILURE................................ 178
FUEL RESERVE – LIMITED CRUISING RANGE .......... 178
CRUISE CONTROL ............................................. 178
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED .................. 178
ANTIPINCH SYSTEM FAILURE............................... 179
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID LOW LEVEL ............. 179
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED ..................................... 179
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM FAILURE................................... 179
CHECK TYRE PRESSURE...................................... 179
LOW INFLATION PRESSURE................................. 180
TYRE PRESSURE UNSUITABLE FOR SPEED ............ 180
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166
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
Very serious failures
These failures are repeated on the display
indefinitely and stop any previous indi-
cation on the display. These failures are
repeated each time the key is fitted into
the ignition device until the cause of mal-
functioning is removed. To stop this “cy-
cle” press buttonMENU: in this case
the failure symbol stays on the display at
the bottom of the screen until the cause
of malfunctioning is removed.
Serious failures
These failures are repeated on the display
for about 20 seconds and then they go
off. These failures are repeated each time
the key is fitted into the ignition device.
At the end of the displaying cycle (ap-
prox. 20 seconds), or when pressing but-
ton MENU, the failure symbol will stay
on the display at the bottom of the screen
until the cause of malfunctioning is re-
moved.WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS
Failure indications shown on the display
are divided into two categories: very se-
rious and less serious failures.
Every failure indication is accompanied
by the turning on of the relevant warn-
ing light (where provided) and by ded-
icated warning messages, if any.
In certain cases, failure indications can
be accompanied by the sound of a
buzzer (adjustable).
These indications are concise and cau-
tionary and are aimed to suggest the
prompt action the driver must adopt
when a car malfunctioning appears.
These indications, however, shall not be
considered as exhaustive and/or as an
alternative to the specifications con-
tained in this “Owner’s Manual”, which
shall always be read through carefully
and thoroughly.
In case of failure indication always refer
to the specifications contained in this
section.
If the warning light
turns on when travel-
ling, check that the handbrake
is not engaged. If the warning
light stays on with handbrake
disengaged, stop the car im-
mediately and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING
LOW BRAKE
FLUID
(red)
HANDBRAKE ON
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light turns on (on certain
versions a dedicated message is dis-
played) when the level of the brake flu-
id in the reservoir falls below the mini-
mum level, due to possible leak in the
circuit.
Handbrake on
The warning light turns on when the
handbrake is on.
x
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167
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SEAT BELTS NOT
FASTENED (red)
The warning light turns on
glowing steadily when:
❒the driver's seat belt is not fastened
correctly;
❒the passenger's seat belt is not fas-
tened correctly, heavy objects are
placed on the passenger's seat;
❒unfastening the driver's or the pas-
senger's seat belt.
With car moving the warning light will
turn on flashing together with the buzzer
for a short time.
The warning light will then stay on glow-
ing steadily.
BRAKE PAD WEAR
(amber)
The warning light (where pro-
vided) turn on (on certain versions to-
gether with the message on the display)
if the front brake pads are worn; in this
case have them changed as soon as pos-
sible.
IMPORTANTSince the car is fitted
with wear sensors for the front brake
pads, when changing them, check also
the rear brake pads.
d<
The buzzer can be muted temporarily by
the following procedure:
❒fasten the front seat belts;
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition de-
vice;
❒wait for over 20 seconds but less than
1 minute and then unfasten one of the
front seat belts.
This procedure will stand valid till next en-
gine switching off.
For permanent deactivation, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services. The S.B.R.
system can only be reset through the set-
up menu (see paragraph “Reconfigurable
multifunction display“ in section “Dash-
board and controls”).
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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 provided).
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
restarting contact 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 for versions/markets,
where provided). In this event
warning light
¬could not in-
dicate failure in safety systems.
Before restarting contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services im-
mediately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
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169
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
– Car heavy duty (e.g.: towing trail-
er uphill or fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on, stop
the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes leaving
the engine on and slightly accelerated to
further activate the circulation of the
coolant fluid, then switch the engine off.
IMPORTANTUnder severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated for few minutes before switch-
ing it off.ENGINE COOLANT
HIGH TEMPERATURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition device,
the warning light (set on engine coolant
gauge) turns on but it shall go off after
a few seconds.
The warning light turns on (on certain
versions a dedicated message is dis-
played) to indicate engine overheating.
If the warning light comes on, proceed
as follows:
– Normal driving conditions: stop
the car, switch off the engine and check
whether the water level in the reservoir
is not below the MINmarl. Otherwise
wait for few seconds to allow engine
cooling, then open slowly and carefully
the cap, top up coolant and check
whether its level is falling between MIN
and MAXmarks in the reservoir. Check
visually any leak. If when restarting the
warning light comes on again, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
u
With engine hot, do not
remove the cap: risk of
burnt.
WARNING
ENGINE OIL
HIGH TEMPERATURE
Fitting the key into the ignition
device, the warning light (set on engine
oil temperature gauge) turns on but it
should go off after a few seconds. Warn-
ing light turning on when travelling (on
certain versions together with the mes-
sage on the display) indicates that en-
gine oil is too hot; switch the engine off
and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
If warning light `
starts flashing when
travelling contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
`
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170
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
LIGHT STAYS ON:
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
FLASHING LIGHT:
EXHAUSTED ENGINE
OIL
(only Diesel versions
with DPF - red)
When the electronic key is inserted into
the starting device,
the warning light switch-
es on and should go out as soon as the en-
gine is started.
1. Low engine oil pressare
The warning light turns on and stays on con-
stantly (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided) along with the message on the dis-
play when the system detects that engine
oil pressure is low.– use of the vehicle for short drives, in which
the engine does not have time to reach its
regular operating temperature
– repeated interruption of the regeneration
process, signalled by the DPF warning light
coming on.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
The warning light (where pro-
vided) turns on, but it should go
off as soon as the engine has started (with
the engine running at idle speed a brief de-
lay in going out is allowed).
If the warning light (or as an alternative, on
certain versions, a symbol and a message
are displayed) stays on glowing steadily or
flashing contact immediately Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.w
v
If the warning light vturns on when the vehicle
is travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on the
display) stop the engine immedi-
ately and contact a Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING
2. Exhausted engine oil
(only Diesel versions with DPF)
The warning light will flash and a specific mes-
sage will appear on the display (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided). The warn-
ing light may flash in the following ways, de-
pending on the version:
– for 1 minute every two hours;
– for 3 minute cycles with the warning light
off for intervals of 5 seconds until oil is
changed.
After the initial warning, each time the engine
is started up, the warning light will continue
to flash in the above mentioned modes, un-
til the oil is changed. A specific message will
appear on the display (for versions/markets,
where provided) in addition to the warning
light. If the warning light flashes, this does
not mean that the car is defective but sim-
ply informs the driver that it is now necessary
to change the oil as a result of regular vehi-
cle use.
Note that engine oil is exhausted faster un-
der the following circumstances:
– use of the vehicle prevalently for city driving,
requiring more frequent regeneration of DPF
MINIMUM ENGINE
OIL LEVEL (RED)
When the electronic key is in-
serted into the starting device the
display will show the engine oil level for
a few seconds.
On some versions the display will show
a message and a symbol if the engine oil
level is too low. In this case, top up the
engine oil to the correct level (see “Check-
ing fluid levels” in “Car maintenance”
chapter).k
Exhausted engine oil
should be replaced as soon
as possible after the warning light
comes on, never more than 500
km after the warning light first
comes on. Failure to change the oil
within the first 500 km may result
in severe damage to the engine
and will result in forfeiture of the
warranty. Remember that when
the warning light flashes, it does
not mean that the level of engine
oil is low, so if the light flashes you
must not top up.
WARNING
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