Page 169 of 331

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”).
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 167
Page 170 of 331

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
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 12-01-2010 13:40 Pagina 168
Page 171 of 331

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.
`
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 169
Page 172 of 331

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
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 170
Page 173 of 331

171
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
BOOT OPEN
On certain versions message
and symbol
R(red) are
displayed to indicate that boot is
open.
BONNET OPEN
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
On certain versions message and sym-
bol
S(red) are displayed to indicate
that bonnet is open.
INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE (diesel
versions - amber)
EOBD SYSTEM
FAILURE
(petrol versions -
amber)
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Injection system failure
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off when the engine has started.
The warning light stays on or it turns on
when travelling to indicate a malfunc-
tion in the injection/exhaust system
with possible lack of performance, poor
driveability and high consumption.
In these conditions it is possible to con-
tinue driving without however requiring
heavy effort or high speed from the en-
gine. In any case, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.EOBD system failure
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Under normal conditions, fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device, the
warning light turns on, but it should go
off when the engine has started. This in-
dicates proper operation of the warn-
ing light.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
when travelling:
– glowing steadily (on certain ver-
sions together with the message on the
display): means a fault in the sup-
ply/ignition system which could cause
high emissions at the exhaust, possible
lack of performance, poor handling and
high consumption levels. In these con-
ditions it is possible to continue driving
without however requiring heavy effort
or high speed from the engine. Pro-
longed use of the car with the warning
light on may cause damages. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
The warning light goes off if the fault
disappears, but it is however stored by
the system.
INCOMPLETE DOOR
LOCKING (red)
The warning light (where pro-
vided) (or symbol on the display) turns
on when one or more doors, the boot or
the bonnet (where provided) are not
properly shut.
U´
S
R
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 171
Page 174 of 331

CAR PROTECTION
SYSTEM FAILURE
(amber)
STEERING LOCK
INHIBITION
(amber)
Car protection system failure
Warning light (where provided) coming
on (on certain versions a message is dis-
played) indicates car protecting system
failure: in this event contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
Steering lock inhibition
Warning light (where provided) turns on
(on certain versions a message is dis-
played) when removing the electronic
key from the ignition device when the
car has turned off while travelling.
ALARM FAILURE
(amber)
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
BREAK-IN ATTEMPT
(amber)
ELECTRONIC KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED
(amber)
Alarm failure
The turning on of the warning light
(where provided) (on certain versions a
message is displayed) indicates that
there is a failure in the alarm system.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible.
Break-in attempt
The turning on of the warning light (where
provided) (on certain versions a message
is displayed) indicates an attempt of
break-in. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
Electronic key not recognized
The turning on of the warning light (where
provided) (on certain versions a message
is displayed) indicates that the electronic
key being used is not enabled. – flashing: indicates the possibility of
damage to the catalyst (see “EOBD sys-
tem” in section “Dashboard and con-
trols”). If the light flashes, it is neces-
sary to release the accelerator pedal to
lower the speed of the engine until the
warning light stops flashing; continue
the journey at moderate speed, trying
to avoid driving conditions that may
cause further flashing and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as soon as
possible.
172
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If when fitting the key in-
to the ignition device, the
warning light
Udoes
not turn on or if turns on with
fixed light or flashing when the
car is travelling, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible. Warning light
Uoperation can by checked by
traffic agents by proper equip-
ment therefore, comply with
laws and regulations in force in
the country where you are dri-
ving.
>Y
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 172
Page 175 of 331

173
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
This cycle is performed only once when
the outside temperature read is lower
than or equal to 3°C and it can be re-
peated only when outside temperature
exceeds
6 °C and then falls down to 3 °C or be-
low.
IMPORTANTIn the event of outside
temperature sensor failure, the display
will show dashes instead of the value.PRE-HEATING
GLOW PLUGS
(diesel versions -
amber)
PRE-HEATING
GLOW PLUGS
FAILURE
(diesel
versions - amber)
Pre-heating glow plugs
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on and it will turn
off when glow plugs reach the preset
temperature. Start the engine immedi-
ately after warning light switching off.
IMPORTANTWith mild or hot ambi-
ent temperature, warning light stays on
for very short time.
m
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE
ON THE ROAD
When the outside temperature reaches
or falls below 3°C, the display will show
a warning message, symbol
√to warn
the driver of the possible presence of ice
on the road.
On certain versions, once the above
warning indication cycle is over or when
pressing briefly the button MENU:
– the displayed message goes off and
previously active screen is displayed
again;
– temperature indication stops flashing;
– symbol
√stays displayed at the bot-
tom right of the screen (until outside
temperature is lower than or equal to
6°C).
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 16-03-2010 8:23 Pagina 173
Page 176 of 331

INERTIAL FUEL CUT-
OFF SWITCHED ON
On certain versions, the inter-
vention of the inertial fuel cut-off switch
is indicated by a message + symbol
(amber) on the display. Pre-heating glow plugs failure
The warning light (on certain versions
together with the message on the dis-
play) will flash to indicate a failure in
the pre-heating glow plugs system. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible to have the failure elim-
inated.
174
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
WATER IN
FUEL FILTER
(diesel versions -
amber)
The warning light turns on glowing
steadily when travelling (on certain ver-
sions together with the message on the
display) to indicate that there is water
in the diesel fuel filter.
c
The presence of water in
the fuel circuit may
cause serious damage to
the entire injection system and
cause irregular engine opera-
tion. If the warning light
con
the dial turns on (on certain ver-
sions together with the mes-
sage on the display) contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible to have the
system relieved. If the above
indications come on immediate-
ly after refuelling, water has
probably been poured into the
tank: turn the engine off imme-
diately and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
If, after a crash, you
smell fuel or see leaks
from the fuel system, do not
reset the switch to avoid fire
risk.
WARNING
s
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 174