147
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
IMPORTANTThe triggering of pre-
tensioners, front air bags and side bags
is decided in a differentiated manner ac-
cording to the type of impact. The fail-
ure to deploy one or more of them does
not mean that the system is not work-
ing properly.
Never rest head, arms
and elbows on the
door, on the windows and in
the window bag unfolding
area to prevent possible in-
juries during the inflation
phase.
WARNING
Never lean head, arms
and elbows out of the
window.
WARNING
GENERAL WARNINGS
If when fitting the key
into the ignition device,
the warning light
¬does not
turn on or if it stays on when
travelling (on certain versions
together with the message on
the display) there could be a
failure in safety systems; in
this event air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in
case of impact or, in a minor
number of cases, they could
trigger accidentally. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices immediately to have the
system checked.
WARNING
Do not cover the back-
rest of front seats with
trims or covers that are not
suitable to be used with side
bags.
WARNING
Never travel with ob-
jects on your lap, in
front of your chest or with a
pipe, pencil, etc. between your
lips; injury may result in the
event of the air bag being trig-
gered.
WARNING
Always keep your
hands on the steering
wheel rim when driving, so
that if the air bag is triggered,
it can inflate without meeting
any obstacles which could
cause serious harm to you. Do
not drive with the body bent
forwards, keep the seat back
rest in the erect position and
lean your back well against it.
WARNING
If the car has been
stolen or an attempt to
steal it has been made, if it
has been subjected to vandals
or floods, have the air bag
system checked by Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING
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155
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
To release the handbrake proceed as fol-
lows:
❒Slightly lift the handbrake Aand
press release button B;
❒Keep button Bpressed and lower the
lever. Warning light
xon the in-
strument panel will turn off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out
this operation to prevent the car from
moving accidentally.
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever A-fig. 2 is locat-
ed between the two front seats. Pull the
handbrake lever Aupwards, until the
car cannot be moved.
With electronic key fitted into the igni-
tion device, the instrument panel warn-
ing light
xwill come on.
IMPORTANT The car shall stop after
a few clicks of the handbrake lever. If
this is not the case, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services to have the hand-
brake adjusted.
A0E0030mfig. 2
PARKING THE CAR
Proceed as follows:
❒Stop the engine and engage the
handbrake;
❒Engage a gear (on a slope, engage
first gear if the car is faced uphill or
reverse if it is faced downhill) and
leave the wheels steered.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the car is parked on a steep slope. Do
not leave the electronic key in the igni-
tion switch to prevent draining the bat-
tery.
Never leave children un-
attended in the car. Al-
ways remove the electronic key
from the ignition device when
leaving the car and take it out
with you.
WARNING
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162
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Due to the snow tyre features, under
normal conditions of use or on long mo-
torway journeys, the performance of
these tyres is lower than that of normal
tyres. It is therefore necessary to limit
their use to the purposes for which they
are certified.
IMPORTANTWhen snow tyres are
used with a max speed index below the
one that can be reached by the car (in-
creased by 5%), place a notice in the
passenger compartment, plainly in the
driver’s view which states the max per-
missible speed of the snow tyres (as per
EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety
when driving and braking and better dri-
veability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services will be
glad to provide advice concerning the
most suitable type of tyre for the cus-
tomer’s requirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in para-
graph “Wheels” in section “Technical
specifications”.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread
depth is below 4 mm. In this case, they
should be replaced.
The max speed for
snow tyres with “Q”
marking is 160 km/h; 190
km/h for tyres with “T”
marking and 210 km/h for
tyres with H marking. The
Road Traffic Code speed lim-
its must however be always
strictly observed.
WARNING
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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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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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SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
EBD SYSTEM
FAILURE
(red)
(amber)
With the engine running the
turning on at the same time of
the
>and xwarning lights (on cer-
tain versions together with the message
on the display) indicates that the EBD
system is inefficient; in this case heavy
braking may cause the rear wheels to
lock before time, with the possibility of
skidding.
Drive with the utmost care to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Service to
have the system checked.
VDC SYSTEM
(amber)
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds.
The warning light flashes when the VDC
cuts in, to alert the driver that the sys-
tem is adapting to the road surface grip
conditions.
VDC deactivation
When the VDC is deactivated manually
(pressing the ASR/VDC button for 2 sec-
onds) (see paragraph “VDC system” in
section “Dashboard and controls”) the
instrument panel warning light turns on
(on certain versions a message is dis-
played).
VDC failure
In case of failure, the VDC system will
deactivate automatically and the in-
strument panel warning light
áwill turn
on glowing steadily (on certain versions
a message will also be displayed). In
this case contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
ABS SYSTEM
FAILURE (amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition
device the warning light turns on, but
it should go off after few seconds.
The warning light turns on (on certain
versions a dedicated message is dis-
played) when the system is inefficient.
In this case the braking system keeps
its effectiveness unchanged, but without
the potential offered by the ABS system.
Drive carefully and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
>
>
xá
165-180 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 175
ASR SYSTEM
(WHEEL ANTISKID
SYSTEM)
(amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds. The warning
light flashes when the system cuts in, to
alert the driver that the system is adapt-
ing to the road surface grip conditions.
ASR deactivation
When the ASR is deactivated manually
(pressing the ASR/VDC button) (see
paragraph “ASR system” in section
“Dashboard and controls”) the
ASR/VDC button turns on (on versions
fitted with “Reconfigurable multifunction
display” symbol
Vis also displayed).
ASR failure
In the event of a failure the ASR system
is deactivated automatically and on ver-
sions fitted with “Reconfigurable multi-
function display” the symbol
Vis dis-
played. In this case contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
176
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
á
EXTERNAL LIGHTS
FAILURE
(amber)
The warning light (where provided)
turns on (on certain versions a message
is displayed) when one of the following
lights is failing:
– sidelights
– direction indicators
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The failure referring to these lights could
be: one or more blown bulbs, a blown
protection fuse or an electric connection
cut-off.
W
HILL HOLDER
FAILURE
(amber)
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Fitting the key into the ignition device,
the warning light (where provided) turns
on, but it should go off after a few sec-
onds.
If the warning light stays on (on certain
versions a message is displayed) there
is a failure in the Hill Holder system. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
*
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179
SAFETY
DEVICES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
ANTIPINCH SYSTEM
FAILURE
(amber)
The warning light (or as an alternative,
on certain versions, a symbol and a mes-
sage are displayed) turns on when a fail-
ure is detected in the antipinch system.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WINDSCREEN
WASHER FLUID
LOW LEVEL (amber)
The warning light (where provided)
turns on (on certain versions a message
is displayed) when the windscreen
washer fluid level falls down the preset
min. level.
5
)
SPEED LIMIT
EXCEEDED
The display will show a warn-
ing message + symbol (red) and the
buzzer will sound when the car exceeds
the speed limit set through the “Setup
menu” (e.g.: 120 km/h) (see para-
graphs “Multifunction Display” or “Re-
configurable Multifunction Display” in
section “Dashboard and controls”).
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM
FAILURE
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
On certain versions the display will show
a warning message + symbol (amber)
when a failure is detected in the T.P.M.S.
system (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem). Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
Should one or more wheels without sen-
sor be fitted, the display will show a
warning message until initial conditions
are restored.
CHECK TYRE
PRESSURE
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
On some versions, the display shows a
message + symbol (amber) to indicate
that the tyre pressure is below the rec-
ommended value which ensures the
long life of the tyre and optimum fuel
consumption, and/or to indicate a slow
pressure leak. If two or more tyres are
in one of the above-mentioned condi-
tions, the display will show the message
relating to each tyre in succession. In
this case, it is advisable to check and ad-
just the tyre pressures (see “Technical
Specification” section).X
n
n
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