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
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INDEX
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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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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
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AND
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EMERGENCY
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, it is possible to start
the engine using an auxiliary battery
with the same capacity or a little high-
er than the flat one.
Proceed as follows fig. 1:
❒ Connect positive terminals (+ near
the terminal) of the two batteries
with a jump lead;
❒ With a second lead, connect the neg-
ative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery and to an earthing point
E
on the engine of the car to be start-
ed;
❒Start the engine;
❒When the engine has been started,
remove the leads reversing the or-
der above.If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not insist but contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Service.
IMPORTANTDo not directly connect
the negative terminals of the two bat-
teries: sparks could ignite the flamma-
ble gas from the battery. If the other bat-
tery is fitted in another car, prevent ac-
cidental contacts between the metal
parts of the two cars.
Under no circumstances
should a battery charger
be used to start the en-
gine: it could damage the elec-
tronic systems and in particular
the ignition and injection control
units.
Do not carry out this
procedure if you lack
experience; if it is not done
correctly it can cause very in-
tense electrical discharges. In
addition, the fluid contained in
the battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
skin and eyes. You are also ad-
vised not to put naked flames
or lighted cigarettes near the
battery and not to cause
sparks.
WARNING
A0E0201mfig. 1
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209
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
CORRECT USE
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DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
IF A FUSE BLOWS
GENERAL
The fuse is a protective device for the
electric system: it comes into action (i.e.
it cuts off) mainly due to a fault or im-
proper action on the system.
When a device does not work, check the
efficiency of its fuse. The conductor el-
ement must be intact; if not, replace the
fuse with one of the same amp rating
(same colour).
A:undamaged fuse
B:fuse with damaged filament.
To replace a fuse, use the pliers C
hooked to the fusebox on the dash-
board.
A0E0119mfig. 54
Never replace a broken
fuse with anything oth-
er than a new fuse.
Never change a fuse
with another with a
higher amp rating, danger of
fire.
WARNING
If a general fuse
(MEGA-FUSE, MAXI-
FUSE) cuts in, do not attempt
any repair and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
Before changing a fuse, check
the ignition key has been re-
moved and that all the other
electric devices have been
turned off/disabled.
WARNING
If the fuse blows again,
contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
WARNING
If a general protection
fuse for safety sys-
tems (air bag system, braking
system), power unit systems
(engine system, transmission
system) or steering system is
triggered, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING
181-222 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:10 Pagina 209
216
SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
USERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Fuel pump supply F21 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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222
SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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EMERGENCY
Do not start the engine
when towing the car.
WARNING
Before fitting the hook,
clean accurately its
threaded seat. Before starting
to tow, make sure to have
tighten the hook.
WARNING
Before starting to tow,
disengage the steering
lock (see paragraph “Ignition de-
vice” in section “Dashboard and
controls”). When towing, re-
member that without the help of
the brake booster and power
steering, a greater effort is re-
quired on the pedal and steer-
ing wheel. Do not use flexible ca-
bles for towing and avoid jerks.
During towing operations make
sure that fastening the joint to
the car does not damage the
components in contact with it.
When towing the car, you must
comply with the specific traffic
regulations regarding the tow
ring and how to tow on the road.
WARNING
The front and rear tow
hooks must only be
used for emergency situations
on the road. The vehicle may
be towed for short distances
when a dedicated device is
used in compliance with the
Highway Code (rigid bar), in
order to move the vehicle on
the road in preparation for
towing by a tow truck Tow
hooks MUST NOT be used to
tow vehicles off the road or
where there are obstacles
and/or for towing operations
using cables or other non-rigid
devices. Respecting the above
conditions, towing must only
take place with two vehicles
(one towing, the other towed)
travelling as far as possible in
alignment along the same cen-
treline.
WARNING
181-222 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:10 Pagina 222
BRAKE FLUID fig. 17
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake
fluid specified in the table “Fluids and
lubricants” (see section “Technical Spec-
ifications ").
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When
opening the cap take the utmost care to
prevent impurities entering the tank.
When topping up, always use a funnel
with built-in filter with mesh equal to
or lower than 0.12 mm.
A0E0016mfig. 17
Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
From time to time, check the instrument
panel warning light
x: pressing on cap
A(with key fitted into the ignition de-
vice) the warning light shall turn on.
IMPORTANTBrake fluid absorbs
moisture. For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree
of atmospheric humidity, the fluid should
be replaced at more frequent intervals
than specified in the Service schedule.
CAR
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236
Brake fluid is poisonous
and highly corrosive. In
the event of accidental contact,
wash the parts involved im-
mediately with neutral soap
and water, then rinse thor-
oughly. Call the doctor imme-
diately if the fluid is swal-
lowed.
WARNING
Symbol πon the con-
tainer indicates syn-
thetic brake fluid, distinguish-
ing it from the mineral kind.
Using mineral fluids irre-
versibly damages the special
braking system rubber seals.
WARNING
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
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EMERGENCY
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LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
237
AIR FILTER/
POLLEN FILTER
Air cleaner or pollen filter replacement
shall be carried out at Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
BATTERY
The battery does not require top ups of
distilled water to replenish the elec-
trolyte. A periodic check carried out at
an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services is,
however, necessary to check efficien-
cy.
IMPORTANTThe charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.
The liquid in the bat-
tery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring
naked flames or possible
sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
WARNING
After connecting/dis-
connecting the battery,
wait for 3 minutes at
least before fitting the electronic
key into the ignition device in
order to allow the climate con-
trol system control unit to reset
the positions of the electric ac-
tuators that adjust air temper-
ature and distribution.
Running the battery
with low fluid level can
damage the battery beyond
repair and could also cause its
explosion.
WARNING
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 237
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE
OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
lengthen its life, observe the following
indications:
❒ when you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly;
❒ the ceiling lights must be off. The car
is however provided with an auto-
matic system for switching off inter-
nal lights;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g.: sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
battery negative terminal cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be per-
fectly tightened.IMPORTANTA battery which is kept
at a charge of less than 50% for any
length of time will be damaged by sul-
phation leading to a reduction in crank-
ing power.
Moreover, this might lead to a higher
risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10°C). If the
car is inactive for a long period of time,
refer to “Car inactivity”, in section “Cor-
rect use of the car”.
If after buying the car, you want to in-
stall electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric ab-
sorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is capable of withstand-
ing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more pow-
erful battery.In fact, since these devices continue ab-
sorbing energy even when the ignition
key is off, they gradually run down the
battery.
The total intake of these systems (fac-
tory and after-market) must be less than
0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery) as shown
in the following table:
Battery
60 Ah
70 Ah
90 AhMaximum admitted
stand-by intake
36 mA
42 mA
54 mA
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
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TECHNICAL
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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SAFETY
DEVICES
239
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