2011 Alfa Romeo 159 technical specifications

101
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
On certain versions, improper boot
closing is indicated by the instrument
panel warning light
´, whereas on
other versions the symbol
Rand a
message are displayed (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
When unlocked, the boot can be
opened from outside the vehicle press-
ing the electric logo (fig. 94) until it
snaps unlocked.
BOOT
The boot lock is electric and it is dis-
abled when the car is running.
Through the “Setup menu” (or the
Radionavigation system for certain
versions) boot opening can be set by
selecting the option “Indep. boot”
(see paragraph “Reconfigurable multi-
function display” in this section):
when this function is on, the boot can
only be opened by pressing the elec-
tronic key button
`.
A0E0498mfig. 94
Tailgate opening is facilitated by the
side gas shock springs.
Opening the boot its internal light will
turn on and it will turn off automati-
cally when re-closing the tailgate.
Leaving the tailgate inadvertently
open, the light will turn off automati-
cally after a few minutes.
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:08 Pagina 101

102
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
OPENING BY REMOTE
CONTROL
Press the electronic key button `.
Opening is indicated by double flashing
of direction indicators.
Opening the boot with alarm (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided) on will
cause the following:
❒volumetric protection deactivation;
❒anti-raising protection deactivation;
❒tailgate monitoring sensor.
Re-closing the tailgate will restore all the
above functions and direction indicators
will turn on for about 1 second. IMPORTANTAfter disconnecting the
battery or failing the protection fuse, the
tailgate locking/unlocking mechanism
shall be “initialised” again, proceed as
follows:
❒lock the doors and the tailgate;
❒press the remote control button Áor
the button
qon the central console;
❒press the remote control button Ëor
the button
qon the central console.EMERGENCY OPENING OF
THE BOOT FROM THE
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
(foreseen only on the
3-volume saloon version)
If the battery is disconnected, the boot
can be opened by pulling the lever
A-fig. 95set under the rear left seat.
Refit the handle under the cushion after
using it.
A0E0228mfig. 95
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:08 Pagina 102

103
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
TAILGATE CLOSING
Lower the tailgate pressing the lock un-
til hearing the locking click.
IMPORTANT If the option for ”Indep.
boot” is on, before closing the boot,
check whether you have with you the
ignition key since the boot will be locked
automatically.
The addition of objects
(speakers, spoilers, etc.)
on the rear shelf or boot
lid, except those envisaged by
the manufacturer, may prevent
the gas filled struts at the sides
of the boot from working prop-
erly.
When using the boot,
make sure the loads do
not exceed the permitted
weight (see “Technical specifi-
cations” chapter). Also make
sure the items in the boot are
arranged properly to prevent
them being thrown forwards
and injuring passengers should
you brake sharply.
WARNING
Never travel with ob-
jects on the rear shelf
to prevent them being thrown
forwards and injuring passen-
gers in case of accident or
sharp braking.
WARNING
EXTENDING THE BOOT
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
To extend the boot proceed as follows:
❒remove rear head restraints;
❒move aside the seat belt, check that
it is not twisted;
A0E0085mfig. 96
❒lift seat back lever A-fig. 96 and
tilt the seat back forward. Lever rais-
ing is indicated by a “red band” B.
IMPORTANTBefore folding the back-
rest over onto the cushion, in order to
avoid interference, make sure that the
seat belt branches are in their housings
on the cushion.
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:08 Pagina 103

104
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
ANCHORING THE LOAD
The boot houses 4 hooks A-fig. 97
for anchoring ropes in order to guaran-
tee perfect load anchoring.
A0E0131mfig. 97
A heavy load that has
not been secured may
cause serious harm.
WARNING
If you want to carry
reserve fuel in a can,
follow law regulations, only
using a certified can, suitably
fastened to the load securing
eyelets. Even in this way the
risk of fire is increased in the
case of an accident.
WARNINGTO RETURN THE REAR SEAT
BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL
POSITION
Move aside the seat belts, check that
they are not twisted.
Raise the seat backrests and push them
back until hearing the locking click of
both retainers; the “red band” Baside
the levers Ashall no longer be visible.
The “red band” Bactually indicates that
the backrest is not properly secured.
IMPORTANTMake sure the head re-
straints are properly positioned.
Make sure the backrest
is properly secured at
both sides (“red bands” B-
fig. 96 not visible) to prevent
it moves forward in the event
of sharp braking causing in-
juries to passengers.
WARNING
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:08 Pagina 104

105
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Improper bonnet closing is indicated (on
certain versions) by the instrument pan-
el warning light
´(where provided), or
by symbol
Sand a message on the
display (see section “Warning lights and
messages”).
IMPORTANTAlways check that the
bonnet is closed properly to avoid its
opening while the car is travelling.
BONNET
TO OPEN THE BONNET
Proceed as follows:
❒pull lever A-fig. 98until hearing
the releasing click;
❒press the safety lever B-fig. 99up-
wards and raise the bonnet.
IMPORTANTBonnet raising is aided
by two gas springs. Do not tamper with
these springs and guide the bonnet
while raising it.
IMPORTANT Before opening the bon-
net, check that windscreen wiper arms
are not lifted from the windscreen.A0E0122mfig. 98
A0E0470mfig. 99
TO CLOSE THE BONNET
Lower the bonnet at approx. 20 cen-
timetres from the engine compartment
and then let it drop, ensuring that it is
fully closed and not just held in position
by the safety catch. If the bonnet does
not close properly, do not push it down
but open it again and repeat the above
procedure.
Carry out operations
only when the car is
stationary.
WARNING
For safety reasons the
bonnet must be closed
properly to avoid its opening
while the car is travelling.
Therefore, always check it is
properly closed and the catch
engaged. Should you notice
that the catch is not perfectly
engaged when travelling, stop
the car immediately and close
the bonnet.
WARNING
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:08 Pagina 105

106
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
ROOF RACK/
SKI RACK
The car is preset for mounting roof
racks/ski racks.
Front hooks are in points A-fig. 100.
Rear hooks are in points B.
A0E0097mfig. 100
HEADLIGHTS
ADJUSTING THE HEADLIGHT
BEAM
Proper adjustment of the headlight
beams is of vital importance for your
safety and comfort and also for the oth-
er road users. To ensure you and other
drivers have the best visibility conditions
when travelling with the headlights on,
the headlights must be set properly. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the headlights properly adjusted.
HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
It works with the key fitted into the ig-
nition device and dipped beams on.
When the car is loaded, it slopes back-
wards. This means that the headlight
beam rises. In this case, it is necessary
to return it to the correct position.
Distribute the load even-
ly and when driving, bear
in mind the increased
sensitivity to side wind.
IMPORTANTAfter few kilometers,
check that fastening screws are firmly
tightened.
IMPORTANTNever exceed the max.
permissible loads (see section “”Tech-
nical specifications”).
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 106

107
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
In this event, to adjust the headlight
slant use control A-fig. 101set on the
button control panel near the steering
wheel.
If the car is fitted with bixenon head-
lights, headlight aiming is electronic and
therefore control Ais not present.Control has four positions corresponding
to the loads given below:
❒position 0: one or two passenger on
front seats and kerb weight (includ-
ing full fuel tank, tools and acces-
sories);
❒position 1: five passengers;
❒position 2: five passengers and boot
fully loaded (about 50 kg);
❒position 3: driver plus 300 kg load
completely stored into the boot.
IMPORTANT Check headlight slant
each time the transported load changes.
FRONT FOG LIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
to have the headlights correctly adjusted.
A0E0226mfig. 101
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
ABROAD
The dipped beam headlights are adjust-
ed for circulation in the country in which
the car is marketed. In countries with
opposite circulation, to avoid glaring on-
coming vehicles, proceed as follows:
❒remove headlight cover (see para-
graph “Dipped beam headlights” in
section “In an emergency”);
❒move lever A-fig. 102aside;
A0E0050mfig. 102
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 107

108
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
ABS SYSTEM
The car is fitted with ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from
locking when braking, makes the most
of road grip and gives the best control
when emergency braking under difficult
road conditions.
System is completed by EBD (Electron-
ic Braking Force Distribution), which dis-
tributes the braking action between front
and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To have the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, it is
necessary a setting period of about 500
km: during this period it is better to
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
brakes.
ABS SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
The driver can tell the ABS system has
come into action because the brake ped-
al pulsates slightly and the system gets
noisier: it means that the car speed
should be altered to fit the type of road
surface.
If the ABS system cuts
in, it is a sign that the
grip between tyre and the
road surface has reached the
limit: you must slow down to
match the speed to the road
grip available.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the
tyre-road grip at the
best, but it cannot improve it;
you should therefore take
every care when driving on
slippery surfaces without tak-
ing unnecessary risks.
WARNING
When the ABS cuts in,
and you feel the brake
pedal pulsating, do not remove
your foot, but keep it pressed;
in doing so you will stop in the
shortest amount of space pos-
sible under the current road
conditions.
WARNING
083-128 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:09 Pagina 108