231
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
fig. 6 - 2.4 JTDMversionA0E0203m
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant
6.Power steering fluid
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 231
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
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
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Service schedule in this section will
no longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car. If after buying
the car, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm,
free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, check-
ing whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding
the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
If the car is left inactive
for long periods at cold,
remove the battery and store
it in a warm place to prevent
freezing.
WARNING
When working on the
battery or near it, al-
ways wear the proper gog-
gles.
WARNING
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services,
which is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries re-
specting nature and the law.CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
238
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 238
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
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
239
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 239
SPRAY NOZZLE
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly
check that there is fluid in the reservoir
(see "Checking fluid levels" in section
"Car maintenance").
Then check that the nozzle holes A-
fig. 3are not clogged, if necessary use
a needle to clean them.
277
ALFA 159 SPORTWAGON
A0E0269mfig. 4
A0E0263mfig. 5
A0E0268mfig. 3
BOOT
TAILGATE EMERGENCY
OPENING FROM THE INSIDE
To open the tailgate from the inside if
the battery is flat or the electric tailgate
lock is failing, proceed as follows:
❒tilt the rear seats completely (see
paragraph "Extending the boot" in
section "Dashboard and controls");
❒remove the rear head restraints;
❒take the screwdriver from the tool
container and working inside the
boot (on the rear part), fit it into seat
A-fig. 4and then operate lever B-
fig. 5.
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CURRENT OUTLET
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
The current outlet is located on the left
side of the boot.
To use the current outlet, open the lid
A-fig. 12. The current outlet only
works with the key fitted into the igni-
tion device and can only be used to pow-
er accessories having max. 15A intake
(180 W).
280
ALFA 159 SPORTWAGON
ODDMENT COMPARTMENTS
fig. 10 - 11
The boot sides are equipped with two odd-
ment compartments closed by a cover.
To open the cover press button Aand
turn it downwards.
A0E0273mfig. 10A0E0274mfig. 12A0E0272mfig. 11
Never use the outlet for
accessories with power
over the max. specified
one. Long power intake can run
down the battery and inhibit
engine starting.
271-292 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:55 Pagina 280
319
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
INDEX
– useful advice for
lengthening the life ............. 239
Bodywork (cleaning) ................ 244
Bonnet ................................... 105
Boot ...............................101-277
– light replacement ................ 208
Brakes ................................... 256
Bulb (replacement) .................. 196
– general instructions ............. 196
– types of bulbs .................... 197
Capacities .............................. 266
Car inactivity ........................... 164
Car maintenance................ 223
– periodical checks ................ 227
– use of the car under heavy
conditions .......................... 227
– service Schedule ................. 225
– scheduled service ................ 224
Carrying children safely ............. 135
– child restraint systems ......... 138
– passenger’s seat compliance . 138
– presetting for mounting the
“Universal Isofix” child restraint
system .......................140-285Ceiling lights
– front ................................. 78
– rear .................................. 80
Checking fluid levels ................. 228
Child lock device ...................... 97
Cigar lighter ............................ 85
Climate control system .............. 53
– automatic two-/three-zone .. 58
– manual ............................. 55
CO
2emissions ......................... 270
CODE card .............................. 12
Containing running costs ........... 157
Controls ................................. 81
Correct use of the car........ 149
Courtesy mirror light
– bulb replacement ................ 206
Cruise Control .......................... 76
Dashboard and controls.... 6
Dashboard buttons ................... 72
Dimensions ............................. 261
Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ................ 201
– control .............................. 70 ABS system ............................ 108
Accessories purchased
by the owner ........................ 116
Additional heater ..................... 69
Air bags ...........................141-145
Air/pollen filter ........................ 237
Air vents ................................. 54
Alarm ..................................... 17
Alfa Romeo CODE system .......... 10
Alfa 159 Sportwagon....... 275
Armrest
– central .............................. 82
– rear ........................... 83-84
Ashtray .................................. 87
ASR system ............................ 112
At the filling station .................. 125
Automatic headlight sensor ........ 71
Automatic two/three-zone
climate control system ............ 58
Battery
– checking the charge ............ 237
– jump starting ..................... 182
– recharging ......................... 219
– replacing ........................... 238
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
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