MUST BE READ!
REFUELLING
Petrol engines: only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95.
Diesel engines: only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590. The use of
other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of the warranty due to the
damage caused.
K
ENGINE STARTING
Petrol engines: ensure that the handbrake is up, fully press the clutch pedal, without pressing the accelerator, put
the gear lever neutral, fit the electronic key into the ignition device to stop limit, briefly press the START/STOPbut-
ton.
Diesel engines:ensure that the handbrake is up, fully press the clutch pedal, without pressing the accelerator, put
the gear lever neutral, fit the electronic key down into the ignition device until it stops. The instrument panel warning
light
mwill turn on, wait for the warning light mto turn off. The hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen,
briefly press the START/STOPbutton as soon as the warning light
mturns on.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While working, the catalyst develops a very high temperature. Do not park the car over grass, dry leaves, pine
needles or any other inflammable materials: risk of fire.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protec-
tion is fitted in your car.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:47 Pagina 2
7
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
A0E0056mfig. 1
1.Adjustable swivel side air vents - 2. Front side window demisting/defrosting vents - 3.External lights control lever - 4.In-
strument panel - 5.Driver’s air bag and horn -6.Windscreen wiper control lever - 7.Upper central vent - 8.Adjustable swiv-
el centre air vents - 9.Fuel level gauge/engine coolant temperature gauge/engine oil temperature gauge (petrol versions)
or turbocharger pressure gauge (diesel versions) - 10.Passenger’s air bag - 11.Passenger’s knees air bag (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided) - 12.Glove box - 13.Sound system (for versions/markets, where provided) - 14.Heat-
ing/ventilation/climate controls - 15. Engine START/STOPbutton - 16.Ignition device - 17.Driver’s knees air bag -
18.Sound system controls on the steering wheel (where provided) - 19.Cruise Control lever (for versions/markets,
where provided) - 20.Bonnet opening lever - 21.Dashboard fusebox lid - 22.Switches for external lights, trip meter re-
set and headlamp aiming device.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 7
19
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IGNITION DEVICE
The ignition device is located on the
dashboard and it consists of the follow-
ing:
❒electronic key reading device A-
fig. 14 (set near the steering wheel);
❒button START/STOP(set under the
electronic key reading device).
IMPORTANTTo prevent running
down the battery do not leave the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device when
the engine is off.
HOW TO CUT OFF
THE ALARM SYSTEM
To deactivate the alarm system com-
pletely (for instance during prolonged
inactivity of the car) simply lock the car
by rotating the metal insert (provided
inside the electronic key) into the dri-
ver’s door lock.
MINISTERIAL
HOMOLOGATION
In keeping with the laws in force in each
country on the subject of radio fre-
quency, for markets in which the trans-
mitter needs to be marked the certifi-
cation number is given on the compo-
nent. For certain versions/markets, the
code may also be marked on the trans-
mitter and/or on the receiver.
A0E0219mfig. 14
If the ignition device is
tampered with (for ex-
ample during an attempted
break-in) have it checked over
by Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices before travelling again.
WARNING
When leaving the car
always remove the
electronic key from the ignition
device to prevent any passen-
ger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the car is fac-
ing uphill, first gear and if the
car is facing downhill, reverse.
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car.
WARNING
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 19
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL OFF
With engine off and clutch and brake
pedals released, press button START/
STOPor remove the electronic key
from the ignition device.
A few seconds after the instrument pan-
el display will turn off gradually.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn off.
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL ON
Proceed as follows:
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition
device;
❒if the electronic key is fitted yet, press
button START/STOP without
pressing the clutch or brake pedal.
To safeguard the battery, when leaving
the car with the instrument panel on,
electric and electronic devices will be de-
activated after approx. 1 hour.
IMPORTANTFit completely the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device until
it locks into place.
IMPORTANTContact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services if the instrument pan-
el fails to turn on.
IMPORTANTIf when fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device, the
warning light
Yon the instrument pan-
el comes on (on certain versions to-
gether with a message on the display),
check whether the electronic key is the
proper one and then try to refit it into
the ignition device. If the problem per-
sists contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
20
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0E0028mfig. 15
ENGINE STARTING
See paragraph “Engine starting” in sec-
tion “Correct use of the car”.
START/STOP BUTTON
fig. 15
Button START/STOP, set on the
dashboard, controls car electric systems
and engine starting/stopping.
Button START/STOPis fitted with
knurled ring and led. When the led and
the instrument panel are on, the engine
can be started.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 20
24
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
AUTOMATIC INSTRUMENT
PANEL LIGHT DIMMER
To give max. visibility and comfort un-
der whatever driving conditions (e.g.:
lights on in daylight, tunnels, etc…),
the speedometer is fitted with a sensor
for adjusting automatically, after fitting
the electronic key into the ignition de-
vice and pressing button START/
STOP, the light intensity of the indi-
cations given on the instrument panel
display, sound system display (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided), climate
control system display, radionavigation
system display (for versions/markets,
where provided), and instrument panel
gauges (fuel level gauge, engine oil
temperature gauge (petrol versions) or
supercharger pressure gauge (diesel ver-
sions) and engine coolant temperature
gauge).
MANUAL INSTRUMENT
PANEL LIGHT DIMMER
With this function it is possible to adjust
on 8 levels the light intensity of the indi-
cations given on the instrument panel dis-
play, sound system display (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided), climate
control system display, radionavigation
system display (for versions/markets,
where provided), and instrument panel
gauges (fuel level gauge, engine oil tem-
perature gauge (petrol versions) or su-
percharger pressure gauge (diesel ver-
sions) and engine coolant temperature
gauge).
To increase light intensity press briefly
button +on the left-hand stalk, to re-
duce it press button –: the display will
show an indication and a figure corre-
sponding to the current light intensity
level. This screen will be displayed for
a few seconds and then it will go off.
TRIP METER RESET fig. 21
To reset the trip meter, keep button A
pressed for a few seconds.
A0E0072mfig. 21
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 24
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
INDICATION
Fitting the electronic key into the igni-
tion device, the display will show for a
few seconds the engine oil level. At this
stage, to clear this indication and to go
to next screen, press button MENU.
Low oil level will be indicated by a ded-
icated warning message on the display.
IMPORTANT Check the proper en-
gine oil level on the dipstick (see para-
graph “Checking levels” in section “Car
maintenance”).
IMPORTANTProper engine oil level
shall be checked with the car on level
ground.
IMPORTANT To read the correct oil
level after fitting the electronic key, wait
for about 2 seconds before starting the
engine.
IMPORTANT Engine oil level could in-
crease after a long stop. Scheduled servicing
IMPORTANTThe Service schedule in-
cludes car maintenance every 35,000
km (or 21,000 mi); this is shown au-
tomatically, with the electronic key in-
to the ignition device starting from
2,000 km (or 1,240 mi) from this
deadline and it will be displayed in km
or miles according to the unit set. When
a scheduled service interval (“coupon”)
is near to come, fitting the electronic key
into the ignition device will display a
message followed by the number of
km/mi to go before car servicing. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
carry out any service operation provid-
ed by the Service schedule or by the An-
nual inspection plan, and to reset the
display.
28
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Distance unit (UNIT)
With this function it is possible to set the
required distance unit (km or mi).
To set the distance unit, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒press button MENUuntil selecting
UNIT: the display will show UNIT
and “km” or “mi”;
❒press again button MENU: “km”
(or “mi”) will flash;
❒press buttons +/–to set the re-
quired distance unit.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 28
MESSAGES DISPLAYED
AT STARTING
After the engine oil level, the display will
show for a few seconds a message in-
dicating the procedure to follow to start
the engine (PRESS PEDAL AND
START: press brake or clutch pedal and
then press button START/STOPto
start the engine).Once on, the NIGHT PANfunction
can be deactivated as follows:❒by long press on button +(also with
external lights off);
❒removing the electronic key from the
ignition device.
When this function is off the display
shows “NIGHT PAN OFF”.
Messages “NIGHT PAN ON” or
“NIGHT PAN OFF” stay on the dis-
play for a few seconds, then they will
go off. To stop displaying before time,
briefly press button MENU.
ILLUMINATION OF REV
COUNTER/INSTRUMENTS
(NIGHT PAN)
This function enables to turn on/off
(ON/OFF) the lights of the rev
counter and instruments.
This function can be activated (only with
electronic key fitted into ignition device,
external lights on, and speedometer
built-in sensor in poor outside light set-
ting), by pressing for long button –.
When this function is on, the display will
show “NIGHT PAN ON”.
29
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 29
32
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Selecting “Date” and “Clock”:
❒briefly press button MENUto select
the first value to change (e.g. hours/
minutes or year/month/day);
❒operate buttons +or –(by single
press) to select the new setting;
❒briefly press button MENUto store
the new setting and to go to the next
setup menu option, if this is the last
one you will go back to the previously
selected option of the main menu.
ENGINE OIL LEVEL
INDICATION
Fitting the electronic key into the igni-
tion device, the display will show for a
few seconds the engine oil level. At this
stage, to clear this indication and to go
to next screen, press button MENU.
Low oil level will be indicated by a ded-
icated warning message on the display.
IMPORTANT Check the proper en-
gine oil level on the dipstick (see para-
graph “Checking levels” in section “Car
maintenance”).
IMPORTANTProper engine oil level
shall be checked with the car on level
ground.
IMPORTANT To read the correct oil
level after fitting the electronic key, wait
for about 2 seconds before starting the
engine.
IMPORTANT Engine oil level could in-
crease after a long stop.
Selecting an option of the main
menu with submenu:
❒briefly press button MENUto display
the first submenu option;
❒operate buttons +or –(by single
press) to scroll all submenu options;
❒briefly press button MENUto select
the displayed submenu option and to
enter the corresponding setup menu;
❒operate buttons +or –(by single
press) to select the new setting of this
submenu option;
❒briefly press button MENUto store
the new setting and go back to the
previously selected submenu option.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 32