ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical accessories (that will gradually drain the battery), contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the car’s elec-
tric system can support the required load.
CODE CARD(for versions/markets, where provided)
Keep the code card in a safe place, not in the car.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring it stays in tip-top condition and safeguards its safety fea-
tures, its environmental friendliness and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS…
…information, tips and important warnings regarding the safe, correct driving of your car, and its mainte-
nance. Pay particular attention to the symbols
"(personal safety) #(environmental protection) â(car well-be-
ing).
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:47 Pagina 3
THE SYMBOLS USED IN THIS BOOKLET
The symbols illustrated in these pages show the subjects which should,
in particular, be closely studied.
Warning: partially or
fully ignoring these rules may lead
to serious injury.This indicates the correct procedures
to be followed to prevent
the car from damaging the environment.Warning: partially or fully ignoring these
rules may lead to serious damage
being caused to the car which, in some
circumstances, may cause forfeiture of the
warranty cover.
The texts, illustrations and specifications given in this booklet refer to the car at the time of going to press.
As part of our ongoing striving to improve our products, Alfa Romeo may introduce technical changes during production, there-
fore the specifications and fittings may be altered without prior notice.
For details on this subject, please apply to the manufacturer's sales network.
PERSONAL
SAFETYPROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT CAR SAFETY
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:47 Pagina 5
10
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
ALFA ROMEO
CODE SYSTEM
To further protect you car from theft, it
has been fitted with an engine immo-
bilising system. This system is auto-
matically activated when the electronic
key is removed.
An electronic device, in fact, is fitted in
each electronic key grip. The device
transmits a radio-frequency signal when
the engine is started through a special
aerial built into the ignition switch on the
dashboard. The modulated signal, which
changes each time the engine is start-
ed, is the “password”, by means of
which the control unit recognises the
electronic key and enables to start the
engine.
SYMBOLS
Special coloured labels have been at-
tached near or actually on some of the
components of your car. These labels
bear symbols that remind you of the pre-
cautions to be taken as regards that par-
ticular component.
The plate summarising the symbols used
fig. 4can be found under the bonnet.
A0E0138mfig. 4
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 10
11
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
Warning light Ycoming on
when driving
If the warning light
Yturns on this
means that the system is running a self-
test (for example for a voltage drop).
If the warning light
Ystays on, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTEvery electronic key has
its own code, which must be memorised
by the system control unit. To memorise
new keys, up to a maximum of eight,
apply solely to Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services taking with you all the keys in
your possession, the CODE card, a per-
sonal identity document and the car’s
possession documents. The codes of the
keys not provided during the new mem-
orising procedure are erased from the
memory. This is to ensure that any lost
or stolen keys can no longer be used
to start the car.
OPERATION
Each time the electronic key is fitted in-
to the ignition switch, the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit sends a recog-
nition code to the engine control unit
to deactivate the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit has recognised
the code transmitted from the electron-
ic key.
If the code has not been recognised cor-
rectly, the warning light
Yturns on (on
certain versions a dedicated message
is displayed) (see section “Warning
lights and messages”).
In this case, the electronic key should
be removed from the ignition device and
then refitted; if the lock continues, pos-
sibly try again with the other keys pro-
vided with the car. If it is still not possi-
ble to start the car contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
The electronic compo-
nents inside the key may
be damaged if the key is
submitted to sharp knocks.
If 2 seconds after fitting
the electronic key into
the ignition switch, the
warning light
Ycomes on again
flashing (on certain versions a
dedicated message is dis-
played), this means that the
code of the keys has not been
memorised, thus the car is not
protected by the Alfa Romeo
CODE system against attempt-
ed theft. In this case, contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service
to have the key codes memo-
rised.
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 11
14
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0E0035mfig. 9A0E0242mfig. 10
To change the battery fig. 9proceed
as follows:
❒take out the metal insert Aby press-
ing button B;
❒remove the snap-fitted case B-
fig. 10(red) by levering with the
metal insert Aof the electronic key
in the point shown in the figure;
❒remove the battery D-fig. 9from
the case taking note of the bias (in
the figure the positive pole is facing
downwards);
❒put the new battery into the case
with the correct bias;
❒put the case down into its seat and
refit the metal insert.IMPORTANTNever touch the electric
contacts of the key and prevent fluid or
dust infiltration inside it.
Used batteries are
harmful to the environ-
ment. They should be
disposed of as specified by law
in the special containers pro-
vided, or take them to Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
which will deal with their dis-
posal.
SAFE LOCK DEVICE
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
This safety system inhibits the operation
of the car door handles.
The safe lock device represents top pro-
tection against break in attempts. Acti-
vate it each time you park the car.
Once the safe lock de-
vice has been actuated,
doors cannot be opened from
inside the car in any way
whatsoever. For this reason,
make sure there are no per-
sons left inside the car.
WARNING
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 14
To set the speed limit, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒press button MENUuntil selecting
SPEED BEEP: the display will show
SPEED BEEPand setting condition
(ON= speed limit on/ OFF= speed
limit off);
❒press again button MENU: ON(or
OFF) will flash;
❒press buttons +/–to select ONor
OFF;
❒selecting ONwill make the last
speed limit set flashing on the dis-
play;
❒press buttons +/–to adjust the val-
ue.
IMPORTANT The possible setting is be-
tween 30 and 250 km/h (or between
20 and 150 mph) depending on the unit
set previously (see paragraph “Units” de-
scribed later). Every press (pulse) of the
button +/–increases or decreases the
value by 5 units. Keeping the button +/–
pressed obtains automatic fast increase or
decrease. When you are near the required
setting complete adjustment with single
presses.
27
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Failure/warning buzzer
volume (BUZZ)
With this function the volume of the
buzzer accompanying any fail-
ure/warning indications can be adjust-
ed according to 4 levels. The buzzer can
be adjusted and excluded.
Proceed as follows:
❒press button MENUuntil selecting
BUZZ: the display will show BUZZ
and a figure corresponding to the
buzzer volume level;
❒press again button MENU: the fig-
ure will flash;
❒press buttons +/–to adjust the
buzzer volume.
To mute the buzzer set the volume lev-
el to “0” using buttons +/–. Clock (TIME REG)
This function enables to adjust the clock.
To adjust the clock proceed as follows:
❒press button MENUuntil selecting
TIME REG;
❒press again button MENU: TIME
and clock will flash;
❒press buttons +/–to adjust time.
Clock is always displayed in 24h mode
(24 hours).
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 27
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
30
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARThe date Cin the middle of the display
will stay on until another display info is
activated (e.g. “Light dimmer”) or oth-
er information on car conditions.
With key removed (when opening when
of the front doors) the display will turn
on and show for a few seconds the time,
covered km (or miles) and outside tem-
perature.
INFORMATION ABOUT CAR
CONDITIONS (at event)
❒Scheduled servicing;
❒Trip computer;
❒Instrument panel light dimmer;
❒Engine oil level;
IMPORTANTWhen opening one of
the front doors, the display will show for
a few seconds the time, the km covered
and the external temperature.
RECONFIGURABLE
MULTIFUNCTION
DISPLAY
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
The “Reconfigurable multifunction dis-
play” shows all the useful information
necessary when driving, more particu-
larly:
INFORMATION ON
STANDARD SCREEN
❒Clock A-fig. 24/a;
❒External temperature B;
❒Date C;
❒Partial km (or mi) covered D;
❒Total km (or mi) covered E;
❒Indications on car conditions F (e.g.:
doors open, or possible ice on road,
etc. ...).
A0E0015mfig. 24/a
001-045 Alfa 159 GB 8-04-2009 10:48 Pagina 30