2005 Alfa Romeo 147 sensor

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
80
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
BRAKE PAD WEAR
The message + symbol are shown on the reconfigurable multifunction display when the front brake
pads are worn; in this case have them changed as soon as possible.
IMPORTANTAs the car is fitted with wear sensors for the front brake pads, when changing them,
also check the rear brake pads.
SELESPEED GEARBOX FAILURE
The message + symbol are shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when a fault to Se-
lespeed gearbox is detected.
If warning light tand the message appear on the display, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible to have the fault eli-
minated.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
91
AUTOMATIC TWO-ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
To start the system (fig. 76):
- turn the knob rings to set the required
temperatures (driver’s side - passenger’s
side).
- press the
AUTObutton.
IMPORTANTThe climate control sys-
tem makes it possible to personalise the
temperatures required on the two sides with
a maximum difference of 7°C between the
driver’s side and the passenger’s side.
IMPORTANTThe climate control com-
pressor only works with the engine running
and an outside temperature above 4°C.
For further details about the system and
how to make the best use of it, read the
instructions given in the pages that follow.
A0A0203m
fig. 76
The coolant used for the
climate control system is
R134a which meets cur-
rent regulations and does not harm
the environment in the event of ac-
cidental spillage.
Absolutely avoid the use of oth-
er fluids which are incompatible
with the system components.
GENERAL
The car is fitted with a two-zone climate
control system, controlled by an electronic
control unit which makes it possible to sep-
arately adjust the air temperature on the dri-
ver’s side and on the passenger’s side. To
obtain optimum temperature control in the
two areas of the passenger compartment,
the system has an outside sensor, a pas-
senger compartment sensor and a two-zone
sun ray sensor.
With an outside tempera-
ture below 4°C the climate
control compressor is unable to
work. It is therefore unadvisable
to use the inside air re-circulation
feature
vwith a low outside
temperature as the windows might
mist over quickly.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
92
Air quality control is also entrusted to a
combined particle and activated carbon fil-
ter. The climate control system automatically
controls and adjusts the following parame-
ters and functions:
– temperature of the air admitted to the
passenger compartment (for the driver’s and
passenger’s side separately)
– fan speed
– air distribution
– inside air re-circulation on/off
– climate control compressor on/off en-
able.
It is possible to change the setting of the
following functions manually:
– fan speed
– air distribution
– inside air re-circulation on/off
– climate control compressor on/off en-
able.
The control of functions not changed man-
ually remains automatic and in any case the
temperature of the air admitted to the pas-
senger compartment is controlled automati-
cally according to the temperatures set on
the driver’s and passenger’s displays.
IMPORTANTManual selections prevail
over automatic ones and remain in storage
until the user decides to resume automatic
control. The settings selected manually are
stored when the engine is switched off and
resumed the next time it is started. To ensure correct opera-
tion of the incipient mist-
ing sensor, stickers must
not be applied (road licence holder,
time card etc.) in the “control”
area between the sensor and the
windscreen. Care should also be
given to cleaning the windscreen
and the actual sensor, avoiding the
accumulation of dust and other sub-
stances.IMPORTANTThe demisting procedure
is enabled each time the ignition key is
turned to MARor pressing the
AUTObut-
ton. When this procedure is working it can
be turned off pressing one of the following
buttons: compressor, air re-circulation, air
flow, air capacity. This operation inhibits the
incipient misting sensor signal until the
AU-
TObutton is pressed again or the next time
the ignition key is turned to MAR.
On certain versions, the system is inte-
grated by an antipollution sensor capable of
automatically switching on inside air re-cir-
culation to lessen the harmful effects of pol-
luted air in cities, queues, tunnels and op-
eration of the windscreen washer (with the
typical smell of spirits).
IMPORTANTThe function of the an-
tipollution sensor is subordinate to safety
conditions; therefore disabling the climate
control compressor or at an outside tem-
perature below 4°C the sensor is disabled.
The sensor can be re-enabled pressing the
re-circulation button
vuntil taking it to
the automatic mode. On some versions the system is integrat-
ed with an incipient misting sensor installed
behind the inside rear-view mirror, capable
of “controlling” a predefined area of the
windscreen inner surface which can auto-
matically act on the system to prevent or re-
duce misting through a series of operations
such as: opening air re-circulation, enabling
the compressor, air flow to the windscreen,
fan speed sufficient for demisting; in the
case of heavy misting, enabling the
MAX-
DEFfunction.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
93
CONTROLS(fig. 77)
1- Inside temperature set display (driver’s
side)
2- Inside temperature adjustment knob
(driver’s side)
3- Fan speed set and system off display
(
OFF)
4- Knob for adjusting the fan speed and
switching the system off
5- Inside temperature set display (pas-
senger’s side)
6- Inside temperature adjustment knob
(passenger’s side)
7- Maximum defrosting/demisting
on/off button for windscreen and front side
windows, rearscreen heating and wing mir-
ror coils (
MAX-DEFfunction-)
8- Inside air re-circulation on/off button
v(manual/automatic)
9- Rearscreen heating and wing mirror de-
frosting on/off button
(
10- Air distribution selection buttons
11- Inside air temperature sensor12- Button for aligning the temperature
set on the passenger’s side with that on the
driver’s side MONO
13- Button for selecting the system au-
tomatic mode
AUTO
14- Climate control compressor on/off
enable button
√
fig. 77
A0A0090m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
102
INSIDE AIR RE-CIRCULATION
ON/OFF BUTTON
v(fig. 87)
Inside air re-circulation is controlled ac-
cording to three operating logics
- automatic control, indicated by the turn-
ing on of the right led on the button;
- forced engagement (inside air re-circula-
tion always on), indicated by the turning on
of the left led on the button (and by the right
led going off at the same time);
- forced switching off (inside air re-circula-
tion always off with air inlet from outside),
indicated by the turning off of both leds.
These operating conditions are obtained
pressing in sequence the inside air re-circu-
lation button (8)
v.
When inside air re-circulation is controlled
automatically by the system, the right ledon the air re-circulation button (8)
v
stays on all the time and the left led shows
the air re-circulation condition:
on= air re-circulation operating;
off= air re-circulation off.
If inside air re-circulation has been turned
on or off manually, the led on button (13)
AUTOturns off.
In automatic operation, inside air re-circu-
lation is turned on automatically when the an-
tipollution sensor detects the presence of pol-
luted air, for example in cities, queues, tun-
nels and operation of the windscreen wash-
er (with the characteristic smell of spirit).
A0A0212m
fig. 87
With the outside temper-
ature below 4°C the cli-
mate control compressor is unable
to work. It is therefore unadvis-
able to use the inside air re-circu-
lation feature
vwith low out-
side temperature as the windows
may quickly mist over.
WARNING
Operation of the climate con-
trol compressor is necessary
for cooling and dehumidifying the air;
it is advisable to keep this function
always on, to prevent window mist-
ing problems.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
128
OPENING FROM INSIDE
(fig. 126)
Tailgate is released electrically and this can
be performed only when the ignition key
is in positionMARwith car at a standstill
or in STOPorPARKposition for 3 min-
utes without unlocking/locking one of the
doors.
To unlock the tailgate, press button (A)
on the centre console panel.
Tailgate raising is facilitated by the gas
shock springs.
OPENING WITH REMOTE
CONTROL
(fig. 127)
The tailgate can be opened by remote con-
trol from outside pressing the button (A),
also when the electronic alarm is engaged.
Opening of the tailgate is accompanied by
a double flash of the direction indicators;
closing is accompanied by a single flash.
If an electronic alarm is fitted, with the
opening of the tailgate, the alarm system
switches off volumetric protection and the
tailgate control sensor, the system “beeps”
twice (with the exception of certain mar-
kets).
Closing the tailgate again, the control func-
tions are restored, the system “beeps” twice
(with the exception of certain markets).
The gas springs are cali-
brated to ensure correct
tailgate raising with the
weights foreseen by the manufac-
turer. The arbitrary addition of
items (such as spoilers, etc.) may
compromise the correct operation
and safety of the actual tailgate.
fig. 127
A0A0131m
LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT
The tailgate can be opened:
from the outside of the car - by a
remote control impulse;
from the inside of the door - by de-
pressing the button (A-fig. 126).
IMPORTANTThe non perfect hatchback
closure is shown by the
´symbol being
turned on as the same time as the dedicat-
ed message on the re-configurable multi-
function display.
fig. 126
A0A0129m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
135
Always take due car when braking on
bends, even with the help of the ABS.
The most important advice of all, howev-
er, is this:
Following these instruction you will be in
the best braking condition under all circum-
stances.
IMPORTANTCars fitted with ABS may
only be fitted with the wheel rims, tyres and
brake linings of type and brand approved by
the Manufacturer.
The system is completed by the EBD (Elec-
tronic Brake Distributor) which distributes
the braking action through the control unit
and the ABS system sensors.IMPORTANTIf the battery is run down
the
>andxwarning lights might turn
on when starting the engine and go off af-
ter starting. This should not be considered
as a fault but as a warning that during start-
ing the ABS is not active. The turning off
of the warning lights ensures normal system
operation.
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the pulsing on the
pedal, do not lighten the pressure,
but keep the pedal firmly pressed
with no fear; this way you will
stop in the least space possible,
compatibly with the conditions of
the road surface.
WARNING
The car is fitted with an
electronic braking distribu-
tor (EBD). If the
>andxwarn-
ing lights turn on simultaneously
with the engine running, this indi-
cates an EBD system failure; in this
case with sharp braking the rear
wheels might lock too early, with
the possibility of skidding. Driving
extremely carefully, go to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
to have the system checked.
WARNING
The turning on of only the
>warning light with the
engine running normally indicates a
fault to the ABS system only. In this
case the braking system is still ef-
ficient, though without the aid of
the anti-lock device. Under these
conditions performance of the EBD
system may be reduced. In this case
too, you areadvised to go immedi-
ately to the nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service to have the sys-
tem checked over, driving in such
a way as to avoid sharp braking.
WARNING
If the low brake fluid lev-
el
xwarning light turns
on, stop the car immediately and
contact the nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service. Any loss of
fluid from the hydraulic system
will negatively affect the opera-
tion of the braking system be it of
the conventional type or of the
type with ABS.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols vehicle stability, intervening on the dri-
ving torque and braking the wheels in a dif-
ferentiated manner, in the lack of grip, it
helps to bring the car back to the correct
direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip.
When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
intervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
The VDC system is engaged automatical-
ly when the car is started and cannot be
switched off.
The basic components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheel;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit, which with the data supplied
by the sensors installed on the car calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor, which
originates from the aeronautical industry, de-
tects the rotations of the car around its own
vertical axis. The centrifugal forces gener-
ated when the car is cornering are detect-
ed by a highly sensitive lateral acceleration
sensor. The VDC system helps the driver to keep
the car under control in the event of a loss
of tyre grip.
The forced induced by the VDC system to
control the loss of vehicle stability always
depend on the grip between the tyre and
the road surface.
The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce the driver
to take pointless and unnecessary
risks. The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to the
conditions of the road surface, vis-
ibility and traffic. The responsibil-
ity for road safety is always and
in any case the driver’s.
WARNING