CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
175
STARTING PROCEDURE
IMPORTANTIt is important never to
press the accelerator before the engine has
started.
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2) Move the gear lever to neutral.
3) Fully depress the clutch pedal, so that
the starter motor is not forced to crank the
gears.
4) Ensure that the electric systems and de-
vices, especially if they absorb high quanti-
ties of energy (e.g. heated rearscreen) are
switched off.
5) Turn the ignition key to the AV Vpo-
sition and release it as soon as the engine
starts.
6) If the engine does not start, return the
key to STOPthen repeat the procedure.
IMPORTANTIf it is difficult to start the
engine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyst, but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services. The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
device which obliges the driver to return the
key to the STOPposition before repeat-
ing the starting operation if the engine does
not start immediately.
Similarly, when the engine is running, the
device prevents the key being moved from
theMARto the AV Vposition.
STARTING
THE ENGINE
IMPORTANTThe car is fitted with an
electronic engine lock device. If the engine
fails to start, see “The Alfa Romeo CODE sys-
tem”.
C C
O O
R R
R R
E E
C C
T T
U U
S S
E E
O O
F F
T T
H H
E E
C C
A A
R R
We recommend that dur-
ing the initial period you do
not drive to full vehicle
performance (for example exces-
sive acceleration, long journeys at
top speed, hard braking etc.).When the engine is
switched off never leave
the ignition key in the MAR
position to prevent pointless cur-
rent absorption from draining the
battery.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely
dangerous. The engines consumes
oxygen and produces carbon
monoxide which is a highly toxic
and lethal gas.
WARNING
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
176
IMPORTANTThe electric devices
that absorb a high amount of energy (cli-
mate control, rearscreen heating etc.) are
cut off automatically during starting.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, move the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa
Romeo CODE system working properly),
do not insist with prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if the cause
is due to low battery charge. Never use a
battery charger to start the engine.WARMING THE ENGINE
– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometres of the journey. Wait until
the engine coolant temperature reaches
50-60 °C.
SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOPpo-
sition and switch off the engine.
IMPORTANTAfter a tiring journey it is
advisable to let the engine “get its breath
back” allowing it to idle a while to lower the
temperature in the engine compartment.
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
183
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
with speed: it is helpful to note that passing
from 90 to 120 km/h consumption in-
creases by about +30%. Also maintain an
even as possible speed, avoiding superflu-
ous braking and accelerating again, which
cost in terms of both fuel and emissions. It
is therefore advisable to adopt a “smooth”
driving style trying to anticipate manoeuvres
to avoid imminent hazards and respect safe-
ty distances to avoid sudden slowing.
Acceleration
Accelerating heavily taking the engine to
a high speed, has a considerably adverse ef-
fect on consumption and emission levels;
it is wise to accelerate gradually and not ex-
ceed the maximum torque.CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do
not allow the engine to reach optimum op-
erating temperature. This results in a sig-
nificant increase in consumption levels (from
+15 to +30% on the urban cycle) and emis-
sion of harmful substances.
Traffic situations and
road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied to
situations with heavy traffic, for example
in queues with frequent use of the lower
gears or in cities with many traffic lights.
Also winding mountain roads and rough
road surfaces adversely affect consumption.
Stopping in the traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. level cross-
ings) it is advisable to switch the engine off.
ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT
FRIENDLY DRIVING
Environment protection is one of the prin-
ciples that guided the development of your
Alfa 147 GTA.
It is not merely by chance that its antipol-
lution devices obtain results far beyond those
specified by current regulations.
However, the environment still needs the
utmost care from all of us.
By following a few simple rules it is pos-
sible to avoid damage to the environment
and very often at the same time to limit fu-
el consumption. On this subject we are giv-
ing some helpful suggestions to be added
to those marked with the
#in various points
of this booklet.
Kindly read them all carefully.
IN AN EMERGENCY
188
3) Fully depress the accelerator pedal and
keep it pressed. The
Uwarning light will
come on for eight seconds and then go off,
now release the accelerator pedal.
4) The
Uwarning light begins to flash:
after it has flashed the same number of
times as the first digit on the CODE card,
press the accelerator pedal and keep it
pressed until the
Uwarning light turns on
(for four seconds) and then goes off, now
release the accelerator pedal.
5) The
Uwarning light starts to flash: af-
ter the number of flashes corresponding to
the second digit on the CODE card, press the
accelerator pedal and keep it pressed.
6) Repeat this procedure for the remain-
ing digits on the CODE card.
7) After entering the last figure, keep the
accelerator pedal pressed. The
Uwarn-
ing light turns on (for four seconds) and
then goes off; now release the accelera-
tor pedal.8) A quick flash of the
Uwarning light
(for about 4 seconds) confirms that the op-
eration has been carried out correctly.
9) Start the engine turning the ignition key
fromMARtoAV Vwithout returning the
key to the STOPposition.
Conversely, if the
Uwarning light stays
on, turn the key to STOPand repeat the
procedure starting from point 1).
IMPORTANTAfter emergency starting
it is advisable to contact an Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Service, because the emergency
procedure must be repeated each time the
engine is started.
EMERGENCY
STARTING
If it is not possible to deactivate the engine
inhibitor with the Alfa Romeo CODE system,
the
YandUwarning lights stay on and
the engine will not start. Emergency start-
ing is needed to start the engine.
IMPORTANTYou are advised to care-
fully read the entire procedure before car-
rying it out.
If a mistake is made during the emergency
procedure, the ignition key should be turned
toSTOPand the operations must be re-
peated from the start (point 1).
1) Read the 5-figure electronic code on the
CODE card.
2) Turn the ignition key to MAR.
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
IN AN EMERGENCY
194fig. 17
A0A0449m
fig. 18
A0A0450m
fig. 19
A0A0451m
After about 10 minutes, stop and check
the tyre pressure once again; remember to
engage the handbrake.
Place the sticker in a posi-
tion where it can be clear-
ly seen by the driver as a notice
that the tyre has been treated with
the quick repairing kit. Drive care-
fully especially in a bend. Do not
overcome 80 km/h. Avoid sudden
acceleration or braking.
WARNING
If the pressure is below
1,3 bars do not drive any
further: the quick repairing kit can-
not guarantee proper hold because
the tyre is too much damaged. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
Conversely, if at least 1,3 bars are
detected, restore the correct pres-
sure (with the engine running and
the handbrake engaged) and start
driving the car with great care.
WARNING
If, during the pressure
restoring operation, it is
not possible to reach at least 1,8
bars, do not drive any further be-
cause the tyre is too much dam-
aged and the quick repairing kit
cannot guarantee proper hold. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
WARNING
IN AN EMERGENCY
217
IF THE VEHICLE IS TO BE TOWED
The tow ring supplied with the vehicle is
housed in the tool box under the boot mat.
Front towing
To install the tow ring, proceed as follows:
– Take the tow ring from the tool box.
– Remove the cover (A) snap-fitted on
the front bumper (fig. 55). To do this use
the flat-bladed screwdriver provided, protect
the tip with a soft cloth to avoid damaging
the car.
– Firmly screw the ring in its housing.Back towing
To install the tow ring, just screw the ring
firmly in its housing (fig. 56).
fig. 55
A0A0456m
fig. 56
A0A0457m
Before tightening the ring
carefully clean the thread-
ed housing. Before beginning to
tow the car, make sure that the
ring is firmly tightened in its
threaded housing.
WARNING
Do not start the engine
when towing the car. Before
starting to tow, turn the ignition key
to MAR and back to STOP again
without removing it. Removing the
key automatically engages the
steering lock resulting in the impos-
sibility to steer the wheels. When
towing remember that without the
help of the engine brake and pow-
er steering greater effort is required
on the pedal and steering wheel. Do
not use flexible cables for towing
and avoid jerks. During towing op-
erations make sure that fastening
the joint to the car does not damage
the components in contact with it.
When towing the car, it is compul-
sory to follow specific traffic regu-
lations concerning both the towing
device and behaviour on the road.
WARNING
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
237
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wear (fig. 11):
A- Normal pressure: tread evenly worn.
B- Low pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
C- High pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
Tyres should be changed when the tread
thickness is reduced to 1.6 mm. In any case
follow local regulations.
fig. 11
A0A0225m
IMPORTANT
Where possible, avoid suddent braking,
tyre squealing starts, etc.
Particularly avoid violent bumps against
kerbs, potholes or obstacles of various kinds.
Prolonged driving on rough roads may dam-
age the tyres. Routinely check the tyres for
cuts on the sides, swellings or uneven tread
wear. If necessary contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Services.
Avoid overloading the vehicle when trav-
elling: this may cause serious damage to the
wheels and tyres.
If a tyre is punctured, stop immediately
and change it to avoid damage to the tyre
itself, the rim, suspensions and steering sys-
tem. Tyres age even if they are not used
much. Cracks in the tread rubber are a sign
of aging. In any case, if the tyres have been
on the vehicle for over 6 years, they should
be checked by specialised personnel, to see
if they can still be used.In the case of replacement, always fit new
tyres, avoiding those of dubious origin.
The
Alfa 147 GTAuses Tubeless
tyres. Never use an inner tube with these
tyres.
If a tyre is changed, also change the infla-
tion valve.
To allow even wear between the front and
rear tyres it is advisable to change over every
10-15 thousand kilometres, keeping them
on the same side of the car so as not to re-
verse the direction of rotation (fig. 12).
fig. 12
A0A0459m
Excessively low pressure
causes overheating of the
tyre with the possibility of serious
damage to it.
WARNING
RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
271
BONNET
The bonnet opening lever is under the left
end of the dashboard.
To open:
– pull the lever (A-fig. 23) until the bon-
net clicks open.
– press the safety lever (A-fig. 24) up-
wards.
– raise the bonnet.
IMPORTANTBonnet raising is aided by
two gas springs. Do not tamper with these
springs and accompany the bonnet while
raising it.
fig. 23
A0A0481m
fig. 24
A0A0437m
To close:
– lower the bonnet until approx. 20 cm
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 re-
peat the above procedure.
Scarves, ties and other
loose clothing might be
pulled by moving parts.
WARNING
Do this only with the car
stationary.
WARNING
For safety reasons the
bonnet shall always be
perfectly closed when travelling.
Always check for proper bonnet
locking. If the bonnet is left inad-
vertently open, stop the car im-
mediately and close the bonnet.
WARNING
DANGER-SERIOUS INJURY.
When carrying out checks
or maintenance operations in the
engine compartment, take special
care not to bump the head on the
raised bonnet.
WARNING
If checks are needed in the
engine compartment, when
it is still hot, do not approach the
fan: it might start working also
with the ignition key removed.
Wait for the engine to cool down.
WARNING