GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
130fig. 132
A0A0437m
BONNET
The bonnet opening lever is under the left
end of the dashboard.
To open:
– pull the lever (A-fig. 131) until the
bonnet clicks open.
– press the safety lever (A-fig. 132)
upwards.
– 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. 131
A0A0436m
A heavy load that has not
been secured may cause
serious harm to passengers.
WARNING
Do not load the boot above
the permitted maximum
(see “Technical specifications”). Al-
so make sure that the objects con-
tained in the boot are well secured
to prevent them from being thrown
forward,causing harm to the pas-
sangers.
WARNING
If you want to carry re-
serve fuel in a can, follow
legal regulations, only using a cer-
tified can, suitably fastened to the
load securing eyelets. Even in this
way the risk of fire is increased in
the case of an accident.
WARNING
Do this only with the car
stationary.
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
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
139
IMPORTANTWhen travelling on snow
with snow chains, it may be helpful to turn
the ASR device off: in fact, in these condi-
tions, slipping of the driving wheels when
moving off makes it possible to obtain bet-
ter drive.
ASR system failure warning
Should a defect arise, the ASR system is
automatically disconnected and the re-con-
figurable multifunction display informs user
about this condition by displaying a dedi-
cated message.
In the event of an ASR system operating
failure, the car behaves in the same way
as a car that is not fitted with this system:
in any case, it is advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services as soon as pos-
sible.
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board Di-
agnosis) installed on the car meets Directive
98/69/CE (EURO 3).
This system allows continuous diagnosis
of the components on the car correlated with
emissions; it also alerts the driver, by turn-
ing on the warning light
U(on some ver-
sions together with the message + symbol
on the reconfigurable multifunction display)
on the instrument panel when these com-
ponents are no longer in peak conditions.
The objective is:
– to keep system efficiency under control;
– warn when a fault causes emission lev-
els to increase over the threshold established
by European law;
– warn of the need to replace deteriorat-
ed components.
The system also has a diagnostic connec-
tor that can be interfaced with appropriate
tools, which makes it possible to read the
error codes stored in the control unit, to-
gether with a series of specific parameters
for engine operation and diagnosis.If, turning the ignition key
to MAR, the warning light
Udoes not turn on or if,
while travelling it turns on glow-
ing steadily or flashing together
with the message + symbol on the
reconfigurable multifunction dis-
play, contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Services as soon as possible.
IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the in-
convenience, to check the system com-
pletely, Alfa Romeo Authorised Services are
obliged to run a bench test and, if necessary
road tests which may also call for a long jour-
ney.For correct operation of the
ASR system the tyres must
absolutely be of the same brand
and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and, above all, of the
specified type, brand and size.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
140
RADIO PRESETTING
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets where
applicable)
The car, if not delivered with sound sys-
tem, is fitted with a glove compartment on
the instrument panel (fig. 136a).
Sound system presetting system includes
the following:
– sound system power cables;
– front and rear speaker power cables;
– aerial power cable;
– sound system housing;
– aerial on car roof.The sound system shall be installed in the
proper housing occupied by the glove com-
partment that can be removed by pressing
the two retaining tabs fitted in the glove
compartment: here are the power cables.
If after buying the car you
want to install the sound
system, contact first Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services whose
qualified personnel, in addition to
suggesting the most suitable de-
vices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption to safeguard the
battery. Excessive loadless ab-
sorption could damage the battery
and lose warranty.
The wiring diagram is the following (fig.
136b):Connector A
A1 N.C.
A2 N.C.
A3 N.C.
A4 + 30 (battery-powered)
A5 Aerial power supply
A6 Light
A7 + 15 (key-powered)
A8 Ground
Connector B
B1 RH rear speaker
B2 RH rear speaker
B3 RH front speaker
B4 RH front speaker
B5 LH front speaker
B6 LH front speaker
B7 LH rear speaker
B8 LH rear speaker
fig. 136a
A0A0715m
fig. 136b
A0A0709m
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
145
Entering the secret code
Entry of the secret code is required to al-
low the radio to work after the first con-
nection to the vehicle electric system or to
a different Body Computer than the original
one.
Connecting the radio to the car supply, the
display will show the wording “CODE” for
about 2 seconds, followed by four dashes
“- - - -”.
The secret code comprises four figures from
1 to 6, each corresponding to one of the
dashes.
To enter the first digit of the code, press
the corresponding key of the preset stations
(from 1 to 6). Enter the other code digits in
the same way.
If the four figures are not entered within
20 seconds, te display shows the word
“CODE” for 2 seconds and then four dash-
es “- - - -”. This is not to be considered
as an incorrect code entry.
After entering the fourth digit (within 20
seconds), the radio starts to work.If a wrong code is entered, the radio
sounds a “beep”, the display shows the
word “CODE” for 2 seconds and then four
dashes “- - - -” to inform the user that it
is necessary to enter the correct code.
Every time the user enters a wrong code,
the waiting time increases gradually (1 min,
2 min, 4 min, 8 min, 16 min, 30 min, 1h,
2h, 4h, 8h, 16h, 24h) until reaching a max-
imum of 24 hours.
The waiting time will be shown on the dis-
play with the word “WAIT”. When this
goes off it is possible to start the new code
entry procedure.
Code Card
This is the document that certifies posses-
sion of the radio. The Code Card contains
the radio model, serial number and secret
code.
IMPORTANTKeep the Code Card care-
fully to be able to give the related data to
the competent authorities in the event of
theft.GLOSSARY
AF (Alternative frequency)
Function that allows the radio to stay tuned
on the FM station selected also passing
through areas served by transmitters with
different frequencies.
In fact the RDS system keeps the intensi-
ty and quality of the signal received under
control, automatically switching tuning on
the frequency of the transmitter that is send-
ing the strongest signal.
Autostore/Travelstore
Function with which it is possible to auto-
matically store radio stations.
Balance (Channel balancing)
Function with which it is possible to ap-
propriately adjust the sound from the right
or left speakers
Bass
This function adjusts the bass tones.
CD-Changer
Multiple Compact Disc player.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
150
6.Multifunction button:
– Radio: call preset stations (from 6 to
1)
– Compact Disc player: select previous
track.
Volume adjustment and Mute
buttons
The buttons for volume adjustment (1) e
(2) and for turning Mute on/off (3) work
in the same way as the corresponding but-
tons on the radio.
Radio frequency and sound
source select button
To cyclically select the radio frequencies
and sound sources, briefly and repeatedly
press button (4).
The frequencies/sources available are:
FMI, FMII, FMT, MW, LW, CD*, CDC**.
(*) Only if the Compact Disc is inserted
(**) Only if the CD-Changer is connected
Multifunction buttons (5) and (6)
Multifunction buttons (5) and (6) call the
preset radio stations, or select the next/pre-
vious track when listening to a Compact
Disc.
Press button (5) to select stations from
1 to 6 or to listen to the next track on a CD.
Press button (6) to select stations from
6 to 1 or to listen to the previous track on
a CD.
FUNCTIONS AND
ADJUSTMENTS
(fig. 137)
Switching on
The set is turned on keeping the “ON”
button pressed (20). If the radio was on
before the engine was turned off, it will turn
on again automatically the next time the en-
gine is started.
If the radio is turned on with the ignition
key at STOP, it will turn off automatically
after about 20 minutes.
With the ignition key at MARthe “ON”
button is always lit to facilitate turning on
the radio.When the radio is turned on again it will
resume with the same settings that were
working before turning off, with the excep-
tion of the volume which, if it was set to
above 20, it is activated at 20.
Turning the radio off
To turn off keep the “ON”button (20)
pressed again
If the ignition key is turned to STOPwhen
the radio is on, it will turn off automatical-
ly and turn on again the next time the key
is turned to MAR.
Selecting the Radio/Compact
Disc/CD-Changer functions
Briefly and repeatedly pressing the “SRC”
button (14) it is possible to select the fol-
lowing functions in sequence:
– TUNER (Radio)
– CD (only if the Compact Disc is inserted)
– CHANGER (only if the CD-Changer is con-
nected).
After each change of the sound source, for
about 2.5 seconds, the display shows the
function selected: TUNER(Radio),CD
(Compact Disc), CHANGER(CD-Changer).
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
173
REFUELLING
The antipollution devices
on the car oblige the use of
only four-star unleaded
petrol with an octane number
(R.O.N.) of 95 or over.
Never use leaded petrol,
as this would irreversibly
damage the exhaust gas
catalyst. If leaded fuel is added to
the fuel tank, no matter how small
the quantity, DO NOT START THE
ENGINE. Do not attempt to dilute
the fuel in the tank, completely
drain the fuel circuit and tank.
To prevent accidentally filling with leaded
petrol, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is of such a size as not to accept the noz-
zle of this type of petrol.
An inefficient catalyst
leads to harmful emission
at the exhaust, thus envi-
ronment pollution.
FUEL CAP (fig. 145)
The fuel cap (A) is key-lockable and has a
catch to prevent misplacing it (B) that fas-
tens it to the flap (C); to gain access to it,
open the flap then use the ignition key to turn
counter-clockwise and remove the cap.
When refuelling, hook the cap to the de-
vice on the inner flap, as illustrated.
IMPORTANTThe sealing of the tank
may cause light pressurising. A little breath-
ing off, while slackening the cap is ab-
solutely normal.
fig. 145
A0A0443m
After refuelling, turn the cap clockwise un-
til one or more clicks are heard; then turn
the key clockwise to lock. Close the flap.
IMPORTANTFor your safety, before
starting the engine, also make sure that the
fuel nozzle is correctly inserted in the fuel
distributor.
In the case of need, only
replace the fuel cap with
another genuine one, or the
efficiency of the fuel vapour re-
covery system could be adversely
affected.
Do not go near the fuel
filler with naked flames or
lit cigarettes: danger of fire. Avoid
going too near the fuel filler with
your face, to avoid inhaling harm-
ful vapours.
WARNING
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.