Page 218 of 291

IN AN EMERGENCY
216
IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT BATTERY
Before anything else, you are advised to
read the precautions for preventing the bat-
tery from draining and for ensuring long life
in the “Vehicle maintenance” chapter.
CHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANTThe battery charging pro-
cedure is described only for information pur-
poses. This operation should be carried out
by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Charging should be slow at a low amp rat-
ing for 24 hours. Charging for a longer time
may damage the battery.Charge the battery as follows:
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
– Connect the charger cables to the bat-
tery terminals ensuring that the bias is cor-
rect.
– Turn on the charger.
– After charging, turn off the charger be-
fore disconnecting it from the battery.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
STARTING WITH AN
AUXILIARY BATTERY
See “Starting with an auxiliary battery” in
this chapter.
Strictly avoid using a bat-
tery charger to start the
engine: you may damage
the electronic systems, in particu-
lar the ignition and fuel supply con-
trol units.
The liquid contained in the
battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin or eyes. The battery should be
charged in a well ventilated place,
away from naked flames or pos-
sible sources of sparks: danger of
explosion and fire.
WARNING
Do not attempt to charge a
frozen battery: it must
firstly be thawed, otherwise it
may burst. If freezing has occurred,
the battery should be checked by
skilled personnel to make sure that
the internal elements are not dam-
aged and that the body is not
cracked, with the risk of leaking
poisonous and corrosive acid.
WARNING
Page 236 of 291

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
234
CHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANTThe battery charging pro-
cedure is described only for information pur-
poses. This operation should be carried out
by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Charging should be slow at a low amp rat-
ing for 24 hours. Charging for a longer time
may damage the battery.
Charge the battery as follows:
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
– Connect the charger cables to the bat-
tery terminals ensuring that the bias is cor-
rect.
– Turn on the charger.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
The battery charge may be checked satis-
factorily using the indicator, and acting ac-
cording to the colour the indicator shows.
Refer to the table below or to the label
(fig. 10) on the battery itself.
Brilliantwhite colour
Dark colour without green
area in the centre
Dark colour with green area in the centreTop up the electrolyte
Low charge level
Sufficient electrolyte
level and chargeContact Authorised Alfa Romeo
Services
Charge the battery
(you are advised to contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services)
No action
– After charging, turn off the charger be-
fore disconnecting it from the battery.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
IMPORTANTIf the battery is kept with
a charge of below 50% it is damaged by sul-
phation, its starting capability is reduced and
it is also more subject to the possibility of
freezing (this may occur already at -10 °C).
In the event of prolonged inactivity, refer
to the paragraph “Vehicle inactivity”, in the
chapter “Correct use of the car”.
Never attempt to charge a
frozen battery: it must
firstly be thawed, otherwise it
may burst. If freezing has occurred,
the battery should be checked be-
fore charging by specialised per-
sonnel, to make sure that the in-
ternal elements are not damaged
and that the body is not cracked,
with the risk of leaking poisonous
and corrosive acid.
WARNING
Working with a low fluid
level may damage the bat-
tery irreversibly, even causing it to
burst.
WARNING
Page 276 of 291

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
274
A A
L L
P P
H H
A A
B B
E E
T T
I I
C C
A A
L L
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
ABS (Antilock braking system) ..... 134
Accessories purchased by the user... 125
Additional operations
(maintenance) .......................... 224
Additional stop light (third stop) ..... 205
Air bags, front and side ............ 35
- deactivating passenger’s
side air bags ...................... 37
- front air bags ..................... 36
- general cautions ...................... 40
- passenger’s front air bag........... 37
- right hand drive version ............ 259
- side air bags
(side bag - window bag)........... 38
Air cleaner................................... 232
Air re-circulation ........................... 102
Air vents ..................................... 90
Alfa Romeo CODE system .............. 6- operation................................ 9
Annual inspection programme
(maintenance) .......................... 224
Armrest (front) ........................... 18
Armrest (rear) ............................ 21
Ashtray
- front ...................................... 122
- rear ....................................... 123
ASR (system) .............................. 138
Battery ..................................... 233
- advice for preserving
the charge .............................. 235
- charging.......................... 216-234
- checking the charge ................. 234
- replacement............................ 235
- starting with an auxiliary
battery ................................... 216
Body (cleaning) ........................... 240Body marking.............................. 243
Body versions .............................. 244
Bonnet ................................ 130
Boot
- capacity ................................. 253
- extension ........................... 19-20
- lighting .................................. 129
- luggage net ............................ 21
- opening from inside ................. 128
- opening with remote
control ............................... 8-128
- restraining the load .................. 129
- tailgate closing ........................ 129
- warnings for carrying luggage.... 129
Boot light
- changing bulbs ........................ 208
Bose HI-FI system ........................ 172