2005 Alfa Romeo GT check engine light

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
259
Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reser-
voir empty: the action of
the windscreen washer is funda-
mental for improving vision.
To avoid damaging the
pump motor, do not use the
windscreen/rearscreen
washers when the reservoir is
empty.
Some commercial addi-
tives for windscreen wash-
ers are inflammable. The
engine compartment contains hot
components which may set it on
fire.
IMPORTANTBrake and hydraulic
clutch fluid is hygroscopic (i.e. it absorbs
moisture). For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree of
atmospheric humidity, the fluid should be
replaced at more frequent intervals than
specified in the Scheduled Maintenance
Programme.
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN
HEADLIGHT WASHER FLUID
(fig. 11)
Open the cap (A) and check the level in
the reservoir.
If necessary top up using a mixture of
water and TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid as follows:
– 30% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 70% water in summer;
– 50% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 50% water in winter;
– in the case of temperatures below -
20°C use TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid neat. Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and highly cor-
rosive. In the event of
accidental contact, wash the
parts concerned immediately with
neutral soap and water, then
rinse thoroughly. See a doctor at
once if the fluid is swallowed.
Theπsymbol on the
container indicates syn-
thetic brake fluid, distin-
guishing it from the mineral kind.
Using mineral fluids irreversibly
damages the special braking sys-
tem rubber seals.
fig. 11
A0A0242b

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
263
2.close the driver's window completely
keepingthe button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after window closing (win-
dow upper stop);
3.repeat the same procedure (point 1
and 2) also for the front passenger's win-
dow;
4.check for proper initialisation by oper-
ating the windows automatically.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid rapidly draining the battery and
ensure that it continues to work correctly,
the following should be noted:
– The terminals must always be firmly
tightened.
– Within reason, avoid using electrical de-
vices for a long time when the engine is
switched off (radio, hazard warning lights,
parking lights, etc.). IMPORTANTIf the battery is kept
with a charge of below 50% it is damaged
by sulphation, 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 a pro-
longed inactivity, refer to the paragraph
“Vehicle inactivity”, in the chapter
“Correct use of the car”.
CHANGING THE BATTERY
When changing the battery it should be
replaced with another original one with
the same characteristics. If it is replaced
by a battery with different characteristics,
the maintenance intervals given in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme in
this chapter are no longer valid and for
maintenance it will be necessary to follow
the battery Manufacturer’s instructions.
IMPORTANTAfter control unit power
disconnection (battery replacement or dis-
connection and replacement of power win-
dow control unit protection fuses), the
power window automatism shall be
restored.
Proceed as follows with doors closed:
1.open the driver's window completely
keepingthe button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after window opening
(window lower stop);– When the vehicle is parked in a garage,
ensure that the doors, bonnet, boot and in-
ner lids are closed properly so that the lights
do not stay on permanently.
– Before carrying out any work on the
electric system, disconnect the negative ca-
ble from the battery.
– If after buying the car, you wish to in-
stall electric accessories which require a per-
manent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft func-
tion etc.) or accessories that burden the elec-
tric system, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most suitable de-
vices belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the vehicle’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding the load re-
quired, or whether it should be integrated
with a more powerful battery. In fact, as
some of these devices continue absorbing
energy even when the ignition key is off (car
stationary, engine off), they gradually drain
the battery.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
267
HEADLIGHT WASHERS
(fig.17)
Regularly check that the spray jets are
intact and clean.
If it is necessary to direct the jet, contact
an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are:
– atmospheric pollution
– salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates)
– seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the
abrasive action of wind-borne atmospheric
dust and sand and mud and gravel raised
by other vehicles.
On your car Alfa Romeo has implement-
ed the best manufacturing technologies to
effectively protect the bodywork against
corrosion.
fig. 17
A0A0704b
These include:
– Painting products and systems which
give the vehicle particular resistance to
corrosion and abrasion.
– Use of galvanised (or pretreated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to corro-
sion.
– Spraying of the underbody, engine
compartment, wheel arches and other
parts with highly protective wax products.
– Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner wheel arch lin-
ings, etc.
– Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of mois-
ture from triggering rust inside.
VEHICLE EXTERIOR AND
UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Alfa GTis guaranteed against perfo-
ration due to rust of any original element
of the structure or body. For the general
terms of this warranty, refer to the
Warrantly Booklet.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
269
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electronic
control units. Contact a specialised work-
shop to have this done.
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the en-
gine compartment should
be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid
used in the washing process.
IMPORTANTThe vehicle should be
washed with the engine cold and the igni-
tion key at STOP. After washing make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber
caps and various covers) have not been
damaged or removed. Windows
Use specific products to clean the win-
dows. Use clean cloths to avoid scratching
or altering the transparency of the glass.
IMPORTANTThe inside of the
rearscreen should be wiped gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.
Front headlights
IMPORTANTDo not use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g. petroleum) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) to clean the front headlight plas-
tic transparents.
Never use inflammable
products like fuel oil ether
or rectified petrol for
cleaning inside the car. The elec-
trostatic charges generated when
rubbing to clean may cause fire.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water drip-
ping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.) which
could cause oxidisation on the sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND FABRIC
AND VELVET PARTS
– Use a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner
to remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if
the brush is moistened.
– Rub the seat with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral deter-
gent.

INDEX
291
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
ABS system .............................. 150
Accessories purchased by the user .. 144
Additional stop light (third stop) .... 230
Air bags
- deactivating passenger’s air bag 40
- driver’s front air bag ................ 39
- front air bags ......................... 38
- general cautions ..................... 43
- passenger’s front air bag .......... 40
- side air bags
(side bag - window bag) .......... 41
Air cleaner .................................. 260
Air re-circulation .................... 105-120
Air vents ............................... 100-101
Alfa Romeo CODE ........................ 6
Armrest (front/rear) .............. 17-22
Ashtray (front/ rear) ............ 140 -141
ASR (system) ............................. 154
Battery ..................................... 261
- advice for preserving
the charge ............................. 263- checking the charge ................ 262
- replacement ........................... 263
- starting with an auxiliary
battery .................................. 211
Body marking/versions ......... 271-272
Bonnet ...................................... 147
Boot
- capacity ................................ 279
- extension .............................. 19
- lighting ................................. 146
- luggage net ........................... 22
- opening button ................ 124-145
- opening from inside ................ 145
- opening with remotecontro 18-145
- restraining the ........................ 146
- tailgate closing ....................... 146
- tailgate emergency opening ..... 146
- warnings for carrying luggage ... 146
Boot light
- changing bulbs ....................... 235
Brakes- checking fluid level
and topping up ....................... 258
- handbrake ............................. 126
- specifications ......................... 275
Braking lights (third stop) ............ 231
- changing bulbs ....................... 230
Bulbs replacement ....................... 221
Card holder ............................... 141
Cell phones (provision) ................ 143
Changing a wheel ....................... 212
Changing bulbs ........................... 222
Checking levels ........................... 253
Children (carrying safely) ............. 32
Cigar lighter ............................... 141
Cleaning and maintenance
- body ..................................... 268
- car interior ............................. 270
- engine compartment ............... 269
- fabric seats ............................ 270
- leather seats .......................... 270
- plastic parts ........................... 270