2005 Alfa Romeo GT ignition

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
43
GENERAL CAUTIONS
If the ¬warning light does
not turn on when turning
the ignition key to MAR or
if it stays on when travelling, this
could indicate a failure in safety re-
taining systems; under this condi-
tion air bags or pretensioners could
not trigger in the event of collision
or, in a restricted number of cas-
es, they could trigger accidentally.
Stop the car and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
Do not cover the back rest
of front seats with trims or
covers there are not set for
the use of side bags.Never travel with objects
on your lap, in front of the
chest or with a pipe, pen-
cil, etc. Serious injury may result in
the case of the air bag being trig-
gered.
Always keep your hands
on the steering wheel rim
when driving, so that if the
air bag is triggered, it can inflate
without meeting obstacles. Do not
drive with the body bent forwards,
keep the seat back rest in the erect
position and lean your back well
against it.
If the car has been stolen
or an attempt to steal it
has been made, if it has
been subjected to vandals or
floods, have the air bag system
checked by Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
You are reminded that
when the ignition key is
engaged and in the MAR
position, even with the engine off,
the air bags can be triggered also
on a stationary vehicle, if it is
bumped by another moving vehi-
cle. Therefore, even with the car
stationary, never allow children on
the front seat. You are also re-
minded that with the ignition key
engaged in the STOP position, the
safety devices (air bags or preten-
sioners) are not triggered in the
event of an impact; in this case the
failure to trigger the air bags
should not be considered a system
failure.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
44
STEERING WHEEL
LEVERS
The devices and services controlled by
the levers on the steering wheel can only
be activated with the ignition key at
MAR.
LEFT-HAND LEVER
The left-hand lever controls the outer
lights except for the fog lamps and rear
fog guards.
When the outer lights are switched on,
the various controls on the dashboard are
illuminated.
Only with the ignition key at PARK,
regardless of the position of the knurled
ring, the sidelights and number plate
lights stay on.
Position (1or2-fig. 60) of the lever
causes the turning on only of the side-
lights (front and rear), on the right or left
respectively.
Lights switched off(fig. 55)
When the pointer in the knurled ring is
opposite the symbol O, the outer lights
are switched off. Turning the ignition key to
MAR, the
Fwarning light
(with the passenger’s front
air bag deactivation switch at ON)
turns on and flashes for a few sec-
onds to remind that the passen-
ger’s air bag will be activated in
the event of a crash, then it goes
off.The front air bags are de-
signed to be triggered for
heavier crashes than the
pretensioners. It is therefore nor-
mal for the pretensioners only to
be triggered for crashes within the
two activation thresholds.
Do not hook rigid objects
to the coat hooks and to
the support handles.
The air bag does not re-
place the seat belts, but in-
creases their effectiveness.
Additionally, as the front air bags
are not triggered for head-on-col-
lision at low speed, side crashes,
crashes from behind or overturn-
ing, in these cases the occupants
are protected only by the seat
belts, which must, therefore, al-
ways be fastened. Do not wash the seat
back with pressurised wa-
ter or steam (by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
48
At each start, the rain sensor automati-
cally stabilises at a temperature of about
40°C to eliminate any condensation from
the control surface and prevent the forma-
tion of ice.
The rain sensor is able to detect and
automatically adapt to the presence of the
following particular conditions which
require different sensitivity:
– impurities on the control surface (salt,
dirt, etc.);
– streaks of water caused by worn wiper
blades;
– difference between day and night (the
human eye is more disturbed during the
night by the wet glass surface). Rain sensor(fig. 64)
The rain sensor (A), fitted only on cer-
tain versions, is an electronic device com-
bined with the windscreen wiper which
has the purpose of automatically adjusting
the number of wipes during intermittent
operation to the intensity of the rain.
All the other functions controlled by the
right-hand lever remain unchanged.
The rain sensor is activated automatical-
ly moving the right-hand lever to position
(B-fig. 62) and it has a range of adjust-
ment that gradually varies between wiper
stationary (no wiping) when the wind-
screen is dry, to wiper at first continuous
speed (continuous, slow) with heavy rain.Turning the knurled ring (F-fig. 62) it
is possible to increase the sensitivity of the
rain sensor, obtaining a quicker change
from stationary, when the windscreen is
dry, to first continuous speed (continuous,
slow).
Operating the windscreen washer with
the rain sensor activated (lever at position
B) the normal washing cycle is performed
at the end of which the rain sensor
resumes its normal automatic function.
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe
rain sensor is deactivated and the next
time the engine is started (MAR posi-
tion) it will not be reactivated even if the
lever has remained in position (B). In this
case to activate the rain sensor, simply
move the lever to (A) or (C) and then
back to (B).
When the rain sensor is reactivated in
this way, the wiper performs at least one
stroke, even if the windscreen is dry, to
indicate that reactivation has occurred.
The rain sensor is located behind the
inner rear-view mirror in contact with the
windscreen and inside the area cleaned by
the wiper and it controls an electronic con-
trol unit which in turn controls the wiper
motor.
fig. 64
A0A0331b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
50
TO MEMORISE THE SPEED
Move the ring (A) to ONand take the
car to the required speed normally. Turn
the ring (B) to (+) for at least three sec-
onds, then release it. The car speed is
memorised and it is therefore possible to
release the accelerator pedal.
The car will continue to travel at the
memorised constant speed until one of
the following conditions takes place:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– if the ASR, MSR or VDC system cuts
in;
– with Selespeed transmission if a gear
is changed;
– inadvertent movement of the
Selespeed gear control lever to position
N.
IMPORTANTIn the case of need
(when overtaking for instance) accelera-
tion is possible simply pressing the accel-
erator pedal; later, releasing the accelera-
tor pedal, the car will return to the speed
memorised previously.
TO RESET THE
MEMORISED SPEED
If the device has been disengaged for
example pressing the brake or clutch
pedal, the memorised speed can be reset
as follows:
– accelerate gradually until reaching a
speed approaching the one memorised;
– engage the gear selected at the time
of speed memorising (4th, 5th or 6th
speed);
– press the RESbutton (C).
TO INCREASE THE
MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased
in two ways:
1) pressing the accelerator and then
memorising the new speed reached (turn-
ing the ring to (B) for more than three sec-
onds);
or
2) momentaneously turning the ring (B)
to (+): each pulse of the ring will corre-
spond to a slight increase in speed (about
1.5 km/h) while pressing continuously
will correspond to a continuous speed
increase. Releasing the ring (B) the new
speed will be memorised automatically. –ONis the normal operating position
of the device. When the ring (A) is in this
position, the warning light
Üon the
instrument cluster turns on.
Ring (B) serves for memorising and
maintaining the car sped or for increasing
or lowering the speed memorised.
Turn the ring (B) to (+) to memorise
the speed reached or increase the speed
memorised.
Turn the ring (B) to (–) to lower the
speed memorised.
Each time the ring is actuated (B) the
speed increases or lowers by about 1.5
km/h.
Keeping the ring turned the speed
changes continuously. The new speed
reached will be maintained automatically.
TheRESbutton (C) resets the memo-
rised speed.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key
toSTOPor the ring (A) to OFF, the
speed memorised is cleared and the sys-
tem is switched off.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
52
DASHBOARD
(As concerns right-hand drive versions, see dashboard and instrument panel controls described in the dedicated paragraph at the end of this
manual)
1. Side swivel air vents - 2. Fixed side window air vents - 3. Outer light control lever - 4. Speedometer with mileage recorder and trip recorder and headlamp
aiming display - 5. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - 6. Multifunction display - 7. Engine coolant fluid temperature gauge - 8. Rev counter - 9. Tail-
gate release button - 10. Car holder (for versions/markets where applicable) - 11. Radio (for versions/markets where applicable) - 12. Centre swivel air
vents - 13. Fixed upper vent - 14. Glass holder (for versions/markets where applicable) - 15. Fog lamp button - 16. Hazard warning light switch - 17. Rear
fog guard button - 18. Passenger’s front Air bag - 19. Glove-box - 20. Door locking button - 21. Controls for heating, ventilation and climate control - 22. Cig-
ar lighter/ashtray cover - 23. Temperature sensor - 24. Windscreen wiper control lever - 25. Ignition key and switch - 26. Horn - 27. Steering wheel lock-
ing/release lever - 28. Driver’s front Air bag - 29. Set of controls: trip meter reset, headlamp aiming device, trip computer - 30. Bonnet opening lever.
fig. 67
A0A0618b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
56
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WITH
RESERVE INDICATOR
This shows the amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank.
The warning light
K(A-fig. 76) turns
on to indicate that approx. 7 litres of fuel
are left in the tank.
IMPORTANTUnder certain conditions
(heavy slopes, for instance), the reading on
the gauge may differ from the actual
amount of fuel in the tank and changes in
level may be indicated late.
This condition falls within the operation
logics of the electronic control circuit to
avoid highly unstable readings due to
swaying of the fuel when travelling.
IMPORTANTRefuelling shall always be
performed with engine off and ignition key
atSTOP. If the engine is off but the key is
atMAR, a wrong fuel level could tem-
porarily be indicated. This is due to the inter-
nal system control logic and cannot be con-
sidered as a system malfunctioning.
ENGINE COOLANT FLUID
TEMPERATURE GAUGE WITH
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
WARNING LIGHT
This shows the temperature of the
engine coolant fluid and begins when the
fluid temperature exceeds approx. 50°C.
Normally the pointer should be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer
reaches the higher temperatures of the
scale (red area) the request for vehicle
performance should be decreased.
The turning on of the
u(B-fig. 76)
warning light(on some versions together
with the message shown on the reconfig-
urablemultifunction display) indicates that
the coolant fluid temperature is too high;
in this case, stop the engine and contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.IMPORTANTThe temperature of the
engine coolant may rise towards the max-
imum values (red zone) when the vehicle
is driven at low speeds, especially when
the ambient air temperature is high. In
this case it is advisable to stop the vehicle
and switch off the engine for a few min-
utes, after which the journey can be
resumed, preferably at a higher speed.
fig. 76
A0A0668b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
57
DIGITAL MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY (where fitted)
The digital multifunction display shows the following: clock, outside temperature, buzzer setting (buzzer on/off), rheostat (light adjust-
ment), condition of the inertial fuel cut-off switch (FPS on).
CONTROL BUTTONS (fig. 75)
To make use of the information the digital display (with the ignition key at MAR) is able to give, you should firstly familiarise with the
control buttons on the plate at the side of the steering column, using them as described in the following paragraphs. Before doing anything
at all, you are advised to read this chapter in full.
To increase the value displayed
To decrease the value displayed Press for less than 1 second (pulse), indicated with
Qin the following
descriptions, to access the various adjustments
Press for more than 2 seconds, indicated with
Rin the following descrip-
tions, to confirm the choice required and return to the previous display
IMPORTANTWhen the standard display is on (clock + outside temperatured), pressing
âorãthe lighting adjustment rheostat is turned on.
fig. 75
A0A0022b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
61
T
CONTROL BUTTONS (fig. 82-83)
To use the information the reconfigurable multifunction display is able to give (with the ignition key at MAR) you should familiarise with
the control buttons (on the plate at the side of the steering column and on the top of the right lever) using them as described below. Before
doing anything you are also advised to read this chapter in full.
fig. 82
fig. 83Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated with
Tin the following dia-
grams to move to the next screen
Press for more than 4 seconds indicated with
Uin the following diagrams to
reset and then start a new journey
To scroll the display and the related options, upwards or to increase the value
displayed depending on the case
To scroll the display and the related options, downwards or decrease the value
displayed according to the case Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated with
Qin the following dia-
grams, to confirm the choice required and/or move to the next screen or
access the Menu
Press for more than 2 seconds indicated with
Rin the following diagrams,
to confirm the choice required and return to the standard screen
A0A0022b
A0A0619b
IMPORTANTButtonsâandãacivate different functions depending on the follow-
ing situations:
- When the standard screen is activated, they allow adjustment of the inner lighting (rheo-
stat)
- Within the menu they allow scrolling up or down
- They make it possible to increase or decrease during setting operations.