Never push, tow or
coast start the vehicle.
This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalyst damaging
it irreversibly.
Remember that the
engine brake and power
steering are not opera-
tional until the engine is started,
therefore, much greater effort
than usual is needed on the brake
pedal and steering wheel.CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
202
For cars with tur-
bocharger in particular,
but for all cars in general,
sharp accelerating should be
avoided before switching the
engine off.
A “kick” on the accelerator
serves no purpose, consumes fuel
pointlessly and may cause seri-
ous damage to the turbocharger
impeller bearings.EMERGENCY STARTING
If the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (warning light
Yon the instru-
ment cluster glowing on steadily) emer-
gency starting may be carried out using
the code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
IMPORTANTIf the engine turns off
with the vehicle on the move, the next
time it is started, the Alfa Romeo CODE
warning light may turn on(
Y). In this
case, check that switching off and starting
the engine again with the vehicle station-
ary, the warning light stays off. If not, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOP
position 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 compart-
ment.
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
204
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts
do not allow the engine to reach optimum
operating temperature. This results in a
significant increase in consumption levels
(from +15 to +30% on the urban cycle)
and emission of harmful substances.
Traffic situations and road
conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied
to situations with heavy traffic, for exam-
ple in queues with frequent use of the
lower gears or in cities with many traffic
lights. Also winding mounting roads and
rough road surfaces adversely affect con-
sumption.
Stopping in the traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. level cross-
ings) it is advisable to switch the engine
off.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car at
a standstill or at idle or high speed: under
these conditions the engine warms up
much more slowly, increasing electrical
consumption and emissions. It is therefore
advisable to move off immediately, slow-
ly, avoiding high speeds. This way the
engine will warm faster.
Pointless manoeuvres
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traf-
fic lights or before switching off the
engine. This and also double declutching is
absolutely pointless on modern cars and
also increase consumption and pollution.
Gearshifting
As soon as the conditions of the traffic
and road allow, use a higher gear.
Using a low gear to obtain brilliant per-
formance increases consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
with speed. Maintain an even as possible
speed, avoiding superfluous braking and
accelerating, which cost in terms of both
fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating heavily taking the engine to
a high speed has a considerably adverse
effect on consumption and emission lev-
els; it is wise to accelerate gradually and
not exceed the maximum torque.
IN AN EMERGENCY
210
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:
after 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
U
warning light turns on (for four seconds)
and then goes off; now release the accel-
erator pedal.8) A quick flash of the
Uwarning light
(for about four seconds) confirms that the
operation has been carried out correctly.
9) Start the engine turning the ignition
key from MARtoAV Vwithout return-
ing 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 Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services, because the emer-
gency 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 starting 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 emer-
gency procedure, the ignition key should
be turned to STOPand the operations
must be repeated 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
221
– after driving for about 10 minutes stop
and check again the tyre pressure; pull up
the handbrake;
If pressure falls below
1.8 bar, stop the car since
the tyre is excessively
damaged and the quick tyre repair
kit Fix & Go automatic cannot
guarantee suitable sealing, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
– if at least 1.8 bar pressure is read, re-
store proper pressure (with engine running
and handbrake on) and restart;
– drive with the utmost care to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Service.You shall absolutely com-
municate that the tyre has
been repaired with the
quick tyre repair kit. Hand the in-
struction brochure to the personnel
charged with treating the tyre re-
paired with the kit.CHECKING AND RESTORING
PRESSURE ONLY
The compressor can be also used just for
restoring pressure. Disconnect the quick con-
nectionA-fig. 18and connect it directly
to the tyre valve fig. 19; in this way the
cylinder is not connected to compressor and
the sealing fluid will not flow into the tyre.
fig. 18
A0A1101b
fig. 19
A0A1102b
IN AN EMERGENCY
244
IF THE VEHICLE IS TO BE TOWED
The tow ring supplied with the vehicle is
housed in the tool box under the boot
mat.
To install the tow ring, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Take the tow ring from the tool box.
– Remove the cover (A) snap-fitted on
the front (fig. 55) or rear (fig. 56)
bumper. To do this, using the flat-bladed
screwdriver provided, protect the tip with
a soft cloth to avoid damaging the car.– Firmly screw the ring in its housing.
fig. 55 - front
A0A0650b
fig. 56 - rear
A0A0670b
Before tightening the
ring carefully clean the
threaded housing. Before
beginning to tow the car, make
sure that the ring is firmly tight-
ened in its threaded housing.
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 result-
ing in the impossibility to steer
the wheels. When towing
remember that without the help
of the engine brake and power
steering greater effort is required
on the pedal and steering wheel.
Do not use flexible cables for
towing and avoid jerks. During
towing operations make sure
that fastening the joint to the car
does not damage the components
in contact with it. When towing
the car, it is compulsory to follow
specific traffic regulations con-
cerning both the towing device
and behaviour on the road.
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
265
Alloy rim painting
involving temperatures
exceeding 150 °C should
be avoided since wheel mechani-
cal characteristics could be
impaired.Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them from
the right of the car to the
left and vice versa.Excessive low pressure
causes overheating of the
tyre with the possibility
of serious damage to it.Remember that vehicle
road holding also depends
on correct tyre inflation
pressure.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel sup-
ply rubber hoses are concerned, carefully
follow the Scheduled Maintenance
Programme. Indeed, ozone, high temper-
atures and the prolonged lack of fluid in
the system may cause hardening and
cracking of the hoses, with possible leaks.
Careful control is therefore necessary. IMPORTANTS
– Where possible, avoid sudden brak-
ing, tyre squealing starts, violent bumps
against kerbs, potholes or obstacles of var-
ious kinds. Prolonged driving on rough
roads may damage the tyres;
– Routinely check the tyres for cuts on
the sides, swellings or uneven tread wear.
If necessary contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services;
– Avoid overloading the vehicle when
travelling: this may cause serious damage
to the wheels and tyres;
– If a tyre is punctured, stop immedi-
ately and change it to avoid damage to
the tyre itself, the rim, suspensions and
steering system;
– 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 per-
sonnel, to see if they can still be used.
Also remember to check the compact
spare wheel;
– In case of replacement, always fit new
tyres, avoiding those of dubious origin;
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