2005 Alfa Romeo GT engine

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
137
PARKING THE CAR
To park the car safely it is absolutely nec-
essary to engage first gear (1) or reverse
(R) and also the handbrake if the road is
on a slope.
Turning off the engine with the car on an
uphill slope and a gear engaged, it is ab-
solutely necessary to wait for the display
showing the gear engaged to go off before
releasing the brake pedal, so that the clutch
is completely closed.
If the gearbox is in neutral (N) and want-
ing to engage a parking gear, the system
should be activated and with the foot on the
brake pedal it is necessary to engage (1)
or (R).
TOWING THE CAR
IMPORTANTFor towing the car follow
local regulations. Make sure that the gear-
box is in neutral (N) (checking that the car
moves if pushed) and tow as for a car with
normal mechanical gearbox following the
instructions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
Should it be impossible to set to neutral,
do not tow the vehicle; contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
While towing the car do
not start the engine.
BUZZER WARNINGS
The buzzer is activated when:
– reverse gear is engaged (R);
– the car is parked with the gearbox in
neutral (N); signal that can be noted turn-
ing the ignition key to STOP;
– clutch overheating occurs when moving
off;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged (e.g.: the car moves
downwards with reverse gear engaged);
– the system has shifted automatically
to neutral (N) when:
no action is made on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 minutes;
or the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;
or the driver’s door is opened and no ac-
tion is made on the accelerator and brake
for at least 1 second;
or a gearbox failure has been detected.
– In the event of gearbox failure.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
147fig. 149
A0A0707b
Do this only with the car
stationary.
DANGER-SERIOUS IN-
JURY. When carrying out
checks or maintenance op-
erations in the engine compart-
ment, take special care not to bump
the head on the raised bonnet.
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.
BONNET
The bonnet opening lever is under the left
end of the dashboard.
To open:
– pull the lever (A-fig. 148) until the
bonnet clicks open.
– press the safety lever (A-fig. 149)
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. 148
A0A0135b
Do not load the boot
above the permitted max-
imum (see “Technical spec-
ifications”). Also make sure that
the objects contained in the boot
are well secured to prevent them
from being thrown forward, caus-
ing harm to the passengers.
A heavy load that has not
been secured may cause
serious harm to passen-
gers.
If you want to carry re-
serve fuel in a can, follow
legal regulations, only us-
ing a certified can, suitably fastened
to the load securing eyelets. Even
in this way the risk of fire is in-
creased in the case of an accident.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
148
Scarves, ties and other
loose clothing might be
pulled by moving parts.
For safety reasons the
bonnet shall always be
perfectly closed when trav-
elling. Always check for proper
bonnet locking. If the bonnet is left
inadvertently open, stop the car
immediately and close the bonnet.
To close:
– lower the bonnet until approx. 20 cm
from the engine compartment and then let
it drop, ensuring it is fully closed and not just
held in position by the safety catch.
If the bonnet does not close properly do
not push it down but open it again and re-
peat the above procedure.
HEADLIGHTS
The adjustment of the headlights is vital to
your safety and comfort and to that of oth-
er road users.
The adjustment of the headlights is also
governed by precise regulations.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to
have the headlights correctly adjusted.
IMPORTANTThe headlight inner sur-
face may get slightly misted: this does not
mean it is faulty; it is a natural phenome-
non due to low temperature and the air hu-
midity level. Misting will disappear as soon
as the headlights are turned on. The pres-
ence of water drops inside the headlight in-
dicates water infiltration: contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
COMPENSATION FOR TILT
(fig. 150)
When the vehicle is loaded, the beam from
the headlights is raised due to the back-
wards tilt of the vehicle.
In this case the headlights must be ad-
justed correctly.
To do this, use the rocker button (A), on
the plate at the side of the steering column:
– press the arrow on the button (
A), to
increase by one position (e.g.:0
➟1➟2➟
3);
– press the arrow on the button (
S), this will low-
er by one position (e.g.:3
➟2➟1➟0);
The display (B) in the tachometer shows
the positions while adjustment is being ma
fig. 150
A0A0093b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
151
Always take due care when braking on
bends, even with the help of the ABS.
The most important advice of all, howev-
er, is this:
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the pulsing on the
pedal, do not lighten the
pressure, but keep the pedal firm-
ly pressed with no fear; this way
you will stop in the least space
possible, compatibly with the con-
ditions of the road surface.
Following these instructions you will be
in the best braking condition under all cir-
cumstances.
IMPORTANTCars fitted with ABS may
only be fitted with the wheel rims, tyres and
brake linings of type and brand approved by
the Manufacturer.
The system is completed by the EBD (Elec-
tronic Brake Distributor) which distributes
the braking action through the control unit
and the ABS system sensors.The car is fitted with an
electronic braking distribu-
tor (EBD). If the
>andx
warning lights turn on simultane-
ously with the engine running, this
indicates an EBD system failure; in
this case with sharp braking the
rear wheels might lock too early,
with the possibility of skidding.
Driving extremely carefully, go to
the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service to have the system
checked.
The turning on of only the
>warning light with the
engine running normally in-
dicates a fault to the ABS system
only. In this case the braking sys-
tem is still efficient, though with-
out the aid of the anti-lock device.
Under these conditions perfor-
mance of the EBD system may be
reduced. In this case too, you are
advised to go immediately to the
nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service to have the system checked
over, driving in such a way as to
avoid sharp braking.
If the low brake fluid lev-
el
xwarning light turns
on, stop the car immedi-
ately and contact the nearest Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service. Any
loss of fluid from the hydraulic sys-
tem will negatively affect the op-
eration of the braking system be it
of the conventional type or of the
type with ABS.
If the compact spare wheel
is used, operation of the
ABS system is cut off and
the
>warning light on the instru-
ment cluster turns on.
IMPORTANTIf the battery is run down
the
>andxwarning lights might turn
on when starting the engine and go off af-
ter starting. This should not be considered
as a fault but as a warning that during start-
ing the ABS is not active. The turning off
of the warning lights ensures normal system
operation.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(upon request for
versions/markets where
provided)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols vehicle stability, intervening on the dri-
ving torque and braking the wheels in a dif-
ferentiated manner, in the lack of grip, it
helps to bring the car back to the correct
direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
intervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
The VDC system is engaged automatical-
ly when the car is started and cannot be
switched off.
The basic components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheels;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit, which with the data supplied
by the sensors installed on the car calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor, which
originates from the aeronautical industry, de-
tects the rotations of the car around its own
vertical axis. The centrifugal forces gener-
ated when the car is cornering are detect- The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case always be
adapted to the conditions of the
road surface, visibility and traffic.
The responsibility for road safety
is always and in any case the dri-
ver’s.
The VDC system helps the driver to keep
the car under control in the event of a loss
of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC system to
control the loss of vehicle stability always
depend on the grip between the tyre and
the road surface.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
153
ed by a highly sensitive lateral acceleration
sensor.
The stabilising action of the VDC system is
based on the calculations of the system elec-
tronic control unit, which processes the sig-
nals received from the steering wheel rota-
tion sensor, acceleration sensor and rotation
speed sensor of each wheel. These signals
allow the control unit to recognise the ma-
noeuvre the driver intends to do when the
steering wheel is turned.
The control unit processes the information
received from the sensors and therefore is
able to know the position of the car instant
by instant and compares it with the course
the driver would like to follow. In the event
of a discrepancy, in a fraction of a second
the control unit chooses and commands the
most suitable intervention to bring the car
immediately back to the required course:
braking one or more wheels at different in-
tensity and, if necessary, reducing the pow-
er transmitted by the engine.
The corrective actions are modified and
controlled continuously in seeking the course
required by the driver.
The action of VDC system considerably en-
hances the active safety of the car in very
critical situations and it is particularly help-
ful when the grip conditions of the road sur-
face change.For the VDC system to
work correctly, the tyres
must be of the same brand
and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and above all of the
specified type, brand and size.CUTTING IN
OF THE VDC SYSTEM
The cutting in of the VDC system is indi-
cated by the flashing of the
áwarning light
on the instrument cluster, to inform the dri-
ver that the car is in critical conditions of sta-
bility and grip.
VDC system
failure warning
In the event of a failure the VDC system
disengages automatically and the
áwarn-
ing light on the instrument cluster turns on
glowing steadily, together with the message
on the reconfigurable multifunction display.
In the event of an VDC system failure the
car behaves like a vehicle not fitted with this
system: in any case it is advisable to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon
as possible.During use of the compact
spare wheel, the VDC sys-
tem continues working. It
should be borne in mind that the
spare wheel is smaller than a nor-
mal tyre, therefore its grip is low-
er than that of the other tyres of
the car.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
154
SWITCHING ON
THE ASR FUNCTION
The ASR function switches on automati-
cally each time the engine is started.
When travelling the device can be switched
off and on again pressing switch (A-
fig. 153) on the centre console.
When the device is switched off this is
shown by the lighting up of the led on the
switch itself.
If the function is switched off when trav-
elling, it will turn on again automatically the
next time the engine is started.
fig. 153
A0A0639b
ASR SYSTEM
(Antislip Regulation)
(upon request for
versions/markets where
provided)
The ASR function controls the vehicle dri-
ve and cuts in automatically every time one
or both driving wheels slip.
In slipping conditions, tow different control
systems are activated:
1) if slipping involves both driving wheels,
being caused by excessive power transmit-
ted, the ASR device cuts in reducing the pow-
er transmitted by the engine.
2) if slipping involves only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in automatical-
ly braking the wheel that is slipping, with
an effect similar to that of a self-locking dif-
ferential.The performance of the
system in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case be adapted
to the conditions of the road sur-
face, visibility and traffic. Road
surface is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
The action of the ASR is particularly help-
ful in the following circumstances:
– slipping of the inner wheel on a bend,
due to the effect of dynamic load changes
or excessive acceleration.
– too much power transmitted to the
wheels also in relation to the conditions of
the road surface.
– acceleration on slippery, snowy or frozen
surfaces.
– in the case of loss of grip on a wet sur-
face (aquaplaning).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
155
ASR system
failure warning
In the event of a fault, the ASR system
switches off automatically and the
Vwarn-
ing light on the instrument cluster turns on,
together with the message on the reconfig-
urable multifunction display.
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.
MSR SYSTEM
(Engine drive adjustment)
The car is fitted with a special system, in-
tegral with the ASR system, that in case of
sudden gear shifting, cuts in providing torque
to the engine thus preventing excessive dri-
ving wheel drive that, specially in poor grip
conditions, can lead to loss of stability.
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board Di-
agnosis) allows continuous diagnosis of the
components of the car correlated with emis-
sions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the
warning light
Uon the instrument panel
(on some versions together with the mes-
sage + symbol on the reconfigurable multi-
function display) (see section “Warning
lights and messages”), when these condi-
tions are no longer in peak conditions.
The objective is:
– to keep the system efficiency under con-
trol;
– to warn when a fault causes emission
levels to increase;
– to warn of the need to replace deterio-
rated 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. This
check can also be carried out by the traffic
police. During use of the compact
spare wheel, the ASR func-
tion is cut off and the
V
warning light on the instrument
cluster turns on glowing steadily
together with the message on the
reconfigurable multifunction dis-
play.
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.
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.