2006 Alfa Romeo 147 battery

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
176
IMPORTANTThe electric devices
that absorb a high amount of energy (cli-
mate control, rearscreen heating etc.) are
cut off automatically during starting.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, move the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa
Romeo CODE system working properly),
do not insist with prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if the cause
is due to low battery charge. Never use a
battery charger to start the engine.WARMING THE ENGINE
– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometres of the journey. Wait until
the engine coolant temperature reaches
50-60 °C.
SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOPpo-
sition 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 compartment.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
184
PROTECTING EMISSION
REDUCING DEVICES
Correct operation of the anti-pollution de-
vices not only guarantees respect for the en-
vironment but also influences vehicle per-
formance. Keeping these devices in good
condition is therefore the first rule for both
environment-friendly and economy driving.
The first precaution is to closely follow the
“Programmed Maintenance Schedule”. Use
only unleaded petrol (95 RON) (Specifica-
tion EN228).
If difficulty with starting is experienced do
not insist with extended attempts. Especially
avoid bump, tow or coast starts: these may
all damage the catalyst. Only use an auxil-
iary battery to start the car in an emergency.If when driving the engine is not running
smoothly, continue, minimising the need for
engine performance and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services as soon as possible.
When the fuel reserve warning light turns
on, fill up as soon as possible. A low fuel lev-
el may cause an irregular supply to the en-
gine with inevitable increase of the exhaust
gas temperature; this would result in serious
damage to the catalyst.
Never run the engine, even as a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. Do
not warm the engine at idle speed before
moving off, unless the outside temperature
is very low and, in this case too, for no more
than 30 seconds.
Do not spray anything on
the catalyst, lamda sensor
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
The failure to follow these
rules may cause a fire
hazard.
WARNING
Do not install other heat
guards and do not remove
the existing ones on the catalyst
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
During normal service the
catalyst reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore park
the car over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
187
USEFUL ACCESSORIES
Independently of current regulations, we
suggest you keep the following on board
(fig. 2):
– first aid kit containing non-alcoholic dis-
infectant, sterile gauzes, gauze roll, plas-
ters, etc.;
– electric torch;
– rounded scissors;
– work gloves.
fig. 2
A0A0148m
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) from the battery and check the bat-
tery charge. This check should be repeated
once a month during stowage. Charge the
battery if the loadless voltage is below
12.5V.
– Do not empty the engine cooling sys-
tem.
– Cover the vehicle with a fabric or per-
forated plastic cover. Do not use compact
plastic covers which prevent the humidity on
the surface of the vehicle from evaporating.
USING AGAIN
Before using the car again after a pro-
longed period of inactivity, the following op-
erations are recommended:
– Do not dust the outside of the car.
– Check for leaks of fluids (oil, brake and
clutch fluid, engine coolant fluid, etc.).
– Change the engine oil and filter.
– Check the level of brake and clutch flu-
id engine coolant fluid.– Check the air cleaner and change it if
necessary.
– Check the tyre pressure and the tyres
for signs of damage, cuts or cracks. In this
case they need to be changed.
– Check the conditions of the engine belts.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) after checking the battery charge.
– With the gears in neutral, start the en-
gine and let it idle a few minutes, pressing
the clutch pedal repeatedly.
This operation must be car-
ried out in the open.
Exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide which highly toxic and
lethal.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
189
STARTING
WITH AN AUXILIARY BATTERY
If the battery is flat, (for battery with op-
tical hydrometer: dark colour without green
area in the centre), it is possible to start the
engine using an auxiliary battery with the
same capacity or a little higher than the flat
one.
Proceed as follows (fig. 1):
1) Remove the protective cover on the pos-
itive battery post, pressing on the opening
catches (front), then connect the positive
terminals (+sign next to the terminal) of
the two batteries using a special cable.
2) Connect the end of the second jump
lead to the negative terminal (–) of the
auxiliary battery with an earth point
Eon
the engine or gearbox of the vehicle to be
started.IMPORTANTDo not directly connect the
negative terminals of the two batteries: any
sparks may ignite the detonating gas which
could come out of the battery. If the auxil-
iary battery is installed on another car, avoid
metal parts touching accidentally between
this car and the one with the flat battery.
3) Start the engine.
4) When the engine has started, remove
the cables, reversing the sequence followed
for connection.
If after a few attempts the engine does not
start, do not insist but contact the nearest Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Service.
fig. 1
A0A0492m
Never use a battery
charger to start the engine
as this could damage the
electronic systems of your vehicle,
particularly the ignition and fuel
supply control units.
This starting procedure
must be carried out by
qualified personnel because incor-
rect operations may cause electri-
cal discharge of considerable in-
tensity. The liquid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames and light-
ed cigarettes away from the bat-
tery and do not cause sparks.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
210
The fuses of the Alfa 147 GTAare
grouped in three control boxes, to be found
respectively on the dashboard, on the battery
positive pole and next to the actual battery.
Access is gained to the control box on the
dashboard by slackening the two retainers
(A-fig. 50) and removing the protective
trim (B).
To access the fuses in the control unit on
the battery pole, it is necessary operate in
the direction shown by the arrows on the
blocking devices (A-fig. 51) and then
open the 2 covers (B).
To access the fuses of the control unit lo-
cated near the battery, it is necessary to op-
erate in the opposite way on the retaining
devices (C), and then remove cover (D).
To locate the protection fuses, consulting
the summary table on the following pages,
refer to the following illustrations fig. 52,
fig. 53and54.
fig. 50
A0A0186m
fig. 52 - Control box on dashboard
A0A0134mfig. 51
A0A0493m

IN AN EMERGENCY
211fig. 53 - Control box next to battery fig. 54 - Control box on battery positive pole
A0A0494mA0A0495m

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

IN AN EMERGENCY
219
IN THE EVENT
OF AN ACCIDENT
– It is important to keep calm.
– If you are not directly involved, stop at
least a few dozen metres away from the ac-
cident.
– On motorways, stop without blocking
the emergency lane.
– Turn the engine off and the hazard warn-
ing lights on.
– At night, illuminate the place of the ac-
cident with the headlights.
– Take care, do not risk being run over.– Signal the accident placing the triangle
at regulation distance in a clearly visible
place.
– Call the emergency organisation, giving
the most accurate information possible. On
motorways use the special phones provid-
ed.
– In motorway pileups, especially with
poor visibility, the risk of being involved in
other crashes is high. Leave the car imme-
diately and go beyond the guard-rail.
– If the doors are blocked, do not try to
get out of the car breaking the windscreen
which is stratified. The windows and rear
screen are easier to break.
– Remove the ignition key of the vehi-
cles involved.– If you note a smell of fuel or other chem-
ical products, do not smoke and have ciga-
rettes stubbed out.
– To put out fires, even small ones, use
the extinguisher, blankets, sand, or earth.
Never use water.
– If use of the lighting system is not nec-
essary, disconnect the battery negative ter-
minal (–).