2006 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider ABS

223
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Bright white colourTop up electrolyte Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Dark colour withoutLow charge level Charge the battery
green area in the centre(advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services)
Dark colour withElectrolyte level and charge No action
green area in the centresufficient
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited mainte-
nance” type: under normal conditions
of use the electrolyte does not need top-
ping up with distilled water.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
The battery charge may be checked sat-
isfactorily through the indicator A-fig.
12and acting according to the colour
the indicator shows.
Refer to the table below.
A0F0127mfig. 12
After connecting/discon-
necting the battery, wait
for 3 minutes at least be-
fore fitting the electronic key in-
to the ignition device in order to
allow the climate control system
control unit to reset the positions
of the electric actuators that ad-
just air temperature and distrib-
ution.
IMPORTANT The charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.

224
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LIGHTS AND
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
REPLACING
THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Service schedule in this section will
no longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car. If after buying
the car, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm,
free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, check-
ing whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding
the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
If the car is left inactive
for long periods at cold,
remove the battery and store
it in a warm place to prevent
freezing.
WARNING
When working on the
battery or near it, al-
ways wear the proper gog-
gles.
WARNING
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services,
which is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries re-
specting nature and the law.
The liquid in the bat-
tery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring
naked flames or possible
sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
WARNING
Running the battery
with low fluid level can
damage the battery beyond
repair and could also cause its
explosion.
WARNING

225
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LIGHTS AND
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MAINTENANCE
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INDEX
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AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
lengthen its life, observe the following
indications:
❒when you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly;
❒the ceiling lights must be off. The car
is however provided with an auto-
matic system for switching off inter-
nal lights;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g.: sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
battery negative terminal cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be
perfectly tightened.
IMPORTANTA battery which is kept
at a charge of less than 50% (optical in-
dicator with dark colour without green
area in the middle) for any length of
time will be damaged by sulphation
leading to a reduction in cranking pow-
er.
Moreover, this might lead to a higher
risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10°C). If the
car is inactive for a long period of time,
refer to “Car inactivity”, in section “Cor-
rect use of the car”. If after buying the car, you want to in-
stall electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric ab-
sorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is capable of withstand-
ing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more pow-
erful battery. In fact, since these devices
continue absorbing energy even when
the ignition key is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
The total intake of these systems (factory and after-market) must be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery) as shown in
the following table:
Battery Maximum admitted stand-by intake
50 Ah 30 mA
60 Ah 36 mA
70 Ah 42 mA
90 Ah 54 mA

233
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LIGHTS AND
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INDEX
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AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARUpholstery of your car
has been designed to
withstand wear deriv-
ing from common use of the car.
You are however recommended
to avoid strong and/or contin-
uous scratching with clothing ac-
cessories such as metallic buck-
les, studs, Velcro fastenings and
the like, since these items cause
circumscribed stress of the cov-
er fabric that could lead to yarn
breaking, and damage the cov-
er as a consequence. 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.
IMPORTANTThe car should be
washed with the engine cold and the key
removed from the ignition device. After
washing make sure that the various pro-
tections (e.g. rubber caps and various cov-
ers) have not been damaged or removed.
INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause oxidisation of the
sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND
FABRIC AND VELVET PARTS
Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if
the brush is moistened.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral de-
tergent.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
Remove dried on dirt with lightly moist-
ened chamois leather or cloth without
pressing too hard.
Remove liquid or grease stains with a dry
absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap.If the stain persists, use specific prod-
ucts, carefully following the instructions
for use.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or al-
cohol-based products.

236
SAFETY
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MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
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AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARIDENTIFICATION LABEL
This is to be found in the engine com-
partment, aside the upper right shock-
absorber connection and it bears the fol-
lowing identification data:
A.Space for details of national ho-
mologation
B.Space for punching the consecutive
chassis number
IDENTIFICATION
DATA
You are advised to note the identifica-
tion codes. The identification data
stamped and given on the plates and
their position are the following
fig. 1:
1- Identification label
2- Body label
3- Bodywork paint identification label
4- Engine label.C.Space available for maximum
weights authorised by various national
regulations
D.Space for version and any supple-
mentary indications to those specified
E.Space for smoke coefficient (diesel
versions only)
F.Space for punching the Manufactur-
er’s name.
A0F0045mfig. 1A0F0013mfig. 2

255
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
– replacing .......................... 224
– useful advice for
lengthening the life ............ 225
Bodywork (cleaning) ............... 230
Bonnet .................................. 96
Boot ..................................... 91
– light replacement .............. 192
Brakes .................................. 241
Brake lights ........................... 188
Bulb (replacement) ................. 182
– general instructions ............ 182
– types of bulbs ................... 183
Capacities ....................... 111-250
Car inactivity ............................152
Car maintenance .................209
– periodical checks ............... 213
– service Schedule ................ 211
– scheduled service .............. 210
– use of the car under heavy
conditions ......................... 213
Carrying children safely ............ 123– passenger’s seat compliance 126
Ceiling lights .......................... 75
Checking fluid levels ................ 214
Cigar lighter ........................... 82
Climate control system ............ 49
– automatic two-zone ........... 54
– manual ............................ 51
CO
2emissions ........................ 254
CODE card ............................. 11
Containing running costs ........... 145
Controls ................................. 77
Correct use of the car...... 137
Courtesy mirror light
– bulb replacement................ 191
Cruise Control ......................... 72
Dashboard ............................. 8
Dashboard and controls... 6
Dashboard buttons .................. 67
DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) ... 114
Diesel fuel filter . ..................... 222 ABS system ........................... 100
Accessories purchased
by the owner ........................ 107
Additional heater .................... 64
Air/pollen filter ....................... 222
Air vents ................................ 50
Alarm ................................... 17
Alfa Romeo CODE system ......... 9
Armrest
– central ............................. 80
– rear ................................. 81
Ashtray .................................. 82
ASR system ............................ 104
At the filling station ........... 111-250
Automatic headlight sensor ....... 66
Automatic two zone
climate control system ........... 54
Battery
– checking the charge ........... 223
– jump starting .................... 170
– recharging ........................ 204
I I I I
N N N N
D D D D
E E E E
X X X X