2006 Alfa Romeo GT power steering

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
14
IGNITION DEVICE
SWITCH(fig. 8)
The key can be turned to one of four
positions:
–STOP: engine switched off, key can
be removed, engine inhibitor engaged,
steering lock engaged, services excluded
apart from those supplied directly (e.g.
hazard warning lights).
–MAR: drive position. The engine lock
is deactivated and all electrical devices are
powered.
fig. 8
A0A0016b
When leaving the vehicle
always remove the key
from the ignition to pre-
vent any occupants of the vehicle
from accidentally activating the
controls. Never leave children in
the vehicle unaccompanied. Re-
member to engage the handbrake
and, if the vehicle is parked on an
uphill slope, to engage the first
gear. If the vehicle is facing down-
hill, engage reverse gear.
If the ignition device is
tampered with (for exam-
ple an attempted theft)
have it checked over by Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services before
travelling again.
IMPORTANTDo not leave the key in
this position when the engine is stopped.
–AV V: unstable position for starting
the engine.
IMPORTANTIf the engine fails to
start move the key back to STOPand
repeat.
The ignition switch has a safety device
which prevents passage to AV Vwhen
the engine is running.
–PARK: engine switched off, key can
be removed, engine lock engaged, steer-
ing lock engaged, sidelights switched on
automatically.
IMPORTANTTo turn the key to the
PARKposition, button (A) on the switch
must be pressed first.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
16
FRONT SEATSCENTRAL LOCKING
This allows central locking of the door
locks.
To engage central locking, the doors
must be perfectly shut, otherwise locking
is denied.
IMPORTANTWith central locking
engaged, pulling the inside lever for open-
ing one of the front doors causes the
unlocking of all the doors.
In the event of a power cut off (blown
fuse, battery disconnected, etc.) it is still
possible to work the lock by hand.
fig. 11
A0A0019b
Any adjustments are to
be carried out only with
the vehicle stationary.
LENGTHWISE ADJUSTMENT
(fig. 12)
Raise the lever (A) and push the seat
backwards or forwards; in the driving posi-
tion the arms should be slightly flexed and
the hands should rest on the rim of the
steering wheel.
fig. 12
A0A0602b
After releasing the ad-
justment lever, always
check that the seat is
locked on the runners, trying to
move it to and from. The lack of
this clamping action could cause the
seat to move unexpectedly and
cause loss of vehicle control.
Upholstery of your car has
been designed to withstand
wear deriving from com-
mon use of the car. You are how-
ever recommended to avoid strong
and/or continuous scratching with
clothing accessories such as metal-
lic buckles, studs, Velcro fastenings
and the like, since these items cause
circumscribed stress of the cover
fabric that could lead to yarn break-
ing, and damage the cover as a con-
sequence.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
55
SPEEDOMETER
The gauge (A-fig. 72) indicates the
car speed.
MILEAGE RECORDER
Odometer display (B-fig. 72) with
double meter (total and trip) and head-
lamp position display.
The display shows:
– the mileage on the first line (6 fig-
ures)
– the trip meter on the second line (4
figures)
– the position relating to the headlamp
aiming device.
To reset the trip meter, keep the button
(A-fig. 73) on the plate at the side of
the steering column pressed a few sec-
onds.
IMPORTANTIf the battery is discon-
nected the trip meter reading is not
stored.
REV COUNTER (fig. 74-75)
The danger zone (red) indicates exces-
sively high engine speed. Do not drive for
long periods with the pointer in this area.
IMPORTANTThe electronic injection
control system gradually shuts off the flow
of fuel when the engine is “over-revving”
resulting in a gradual loss of engine power.
When the engine is idling, the rev counter
may indicate a gradual or sudden highering
of the speed, this is normal as it takes place
during normal operation, for example when
engaging the climate control system or the
fan. In particular a slow change in the speed
preserves the battery charge.
fig. 73
A0A0082b
fig. 74 - Petrol versions
A0A0666b
fig. 75 - JTD 16Vversions
A0A0667bfig. 72
A0A0665b

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.

IN AN EMERGENCY
212
STARTING BY INERTIA
If the car is equipped with “Kit for tyre
repair Fix&Go“, see the instructions con-
tained in the following chapter.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
As an alternative to FIX & GO, the com-
pact spare wheel or a wheel with the nor-
mal size can be supplied upon request;
wheel changing and correct use of the
jack and compact spare wheel call for
some precautions as listed below.
IN THE EVENT OF A PUNCTURE
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.
Signal the presence of
the stationary vehicle
according to current regu-
lations: hazard warning lights,
reflecting triangle etc..
Any passengers should leave
the car and wait for the wheel to
be changed out of harm of the
traffic.
If parked on a slope or rough
surface, chock the wheels with
wedges or other suitable devices
to prevent the car from rolling.
Never start the engine
with the car jacked.
When driving with a
trailer, disconnect the trailer
before raising the car.
The compact spare wheel is spe-
cific to your car, do not use it on
other models, or use the spare
wheel of other models on your
vehicle.
Should the type of wheels used
be changed (alloy rims instead of
steel), it is also necessary to
change the whole set of fastening
bolts with others of suitable size.
The compact spare wheel is nar-
rower than normal wheels, it
should be used only for the dis-
tance necessary to reach a service
point to have the punctured tyre
repaired and, during its use, the
car speed must not exceed 80
km/h.

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
250
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long jour-
neys, check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid
level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen and headlamp washer
fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck and if necessary
top up the engine oil level.
The use of FL Seleniaproducts is rec-
ommended which have been designed
and made expressly for Alfa Romeo cars
(see “Refuelling” in the “Technical
Specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for exam-
ple about 10,000 km) the follow-
ing yearly inspection programme
is advised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if
necessary adjust the pressure (including
spare wheel)
– Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compart-
ment, glovebox lights, warning lights,
etc.)
– Check operation of windscreen wiper
system, spray jet adjustment
– Check position/wear of windscreen
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust -
fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots
- sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel
supply system hoses
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various
drive belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid
levels (engine coolant, brakes, wind-
screen washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
253
1Engine oil - 2Battery - 3Brake fluid -4
Windscreen/rearscreen/headlamp
washer fluid - 5Engine coolant fluid -
6Power steering fluid - 7Selespeed
transmission oil (2.0 JTS Selespeed ver-
sions)
CHECKING LEVELS
Never smoke while
working in the engine
compartment; gas and
inflammable vapours may be pre-
sent, with the risk of fire.
When topping up take
care not to confuse the
various types of fluids:
they are incompatible with one
another and could seriously dam-
age the vehicle.fig. 1 - 1.8 T. SPARK version
A0A0736b
A0A0681b
fig. 1a - 2.0 JTS version