2006 Alfa Romeo GT tyre pressure

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.

Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle.
Always remove the igni-
tion key when leaving the vehicle
and take it with you.To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining of the
battery, never leave the ignition
key in the MAR position when
the engine is not running.
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
203
PARKING
When the vehicle is parked, proceed as
follows:
– Switch off the engine.
– Engage the handbrake.
– Engage first gear if the vehicle is faced
uphill or reverse if the vehicle is facing
downhill.
– Turn the front wheels so that the vehi-
cle will immediately come to a halt if the
handbrake slips.
REDUCING RUNNING
COSTS AND
ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION
By following a few simple guidelines, it
is possible to save vehicle running costs
and reduce harmful emissions.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Vehicle maintenance
To take care of the car maintenance
have the checks and adjustments carried
out in accordance with the “Scheduled
Maintenance Programme”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely
at an interval of no more than 4 weeks: if
the pressure is too low consumption levels
increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Useless loads
Never travel with an overload in the
boot. The weight of the vehicle (especial-
ly in urban traffic), and its geometry heav-
ily affect consumption levels and stability.Electric services
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rearscreen heating, addi-
tional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan need a considerable amount of
energy, therefore increasing the require-
ment of current increases fuel consump-
tion (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
The climate control system is a further
load bearing heavily on the engine induc-
ing higher consumption levels(up to
+20% on average). Outside temperature
permitting, preferably use the air vents.
Aerodynamic items
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and
consumption levels.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
208
It is necessary therefore to limit their use
to the purposes for which they are certified.
IMPORTANTWhen winter tyres are
used with a maximum speed index below
the one that can be reached by the vehicle
(increased by 5%), place a notice in the
passenger’s compartment, plainly in the dri-
ver’s view, which states the maximum per-
missible speed of the winter tyres (as per
CE Directive).
Fit the same type of tyre on all four
wheels (brand and profile) to ensure high-
er driving safety when braking and good
handling.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres. WINTER TYRES
These tyres are specially designed for dri-
ving on snow and ice, to be fitted in
replacement of those fitted on the car.
Use winter tyres of the same size as nor-
mal tyres provided on the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services will be
pleased to advise you on the choice of the
tyre most suited to the use the Customer
intends to make of it.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and specifications of winter
tyres, follow the instructions given in the
“Technical Specifications” chapter.
The winter features of these tyres are
reduced considerably when the tread
depth is below 4 mm. In this case, they
should be replaced.
Due to the winter features, under normal
conditions of use or long motorway jour-
neys, the performance of these tyres is
lower than that of normal tyres.
SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
For versions 1.8 T. SPARK, 2.0
JTS and 1.9 JTD, tyre 195/60 R15 can
be fitted with snow chains (use snow chains
with reduced size with max. protrusion be-
yond the tyre profile of 12 mm), whereas
tyres 205/60 R15 - 205/55 R16 -
205/55 ZR16 - 215/45 R17 - 215/45
ZR17 - 225/40 ZR18 cannot be fitted with
snow chains.
On version 3.2
V6, tyres 215/45
R17” and 215/45 ZR 17” can only be fit-
ted with chains of the spiker spider type
whereas tyres 225/45 ZR17 - 225/40
ZR18 cannot be fitted with snow chains.
Snow chains SPIKES SPIDER COMPACT
(model 17003 compact) with 9 spikes with
16 mm adjustable length and 17 inch wheel
cap adapter are available at Lineaccessori
Alfa Romeo.
Snow chains should only be applied to
the drive wheels (front).
Before purchasing or using snow chains,
you are recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
Check the tensions of the chain after the
first few metres have been driven.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
209
Keep your speed
down when snow
chains are fitted.
Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements to
prevent damaging the tyres, sus-
pension and steering. Remember
that with snow chains fitted the
brake distance will increase.
VEHICLE INACTIVITY
If the vehicle is to be left inactive for
long periods, the following precautions
should be noted:
– House the vehicle under cover in a dry
and possibly ventilated place.
– Engage a gear.
– Check that the handbrake is not
engaged.
– Clean and protect the paintwork by
protective wax.
– Cover the rubber windscreen and
rearscreen wiper blades with talcum pow-
der and raise them off the glass.
– Open the windows slightly.
– Inflate the tyres to a pressure of 0.5
bars above normal. If possible rest the
tyres on wooden planks and periodically
check the pressure.
– Do not turn on the electronic alarm
system.– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) from the battery and check the
battery 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 evapo-
rating. Snow chains cannot be
fitted to the compact
spare wheel. So, if a front
(drive) wheel is punctured and
chains are needed, a rear wheel
should be fitted to the front of
the vehicle (inflate the tyres to
the specified pressure as soon as
possible) and the spare wheel
should be fitted to the rear. This
way, with two normal drive
wheels, snow chains can be fitted
to them to solve an emergency.
With snow chains fitted
it is advisable to turn off
the ASR system. Press
the ASR-OFF button, led on but-
ton on.

IN AN EMERGENCY
213
The spare wheel has a
sticker that summarises
the main cautions for use
and limitations. The sticker
should never be removed or cov-
ered. The sticker contains the fol-
lowing in four languages:
CAUTION! FOR TEMPORARY
USE ONLY! MAX 80 km/h!
REPLACE BY NORMAL WHEEL AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE. DO NOT
COVER THIS LABEL IN USE.
Never fit a wheel cap on a com-
pact spare wheel.
The vehicle will handle differ-
ently with the spare wheel fitted:
avoid heavy braking and acceler-
ating, sharp corners and fast
bends.The life of the spare
wheel is approx. 3000
km, after this distance it
should be replaced with another
of the same type.
Never attempt to fit a conven-
tional tyre on a rim designed for
use as a compact spare wheel.
Have the punctured wheel
repaired and refitted as soon as
possible.
Two or more compact spare
wheels should never be used
together.
Do not grease the threads of
bolts before installing them; they
might slip out.
The jack only serves for chang-
ing wheels on the car with which
it is provided or on cars of the
same model. It must not be used
for other purposes such as for
instance raising cars of other
models. In no case should it be
used for repairs under the vehi-
cle.
Incorrect positioning of the jack
may cause the jacked vehicle to
fall.
Do not use the jack for higher
capacities than stated on its
label.Snow chains cannot be
fitted on the compact
spare wheel, so, if a front
wheel is punctured and chains
need to be used, the front axle
should be fitted with normal
wheels and the compact spare
wheel fitted to the rear. This
way, with two normal wheels at
the front, snow chains can be fit-
ted thereby solving the emer-
gency situation.
Never tamper with the inflation
valve.
Do not insert tools of any kind
between the rim and the tyre.
Check, and if necessary, restore
the pressure of the tyres and of
the compact spare wheel to the
values given in the “Technical
Specifications” chapter.

IN AN EMERGENCY
217
QUICK TYRE REPAIR
KIT FIX&GO automatic
The car is provided with the quick tyre re-
pair kit “FIX&GO automatic”, instead of the
traditional tool kit and space-saver spare
wheel.
The kit fig. 10, is placed in the boot. In
this container are also housed the screw-
driver and the tow hitch. The quick tyre repair kit includes:
– a bottle A-fig. 10containing the seal-
er, fitted with:
– filling pipe B
– sticker Cbearing the notice “max. 80
km/h”, to be placed in a position visible
to the driver (on the instrument panel) af-
ter fixing the tyre;
– compressor Dwith pressure gauge and
fittings;– instruction brochure fig. 11, to be used
for prompt and proper use of the quick re-
pair kit and to be then handed to the per-
sonnel charged with handling the tyre treat-
ed with the tyre repair kit;
– a pair of protection gloves located in the
side space of the compressor;
– adapters for inflating different elements.
fig. 10
A0A1095b
fig. 11
A0A1096b

IN AN EMERGENCY
220
– make sure the compressor switchA-
fig. 16is set to 0 (off), start the engine
and fit plugA-fig. 17into the outlet/cig-
ar lighter on the front console and then turn
on the compressor by setting switch A-fig.
16toI(on);– inflate the tyre to the proper pressure
value. Check tyre pressure on gauge B-fig.
16with compressor off to obtain precise
reading;
– if after 5 minutes it is still impossible
to reach at least 1.5 bar, disengage com-
pressor from valve and current outlet, then
move the car forth for approx. 10 metres in
order to distribute the sealing fluid inside the
tyre evenly, then repeat the inflation oper-
ation;– if after this operation it is still impossi-
ble after 5 minutes to reach at least 1.8 bar,
do start driving since the tyre is excessive-
ly damaged and the quick tyre repair kit can-
not guarantee suitable sealing, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services;
– after reaching the proper tyre pressure,
start driving immediately;
Apply the sticker in a vis-
ible position for the driver
to indicate that the tyre
has been treated with the quick
tyre repair kit. Drive carefully es-
pecially when cornering and do not
exceed 80 km/h. Avoid heavy
braking and accelerating.
fig. 16
A0A1100b
fig. 17
A0A0647b

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