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217
CHECKING AND TOPPING UP
THE WINDSCREEN/HEADLIGHT
WASHER FLUID
(fig. 12-13)
Access to the windscreen/headlight
washer fluid reservoir, remove the cover
(A-fig. 12) after turning the pins (B).
Then remove the cap (C-fig. 13) and
pour the fluid in the tank until the level
can be seen through the filler neck.
Then close the filler with the cap and re-
fit the cover fastening with the two pins.To avoid damaging the
pump motor do not use
the windscreen washers
when the reservoir is empty.
A0D0104mA0D0103m
fig. 12 fig. 13
Symbolπon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
type brake fluid distinguishing it
from the mineral kind. Using min-
eral type fluids damages the spe-
cial rubber braking system gaskets
beyond repair.
WARNING
Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and corrosive.
In the event of contact wash the
parts concerned immediately with
neutral soap and water, then rinse
thoroughly. See a doctor at once if
the fluid is swallowed.
WARNING
Some commercial addi-
tives for windscreen
washers are inflammable. The en-
gine compartment contains hot com-
ponents which could set it on fire.
WARNING
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222
– Before doing any work on the electric
system, disconnect the battery negative
terminal.
If after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which need a
permanent electrical supply (alarm,
hands-free phone, radio-navigator with
satellite anti-theft function, etc.) contact
Authorised Alfa Romeo Services whose
qualified personnel, in addition to sug-
gesting the most suitable devices from
Lineaccessori will be able to evaluate the
total electrical absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is able
to support the load required or whether a
battery with higher capacity is necessary.
In fact, these devices continue to absorb
current with the ignition key off (car
parked, engine off) and may gradually
drain the battery. IMPORTANT A battery kept at below
50% of its capacity is damaged by sul-
phation, the capacity is reduced and start-
ing is difficult, there is also more possibili-
ty of freezing (this can occur at –10°C).
In the event of a prolonged stop, refer to
“Vehicle inactivity”.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid quickly draining the battery
and to preserve its operating conditions
over the course of time, carefully follow
the instructions below.
– The terminals must always be tight-
ened.
– As far as possible avoid keeping ser-
vices on for a long time with the engine
stopped (radio, hazard warning lights,
parking lights, etc.).
– When leaving the vehicle parked in a
garage, make sure that the doors, bon-
net, boot and interior lids are properly
shut to prevent lights from staying on.
The fluid contained in the
battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin or eyes. The battery should be
charged in a ventilated place away
from naked flames or possible
sources of sparks: danger of ex-
plosion and fire.
WARNING
Never attempt to charge
a frozen battery before
thawing it, the danger of explosion
exists. If it has frozen, always
check that the inside elements are
not broken (risk of short circuit)
and that the body is not cracked,
with the risk of acid coming out
which is poisonous and corrosive.
WARNING
Page 229 of 272

228 INTERIOR FITTINGS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the carpets (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas etc.) which
could cause oxidisation of the sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND CLOTH
PA R T S
– For the seats and parts in fabric (vel-
vet, suede, etc.)dust may be removed us-
ing a soft brush.
– To remove grease stains specific prod-
ucts may be used closely following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
– For more accurate cleaning, rub the
seats with a sponge moistened with a so-
lution of water and neutral detergent in
the proportions stated on the package.Never use spirit or alco-
hol-based products.
CLEANING LEATHER PARTS
– Remove dried on dirt with a chamois
leather or a lightly moistened cloth with-
out pressing too hard.
– Remove liquid and grease stains with
a dry absorbent cloth without rubbing.
Following this wipe with a soft cloth or
chamois leather moistened with water
and neutral soap.
If the stain persists use specific products
in accordance with the instructions for
use.
Never use inflammable
products such as fuel oil
ether or rectified petrol. The elec-
trostatic charges generated by rub-
bing when cleaning may cause fire.
WARNING
Upholstery of your car
has been designed to
withstand wear deriv-
ing from common use of
the car. You are however recom-
mended to avoid strong and/or
continuous scratching with cloth-
ing accessories such as metallic
buckles, studs, Velcro fastenings
and the like, since these items
cause circumscribed stress of the
cover fabric that could lead to
yarn breaking, and damage the
cover as a consequence.
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229
PLASTIC PARTS
Should it be necessary to remove dust,
dirt, etc. from the surface of the light u-
nits (and/or direction indicators) only use
a solution of neutral soap and water and
a soft cloth.
Absolutely never use chemical solvents
and/or petroleum derivatives such as
petrol, methylated spirits, ammonia, ace-
tone, etc. which could spoil the material
and reduce its transparency, adversely af-
fecting travelling safety.
For internal plastic parts use specific
products to preserve the appearance of
the components.
I.C.S. MASK AND CENTRAL
CONSOLE
Remove finger prints with common alco-
hol-free water and surfactants glass deter-
gent. Rub surfaces with a clean cotton
rag moistened with detergent.
Never use spirit or
petrol to clean the glass
on the instrument panel.
Do not keep aerosol cans
in the car. There is the
risk they might explode. Aerosol
cans must never be exposed to a
temperature above 50°C. The tem-
perature inside the car might go
well beyond that figure when ex-
posed to the sun’s rays.
WARNINGSTEERING WHEEL/GEAR LEVER
KNOB WITH GENUINE
LEATHER COVERING
These components shall only be cleaned
with water and neutral soap. Never use
spirit or alcohol-based products.
Before using special products for clean-
ing interiors, read carefully label instruc-
tions and indications to make sure they
are free from spirit and/or alcohol-based
substances.
If when cleaning the windscreen with
special glass products, some drops fall on
the leather covering of the steering
wheel/gear lever knob remove them im-
mediately and then clean with water and
neutral soap.
IMPORTANTTake the utmost care
when engaging the steering lock to pre-
vent scratching the leather covering.
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255
1Air ducts for side window outlets.
2Side air vents.
3Light switch lever (high beam, flash-
ing, direction indicators) and controls
for Cruise Control (automatically
keeping a set speed, if present).
4Instrument cluster.
5Outlets for windscreen.
6Upper outlet.
7Oddments compartment.
8Centre air vents.
9Passenger’s air bag.
10Manual passenger’s side Air bag
deactivation switch.
11Glove box.
12Boot opening button (in glove box).13Button for rearscreen defrosting,
door mirrors and resistances at base
of windscreen (if present).
14Button for windscreen/front side
windows and door mirrors
defrosting, rearscreen heating,
resistances at base of windscreen (if
present).
15Cigar lighter.
16Alfa Romeo I.C.S. (INTEGRATED
CONTROL SYSTEM): RDS radio,
computer on board (TRIP), climate
control, clock and outside/inside
temperature, GSM phone and
navigation system (if present).
17Buttons for central locking, fuel flap
opening, switching off the ASR
function of the VDC system switching
on the STR system (if present).
18Rear fog guard switch.
19Front fog light switch.
20Hazard warning light switch.21Inside temperature sensor.
22Windscreen wiper/washer control
lever and rain sensor (if present).
23Ignition switch (ignition device).
24Driver’s air bag and horn.
25Lever for releasing/locking adjustable
steering wheel.
26Instrument lighting adjustment.
27Headlamp aiming device control
(except versions with gas discharge
headlights).
28Outside lights switch.
29Bonnet opening lever.
30Front floor air outlets.
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257
A -Speedometer
B -Mileage recorder with double meter
display (total and trip)
C -Check panel
D -Rev. counter
E -Fuel gauge and reserve warning light
F -Engine coolant temperature gauge
and maximum temperature warning
light
G -Warning lights
H -Electronic automatic gearbox display
IMPORTANT Depending on the trim
levels, the dial of the instruments may be
either light grey or black, with green or
red light.CONTROLS
LIGHTS SWITCH (fig. 3)
The device and services controlled by
the levers on the steering wheel can only
be activated when the ignition key is in
theMARposition (except the parking
lights which can always be switched on).Lights switched off
When the pointer on the knurled ring
(A) is opposite the symbol O, the exter-
nal lights are switched off.
Sidelights
The sidelights are switched on by turn-
ing the knurled ring (A) from Oto
6.
The
3warning light on the instru-
ment panel will come on at the same
time.
Dipped-beam headlights
These are switched on by turning the
knurled ring (A) from
6to2.
Parking lights
When the pointer of the switch (A) cor-
responds with the
Fsymbol, the side
lights stay on regardless of the position of
the ignition key.
fig. 3
A0D0148m
Page 259 of 272
258
381PGSmA0D0149M
fig. 4 fig. 5
DASHBOARD LIGHTING
ADJUSTMENT
(fig. 4)
When the outside lights are on, the
dashboard lighting is adjusted turning but-
ton (A).
FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH AND
CIRCUIT BREAKER
The car is fitted with two safety switch-
es that come into operation in the case of
an accident to block fuel supply and pow-
er, thereby stopping the engine and the
car electric utilities.
To reactivate the fuel cut-off switch press
button under the passenger’s seat (fig. 5).
Before resetting fuel cut-
off switch and circuit
breaker, carefully read the related
paragraph in chapter “Getting to
know your car”.
WARNING
Circuit breaker is located on the left side
of the boot, inside a box directly set and
connected to the battery positive terminal.
Page 260 of 272

259
707PGSm
fig. 6
DEACTIVATING THE FRONT
PASSENGER’S AIR BAG
(fig. 6)
Should it be absolutely necessary to car-
ry a child on the front seat, the passen-
ger’s Air bag on the vehicle must be deac-
tivated.
Deactivation takes place using the car
ignition key to operate the special switch
on the left hand side of the dashboard.
Access to the switch is gained only with
the door open.The key-operated switch has two posi-
tions:
1) Passenger’s Air bag activated. (ON
position
P) warning light on instrument
cluster off; it is absolutely prohibited to
carry a child on the front seat.
2) Passenger’s Air bag deactivated
(OFFposition
F) warning light on in-
strument cluster on; it is possible to carry
a child protected by special restraint sys-
tem on the front seat.
The warning light
Fon the cluster s-
tays on permanently until the passenger’s
Air bag is reactivated.
When the door is open, the key can be
inserted and removed in both positions.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front Air
bag inhibits too the left-hand side Air bag
(if present).
Operate the switch only
when the engine is not
running and the ignition key is re-
moved.
WARNING
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand operating
it in the special key switch on the right-
hand side of the dashboard (fig. 6).
You can reach the switch only if the
door is opened.