Page 94 of 272

93
CONTROLS
OPENING THE LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT
(fig. 95)
To open the luggage compartment from
inside the car press the button (A) (with
the car stationary) inside the glovebox.
Because of its position, the control can-
not be operated when the glovebox is
key-locked.
IMPORTANT The corresponding
warning light on the check panel lights up
if the luggage compartment is not shut
properly.
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS
(fig. 96)
These are switched on by pressing but-
ton (A) regardless of the position of the
ignition key.
When the hazard warning lights are
switched on the switch itself begins to
flash together with the direction indicator
on the instrument panel. This function is
switched off by pressing the button again.
IMPORTANT Use the hazard lights in
compliance with local regulations.
FRONT FOGLIGHTS (fig. 97)
These come on when the button (A) is
pressed and when the external lights are
already on.
When the foglights are on the led next
to the button lights up.
Press the button again to switch the
front foglights off.
IMPORTANT The front foglights
should be used in compliance with the lo-
cal traffic laws. The front foglights system
meets EEC/ECE regulations.
534PGSm
fig. 96 fig. 95
574PGSm
fig. 97
1008PGSm
Page 96 of 272

95
GEARSHIFT LEVER (fig. 101)
When changing gear always fully de-
press the clutch pedal. Before engaging
reverse gear (R) wait for the car to be
stationary.
To engage reverse gear (R) it is neces-
sary to wait for the car to be stationary,
then raise the ring under the grip (A)
(with the fingers of the same hand hold-
ing the lever). After engaging reverse
gear, release the ring. It is not necessary
to raise the ring on the lever when shift-
ing from reverse to another gear.
fig. 101
A0D0031m
HAND BRAKE (fig. 102)
The hand brake is located between the
two front seats.
To operate the brake when the vehicle
is stationary pull the lever upwards until
the required braking action is obtained.
When the ignition key is in the MAR
position the
xwarning light will come
on on the instrument panel.To release the hand brake:
– Slightly lift the lever (A) and press
the button (B).
– holding the button down lower the
lever: the
xwarning light on the instru-
ment panel will go out.
To prevent the car from moving acciden-
tally, keep the brake pedal pressed when
engaging the handbrake.
The wheels should be
locked after a few clicks
of the hand brake lever.
if this does not occur contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized services to
have the hand brake adjusted.
fig. 102
372PGSm
Page 97 of 272
96 INTERNAL FITTINGS
GLOVE BOX (fig. 108-109)
On the dashboard there is a key-lock-
able glovebox with light. The lock can be
opened/closed using the ignition key.
To open the glovebox pull lever (A).The compartment is lit by a courtesy
light (B) when it is open with the ignition
key at MAR.
429PGSm
fig. 108
430PGSm
fig. 109
Do not travel with the
glovebox open; it could
harm the passenger in the event of
an accident.
WARNING
Page 100 of 272
99
Always ensure that the
cigar lighter has turned
off.
FRONT ASHTRAY (fig. 119)
To open the protective lid (A) press in
the point shown by the arrow.
To empty the ashtray, pull out the tray,
pressing towards the left on the open lid:
the tray is released and it moves up auto-
matically. Re-insert the tray in the special
guides and pressing gently.
The ashtray is lit when the key is at
MAR.REAR ASHTRAYS (fig. 120)
There is an ashtray on each rear door.
To empty remove the ashtray pressing
the tab (A). When refitting, firstly insert
the lower part, press the tab, then push
the upper part into place.
fig. 120
602PGSm
fig. 119
P4C00057370PGSm
The cigar lighter gets ex-
tremely hot. Handle with
care and prevent its use by children:
danger of fire and/or burning.
WARNING
Do not use the ashtray as
paper bin: it might set on
fire in contact with cigarette stubs.
WARNING
Page 106 of 272
105
– Using the special key (B-fig. 133)
provided in the tool bag rotate bushing
(C-fig. 133) of the motor to move the
sunroof.
IMPORTANT When the operation has
been ended the key should be turned half
a turn in the opposite direction until a
click is heard before it is removed.LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT
The boot lid can be opened from outside
the vehicle and from inside the vehicle.
IMPORTANT If the boot is not prop-
erly shut, the corresponding warning light
on the check panel will come on.
OPENING FROM OUTSIDE
(fig. 135)
Turn the badge (A) in the direction
shown by the arrow, insert the key (B)
and turn it anticlockwise.
Opening is facilitated by a servocontrol
which operates the lock.
351PGSm
fig. 134
1010PGSm
fig. 135
Page 109 of 272
108
SECURING THE LOAD
The loads carried may be blocked with
straps hooked to the special rings in the
boot corners (fig. 140). The rings also
serve to secure the luggage retaining net
(available on request c/o Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services).
fig. 140
678PGSm
Do not load the luggage
compartment above the
permitted maximum (see “Techni-
cal specifications”). Also make sure
that the objects contained in the
boot are well secured to prevent
them from being thrown forward
causing harm to the passengers in
the event of sharp braking.
WARNING
A heavy load that has not
been secured may cause
serious harm to passengers in the
event of an accident.
WARNINGIMPORTANT Travelling at night with
a load in the boot it is necessary to adjust
the height of the low beam headlights
(see next paragraph “Headlights” in this
chapter). For correct use of the aiming
device, also make sure that the load does
not exceed the values given in the same
paragraph.
Page 111 of 272
110
To close:
– Lower the bonnet to approx. 20 cm.
from the engine bay, then let it drop. Try
lifting it to make sure that it is shut com-
pletely and not simply caught in the safe-
ty position.
If the bonnet does not close properly do
not push it down but open it again and
repeat the above procedure.HEADLIGHTS
IMPORTANTOn the inside surface of
the headlight there could appear a slight
coat of fogging; this does not show a defect,
since it is a natural occurrence due to low
temperature and to the degree of humidity
in the air; it will soon disappear as soon as
the lights are turned on. The presence of
drops inside the headlight shows water seep-
age, refer to the Alfa Romeo Dealership.
For safety reasons the
bonnet shall always be
perfectly closed when travelling.
Always check for proper bonnet
locking. If the bonnet is left inad-
vertently open, stop the car im-
mediately and close the bonnet.
WARNING
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111
GAS DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS
(optional for versions/markets where
applicable)
Gas discharge headlights (xenon) work
with a voltaic arc, in an atmosphere satu-
rated with pressurised xenon gas, instead
of the incandescent filament.
The lighting produced is remarkably
higher than that of the conventional light
in both terms of the quality of the light
(lighter) and of the amplitude and posi-
tion of the lit area.
The advantages offered by better light-
ing are noted (due to less sight fatigue
and better orientation capability of the
driver, thus of travelling safety) especially
in bad weather, fog and/or insufficient
signs, because of the higher lighting
of the side beams which are normally
shaded.
The heavy increase of lighting in the
side beams considerably increases driving
safety because it allows the driver to bet-
ter see other users at the sides of the
road (pedestrians, cyclists and motorcy-
clists).Very high voltage is needed to trigger
the voltaic arc, after which the supply can
be at low voltage.
The headlights reach their maximum in-
tensity after about 15 seconds from
switching on.
The high luminosity produced by this
type of headlight calls for the use of an
automatic system to keep the headlight
beam aiming constant and prevent daz-
zling other vehicles when braking, accel-
erating and carrying loads.
The electromechanical system for auto-
matic constant beam aiming makes the
headlight aiming device superfluous.
Xenon lights are very long-lasting and
failure is unlikely.
If necessary, have the
system checked and any
repairs done only by Authorized Al-
fa Romeo Services.
WARNING