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MAINTENANCE
WARNING: If the battery charge remains
below 50% for a long period of time, it will be
damaged due to sulphating: this will reduce its
performance and starting power and the battery
will be more subject to freezing (this can happen
even at -10°C).We recommend that you have the battery charge
condition checked, preferably at the beginning of
the cold season, to prevent the electrolyte from
freezing.
This check should be performed more frequently
if the vehicle is used mainly for short trips or if it
is equipped with power absorbing devices that
remain permanently on even if when the ignition
key is removed. This applies above all if these
devices have been fitted “after market”.
If the vehicle is not used for long periods of time,
please refer to chapter “If the vehicle is laid up
for long periods”, in this section.WARNING: If additional systems have to be
fitted in the vehicle, there is the risk of creating
dangerous branches on the electric wiring, in
particular if the safety devices are involved.
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITSNo special precautions are required for the
normal use of the vehicle.
In the event of repairs to the electrical system
or in an emergency starting, the following
instructions must be strictly followed:
- Never disconnect the battery from the
electrical system when the engine is
running.
- Disconnect the battery from the electrical
system when recharging it (see page 168
“If the battery is fl at”). WARNING: When the battery is disconnected,
you must first detach the negative pole terminal
(–) and then the positive pole one (+).
WARNING: The battery is secured inside the
vehicle by means of a metal box, therefore, be
extremely careful not to let the battery charger
clips come into contact with it.WARNING: When the battery is reconnected,
you must first attach the positive pole (+),
remembering to cover it with the cap provided,
and then the negative one (–).
- Never perform the emergency starting
procedure using a battery charger: always
use an auxiliary battery.
- Take special care when connecting the
battery to the electrical system, checking
both that polarity is correct and that the
connection is properly working.
- Do not connect or disconnect the terminals
of the ECUs when the ignition key is at
MAR.
- Do not check the electric polarities through
sparking.
- Disconnect the ECUs in the event of
electrical welding on the vehicle body.
Remove them if the temperature is
over 80°C (special interventions on the
bodywork, etc.).
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MAINTENANCE
Normal paint maintenance consists in washing,
the frequency of which depends on the
conditions of use and of the environment.
For example, in areas where there is high
atmospheric pollution or if the roads are spread
with anti-freeze salt, it is advisable to wash the
vehicle more frequently. WARNING: Detergents pollute water. Therefore
the vehicle should be washed in areas equipped
for the collection and purification of the fluids
used for washing.For correct washing:
- Wet the bodywork with a low-pressure
water jet.
- Run a sponge soaked in a neutral detergent
solution over the bodywork, remembering
to rinse the sponge frequently.
- Thoroughly rinse with water and dry with a
jet of air or suede.
When drying, take particular care with the parts
that are less visible, such as the door bays, front
lid, headlight edges, in which water can be
trapped more easily. You are recommended not to take the vehicle
immediately into an enclosed environment, but
leave it in the open air so as to allow the water
to evaporate.
Do not wash the vehicle after it has been left in
the sun or when the hood is hot: the paint gloss
could be affected.
External plastic parts must be cleaned with the
same procedure followed for the normal washing
of the vehicle.
Avoid, as far as possible, parking the vehicle
under trees; the resinous substances that very
often drop from the trees give the paint a dull
appearance and increase the possibility of
originating corrosive processes.
WARNING: Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly, since their acidity is
particularly corrosive.
WARNING: To provide better protection for the
paint, polish the vehicle at regular intervals with
a suitable product leaving a protective film on
the paint.
Windows
To clean the windows use special detergents.
Only use clean cloths so as not to scratch the
windows or rendering them less transparent. WARNING: In order not to damage the electric
elements fitted inside the heated rear window,
rub gently following the direction of the
elements. ENGINE COMPARTMENT
At the end of each winter season, carefully wash
the engine compartment, remembering to not
direct the jet of water for too long on the ECUs
and on the relay and fuse boxes on the right-
hand side of the engine compartment (driving
direction). To perform this operation, you must
contact a specialised workshop. WARNING: Wash only when the engine is cold
and with the ignition key turned to STOP. After
washing, make sure that the various protections
(e.g. rubber boots/caps, guards etc.) have not
been removed or damaged.
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MAINTENANCE
RE-CONNECTING THE
BATTERY
- open the right-hand door
- remove the luggage shelf behind the seats
- remove the battery case cover
- connect the battery
- unlock and lock the doors using the remote
control or the key in the door lock
- turn on the instrument panel and adjust the
date and time setting in the Setup menu.WARNING: Each time the battery is reconnected,
wait at least 30 seconds with the ignition key
in position MAR before starting the engine.
This enables the electronic system that controls
the motor-driven valves to run a self-learning
procedure. At the same time, you can also set
the date and time on the instrument panel.
- Reconnect the battery after having checked
its charge condition and perform the
initialisation procedures where required.
In this regard, consult the chapter
“Reconnecting the battery” in this section.
- With the gearshift in neutral (N), let the
engine idle for several minutes
CAUTION
This operation must be
performed outdoors. Exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide which is
strongly toxic and potentially lethal.
RADIO-
FREQUENCY
REMOTE
CONTROL:
MINISTERIAL
HOMOLOGATION Some countries do not require a specific domestic
homologation in the event that the vehicle has
already obtained other European homologations.
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9
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU READ THIS MANUAL! .. 3
Consulting the Manual ...................................... 4
Abbreviations ................................................... 4
Updating ......................................................... 4
Service ........................................................... 5
“Q-Select” ..................................................... 5
Audio and IT systems ........................................ 5
Towing the vehicle ............................................ 5
Symbols ..............................................................6
Danger symbols .............................................. 6
Symbols of prohibitions ..................................... 6
Warning symbols .............................................. 7
Symbols indicating mandatory measures .............. 7
Vehicle identifi cation data ......................... 11
Identi cation plates and labels ..........................12
Chassis marking ............................................. 12
Engine marking .............................................. 12
Paint identifi cation label .................................. 12
Vehicle identifi cation plate ............................... 13
Electronic key ....................................................14
Code Card ..................................................... 14
Alfa Romeo Code System ...................................14
Operation ...................................................... 14Active and passive safety ......................... 17
Seat belts .........................................................18
Fastening the seat belts .................................. 18
Load limiting devices ...................................... 18
Pretensioners ................................................. 19
General warnings regarding the use
of the seat belts .......................................... 20
Safe transport of children ................................ 22
Groups 0 and 0+ ........................................... 23
Group 1 ........................................................ 24
Group 2 ........................................................ 24
Group 3 ........................................................ 25
Front airbags .....................................................26
“Smart bag” system (multistage front airbags) .. 28
Driver’s front airbag ........................................ 29
Passenger’s front airbag .................................. 29
Passenger’s airbag manual deactivation switch ... 30
General warnings .......................................... 31
VDC system .......................................................33
Activation ...................................................... 33
Failure signals ................................................ 33
ASR system (electronic anti-skid device) ..............34
Activation ...................................................... 35
Fault indicators .............................................. 35
MSR function
(engine braking torque adjustment) ............... 35
ABS and EBD systems .........................................36Fuel cut-out inertia switch ...................................38
Resetting the switch ....................................... 38
Instruments and controls .......................... 41
Dashboard .........................................................42
Instrument panel ...............................................45
Recon gurable multifunction display .................46
Information shown on the standard page .......... 46
Control buttons .............................................. 47
Menu .......................................................... 47
TRIP ............................................................. 47
+/- .............................................................. 47
Setup menu .................................................. 48
Trip computer ................................................. 57
TRIP button ................................................... 58
Warning lights and messages .............................60
General warnings ........................................... 60
Indicators and warning lights ............................ 61
Warning lights on the display .......................... 63
Instruments and gauges .....................................66
Tachometer/speedometer ............................... 66
Rev. Counter .................................................. 66
Fuel gauge .................................................... 67
Coolant thermometer ...................................... 67
Engine oil thermometer ................................... 68
Controls ............................................................68
Controls to the left of the steering wheel ........... 69
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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9
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Central dashboard controls ............................... 69
Centre console controls .................................... 70
Roof panel buttons ........................................ 71
Internal equipment ...........................................72
Front dome light ............................................ 72
Rear dome light ............................................. 72
Sun visors ..................................................... 72
Ashtray and cigarette lighter ............................. 73
Glove compartment ........................................ 73
Pocket-change compartments ........................... 74
Before you drive ...................................... 77
Doors ................................................................78
Opening the doors from the outside .................. 78
Opening the doors from the inside .................... 78
Open door warning lights ................................ 79
Door lock ECU initialisation ............................. 79
Door courtesy light ......................................... 79
Power windows .................................................80Engine compartment lid
......................................81
Rear window .....................................................82
Emergency opening ........................................ 83
Fuel tank door ..................................................83
Fuel tank door emergency opening ................... 84
Keys ..................................................................84
The Alfa Romeo CODE system ......................... 84
Operation ...................................................... 84Duplicating keys ............................................. 85
Emergency starting ......................................... 85
Ignition switch ...................................................87
Start button ................................................... 87
Electronic alarm system ......................................88
Activation ...................................................... 88
Deactivation .................................................. 89
Getting into the vehicle when the alarm
system is on ............................................... 89
Deactivating the motion sensing alarm .............. 90
Deactivating the anti-lift alarm ......................... 90
Alarm memory ............................................... 90
Ministerial homologation ................................. 90
Ordering extra radio operated controls ............... 91
Replacing radio operated control batteries ......... 91
Front seats ........................................................92
Back/forward adjustment ............................... 92
Seatback inclination ........................................ 92
Seat height adjustment .................................. 93
Rear-view mirrors ..............................................93
External rear-view mirrors ................................ 93
Internal rear-view mirror .................................. 94
Steering wheel ...................................................94
External lights and direction indicators ................95
Headlight switch ............................................ 95
Parking lights ................................................. 95
Automatic activation/deactivation ..................... 96Twilight sensor ............................................... 97
Direction indicators ......................................... 97
High beams .................................................. 98
Flashing the headlights ................................... 98
“Follow me home” function ............................. 98
Windscreen washer/wipers and headlight
washer ...........................................................99
Windscreen wiper .......................................... 99
Windscreen washer ........................................ 99
Headlight washers ........................................ 100
Rain sensor ................................................ 100
Sensor failure ............................................. 101
Air conditioning and heating system .................102
Operating modes .......................................... 103
Adjustable vents ........................................... 107
Fixed air distribution vents ............................. 107
Car stereo system ............................................108
Bose HI-FI system (optional) ............................109
iPod connection socket (optional) ................... 110
Navigator (optional) ..................................... 110
Using the vehicle .................................... 113
Starting the engine ..........................................114
Starting-off when the engine is cold ................ 115
Emergency starting with auxiliary battery ......... 115
Turning off the engine ................................... 116
Q-Select gearbox .............................................116