GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
14
IGNITION DEVICE
SWITCH(fig. 8)
The key can be turned to one of four po-
sitions:
–STOP: engine switched off, key can be
removed, engine inhibitor engaged, steer-
ing 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 car al-
ways remove the key from
the ignition to prevent any
occupants of the car from acciden-
tally activating the controls. Nev-
er leave children in the car unac-
companied. Remember to engage
the handbrake and, if the car is
parked on an uphill slope, to en-
gage the first gear. If the car is fac-
ing downhill, 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 au-
tomatically.
IMPORTANTTo turn the key to the
PARKposition, button (A) on the switch
must be pressed first.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
43
GENERAL CAUTIONS
If when turning the ignition
key to MAR, the warning
light
¬does not turn on or
if it stays on when travelling there
could be a failure in safety sys-
tems; in this event air bags or pre-
tensioners could not trigger in case
of impact or, in a minor number of
cases, they could trigger acciden-
tally. Contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services immediately to have
the system checked.
Do not cover the backrest
of front seats with trims or
covers that are not suitable
to be used with side bags.Never travel with objects
on your lap, in front of
your chest or with a pipe,
pencil, etc. between your lips; in-
jury may result in the event of the
air bag being triggered.
Always keep your hands
on the steering wheel rim
when driving, so that if the
air bag is triggered, it can inflate
without meeting any obstacles
which could cause serious harm to
you. Do not drive with the body
bent forwards, keep the seat back
rest in the erect position and lean
your back well against it.
If the car has been stolen
or an attempt to steal it
has been made, if it has
been subjected to vandals or
floods, have the air bag system
checked by Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
Remember that with the
key engaged and at MAR,
even if the engine is not
running, the air bags may be trig-
gered on a stationary car if it is
bumped by another moving car.
Therefore, never seat children on
the front seat even when the car is
stationary. On the other hand re-
member that if the key is at STOP,
no safety system (air bags or pre-
tensioners) is triggered in the
event of an impact; in this case,
failure to come into action cannot
be considered as a sign that the
system is not working properly.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
51
TO REDUCE THE
MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be reduced in
two ways:
1) disengaging the device (for instance
pressing the brake pedal) and then memo-
rising the new speed (turning the ring (B)
to (+) for at least three seconds);
2) keeping the ring pressed (B) at (–)
until reaching the new speed which will be
memorised automatically.The device may only be engaged in in 4th,
5th or 6th gear, depending on the speed
of the car. Travelling downhill with the de-
vice engaged the car speed may increase
more than the memorised one, due to the
change in the engine load.
The ring (A) may be left constantly at ON
without damaging the device. You are, how-
ever, advised to switch the device off when
not in use, turning the ring to OFF, to avoid
memorising speeds by accident. It is advisable to engage the cruise control
only when the conditions of the traffic or
roads so permit under completely safe con-
ditions, i.e.: straight and dry roads, dual car-
riage ways or motorways, flowing traffic and
smooth road surface. Do not engage the de-
vice in town or in heavy traffic conditions.When travelling with the
cruise control on, do not
move the gearshift lever to
neutral and do not move the Sele-
speed selector to N.
Cruise control may only
be engaged at speeds be-
tween 30 and 190 km/h.
If the device is faulty or
not working, turn the ring
(A) to OFF and contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Services af-
ter checking that the protection
fuse is intact.
TO RESET THE MEMORISED
SPEED
The memorised speed is automatically re-
set turning off the engine or moving the ring
(A) to OFF.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
63
Engine oil level check
(JTD versions)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe dis-
play shows the engine oil level for a few sec-
onds. During this phase, to clear the display
and move to next screen, press briefly but-
tonMODE.
IMPORTANTTo make sure that the en-
gine oil level displayed is correct, carry out
the check with the car on level ground.
Fig. 85refers to the correct engine oil
level display. As the oil level gradually falls,
the full bars go off leaving room for the emp-
ty ones.
fig. 85
A0A9101g
fig. 86
A0A9102g
fig. 87
A0A9103g
Fig. 86refers to the display with an oil
level below the preset minimum. In this con-
dition the bars are all empty.
IMPORTANTIn this case the correct en-
gine oil level should be restored as soon as
possible, see “Checking levels” in section
“Car maintenance”. Fig. 87refers to the display with an oil
level above the preset maximum. In this con-
dition the bars are all full.
IMPORTANTIn this case, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who will restore
the correct engine oil level.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
72
Handbrake on
The warning light turns on when the hand-
brake is on. HIGH ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMPERATURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off after
few seconds.
The warning light turns on (together with
message + symbol on the display) when the
engine is overheated: if the warning light
comes on when driving, stop the car leav-
ing the engine on and slightly accelerated
to further activate the circulation of the
coolant fluid.
If the warning light does not turn off with-
in the next 2 or 3 minutes, stop the engine
and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IMPORTANTThe presence of warning
lights depends on the type of engine and
equipment with which the car is fitted.
LOW BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL (red)
HANDBRAKE
ON (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off after
few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light turns on (together with
message + symbol on the display) when the
level of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls
below the minimum level, due to possible
leak in the circuit.
x
If the warning light turns
on when travelling, check
that the handbrake is not
engaged. If the warning light stays
on with handbrake disengaged,
stop the car immediately and con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
u
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
74
BRAKE PAD WEAR
With the brake pedal pressed, the display
will show message + symbol when front
brake pads are worn; in this case have them
changed as soon as possible.
IMPORTANTSince the car is fitted with
wear sensors for the front brake pads, when
changing them, check also the rear brake
pads.
SELESPEED
TRANSMISSION
FAILURE
(2.0 T.SPARK
Selespeed versions)
On versions with Selespeed transmission,
message + symbol are displayed when there
is a failure in the Selespeed transmission. In
the event of Selespeed transmission failure,
go as soon as possible to the nearest Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services and have the
system checked.
ENGINE CONTROL
SYSTEM FAILURE
(EOBD) (amber)
(upon request for versions/
markets where applicable)
In normal conditions, turning the ignition
key to MAR, the warning light turns on,
but it should go off when the engine has
started. The initial turning on indicates that
the warning light is working properly.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
when travelling (together with message +
symbol on the display):
glowing steadily- means a fault in the
supply/ignition system which could cause
high emissions at the exhaust, possible lack
of performance, poor handling and high con-
sumption levels. In these conditions it is pos-
sible to continue driving without however re-
quiring heavy effort or high speed from the
engine. Prolonged use of the car with the
warning light on may cause damages. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible. The warning light goes off if the
fault disappears, but it is however stored by
the system;
SEAT BELTS NOT
FASTENED (red)
The warning light turns on glowing steadi-
ly with ignition key at MAR, when the dri-
ver’s seat belt is not fastened correctly.
INCOMPLETE DOOR
LOCKING
Message + symbol are displayed when
one or more doors or the bonnet are not
properly shut.
t
U
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
77
INEFFICIENT ABS
SYSTEM (where
provided) (amber)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off after
few seconds.
The warning light turns on (together with
message + symbol on the display) when the
system is inefficient. In this case the brak-
ing system keeps its effectiveness un-
changed, but without the potential offered
by the ABS system.
Caution is advisable, particularly in all cas-
es of less than perfect grip. It is necessary
to contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible.
INEFFICIENT EBD
ELECTRONIC
BRAKING
DISTRIBUTOR (red)
(amber)
The turning on at the same
time of warning lights
xand>(togeth-
er with message + symbol on the display)
with the engine running indicates an EBD
system failure; in this case heavy braking
may cause the rear wheels to lock before
time, with the possibility of skidding.
Drive with the utmost care to the nearest
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service to have the
system checked.
INERTIAL FUEL
CUT-OFF SWITCH
Message + symbol are displayed when the
inertial fuel cut-off switch is triggered.
s>x
>
If after the message you
smell fuel or see leaks from
the fuel system, do not re-
set the switch to avoid fire risk.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
88
HEATING (fig. 95)
To obtain the temperature required, pro-
ceed as follows:
- temperature adjustment knob pointer
(1) on the red sector as required;
- air quantity adjustment knob pointer
(2) on the fan speed required to person-
alise the amount of air admitted;
- air distribution knob pointer (3) on the
required position.
To obtain the maximum heating power
proceed as follows:
- knob pointer (1) as far as it will go clock-
wise (maximum temperature red sector);
- knob pointer (2) on maximum fan
speed;
- air distribution knob pointer (3) on the
required position (position
w) is recom-
mended.
IMPORTANTTo be able to obtain sat-
isfactory passenger compartment warm-
ing, the engine should have reached nor-
mal operating temperature. The filter has the specific capability of fil-
tering external air, thus admitting to the
passenger compartment purified air, free
from particles such as dust, pollen, etc.
In addition to the above mentioned func-
tions, is also reduces the concentration of
pollutants.
The filtering action is active in all air inlet
conditions and it is clearly more effective
with the windows closed.
Have the conditions of the filter checked
at least once a year, preferably at the
onset of summer by Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. If the car is habitually used in dusty or
polluted areas, the filter should be
checked and replaced at shorter intervals
than those specified in the Programmed
Maintenance Schedule.
If the filter is not replaced
the efficiency of the cli-
mate control system may
be seriously compromised up to
blocking the air flow at the outlets
and vents.
POLLEN FILTER
(for versions/markets where applicable)
A0A0734b
fig. 95