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
264
Engine starting ..............................134
EOBD (system) ..............................113
First aid kit ..................................199
Fluids and lubricants ......................243
Fog lamps ......................................93
"Follow me home" device ................60
Front roof lamp..............................100
Fuel consumption ..........................240
Fuel flap ........................................94
Fuel oil filter ..................................219
Fuel reserve ....................................73
Fuel tank cap ................................127
Fuses and relays ............................186
Gear shift ......................................95
Getting to know your car........11
Glovebox ........................................98
Handbrake ....................................95
Hazard warning lights ......................93Headlamps ....................................110
Headrests........................................33
High beam headlamps ......................58
Identification data..................232
In an emergency ............................157
In the event of an accident ..............198
Inside rear-view mirror ......................36
Installation of electric/
electronic devices ......................156
Instrument cluster ............................12
Instrument light dimmer ....................94
Interior equipment ............................96
Interior maintenance ......................228
Keys............................................ 16
Level checking ..............................209
Light switch ....................................57
Low beam headlamps ......................58
Luggage compartment ....................110
Maintenance
- Additional operations ................206
- Annual Inspection Programme ....206
- Maintenance programme ..........204
- Scheduled Maintenance ............202
Mileage recorder ..............................70
Number plate lights ......................179
Oddments compartments........103-104
Oddment compartment light ............183
Parking ......................................138
Parking lights ..................................58
Parking sensors................................67
Performance ..................................239
Pollen/dust filter ......................90-219
Position lights ..................................58
Power steering ..............................142
Power windows ..............................38
