2008 Alfa Romeo 8C check engine

64
3
Low oil pressure (*)
In normal conditions, when turning
the key to MAR the warning light
should illuminate, and should go off once the
engine has started.
If the warning light remains on or illuminates
while driving, this indicates a too low engine
oil pressure. In this case, turn the engine off
immediately and carry out the necessary checks.
If the problem persists, contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
High catalytic converter
temperature
It illuminates if the engine runs
irregularly with consequent high temperature in
the exhaust system.
CAUTION
IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS
ACCOMPANIED BY THE MESSAGE
“CATALYST TEMPERATURE TOO
HIGH, SLOW DOWN”: the catalytic
converters’ temperature is too
high. The driver must slow down immediately until the warning light
goes off.
Catalyst temperature too high
CAUTION
IF THE MESSAGE “CATALYST
TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH, DO
NOT CONTINUE” APPEARS AFTER
DECELERATING: dangerous catalyst
temperature, the catalysts can be
damaged. Stop the vehicle and contact
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
CAUTION
If the warning light illuminates
permanently 3 times, the engine stops.
The engine can only be restarted
turning the key to off and then back to
on. Then go to the nearest Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network driving at low speed.CAUTION
Alfa Romeo declines all
responsibility for whatever damage
deriving from non compliance with the
above mentioned warnings.
Low Q-Select gearbox oil
The red symbol indicates that the
gearbox oil is low; stop the vehicle
and contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network to have the
vehicle checked.
Q-Select gearbox failure
It indicates a failure of the
electronically-controlled gearbox.
If the failure permits, slowly drive to
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.

81
4
A
B
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
WARNING: Before disconnecting the battery,
lower the side windows by at least 4-5 cm
to avoid damaging the weather strips when
opening and closing the doors. When the battery
is connected and fully charged, this operation
is done automatically whenever the doors are
opened or closed. The windows must remain
open until the charged battery is reconnected.
If the battery has discharged with the windows
fully closed, open the door only if necessary and
with the greatest care; do not close it again until
it the windows can be lowered.
WARNING: Before activating the alarm system,
check that all the windows and the sunroof are
closed to prevent accidental activation of the
alarm system.
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT LID

To unlock the engine compartment lid, pull the
lever
A found in the lower, left-hand side of the
dashboard.
Release the safety device by moving the lever
B
as shown in the figure.
Lift the engine compartment lid: this operation is
facilitated by two gas struts.
The engine compartment lid positions itself at the
maximum opening position and does not require
support stays.
CAUTION
To close the lid: lower it
to about 20 cm from the engine
compartment and let it drop: it will
close automatically.
In doing this, always be extremely
careful to prevent your hands from
being crushed.
CAUTION
Always check that the engine
compartment lid is properly shut so
that it cannot open while driving.

87
4
STOPACC
MAR
A
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
IGNITION SWITCHThe ignition key can be turned to 3 positions:
STOP - Engine off, engine immobilizer and
steering wheel lock activated, connected devices
cut-out, except those that are not key-controlled
(e.g. centralised door lock, rear window opening
control, etc.). The key is removable.
ACC - Steering lock release position.
MAR - Engine start and driving position. All
electrical devices can operate.START BUTTON
Hold the brake pedal depressed and press the
START button
A to start the engine.
When the engine has started, release the START
button.
Avoid pressing the START button at length.
For the starting procedure, see “Starting the
Engine”.
CAUTION
If the ignition switch has been
tampered with (e.g. attempted theft)
have it checked at an authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network before continuing driving.
CAUTION
When you get out of the
vehicle, always remove the key
to prevent someone inadvertently
activating the controls.
Remember to apply the parking brake
and, if the vehicle is on a hill, engage
first gear.
If the vehicle is on a downward slope,
engage reverse gear.
CAUTION
Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle.

88
4
A
ELECTRONIC
ALARM SYSTEMThe electronic alarm system has the following
functions:
- remote control of the centralised door
locking/unlocking system
- perimeter surveillance, detecting the
opening of doors, engine/luggage
compartment lids
- motion surveillance, detecting intrusion in
the passenger compartment
- vehicle movement surveillance.WARNING: The engine immobilizer function is
ensured by the Alfa Romeo CODE system, which
is automatically activated when the ignition key
is removed from the starter switch.
ACTIVATION
Press button
A on the key to activate the alarm
system:
- the direction indicators fl ash once
- the system beeps;
- the centralised door locking of the vehicle is
activated and doors are locked.
The alarm system is active after approximately
25 seconds and the alarm is activated when:
- a door is opened
- the luggage compartment lid is opened
- the engine compartment lid is opened
- someone attempts to enter the vehicle from
a window
- the power supply is disconnected
- the siren is disconnected
- the vehicle is moved.When the alarm is active, the user may request
the luggage compartment opening; in this
case, the motion and inclination sensors are
temporarily deactivated.
If the luggage compartment is then closed, the
sensors will be reactivated.
Should the direction indicators flash 9 times
when you activate the alarm system, this means
that one of the doors or lids is not properly closed
and therefore is not protected by the perimeter
surveillance. Check for correct closing of doors,
luggage/engine compartment lid and close the
open one without deactivating the alarm system:
direction indicators flashing once indicate that
now the door, luggage/engine compartment
lid are closed properly and are protected by the
perimeter surveillance.

89
4
B
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
WARNING: If the direction indicators flash 9
times when the alarm system is activated with
doors, front and rear lids properly closed, this
means that the self-diagnostic function has
detected a malfunction in the system and that
you should contact an Authorised Service
Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network to have
the system checked.
DEACTIVATION
Press button
B on the key to deactivate the
alarm system:
- the direction indicators will fl ash twice
- the system emits a double beep
- the centralised door locking system is
activated and the doors are unlocked.
The alarm system is off and it is therefore
possible to get into the vehicle and to start the
engine.Press button
B twice to unlock all the doors; the
low beams will activate for 30 seconds.
WARNING: The alarm system is not deactivated
when the key is turned in the locks.GETTING INTO THE
VEHICLE WHEN THE
ALARM SYSTEM IS ON
When the remote control battery is flat, to access
the vehicle you must insert the key in the lock on
one of the two front doors and turn it clockwise
to unlock it: the alarm will sound but you will
have to continue with the normal starting
procedure. The alarm will go off.

114
5
MAR
STARTING THE
ENGINE
CAUTION
Hold the brake pedal depressed
when starting the engine.
CAUTION
It is dangerous to operate the
engine in an enclosed space. The engine
consumes oxygen and discharges
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and
other toxic gases.
WARNING: Before start-up, switch off the
electrical devices with a high power consumption
(air-conditioning and heating system, heated
rear window, headlights, etc.).
WARNING: Do not start the engine if the fuel
level in the tank is low.
1) Make sure that the parking brake is applied
and that the doors are closed.
2) Hold the brake pedal depressed when
starting the engine.
3) Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
4) Set the gear to neutral by pulling both
paddles UP and DOWN towards the
steering wheel and check that the gear
display indicates N not fl ashing.
5) Turn the ignition key to MAR.
6) press button START button and release it as
soon as the engine starts.
Do not hold the START button for a long time.If the engine does not start, turn the key back to
position STOP and wait for the gear display to go
off before retrying.
The engine can also be started with a gear
engaged; turning the key to position MAR, with
the brake pedal depressed, press the START
button. The system allows the clutch to open and
the gearshift to engage neutral gear; then the
starter motor receives clearance for start-up. This
procedure usually requires one second. At very
low temperatures, the procedure could take a
slightly longer time.
If the gearbox is instead in the N position,
starting is immediate.
If the engine does not start after turning the key
to position STOP, wait for the gear display to go
off and then repeat the entire procedure.

121
5
USING THE VEHICLE
REQUESTING
NEUTRAL (N)
If necessary, neutral (N) can be requested at any
speed.
If you then operate the UP paddle, the system
will engage a gear suited to the vehicle speed.
STOPPING THE VEHICLE
When the vehicle stops, the system
automatically engages 1
st gear (unless N has
already bee requested).
With the vehicle stationary and the engine
running, hold the brake pedal depressed until
you are ready to start off again. TURNING OFF
THE ENGINE AND
DEACTIVATING THE
SYSTEM
The engine can only be turned off with the
gearbox in 1
st, or reverse gear R.
If the gear is in neutral and the key is turned
from MAR to position STOP, the display remains
on for a few seconds showing the letter (N)
flashing and activating the acoustic signal.
For safety reasons, to avoid undesired and
sudden vehicle movements:
CAUTION
Never leave the vehicle with
the gear in neutral (N), but engage
1
st or reverse gear and check that the
parking brake has been engaged. Do
not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.CAUTION
Do not remove the key when
the vehicle is moving! The system (and
thus the display) would remain active
but malfunctioning, until the vehicle
stops; in addition, the steering wheel
would lock automatically at the first
turn of the wheel.
In this case, the failure symbol
will
illuminate and, before starting-off again, the
system must be turned off and the “system start-
up” phase repeated.
In any event, it is best to:
- Turn off the engine and the system holding
the brake pedal depressed.
- Do not request a gearshift while the system
is turning off.

125
5
USING THE VEHICLE
USING THE
ENGINEBREAKING-IN
The latest methods of production provide high
precision in the construction and coupling of
components. However, the moving parts do
undergo a settling process, basically in the first
hours of vehicle operation.
ENGINE AND
TRANSMISSION
Avoid exceeding 5000 RPM for the first 1000
km.
After starting the vehicle, do not exceed 4000
RPM until the engine has warmed up sufficiently
(water temperature: 65, 70 °C).
Do not let the engine run at a constantly high
RPM for a prolonged time.WHILE DRIVING
Never travel with the Rev. Counter indicator
approaching the peak RPM - not even downhill.
When the revolution counter indicator is
approaching the peak RPM, drive carefully to
avoid exceeding this limit.
WARNING: In normal conditions all the red
warning lights on the instrument panel and on
the display must be off. When they illuminate,
they indicate a problem in the relative system.Ensure proper operation of the various devices by
checking the relative control gauges.
WARNING: Continuing to drive when a red
warning light is on could cause serious damage
to the vehicle and affect performance.
CAUTION
Never turn the engine off
while driving downhill as the vacuum
decrease prevents the servo brake
from functioning correctly. After a few
braking attempts, the system will
become almost completely inefficient.
The power steering will also loose its
efficiency in these condition.