2008 Alfa Romeo 8C light

4
ABBREVIATIONS
Some descriptions and terms with particular
meanings are found in this manual in an
abbreviated form:
A.C. - AIR CONDITIONING
ABS - ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM - Wheel
locking prevention system during
braking
ASR - ANTI-SLIP REGULATION - Prevention
of slipping during acceleration
CAN - CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK
DRL - DAY RUNNING LIGHTS
EBD - ELECTRONIC BRAKE-FORCE
DISTRIBUTION - Electronically-
controlled brake distributor
ECU - ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
EPB - ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
– Automatic parking brake
ETD - EMERGENCY TENSIONING DEVICE
FTP - FLASH TO PASS – headlight fl ashingMSP - MOTOR SCHLEPPMOMENT
REGELUNG – Engine braking torque
adjustment
VDC - Vehicle Dynamics Control
WET - “Low grip” function.
UPDATING
The high quality level of the vehicle is subject to
constant improvements. Therefore, there may
be differences between this manual and your
vehicle.
All specifi cations and illustrations contained in
this manual refer to those resulting as of the
printing date. CONSULTING THE
MANUAL
To facilitate reading and fast consultation, the
topics have been divided into sections and
chapters.
The important parts requiring particular attention
are easily identifi able in the sections and
chapters.
N.B.: EXTREME CAUTION
REQUIRED:
failure to comply with the instructions
could cause hazardous situations
involving personal and vehicle safety!
WARNING: warning aimed at preventing
any damage to the vehicle and thus hazards
involving the safety of persons.

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1
BA
ELECTRONIC KEYCODE CARD
The car keys are provided with a CODE card,
which contains an electronic code
A, and a
mechanical code
B.
The codes must be kept in a safe place, not in
the vehicle.
WARNING: In the event of a vehicle ownership
transfer, it is essential that the new owner is
provided with the electronic key and with the
CODE card.
ALFA ROMEO
CODE SYSTEMThis is an electronic engine immobilizer system
which provides enhanced protection against
theft. It is automatically activated when the
electronic key is extracted from the ignition
block.
Each electronic key contains an electronic
device that translates the signal emitted upon
ignition by an antenna incorporated in the seat
of the electronic key on the dashboard. This
signal is the “password” (always different for
each ignition) with which the ECU recognises
the electronic key and allows the engine to be
started.OPERATION
Each time the ignition key is removed from
position STOP the protection system activates
the engine immobilizer.
Upon starting the engine, when the key is turned
to MAR:
1) If the code is recognised, the CODE

warning light on the instrument panel turns
off in one second, while the EOBD
warning light turns off after about four
seconds, after the ECU has completed its
diagnostic cycle. The protection system has
recognised the key code and deactivates the
engine immobilizer. Press the START button
and at the same time depress the brake
pedal to start the engine.
2) If the CODE warning light remains on
and the EOBD warning light goes off
after four seconds (ECU diagnostics) and
illuminates again immediately afterwards,
the code has not been recognised and the
message “Electronic key not recognised”
is displayed. In this case, it is advisable to
turn the key back to position STOP and
then back to MAR; if the immobilizer stays
on, try with the other keys.

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1
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION DATA
If you are still unable to restart the engine,
you will have to run an emergency start
procedure and contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
While driving, with the ignition key in position
MAR:
1) If the CODE
warning light illuminates,
it means that the system is performing a
self-diagnostic cycle. At the fi rst stop you
can test the system: stop the engine by
turning the ignition key to position STOP
and then turn the key back to position.
MAR: the CODE warning light will
illuminate and should turn off in one
second. If the warning light remains on,
repeat the procedure described previously
leaving the key at STOP for more than 30
seconds. If the problem persists, please
contact an Authorised Service Centre of
the Manufacturer’s Network.
2) If the CODE warning light fl ashes, it
means that the vehicle is not protected by
the immobilizer device. Immediately contact
an Authorised Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network to have all the
keys stored in the system memory.
WARNING: Strong impacts can damage the
electronic components in the key.
WARNING: Each key supplied has its own
specifi c code, which must be stored in the
memory of the system control unit.

18
2
A
BDC
SEAT BELTS The vehicle is equipped with seat belts with three
anchorage points and automatic retractor for
optimal freedom of movement.
The seat belts are equipped with electronically-
controlled load limiting devices and
pretensioners.
CAUTION
Before fastening the seat belts
make sure they are correctly fitted into
the guide A on the seat.
FASTENING THE SEAT
BELTS
Extract the lower section of the seat belt from the
outer side of the seat and secure it by holding the
latch
B and pull the seat belt out until the latch is
fully inserted in the buckle
C.
The seat belt is correctly buckled when the lock
clicks in place. Press the button
D to release the
seat belts.
If one or both of the front seat belts are not
fastened or improperly fastened, the warning
light
on the instrument panel comes on.
For the passenger’s seat belt this warning light
is accompanied by a specific message only if a
passenger is seated on the front seat. When the
warning light is on, an acoustic signal is also activated as soon as the vehicle speed exceeds
20 Km/h.
When the warning light is on, an acoustic signal
is also activated as soon as the vehicle speed
exceeds 20 Km/h.
The retractor locking device is activated
whenever the seat belt is pulled out too rapidly
or in case of sudden braking or collision.
If the seat belt locks due to too rapid extraction,
allow it to retract a short distance to disengage
the locking device.
The retractor allows the seat belt to automatically
fit to the passenger’s body, allowing him/her to
move freely.
When the vehicle is parked on a steep slope, the
retractor may lock: this is normal
WARNING: Feed the seat belt back into the
retractor by hand to avoid twisting and snagging.LOAD LIMITING DEVICES
To enhance passive safety, the front seat belt
retractors are equipped with load limiting devices
which control the seat belt reeling out so as to
adjust the force exerted on the shoulders while
the seat belt is in restraining mode.

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2
CAUTION
If the passenger airbag
system is active, do not sit a child in a
rearward-facing child seat on the front
vehicle seat. The airbag activation in
the event of a collision may cause fatal
injury to the child, regardless of the
collision severity.
FRONT AIRBAGSThe vehicle is equipped with 2 airbags (2 front
ones) and electronically controlled pretensioners
for all of the seat belts.
The system components are the following:1) Electronic control unit2) Dual-stage front passenger’s airbag 3) Passenger’s airbag deactivation switch4) Passenger’s front seat belt pretensioner5) Driver’s front seat belt pretensioner
6) Airbag system failure warning light7) Dual-stage front driver’s airbag8) Clock Spring9) Diagnostic socket10)
Left-hand front Crash Zone Sensor
11)
Right-hand front Crash Zone Sensor.
12)
Passenger’s airbag deactivation warning
light
The vehicle is equipped with multistage front
airbags for the driver and the passenger.

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2
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
CAUTION
All the inspections, repair and
replacement operations on the airbags
must be performed by an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
WARNING: To scrap the vehicle, please
contact an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network to have the system
deactivated.
WARNING: If the vehicle is sold, the new owners
must be provided with the above described
instructions for use and warnings, and they must
also be provided with the “Owner’s Manual”.
GENERAL WARNINGS
CAUTION
When the ignition key is turned
to the MAR position, the warning
light illuminates, but it must turn
off after approx. 5 seconds. If the
warning light does not illuminate, if it
remains lit or illuminates while driving,
immediately contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
CAUTION
When the ignition key is
turned to MAR, the LED on the roof
panel above the words “PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF” (with front passenger
airbag deactivation switch set to
ON) illuminates for about 4 seconds,
then flashes for 4 seconds to remind
you that the passenger airbag will be
activated in the event of a collision,
and then goes off.
CAUTION
In the event of a collision
with consequent airbag deployment,
contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network for
replacement of the entire safety
system, electronic control unit, seat
belts, pretensioners, and to have the
vehicle electrical system checked.

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2
A
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
VDC SYSTEMThe vehicle is equipped with the anti-yawing
control system VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control)
which incorporates all the control systems: ABS,
EBD, ASR and MSR. This system is equipped
with a model that predicts the vehicle behaviour
with great accuracy. The system is capable of
detecting whether the driver is about to lose
control of the vehicle. In this case, it can activate
the brake calipers individually and engine
control, in order to create a torque sufficient to
resist the vehicle yawing moment.ACTIVATION
The VDC and ASR systems are integrated in one
single function and are automatically activated
every time the engine is started; they can be
deactivated by pressing the button
A for about
1 second. Press the button
A again to reactivate
the systems.
The amber colour warning light
on the
instrument panel flashes during all the operating
phases.FAILURE SIGNALS
In the event of a malfunction, the system
is automatically disabled and cannot be
reactivated. This condition is signalled while
driving by the amber warning light on the
instrument panel that illuminates together with
the message “VDC failure - Go to workshop”.
When the engine is started, the system
malfunction is indicated by the illumination of
the warning light .
WARNING: In the event of a malfunction
and with the VDC deactivated, the vehicle
behaves as if it were not equipped with this
system: however, we recommend that you
contact an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network to have the system
checked.

34
2
WARNING: If you have to tow the vehicle with
2 wheels raised, ensure that the ignition key
is in the STOP position. Otherwise, with VDC
activated, the relative control unit will store a
malfunction, resulting in the illumination of the
warning lights
on the instrument panel and
on the display: this requires the intervention
of an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network to correct the system
malfunction.
WARNING: In low- and medium-grip conditions
(e.g., rain, snow, ice, sand, etc.) it is advisable
not to use SPORT mode, even with the VDC
activated.
WARNING: Driving on parabolic curves will
deactivate the system.
ASR SYSTEM (ELECTRONIC ANTI-
SKID DEVICE)The ASR system avoids driving wheels skidding
during acceleration through the engine control
unit (spark advance delay, engine throttle
opening reduction and fuel injection cut) and the
rear brakes.
The action of the ASR system enhances vehicle
stability and improves active safety while driving,
specially under the following conditions:
inside wheel skidding when cornering due
to dynamic load variations or excessive
acceleration
excessive power transmitted to the
wheels, also in relation to the road surface
conditions acceleration on slippery, snow-covered or icy
roads
grip loss on wet road surface
(aquaplaning).
In normal conditions (SPORT mode off), the ASR
system increases stability in low and medium
grip conditions, while with SPORT mode active
the system favours traction, thereby optimising
vehicle performance on dry asphalt.