2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider Owner handbook (in English)

112
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DIESEL ENGINES
If the outside temperature is very low,
the diesel thickens due to the formation
of paraffin and could clog the diesel fu-
el filter.
In order to avoid these problems, dif-
ferent types of diesel are distributed ac-
cording to the season: summer type,
winter type arctic type (mountains/cold
areas).
If refuelling with diesel fuel not suitable
for the current temperature, mix diesel
fuel with TUTELA DIESEL ARTad-
ditive in the proportions stated on the
can, putting first the antifreeze in the
tank and then the diesel fuel.
If driving or parking the vehicle for a long
period in cold areas/mountains, refuel
with the diesel fuel available at local fill-
ing stations. In this situation you are al-
so recommended to have in the tank an
amount of fuel 50% higher than usable
capacity.
AT THE FILLING
STATION
PETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol. To prevent er-
rors, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is too small to introduce a lead petrol
pump filler. Use petrol with a rated oc-
tane number (R.O.N.) not lower than
95.
IMPORTANTAn inefficient catalyst
leads to harmful exhaust emissions, thus
contributing to air pollution.
IMPORTANT Never use leaded
petrol, even in small amount or in an
emergency, as this would damage the
catalyst beyond repair.
The car must only be
filled with diesel fuel for
motor vehicles, in com-
pliance with European Standard
EN590. The use of other prod-
ucts or mixtures may irrepara-
bly damage the engine with in-
validation of the warranty due
to the damage caused. In the
event of accidentally filling with
another type of fuel, do not
start the engine and empty the
tank. If the engine has been run
even for only a very short time,
in addition to the tank, it is al-
so necessary to drain out the
whole fuel circuit.
REFUELLING
To guarantee full tank filling, carry out
two refuelling operations after the first
click of the fuel delivery gun. Avoid fur-
ther topping up operations that could
cause damages to the fuel system.

113
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAREMERGENCY OPENING OF
THE FUEL FILLER CAP
In case of failure, the fuel filler cap can
be opened by pulling string set on the
right side of the boot fig. 89.
A0F0130mfig. 89
FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel tank lid can only be opened
with doors unlocked and engine
switched off.
To open the fuel filler cap, operate as
shown by the arrow infig. 87.
The fuel filler cap A-fig. 88 is fitted
with an antiloss device Bwhich fastens
it to the flap Cso it cannot be mislaid.
A0F0159mfig. 87A0F0160mfig. 88
Do not put naked
flames or lighted ciga-
rettes near the fuel filler hole
as there is danger of fire. Do
not bend too close to the hole
either so as not to breathe in
harmful vapours.
WARNING
When refuelling, position the cap on the
device inside the flap as shown in the
figure.
IMPORTANTThe sealing of the tank
may cause light pressurising in the tank.
A little breathing off, while slackening
the cap, is absolutely normal.

114
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
The devices for curtailing petrol engine
emissions are the following:
❒three-way catalytic converter;
❒Lambda sensors;
❒fuel evaporation system.
In addition, do not let the engine run,
even for a test, with one or more spark
plugs disconnected.
The devices for curtailing diesel fuel en-
gine emissions are the following:
❒oxidising catalytic converter;
❒exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.);
❒diesel particulate filter (DPF).
During normal service
the diesel particulate
filter (DPF) reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore
park the car over inflammable
materials (grass, dry leaves,
pine needles, etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER
(DPF)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a me-
chanical filter, integral with the exhaust
system, that physically traps particulate
present in the exhaust gases of Diesel
engines.
The diesel particular filter has been
adopted to eliminate almost totally par-
ticulates in compliance with current /
future law regulations.
During normal use of the car, the engine
control unit records a set of data (e.g.:
travel time, type of route, temperatures,
etc.) and it will then calculate how much
particulates has been trapped by the fil-
ter.Since this filter physically traps particu-
lates, it shall be cleaned (reclaimed) at
regular intervals by burning carbon par-
ticles. Reclaiming procedure is controlled
automatically by the engine control unit
according to the filter conditions and the
conditions of use of the car. During re-
claiming the following phenomena could
take place: idling slight increase, fan ac-
tivation, slight smoke increase, high ex-
haust temperatures. These situations
shall not be considered as faults and they
do not affect car performance and envi-
ronment.
Diesel particulate filter
clogged
When the Diesel particulate filter is
clogged, the display will show symbol
hand the dedicated message. In
this case keep the car running until sym-
bol
h+ and message turn off.

115
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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
S S
A A
F F
E E
T T
Y Y
D D
E E
V V
I I
C C
E E
S S
SEAT BELTS ....................................................... 116
S.B.R. SYSTEM ................................................. 117
PRETENSIONERS ................................................ 118
CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELY ............................... 121
PRESETTING FOR MOUNTING THE
“UNIVERSAL ISOFIX” CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM.... 126
FRONT AIR BAGS................................................ 128
SIDE AIR BAGS (Side bag - Window bag) ............. 132

116
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Never press button C
when travelling.
Through the reel, the belt automatically
adapts to the body of the passenger
wearing it, allowing freedom of move-
ment.When the car is parked on a steep slope
the reel mechanism may block; this is
normal. The reel mechanism prevents
the webbing coming out when it is jerked
or if the car brakes sharply, in a collision
or when cornering at high speed.
The rear seat is fitted with inertial seat
belts with three anchor points and reel.
Rear seat belts shall be worn as shown
infig. 2. To unfasten the seat belts, press button
C. Guide the seat belt with your hand
while it is rewinding, to prevent it from
twisting.
SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
The belt should be worn keeping the
chest straight and rested against the seat
back.
To fasten seat belts, take the tongue A-
fig. 1and insert it into the buckle B,
until hearing the locking click.
At removal, if it jams, let it rewind for
a short stretch, then pull it out again
without jerking.
WARNING
A0F0083mfig. 1A0F0055mfig. 2

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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
S.B.R. SYSTEM
(Seat Belt Reminder)
The car is fitted with the S.B.R. system
(Seat Belt Reminder), consisting of a
buzzer which, together with the turning
on of warning light
and the front passenger to fasten the
seat belt. The buzzer can be muted tem-
porarily as follows:
❒fasten front seat belts;
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition
device;
❒wait for over 20 seconds, but less
than 1 minute, and then unfasten
one of the front seat belts.
This procedure will be valid until switch-
ing the engine off.
For permanent deactivation, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services. The S.B.R.
system can only be reset through the
“Setup Menu” (see paragraph “Recon-
figurable multifunction display“ in section
“Dashboard and controls”). IMPORTANT Correct backrest fas-
tening is guaranteed when the “red
band”A-fig. 3aside levers Bis no
longer visible. The “red band” actually
indicates that the backrest is not prop-
erly secured.
IMPORTANTAfter putting the seats
back to their travelling position, restore
the seat belt position to make them
ready for use.
A0F0085mfig. 3
Make sure the backrest
is properly secured at
both sides (red band A-fig. 3
not visible) to prevent it moves
forward in the event of sharp
braking causing injuries to pas-
sengers.
WARNING
Remember that in the
event of a violent colli-
sion, back seat passengers not
wearing seat belts also repre-
sent a serious danger for the
front seat passengers.
WARNING

118
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Anything that modifies its original con-
ditions invalidates its efficiency. Anything
that modifies its original conditions in-
validates its efficiency. If due to unusu-
al natural events (floods, sea storms,
etc.) the device has been affected by
water and mud, it must necessarily be
replaced.PRETENSIONERS
To increase the efficiency of the seat
belts, the car is fitted with front preten-
sioners. These devices, in the event of
a violent crash, rewind the seat belts a
few centimetres. In this way they en-
sure that the seat belt adheres perfect-
ly to the wearer before the restraining
action begins.
The seat belt locks to indicate that the
device has intervened; the seat belt can-
not be drawn back up even when guid-
ing it manually.
IMPORTANTTo obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioning device, wear the seat
belt keeping it firmly close to the chest
and pelvis.
Front seat pretensioners activate only
if front seat belts are properly fitted in-
to buckles.
A small amount of smoke may be pro-
duced. This smoke is in no way toxic and
presents no fire hazard.
The pretensioner can
only be used once. Af-
ter a collision that has trig-
gered it, have it replaced at Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
Pretensioner validity is indi-
cated on the label located on
the door. Pretensioners should
be replaced at Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services as this date
approaches
WARNING
Operations which lead
to knocks, vibrations or
localised heating (over
100°C for a maximum of 6
hours) in the area around the
pretensioners may cause dam-
age or trigger them. These de-
vices are not affected by vibra-
tions caused by irregularities of
the road surface or low obsta-
cles such as kerbs, etc. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
for any assistance.
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger’s safety, the front
seat belt reels contain a load limiter
which allows controlled sag in such a
way as to dose the force acting on the
chest and shoulders during the belt re-
straining action in case of front crash.

119
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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARIMPORTANTThe belt should not be
twisted. The upper part should pass over
the shoulder and cross the chest diago-
nally. The lower part should adhere to
the pelvis fig. 5and not the abdomen
of the passenger. Do not use any objects
(pegs, stoppers, etc.) to keep the belts
away from the body.GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
FOR USING THE SEAT BELTS
The driver must comply with (and have
the vehicle occupants follow) all the lo-
cal legal regulations concerning the use
of seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before start-
ing.
Seat belts are also to be worn by ex-
pectant mothers: the risk of injury in the
case of accident is greatly reduced for
them and the unborn child if they are
wearing a seat belt. Of course they must
position the lower part of the belt very
low down so that it passes under the ab-
domenfig. 4.
A0F0104mfig. 4A0F0103mfig. 5
For maximum protec-
tion keep the back of
your seat upright, lean back in-
to it and make sure the seat
belt fits closely across your
chest and hips. Make sure that
the seat belts of the front and
rear passengers are fastened
at all times! You increase the
risk of serious injury or death
in a collision if you travel with
the belts unfastened.
WARNING