2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider emergency towing

169
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
JUMP STARTING ................................................ 170
IF A TYRE IS PUNCTURED .................................... 171
QUICK TYRE REPAIR KIT FIX&GO automatic............ 176
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB ................... 182
IF AN EXTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ...................... 185
IF AN INTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ....................... 191
IF A FUSE BLOWS .............................................. 194
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT ...................................... 204
JACKING THE CAR............................................... 205
TOWING THE CAR .............................................. 206

171
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IF A TYRE
IS PUNCTURED
The car is equipped with the “Quick tyre
repair kit Fix&Go automatic“. Opera-
tions required to change a wheel are de-
scribed in the following section.
As an alternative to the “Kit Fix & Go
automatic”, the car can be provided (up-
on request) with space-saver spare
wheel: wheel changing and correct use
of the jack call for some precautions as
listed below.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine (by push-
ing, towing, or coasting downhill) as this
could cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
exhaust system and damage it beyond
repair.
Remember that the
brake booster and the
power steering system are not
operating until the engine is
started, a greater effort will
therefore be required to press
the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
WARNING
Alert other drivers that
the car is stationary in
compliance with local regula-
tions: hazard warning lights,
warning triangle etc. Any pas-
sengers on board should leave
the car, especially if it is heav-
ily laden. Passengers should
stay away from oncoming
traffic while the wheel is be-
ing changed on. If the wheel is
being changed on a steep or
badly surfaced road, place the
wedges or other suitable ma-
terial under the wheel to stop
the car. Never start the engine
when the car is jacked up. If
you were towing a trailer, un-
couple the trailer before jack-
ing the car.
WARNING

206
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
TOWING THE CAR
The tow ring provided with the car is
housed in the tool container.
A0F0230mfig. 56
TOW RING HOOKING
Front
Proceed as follows:
❒take the tow hook from the tool con-
tainer;
PRECAUTIONS FOR
TOWING THE CAR
To prevent damaging the transmission
components, tow the car only in one of
following ways:
❒with front wheels raised and rear
wheels resting on a truck provided
for the purpose;
❒with rear wheels raised and front
wheels resting on a truck provided
for the purpose;
❒with front and rear wheels on the
flatbed of a wrecker or maintenance
vehicle.

208
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Do not start the engine
when towing the car.
WARNING
Before starting to tow,
disengage the steering
lock (see paragraph “Ignition
device” in section “Dashboard
and controls”). When towing,
remember that without the
help of the brake booster and
power steering, a greater ef-
fort is required on the pedal
and steering wheel. Do not use
flexible cables for towing and
avoid jerks. During towing op-
erations make sure that fas-
tening the joint to the car does
not damage the components in
contact with it. When towing
the car, you must comply with
the specific traffic regulations
regarding the tow ring and
how to tow on the road.
WARNING

210
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance is essential for en-
suring long car life under the best condi-
tions.
This is why Alfa Romeo has programmed
a series of checks and maintenance op-
erations every 30,000 km.
IMPORTANTGAt 2000 km from the
scheduled service, the display will show
a dedicated message.
It is however important to remember that
scheduled servicing does not completely
cover all the car’s requirements: also in
the initial period before 30,000 km ser-
vice coupon and later, between one
coupon and another, ordinary care is still
required such as for example routine
check and topping up the level of fluids,
tyre pressure check, etc...IMPORTANTThe Programmed Main-
tenance coupons are specified by the
Manufacturer. The failure to have them
carried out may invalidate the warranty.
Scheduled Servicing is performed by all
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, at pre-
established times.
If during whatever service operation, in
addition to the ones programmed, the
need arises for further replacements or
repairs, these may be carried out only
with the explicit agreement of the Cus-
tomer.IMPORTANTYou are advised to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services in
the event of any minor operating faults,
without waiting for the next service
coupon.
If your car is used frequently for towing,
the interval between one service coupon
and the other must be reduced.

213
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions.
❒check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Sele-
nia products, designed and produced
specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Techni-
cal specifications”).

262
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
INDEX
Sun curtains ............................ 83
Sun visors ............................... 83
Suspensions ............................ 241
Symbols ................................. 9
Technical Specifications...... 235
Third brake light ....................... 190
Top speeds .............................. 248
Towing the car ......................... 206
Towing trailers
– installing the tow hook ........ 148
T.P.M.S. system ........................ 109
Transmission ............................ 240
Trip computer ........................... 37
Turbocharger pressure gauge ...... 24
Tyres
– changing ........................... 171
– inflation pressures ............... 245
– snow tyres ......................... 150
– standard tyres .................... 244
– understanding tyre marking .. 242VDC system ............................ 100
Warning lights
and messages................... 153
Weights .................................. 249
Wheel geometry ...................... 246
Wheel rims
– understanding rim marking ... 243
Wheels
– changing ........................... 171
– technical data ..................... 242
Wheels and tyres ..................... 226
Windows (cleaning) ......... 68-232
Windscreen washer
– control ............................... 68
– fluid level ........................... 219
Windscreen wiper
– blades ............................... 228
– control ............................... 68
– nozzle ............................... 229 Safe lock device ....................... 14
Safety devices ......................... 115
S.B.R. system .......................... 117
Seat belts ............................... 116
Seats
– cleaning ............................ 233
– electrically adjustable
front seats ......................... 42
– manually adjustable
front seats ......................... 41
– with electric warming .......... 43
Side/taillights
– bulb replacement ....... 186-188
– control ............................... 65
Side air bags ........................... 132
Ski tunnel ............................... 81
Smart washing ........................ 69
Snow chains ............................ 151
Sound system .......................... 104
Steering .................................. 241
Steering lock ........................... 21
Steering wheel (adjustment) ..... 45