2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider wheel

66
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
“FOLLOW ME HOME”
DEVICE
This function allows the illumination of
the space in front of the car for a pre-
set period of time.
Activation
Pull the stalk towards the steering wheel
within 2 minutes from when the engine
is turned off.
At each single movement of the stalk,
the staying on of the lights is extended
by 30 seconds up to a maximum of 3.5
minutes; then the lights are switched off
automatically.
Each time the stalk is operated, the
3
warning light turns on together with the
message on the display (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
Deactivation
Keep the stalk pulled towards the steer-
ing wheel for more than 2 seconds.
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS
SENSOR (daylight sensor)
(where provided)
It detects the changes of the external
light intensity of the car according to the
light sensitivity set: the greater the sen-
sitivity is, the smaller the amount of ex-
ternal light necessary to control the
switching-on of the external headlights
will be.
The daylight sensor sensitivity can be ad-
justed through the “Setup Menu” of the
display (see “Reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display” in this section).
Activation
Turn the knurled ring A-fig. 44to
2A:
in this way, the automatic activation of
the side/taillights and dipped beam
headlights is simultaneously enabled ac-
cording to outside brightness.
With lights switched on automatically
and in the presence of a switching off
control by the sensor, the main beams
will be switched off first and a few sec-
onds after also the sidelights.Deactivation
As a result of the sensor control, the
dipped beam headlights will switch off
and, after a few seconds, sidelights will
switch off too. The sensor is not able
to detect the fog presence, lights shall
therefore be switched on manually.
Failure warnings
Headlight sensor failure is shown by a
dedicated message on the display (see
section “Warning lights and mes-
sages”).

69
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
The rain sensor is activated automatical-
ly moving the right-hand stalk to position
1-fig. 47and it has a range of adjust-
ment that gradually varies between wiper
stationary (no wiping) when the wind-
screen is dry, to wiper at second speed
(continuous, medium) with heavy rain.
Turning the knurled ringA-fig. 47it
is possible to increase the sensitivity of
the rain sensor, obtaining a quicker
change from stationary (no wiping)
when the windscreen is dry, to first con-
tinuous speed (continuous, slow). This
action is confirmed by one wiping
stroke.
Operating the windscreen washer with
the rain sensor activated (stalk at posi-
tion1-fig. 47) the normal washing
cycle is performed at the end of which
the rain sensor resumes its normal au-
tomatic function. “Smart washing” function
Pulling the stalk towards the steering
wheel (unstable position) operates the
windscreen washer.
Keeping the stalk pulled with just one
movement it is possible to operate the
washer jet and the wiper at the same
time; the wiper actually comes into op-
eration automatically when the stalk is
pulled for more than half a second.
The wiper stops working 3 strokes after
releasing the stalk; a further stroke af-
ter about 6 seconds will complete the
wiping operation.
RAIN SENSOR
(where provided)
The rain sensor A-fig. 48, located be-
hind the driving mirror, is an electronic de-
vice combined with the windscreen wiper
which has the purpose of automatically
adjusting the number of wipes during in-
termittent operation, to intensity of the
rain. All the other functions controlled by
the right-hand stalk remain unchanged.
A0F0227mfig. 48

71
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARHEADLIGHT WASHERS
(where provided) fig. 49
Headlight washers are visible and are fit-
ted with a nozzle for each external light
function. They come into operation au-
tomatically when operating the wind-
screen washer with external lights
turned on.
IMPORTANT Check at regular inter-
vals correct operation and cleanness of
nozzles.
Make sure the device is
off when cleaning the
windscreen.
WARNING
A0F0046mfig. 49
Streaks of water could
cause non-required blade
movements.Rear window washer/wiper
Pulling the stalk towards the steering
wheel (unstable position) operates the
rear window washer and wiper. Release
the stalk to stop operation.
Turning the knurled ring B-fig. 47from
ON/OFFto
&obtains rear window
wiper intermittent operation.

80
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INTERIOR FITTINGS
CENTRAL ARMREST
The central armrest is located between
the front seats. Inside the armrest is
housed an air-conditioned food box
(where provided) (see next paragraph).
A0F0141mfig. 57
Pay attention not to
spill the drinks into the
food box.
A0F0039mfig. 56
Air-conditioned food box
(where provided)
The food box is located inside the cen-
tral armrest. Turn wheel A-fig. 57 to
adjust the air flow inside the food box.
IMPORTANTFunction of the food
box is to keep the temperature of the
drinks placed inside it; drinks shall be
warmed or cooled as required before be-
ing put inside the food box. Oddment compartment
To open the oddment compartment,
press button A-fig. 56and raise the
coverB.

98
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARHEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
It works with the key fitted into the ig-
nition device and dipped beams on.
When the car is loaded, it slopes back-
wards. This means that the headlight
beam rises. In this case, it is necessary
to return it to the correct position.
In this event, to adjust the headlight
slant use control A-fig. 83aset on the
button control panel near the steering
wheel.
If the car is fitted with bixenon head-
lights, headlight aiming is electronic and
therefore control Ais not present.Control has four positions corresponding
to the loads given below:
❒position0- load: driver / driver +
front passenger;
❒position1- load: driver + 3 pas-
sengers / driver + 3 passengers +
load in the boot (65 kg for 2.2 ver-
sion / 50 kg for 3.2 version);
❒position2- load: driver + load in the
boot (290 kg for 2.2 version / 275
kg for 3.2 version);
❒position3- not to be used.
IMPORTANT Check headlight slant
each time the transported load changes.
FRONT FOG LIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
to have the headlights correctly adjust-
ed.
A0F0226mfig. 83a
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
ABROAD
The dipped beam headlights are adjust-
ed for circulation in the country in which
the car is marketed. In countries with
opposite circulation, to avoid glaring on-
coming vehicles, proceed as follows:
❒remove headlight cover (see para-
graph “Dipped beam headlights” in
section “In an emergency”);
❒move lever A-fig. 84aside.
A0F0050mfig. 84

99
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ABS SYSTEM
The car is fitted with ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from
locking when braking, makes the most
of road grip and gives the best control
when emergency braking under difficult
road conditions.
System is completed by EBD (Electron-
ic Braking Force Distribution), which dis-
tributes the braking action between front
and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To have the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, it is
necessary a setting period of about 500
km: during this period it is better to
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
brakes.
ABS SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
The driver can tell the ABS system has
come into action because the brake ped-
al pulsates slightly and the system gets
noisier: it means that the car speed
should be altered to fit the type of road
surface.
If the ABS system cuts
in, it is a sign that the
grip between tyre and the
road surface has reached the
limit: you must slow down to
match the speed to the road
grip available.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the
tyre-road grip at the
best, but it cannot improve it;
you should therefore take
every care when driving on
slippery surfaces without tak-
ing unnecessary risks.
WARNING
When the ABS cuts in,
and you feel the brake
pedal pulsating, do not re-
move your foot, but keep it
pressed; in doing so you will
stop in the shortest amount of
space possible under the cur-
rent road conditions.
WARNING

100
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking
assistance)
The system, which cannot be cut out,
recognizes emergency braking (on the
ground of the brake pedal operation
speed) and considerably increases the
pressure in the brake circuit.
Brake Assist is deactivated on the ver-
sions equipped with VDC system in the
event of VDC system failure, indicated
by the turning on of warning light
áon
the instrument panel (together with a
message on the display).
FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS
ABS failure
ABS failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning light
>on the instru-
ment panel (together with a message
on the display) (see section “Warning
lights and messages”). In this case the
braking system is still efficient, though
without the aid of the ABS system.
Drive carefully to the closest Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services to have the system
checked.
EBD failure
EBD failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning lights
>+xon the in-
strument panel (together with a mes-
sage on the display) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
In this case with sharp braking the rear
wheels might lock too early, with the
possibility of skidding. Drive extremely
carefully to the closest Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the system
checked.
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics
Control)
The VDC system is an electronic system
controlling the car stability in the event
of tyre grip loss.
The VDC system is therefore particular-
ly useful when grip conditions of the
road surfaces changes.
VDC SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
It is indicated by the blinking of the
warning light
áon the instrument pan-
el, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.

101
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARTURNING THE VDC SYSTEM
ON/OFF
The VDC system is automatically acti-
vated when the engine is started. When
travelling, to turn the VDC off press the
ASR/ VDC button on the central console
for 2 seconds fig. 85. Turning off the
VDC will also turn off the ASR. Both func-
tions can be reactivated by pressing the
ASR/VDC button.
VDC system deactivation is indicated
by the dedicated message on the dis-
play.
If the VDC has been turned off when
travelling, at next engine start-up it will
turn on again automatically.
A0F0026mfig. 85
Performance of the
VDC system, in terms
of active safety should not in-
duce the driver to take point-
less and unnecessary risks.
The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to
the conditions of the road sur-
face, visibility an traffic. Road
safety is always the driver’s
responsibility.
WARNING
During the use of the
space-saver spare wheel
(where provided), the VDC
system carries on working.
However, you must remind
that the space-saver spare
wheel has dimensions smaller
than the standard tyre and
therefore its grip is reduced as
to the other car tyres.
WARNING
For correct operation of
the VDC system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in perfect conditions
and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING
FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS
In the event of failure, the VDC system
is automatically disconnected and the
warning light
ácomes on with fixed
light on the instrument panel (together
with a message on the display) (see sec-
tion “Warning lights and messages”). In
this case contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.