2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider ESP

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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
STOPPING THE ENGINE
With car stopped press button
START/STOP. When the engine is off
it will be possible to remove the electronic
key from the ignition device.
In an emergency and
also for safety rea-
sons, it is possible to kill the
engine while the car is running
by pressing repeatedly (three
times in 2 seconds) or keeping
pressed the START/STOP but-
ton for a few seconds. In this
case the power steering is no
longer available.
WARNING
IMPORTANTTurning the car off will
deactivate the electronic safety systems
and turn off the external lights.
IMPORTANTKilling the engine while
the car is running, due to safety reasons,
it will not be possible to take the elec-
tronic key out of the ignition device. To
remove it, turn the instrument panel on
and off by pressing button
START/STOPwith brake pedal (or
clutch pedal) released and car stopped. A quick burst on the ac-
celerator before turning
off the engine serves
absolutely no practical purpose,
it wastes fuel and is damaging
especially to turbocharged en-
gines.
IMPORTANTAfter a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the en-
gine compartment to fall.

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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Climate control
The air conditioner is an additional load
which greatly affects the engine leading
to higher consumption. When the tem-
perature outside the car permits it, use
the air vents where possible.
Spoilers
The use of aerodynamic optional extras
which are not certified for the specific
use on the vehicle, may reduce the aero-
dynamic penetration of the vehicle and
increase consumption. Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
car (especially when driving in town)
and its trim greatly affects consumption
and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack
from the roof as soon as they are no
longer used. These accessories lower air
penetration and adversely affect con-
sumption levels. When needing to car-
ry particularly voluminous objects, prefer-
ably use a trailer.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window,
additional headlights, windscreen wipers
and heater fan need a considerable
amount of energy therefore, increasing
the requirement of current increases fu-
el consumption (up to +25% in the ur-
ban cycle).CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of
your car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service sched-
ule”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routine-
ly at an interval of no more than 4
weeks: if the pressure is too low, con-
sumption levels increase as resistance
to rolling is higher.

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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

❒after reaching the tyre pressure spec-
ified in paragraph “Wheels” in sec-
tion “Technical Specifications”, start
driving immediately;
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Apply the sticker in a
visible position for the
driver to indicate that the tyre
has been treated with the
quick tyre repair kit. Drive
carefully especially when cor-
nering and do not exceed 80
km/h. Avoid heavy braking
and accelerating.
WARNING
You shall absolutely
communicate that the
tyre has been repaired with
the quick tyre repair kit. Hand
the instruction brochure to the
personnel charged with treat-
ing the tyre repaired with the
kit.
WARNING
If pressure falls below
1.8 bar, stop the car
since the tyre is excessively
damaged and the quick tyre
repair kit Fix & Go automatic
cannot guarantee suitable
sealing. Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING
❒after driving for about 10 minutes
stop and check again the tyre pres-
sure;pull up the handbrake;❒if at least 1.8 bar pressure is read,
restore proper pressure (with engine
running and handbrake on) and
restart;
❒drive with the utmost care to the
nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service.

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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
❒When a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before changing a bulb. For the lo-
cation of fuses, refer to the para-
graph “If a fuse blows” in this sec-
tion;
❒Before changing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation;
❒Burnt bulbs must be replaced by oth-
ers of the same type and power;
❒Always check the height of the head-
light beam after changing a bulb.
IMPORTANTThe headlight inner sur-
face may be lightly misted over: this is
not a fault but a natural fact due to low
temperature and level of air humidity. It
will disappear as soon the headlights are
turned on. The presence of drops inside
the headlights means water infiltration,
therefore contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB
Modifications or re-
pairs to the electrical
system (electronic control
units) carried out incorrectly
and without bearing the fea-
tures of the system in mind
can cause malfunctions with
the risk of fire.
WARNING
Due to high voltage,
the bulb of (Bixenon)
gas-discharge headlights must
only be replaced by experts:
danger of death! Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING
Halogen bulbs contain
pressurised gas which,
if broken, may cause small
fragments of glass to be pro-
jected outwards.
WARNING
Halogen bulbs must be
handled touching only
the metallic part. If the trans-
parent bulb is touched with the
fingers, its lighting intensity is
reduced and life of the bulb
may be compromised. If
touched accidentally, rub the
bulb with a cloth moistened
with alcohol and allow to dry.
WARNING

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CORRECT USE
OF THE CARFUSE LOCATION
Fuses are grouped into four fuse boxes
to be found respectively on the dash-
board, on the battery positive pole, near
the battery and inside the boot (left-
hand side).
Fuse box on the dashboard
To gain access to the fuses in the fuse
box on the dashboard, loosen the fas-
tening screw A-fig. 47and remove
the cover B.
A0F0157mfig. 47
A0F0124mfig. 48

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SAFETY
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CARENGINE OIL
Fig. 4: 2.2 JTS versions
Fig. 5: 3.2 JTS versions
Fig. 6: 2.4 JTD
MversionsChecking engine oil
Check the oil level a few minutes (about
5) after the engine has stopped, with
the car parked on level ground.
A0F0018mfig. 4A0F0069mfig. 5A0F0202mfig. 6
Remove the dipstick Aand clean it, put
it back in completely, remove it and
check that the level is within the MIN
andMAXmarks on the dipstick. The
gap between the MINandMAX
marks corresponds to about one litre of
oil.

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SAFETY
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AND
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Bright white colourTop up electrolyte Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Dark colour withoutLow charge level Charge the battery
green area in the centre(advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services)
Dark colour withElectrolyte level and charge No action
green area in the centresufficient
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited mainte-
nance” type: under normal conditions
of use the electrolyte does not need top-
ping up with distilled water. Contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services to have
the battery checked/replaced.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
fig. 12
The battery charge may be checked
through the indicator A(where re-
quired) set on the battery cover and act-
ing according to the colour the indica-
tor shows. Should the battery be not fit-
ted with battery charge inspection de-
vice (optical electrolyte indicator), in-
spection operations shall be carried out
by skilled personnel only.
Refer to the table below.
A0F0127mfig. 12
After connecting/discon-
necting the battery, wait
for 3 minutes at least be-
fore fitting the electronic key in-
to the ignition device in order to
allow the climate control system
control unit to reset the positions
of the electric actuators that ad-
just air temperature and distrib-
ution.
IMPORTANT The charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.