2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider engine

70
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Rain sensor shall be de-
activated when washing
the car at automatic car-
wash.
Make sure the rain sen-
sor is deactivated if
there is ice on the wind-
screen.
Removing the electronic key from the
ignition device, the rain sensor is deac-
tivated and the next time the engine is
started it will not be reactivated even if
the stalk has remained in position 1-
fig. 47. In this case to activate the rain
sensor, simply move the stalk to 0or2
and then back to 1.
When the rain sensor is reactivated in
this way, the wiper performs one stroke,
even if the windscreen is dry, to indicate
that reactivation has occurred.IMPORTANTIn the event of rain sen-
sor failure, windscreen wiper operation
with right-hand stalk at 1-fig. 47is in-
termittent. If failure takes place during
automatic operation, the system will
keep the last wiper operating condition.
Moving the stalk to other positions, op-
eration is however guaranteed.
The rain sensor is able to recognize and
automatically adjust itself in the pres-
ence of the following particular condi-
tions:
❒impurities on the controlled surface
(salt, dirt, etc.);
❒difference between day and night.Failure warnings
Sensor failure is indicated by a dedicat-
ed message on the display (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).

Automatic Cruise Control
deactivation
The Cruise Control is temporarily deac-
tivated when the ABS or VDC systems
come into operation (above a max. pre-
set time): in this case the last set speed
will stay memorised, to recall it press
buttonRES.
In the event of Cruise Control or engine
control system failure, the device is de-
activated until removing the electronic
key from the ignition device. In this
event contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
The device is automatically deactivated
when operating accidentally or incor-
rectly the stalk, the knurled ring Aor
buttonRES: in this event to reactivate
the device: bring the car to the required
speed and then move the stalk upwards
(+) or downwards (–).DEVICE DISENGAGEMENT
The device is disengaged in one of the
following cases:
❒turning the knurled ring A-fig. 50
toO;
❒turning the engine off or removing
the electronic key from the ignition
device;
❒pressing the brake pedal, pressing
the clutch pedal (in these cases the
last stored speed will stay memo-
rised, to resume it press button
RES);
❒pressing the accelerator pedal; in this
case the system is disengaged only
temporarily; device operation will be
resumed automatically when re-
leasing the pedal;
❒with car speed below the preset lim-
it (in these cases the last stored
speed will stay memorised, to re-
sume it press button RES);
74
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
In the event of device
malfunction or failure,
turn the knurled ring A-fig. 50
to O and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services after
checking the protection fuse in-
tegrity.
WARNING
When travelling with
the device on, never
set the gearshift lever to neu-
tral.
WARNING

76
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
In the following table are summarised the causes that make front/rear ceiling lights turn on/off and their turning on/off
mode:
Cause
Opening one of the doors
Closing all the doors
Removing the electronic key from the ignition device
Locking the doors
Unlocking the doors
Cutting in of the fuel cut-off switch
Ceiling lights turning on/off mode
Light turning on for a few minutes. This timed operation will be
reactivated each time a door is opened
With electronic key removed from ignition device:
ceiling lights will stay on for other 10 seconds.
This timed operation is stopped when refitting
the electronic key into the ignition device
Starting the engine: light will turn off
Light turning on for about 10 seconds
Light turning off
Light turning on for about 10 seconds
Light turning on for a few minutes. Reactivating the
fuel cut-off switch will turn off the ceiling light.
In all the cases tabulated above, lights turning on/off is gradual, for 2 seconds.

77
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CONTROLS
POWER SUPPLY AND FUEL
CUT-OFF SWITCHES
The car is fitted with a safety switch that
in the event of a crash comes into op-
eration by cutting off fuel and turning
off the engine as a consequence.
Certain versions are equipped with an
additional safety switch that in the event
of a crash comes into operation by cut-
ting off the power supply.
If, after a crash, you
smell fuel or see leaks
from the fuel system, do not
reset the switches to avoid
fire risk.
WARNINGThese two safety switches therefore pre-
vent dangerous fuel leaks due to fuel
line cracking, and sparks or electric dis-
charges due to damaging or malfunc-
tioning of the electric components of the
car in the event of a crash.
IMPORTANTAfter a crash, remem-
ber to remove the key from the ignition
device to prevent battery run-down.

82
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARASHTRAY AND CIGAR
LIGHTER
Ashtray
To use the ashtray, lift cover A-fig. 61.
The ashtray can be removed. Pull it up-
wards to removeit.
IMPORTANTDo not use the ashtray
as paper bin: it could set on fire on con-
tact with cigarette stubs.
A0F0140mfig. 61
Cigar lighter
It is located inside the cigar lighter. To
use the cigar lighter, lift cover A-fig.
61.
Press button Bto switch on the cigar
lighter with key fitted into ignition de-
vice.
IMPORTANTAlways check that the
cigar lighter has turned off.
IMPORTANTThe cigar lighter gets
very hot. Handle it with care and make
sure that it is not used by children: dan-
ger of fire and/or burns.
IMPORTANTDo not plug electric ac-
cessories with power exceeding 100W
to the cigar lighter seat.
IMPORTANTPlugs too big could
damage the cigar lighter outlet tabs.
Do not plug electric ac-
cessories with absorp-
tion exceeding the max.
specified value. Prolonged cur-
rent absorption could drain the
battery and impair next engine
start up.
IMPORTANTTo safeguard the light-
ing life of certain internal devices (e.g.:
cigar lighter ring and ashtray), when
switching on the external lights, these
devices will switch on according to the
passenger's compartment brightness:
with enough daylight these devices will
not switch on. On the contrary they will
switch on with poor daylight.

85
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
SUN CURTAIN
INITIALISATION
PROCEDURE
Initialisation
After disconnecting the battery or failing
the protection fuse, the sun curtain sys-
tem shall be "initialised" again; proceed
as follows (the following steps shall be
carried out with engine on):
❒close the sun curtain completely:
– if the anti-crushing safety system
has cut in;
– "force" closing by keeping pressed
the button in closing position;
– 10 seconds after the sun curtain
will close jerkily (during this stage,
continue to keep the button
pressed);
– when the sun curtain stops, re-
lease the button and proceed as
follows;
❒remove the key from the ignition de-
vice for 10 seconds;
❒refit the key and start the engine;
❒press the sun curtain button in clos-
ing position and keep it pressed un-
til hearing the mechanical lock
(about 10 seconds after);
❒release the sun curtain button;
❒press again the sun curtain button in
CLOSING position within 3 seconds;
❒keep the button pressed in this po-
sition: the sun curtain will automat-
ically open and close completely
(keep on pressing the button during
the WHOLE opening/closing cycle);
❒then, release the button;
❒initialisation ended.
Should the opening/closing cycle fail,
repeat the initialisation operations from
the beginning.
MAINTENANCE
Sun curtain slide guides shall be cleaned
at regular intervals to remove any for-
eign matters that could impair regular
sliding.
IMPORTANT
Clean slide guides in order to remove
any foreign matters and dust.
Should slide guides be cleaned with sol-
vents/oil then, grease again sliding
mechanisms, wires, cables and also the
sliding components like the sun curtain
slide runners.
To clean the sun curtains, use common
fabric cleaning products for car uphol-
stery.

96
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
BONNET
TO OPEN THE BONNET
Proceed as follows:
❒pull lever A-fig. 81until hearing
the releasing click;
❒keep the lever B-fig. 82 pulled
and raise the bonnet
IMPORTANT Bonnet raising is aid-
ed by two gas springs. Do not tamper
with these springs and guide the bonnet
while raising it.
IMPORTANT Before opening the bon-
net, check that windscreen wiper arms
are not lifted from the windscreen or the
wiper is working.A0F0122mfig. 81
A0F0158mfig. 82
Improper bonnet closing is indicated by
symbol
Sand a message on the dis-
play (see section “Warning lights and
messages”).
IMPORTANTAlways check that the
bonnet is closed properly to avoid its
opening while the car is travelling.
Carry out operations
only when the car is
stationary.
WARNING
For safety reasons the
bonnet must be closed
properly to avoid its opening
while the car is travelling.
Therefore, always check it is
properly closed and the catch
engaged. Should you notice
that the catch is not perfectly
engaged when travelling, stop
the car immediately and close
the bonnet.
WARNING
TO CLOSE THE BONNET
Lower the bonnet at approx. 20 cen-
timetres from the engine compartment
and then let it drop, ensuring that it is
fully closed and not just held in position
by the safety catch. If the bonnet does
not close properly, do not push it down
but open it again and repeat the above
procedure.

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.