2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider display

72
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CRUISE CONTROL
(where provided)
GENERAL
The speed regulator (CRUISE CON-
TROL), with electronic control, makes
it possible to drive the car at the required
speed, without pressing the accelerator
pedal. This reduces driving fatigue dur-
ing long journeys (specially on high-
ways) because the speed memorised is
automatically maintained.
IMPORTANTThe device can only be
engaged at speeds between 40 and
190 km/h.
A0F0095mfig. 50
DEVICE ENGAGEMENT
Turn knurled ring A-fig. 50toÜ.
The device cannot be engaged in first
speed or reverse. It is recommended to
engage it in 4th or higher speeds. Trav-
elling downhill with the device engaged,
the car speed may increase more than
the memorised one.
When the device is activated the in-
strument panel warning light
Üturns
on (on certain versions together with a
message on the display) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
TO MEMORISE SPEED
Proceed as follows:
❒turn the knurled ring A-fig. 50
to
Üand press the accelerator ped-
al to the required speed;
❒push the stalk upwards (+) or down-
wards (–), then release it: car speed
is memorised and it is therefore pos-
sible to release the accelerator ped-
al.
In the case of need (when overtaking
for instance) acceleration is possible sim-
ply pressing the accelerator pedal: re-
leasing the accelerator pedal, the car will
return to the speed memorised previ-
ously.

86
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARWith this function active (ON) it is how-
ever possible to unlock the door lock be
pressing button
q(fig. 69) set on the
central console.
Door unlocking from the
outside
Press the electronic key button
Ëor, fit
and turn the metal insert (inside the
key) into the lock of the driver’s door.
DOORS
CENTRAL DOOR
LOCKING/UNLOCKING
SYSTEM
Door locking from the outside
With the doors closed, press the elec-
tronic key button
Áor fit and turn the
metal insert (inside the key) into the
lock of the driver’s door. Central door
locking can only be activated if all the
doors are closed. If one or more doors
are open after pressing the electronic
key button
Áthe direction indicators and
the driver’s door led will flash fast for
about 3 seconds.
A0F0025mfig. 69
If one or more doors are open by turning
the metal insert of the electronic key, on-
ly the driver’s door led will flash fast for
about 3 seconds.
If the doors are closed but the tailgate
is open, central locking is actuated: the
direction indicators (only for locking per-
formed by pressing button
Á) and the
driver’s door led will flash fast for about
3 seconds.
Using the “Setup Menu” (or the Ra-
dionavigation System on certain ver-
sions) of the car and pressing button
Ë
on the electronic key you will activate
the function for unlocking only the dri-
ver’s door (see paragraph “Reconfig-
urable multifunction display” in this sec-
tion).

Buttonqwill be deactivated by locking
the doors by remote control, revolving
plug or automatic locking after about
2.5 minutes and it will be reactivated
after pressing the key button
Ëturning
the key metal insert into the driver’s
door lock or fitting the key into the ig-
nition device.
IMPORTANTWith centralised lock
enabled, pull the internal opening lever
of one of the doors in order to disable
the lock of all the doors. If there should
be no electrical supply (burnt fusem bat-
tery disconnected, etc.) the door lcok
can be opened manually ; now being
that the windows cannot be opened au-
tomatically, in order to open or lock the
door with the window closed, press on
the window towards the inside of the
vehicle (refer to fig. 69a), in order
to allow the window to pass from the
molding.IMPORTANTAfter disconnecting the
battery or failing the protection fuse,
door locking/unlocking mechanism shall
be “initialised” again, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒close all the doors;
❒press remote control button Áor but-
ton
qon the central console;
❒press remote control button Ëor but-
ton
qon the central console.
87
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Door locking/unlocking from
the inside
Press button
q(fig. 69) to lock/ un-
lock all the doors.
The button has a round led showing the
door condition (locked or unlocked).
When doors are locked the button led is
on: pressing the button again will obtain
central unlocking of the doors and turn-
ing off of the led. With key removed,
the led will turn off 2 minutes after.
When doors are unlocked, the button
led is off and pressing the button will ob-
tain central locking of the doors. Door
locking is activated only if all the doors
are perfectly closed.
Using the “Setup Menu” (or the Ra-
dionavigation System on certain ver-
sions) of the car it is possible to activate
automatic door locking when exceeding
20 km/h (see paragraph “Reconfig-
urable multifunction display” in this sec-
tion).
A0F0110mfig. 69a

90
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARImproper boot closing is indicated by
symbol
Rand a message on the dis-
play (see section “Warning lights and
messages”).
OPENING FROM THE INSIDE
Press button A-fig. 71set under the
central armrest.
ButtonA-fig. 71is disabled when
locking the doors:
❒by pressing the electronic key button
Á;
❒by turning the metal insert of the key
into the driver’s door lock revolving
plug;
❒by automatic door locking after
about 2.5 minutes.
Tailgate raising is facilitated by the side
gas shock springs.
Opening the boot its internal light will
turn on and it will go off automatically
when re-closing the tailgate. Leaving the
tailgate inadvertently open, the light will
turn off automatically after a few min-
utes.
BOOT
Boot unlocking is electric and it is dis-
abled when the car is running.
Using the “Setup Menu” (or the Ra-
dionavigation System on certain ver-
sions) boot opening can be set by se-
lecting the option “Indep. boot” (see
paragraph “Reconfigurable multifunction
display” in this section): the boot can
only be opened by pressing the elec-
tronic key button
`, thus inhibit-
ing the boot opening button A-fig. 71
set under the central armrest.
A0F0096mfig. 71

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.

102
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the VDC
system and it is provided to facilitate
starting on slopes:
❒uphill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed, gearbox to neutral or
engaged gear other than reverse;
❒downhill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 6%, en-
gine running, clutch and brake ped-
al depressed and reverse gear en-
gaged.
At pickup the VDC system control unit
will keep brake force on wheels until
reaching the torque suitable for starting,
or in any case for about 1 second in or-
der to pass easily from the brake pedal
to the accelerator pedal.
This time elapsing without starting, the
system will deactivate automatically by
releasing gradually the brake force.
At releasing, the typical brake disen-
gagement noise indicating that the car
is going to move will be heard.Failure warnings
System failure is indicated by the dedi-
cated message on the display (see sec-
tion “Warning lights and messages”).
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system
is not a parking brake. Never get out
of the car without engaging the hand-
brake, switching the engine off and en-
gaging the first gear.
ASR SYSTEM
(AntiSlip Regulation)
This system is an integral part of the VDC
system, it controls car drive and cuts in
automatically every time one or both dri-
ving wheels slip.
According to slipping conditions, two dif-
ferent control systems are activated:
❒if slipping involves both driving
wheels, the ASR function intervenes
reducing the power transmitted by
the engine;
❒if slipping involves only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in au-
tomatically braking the wheel that is
slipping.
The action of the ASR is particularly help-
ful in the following circumstances:
❒slipping of the inner wheel due to
the effect of dynamic load changes
or excessive acceleration;
❒too much power transmitted to the
wheels also in relation to the condi-
tions of the road surface;

103
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
❒acceleration on slippery, snowy or
frozen surfaces;
❒in the case of loss of grip on a wet
surface (aquaplaning).
The performance of the
system, in terms of ac-
tive safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless
and unnecessary risks. The
style of driving must in any
case always be adapted to the
conditions of the road surface,
visibility an traffic. Road safe-
ty is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNING
Switching the ASR system
on/off
The ASR system switches on automati-
cally each time the instrument panel is
turned on.
When travelling the ASR can be
switched off by pressing briefly the
ASR/VDC button on the central console.
When the ASR is switched off this is
shown by the lighting up of the
ASR/VDC button led and by symbol
V
on the display.
If the ASR is switched off when travel-
ling, it will turn on again automatically
the next time the engine is started.
When travelling on snowy roads with
snow chains, it may be helpful to turn
the ASR off: in fact, in these conditions,
slipping of the driving wheels when mov-
ing off makes it possible to obtain bet-
ter drive.
Failure warnings
In the event of malfunctioning, the ASR
system is automatically disconnected
and symbol
Vwill be displayed. In this
case contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices as soon as possible.
For correct operation of
the ASR system, all
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand, size and type,
in normal conditions of use and
at the pressure values speci-
fied in paragraph “Wheels” in
section “Technical Specifica-
tions”).
WARNING
MSR system (engine braking
torque control)
It is an integral part of the ASR system
that in case of sudden gear shifting, cuts
in providing torque to the engine thus
preventing excessive driving wheel dri-
ve that, specially in poor grip conditions,
can lead to loss of stability.