2008 Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider cooling

53
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CLIMATE CONTROL
(fast cooling)
IMPORTANTThe compressor √can
be enabled only if the ventilation is en-
abled.
Proceed as follows:
❒turn knob Acompletely leftwards;
❒turn knob Cto top speed;
❒turn knob BtoO;
❒press buttons √andv(buttons
leds on).
How to keep the required
cooling
Proceed as follows:
❒turn air recirculation off (if on).
❒turn knob Ato the required tem-
perature;
❒turn the knurled ring Cto the re-
quired fan speed.
LOOKING AFTER
THE SYSTEM
During the winter, the climate control
system
√must be turned on at least
once a month for about ten minutes.
Before summer, have the system
checked at Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
RECIRCULATION
To turn this function on press button
v: the button led will turn on.
This function is particularly useful when
the outside air is heavily polluted (in a
traffic jam, tunnel, etc.) However, it is
better not to use it for long periods, es-
pecially if there are several people in the
car to prevent window misting up.
Do not use the air recirculation function
on rainy/cold days as it would consid-
erably increase the possibility of the win-
dows misting inside.
IMPORTANTThe inside air recircula-
tion system makes it possible to reach
the required (“heating” or “cooling”)
conditions faster.
After connecting/dis-
connecting the battery,
wait for 3 minutes at
least before fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition de-
vice in order to allow the cli-
mate control system control unit
to reset the positions of the
electric actuators that adjust air
temperature and distribution.

56
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
AIR TEMPERATURE
ADJUSTMENT KNOBS
Turning the knob knurled rings (B/E),
clockwise or counter-clockwise, respec-
tively highers or lowers the temperature
of the air required respectively in the left
zone (knob B) or right zone (knob E)
of the passenger compartment. The tem-
peratures set are shown on the display
D.
Turning the knob knurled rings fully
clockwise or counter-clockwise until they
reach the extreme selections HIorLO,
the maximum heating or cooling func-
tions are respectively engaged.HI function (HIGH)
(maximum heating power)
It is switched on by setting a tempera-
ture of more than 32°C on the display,
and can be switched on independently
from the driver’s or passenger’s side,
or both of them; this setting brings the
system to the “one-zone” mode and it
is shown by both displays.
This functions can be switched on when
you wish to heat the passenger com-
partment as quickly as possible, by tak-
ing the greatest advantage from the sys-
tem potential.
The function uses the maximum tem-
perature of the heating fluid, whereas
air distribution and fan speed are con-
trolled automatically by the system.
SWITCHING THE CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM ON
The system can be turned on by press-
ing any button (except
(,vand
MONO); it is however advisable to set
the required temperatures on the display
and then to press the AUTO button.
The climate control system allows to per-
sonalise required temperatures (driver and
passenger).

57
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
LO function (LOW)
(highest cooling power)
It is switched on by setting a tempera-
ture lower than 16°C on the display;
this setting is shown on the display. This
function can be switched on when you
wish to cool the passenger compartment
as quickly as possible, by taking the
greatest advantage from the system po-
tential.
The function cuts off air heating, switch-
es on both internal air recirculation (to
prevent hot air from entering the com-
partment) and the climate control com-
pressor, brings air distribution to
¯/˙
and the fan speed is controlled auto-
matically by the system. With the function switched on, howev-
er, all the manual settings can be made.
To switch the function off, you only need
to turn the ring of knob B/Eof the tem-
perature set to a value greater than
16°C; the opposite display will show
16°C.
Pressing button AUTO, the display will
show a temperature of 16°C and re-
turns to an operating condition with au-
tomatic temperature adjustment. This function should not be ac-
tivated when the engine is cold,
to prevent air not warm enough
from entering the passenger
compartment.
With the function switched on, howev-
er, all the manual settings can be made.
To switch the function off, you only need
to turn the ring of knob (BorE) of the
temperature set to a value lower than
32°C; the opposite display will show
32°C.
Pressing button AUTO, the display will
show a temperature of 32°C and re-
turns to an operating condition with au-
tomatic temperature adjustment.

61
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
AIR DISTRIBUTION
SELECTION
Pressing buttons N/O/˙you can
manually choose one of the 7 possible
modes for air distribution inside the com-
partment:
˙Flow of air to the dashboard centre
and side outlets (passenger’s body).
O˙Splitting of the air flow between
the vents to the lower part of the
passenger compartment (warmest
air) and the dashboard centre and
side outlets (coolest air).
OAir flow towards the lower part of the
passenger compartment. This type
of distribution allows heating of the
passenger compartment in the short-
est time.
NSplitting of the air flow between
Owindscreen and front side window
demisting/defrosting vents and the
lower part of the passenger com-
partment. This type of air distribu-
tion allows satisfactory heating of
the passenger compartment while
preventing possible misting of the
windows.
NAir flow to the windscreen and front
side window vents to demist or de-
frost them.
N˙Splitting of the air flow between
the central/side dashboard vents
and windscreen and side window
defrosting/demisting vents. This
type of air distribution allows satis-
factory ventilation of the passenger
compartment while preventing pos-
sible misting of the windows.
N
˙
Splitting of the air flow between
all vents.
O
To restore automatic air distribution con-
trol after a manual selection, press but-
ton AUTO. Temperature detection (compressor off
and outside temperature higher than set
temperature) is activated each time the
electronic key is fitted into the ignition
device.
Operation of the cli-
mate control compres-
sor is necessary for cooling
and dehumidifying the air; it is
advisable to keep this function
always on, to prevent window
misting problems.
WARNING

62
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
AIR RECIRCULATION AND
AQS FUNCTION
(AIR QUALITY SYSTEM)
ON/OFF (where provided)
Inside air recirculation is controlled ac-
cording to the following operating log-
ics:
❒automatic control, indicated by but-
ton led “A”;
❒forced switching on (inside air recir-
culation always on), indicated by the
turning on of the circular led around
the button;
❒forced switching off (air recirculation
always off with air inlet from the out-
side), indicated by the turning off of
the circular led around the button.
With A.Q.S. (Air Quality System - where
provided), the operating logic is se-
quential when pressing button
v.IMPORTANT The inside air recircula-
tion system makes it possible to reach
the required heating or cooling condi-
tions faster. It is however inadvisable to
use it on rainy/cold days as it would
considerably increase the possibility of
the windows misting inside, especially
if the climate control compressor is off.
It is advisable to turn on the inside air
recirculation system in queues or tunnels
to avoid admitting polluted air from out-
side. The prolonged use of this function
should however be avoided, especially
with several persons on board, to avoid
the possibility of the windows misting
inside and to ensure air change.
In certain weather con-
ditions (e.g. outside
temperature around
0°C) and with automatic air re-
circulation control on, mist may
form on the windows. In this
case press button vto
switch off recirculation and if
necessary press button + to in-
crease the flow of air to the
windscreen.
With the outside tem-
perature below -1°C the
climate control compres-
sor is unable to work. It is
therefore inadvisable to use the
inside air recirculation function
with low outside temperature
as windows may mist over
quickly.

152
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if
possible well-ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
❒disconnect battery negative terminal
and check the battery charge. This
check is to be repeated every three
months when the car is left inactive.
Recharge if the optical indicator
(where provided) shows a dark
colour without the central green area
(see paragraph “Battery” in section
“Car maintenance”);
❒clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds read-
ily available;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rub-
ber windscreen and rear window
wiper blades and lift them off the
glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a cloth or perfo-
rated plastic sheet. Do not use sheets
of non-perforated plastic as they do
not allow moisture on the car body
to evaporate;
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the
normal specified pressure and check
it at intervals;
❒if you don’t disconnect the battery
from the electric system, check its
charge every month and recharge it
if the optical indicator shows a dark
colour without the central green
area;
❒do not drain the engine cooling sys-
tem.
IMPORTANTIf the car is fitted with
alarm system, switch off the alarm with
the remote control.

157
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
PASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAGS
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
The warning light (set on the front ceil-
ing light panel) turns on when passen-
ger’s front air bags, passenger’s knees
air bag (where provided) and passen-
ger’s front side bag are deactivated
through the relevant key switch (for ver-
sions/markets where applicable). With
passenger’s front air bags on, fitting the
key into the ignition device the warning
light shall turn on glowing steadily for
about 4 seconds, shall flash for other 4
seconds and then it shall turn off.
F
–Car heavy duty (e.g.: towing trail-
er uphill or fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on, stop
the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes leaving
the engine on and slightly accelerated to
further activate the circulation of the
coolant fluid, then switch the engine off.
IMPORTANTUnder severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated for few minutes before switch-
ing it off.
Warning light Ffailure
is indicated by warning
light
¬. In addition, the air bag
system will deactivate auto-
matically the passenger's front
air bag (front and side). Before
restarting contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services immedi-
ately to have the system
checked.
WARNING
ENGINE COOLANT
HIGH TEMPERATURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition device, the
warning light (set on engine coolant
gauge) turns on but it shall go off after a
few seconds. The warning light turns on
(with a dedicated message on the display)
to indicate engine overheating. If the warn-
ing light comes on, proceed as follows:
–Normal driving conditions: stop
the car, switch off the engine and check
whether the water level in the reservoir
is not below the MINmark. Otherwise
wait for few seconds to allow engine
cooling, then open slowly and carefully
the cap, top up coolant and check
whether its level is falling between MIN
andMAXmarks in the reservoir. Check
visually any leak. If when restarting the
warning light comes on again, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
u
With engine hot, do not
remove the cap: risk of
burnt.
WARNING

218
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
The cooling system uses
PARAFLU UP that shall
be used for topping up
and that cannot be mixed with
other types of fluids. Should
other fluids be added, do not
start the engine and contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible.
Do not remove the
reservoir cap when the
engine is hot: you risk scalding
yourself.
WARNING
The cooling system is
pressurised. If neces-
sary, replace the cap only with
another genuine one, other-
wise system efficiency could
be compromised.
WARNING
ENGINE COOLANT FLUID
fig. 7
If the level is low, pour slowly a mixture
of 50% distilled water and 50%
PARAFLU UPthrough the filler neck
A.
A 50% mixture of distilled water and
PARAFLU UP gives freeze protection
to –35°C.
For particularly hard climate conditions,
we recommend use of a 60%
PARAFLU UPand 40% demineral-
ized water mixture.
A0F0017mfig. 7