2008 Alfa Romeo GT ABS

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
166
IMPORTANTThe sealing of the tank
may cause light pressurising in the tank. A
little breathing off, while slackening the cap,
is absolutely normal.
After refuelling, turn the cap clockwise and
close the flap.
IMPORTANTFor your safety, make sure
that the fuelling pump nozzle is inserted cor-
rectly into the housing, before starting the
engine.Should it be not possible to open the fuel
flap electrically, use the special cable in the
boot (A-fig. 156) to open it manually. FUEL CAP
The fuel cap (C-fig. 154) is electrically
controlled. To open it, press button (D-fig.
155); the flap can be opened only when
the engine is off.
The fuel cap (A-fig. 154), accessible af-
ter opening the lid (C), is fitted with a catch
to prevent losing it (B) which fastens it to
the lid.
When refuelling, hook the cap to the de-
vice on the inner flap, as illustrated.
Do not put naked flames
or lighted cigarettes near
the fuel filler hole as there
is a danger of fire. Do not bend too
close to the hole either so as not to
breathe in harmful vapours.
If required, replace the fu-
el cap only with a genuine
new one to prevent im-
pairing the petrol vapour system.
fig. 154
A0A0644b
fig. 155
A0A1108b
fig. 156
A0A0652b

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
169
STARTING PROCEDURE
FOR PETROL VERSIONS
IMPORTANTIt is important never to
press the accelerator before the engine has
started.
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2) Move the gear lever to neutral.
3) Fully depress the clutch pedal, so that
the starter motor is not forced to crank the
gears.
4) Ensure that the electric systems and de-
vices, especially if they absorb high quanti-
ties of energy (e.g. heated rearscreen), are
switched off.
5) Turn the ignition key to the AV Vpo-
sition and release it as soon as the engine
starts.
6) If the engine does not start, return the
key to STOP, then repeat the procedure.
IMPORTANTIf it is difficult to start the
engine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyst, but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services. The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
device which obliges the driver to return the
key to the STOPposition before repeat-
ing the starting operation if the engine does
not start immediately.
Similarly, when the engine is running, the
device prevents the key being moved from
theMARto the AV Vposition.
STARTING
THE ENGINE
IMPORTANTThe car is fitted with an
electronic engine lock device. If the engine
fails to start, see the “Alfa Romeo CODE sys-
tem”.
C C
O O
R R
R R
E E
C C
T T
U U
S S
E E
O O
F F
T T
H H
E E
C C
A A
R R
We recommend that dur-
ing the initial period you do
not drive to full car perfor-
mance (for example excessive ac-
celeration, long journeys at top
speed, hard braking etc.).
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely
dangerous. The engine con-
sumes oxygen and produces carbon
monoxide which is a highly toxic
and lethal gas.
When the engine is
switched off never leave
the ignition key in the MAR
position to prevent pointless cur-
rent absorption from draining the
battery.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
170
STARTING PROCEDURE
FOR JTD VERSIONS
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2) Set the gearshift lever to neutral.
3) Turn the ignition key to MAR. The re-
configurable multifunction display will show
the
mwarning light.
4) Wait for the
mto turn off, which
takes place sooner, the warmer the engine.
With the engine very warm the light might
stay on for such a short time as to pass un-
noticed.
5) Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6) Turn the ignition key to AV Vas soon
as the
mwarning light has gone out.
Waiting too long, makes the warming work
of the glow plugs useless.IMPORTANTThe electric devices that
absorb a high amount of energy (climate
control, rearscreen heating, etc.) are cut off
automatically during starting.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, move the ignition key to STOPbe-
fore repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa Romeo
CODE system working properly), do not in-
sist with prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if the cause
is due to low battery charge. Never use a
battery charger to start the engine.
WARMING THE ENGINE
– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometres of the journey. Wait until
the engine coolant temperature reaches 50-
60 °C.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
173
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do
not allow the engine to reach optimum op-
erating temperature. This results in a sig-
nificant increase in consumption levels (from
+15 to +30% on the urban cycle) and emis-
sion of harmful substances.
Traffic situations and road
conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied to
situations with heavy traffic, for example
in queues with frequent use of the lower
gears or in cities with many traffic lights. Al-
so winding mounting roads and rough road
surfaces adversely affect consumption.
Stopping in the traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. level cross-
ings) it is advisable to switch the engine off.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car at a
standstill or at idle or high speed: under
these conditions the engine warms up much
more slowly, increasing electrical consump-
tion and emissions. It is therefore advisable
to move off immediately, slowly, avoiding
high speeds. This way the engine will warm
faster.
Pointless manoeuvres
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traffic
lights or before switching off the engine. This
and also double declutching is absolutely
pointless on modern cars and also increase
consumption and pollution.
Gearshifting
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and
road allow, use a higher gear.
Using a low gear to obtain brilliant per-
formance increases consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions and
engine wear.Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
with speed. Maintain an even as possible
speed, avoiding superfluous braking and ac-
celerating, which cost in terms of both fuel
and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating heavily taking the engine to
a high speed has a considerably adverse ef-
fect on consumption and emission levels;
it is wise to accelerate gradually and not ex-
ceed the maximum torque.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
174
TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car must
be fitted with a certified tow hook and an
adequate electric system. Installation should
be carried out by specialised personnel who
release a special document for circulation on
the road.
Install any specific and/or additional
rearview mirrors as specified by law. Re-
member that when towing a trailer, steep
hills are harder to climb, the braking spaces
increase and overtaking takes longer de-
pending on the overall weight.
Engage a lower gear when driving down-
hill, rather than constantly using the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car tow
hook reduces by the same amount the ac-
tual car loading capacity.To make sure the maximum towable
weight is not exceeded (given in the log
book) account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and per-
sonal belongings.
Drive within the specific speed limit in
every country for car trailers. In any case the
maximum speed should never exceed 100
km/h.
INSTALLING
THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel according
to the following instructions and any addi-
tional and/or integrative information sup-
plied by the Manufacturer of the device it-
self.
The towing device must meet current reg-
ulations with reference to Directive
94/20/CEE and subsequent amendments.
For any version the towing device used
must match the towable weight of the car
on which it is to be installed.
For the electric connection a unified con-
nector should be used which is generally
placed on a special bracket normally fas-
tened to the towing device itself. The ABS system with
which the car may be fitted
does not control the trailer
braking system. Particular care is
therefore necessary on slippery
surfaces.
Under no circumstances
should the car brake sys-
tem be altered to control
the trailer brake. The trailer brak-
ing system must be fully indepen-
dent of the car’s hydraulic system.

IN AN EMERGENCY
197
Dipped beam headlights
(fig. 25)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the catches.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb, making the tabs of the
metallic part coincide with the grooves on
the reflector, then hook the bulb holder catch
(B).
– Re-connect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 25
A0A0162b
Main beam headlights
(fig. 27)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the catches.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb, making the tabs of the
metallic part coincide with the grooves on the
reflector, then hook the bulb holder catch (B).
– Re-connect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 27
A0A0164b
Front side lights(fig. 26)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the catches.
– Using the extension (A), integral with
the bulb holder (B), withdraw the bulb hold-
er itself which is snap-fitted.
– Remove the bulb (C), pushing gently
and turning counter-clockwise.
– Change the bulb and re-insert the bulb
holder making sure that it clicks into place;
also check that the bulb is in the correct po-
sition looking at the lamp from outside.
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 26
A0A0342b

Volumetric sensors
ESP system sensor
Steering angle sensor
EOBD system diagnosis socket
Cell phone provision
Driver’s door control unit supply
Passenger’s door control unit supply
Control lighting
Climate control system control lighting
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
Driver’s door control unit
ABS control unit
ABS control unit
Dashboard control unit
Air - bag control unit
Electronic injection control unit +30
Engine compartment control box (petrol versions)
Dashboard control unit
Trailer control unit15
7.5
7.5
15
15
20
20
7.5
7.5
10
10
15
7.5
50
50
7.5
7.5
125
70
10 F39
F42
F42
F39
F39
F47
F48
F49
F35
F37
F53
F39
F42
F04 (MAXI-FUSE)
F02 (MAXI-FUSE)
F50
F18
F70 (MEGA-FUSE)
F71 (MAXI-FUSE)
F36 52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
53
53
52
53
54
54
52
SERVICES FIGURE FUSE AMPERES
IN AN EMERGENCY
210

CAR MAINTENANCE
221
Car maintenance should be
entrusted to Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. For
routine and minor maintenance op-
erations you wish to carry out
yourself, always make sure you
have the proper equipment, genuine
Alfa Romeo spares and the neces-
sary fluids; do not however carry
out these operations if you have no
experience.IMPORTANT
Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments it is advisable
to replace the filtering element more fre-
quently; in particular it should be replaced if
a reduction of the amount of air admitted to
the passenger compartment is noted. IMPORTANT
Battery
It is advisable to check the battery charge,
preferably at the onset of winter, to prevent
the possibility of the electrolyte freezing.
This check should be carried out more fre-
quently if the car is used mainly for short
trips, or if it is fitted with accessories that
permanently absorb electricity even with the
ignition key removed, especially in the case
of after market accessories.
If the car is used in hot climates or partic-
ularly harsh conditions it is wise to check the
level of the battery fluid (electrolyte) more
frequently than specified in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme.