VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
233fig. 10
A0A0393m
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited Mainte-
nance” type and is fitted with an optical in-
dicator (A-fig. 9) for checking the elec-
trolyte level and charge.
Under normal conditions of use the elec-
trolyte does not need topping up with distilled
water. To make sure that it is in efficient con-
ditions, at routine intervals check the indica-
tor on the battery cover which should be dark
in colour with a green central area.
If the indicator is a bright light colour, or
dark without the green central area, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
fig. 9
A0A0224m
Batteries contain harmful
substances for the environ-
ment. To change the bat-
tery we advise contacting Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who
are equipped for disposal respect-
ing nature and the law.
The incorrect installation
of electric accessories may
cause serious damage to
the vehicle. If after buying the car
you wish to install accessories
(alarm, radio, radiotelephone etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services who will be able to sug-
gest the most suitable devices and
above all advise about the need to
use a more powerful battery.
If the car is to remain in-
active for a long time in
very cold conditions, re-
move the battery and take it to a
warm place, otherwise it may
freeze.
The liquid contained in the
battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin or eyes. The battery should be
charged in a well ventilated place
away from naked flames or pos-
sible sources of sparks: danger of
explosion and fire.
WARNING
When working on the bat-
tery or near to it, always
protect the eyes with goggles.
WARNING
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
235
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption switched on by the
user, such as for example: baby bottle warm-
ers, vacuum cleaner, mobile phone, mini
fridge, etc., quicken the battery draining
processif they are turned on with
the engine offor running at idle speed.
IMPORTANT When installing addition-
al systems on the vehicle, bear in mind that
improper branches on connections of the ve-
hicle wiring are dangerous, particularly if
safety devices are involved.
Battery
60 Ah
70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
36 mA
42 mA
The maximum absorption of all the ac-
cessories (standard and fitted afterwards)
should be 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the following table:CHANGING THE BATTERY
When changing the battery it should be re-
placed with another original one with the
same characteristics. If it is replaced by a
battery with different characteristics, the
maintenance intervals given in the Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme in this chap-
ter are no longer valid and for maintenance
it will be necessary to follow the battery
Manufacturer’s instructions.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid rapidly draining the battery and
ensure that it continues to work correctly,
the following should be noted:
– The terminals must always be firmly
tightened.
– Within reason, avoid using electrical de-
vices for a long time when the engine is
switched off (radio, hazard warning lights,
parking lights, etc.).– When the vehicle is parked in a garage,
ensure that the doors, bonnet, boot and in-
ner lids are closed properly so that the lights
do not stay on permanently.
– Before carrying out any work on the
electric system, disconnect the negative ca-
ble from the battery.
– If after buying the car, you wish to in-
stall electric accessories which require a per-
manent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft func-
tion etc.) or accessories that burden the elec-
tric system, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
services whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most suitable de-
vices belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the vehicle’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding the load re-
quired, or whether it should be integrated
with a more powerful battery. In fact, as
some of these devices continue absorbing
energy even when the ignition key is off (car
stationary, engine off), they gradually drain
the battery.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
240
HEADLIGHT WASHERS
Regularly check that the spray jets are in-
tact and clean (fig. 17).
If it is necessary to direct the jet, contact
an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are:
– atmospheric pollution
– salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or
hot humid climates)
– seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the abra-
sive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust
and sand and mud and gravel raised by oth-
er vehicles.
On your
Alfa 147 GTA, Alfa Romeo
has implemented the best manufacturing
technologies to effectively protect the body-
work against corrosion.
These include:
– Painting products and systems which
give the vehicle particular resistance to cor-
rosion and abrasion.
– Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel
sheets, with high resistance to corrosion.
– Spraying the underbody, engine com-
partment, wheel arches and other parts with
highly protective wax products.
fig. 17
A0A0425m
– Spraying of plastic parts, with a protec-
tive function, in the more exposed points:
underdoor, inner wheel arch linings, etc.
– Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of moisture
from triggering rust inside.
VEHICLE EXTERIOR AND
UNDERBODY WARRANTY
TheAlfa 147 GTAis guaranteed
against perf oration due to rust of any orig-
inal element of the structure or body. For the
general terms of this warranty, refer to the
Warranty Booklet.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
241
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
The paintwork does not only serve an aes-
thetic purpose but also protects the under-
lying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you
are advised to have the necessary touch-
ing up carried out immediately to avoid the
formation of rust.
Only original products should be used for
touching up paint (see “Body paint identi-
fication plate” in the “Technical Specifica-
tions” chapter).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the con-
ditions and environment of use. For exam-
ple, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are sprayed with salt, it is wise to wash the
car more frequently.Do not wash the vehicle after it has been
left in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this
may alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species release
give the paint a dull appearance and in-
crease the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
IMPORTANTBird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly aggres-
sive.
Windows
Use specific products to clean the windows.
Use clean cloths to avoid scratching or al-
tering the transparency of the glass.
IMPORTANTThe inside of the
rearscreen should be wiped gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device. Detersives pollute water.
The car should therefore be
washed in areas equipped
for the collection and purification
of the liquid used in the washing
process.
To correctly wash the car:
1) Remove the aerial from the roof to pre-
vent damage to it if the car is washed in
an automatic system.
2) Spray the vehicle with a low pressure
jet of water.
3) Pass a sponge moistened with a light
detergent solution, rinsing the sponge fre-
quently.
4) Rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or chamois leather.
When drying, take particular care with the
less visible parts like door surrounds, bon-
net and around the headlights where wa-
ter may stagnate. The vehicle should not be
taken to a closed area immediately, but left
in the open so that residual water can evap-
orate.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
242
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
– Remove dried on dirt with a lightly
moistened chamois leather or cloth with-
out pressing too hard.
– Remove liquid and grease stains with
a dry absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap. If the stain per-
sists, use specific products, carefully follow-
ing the instructions for use.
IMPORTANTNever use alcohol. Make
sure that cleaning products do not contain
alcohol and alcohol derivatives even at low
strength.
INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS
Use appropriate products designed to pre-
serve the appearance of components.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or petro-
leum to clean the instrument cluster. Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed, with-
out directing the jet against electronic con-
trol units. Contact a specialised workshop to
have this done.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
Periodically check that water is not trapped
under the mats (due to water dripping off
shoes, umbrellas, etc.) which could cause ox-
idisation of the sheet metal.
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the en-
gine compartment should
be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid
used in the washing process.
IMPORTANTThe vehicle should washed
with the engine cold and the ignition key at
STOP. After washing make sure that the
various protections (e.g. rubber caps and
various covers) have not been damaged or
removed.CLEANING SEATS AND FABRIC
AND VELVET PARTS
– Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if the
brush is moistened.
– Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral deter-
gent.
Never use inflammable
products like fuel oil ether
or rectified petrol for cleaning inside
the car. The electrostatic charges
generated when rubbing to clean
may cause fire.
WARNING
Do not keep aerosol cans in
the car. They might ex-
plode. Aerosol cans must never be
exposed to a temperature above
50°C. The temperature inside the
car exposed to the sun may go well
beyond that figure.
WARNING
RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
260
DASHBOARD
1. Side swivel air vents - 2. Fixed side window air vents - 3. Passenger’s front Air bag - 4. Tailgate release button - 5. Card holder - 6. Radio -
7. Centre swivel air vents - 8. Fixed upper vent - 9. Glass holder - 10. Fog lamp button - 11. Hazard warning light switch - 12. Rear fog guard
button - 13. Outer light control lever - 14. Speedometer with mileage recorder and trip recorder and headlamp aiming display - 15. Fuel level
gauge with reserve warning light - 16. Multifunction display - 17. Engine coolant fluid temperature gauge - 18. Rev counter - 19. Wind-
screen/rearscreen wiper control lever - 20. Bonnet opening lever - 21. Set of controls: trip meter reset, headlamp aiming device, trip comput-
er - 22. Ignition key and switch - 23. Horn - 24. Steering wheel locking/release lever - 25. Driver’s front Air bag - 26. Door locking button -
27. Controls for heating, ventilation and climate control - 28. Ashtray - 29. Cigar lighter - 30. Temperature sensor - 31Glovebox.
fig. 1A0A0475m
RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
261
A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Odometer dis-
play (mileage recorder, trip meter with head-
lamp position display) - E. Reconfigurable
multifunction display - F. Rev counter
fig. 2
A0A0476m
INSTRUMENT PANEL
RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
262
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY
CONTROL BUTTONS (fig. 3-4)
To make use of the information that the digital display (with the ignition key at MAR) is capable of providing, it is firstly necessary to familia-
rise with the corresponding control buttons, to be found on the panel at the side of the steering column and on the top of the right lever. You are
also advised to read through the corresponding description in the chapter “Getting to know your car” before doing anything at all.
Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated with
Tin the following dia-
grams to move to the next screen
Press for more than 4 seconds indicated with
Uin the following diagrams, to
reset and then start a new journey
To scroll the display and the related options, upwards or to increase the value
displayed depending on the case
To scroll the display and the related options, downwards or decrease the value
displayed according to the case Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated with
Qin the following dia-
grams to confirm the choice required and move to the next screen
Press for more than 2 seconds indicated with
Rin the following diagrams
to confirm the choice required and return to the standard screen
fig. 3
A0A0305m
fig. 4
A0A0021m
IMPORTANTButtonsâandãactivate different functions depending on the following
situations:
- When the standard screen is activated, they allow adjustment of the inner lighting
- Within the menu they allow scrolling up or down
- They make it possible to increase or decrease during setting operations.