2009 Alfa Romeo 8C battery

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MAINTENANCE
Scheduled Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 190
Additional checks ............................................................................................................... 192
Level checks ..................................................................................................................... 193
Air fi lter ............................................................................................................................ 197
Anti-dust/anti-pollen fi lter ................................................................................................... 197
Battery ............................................................................................................................. 198
Electronic control units ........................................................................................................ 199
Spark plugs ...................................................................................................................... 200
Wheels and tyres ............................................................................................................... 200
Windscreen wipers .............................................................................................................202
Air conditioning/heating system .......................................................................................... 203
Bodywork ......................................................................................................................... 204
Interiors ........................................................................................................................... 206
If the vehicle is laid up for long periods ................................................................................. 207
Radio-frequency remote control: Ministerial homologation ....................................................... 211
Conversion table ................................................................................................................ 212

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A
B
C
BATTERYThe battery is of the “low maintenance” type,
and is located on the right side of the luggage
compartment
To access the battery lift the shelf and
A and the
box cover
B releasing the hooks.
C.
With the vehicle standing on a flat surface, the
battery fluid level (electrolyte) must be between
the MIN and MAX reference notches shown on
the battery.
If the level is lower than the MIN reference
notch, contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network to have it
checked.To recharge the battery, see the section “In an
emergency”.
CAUTION
The fluid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
Do not approach the battery with open
flames or possible sources of sparks:
risk of explosion and fire!
Batteries contain substances that are very
harmful for the environment. We advise you
to have the battery replaced at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network, where all the necessary equipment
is available to dispose of the used parts in compliance with applicable legislation and in an
environment-friendly manner.
WARNING: Incorrect assembly of electrical and
electronic accessories can cause serious damage
to the vehicle.USEFUL HINTS FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
THE BATTERY
When parking the vehicle, make sure that the
doors, luggage and engine compartment lids
are properly closed. All interior lights should be
off. When the engine is off, do not keep the
connected devices switched on for a long time
(for example the radio, the hazard warning
lights, the fan, etc.).

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WARNING: If the battery charge remains
below 50% for a long period of time, it will be
damaged due to sulphating: this will reduce its
performance and starting power and the battery
will be more subject to freezing (this can happen
even at -10°C).We recommend that you have the battery charge
condition checked, preferably at the beginning of
the cold season, to prevent the electrolyte from
freezing.
This check should be performed more frequently
if the vehicle is used mainly for short trips or if it
is equipped with power absorbing devices that
remain permanently on even if when the ignition
key is removed. This applies above all if these
devices have been fitted “after market”.
If the vehicle is not used for long periods of time,
please refer to chapter “If the vehicle is laid up
for long periods”, in this section.WARNING: If additional systems have to be
fitted in the vehicle, there is the risk of creating
dangerous branches on the electric wiring, in
particular if the safety devices are involved.
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITSNo special precautions are required for the
normal use of the vehicle.
In the event of repairs to the electrical system
or in an emergency starting, the following
instructions must be strictly followed:
- Never disconnect the battery from the
electrical system when the engine is
running.
- Disconnect the battery from the electrical
system when recharging it (see page 168
“If the battery is fl at”). WARNING: When the battery is disconnected,
you must first detach the negative pole terminal
(–) and then the positive pole one (+).
WARNING: The battery is secured inside the
vehicle by means of a metal box, therefore, be
extremely careful not to let the battery charger
clips come into contact with it.WARNING: When the battery is reconnected,
you must first attach the positive pole (+),
remembering to cover it with the cap provided,
and then the negative one (–).
- Never perform the emergency starting
procedure using a battery charger: always
use an auxiliary battery.
- Take special care when connecting the
battery to the electrical system, checking
both that polarity is correct and that the
connection is properly working.
- Do not connect or disconnect the terminals
of the ECUs when the ignition key is at
MAR.
- Do not check the electric polarities through
sparking.
- Disconnect the ECUs in the event of
electrical welding on the vehicle body.
Remove them if the temperature is
over 80°C (special interventions on the
bodywork, etc.).

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MAINTENANCE
the Authorised Service Centres of the
Manufacturer’s Network). Do not use
thick plastic sheets, which do not allow
the humidity on the vehicle surface to
evaporate.
- Infl ate the tyres up to a pressure which
must be 0.5 bar higher than the normally
prescribed one, and check it at regular
intervals.
CAUTION
The tyre pressure must be
brought back to the prescribed value
before reusing the vehicle.
- Do not drain the engine cooling system. BATTERY CONDITIONER
SOCKET
Located under the left-hand seat, it can be
accessed by moving the seat forward and folding
down the backrest.
IF THE VEHICLE
IS LAID UP FOR
LONG PERIODS- If the vehicle is not used for several months,
take the following precautions:
- Wash and dry the vehicle thoroughly.
- Store the vehicle in a covered, dry and, if
possible, ventilated area.
- Engage a gear.
- Disconnect the battery (see page 168).
- Check the battery charge condition. This
check should be carried out monthly while
the vehicle is idle. Recharge the battery if
the load-free voltage is below 12.5 V.
- Check that the electric parking brake is not
applied.
- Clean and protect the painted parts applying
protective waxes.
- Clean and protect polished metal parts with
specifi c products available on the market.
- Talc the windscreen wiper blades and raise
them from the windscreen.
- Cover the vehicle with a fabric sheet
to allow transpiration (available at all

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If you do not plan on using the vehicle for more
than a week, we advise you to connect the
battery conditioner in order to preserve full
battery efficiency.
Position the device outside the vehicle and be
careful not to “pinch” the connection cable
and/or damage the strips when closing the door.
Arrange the battery conditioner in a well visible
position, away from heat sources and children’s
reach.
Instructions for use: active and passive phase
First connect the battery conditioner to the
socket in the vehicle and then to the mains
socket, thus starting the “Active” phase; the
battery conditioner can stay connected to the
vehicle for months without any contraindications.
Position the device outside the vehicle and be
careful not to “pinch” the connection cable
and/or damage the strips when closing the door.
CAUTION
Arrange the battery conditioner
in a well visible position, away from
heat sources and children’s reach.
Battery conditioning can be interrupted at any
time by disconnecting the power cable from the
mains.

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Always first disconnect the power cable from
the mains and then disconnect the battery
conditioner from the vehicle socket. WARNING: The vehicle cannot be started as
long as the battery conditioner is connected to
the vehicle socket (even when it is disconnected
from the mains).When the warning light (1) is on permanently: it
means that there is an electric system fault in the
vehicle or the battery.
When the warning light (2) is on permanently:
it means that the battery conditioner is in the
“Active” phase. During this phase the battery
is recharged to the optimal charge level, from a
lower one.
When the warning light (3) is on permanently:
it means that the battery is fully charged and the
battery conditioner is in the “Passive” phase.
During this phase, the device maintains the
battery at an optimal charge level.
When the warning lights (2 and 3) are on and
flash alternately:
- if the warning lights fl ash a few times a
second, it means that the battery may be
sulphated. - if the warning lights fl ash alternately for
more than 60 minutes, it means that the
battery must be replaced.
- if the warning lights fl ash at intervals of a
few minutes, it means that the battery self-
discharge percentage is high and it might
have to be replaced.
When no warning light is on, the following may
have occurred:
- the battery conditioner cables may be
disconnected;
- the battery may not be properly connected
to the vehicle system;
- the battery may be defective;- the battery voltage may be low or there
may be a lack of power on the mains
socket.
1- error warning light
2- active phase warning light: signalling
3- maintenance warning light: maintenance
After checking the connection of the battery
conditioner (both to the mains and the vehicle
socket) and that the mains are powered, if
the (2 or 3) “Active” and “Passive” phase
warning lights do not illuminate a few seconds
after connecting the battery conditioner,
contact an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network to have the electric
system of the vehicle checked.
1
2
3

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Precautions and warnings
- Make sure that the cables are not crushed
or come into contact with hot surfaces or
sharp edges.
- Do not cover the battery conditioner.
- Make sure that the mains connector is not
exposed to water.
- Never recharge a frozen battery.
- Never recharge a damaged battery.
- The connection to the mains must be
in compliance with domestic legislation
regarding high voltage.
- Always check the cables of the battery
conditioner before use: check that the
cables and external sheath are not cracked.
- Never use the battery conditioner if its
cables are damaged.
- Store and use the battery conditioner away
from children; do not allow children to play
with the device.Overheating protection
The battery conditioner is protected against
overheating.
If the ambient temperature rises, the output
power is reduced.
Maintenance
The battery conditioner does not require
maintenance.
The battery conditioner may not be
disassembled.
The casing of the device can be cleaned with a
soft and moist cloth or with neutral detergent.
Always disconnect the battery conditioner before
cleaning it.RESTARTING THE
VEHICLE
Before restarting the vehicle after a long period
of inactivity, we recommend that you perform
the following operations:
CAUTION
Check the tyres for pressure
and for any damages, cuts or cracks. If
this is the case, have them replaced.
- Do not dry-dust the exterior of the vehicle.
- Visually inspect if there are any fl uid leaks
(oil, brake and clutch fl uid, engine coolant
etc.).
- Have the engine oil and fi lter replaced.
- Check the fl uid levels in the braking system,
as well as the engine coolant level.
- Check the air fi lter and replace it if
necessary.
- Check the conditions of the engine belts.

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MAINTENANCE
RE-CONNECTING THE
BATTERY
- open the right-hand door
- remove the luggage shelf behind the seats
- remove the battery case cover
- connect the battery
- unlock and lock the doors using the remote
control or the key in the door lock
- turn on the instrument panel and adjust the
date and time setting in the Setup menu.WARNING: Each time the battery is reconnected,
wait at least 30 seconds with the ignition key
in position MAR before starting the engine.
This enables the electronic system that controls
the motor-driven valves to run a self-learning
procedure. At the same time, you can also set
the date and time on the instrument panel.
- Reconnect the battery after having checked
its charge condition and perform the
initialisation procedures where required.
In this regard, consult the chapter
“Reconnecting the battery” in this section.
- With the gearshift in neutral (N), let the
engine idle for several minutes
CAUTION
This operation must be
performed outdoors. Exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide which is
strongly toxic and potentially lethal.
RADIO-
FREQUENCY
REMOTE
CONTROL:
MINISTERIAL
HOMOLOGATION Some countries do not require a specific domestic
homologation in the event that the vehicle has
already obtained other European homologations.