2009 Alfa Romeo 8C warning

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Low brake fluid warning light (*)
It illuminates when the brake fluid
level goes below the minimum
level. The operation of the warning light can be
checked by pressing the button on the brake fluid
tank cover located in the engine compartment. If
accompanied by a specific message, it indicates
an EBD system failure. In this case, do not
apply the brakes suddenly, since this may cause
an early locking of the rear wheels. Driving
extremely carefully, immediately go to the
nearest Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network to have the system checked.
CAUTION
If the warning light illuminates
while driving check the brake fluid
level immediately. If fluid level is
below the minimum level, there may
be a leakage. In this case, contact
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network before
continuing on your journey.
Defective ABS system (*)
It illuminates when the ABS system
is not functioning. The standard
braking system remains active, but we advise
you to contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network as soon as
possible.
Seat belts
It illuminates when one or both
front seat belts are not fastened
or improperly fastened. For the passenger seat
belt, the warning light will illuminate only if a
passenger is seated on the seat.
When the warning light is on, an acoustic signal
is also activated as soon as the vehicle speed
exceeds 20 Km/h.
Airbag/pretensioner failure (*)
It indicates that the pretensioner
and/or airbag system is defective.
CAUTION
Turning the key to MAR the
warning light illuminates but it should
turn off after a few seconds with the
engine running.
CAUTION
If, upon ignition, the warning
light does not illuminate or illuminates
permanently, or if it illuminates while
driving, immediately stop and contact
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
Parking brake engaged
The warning light illuminates when
the parking brake is engaged.
VDC system failure
It indicates a malfunction or the
deactivation of the VDC system.
When flashing, it indicates that the VDC or ASR
system have activated.

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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Right-hand direction indicators
It illuminates when the right-hand
direction indicators or the hazard
lights are turned on.
Left-hand direction indicators
It illuminates when the left-hand
direction indicators or the hazard
lights are turned on.
Cruise Control
It indicates that the constant speed
regulator, Cruise Control, is active.
(*) Viewed on the display as wellWARNING LIGHTS ON
THE DISPLAY
Inertia switch, fuel cut-off
enabled
It illuminates when a collision
activates the inertia switch, thus cutting off the
fuel supply.
CAUTION
After an impact, if you smell
fuel or note leakages from the fuel
system do not re-activate the switch in
order to prevent the risk of fire.
Windscreen washer fluid
It indicates a low level of washer
fluid in the windscreen washer tank.
Alternator failure
If there is a fault in the recharging
system. When the battery is
insufficiently charged or overcharged. Lighting system failure
It illuminates in the case of a system
failure or if the position, direction
indicator, rear fog and number plate lights are
blown.
Stop light failure
It illuminates in the case of a system
failure or if the stop light is blown.
Twilight sensor failure
It illuminates on in the case of a
failure of the twilight sensor.
Engine oil temperature
It illuminates when the temperature
reaches high values. In this case,
reduce the engine RPM until the warning light
goes out.

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Low oil pressure (*)
In normal conditions, when turning
the key to MAR the warning light
should illuminate, and should go off once the
engine has started.
If the warning light remains on or illuminates
while driving, this indicates a too low engine
oil pressure. In this case, turn the engine off
immediately and carry out the necessary checks.
If the problem persists, contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
High catalytic converter
temperature
It illuminates if the engine runs
irregularly with consequent high temperature in
the exhaust system.
CAUTION
IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS
ACCOMPANIED BY THE MESSAGE
“CATALYST TEMPERATURE TOO
HIGH, SLOW DOWN”: the catalytic
converters’ temperature is too
high. The driver must slow down immediately until the warning light
goes off.
Catalyst temperature too high
CAUTION
IF THE MESSAGE “CATALYST
TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH, DO
NOT CONTINUE” APPEARS AFTER
DECELERATING: dangerous catalyst
temperature, the catalysts can be
damaged. Stop the vehicle and contact
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
CAUTION
If the warning light illuminates
permanently 3 times, the engine stops.
The engine can only be restarted
turning the key to off and then back to
on. Then go to the nearest Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network driving at low speed.CAUTION
Alfa Romeo declines all
responsibility for whatever damage
deriving from non compliance with the
above mentioned warnings.
Low Q-Select gearbox oil
The red symbol indicates that the
gearbox oil is low; stop the vehicle
and contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network to have the
vehicle checked.
Q-Select gearbox failure
It indicates a failure of the
electronically-controlled gearbox.
If the failure permits, slowly drive to
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.

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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Parking brake failure
Depending on the message
displayed, it signals the following
failures of the EPB system:
- Parking brake failure
- If the message that warns you to go to
the nearest Authorised Service Centre of
the Manufacturer’s Network is displayed,
drive slowly and remember that the electric
parking brake device is not functioning.
- Excessive temperature.
If the vehicle has been stationary (key to
STOP) for about 15 minutes without using
the parking brake, and the warning light
comes on again after restarting the engine,
slowly drive to the nearest Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
If the brake failure is accompanied by the
message “Mechanical release only”, the
manual emergency deactivation procedure
must be performed to release the parking
brake (see page 137).
- Parking brake system overhaul
The EPB system requires maintenance,
therefore contact an Authorised Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network to
have the system corrected.
ASR system failure
It indicates the deactivation or
failure of the ASR system.
In the event of a failure contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
Rain sensor failure
It indicates that the rain sensor is
faulty.
Generic gearbox indication
It indicates gearbox information and
malfunctions.
The severity of the malfunctions is specified in
the accompanying message.Doors open
It indicates that the doors are
open or not properly closed. The
accompanying message indicates the door that
is not closed.
WARNING: Before setting off, close the open or
not properly closed doors.
Engine compartment lid open
It indicates that the engine
compartment lid is open or not
properly closed.
Rear window open
It indicates that the rear window is
open or not properly closed.
Ice hazard
It illuminates when the outside
temperature is 3° C or lower, in
order to indicate the risk of icy road surfaces. In
these conditions, drive carefully and slow down
as the grip of the tyres will be strongly reduced.
Do not activate “SPORT” mode in this situation.

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E
D
B
A
G
FE
D
H
C
PARK OFF
This function disables the automatic activation
of the electric parking brake (EPB) (see page
137). The EPB is deactivated/reactivated by
pressing button
D.
Rear window opening
Press button
E to open the rear window.
It can only be opened when the vehicle is
stationary.
The button is disabled after the doors have been
locked.CENTRE CONSOLE
CONTROLS
Hazard warning lights
Press button
A to turn on the hazard lights. These
lights will operate with the ignition key in any
position. Press the button again to turn them off.
When these lights are on, the direction
indicators, the relevant warning lights on the
instrument panel and the button are flashing.
WARNING: When the hazard warning lights
are activated, the direction indicators control is
disabled.
Low grip
This mode should be used on particularly
slippery road surfaces (e.g., rain, snow, ice). To
activate/deactivate this mode, press button
B.
When this function is active, the letter “W
illuminates on the display ”.
VDC system
The VDC system is automatically activated when
starting the engine.
The system can be turned on or off while driving
by pressing button
C, the following messages will
appear: “ASR/VDC deactivated” and “ASR/VDC
activated”. To prevent accidental deactivation,
you must press the button for about 1 second to
deactivate the VDC system.
When the system is deactivated, the amber
warning light
on the instrument panel
illuminates.

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GF
H
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
ASHTRAY AND
CIGARETTE LIGHTER
They are found on the centre console, under a
cover. Open the cover
F by lifting it.
Press the button
G fully down to operate the
cigarette lighter. After about 20 seconds this
returns automatically to the initial position and is
ready for use.
Remove the tray in order to clean the ashtray.
WARNING: Always check to ensure that the
cigarette lighter has been turned off.
CAUTION
The cigarette lighter reaches
high temperatures. Handle it carefully
and do not allow children to use it: risk
of fire and burns!GLOVE COMPARTMENT
It is positioned in the lower part of the dashboard
on the passenger side and can be opened by
pressing the OPEN button
H for at least half a
second; it will be opened when the button is
released.
The compartment is lit by a courtesy light when
it is opened.
CAUTION
To ensure passenger safety,
the compartment must always remain
closed while driving.
If the button controlled opening is faulty, the
compartment can be opened by pulling the
emergency cable behind the compartment itself.WARNING: Do not place objects weighing over
10 kg in the glove compartment.

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B
A
C
DOORS
CAUTION
Before opening a door, make
sure the manoeuvre can be performed
safely.
OPENING THE DOORS
FROM THE OUTSIDE
Deactivate the alarm and the central locking
system using the button
A on the remote control
(see chapter “Electronic alarm system” on page
88) or insert and turn the key in the lock on one
of the front doors. Pull the handle
B to open the door.
When the alarm system is activated, the doors
are locked. If, when the doors are closed from
the outside, one or more doors are not properly
closed, the direction indicators flash quickly for a
few seconds.
WARNING: The interior door locking/unlocking
button is disabled when the doors are locked
from the outside.
OPENING THE DOORS
FROM THE INSIDE
To open the door, even if the lock is engaged,
pull the internal handle
C.

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D
E
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
There is a button on the front central dashboard
that activates door locking and unlocking:D - door locking/unlocking.
OPEN DOOR WARNING
LIGHTS
If the doors and the engine/luggage
compartment lids are not closed properly, this is
signalled by the illumination of relative symbols
on the instrument panel display, accompanied by
the messages “Door open” or “Doors open”.DOOR LOCK ECU
INITIALISATION
Every time the battery is reconnected or a
fuse replaced, you must perform the system
initialisation procedure to ensure proper system
operation. To perform this procedure, lock and
then unlock the doors using the door remote
control.DOOR COURTESY LIGHT
Each door has a courtesy light
E fitted on the
lower part of the door panel to light up the area
where you get into and out of the vehicle.
We suggest that you move the seat fully back
before getting out of the vehicle, which also
makes it easier to get back in.