2009 Alfa Romeo 8C ECU

4
ABBREVIATIONS
Some descriptions and terms with particular
meanings are found in this manual in an
abbreviated form:
A.C. - AIR CONDITIONING
ABS - ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM - Wheel
locking prevention system during
braking
ASR - ANTI-SLIP REGULATION - Prevention
of slipping during acceleration
CAN - CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK
DRL - DAY RUNNING LIGHTS
EBD - ELECTRONIC BRAKE-FORCE
DISTRIBUTION - Electronically-
controlled brake distributor
ECU - ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
EPB - ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
– Automatic parking brake
ETD - EMERGENCY TENSIONING DEVICE
FTP - FLASH TO PASS – headlight fl ashingMSP - MOTOR SCHLEPPMOMENT
REGELUNG – Engine braking torque
adjustment
VDC - Vehicle Dynamics Control
WET - “Low grip” function.
UPDATING
The high quality level of the vehicle is subject to
constant improvements. Therefore, there may
be differences between this manual and your
vehicle.
All specifi cations and illustrations contained in
this manual refer to those resulting as of the
printing date. CONSULTING THE
MANUAL
To facilitate reading and fast consultation, the
topics have been divided into sections and
chapters.
The important parts requiring particular attention
are easily identifi able in the sections and
chapters.
N.B.: EXTREME CAUTION
REQUIRED:
failure to comply with the instructions
could cause hazardous situations
involving personal and vehicle safety!
WARNING: warning aimed at preventing
any damage to the vehicle and thus hazards
involving the safety of persons.

6SYMBOLSSome components of your ALFA ROMEO, are
equipped with coloured labels, applied onto
or next to them. The symbols shown on these
labels are important warnings that the user must
follow when using the component involved.
Below is a summary of all the symbols used
on the labelling of your ALFA ROMEO. The
component to which the symbol draws your
attention is shown next to the symbol.
In addition, the meaning of the symbol shown
is also indicated according to the following
sub-division: danger, prohibition, warning,
mandatory - with respect to that same symbol.DANGER SYMBOLS
Battery
Corrosive liquid.
Battery
Explosion.
Fan
It can start up automatically even with
the engine off.
Expansion tank
Do not remove the cap when the
coolant is hot.
Coil
High voltage.
Belts and pulleys
Moving elements; Keep body parts and
clothing away.
Air-conditioning lines
Do not open. Gas under high pressure.SYMBOLS OF
PROHIBITIONS
Battery
Do not approach with open fl ames.
Battery
Keep children at a safe distance.
Heat guards - belts - pulleys - fans
Do not touch with your hands.
Engine compartment ECU protection
cover
Do not direct the jet of water on the
ECUs, relays and fuses.

14
1
BA
ELECTRONIC KEYCODE CARD
The car keys are provided with a CODE card,
which contains an electronic code
A, and a
mechanical code
B.
The codes must be kept in a safe place, not in
the vehicle.
WARNING: In the event of a vehicle ownership
transfer, it is essential that the new owner is
provided with the electronic key and with the
CODE card.
ALFA ROMEO
CODE SYSTEMThis is an electronic engine immobilizer system
which provides enhanced protection against
theft. It is automatically activated when the
electronic key is extracted from the ignition
block.
Each electronic key contains an electronic
device that translates the signal emitted upon
ignition by an antenna incorporated in the seat
of the electronic key on the dashboard. This
signal is the “password” (always different for
each ignition) with which the ECU recognises
the electronic key and allows the engine to be
started.OPERATION
Each time the ignition key is removed from
position STOP the protection system activates
the engine immobilizer.
Upon starting the engine, when the key is turned
to MAR:
1) If the code is recognised, the CODE

warning light on the instrument panel turns
off in one second, while the EOBD
warning light turns off after about four
seconds, after the ECU has completed its
diagnostic cycle. The protection system has
recognised the key code and deactivates the
engine immobilizer. Press the START button
and at the same time depress the brake
pedal to start the engine.
2) If the CODE warning light remains on
and the EOBD warning light goes off
after four seconds (ECU diagnostics) and
illuminates again immediately afterwards,
the code has not been recognised and the
message “Electronic key not recognised”
is displayed. In this case, it is advisable to
turn the key back to position STOP and
then back to MAR; if the immobilizer stays
on, try with the other keys.

18
2
A
BDC
SEAT BELTS The vehicle is equipped with seat belts with three
anchorage points and automatic retractor for
optimal freedom of movement.
The seat belts are equipped with electronically-
controlled load limiting devices and
pretensioners.
CAUTION
Before fastening the seat belts
make sure they are correctly fitted into
the guide A on the seat.
FASTENING THE SEAT
BELTS
Extract the lower section of the seat belt from the
outer side of the seat and secure it by holding the
latch
B and pull the seat belt out until the latch is
fully inserted in the buckle
C.
The seat belt is correctly buckled when the lock
clicks in place. Press the button
D to release the
seat belts.
If one or both of the front seat belts are not
fastened or improperly fastened, the warning
light
on the instrument panel comes on.
For the passenger’s seat belt this warning light
is accompanied by a specific message only if a
passenger is seated on the front seat. When the
warning light is on, an acoustic signal is also activated as soon as the vehicle speed exceeds
20 Km/h.
When the warning light is on, an acoustic signal
is also activated as soon as the vehicle speed
exceeds 20 Km/h.
The retractor locking device is activated
whenever the seat belt is pulled out too rapidly
or in case of sudden braking or collision.
If the seat belt locks due to too rapid extraction,
allow it to retract a short distance to disengage
the locking device.
The retractor allows the seat belt to automatically
fit to the passenger’s body, allowing him/her to
move freely.
When the vehicle is parked on a steep slope, the
retractor may lock: this is normal
WARNING: Feed the seat belt back into the
retractor by hand to avoid twisting and snagging.LOAD LIMITING DEVICES
To enhance passive safety, the front seat belt
retractors are equipped with load limiting devices
which control the seat belt reeling out so as to
adjust the force exerted on the shoulders while
the seat belt is in restraining mode.

23
2
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
CAUTION
If the passenger airbag
system is active, do not sit a child in a
rearward-facing child seat on the front
vehicle seat. The airbag activation in
the event of a collision may cause fatal
injury to the child, regardless of the
collision severity. CAUTION
SERIOUS DANGER
If you need to carry a child in a
rearward-facing child seat on the front
passenger seat, you must deactivate
the front passenger airbag using
the key switch. Make sure that the
airbag has been deactivated, checking
that the LED on the roof above the
words “PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF”
is permanently illuminated (see the
chapter “Passenger airbag manual
deactivation switch”). In addition,
move the passenger seat as far back
as possible in order to prevent the child
seat from touching the dashboard.
GROUPS 0 AND 0+
Children weighing up to 13 kg must be
transported in a rearward-facing booster baby
seat, which provides head support and thereby
avoids neck strain in the case of sudden
decelerations.
The rocker is secured by the vehicle seat belts as
shown in the figure, and must restrain the child
with its own safety harness.

24
2
GROUP 1
Children weighing between 9 and 18 kg may
travel in a forward-facing child seat equipped
with a front cushion, by means of which the
vehicle seat belt secures both the child seat and
the child.
CAUTION
Figures are purely illustrative.
Secure the child seat according to the
instructions provided with the product.CAUTION
Child seats suitable for the
weight groups 0 and 1 with rear
fastening and their own safety harness
are available on the market. Due to
their weight, they may be hazardous if
incorrectly fitted (e.g. if secured using
the vehicle seat belts with a cushion
in between). Follow the instructions
provided with the product.
GROUP 2
Children weighing between 15 and 25 kg may
be restrained directly with the vehicle seat
belts. Child seats have the additional purpose
of positioning the child correctly with respect to
the seat belts, in such a way that the diagonal
portion of the seat belt closely adheres to the
child’s chest and never to the neck, and the
lap portion adheres to the pelvis and not to the
abdominal region.

25
2
A
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
GROUP 3
Children weighing between 22 and 36 kg have
a chest circumference such that the extra seat
cushion is not necessary. The illustration shows
how the child should be positioned on the rear
seat.
Children taller than 1.50 m can use the seat
belts like adults.
CAUTION
Figures are purely illustrative.
Secure the child seat according to the
instructions provided with the product.
Below are the main safety rules to follow
when transporting children:
- When deactivating the front passenger
airbag, always check that the LED
A on the
roof panel above the words “PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF” illuminates permanently.
- strictly follow the instructions provided
with the child seat. Keep the instructions
in the vehicle together with the documents
and this manual. Only use the child seat
specifi cally designed for this vehicle,
included in the Alfa Romeo accessory line
and available at the Authorised Service
Centres of the Manufacturer’s Network.
- always pull on the seat belt to check that it
has locked in place;- all restraint systems must be used by a
single passenger only; never carry two
children in the same seat;
- always check that the seat belts are not
resting against the child’s neck;
- do not allow the child to sit improperly or
unfasten the seat belt /child seat safety
harness while travelling;
- do not carry children in your arms, even
new born children. Nobody would be able to
hold onto a child in the event of a collision;
- in the event of an accident, replace the
child seat with a new one.

28
2
CAUTION
Never remove the steering
wheel. If necessary, have this
operation performed at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
In the case of low-severity head on collisions
(in which the restraining action of the seat belts
provides adequate protection), the airbags will
not be activated.
The airbags do not activate in the event of rear
and side collisions, as they do not provide any
supplementary protection.
Therefore, an airbag failure to activate in these
cases is not indicative of a system malfunction. “SMART BAG” SYSTEM
(MULTISTAGE FRONT
AIRBAGS)
The front airbags (driver’s and passenger’s) are
safety devices which activate in the event of a
head-on collision.
They consist of an instantaneously inflating bag
contained in a special housing:
- in the centre of the steering wheel on the
driver side;
- in the dashboard and with a larger size bag
(full size airbag) on the passenger side.
The front airbags (driver’s and passenger’s) are
safety devices designed to protect the occupants
in the event of head-on collisions of medium-high
severity. They act by placing a cushion (airbag)
between the occupant and the steering wheel or
the dashboard.
In the event of a collision, an ECU processes
the deceleration signals and activates, when
necessary, airbag deployment.
The airbag inflates almost instantaneously and
positions itself between the front passengers and
potentially harmful structures of the vehicle. The
airbags deflate immediately afterwards.Both are dual-stage airbags, therefore, their
deployment depends on the impact severity. In
low-severity collisions, the airbag inflates less
than in high-severity collisions.
CAUTION
In the event of a collision,
any occupants not wearing their
seat belt will be thrown forward
and will come into contact with the
airbag before it is fully inflated. This
reduces the protection offered by the
airbag. The front airbags (driver’s and
passenger’s, with passenger seated)
are not a substitute for the seat belts
but work in combination with them.
As a consequence, the seat belts must
always be worn as provided for by
applicable legislation in Europe and in
most non-European countries.