2009 Alfa Romeo GT brakes

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
27
After adjustment, always
check that the slider is an-
chored in one of the posi-
tions provided. To do this, with the
button (A) released, exert a fur-
ther pressure to allow the anchor
device to catch if release did not
take place at one of the preset po-
sitions.
Never press button (C)
when travelling. To unfasten the seat belts:press
button (C-fig. 35). Guide the seat belt
with your hand while it is rewinding, to pre-
vent it from twisting. Through the reel, the
belt automatically adapts to the body of the
passenger wearing it, allowing freedom of
movement.
When the car is parked on a steep slope
the reel mechanism may block; this is nor-
mal. The reel mechanism prevents the web-
bing coming out when it is jerked or if the
car brakes sharply, in a collision or when cor-
nering at high speed.
Always adjust the seat
belt height when the car is
stationary. FRONT SEAT BELT HEIGHT
ADJUSTMENT
Always adjust the height of the belts adapt-
ing it to the person who is wearing it. This
precaution improves their effectiveness sub-
stantially reducing the risk of injury in the
event of a crash.
Correct adjustment is obtained when the
belt passes half way between the end of the
shoulder and the neck.
The front seat belt ring can take 4 differ-
ent positions which make it possible to ad-
just the height of the belts.
To adjust, press button (A-fig. 36) and
lower or raise the grip (B).
fig. 36
A0A0685b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols car stability, intervening on the driving
torque and braking the wheels in a differ-
entiated manner, in the lack of grip, it helps
to bring the car back to the correct direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip. When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the system in-
tervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
System is engaged automatically when the
car is started and cannot be switched off.
The basic components of the system are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheels;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the system is the control unit,
which with the data supplied by the sensors
installed on the car calculates the centrifugal
forces generated when the car is cornering.
The yawing sensor, which originates from the
aeronautical industry, detects the rotations
of the car around its own vertical axis. The
centrifugal forces generated when the car
is cornering are detected by a highly sensi-
tive lateral acceleration sensor. The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case always be
adapted to the conditions of the
road surface, visibility and traffic.
The responsibility for road safety
is always and in any case the dri-
ver’s.
System helps the driver to keep the car un-
der control in the event of a loss of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the system to con-
trol the loss of car stability always depend
on the grip between the tyre and the road
surface.

CAR MAINTENANCE
217
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, boot, passenger compartment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc..)
Check operation of windscreen washer system, adjust spray jets
Check position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check operation of front disk brake pad wear indicator
Check wear conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check the conditions of: body exterior, underbody protection, stiff pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts
(boots - sleeves - bushes etc..)
Check cleanness of locks, bonnet and boot and lever cleanness, and lubrication
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions
Check handbrake lever stroke adjustment
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (JTD versions)
Top up fluid levels (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc..)
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CAR MAINTENANCE
219
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long journeys,
check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen washer and headlamp wash-
er fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck and if necessary
top up the engine oil level.
The use of FL Seleniaproducts is rec-
ommended which have been designed and
made expressly for Alfa Romeo cars (see
“Refuelling” in the “Technical Specifica-
tions” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for example
about 10,000 km) the following
yearly inspection programme is ad-
vised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if nec-
essary adjust the pressure (including spare
wheel)
– Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compart-
ment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc.)
– Check operation of windscreen wiper
system, spray jet adjustment
– Check windscreen blade position/wear
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear
– Check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks, and lever cleanness and lubrication.– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust - fu-
el supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots -
sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel sup-
ply system hoses
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various dri-
ve belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid lev-
els (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen
washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and oil filter
– Change pollen filter.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
245
Service brakes:
– front
– rear
Parking brake
BRAKES
Front
Rear
Type
Turning radius
(between pavements) m
1.8 T. SPARK - 2.0 JTS - 3.2 V6 - JTD16V
rack and pinion with hydraulic power steering
11.5
SUSPENSION
STEERING SYSTEM
1.8 T. SPARK - 2.0 JTS - 3.2 V6- JTD16V
Disk
Disk
Controlled by hand lever, acting on the rear brakes
1.8 T. SPARK - 2.0 JTS - 3.2 V6 - JTD16V
quadrilateral system with stabiliser bar
Mc Pherson type

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
260
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
ABS system .............................. 134
Accessories purchased by the user .. 127
Additional stop light (third stop) .... 200
Air bags ..................................... 38
Air cleaner .................................. 229
Alfa Romeo CODE ........................ 6
Armrest
- front ..................................... 17
- rear ...................................... 22
Ashtray
- front ........................................ 124
- rear ......................................... 125
ASR (system) ............................. 138
Battery
- advice for preserving
the charge ............................. 232
- checking the charge ........... 212-231
- replacement ........................... 232
Body (maintenance) ................... 236
Body versions ............................. 241 Bonnet ...................................... 131
Boot
- extension .............................. 19
- lighting ................................. 129
- luggage net ........................... 22
- opening from inside ................ 128
- opening with remotecontrol ..8-128
- restraining the load ................. 130
- tailgate closing ....................... 129
- warnings for carrying luggage ... 130
Boot light
- changing bulbs ....................... 204
Brakes ....................................... 245
Braking lights (third stop)
- changing bulbs ....................... 199
Bulbs
- general instructions ................. 193
- replacement ........................... 192
- type of bulbs .......................... 193
Card and glass holder ................. 125
Car maintenance.................... 216
Cell phones (provision) ................ 126
Changing a wheel .................. 181-183 Changing bulbs
- general instructions ................. 192
- types of bulbs ........................ 193
Checking levels ........................... 222
Cigar lighter ............................... 124
Cleaning and maintenance
- body ..................................... 236
- car interior ............................. 238
- engine compartment ............... 238
- windows ............................... 238
Climate control system ................. 81
Climate control system,
automatic two-zone .................. 89
Clock ......................................... 68
Controls ..................................... 106
CO
2emissions ............................ 256
CODE card .................................. 7
Correct use of the car........... 169
Courtesy light
- changing bulbs ....................... 203
Cruise Control ............................. 49