2010 Alfa Romeo 147 headlights

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
178
SAFE DRIVING
In designing your Alfa 147 GTA, Al-
fa Romeo has worked thoroughly to achieve
a vehicle able to offer top levels of safety to
its passengers. However, the behaviour of
the driver is still a decisive factor for road
safety.
Below you will find a few simple rules for
travelling safely under different conditions.
You are certainly familiar with many of them
but it is still helpful to read them all care-
fully.
BEFORE DRIVING OFF
– Make sure the lights and headlights are
working properly.
– Adjust the seat, steering wheel and rear-
view mirrors, in order to obtain a correct po-
sition for driving.
– Carefully adjust the headrests so that
the head and not the neck rests on them.
Check that nothing (mats etc.) can get un-
der the foot pedals.– Make sure that any child restraint sys-
tems (seats, cradles, etc.) are correctly fas-
tened on the rear seat.
– Place any objects in the boot with care
to prevent abrupt braking from throwing
them forwards.
– Avoid heavy meals before a journey. A
light meal will help to keep reflexes ready.
Above all avoid alcohol.
Routinely remember to check:
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– engine oil level;
– engine coolant fluid level and system
conditions;
– brake fluid level;
– power steering oil level;
– windscreen washer fluid level.
WHEN TRAVELLING
– The first rule for safe driving is care.
– Care also means being able to predict
the actions of other road users.
– Strictly respect the traffic regulations in
all countries, especially the speed limits.
– Ensure that both yourself and your pas-
sengers are wearing their seat belts, that
children are carried with the appropriate
seats and that any animals are in appropri-
ate compartments.
– Long distances should be tackled in good
health.
Driving under the influence
of drugs and/or some
medicines is highly dangerous for
oneself and for others.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
179
– Do not drive for long periods without a
break. During breaks get out of the vehicle
and move around a bit to shake off the
drowsiness.
– Make sure the air in the passenger com-
partment is changed constantly.
– Never coast the vehicle downhill with
the engine switched off: this eliminates the
engine braking and power steering effect
thus requiring a greater effort on the pedal
and steering wheel.
NIGHT DRIVING
Here are some suggestions for night dri-
ving.
– Drive with particular care: night driving
involves a greater degree of concentration.
– Reduce speed, especially on unlit roads.
– At the first signs of drowsiness stop the
car: continuing the journey is dangerous for
yourself and others. Continue driving only
after sufficient rest.
– Maintain a greater distance from the ve-
hicle in front than in the day: it is more dif-
ficult to judge the speed of a vehicle when
only the lights can be seen.
– Ensure that the headlights are correctly
aimed: if they are too low, visibility is re-
duced and eyesight is tired. If they are too
high they may cause disturbance to other
road users.
– Use the main beams only outside built-
up areas and only when you are certain that
other drivers are not disturbed by their use.
– When meeting oncoming vehicles,
switch off the main beams and drive with
the dipped-beam headlights on.
– Keep the headlights and light units
clean.
– Outside built-up areas take care of ani-
mal crossings.Always fasten the front and
rear seat belts including
those of any children’s seat. Trav-
elling without seat belts increases
the risks of serious injury or even
death in the event of an accident.
WARNING
Take car when fitting addi-
tional spoilers, alloy wheels
and wheel caps: they might reduce
ventilation of the brakes, thus their
efficiency, during abrupt and re-
peated braking, or long downhill
slopes.
WARNING
Never drive with objects
on the floor in front of the
driver’s seat: they might get stuck
under the pedals making it impos-
sible to accelerate or brake.
WARNING
Make sure any mats are
appropriate in size: even a
slight inconvenience to the braking
system may require a higher ped-
al stroke than normal.
WARNING
Water, ice and salt on the
roads may deposit on the
brake disks, reducing the effec-
tiveness of the brakes the first
time they are used.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
180
DRIVING WITH RAIN
Rain and wet roads can be dangerous.
If the road is wet, the traction between
wheel and asphalt is greatly reduced, thus
increasing the stopping distance and de-
creasing road holding.
Here are a few suggestions in the case of
rain:
– Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– Heavy rain also reduces visibility. In
these cases, turn on the headlights even dur-
ing the day to make yourself more visible
to others.
– Do not drive over puddles at high speed
and hold the steering wheel firmly: you may
lose control of the car (aquaplaning).
– Position the ventilation controls for
demisting (as described in the chapter (“Get-
ting to know your car”), to prevent visibili-
ty from worsening.
– Routinely check the conditions of the
windscreen wiper blades.
DRIVING IN FOG
– If fog is very thick, avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling with mist,
ground fog or the possibility of fog banks:
– Drive at moderate speed.
– Also in the day turn on the dipped-beam
headlights, rear fog guards and front fog
lights. Do not use the main-beam headlights.
IMPORTANTIf visibility in some parts
improves, switch off the rear fog guards; the
intense light disturbs the occupants of ve-
hicles behind.
– Remember that fog also involves wet
asphalt, thus greater difficulty in all types of
manoeuvres and longer stopping distances.
– Keep well away from the vehicle in
front.
– Where possible avoid sudden changes
in speed.
– Possibly avoid overtaking other vehicles.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop (faults,
impossibility to continue due to poor visi-
bility, etc.), firstly try to pull off the road.
Then turn on the hazard warning lights and,
if possible the dipped-beam headlights.
Rhythmically sound the horn if you note an-
other car coming.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING
– When travelling down hill use the en-
gine braking by engaging lower gears to pre-
vent the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast down hill with the engine
off or in neutral and especially not with the
ignition key removed.
– Drive at a moderate speed and avoid
cutting corners.
– Remember that overtaking up hill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being over-
taken on a hill, move over to enable the oth-
er vehicle to pass in safety.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
182
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at
an interval of no more than 4 weeks: if the
pressure is too low consumption levels in-
crease as resistance to rolling is higher. It
should be underscored that in these condi-
tions tyre wear increases and vehicle per-
formance is lower, therefore also its safety.
Useless loads
Never travel with an overload in the boot.
The weight of the vehicle (especially in ur-
ban traffic), and its geometry heavily affect
consumption levels and stability.
Luggage/ski racks
Remove the luggage rack or ski rack from
the roof as soon as they are no longer used.
These accessories lower air penetration and
adversely affect consumption levels. When
needing to carry particularly voluminous ob-
jects, preferably use a trailer.Electric services
Use electric devices only for the amount of
time needed. Rearscreen heating, addition-
al headlights, windscreen wipers and heater
fan need a considerable amount of energy
therefore, increasing the requirement of cur-
rent increases fuel consumption (up to
+25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
The climate control system is a further load
bearing heavily on the engine inducing high-
er consumption levels (up to +20% on av-
erage). Outside temperature permitting,
preferably use the air vents.
Aerodynamic items
The use of non-certified aerodynamic items
may adversely affect air drag and con-
sumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car at a
standstill or at idle or high speed: under
these conditions the engine warms up much
more slowly, increasing electrical consump-
tion and emissions. It is therefore advisable
to move off immediately, slowly, avoiding
high speeds. This way the engine will warm
faster.
Pointless manoeuvres
Avoid accelerating when waiting at traffic
lights or before switching off the engine. This
and also double declutching is absolutely
pointless on modern cars and also increase
consumption and pollution.
Gear shifting
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and
road allow, use a higher gear. Using a low
gear to obtain brilliant performance increases
consumption. In the same way improper use
of a high gear increases consumption, emis-
sions and engine wear.

IN AN EMERGENCY
198
The front light units contain the front side-
light, dipped beam, main beam and fog
light bulbs.
The bulbs are arranged inside the light unit
as follows (fig. 22a):
(A) Main beam headlights
(B) Sidelights
(C) Xenon dipped beam headlights
(D) Fog lights.
Hereafter you will find, as information on-
ly, the description of the correct procedure
to replace a Xenon light.
To change the bulbs of the sidelights,
dipped beams and main beams it is nec-
essary to remove the cover (A-fig. 22b)
releasing the locking screws (B).
To change the fog lights, remove the cov-
er (C) turning it counter-clockwise.
After replacement, refit
the covers correctly check-
ing that they are properly
secured.
IF AN EXTERIOR
LIGHT GOES OUT
XENON LIGHTS
Xenon lights have a very long life, there-
fore breakdowns are unlikely.
fig. 22a
A0A0504m
fig. 22b
A0A0498m
If necessary, have the sys-
tem checked and repaired
only by Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
WARNING
Any operation regarding
the front light units shall be
carried out with the lights turned
off and the ignition key removed
from the ignition switch: risk of
electric discharges.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
199
Front fog lights(fig. 23a)
IMPORTANT When needing to change
the left bulb, the side trim next to the light
itself needs to be removed to facilitate ac-
cess to the engine compartment.
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover turning it
counter-clockwise.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb, making the tab of the
metal part coincide with the one on the
lamp unit, then hook the bulb holder catch
(B).
– Reconnect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.Xenon dipped beam
headlights
(fig. 23b)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the locking screws.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A)
turning it slightly counter-clockwise.
– Remove ring nut (B) turning it slightly
counter-clockwise
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb correctly observing the
grooves on the lamp lens, then refit the ring
nut (B).
– Reconnect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
Front sidelights(fig. 24a)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the locking screws.
– Using the extension (A), integral with
the bulb holder (B), withdraw the bulb hold-
er itself which is snap-fitted.
– Remove the bulb (C), pushing it gen-
tly and turning it counter-clockwise.
– Change the bulb and refit the bulb hold-
er making sure that it clicks into place; al-
so check that the bulb is in the correct po-
sition looking at the lamp from outside.
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 23a
A0A0499m
fig. 23b
A0A0500m
fig. 24a
A0A0501m

IN AN EMERGENCY
200
Main beam headlights
(fig. 24b)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the locking screws.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb making the tabs of the
metallic part coincide with the grooves on
the reflector, then hook the bulb holder
catch (B).
– Reconnect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
HALOGEN LIGHTSThe front light units contain the dipped
beam, main beam and fog light bulbs.
The bulbs are arranged inside
the light unit
as follows (fig. 25a):
(A) Fog lights.
(B) Dipped beam headlights
(C) Sidelights.
(D) Main beam headlights
To change the bulbs of the sidelights, low
beams and main beams it is necessary to
remove the cover (A-fig. 25b) releasing
the catches (B).
To change the fog lights, remove the cov-
er (C) turning counter-clockwise.
IMPORTANTSee the previous chap-
ter “When needing to change a bulb” for
the type of bulb and power rating.
fig. 25a
A0A0159m
fig. 25b
A0A0160m
fig. 24b
A0A0502m
Alterations or repairs to
the electric system not car-
ried out correctly and without tak-
ing account of the system specifi-
cations may cause failures and the
risk of fire.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
201
After replacement, refit
the covers correctly check-
ing that they are properly
secured.
IMPORTANTOn the inside surface of
the headlight there could appear a slight
coat of fogging; this does not show a de-
fect, since it is a natural occurrence due to
low temperature and to the degree of hu-
midity in the air; it will soon disappear as
soon as the lights are turned on. The pres-
ence of drops inside the headlight shows
water seepage, refer to the Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
Fog lights(fig. 26a)
IMPORTANTWhen needing to change
the left bulb, the side trim next to the light
itself needs to be removed to facilitate ac-
cess to the engine compartment.
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover turning
counter-clockwise.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb, making the tab of the
metal part coincide with the one on the
lamp unit, then hook the bulb holder catch
(B).
– Re-connect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.Dipped beam headlights
(fig. 26b)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the catches.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb, Fit a new bulb, mak-
ing the tabs of the metallic part coincide
with the grooves on the reflector, then hook
the bulb holder catch (B).
– Re-connect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 26a
A0A0161m
fig. 26b
A0A0162m