2010 Alfa Romeo 147 tow

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
184
PROTECTING EMISSION
REDUCING DEVICES
Correct operation of the anti-pollution de-
vices not only guarantees respect for the en-
vironment but also influences vehicle per-
formance. Keeping these devices in good
condition is therefore the first rule for both
environment-friendly and economy driving.
The first precaution is to closely follow the
“Programmed Maintenance Schedule”. Use
only unleaded petrol (95 RON) (Specifica-
tion EN228).
If difficulty with starting is experienced do
not insist with extended attempts. Especially
avoid bump, tow or coast starts: these may
all damage the catalyst. Only use an auxil-
iary battery to start the car in an emergency.If when driving the engine is not running
smoothly, continue, minimising the need for
engine performance and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services as soon as possible.
When the fuel reserve warning light turns
on, fill up as soon as possible. A low fuel lev-
el may cause an irregular supply to the en-
gine with inevitable increase of the exhaust
gas temperature; this would result in serious
damage to the catalyst.
Never run the engine, even as a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. Do
not warm the engine at idle speed before
moving off, unless the outside temperature
is very low and, in this case too, for no more
than 30 seconds.
Do not spray anything on
the catalyst, lamda sensor
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
The failure to follow these
rules may cause a fire
hazard.
WARNING
Do not install other heat
guards and do not remove
the existing ones on the catalyst
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
During normal service the
catalyst reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore park
the car over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
185
IMPORTANTWhen winter tyres are
used with a maximum speed index below
the one that can be reached by the vehicle
(increased by 5%), place a notice in the pas-
senger compartment, plainly in the driver’s
view which states the maximum permissi-
ble speed of the winter tyres (as per CE Di-
rective).
Fit the same type of tyre on all four wheels
(brand and profile) to ensure higher driving
safety when braking and good handling.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres. WINTER TYRES
These tyres are specially designed for dri-
ving on snow and ice, to be fitted in re-
placement of those fitted on the car.
Use winter tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided on the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services will be
pleased to advise you on the choice of the
car most suited to the use the Customer in-
tends to make of it.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of winter
tyres, follow the instructions given in the
“Technical Specifications” chapter.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread depth
is below 4 mm. In this case, they should be
replaced.
Due to the winter features, under normal
conditions of use or on long motorway jour-
neys, the performance of these tyres is low-
er than that of normal tyres.
It is necessary therefore to limit their use to
the purposes for which they are certified.
TRAILER TOWING
The car does not have the approval to tow
trailers.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
187
USEFUL ACCESSORIES
Independently of current regulations, we
suggest you keep the following on board
(fig. 2):
– first aid kit containing non-alcoholic dis-
infectant, sterile gauzes, gauze roll, plas-
ters, etc.;
– electric torch;
– rounded scissors;
– work gloves.
fig. 2
A0A0148m
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) from the battery and check the bat-
tery charge. This check should be repeated
once a month during stowage. Charge the
battery if the loadless voltage is below
12.5V.
– Do not empty the engine cooling sys-
tem.
– Cover the vehicle with a fabric or per-
forated plastic cover. Do not use compact
plastic covers which prevent the humidity on
the surface of the vehicle from evaporating.
USING AGAIN
Before using the car again after a pro-
longed period of inactivity, the following op-
erations are recommended:
– Do not dust the outside of the car.
– Check for leaks of fluids (oil, brake and
clutch fluid, engine coolant fluid, etc.).
– Change the engine oil and filter.
– Check the level of brake and clutch flu-
id engine coolant fluid.– Check the air cleaner and change it if
necessary.
– Check the tyre pressure and the tyres
for signs of damage, cuts or cracks. In this
case they need to be changed.
– Check the conditions of the engine belts.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) after checking the battery charge.
– With the gears in neutral, start the en-
gine and let it idle a few minutes, pressing
the clutch pedal repeatedly.
This operation must be car-
ried out in the open.
Exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide which highly toxic and
lethal.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
190
IMPORTANTThe car is equipped with
“Kit for tyre quick repair Fix&Go“, see the
instructions contained in the following chap-
ter.
STARTING BY INERTIAIN THE EVENT OF A PUNCTURE
Never push, tow or coast
start the vehicle. This could
cause fuel to flow into the
catalyst damaging it irreversibly.
Remember that the engine
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
is started, therefore, much greater
effort than usual is needed on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
Signal the presence of the
stationary vehicle according
to the current regulations: hazard
warning lights, reflecting triangle,
etc. Any passengersshould leave
the car.
WARNING
Should the type of wheels
used be changed (alloy
rims instead of steel), it is also nec-
essary to replace the complete kit
of fastening bolts with others of
suitable size.
WARNING

IN AN EMERGENCY
203
– Remove the bulb pushing it gently and
turning it counter-clockwise.
– Replace the bulb.
– Refit the bulb holder turning clockwise
and checking that it is secured correctly.SIDE DIRECTION INDICATORS
(fig. 30)
– Push the transparent cover towards the
rear of the car to compress the catch (A).
Release the front part and remove this unit.
– Turn the bulb holder counter-clockwise
(B) and remove it from the cover.
– Remove the snap-fitted bulb and replace
it.
– Insert the bulb holder (B) in the trans-
parent cover, then position the unit mak-
ing sure the catch clicks into place (A).
REVERSING LIGHTS
AND REAR FOG GUARDS
(fig. 31-32)
The reversing light and rear fog guard are
in the tail light unit fastened to the tailgate;
they are to be found respectively one on the
right and the other on the left of the vehicle
facing forwards.
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Open the tailgate.
– Remove the cap (A) then, using the ex-
tension with the screwdriver provided (work-
ing as illustrated), loosen the fastening nuts
(B) of the light unit concerned.
fig. 31
A0A0167m
fig. 29
A0A0455m
fig. 30
A0A0166m

IN AN EMERGENCY
217
IF THE VEHICLE IS TO BE TOWED
The tow ring supplied with the vehicle is
housed in the tool box under the boot mat.
Front towing
To install the tow ring, proceed as follows:
– Take the tow ring from the tool box.
– Remove the cover (A) snap-fitted on
the front bumper (fig. 55). To do this use
the flat-bladed screwdriver provided, protect
the tip with a soft cloth to avoid damaging
the car.
– Firmly screw the ring in its housing.Back towing
To install the tow ring, just screw the ring
firmly in its housing (fig. 56).
fig. 55
A0A0456m
fig. 56
A0A0457m
Before tightening the ring
carefully clean the thread-
ed housing. Before beginning to
tow the car, make sure that the
ring is firmly tightened in its
threaded housing.
WARNING
Do not start the engine
when towing the car. Before
starting to tow, turn the ignition key
to MAR and back to STOP again
without removing it. Removing the
key automatically engages the
steering lock resulting in the impos-
sibility to steer the wheels. When
towing remember that without the
help of the engine brake and pow-
er steering greater effort is required
on the pedal and steering wheel. Do
not use flexible cables for towing
and avoid jerks. During towing op-
erations make sure that fastening
the joint to the car does not damage
the components in contact with it.
When towing the car, it is compul-
sory to follow specific traffic regu-
lations concerning both the towing
device and behaviour on the road.
WARNING

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
225
IMPORTANT
Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy condi-
tions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– frequently idling engines or long distance
low speed driving or in case of a long term
inactivity
– short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external temperatures be-
low zero replace engine oil more frequent-
ly than required on Service Schedule.
IMPORTANT
Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads change the
air cleaner more frequently than specified in
the Scheduled Maintenance Programme.
For any doubts concerning the intervals be-
tween engine oil and air cleaner replacement
in relation to how the vehicle is used, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.IMPORTANT
Battery
It is advisable to check the battery charge,
preferably at the onset of winter, to prevent
the possibility of the electrolyte freezing.
This check should be carried out more fre-
quently if the car is used mainly for short
trips, or if it is fitted with accessories that
permanently absorb electricity even with the
ignition key removed, especially in the case
of after market accessories.
If the vehicle is used in hot climates or par-
ticularly harsh conditions it is wise to check
the level of the battery fluid (electrolyte)
more frequently than specified in the Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme.Vehicle maintenance should
be entrusted to Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. For
routine and minor maintenance op-
erations you wish to carry out your-
self, always make sure you have the
proper equipment, genuine Alfa
Romeo spares and the necessary flu-
ids;do not however carry out these
operations if you have no experi-
ence.IMPORTANT
Pollen filter
If the vehicle is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments it is advisable
to replace the filtering element more fre-
quently; in particular it should be replaced
if a reduction of the amount of air admitted
to the passenger compartment is noted.

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
263
MILEAGE RECORDER
Odometer display with double counter for
showing the total and trip meter in miles
and showing the headlamp aiming.
The display shows:
– the miles travelled on the first line (6
digits)
– the trip meter in miles on the second
line (4 digits)
– at the side the position of the headlamp
aiming device.
fig. 5
A0A0304m
To reset the trip meter in miles, keep but-
ton (A-fig. 5) on the panel at the side of
the steering column pressed for a few mo-
ments.
IMPORTANTIf the battery is discon-
nected the distance of the trip meter is not
stored.STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENTS
The driver can adjust the steering wheel
position in rake and height.
To do this, release the lever (A-fig. 6)
pulling it towards the steering wheel.
After moving the steering wheel to the
most suitable position, lock it pushing the
lever fully forwards.
fig. 6
A0A0307m
Any adjustment of the
steering wheel position
must be carried out only with the
vehicle stationary.
WARNING