2010 Alfa Romeo 8C warning light

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5
HEADLIGHTSBI-XENON HEADLIGHTS
The gas-discharge (Xenon) headlights use an
electric arc saturated with Xenon gas under
pressure, instead of the incandescent filament.
The light produced is markedly superior to that
of traditional light bulbs, in terms of quality
(brighter light) as well as of the span and
positioning of the area illuminated.
The advantages offered by better lighting can be
clearly perceived (less eye strain and increased
orientation for the driver and thus driving safety)
especially in the case of bad weather, fog
and/or insufficient road indications owing to the
broader illumination of the side zones, which are
normally left in the dark.The much broader illumination of the side zones
markedly increases driving safety as it allows the
driver to better detect other persons on the side
of the road (e.g. pedestrians, bicycle riders and
motorcycle drivers).
The electric arc requires very high voltage for
striking, but after activation power is supplied at
a lower voltage.
The headlights reach maximum brightness about
0.5 seconds after activation.
CAUTION
Should the bulbs need to
be replaced, have this operation
performed only at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network. RISK OF ELECTRICAL
SHOCKS!
DRIVING
CONDITIONSBEFORE A TRIP
Check the following at regular intervals and
always before long trips:
- tyre pressure and condition
- levels of fl uids and lubricants
- conditions of the windscreen wiper blades
- proper operation of the warning lights and
of the external lights.WARNING: It is always advisable to perform
these checks at least every 800 km and to
always follow the maintenance operations
provided for in the “Warranty and Maintenance
Schedule” book.It is also advisable to:
- clean the glass on the external lights and all
other glass surfaces
- properly adjust the mirrors, steering wheel,
seats and seat belts.

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5
USING THE VEHICLE
CAPACITIESWARNING: Use unleaded fuel only!
The use of fuel containing lead would
permanently damage the catalytic converters.For fluid and lubricant specifications and
quantities, follow the indications contained
in section 7 “CAPACITIES AND TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS”.
SAFE DRIVING
Although the vehicle is fitted with active and
passive safety devices the driver’s behaviour is
always a decisive factor for road safety.
Below are some simple rules for travelling safely
in different conditions. You will, no doubt, be
familiar with some of them but, in any case, it
would be useful to read them carefully.BEFORE YOU DRIVE
- Make sure that the lights and headlights are
working properly.
- Adjust the position of the seat, steering
wheel and rear-view mirrors so that you
have the best driving position.
- Check that nothing (e.g. mat covers, etc.)
is blocking the pedals.
- Carefully arrange any objects in the luggage
compartment, to prevent sudden braking
from jerking them forward.
- Avoid heavy meals before a trip. A light
snack helps to keep the refl exes sharp. In
particular avoid drinking alcohol.
- Remember to read, at regular intervals,
the instructions contained in the chapter
“Before a trip”, in this section.
CAUTION
It is extremely dangerous and
moreover prohibited by law to travel
on the luggage shelf behind the seats.
In the event of an accident, persons
carried in this position are more
exposed to the risk of serious injury.
Passengers must only travel seated in
the vehicle seats, with the seat belts
fastened properly. Always check that
you and your passengers have your
seat belts fastened correctly.

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5
USING THE VEHICLE
- Use the high beams only outside of urban
areas and when you are sure that they will
not disturb other drivers.
- When another vehicle is approaching,
switch the high beams (if on) to low
beams.
- Keep the lights and headlights clean.
- Outside urban areas, beware of animals
crossing the road. DRIVING IN THE RAIN
Rain and wet roads are dangerous. On a wet
road all the manoeuvres are more difficult since
wheel grip on the asphalt is significantly reduced.
This means that the braking distances increase
considerably and the road holding decreases.
Certain advice for driving in the rain follows:
- Reduce your speed and keep a greater
safety distance from the vehicles in front
of you. High speed may result in a loss of
control and aquaplaning.
- Heavy rain also substantially reduces
visibility.
- Set the Air Conditioning controls to
demisting, in order to avoid any visibility
problems.
- Periodically check the conditions of the
windscreen wiper blades. DRIVING IN FOG
If the fog is dense avoid travelling where
possible.
When driving in mist, blanket fog or when there
is the possibility of banks of fog:
- Keep a moderate speed.
- Turn on the rear fog lights. Do not use the
main beam.
- Remember that fog creates dampness on
the asphalt and thus any type of manoeuvre
is more diffi cult and braking distances are
greater.
- Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you.
- Avoid sudden changes in speed as much as
possible.
- Whenever possible, avoid passing other
vehicles.
- If you are forced to stop the vehicle
(breakdowns, impossibility of proceeding
due to poor visibility, etc.), fi rst of all, try to
stop off of the travel lane. Then turn on the
hazard warning lights and if possible, the
low beams.

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A
USING THE VEHICLE
ELECTRIC PARKING
BRAKE
The vehicle is equipped with an automatic
parking brake EPB (Electric Parking Brake).
It is automatically engaged when the engine
is turned off and it is disengaged when, with
the engine running, the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
When the electric parking brake is engaged and
the key is turned to STOP, the warning light

illuminates on the instrument panel.During engagement and disengagement, the
warning light
flashes until the maximum
engagement force and full release have been
reached.
In the above conditions, the automatic activation
function can be deactivated/activated by
pressing the button A on the dashboard.
CAUTION
During engagement or
disengagement of the electric parking
brake, always hold the brake pedal
depressed.

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B
Engagement
The electric parking brake is automatically
applied when the engine is turned off and the
vehicle is stationary.
It can only be disengaged when the engine is
restarted.
When the key is removed or set to STOP it
cannot be disengaged.
The electric parking brake can also be manually
engaged when the vehicle is moving or the key is
turned to MAR by pulling up the lever
B.
If the engine was turned off with the automatic
engagement device deactivated, you can
reactivated it simply by pulling lever B.
CAUTION
Always check that the vehicle is
actually locked before leaving it.
CAUTION
When the EPB button is
activated while driving, the vehicle
slows down with strong deceleration
(Dynamic Braking). It is therefore
advisable to use this function only
in case of an emergency. The vehicle
stability is in any case ensured by the
VDC system, which is always active.
Disengagement
The parking brake automatically disengages
when the accelerator pedal is depressed.
The electric parking brake can also be manually
disengaged when the vehicle is moving or the
key is in position MAR by manually pulling up
lever
B and simultaneously depressing the brake
pedal.
WARNING: In certain conditions it is however
advisable to manually disengage the electric
parking brake and brake the starting manoeuvre
slightly using the service brake. This is advisable
when there are obstacles very close to the
vehicle in the direction in which you intend to
move.

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5
A
USING THE VEHICLE
Malfunction indication
In the event of electric parking brake system
failures, the warning light
! on the display
will come on.
Depending on the message displayed, it signals
the following failures of the EPB system:
- Parking brake failure
If the message warning 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 after leaving the engine off (key turned
to STOP) for about 15 minutes without
using the parking brake, the warning
light illuminates again when the engine
is started, slowly drive to an 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.
Deactivating the PARK OFF automatic
operation
To deactivate manual operation of the electric
parking brake, with the engine on, press the
button
A on the dashboard. The words PARK OFF
will appear on the display for 5 seconds and then
the page that was active previously will reappear.
To reactivate automatic operation, press the
button A again, the words PARK ON appear on
the display for 5 seconds.
WARNING: In certain conditions, when the
battery voltage is low, the electric parking brake
activation/deactivation system may temporarily
be deactivated for safety reasons. Therefore,
typically during engine starting when the battery
voltage drops, the message PARK OFF may
temporarily appear on the display indicating that
automatic operation is temporarily disabled.
WARNING: In the case of performance
starting, check that the electric parking brake is
disengaged.

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SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains is subject to the
regulations in force in each country.
Use snow chains of reduced dimensions, with
a maximum protuberance of 9 mm beyond the
tyre tread.
The chains should be fitted only on the driving
wheel tyres (rear wheels).
Check chain tension after driving for a distance of
about 50 meters with the chains fitted.
Deactivation of the system is advised when
chains are fitted on the tyres. Press the ASR-OFF
button - LED on the same button is on. Snow chains: brand/type
KONIG SUPERMAGIC
Rear tyre
285/35 ZR20
WARNING: Before purchasing or using snow
chains, we recommend that you contact
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network for information.
WARNING: Keep a moderate speed, when
chains are fitted on the tyres. Do not exceed
50 km/h. Avoid holes in the road, do not drive
over steps or sidewalks and do not drive on long
sections of roads without snow. This will prevent
damage to the vehicle and the road surface.
USEFUL
ACCESSORIES
TO KEEP IN THE
VEHICLERegardless of applicable legislation, we
recommend that you keep the following in the
vehicle:
- fi rst aid kit containing alcohol-free
disinfectant, sterile gauze pads, gauze rolls,
bandages, etc. (provided with vehicles
manufactured for the German market);
- electric fl ashlight;
- blunt-tipped scissors;
- heavy-duty gloves.
The objects described as well as other essential
objects can be purchased from an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.

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EMERGENCY
STARTINGIf the Alfa Romeo CODE fails to deactivate the
engine immobilizer, the CODE
warning light
will illuminate permanently, while the EOBD
warning light will go off after four seconds
to turn on again immediately afterwards: the
engine will not start. To start the engine, it is
necessary to follow the emergency starting
procedure.
WARNING: We recommend that you carefully
read the entire procedure before performing it.
If you make a mistake, turn the ignition key to
STOP and repeat the operations from step 1.1) Read the 5-digit electronic code found on
the CODE CARD.
2) Turn the ignition key to MAR: at this
moment the CODE
and EOBD
warning lights are on.
3) Depress the accelerator pedal and hold
it down. Approximately 8 seconds later,
the EOBD warning light will go off.
Release the accelerator and get ready to
count the number of times the EOBD warning light fl ashes.
4) As soon as the number of fl ashing is equal
to the fi rst digit of your CODE CARD, fully
depress the accelerator pedal and hold it
down until the EOBD warning light
goes off (after approximately 4 seconds).
You can now release the accelerator pedal.
5) The EOBD warning light starts fl ashing
again. As soon as the displayed number of
fl ashing is equal to the second digit of your
CODE CARD, depress the accelerator and
hold it down.
6) Follow the same procedure for the
remaining digits in the code on the CODE
CARD.
7) When the last digit has been entered, keep
the accelerator pedal pressed down. The
EOBD warning light comes on for 4
seconds and then goes off. You can now
release the accelerator pedal.
8) A quick fl ashing of the EOBD warning
light (about 4 seconds) confi rms that
procedure has been carried out correctly.
9) Start the engine by pressing the START
button while holding the brake pedal
depressed.If the EOBD warning light remains on,
turn the key to position STOP and repeat the
procedure from step 1.
This procedure can be repeated an unlimited
number of times.
WARNING: After an emergency staring, you
should contact an Authorised Service Centre of
the Manufacturer’s Network as the emergency
starting procedure will have to be carried out
every time you start the vehicle.