2010 Alfa Romeo GT battery

CAR MAINTENANCE
230
Incorrect fitting of electri-
cal accessories can serious-
ly damage the car. If after
buying the car, you wish to install
electric accessories (alarm, sound
system, radiotelephone, etc.) con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices who will be able to suggest
the most suitable devices and
above all advise about the need to
use a more powerful battery.
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited mainte-
nance” type: under normal conditions of use
the electrolyte does not need topping up
with distilled water.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to
have the battery checked/replaced.
fig. 14
A0A0224b
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very harm-
ful for the environment. You
are advised to have the battery
changed at Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services, which are properly
equipped for disposing of used bat-
teries respecting nature and the law.
If the car is to remain sta-
tionary for a long time in
very cold weather, remove
the battery and take it to a warm
place, otherwise it might freeze.
POLLEN FILTER
Have the dust/pollen filter checked once
a year by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services,
preferably at the onset of summer.
If the car is mainly used in dusty or heav-
ily polluted areas, the filter should be
changed at more frequent intervals than
specified in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
IMPORTANTThe failure to replace the
pollen filter can considerably reduce the ef-
fectiveness of the climate control system.
When doing any work on
the battery or near it, al-
ways wear special protec-
tive goggles.
The liquid in the battery is
poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with eyes
and skin. Do not bring naked
flames or possible sources of
sparks near to the battery: risk of
fire and explosion.

CAR MAINTENANCE
231
– After charging, turn off the charger be-
fore disconnecting it from the battery.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
Never attempt to charge
a frozen battery: it must
firstly be thawed, other-
wise it may burst. If freezing has
occurred, the battery should be
checked before charging by spe-
cialised personnel, to make sure
that the internal elements are not
damaged and that the body is not
cracked, with the risk of leaking
poisonous and corrosive acid.CHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANTThe battery charging pro-
cedure is described only for information pur-
poses. This operation should be carried out
by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Charging should be slow at a low amp rat-
ing for 24 hours. Charging for a longer time
may damage the battery.
Charge the battery as follows:
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
– Connect the charger cables to the bat-
tery terminal ensuring that the bias is cor-
rect.
– Turn on the charger.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
The battery charge may be checked
through the indicator A(where required)
set on the battery cover and acting accord-
ing to the colour the indicator shows.
Should the battery be not fitted with bat-
tery charge inspection device (optical elec-
trolyte indicator), inspection operations shall
be carried out by skilled personnel only.
Refer to the table below or to the label
(fig. 15) on the battery itself.Working with a low fluid
level may damage the bat-
tery irreversibly, even
causing it to burst.
Brilliantwhite colour
Dark colour
without green
area in the centre
Dark colour with green
area in the centre
Top up the electrolyte
Low charge level
Sufficient electrolyte
level and chargeContact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services
Charge the battery
(you are advised to contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services)
No action
fig. 15
A0A0393b

CAR MAINTENANCE
232
Proceed as follows with doors closed:
1.open completely the driver’s window
keeping the button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after full opening;
2.close completely the driver’s window
keeping the button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after full closing;
3.proceed as described in points 1 and
2 also for the passenger’s side;
4.check for proper initialisation by oper-
ating the windows in automatic.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid rapidly draining the battery and
ensure that it continues to work correctly,
the following should be noted:
– The terminals must always be firmly
tightened.
– As far as possible, avoid keeping ser-
vices on for a long time with the engine
stopped (radio, hazard lights, parking lights,
etc.). IMPORTANTIf the battery is kept with
a charge of below 50% it is damaged by sul-
phation, its starting capability is reduced and
it is also more subject to the possibility of
freezing (this may occur already at -10 °C).
In the event of a prolonged inactivity, refer
to the paragraph “car inactivity”, in the
chapter “Correct use of the car”.
CHANGING
THE BATTERY
When changing the battery it should be re-
placed with another original one with the
same characteristics. If it is replaced by a
battery with different characteristics, the
maintenance intervals given in the Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme in this chap-
ter are no longer valid and for maintenance
it will be necessary to follow the battery
Manufacturer’s instructions.
IMPORTANTLacking power to control
units (e.g. battery change/disconnection
and replacement of power window control
unit protection fuses), window automatism
must be reset.– When leaving the car parked in a
garage, make sure that the doors, bonnet,
boot and interior lids are properly shut to
prevent lights from staying on.
– Before carrying out any work on the
electric system, disconnect the negative ca-
ble from the battery.
– If after buying the car, you wish to in-
stall electric accessories which require a per-
manent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft func-
tion etc.) or accessories that burden the elec-
tric system, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most suitable de-
vices belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the car’s electric system
is capable of withstanding the load required,
or whether it should be integrated with a
more powerful battery. In fact, as some of
these devices continue absorbing energy
even when the ignition key is off (car sta-
tionary, engine off), they gradually drain the
battery.

CAR MAINTENANCE
233
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wear:
(A): normal pressure: tread evenly worn.
(B): low pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
(C): high pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
Tyres should be changed when the tread
thickness is reduced to 1.6 mm.
In any case follow local regulations.
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption switched on by the
user, such as for example: baby bottle warm-
ers, vacuum cleaner, mobile phone, mini
fridge, etc., quicken the battery drain-
ing processif they are turned on with the
engine off or running at idle speed.
IMPORTANTWhen installing addition-
al systems on the car, bear in mind that im-
proper branches on connections of the car
wiring are dangerous, particularly if safety
devices are involved.
WHEELS AND TYRES
TYRE PRESSURE
Check the tyre pressure of every wheel, in-
cluding the spare, every two weeks and be-
fore a long journey. The pressure should be
checked with the tyre rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is in use; for the correct tyre
inflation pressure, see “Wheels” in the
“Technical Specifications” chapter.
Battery
60 Ah
70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
36 mA
42 mA
The maximum absorption of all the ac-
cessories (standard and fitted afterwards)
should be 0,6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the following table:
fig. 16
A0A0225b

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

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
261
Dashboard ................................ 52
Diesel fuel filter ........................... 229
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) ........ 167
Digital multifunction display .......... 58
Dimensions ................................ 250
Direction indicators
- changing front bulbs ................ 198
- changing rear bulbs ................. 199
- changing side bulbs ................. 198
- switching on .......................... 46
Door locking system .................... 107
Door mirrors ............................... 23
Doors ........................................ 15
Electronic alarm system .............. 11
Emergency starting ...................... 179
- coasting ................................ 181
- starting with an auxiliary
battery .................................. 180
Engine codes/body versions ......... 241
Engine
- identification codes ................. 241
- marking ................................ 241
- specifications ......................... 242
Engine compartment - bonnet .................................. 131
- washing ................................ 238
Engine oil consumption ................ 224
Engine starting ........................... 169
Environmental protection .............. 168
EOBD (system) ........................... 140
External lights (switching on) ....... 44
First-aid kit ................................ 215
Fix &Go Automatic (device) ......... 186
Flashing high beams .................... 45
Fluids and lubricants .................... 253
Follow me home device ............... 46
Foglights
- changing bulbs ....................... 196
- switching on .......................... 106
Front ceiling light ........................ 121
- changing bulbs ....................... 201
Front fog lights
- changing bulbs ....................... 196
- switching on .......................... 106
Fuel consumption ........................ 255
Fuel flap .................................... 167
Fuel supply ................................ 243
Fuses ........................................ 205
Getting to know your car... 6
Glove compartment ..................... 121
Glove compartment light
- changing bulbs ....................... 203
Handbrake ............................... 108
Hazard warning lights
- switching on .......................... 106
Headlamp beam adjustment ......... 108
Headlight washers ................. 49-236
Headlights
- adjustment abroad .................. 133
- compensation for tilt .......... 108-132
Headrests
- front ..................................... 18
- rear ...................................... 21
Heating and climate
control system ......................... 81
Hoses ........................................ 234
Identification data ...................... 240
Ignition device ............................ 14
Ignition switch and
steering lock ....................... 14-15
In an emergency.................... 179