2011 Alfa Romeo 147 change time

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
181
DRIVING ON SNOW AND ICE
Here are a few suggestions for driving in
these conditions:
– Drive very slowly.
– On a snowy road, fit winter tyres or
snow chains; see the related paragraphs in
this chapter.
– Use engine braking where possible and
avoid abrupt braking.
– Braking with a car without ABS, avoid
locking the wheels, modulating the pressure
on the brake pedal.
– Avoid abrupt acceleration and changes
of direction.
– During cold weather even apparently dry
roads may be covered with occasional patch-
es of ice. Pay great attention therefore when
driving on roads which are in the shade, or
where rocks or trees line the road and on
which ice may persist.
– Keep further back from the vehicle in
front.
DRIVING WITH ABS
The ABS is a part of the braking system
which essentially offers 2 advantages:
1) it prevents locking, thus skidding, of the
wheels during emergency braking and es-
pecially under conditions with poor grip;
2) it allows braking and steering at the
same time, to avoid any sudden obstacles
or to direct the car as required when brak-
ing, compatibly with the physical limits of
lateral grip of the tyre.
To make the most of the ABS:
– In emergency braking or when grip is
low, a slight pulsing can be felt on the brake
pedal: this means that the ABS has come in-
to action. Do not release the pedal, but con-
tinue pressing it to give continuity to the
braking action.
– The ABS prevents the wheels from lock-
ing but it does not increase the physical lim-
its of grip between the asphalt and the road.
Therefore, also with a car fitted with ABS,
keep within a safety distance from the ve-
hicle in front and limit speed when ap-
proaching bends.
The ABS serves to increase vehicle con-
trollability not to go faster.
REDUCING RUNNING
COSTS AND
ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION
By following a few simple guidelines, it
is possible to save vehicle running costs and
reduce harmful emissions.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Vehicle maintenance
The conditions of the vehicle represent an
important factor which affects fuel con-
sumption as well as travelling tranquillity
and the life of the vehicle. For this reason,
it is wise to take care of its maintenance
have the checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme” (see... spark plugs, air
cleaner, timing).

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
223
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
Change timing gear drive belt (*)
Change accessory Poly-V drive belt
Change spark plugs
Check operation of engine control system (through diagnosis socket)
Check mechanical transmission and differential oil level
Change engine oil
Change engine oil filter
Change brake fluid (or every 2 years)
Change pollen filer (or once a year)
Check emissions/smoke at the exhaust
●
●
●●●
●●●●
●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●
(*) Or every 3 years for harsh conditions (cold climates, city driving or prolonged lengths of time at idle speed, dusty areas)
Or every 5 years, regardless of mileage.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
233fig. 10
A0A0393m
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited Mainte-
nance” type and is fitted with an optical in-
dicator (A-fig. 9) for checking the elec-
trolyte level and charge.
Under normal conditions of use the elec-
trolyte does not need topping up with distilled
water. To make sure that it is in efficient con-
ditions, at routine intervals check the indica-
tor on the battery cover which should be dark
in colour with a green central area.
If the indicator is a bright light colour, or
dark without the green central area, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
fig. 9
A0A0224m
Batteries contain harmful
substances for the environ-
ment. To change the bat-
tery we advise contacting Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who
are equipped for disposal respect-
ing nature and the law.
The incorrect installation
of electric accessories may
cause serious damage to
the vehicle. If after buying the car
you wish to install accessories
(alarm, radio, radiotelephone etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services who will be able to sug-
gest the most suitable devices and
above all advise about the need to
use a more powerful battery.
If the car is to remain in-
active for a long time in
very cold conditions, re-
move the battery and take it to a
warm place, otherwise it may
freeze.
The liquid contained in the
battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin or eyes. The battery should be
charged in a well ventilated place
away from naked flames or pos-
sible sources of sparks: danger of
explosion and fire.
WARNING
When working on the bat-
tery or near to it, always
protect the eyes with goggles.
WARNING

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
272
HEADLIGHTS
COMPENSATION FOR TILT
(fig. 25)
When the vehicle is loaded, the beam from
the headlights is raised due to the backwards
tilt of the vehicle.
In this case the headlights must be ad-
justed correctly.
To do this, use the rocker button (A), on
the plate at the side of the steering column:
– pressing the button in correspondence
with the arrow (
A) increases by one posi-
tion (e.g.: 0
➟1➟ 2➟3);
– pressing the button in correspondence
with the arrow (
S) decreases by one posi-
tion (e.g.: 3
➟2➟1➟0);
The display (B) in the speedometer shows
the position while adjustment takes place.
fig. 25
A0A0320m
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
ABROAD
(fig. 26)
The dipped-beam headlights are adjusted
for circulation in the country in which the ve-
hicle is marketed. In countries with opposite
circulation, to avoid glaring oncoming vehi-
cles it is necessary to cover the areas of the
headlight as shown below; this is done us-
ing non-transparent sticker tape.
The illustration refers to the passage from
left-hand drive to right-hand drive.
fig. 26
A0A0321m
For correct adjustment, bear in mind the
following conditions:
– position 0: one or two people occupy-
ing the front seats
– position 1: five people;
– position 2: five people + load in the
boot;
– position 3: driver + maaximum per-
missible load all stowed in
the boot
Check headlight aiming
every time the load carried
changes.
WARNING