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.
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
183
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
with speed: it is helpful to note that passing
from 90 to 120 km/h consumption in-
creases by about +30%. Also maintain an
even as possible speed, avoiding superflu-
ous braking and accelerating again, which
cost in terms of both fuel and emissions. It
is therefore advisable to adopt a “smooth”
driving style trying to anticipate manoeuvres
to avoid imminent hazards and respect safe-
ty distances to avoid sudden slowing.
Acceleration
Accelerating heavily taking the engine to
a high speed, has a considerably adverse ef-
fect on consumption and emission levels;
it is wise to accelerate gradually and not ex-
ceed the maximum torque.CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do
not allow the engine to reach optimum op-
erating temperature. This results in a sig-
nificant increase in consumption levels (from
+15 to +30% on the urban cycle) and emis-
sion of harmful substances.
Traffic situations and
road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are tied to
situations with heavy traffic, for example
in queues with frequent use of the lower
gears or in cities with many traffic lights.
Also winding mountain roads and rough
road surfaces adversely affect consumption.
Stopping in the traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. level cross-
ings) it is advisable to switch the engine off.
ECONOMY AND
ENVIRONMENT
FRIENDLY DRIVING
Environment protection is one of the prin-
ciples that guided the development of your
Alfa 147 GTA.
It is not merely by chance that its antipol-
lution devices obtain results far beyond those
specified by current regulations.
However, the environment still needs the
utmost care from all of us.
By following a few simple rules it is pos-
sible to avoid damage to the environment
and very often at the same time to limit fu-
el consumption. On this subject we are giv-
ing some helpful suggestions to be added
to those marked with the
#in various points
of this booklet.
Kindly read them all carefully.
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
IN AN EMERGENCY
188
3) Fully depress the accelerator pedal and
keep it pressed. The
Uwarning light will
come on for eight seconds and then go off,
now release the accelerator pedal.
4) The
Uwarning light begins to flash:
after it has flashed the same number of
times as the first digit on the CODE card,
press the accelerator pedal and keep it
pressed until the
Uwarning light turns on
(for four seconds) and then goes off, now
release the accelerator pedal.
5) The
Uwarning light starts to flash: af-
ter the number of flashes corresponding to
the second digit on the CODE card, press the
accelerator pedal and keep it pressed.
6) Repeat this procedure for the remain-
ing digits on the CODE card.
7) After entering the last figure, keep the
accelerator pedal pressed. The
Uwarn-
ing light turns on (for four seconds) and
then goes off; now release the accelera-
tor pedal.8) A quick flash of the
Uwarning light
(for about 4 seconds) confirms that the op-
eration has been carried out correctly.
9) Start the engine turning the ignition key
fromMARtoAV Vwithout returning the
key to the STOPposition.
Conversely, if the
Uwarning light stays
on, turn the key to STOPand repeat the
procedure starting from point 1).
IMPORTANTAfter emergency starting
it is advisable to contact an Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Service, because the emergency
procedure must be repeated each time the
engine is started.
EMERGENCY
STARTING
If it is not possible to deactivate the engine
inhibitor with the Alfa Romeo CODE system,
the
YandUwarning lights stay on and
the engine will not start. Emergency start-
ing is needed to start the engine.
IMPORTANTYou are advised to care-
fully read the entire procedure before car-
rying it out.
If a mistake is made during the emergency
procedure, the ignition key should be turned
toSTOPand the operations must be re-
peated from the start (point 1).
1) Read the 5-figure electronic code on the
CODE card.
2) Turn the ignition key to MAR.
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
Y Y
IN AN EMERGENCY
194fig. 17
A0A0449m
fig. 18
A0A0450m
fig. 19
A0A0451m
After about 10 minutes, stop and check
the tyre pressure once again; remember to
engage the handbrake.
Place the sticker in a posi-
tion where it can be clear-
ly seen by the driver as a notice
that the tyre has been treated with
the quick repairing kit. Drive care-
fully especially in a bend. Do not
overcome 80 km/h. Avoid sudden
acceleration or braking.
WARNING
If the pressure is below
1,3 bars do not drive any
further: the quick repairing kit can-
not guarantee proper hold because
the tyre is too much damaged. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
Conversely, if at least 1,3 bars are
detected, restore the correct pres-
sure (with the engine running and
the handbrake engaged) and start
driving the car with great care.
WARNING
If, during the pressure
restoring operation, it is
not possible to reach at least 1,8
bars, do not drive any further be-
cause the tyre is too much dam-
aged and the quick repairing kit
cannot guarantee proper hold. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
WARNING
IN AN EMERGENCY
196
D.-E. Halogen bulbs
To remove, free it from the clip on
its housing.GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
– When a light is not working, check that
the corresponding fuse is intact before
changing a bulb.
– For the location of fuses, refer to the
paragraph “In the event of a burnt fuse”
in this chapter.
– Before changing a bulb check the con-
tacts for oxidation.
– Burnt bulbs must be replaced by oth-
ers of the same type and power.
– Always check headlight aiming after
changing a bulb to ensure they are safe.
TYPES OF BULBS (fig. 21)
Various types of bulbs are fitted to your ve-
hicle:
A. All glass bulbs
These are pressed on. Pull to remove.
B. Bayonet type bulbs
Press the bulb, turn counter-clockwise
to remove this type of bulb from its
holder.
C. Tubular bulbs
Free them from their contacts to re-
move.
fig. 21
A0A0453m
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
206
PUDDLE LIGHT (fig. 38)
(for versions/markets
where applicable)
To change the bulb proceed as follows:
– Open the door and slacken the screw
(A) fastening the transparent covers.
– Remove the unit composed of the two
transparent covers then change the bulb, re-
leasing it from the side contacts making sure
that the new bulb is correctly clamped be-
tween the contacts.
– Realign the two transparent covers and
tighten the fastening screw (A).IF AN INTERIOR
LIGHT GOES OUT
FRONT ROOF LIGHT
(fig. 39-40)
To change the bulbs proceed as follows:
– Remove the light unit (A) levering in
the points shown by the arrow (in corre-
spondence with the retainer catches).
– Open the protective cover (B).
– Replace the bulb concerned releasing it
from the side contacts making sure that the
new bulb is correctly clamped between the
contacts.– Close the protective cover (B).
– Refit the light unit pressing gently in cor-
respondence with the retainer catches, un-
til hearing the click.
fig. 40
A0A0176m
fig. 39
A0A0175m
fig. 38
A0A0174m