CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
177
EMERGENCY STARTING
If the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (
Y)warning light on the instru-
ment cluster on glowing steadily) emer-
gency starting may be carried out using the
code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
PARKING
When the vehicle is parked, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Switch off the engine.
– Engage the handbrake.
– Engage first gear if the vehicle is fac-
ing uphill or reverse if the vehicle is facing
downhill.
– Turn the front wheels so that the vehi-
cle will immediately come to a halt if the
handbrake slips. Never bump, tow, or
coast start the vehicle as
this would cause fuel to
flow into the catalyst causing irre-
versible damage.
To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possibly draining the bat-
tery, never leave the ignition key
in the MAR position when the en-
gine is not running.
Sharp accelerating before
switching the engine off
should be avoided. A
“kick” on the accelerator serves
no purposes and consumes fuel
pointlessly.
IMPORTANT
If the engine turns off with
the vehicle on the move, the next time it
is started, the Alfa Romeo CODE warning
light may turn on (
Y). In this case, check
that switching off and starting the engine
again with the vehicle stationary, the warn-
ing light stays off. If not, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much
more effort than usual is required
on the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
WARNING
Never leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle. Al-
ways remove the ignition key
when leaving the vehicle and take
it with you.
WARNING
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
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
186
VEHICLE
INACTIVITY
If the vehicle is to be left inactive for long
periods, the following precautions should be
noted:
– House the vehicle under cover in a dry
and possibly ventilated place.
– Engage a gear.
– Check that the handbrake is not en-
gaged.
– Clean and protect the paintwork by pro-
tective wax.
– Cover the rubber windscreen and
rearscreen wiper blades with talcum powder
and raise them off the glass.
– Open the windows slightly.
– Inflate the tyres to a pressure of 0.5 bars
above normal. If possible rest the tyres on
wooden planks and periodically check the
pressure.
– Do not turn on the electronic alarm sys-
tem. Keep you speed
down when snow
chains are fitted.
Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements to
prevent damaging the tyres, sus-
pension and steering.
Snow chains should only be applied to the
drive wheels (front).
Before purchasing or using snow chains,
you are recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
Check the tension of the chain after the
first few metres have been driven.SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
Use snow chains with reduced size with
maximum protrusion beyond the tyre pro-
file of 12 mm.
Snow chains may not be
used on tyres type 225/45
ZR 17”, 235/35 R18”.
Only spider type chains can be used
on tyres type 215/45 R17” and
215/45 ZR17”. SPIKES SPIDER
COMPACT snow chains (17003
compact model) with 9 arms and 16
mm adjustable length and 17"
wheel cover adapter are available
at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo. Keep
your speed down when this type of
chains is fitted. Do not exceed 50
km/h with this type of chains,
avoid sudden acceleration and de-
activate the ASR system (the warn-
ing light on the button shall be on).
Remember that snow chains make
braking distance longer.
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
189
STARTING
WITH AN AUXILIARY BATTERY
If the battery is flat, (for battery with op-
tical hydrometer: dark colour without green
area in the centre), it is possible to start the
engine using an auxiliary battery with the
same capacity or a little higher than the flat
one.
Proceed as follows (fig. 1):
1) Remove the protective cover on the pos-
itive battery post, pressing on the opening
catches (front), then connect the positive
terminals (+sign next to the terminal) of
the two batteries using a special cable.
2) Connect the end of the second jump
lead to the negative terminal (–) of the
auxiliary battery with an earth point
Eon
the engine or gearbox of the vehicle to be
started.IMPORTANTDo not directly connect the
negative terminals of the two batteries: any
sparks may ignite the detonating gas which
could come out of the battery. If the auxil-
iary battery is installed on another car, avoid
metal parts touching accidentally between
this car and the one with the flat battery.
3) Start the engine.
4) When the engine has started, remove
the cables, reversing the sequence followed
for connection.
If after a few attempts the engine does not
start, do not insist but contact the nearest Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Service.
fig. 1
A0A0492m
Never use a battery
charger to start the engine
as this could damage the
electronic systems of your vehicle,
particularly the ignition and fuel
supply control units.
This starting procedure
must be carried out by
qualified personnel because incor-
rect operations may cause electri-
cal discharge of considerable in-
tensity. The liquid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames and light-
ed cigarettes away from the bat-
tery and do not cause sparks.
WARNING
IN AN EMERGENCY
193
INFLATING PROCEDURE
– Place the wheel in the position illustrated
in the figure (A-fig. 14) for the operation
with the valve, then engage the hand-
brake.
– Screw the filling pipe (B-fig. 15) to
the bottle (C).
– Unscrew the tyre valve plug, remove the
element inside the valve by using the ap-
propriate tool (D-fig. 16); be careful not
to place it on the sand or on a dirty surface.
– Introduce the filling pipe (B-fig. 17)
in the tyre valve, keep the bottle (C) with
the pipe directed downwards, then press the
bottle so that the whole sealer can get into
the tyre.– Screw again the element inside the
valve with the tool (D-fig. 18).
– Use the appropriate lever (E-fig. 19)
to insert and clamp the air compressor pipe
(F) to the tyre valve.
– Start the engine, insert the plug (G-
fig. 20) in the lighter (or current socket,
where fitted) and inflate the tyre according
to the right pressure value (see “Cold infla-
tion pressures” in the “Technical specifica-
tion”). You are advised to check the tyre
pressure value on the pressure gauge (H-
fig. 19) with the compressor off, in order
to have a more accurate reading.If it is not possible to reach the prescribed
pressure, move the car forwards or back-
wards for about 10 metres, so that the seal-
er is distributed inside the tyre, then repeat
inflation.
If, in spite of the last operation, the pre-
scribed pressure is not achieved, do not
move the vehicle and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
Once the correct tyre pressure has been
reached, start driving immediately so that
the sealer is distributed evenly inside the
tyre.
fig. 14
A0A0447m
fig. 15
A0A0378m
fig. 16
A0A0448m