218CARE AND MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT If the battery remains with the charge below 50%
for a long time it becomes damaged through sulphation and its
starting capacity is reduced.
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing (this can happen
as early as –10°C). Refer to the paragraph “Car inactivity” in chap-
ter “3” if the car is left parked for a long time.
If after having purchased your car you decide to add accessories re-
quiring permanent electrical power (alarm etc.) or accessories that
require large amounts of power, please consult an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. They can calculate the overall electrical re-
quirement.
The battery fluid is poisonous and corrosive. Avoid
contact with the skin and the eyes. Keep naked
flames and sources of sparks away from the bat-
tery: risk of explosion and fire.
Running the battery with an excessively low liquid
level will damage the battery beyond repair and
may even cause an explosion.
Incorrect assembly of electric and electronic devices
may cause severe damage to your car. Go to an Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Services if you want to in-
stall accessories after having purchased your car (alarms,
mobile phone, etc.): they will be able to suggest the most
suitable devices and advise you if a higher capacity bat-
tery needs to be installed.
Batteries contain substances that can be very dan-
gerous for the environment. Contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services to replace the battery.
If the vehicle must remain unused for a long time
at very low temperatures, remove the battery and
take it to a warm place, to avoid freezing.
When performing any operation on the battery
or near it, always protect your eyes with the spe-
cial goggles.
INDEX253
7
Car maintenance......................... 201
– Heavy-duty use of the car ........ 207
– service schedule ..................... 202
Carrying children safely
– Isofix universal child
restraint system ..................... 143
– child seats ............................ 141
Car radio (wiring) ........................ 121
CBC system ................................ 110
Chassis marking .......................... 229
Checking fluid levels .................... 208
Cigar lighter................................ 90
Climatic comfort .......................... 63
CO
2emissions ............................ 249
CODE card .................................. 47
Compliance for use ...................... 141
Control buttons ........................... 29
Controls
– door lock.............................. 87
– front fog lights ....................... 87
– fuel cut-off system ................. 88
– hazard warning lights ............. 86
– rear fog lights ........................ 87
Courtesy lights ........................ 83-86
Courtesy mirror lights
– bulb replacement ................... 186
Cruise Control ............................. 81
Current outlet ............................. 90
ABS (system) ........................... 107
Air cleaner.................................. 217
Alarm ........................................ 53
Alfa “DNA” (system) ................... 111
Alfa Romeo CODE (system) .......... 46
Ashtray ...................................... 91
ASR system ................................ 109
At the filling station ...................... 129
Automatic two-zone climate
control system .......................... 68
Battery
– tips for extending duration ....... 217
– recharging............................ 196
– replacing .............................. 217
Bodywork (cleaning)................... 223
Bonnet ...................................... 103
Boot .......................................... 88
Boot light
– bulb replacement ................... 184
Brake lights ................................ 182
Brakes ....................................... 235
Bulb (replacement) ..................... 178
– general instructions ................ 178
– bulb types ............................ 178
Bulb replacement....................178-184
Capacities ................................. 128
– table capacities .................244-245
Dashboard............................ 7-243
Daylight lights (D.R.L.) ................. 76
Demanding use of the car ............. 207
Devices ...................................... 120
Dimensions ................................ 240
Dipped beam headlights
– activation............................. 76
– bulb replacement ................... 181
Direction indicators
– activation............................. 77
– replacement.......................... 182
Display ...................................... 26
Dynamic Suspension..................... 119
Door lock device .......................... 87
Doors ........................................ 95
DPF ........................................... 130
D.R.L. (daylight lights) ................. 76
DST system ................................ 110
Electric power steering system ...... 119
Electric sunroof ............................ 92
Electronic Q2 (“E-Q2”) ................ 110
Engine
– marking ............................... 229
– specifications ......................... 231
Engine codes
– bodywork versions ................. 230
Engine compartment (washing) ..... 223
