wheel Alfa Romeo 8C 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

4
ABBREVIATIONS
Some descriptions and terms with particular
meanings are found in this manual in an
abbreviated form:
A.C. - AIR CONDITIONING
ABS - ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM - Wheel
locking prevention system during
braking
ASR - ANTI-SLIP REGULATION - Prevention
of slipping during acceleration
CAN - CONTROLLER AREA NETWORK
DRL - DAY RUNNING LIGHTS
EBD - ELECTRONIC BRAKE-FORCE
DISTRIBUTION - Electronically-
controlled brake distributor
ECU - ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
EPB - ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
– Automatic parking brake
ETD - EMERGENCY TENSIONING DEVICE
FTP - FLASH TO PASS – headlight fl ashingMSP - MOTOR SCHLEPPMOMENT
REGELUNG – Engine braking torque
adjustment
VDC - Vehicle Dynamics Control
WET - “Low grip” function.
UPDATING
The high quality level of the vehicle is subject to
constant improvements. Therefore, there may
be differences between this manual and your
vehicle.
All specifi cations and illustrations contained in
this manual refer to those resulting as of the
printing date. CONSULTING THE
MANUAL
To facilitate reading and fast consultation, the
topics have been divided into sections and
chapters.
The important parts requiring particular attention
are easily identifi able in the sections and
chapters.
N.B.: EXTREME CAUTION
REQUIRED:
failure to comply with the instructions
could cause hazardous situations
involving personal and vehicle safety!
WARNING: warning aimed at preventing
any damage to the vehicle and thus hazards
involving the safety of persons.

00 800 2532 8200Alfa8Care
INTRODUCTION
5
SERVICE
The information contained in this manual is
limited to those instructions and indications
that are strictly required for the use and good
preservation of the vehicle.
The Owner will certainly obtain greater
satisfaction and the best results from the vehicle
by following these instructions carefully.
We also advise you to have all the maintenance
services and inspections carried out by
the Authorised Service Centres of the
Manufacturer’s Network, where you will fi nd
specialised staff and suitable equipment.
Contact the dedicated Alfa8Care Customer
Number for the location of the Authorised
Service Centres of the Manufacturer’s
Network.“Q-SELECT”
The vehicle may come equipped with a
mechanical gearbox system with dry double-
plate clutch, controlled by an electro-hydraulic
system by means of the paddles on the steering
wheel.
Although the system can be used in “automatic”
mode, “Q-select” should not be considered as an
automatic gearbox. Therefore, for correct use,
carefully follow the instructions in the relative
section of this manual.AUDIO AND IT SYSTEMS
The vehicle is equipped with the following
systems:
- Becker car stereo and CD player with
Bluetooth voice controls and MP3 reader.
- Bose HI-FI system with 8 high-performance
speakers (optional).
- iPod connection (optional).
- 3D pictogram navigation system with route
display (optional).
TOWING THE VEHICLE
The vehicle has not been designed, developed
and homologated to be used as a towing vehicle
for other means (e.g. trailers, caravans, etc.)
and nothing can be loaded on the roof; fi tting
structures such as bars or roof-racks may damage
the vehicle.

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2
CAUTION
Never remove the steering
wheel. If necessary, have this
operation performed at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
In the case of low-severity head on collisions
(in which the restraining action of the seat belts
provides adequate protection), the airbags will
not be activated.
The airbags do not activate in the event of rear
and side collisions, as they do not provide any
supplementary protection.
Therefore, an airbag failure to activate in these
cases is not indicative of a system malfunction. “SMART BAG” SYSTEM
(MULTISTAGE FRONT
AIRBAGS)
The front airbags (driver’s and passenger’s) are
safety devices which activate in the event of a
head-on collision.
They consist of an instantaneously inflating bag
contained in a special housing:
- in the centre of the steering wheel on the
driver side;
- in the dashboard and with a larger size bag
(full size airbag) on the passenger side.
The front airbags (driver’s and passenger’s) are
safety devices designed to protect the occupants
in the event of head-on collisions of medium-high
severity. They act by placing a cushion (airbag)
between the occupant and the steering wheel or
the dashboard.
In the event of a collision, an ECU processes
the deceleration signals and activates, when
necessary, airbag deployment.
The airbag inflates almost instantaneously and
positions itself between the front passengers and
potentially harmful structures of the vehicle. The
airbags deflate immediately afterwards.Both are dual-stage airbags, therefore, their
deployment depends on the impact severity. In
low-severity collisions, the airbag inflates less
than in high-severity collisions.
CAUTION
In the event of a collision,
any occupants not wearing their
seat belt will be thrown forward
and will come into contact with the
airbag before it is fully inflated. This
reduces the protection offered by the
airbag. The front airbags (driver’s and
passenger’s, with passenger seated)
are not a substitute for the seat belts
but work in combination with them.
As a consequence, the seat belts must
always be worn as provided for by
applicable legislation in Europe and in
most non-European countries.

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2
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
CAUTION
Do not apply stickers or other
objects on the steering wheel or on the
passenger-side airbag housing. Do not
place any items on the passenger-side
dashboard (e.g. mobile phones) since
they might hinder proper opening of
the passenger airbag and consequently
cause injury to the occupants.
DRIVER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
It consists of an instantly inflatable cushion
housed in a dedicated space in the centre of the
steering wheel.PASSENGER’S FRONT
AIRBAG
The passenger’s airbag has been designed
and calibrated to enhance the protection level
provided to a person wearing the seat belt.
Therefore, when fully deployed, it fills the largest
part of the space between the passenger and the
dashboard.

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2
CAUTION
Always drive keeping your
hands on the steering wheel so that, in
the case of activation, the airbag can
deploy without encountering obstacles
which may cause serious injuries. Do
not drive leaning forward, but keep
your seat back upright to support your
back.
CAUTION
To allow the front airbags to
deploy correctly and with optimal
efficiency, both the driver and the front
passenger must maintain a distance of
at least 25 cm from the steering wheel
and the dashboard.
CAUTION
Do not travel with objects in
your lap, in front of your chest or
holding a pipe, pencil or other object in
your mouth. In the event of a collision
with airbag deployment, these objects
may cause serious injuries.
CAUTION
Note that with the ignition
key inserted and turned to MAR,
even with the engine off, the airbags
may activate even if the vehicle is
stationary, if it is run into by another
vehicle. On the other hand, the airbags
will not activate in the event of a
collision with the vehicle stationary
and the key removed from the ignition
block: failure of the airbags to inflate
in these circumstances is not indicative
of system malfunction.CAUTION
If the vehicle has been subject
to theft or attempted theft, vandalism
or flooding, have the airbag system
checked at an Authorised Service
Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network.
CAUTION
If improper operations are
carried out on the electrical system,
the airbag could be activated, thereby
causing injuries to anyone in the
vicinity.
CAUTION
The airbags do not replace the
seat belts but provide supplementary
protection. Moreover, in the event of
head-on collisions at low speed, side
impacts, rear collisions or overturning,
the passengers are protected only by
the seat belts, which must always be
fastened.

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2
WARNING: If you have to tow the vehicle with
2 wheels raised, ensure that the ignition key
is in the STOP position. Otherwise, with VDC
activated, the relative control unit will store a
malfunction, resulting in the illumination of the
warning lights
on the instrument panel and
on the display: this requires the intervention
of an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network to correct the system
malfunction.
WARNING: In low- and medium-grip conditions
(e.g., rain, snow, ice, sand, etc.) it is advisable
not to use SPORT mode, even with the VDC
activated.
WARNING: Driving on parabolic curves will
deactivate the system.
ASR SYSTEM (ELECTRONIC ANTI-
SKID DEVICE)The ASR system avoids driving wheels skidding
during acceleration through the engine control
unit (spark advance delay, engine throttle
opening reduction and fuel injection cut) and the
rear brakes.
The action of the ASR system enhances vehicle
stability and improves active safety while driving,
specially under the following conditions:
inside wheel skidding when cornering due
to dynamic load variations or excessive
acceleration
excessive power transmitted to the
wheels, also in relation to the road surface
conditions acceleration on slippery, snow-covered or icy
roads
grip loss on wet road surface
(aquaplaning).
In normal conditions (SPORT mode off), the ASR
system increases stability in low and medium
grip conditions, while with SPORT mode active
the system favours traction, thereby optimising
vehicle performance on dry asphalt.

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2
A
ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SAFETY
ACTIVATION
The VDC and ASR systems are integrated in one
single function and are automatically activated
every time the engine is started; they can be
deactivated by pressing the button
A for about
1 second.
Press the button
A once again to reactivate the
systems.
The amber colour warning light
on the
instrument panel flashes during all the operating
phases.FAULT INDICATORS
In the event of a malfunction, the system
is automatically disabled and cannot be
reactivated. This condition is signalled while
driving by the amber symbol
on the display
that illuminates together with the message “ASR
failure - Go to workshop”.
MSR FUNCTION (ENGINE
BRAKING TORQUE
ADJUSTMENT)
The ASR system also controls the engine braking
torque when the accelerator pedal is released
under low grip conditions (e.g., snow, ice etc.):
in these conditions, the high braking torque of
the engine may cause instability of the vehicle.The system, using the same sensors as the ABS
system, detects the skidding of one or both
of the driving wheels when the accelerator is
released and opens the motor-driven throttle for
the engine fuel system. This reduces the braking
torque and resets the maximum grip conditions
for the driving wheels.
WARNING: However, the maximum deceleration
that can be obtained with the engine brake still
depends on the tyre grip on the road. Snow or ice
obviously reduce grip values.

36
2
ABS AND EBD
SYSTEMSThe vehicle is equipped with ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System) and EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution) system which enhances braking
power through the ABS system sensors and
control unit.
In the event of an emergency stop or braking on
slippery surfaces (e.g., snow, ice etc.) the ABS,
together with the standard braking system, is
designed to allow the driver to apply maximum
braking force without causing the wheels to lock
and consequently losing control of the vehicle.
The system is based on an electronic control unit
that processes the signals coming from 4 sensors
fitted on the 4 wheels.
When a wheel tends to lock, the sensor warns
the control unit, which informs the electro-
hydraulic unit so that it controls the pressure
exerted on the brake calipers; the driver feels a
“pulsating” sensation on the brake pedal which
is completely normal.
In the event of a failure, the system will be
deactivated, but this will not affect the efficiency of the standard braking system.
The failure is signalled by the amber warning
light
on the instrument panel and the
display which illuminates together with the
message “ABS failure - Go to workshop”.
In this case, we recommend that you contact the
nearest Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network in order to identify the fault as soon as
possible, by means of the system self-diagnostic
function.CAUTION
The vehicles must be equipped
only with wheels, tyres and brake
pads of the type and make approved
by the Manufacturer for this model.CAUTION
Regardless of the fact that
this device makes a considerable
contribution to safety it is still
essential to drive with the greatest
care when the road surface is wet,
covered with snow or ice.
CAUTION
The vehicle is equipped with
Electronic Brake force Distribution
(EBD). The warning light

illuminates when the engine is running
to indicate an EBD system malfunction.
In this case, sharp braking can cause
early locking of the rear wheels
and possible side skidding. Driving
extremely carefully, immediately go
to the nearest Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network to have the
system checked.

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A
B
C
D
E
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
1) Air conditioning side vents2) Lower gearshift paddle “DOWN”3) Instrument panel4) Air conditioning upper vent5)
Sun radiation sensor
6)
Driver’s airbag
7)
Windscreen/headlight wiper/washer
control lever
8)
Upper gearshift paddle UP
9)
Central air conditioning/heating vents
10)
Radio/navigator
11)
Passenger’s airbag
12)
Air conditioning and heating system
controls
13)
Side windows vents
14)
Glove compartment
15)
Central dashboard controls
16)
Electric parking brake engagement/
disengagement lever
17)
Starter/steering wheel lock switch
18)
Horn control
19)
Steering wheel height and depth
adjustment lever
20)
Cruise Control lever, direction indicators
21)
Controls to the left of the steering wheel
22)
Engine start button
23)
Reverse gear engagement button
24)
AUTO mode button
25)
SPORT mode button
26)
VDC deactivation button
27)
WET mode button
28)
Hazard light buttonRef. 15 Central dashboard controls
A) Front left-hand power window controlB) Central locking control C) PARK OFF function button (see page.
137)D) Rear window opening control E) Front right-hand power window control

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A
B
C
D
F
C
D
E
B
A
AB
Controls on inside roofA) Anti-lift alarm system deactivation buttonB) Alarm system motion sensor deactivation
buttonC) Radio/Radio Navigator voice control
microphoneD) Passenger’s airbag deactivation warning
light. Ref. 21 Controls to the left of the steering
wheel
A) Headlight switchB) External rear-view mirror controlsC) TRIP button, see page 58D) MENU button, see page 47E) Instrument panel brightness control button
(up)F) Instrument panel brightness control button
(down)Controls on front roof panel
A) Central light switchB) RH side light switch