ESP Alfa Romeo 8C 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

INTRODUCTION
3
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT
YOU READ THIS MANUAL!
Refuelling
Fuel-powered engines: use only
unleaded fuel with an octane rating
(RON) of not less than 95.
Starting the Engine
Make sure that the electronic parking
brake (EPB) is engaged. Shift the
gearshift lever to neutral (N). Insert
the electronic key in the ignition block
and turn it to MAR. Fully depress the
brake pedal without pressing the
accelerator. Press the START button and
release it as soon as the engine starts.Parking on fl ammable material
During operation, the catalytic muffl er
develops high temperatures. For this
reason, do not park the vehicle on
grass, dry leaves, pine needles or other
fl ammable materials: risk of fi re!
Respecting the environment
The vehicle is equipped with a system
that continuosly monitors the emission-
related components to help ensure
enhanced respect for the environment.
Accessory electrical devices
If you wish to install accessories that
require electric power (which may
gradually discharge the battery),
please contact an Authorised Service
Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network, where the overall electrical
absorption of the accessories will be
estimated and the vehicle system
checked to verify whether it is capable
of supporting the required load. Code Card
Keep it in a safe place, not in the
vehicle.
Scheduled Maintenance
Proper maintenance will allow you
to preserve the vehicle performance
and safety features over time, ensure
respect for the environment and low
operating costs.
The owner’s manual …
… contains important information,
advice and warnings on proper use and
safe driving, as well as tips to keep
your vehicle in good condition over
time. Pay particular attention to the
following symbols:
- personal safety
- protection of the environment
- proper vehicle condition.

6SYMBOLSSome components of your ALFA ROMEO, are
equipped with coloured labels, applied onto
or next to them. The symbols shown on these
labels are important warnings that the user must
follow when using the component involved.
Below is a summary of all the symbols used
on the labelling of your ALFA ROMEO. The
component to which the symbol draws your
attention is shown next to the symbol.
In addition, the meaning of the symbol shown
is also indicated according to the following
sub-division: danger, prohibition, warning,
mandatory - with respect to that same symbol.DANGER SYMBOLS
Battery
Corrosive liquid.
Battery
Explosion.
Fan
It can start up automatically even with
the engine off.
Expansion tank
Do not remove the cap when the
coolant is hot.
Coil
High voltage.
Belts and pulleys
Moving elements; Keep body parts and
clothing away.
Air-conditioning lines
Do not open. Gas under high pressure.SYMBOLS OF
PROHIBITIONS
Battery
Do not approach with open fl ames.
Battery
Keep children at a safe distance.
Heat guards - belts - pulleys - fans
Do not touch with your hands.
Engine compartment ECU protection
cover
Do not direct the jet of water on the
ECUs, relays and fuses.

24
2
GROUP 1
Children weighing between 9 and 18 kg may
travel in a forward-facing child seat equipped
with a front cushion, by means of which the
vehicle seat belt secures both the child seat and
the child.
CAUTION
Figures are purely illustrative.
Secure the child seat according to the
instructions provided with the product.CAUTION
Child seats suitable for the
weight groups 0 and 1 with rear
fastening and their own safety harness
are available on the market. Due to
their weight, they may be hazardous if
incorrectly fitted (e.g. if secured using
the vehicle seat belts with a cushion
in between). Follow the instructions
provided with the product.
GROUP 2
Children weighing between 15 and 25 kg may
be restrained directly with the vehicle seat
belts. Child seats have the additional purpose
of positioning the child correctly with respect to
the seat belts, in such a way that the diagonal
portion of the seat belt closely adheres to the
child’s chest and never to the neck, and the
lap portion adheres to the pelvis and not to the
abdominal region.

58
3
Instantaneous fuel consumptionThis is the actual fuel consumption which is
constantly updated. If the vehicle is stopped with
the engine running, the display will show the
information “----“.Average speedThis is the average vehicle speed in relation
to the total time that has elapsed from the
beginning of a new trip.Travel timeThis is the time that has elapsed from the
beginning of a new trip (trip time) New tripA new trip begins after:
- the user has manually reset the indicator by
holding down the button TRIP;
- an “automatic” reset when the “distance
travelled” reaches 9999.9 km (or mi),
when the “travelling time” reaches 99.59
(99 hours and 59 minutes) or after
disconnection and reconnection of the
battery.
This function is active only for TRIP B.TRIP BUTTON
The TRIP button, located on the button panel
to the left of the steering wheel, allows you
to access the Trip A and Trip B functions when
the key is turned to MAR To scroll the values
displayed for each function, use the buttons “+”
and “-”.
The TRIP button also allows you to reset the Trip
A and Trip B functions when setting off on a new
trip:
- button pressed brie y: to display the
various values;
- button pressed at length: to reset when
setting off on a new trip.To go from one item to the next of the Trip
Computer briefly press buttons“+” and “-”
Each page of the Trip Computer displays two
items for the current trip (Trip A or Trip B) at the
same time. These items are displayed at the top
and bottom of the display, respectively.
The same item cannot be viewed at the top and
bottom of the display at the same time on the
same page.

64
3
Low oil pressure (*)
In normal conditions, when turning
the key to MAR the warning light
should illuminate, and should go off once the
engine has started.
If the warning light remains on or illuminates
while driving, this indicates a too low engine
oil pressure. In this case, turn the engine off
immediately and carry out the necessary checks.
If the problem persists, contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
High catalytic converter
temperature
It illuminates if the engine runs
irregularly with consequent high temperature in
the exhaust system.
CAUTION
IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS
ACCOMPANIED BY THE MESSAGE
“CATALYST TEMPERATURE TOO
HIGH, SLOW DOWN”: the catalytic
converters’ temperature is too
high. The driver must slow down immediately until the warning light
goes off.
Catalyst temperature too high
CAUTION
IF THE MESSAGE “CATALYST
TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH, DO
NOT CONTINUE” APPEARS AFTER
DECELERATING: dangerous catalyst
temperature, the catalysts can be
damaged. Stop the vehicle and contact
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
CAUTION
If the warning light illuminates
permanently 3 times, the engine stops.
The engine can only be restarted
turning the key to off and then back to
on. Then go to the nearest Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network driving at low speed.CAUTION
Alfa Romeo declines all
responsibility for whatever damage
deriving from non compliance with the
above mentioned warnings.
Low Q-Select gearbox oil
The red symbol indicates that the
gearbox oil is low; stop the vehicle
and contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network to have the
vehicle checked.
Q-Select gearbox failure
It indicates a failure of the
electronically-controlled gearbox.
If the failure permits, slowly drive to
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.

67
3
°C
50
°C90 130
50 90 130
0 1/2 1
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
FUEL GAUGE
The fuel gauge is always displayed when the key
is turned to ON and with the display in Normal or
Trip mode.
The fuel reserve is indicated by the last of the 8
notches split in two.
- When 8 notches are shown the tank is full
- When two notches are shown the tank is
in reserve
- When one notch is shown the tank is in
half reserve.COOLANT
THERMOMETER
The coolant TMP is displayed when the key is
turned to ON and with the display in standard
mode. When the display is in TRIP mode, it is no
longer shown.
The coolant temperature is displayed by means
of a bar graph.
The temperature is indicated with 8 notches
corresponding to the temperature values the
coolant has reached.
The temperature symbol
is shown next to
the 8 notches indicating the following values:°C °F
Beginning of
scale50 120
Average 90 190
End of scale 130 260
Beginning of
danger sector 115 239

68
3
A
ENGINE OIL
THERMOMETER
The engine oil temperature is displayed by
means of a bar graph.
The engine oil temperature is displayed when
the key is turned to ON and with the display in
standard mode.
When the display is in TRIP mode, it is no longer
shown.
The temperature is indicated with 8 notches
corresponding to the temperature values the
engine oil has reached.
The temperature symbol
is shown next to
the 8 notches indicating the following values:°C °F
Beginning of
scale50 120
Average 105 220
End of scale 160 320
Beginning of
danger sector 140 284
CONTROLS Horn
Pressing near the horn symbol
A will sound the
horn.

80
4
A
B
POWER
WINDOWS Activation is only possible with the ignition key in
the MAR position.
The power window controls are positioned on the
centre console.A - Front left-hand window opening/closingB - Front right-hand window opening/closing.
Lower the power window with the key turned
to MAR to activate automatic operation: the
window will stop when it reaches the end of its
travel (or when the button is pressed again).
A brief pressure causes a small movement of the window, which stops when the button is
released.
When the window is raised, automatic operation
is active only for the left-hand window.
WARNING: If the window is operated with the
door open, when it reaches the upper limit it
will go down for a short distance so as not to
interfere with the weather strip when the door
is closed.
CAUTION
When the door is opened, the
window is slightly lowered and then
closes automatically after the door is
closed: take the greatest care to avoid
passengers (especially children) being
near the windows when opening/
closing the doors.CAUTION
Improper use of the power
windows can be dangerous. Check
that passengers are away from the
side windows before shutting them.
Always remove the ignition key when
you get out of the vehicle, in order to
avoid that accidental activation of the
power windows may be dangerous for
passengers remaining in the vehicle.
CAUTION
Leaving children in a parked
vehicle with the windows closed is
dangerous: the temperature inside
the vehicle can reach very high levels,
causing fainting and serious injuries.

91
4
E
GF
H
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
ORDERING EXTRA
RADIO OPERATED
CONTROLS
To purchase new keys with radio control,
exclusively contact an Authorised Service
Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network,
bringing with you:
- all the keys with radio control in your
possession
- the CODE CARD of the Alfa Romeo CODE
system
- the electronic alarm system CODE CARD
- your identity card
- the identifi cation and registration documents
proving ownership of the vehicle. WARNING: The radio controls not handed over
for the new code storage procedure will be
automatically deactivated in order to prevent any
lost or stolen radio controls from being used to
deactivate the electronic alarm system.
REPLACING RADIO
OPERATED CONTROL
BATTERIES
If you press one of the three buttons and this
does not activate the corresponding feature,
before replacing the batteries, check the alarm
system features using the other remote control.
To replace the remote control battery:
- extract the key by pushing the button
E
- undo the screw
F
- extract the battery holder
G
- remove the battery
H from its retaining ring
- fi t a new battery of the same type,
observing the indicated polarity
- fi t the battery support G into the remote
control and secure it by tightening the screw
F.

96
4
AUTOMATIC
ACTIVATION/
DEACTIVATION
When the switch
A is turned to AUTO and the
ignition key is turned to MAR, the position lights,
low beams and number plate lights automatically
turn on and off according to the ambient light.
WARNING: The high beams can only be turned
on manually by pushing the left-hand lever
forward.
CAUTION
If the high beams are activated,
they will be switched on automatically
every time the lights are turned on.
We recommend therefore that you
turn them off every time the twilight
sensor deactivates the external lights.CAUTION
In case of fog during the day,
the position lights and low beams will
not be activated automatically. The
driver must always be prepared to
turn on the external lights manually,
even the rear fog lights if necessary.
WARNING: After automatic activation of the
external lights, it will always be possible to
turn on the rear fog lights manually. When the
external lights turn off automatically, also the
rear fog lights (if on) will be turned off. The next
time the external lights activate automatically,
the rear fog lights will have to be turned on
manually if necessary. CAUTION
The driver is always
responsible for turning on the external
lights, depending on the ambient light
and in compliance with the regulations
in force in the country of use. The
automatic system for activating/
deactivating the external lights must
be considered an aid for the driver. If
necessary, turn the lights on and off
manually.