engine Alfa Romeo 8C 2010 Owner handbook (in English)

63
3
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Right-hand direction indicators
It illuminates when the right-hand
direction indicators or the hazard
lights are turned on.
Left-hand direction indicators
It illuminates when the left-hand
direction indicators or the hazard
lights are turned on.
Cruise Control
It indicates that the constant speed
regulator, Cruise Control, is active.
(*) Viewed on the display as wellWARNING LIGHTS ON
THE DISPLAY
Inertia switch, fuel cut-off
enabled
It illuminates when a collision
activates the inertia switch, thus cutting off the
fuel supply.
CAUTION
After an impact, if you smell
fuel or note leakages from the fuel
system do not re-activate the switch in
order to prevent the risk of fire.
Windscreen washer fluid
It indicates a low level of washer
fluid in the windscreen washer tank.
Alternator failure
If there is a fault in the recharging
system. When the battery is
insufficiently charged or overcharged. Lighting system failure
It illuminates in the case of a system
failure or if the position, direction
indicator, rear fog and number plate lights are
blown.
Stop light failure
It illuminates in the case of a system
failure or if the stop light is blown.
Twilight sensor failure
It illuminates on in the case of a
failure of the twilight sensor.
Engine oil temperature
It illuminates when the temperature
reaches high values. In this case,
reduce the engine RPM until the warning light
goes out.

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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.

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3
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Parking brake failure
Depending on the message
displayed, it signals the following
failures of the EPB system:
- Parking brake failure
- If the message that warns you to go to
the nearest Authorised Service Centre of
the Manufacturer’s Network is displayed,
drive slowly and remember that the electric
parking brake device is not functioning.
- Excessive temperature.
If the vehicle has been stationary (key to
STOP) for about 15 minutes without using
the parking brake, and the warning light
comes on again after restarting the engine,
slowly drive to the nearest Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
If the brake failure is accompanied by the
message “Mechanical release only”, the
manual emergency deactivation procedure
must be performed to release the parking
brake (see page 137).
- Parking brake system overhaul
The EPB system requires maintenance,
therefore contact an Authorised Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network to
have the system corrected.
ASR system failure
It indicates the deactivation or
failure of the ASR system.
In the event of a failure contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
Rain sensor failure
It indicates that the rain sensor is
faulty.
Generic gearbox indication
It indicates gearbox information and
malfunctions.
The severity of the malfunctions is specified in
the accompanying message.Doors open
It indicates that the doors are
open or not properly closed. The
accompanying message indicates the door that
is not closed.
WARNING: Before setting off, close the open or
not properly closed doors.
Engine compartment lid open
It indicates that the engine
compartment lid is open or not
properly closed.
Rear window open
It indicates that the rear window is
open or not properly closed.
Ice hazard
It illuminates when the outside
temperature is 3° C or lower, in
order to indicate the risk of icy road surfaces. In
these conditions, drive carefully and slow down
as the grip of the tyres will be strongly reduced.
Do not activate “SPORT” mode in this situation.

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3
Vehicle protection systems
It in the following conditions:
- Alarm system not available
- Break-in detected
Brake pads worn
It illuminates when the brake pads
have reached their wear limit.
Contact an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
INSTRUMENTS
AND GAUGESTACHOMETER/
SPEEDOMETER
It indicates the vehicle speed. The gauge starts
providing data when 4 Km/h are exceededREV. COUNTER
Indicates the engine RPM. Correct driving allows
the driver to exploit the engine performance
fully, without the need for overrevving.

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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.

70
3
E
D
B
A
G
FE
D
H
C
PARK OFF
This function disables the automatic activation
of the electric parking brake (EPB) (see page
137). The EPB is deactivated/reactivated by
pressing button
D.
Rear window opening
Press button
E to open the rear window.
It can only be opened when the vehicle is
stationary.
The button is disabled after the doors have been
locked.CENTRE CONSOLE
CONTROLS
Hazard warning lights
Press button
A to turn on the hazard lights. These
lights will operate with the ignition key in any
position. Press the button again to turn them off.
When these lights are on, the direction
indicators, the relevant warning lights on the
instrument panel and the button are flashing.
WARNING: When the hazard warning lights
are activated, the direction indicators control is
disabled.
Low grip
This mode should be used on particularly
slippery road surfaces (e.g., rain, snow, ice). To
activate/deactivate this mode, press button
B.
When this function is active, the letter “W
illuminates on the display ”.
VDC system
The VDC system is automatically activated when
starting the engine.
The system can be turned on or off while driving
by pressing button
C, the following messages will
appear: “ASR/VDC deactivated” and “ASR/VDC
activated”. To prevent accidental deactivation,
you must press the button for about 1 second to
deactivate the VDC system.
When the system is deactivated, the amber
warning light
on the instrument panel
illuminates.

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3
A
B
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
SPORT mode
Use button
D to select SPORT mode, which is
a sport setting for the Q-Select gearbox and
traction control.
Please note that selecting SPORT mode will
reduce driving comfort during gearshifting.
When this function is active, the letter “S
illuminates on the display”.
“Automatic gearshift” mode (AUTO)
Button
E activates/deactivates automatic
operation of the Q-Select gearbox.
When this mode is activated, the gear displayed
is replaced with the letter “D” and gearshifting
will be automatic.Reverse
Button
F engages reverse gear.
START button
Press button
G, with the key turned to MAR and
the brake pedal depressed, to start the engine.
Electric parking brake (EPB)
Pull up the lever EPB
H to engage/disengage
the electric parking brake.ROOF PANEL BUTTONS
Anti-lift alarm system deactivation
Press button
A to deactivate the anti-lift alarm.
When this function is deactivated, the LED on the
button flashes for 3 seconds and then turns off.
Deactivating the alarm system motion sensors
Press button B to deactivate the alarm
system motion sensors. When this function is
deactivated, the LED on the button flashes for 3
seconds and then turns off.

4
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
Doors ................................................................................................................................. 78
Power windows .................................................................................................................. 80Engine compartment lid
......................................................................................................... 81
Rear window ....................................................................................................................... 82
Fuel tank door .................................................................................................................... 83
Keys .................................................................................................................................. 84
Ignition switch ..................................................................................................................... 87
Electronic alarm system ........................................................................................................88
Front seats ......................................................................................................................... 92
Rear-view mirrors ................................................................................................................. 93
Steering wheel .................................................................................................................... 94
External lights and direction indicators ..................................................................................... 95
Windscreen washer/wipers and headlight washer .................................................................... 99
Air conditioning and heating system ...................................................................................... 102
Car stereo system .............................................................................................................. 108
Bose HI-FI system (optional) ............................................................................................... 109

79
4
D
E
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
There is a button on the front central dashboard
that activates door locking and unlocking:D - door locking/unlocking.
OPEN DOOR WARNING
LIGHTS
If the doors and the engine/luggage
compartment lids are not closed properly, this is
signalled by the illumination of relative symbols
on the instrument panel display, accompanied by
the messages “Door open” or “Doors open”.DOOR LOCK ECU
INITIALISATION
Every time the battery is reconnected or a
fuse replaced, you must perform the system
initialisation procedure to ensure proper system
operation. To perform this procedure, lock and
then unlock the doors using the door remote
control.DOOR COURTESY LIGHT
Each door has a courtesy light
E fitted on the
lower part of the door panel to light up the area
where you get into and out of the vehicle.
We suggest that you move the seat fully back
before getting out of the vehicle, which also
makes it easier to get back in.

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4
A
B
BEFORE YOU DRIVE
WARNING: Before disconnecting the battery,
lower the side windows by at least 4-5 cm
to avoid damaging the weather strips when
opening and closing the doors. When the battery
is connected and fully charged, this operation
is done automatically whenever the doors are
opened or closed. The windows must remain
open until the charged battery is reconnected.
If the battery has discharged with the windows
fully closed, open the door only if necessary and
with the greatest care; do not close it again until
it the windows can be lowered.
WARNING: Before activating the alarm system,
check that all the windows and the sunroof are
closed to prevent accidental activation of the
alarm system.
ENGINE
COMPARTMENT LID

To unlock the engine compartment lid, pull the
lever
A found in the lower, left-hand side of the
dashboard.
Release the safety device by moving the lever
B
as shown in the figure.
Lift the engine compartment lid: this operation is
facilitated by two gas struts.
The engine compartment lid positions itself at the
maximum opening position and does not require
support stays.
CAUTION
To close the lid: lower it
to about 20 cm from the engine
compartment and let it drop: it will
close automatically.
In doing this, always be extremely
careful to prevent your hands from
being crushed.
CAUTION
Always check that the engine
compartment lid is properly shut so
that it cannot open while driving.