check engine light Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

213
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions.
❒check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Sele-
nia products, designed and produced
specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Techni-
cal specifications”).

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CHECKING FLUID
LEVELS
Refer to section Technical Specifications
for fluid amounts.
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant
6.Power steering fluid
fig. 1 - 2.2 JTS versionsA0F0161m
fig. 2 - 3.2 JTS versionsA0F0038m
Never smoke while
working in the engine
compartment; gas and inflam-
mable vapours may be pre-
sent, with the risk of fire.
WARNING
When topping up take
care not to confuse the
various types of fluids:
they are all incompatible with
one another and could serious-
ly damage the car.

216
SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARENGINE OIL
Fig. 4: 2.2 JTS versions
Fig. 5: 3.2 JTS versions
Fig. 6: 2.4 JTD
MversionsChecking engine oil
Check the oil level a few minutes (about
5) after the engine has stopped, with
the car parked on level ground.
A0F0018mfig. 4A0F0069mfig. 5A0F0202mfig. 6
Remove the dipstick Aand clean it, put
it back in completely, remove it and
check that the level is within the MIN
and MAXmarks on the dipstick. The
gap between the MINand MAX
marks corresponds to about one litre of
oil.

217
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Engine oil consumption
Max engine oil consumption is usually
400 grams every 1000 km.
When the car is new, the engine needs
to run in, therefore the engine oil con-
sumption can only be considered sta-
bilised after the first 5000 - 6000 km.
IMPORTANTThe oil consumption de-
pends on driving style and the conditions
under which the car is used.
IMPORTANTDo not add oil with
specifications other than that already
in the engine. Topping up engine oil
If the oil level is near or even below the
MINmark, add oil through the filler
neck B, until reaching the MAXmark.
Oil level shall never exceed the MAX
mark.
IMPORTANT If a routine check re-
veals that the oil level is above the
MAXmark, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the correct lev-
el restored.
IMPORTANT After adding or chang-
ing the oil, let the engine turn over for
a few seconds and wait a few minutes
after turning it off before you check the
level.
When the engine is hot,
take care when work-
ing inside the engine compart-
ment to avoid burns. Remem-
ber that when the engine is
hot, the fan may cut in: danger
of injury. Scarves, ties and
other loose clothing might be
pulled by moving parts.
WARNING
Used engine oil and fil-
ter contain harmful sub-
stances for the environ-
ment. Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the oil
and filter changed.

220
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARPOWER STEERING FLUID
fig. 9-10
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum level: this operation shall
be carried out with the car on level sur-
face, engine not running and cold.
Check that the fluid level is at the MAX
mark on the reservoir or at the top mark
(maximum level) shown on the dipstick
under the reservoir cap.
A0F0027mfig. 9 2.2 JTS - 2.4 JTDMversionsA0F0234mfig. 10 3.2 JTS versions
If the fluid level in the reservoir is below
the specified level, top up as follows:
❒start the engine and wait until the
fluid level in the reservoir has stabi-
lized;
❒with the engine started, turn re-
peatedly the steering wheel fully
rightwards and leftwards;
❒top up until reaching the MAX
mark then refit the cap.
Do not allow the pow-
er steering fluid to
touch the hot parts of the en-
gine: it is inflammable.
WARNING
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to always con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.

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SAFETY
DEVICES
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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
lengthen its life, observe the following
indications:
❒when you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly;
❒the ceiling lights must be off. The car
is however provided with an auto-
matic system for switching off inter-
nal lights;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g.: sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
battery negative terminal cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be
perfectly tightened.
IMPORTANTA battery which is kept
at a charge of less than 50% (optical in-
dicator with dark colour without green
area in the middle) for any length of
time will be damaged by sulphation
leading to a reduction in cranking pow-
er.
Moreover, this might lead to a higher
risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10°C). If the
car is inactive for a long period of time,
refer to “Car inactivity”, in section “Cor-
rect use of the car”. If after buying the car, you want to in-
stall electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
available at Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric ab-
sorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is capable of withstand-
ing the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more pow-
erful battery. In fact, since these devices
continue absorbing energy even when
the ignition key is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
The total intake of these systems (factory and after-market) must be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery) as shown in
the following table:
Battery Maximum admitted stand-by intake
50 Ah 30 mA
60 Ah 36 mA
70 Ah 42 mA
90 Ah 54 mA

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SAFETY
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LIGHTS AND
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EMERGENCY
CAR
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARUpholstery of your car
has been designed to
withstand wear deriv-
ing from common use of the car.
You are however recommended
to avoid strong and/or contin-
uous scratching with clothing ac-
cessories such as metallic buck-
les, studs, Velcro fastenings and
the like, since these items cause
circumscribed stress of the cov-
er fabric that could lead to yarn
breaking, and damage the cov-
er as a consequence. Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electronic
control units. Contact a specialised work-
shop to have this done.
IMPORTANTThe car should be
washed with the engine cold and the key
removed from the ignition device. After
washing make sure that the various pro-
tections (e.g. rubber caps and various cov-
ers) have not been damaged or removed.
INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause oxidisation of the
sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND
FABRIC AND VELVET PARTS
Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if
the brush is moistened.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral de-
tergent.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
Remove dried on dirt with lightly moist-
ened chamois leather or cloth without
pressing too hard.
Remove liquid or grease stains with a dry
absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap.If the stain persists, use specific prod-
ucts, carefully following the instructions
for use.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or al-
cohol-based products.

256
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEXDASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
EOBD system ......................... 106
External lights . ....................... 65
Fix &Go automatic (device) ..... 176
Flashing the headlights ............ 65
Fluid level checks .................... 214
Fluids and lubricants ................ 251
Follow me home (device) ......... 66
Front air bags ......................... 128
Front ceiling lights
– bulb replacement ............... 191
– control ............................. 75
Front fog lights
– bulb replacement ............... 188
– control ............................. 67
Front headlights (washed) ....... 232
Fuel
– consumption ..................... 253
– fuel cut-off switch .............. 77
– fuel gauge ........................ 22
Fuel cut-off and power
supply switches .................... 77
Fuel feed ............................... 240
Fuel filler cap ......................... 112Fuses (replacement) ............... 194
Gearbox (use) ....................... 144
Glove compartment ................. 81
Glove compartment light
– bulb replacement ............... 192
Handbrake ............................ 143
Hazard lights .......................... 67
Head restraints ....................... 44
Headlight washer
– control ............................. 71
– fluid level ......................... 219
Headlights
– adjusting headlight beam ... 98
– headlight adjustment abroad 99
– headlight aiming device ...... 98
– front fog light adjustment ... 99
Hill Holder system ................... 103
Identification data ................... 236
If an exterior light burns out ..... 185
If an interior light burns out ....... 191
Ignition device ........................ 19 Dimensions . ........................... 247
Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ............... 186
– control ............................. 65
Direction indicators
– bulb replacement 186-187-188
– control ............................. 65
Doors .................................... 86
Electronic key ......................... 11
Engine
– identification code ............. 238
– marking . .......................... 237
– technical data ................... 239
Engine compartment (washed) .. 233
Entine coolant temperature
gauge ................................. 23
Engine oil
– consumption ..................... 217
– level check ....................... 216
– specifications .................... 251
Engine oil temperature gauge ... 24
Engine starting ....................... 138
Environment protection ............ 113