air condition Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

21
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
It is absolutely forbidden
to carry out whatever
after-market operation involv-
ing steering system or steering
column modifications (e.g.: in-
stallation of anti-theft device)
that could badly affect perfor-
mance and safety, cause the
lapse of warranty and also re-
sult in non-compliance of the car
with homologation require-
ments.
WARNING
Disengaging
The steering column lock will disengage
after fitting the electronic key into the
ignition device.
IMPORTANTSwitching the engine off
when the car is running will not engage
the steering column lock till next switch-
ing off of the engine with car stopped. In
this event a dedicated message will be dis-
played.
IMPORTANTSteering column lock fail-
ure is indicated by symbol + message on
the display. In this event contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
The steering column lock will engage
5 seconds after removing the electron-
ic key from the ignition device and if the
following conditions are present:
❒engine off;
❒ instrument panel off with car at a
standstill;
❒electronic key removed from ignition
device.IMPORTANTIf after turning the in-
strument panel on and/or starting the en-
gine, the display shows the message “Car
protection system not available”, repeat
the operation using the moving the steer-
ing wheel to facilitate steering column un-
locking. Displaying of the warning mes-
sage will not impair steering column lock
regular operation.

53
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CLIMATE CONTROL
(fast cooling)
Proceed as follows:
❒turn knob Acompletely leftwards;
❒turn knob Cto top speed;
❒turn knob Bto O;
❒press buttons √and v(buttons
leds on).
How to keep the required
cooling
Proceed as follows:
❒turn air recirculation off (if on).
❒turn knob Ato the required tem-
perature;
❒turn the knurled ring C to the re-
quired fan speed.
LOOKING AFTER
THE SYSTEM
During the winter, the climate control
system
√must be turned on at least
once a month for about ten minutes.
Before summer, have the system
checked at Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
RECIRCULATION
To turn this function on press button
v: the button led will turn on.
This function is particularly useful when
the outside air is heavily polluted (in a
traffic jam, tunnel, etc.) However, it is
better not to use it for long periods, es-
pecially if there are several people in the
car to prevent window misting up.
Do not use the air recirculation function
on rainy/cold days as it would consid-
erably increase the possibility of the win-
dows misting inside.
IMPORTANTThe inside air recircula-
tion system makes it possible to reach
the required (“heating” or “cooling”)
conditions faster.
After connecting/dis-
connecting the battery,
wait for 3 minutes at
least before fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition de-
vice in order to allow the cli-
mate control system control unit
to reset the positions of the
electric actuators that adjust air
temperature and distribution.

57
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
LO function (LOW)
(highest cooling power)
It is switched on by setting a tempera-
ture lower than 16°C on the display;
this setting is shown on the display. This
function can be switched on when you
wish to cool the passenger compartment
as quickly as possible, by taking the
greatest advantage from the system po-
tential.
The function cuts off air heating, switch-
es on both internal air recirculation (to
prevent hot air from entering the com-
partment) and the climate control com-
pressor, brings air distribution to
¯/˙
and the fan speed is controlled auto-
matically by the system. With the function switched on, howev-
er, all the manual settings can be made.
To switch the function off, you only need
to turn the ring of knob B/Eof the tem-
perature set to a value greater than
16°C; the opposite display will show
16°C.
Pressing button AUTO, the display will
show a temperature of 16°C and re-
turns to an operating condition with au-
tomatic temperature adjustment. This function should not be ac-
tivated when the engine is cold,
to prevent air not warm enough
from entering the passenger
compartment.
With the function switched on, howev-
er, all the manual settings can be made.
To switch the function off, you only need
to turn the ring of knob (Bor E) of the
temperature set to a value lower than
32°C; the opposite display will show
32°C.
Pressing button AUTO, the display will
show a temperature of 32°C and re-
turns to an operating condition with au-
tomatic temperature adjustment.

58
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
FAN SPEED ADJUSTMENT
Press buttons +/–to increase or to de-
crease the fan speed.
The fan speed is shown by the lit bars on
the display:
❒min fan speed = one bar lit;
❒max fan speed = 6 bars lit;
At starting, if climate control system is
operating in automatic mode, the fan
speed is kept at minimum until the en-
gine has started.
With compressor on and engine running,
the fan speed cannot fall below the min.
speed.
The fan can be cut off (all bars off) on-
ly if the climate control compressor has
been switched off by pressing button
√.
To restore automatic fan speed control
after a manual adjustment, press but-
tons AUTO. AUTO will also go off if the system (spe-
cially when compressor is turned off
manually) cannot reach or cannot keep
the required temperature.
Button
√will not turn off AUTO if the
system can keep the required comfort.
It is inadvisable to use
air recirculation on
rainy/cold days as it would
considerably increase the pos-
sibility of windows misting up
inside.
WARNING
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
(AUTO BUTTON)
Pressing button AUTO, the display will
show a temperature of 16°C and re-
turns to an operating condition with au-
tomatic temperature adjustment:
❒fan speed;
❒air distribution in passenger com-
partment;
❒air recirculation;
❒compressor;
and it will cancel all the previous man-
ual adjustments.
Wording FULL will disappear from the
display of the involved area (driver or
front passenger side) when performing
whatever operation (excluding temper-
ature change.

59
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
The MAX-DEF function activates the fol-
lowing operations:
❒rear panel turning off (where pro-
vided);
❒air flow increase;
❒air distribution at DEF;
❒outside air intake;
❒compressor activation;
❒AQS function deactivation (where
provided)
❒rear window heating activation.
When the MAX-DEF function is on, the
only manual operations possible are
manual adjustment of the fan speed and
switching heated rear window off.IMPORTANTIf the engine is not
warm enough, the function will not en-
gage the predefined fan speed imme-
diately, to limit the flow to the passen-
ger compartment of air that is not warm
enough to demist the windows.
Pressing again one of the following but-
tons:
v, √, AUTO, MONO or -the
system switches off the MAX-DEF func-
tion, resuming the system operating
conditions prior to turning it on, in ad-
dition to activating the last function re-
quired, if any.
IMPORTANTDo not activate the
MAX-DEF function with the engine off to
prevent running down the battery.
QUICK FRONT WINDOW
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
(MAX-DEF function)
Pressing button -the climate control
automatically activates timed operation
of all the functions required to quicken
demisting/defrosting of the windscreen
and front side windows and, on certain
versions, windscreen demisting in the
windscreen wiper area.
The MAX-DEF can be turned on also with
engine off. When this function is on the
circular led around the button will turn
on.

60
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ALIGNING SET
TEMPERATURES
(MONO function)
Pressing button MONO automatically
aligns the temperature and air distribu-
tion on front and rear passenger area
with that on the driver area.
When this function is on, the circular led
around the button will turn on.
Turn knob Bto set the same tempera-
ture between the two zones.
Separate operation of the temperature
set by the passenger is restored auto-
matically by turning knob Eor by press-
ing again button MONO, the circular led
around the button will turn off.
CLIMATE CONTROL
COMPRESSOR ON/OFF
Press button √to turn the compressor
on: when climate control compressor is
on the circular led around the button will
turn on. Compressor will stay on also af-
ter turning the engine off.
To turn the compressor off press again
button
√.
With compressor off, the system will
check whether outside temperature is
higher or lower/same as the set one:
❒if outside temperature is lower than
the set one, the system will oper-
ate regularly also with compressor
off;
❒if outside temperature is higher than
the set one, the system will not be
able to keep the required condition,
the set temperature values will then
start to flash on the display.
HEATED REAR WINDOW
AND DOOR MIRROR
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
Press button (to activate the demist-
ing/defrosting function: when this func-
tion is on, the circular led around the but-
ton will turn on.
On certain versions, turning this function
on will also activate windscreen de-
frosting in the windscreen wiper area.
This function is timed and switches off
automatically after few minutes, or by
pressing again the button or by turning
the engine off. It will not be switched
on automatically when restarting the en-
gine.
IMPORTANTDo not apply stickers on
the inside of the rear window over the
heating filaments to avoid damage that
might cause it to stop working properly.

63
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ACTIVATED CARBON
POLLEN FILTER
The car is fitted with activated carbon
pollen filter. The filter has the specific ca-
pability of admitting to the passenger
compartment purified air, free from par-
ticles such as dust, pollen, etc. The fil-
tering action takes place under all air in-
let conditions and it is clearly most ef-
fective with the windows shut.
Have the conditions of the filter checked
by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services at
least once a year, preferably at the on-
set of summer. If the car is used main-
ly in polluted or dusty areas it should be
checked and if necessary replaced at
shorter intervals than specified in the
Service Schedule (see section “Car
Maintenance”). AQS function
(Air Quality System)
(where provided)
The AQS function turns on automatical-
ly air recirculation when it detects the
presence of polluted air (e.g. in queues
and tunnels).
IMPORTANTWith AQS function on,
after a preset time with recirculation on,
the compressor will enable outside air
inlet (for about 1 minute) to change air
inside the passenger compartment, re-
gardless of outside air pollution level.
IMPORTANTThe AQS function is dis-
abled when the outside temperature is
cold to prevent window misting up. To
reactivate this function, press button
v. Led “A” on button vwill
turn on to indicate that the function is
on.
Failure to replace the fil-
ter may considerably re-
duce the effectiveness of
the climate control system up to
blocking the air flow from the
outlets and vents.

80
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INTERIOR FITTINGS
CENTRAL ARMREST
The central armrest is located between
the front seats. Inside the armrest is
housed an air-conditioned food box
(where provided) (see next paragraph).
A0F0141mfig. 57
Pay attention not to
spill the drinks into the
food box.
A0F0039mfig. 56
Air-conditioned food box
(where provided)
The food box is located inside the cen-
tral armrest. Turn wheel A-fig. 57 to
adjust the air flow inside the food box.
IMPORTANTFunction of the food
box is to keep the temperature of the
drinks placed inside it; drinks shall be
warmed or cooled as required before be-
ing put inside the food box. Oddment compartment
To open the oddment compartment,
press button A-fig. 56and raise the
cover B.

145
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Climate control
The air conditioner is an additional load
which greatly affects the engine leading
to higher consumption. When the tem-
perature outside the car permits it, use
the air vents where possible.
Spoilers
The use of aerodynamic optional extras
which are not certified for the specific
use on the vehicle, may reduce the aero-
dynamic penetration of the vehicle and
increase consumption. Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
car (especially when driving in town)
and its trim greatly affects consumption
and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack
from the roof as soon as they are no
longer used. These accessories lower air
penetration and adversely affect con-
sumption levels. When needing to car-
ry particularly voluminous objects, prefer-
ably use a trailer.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window,
additional headlights, windscreen wipers
and heater fan need a considerable
amount of energy therefore, increasing
the requirement of current increases fu-
el consumption (up to +25% in the ur-
ban cycle).CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of
your car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service sched-
ule”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routine-
ly at an interval of no more than 4
weeks: if the pressure is too low, con-
sumption levels increase as resistance
to rolling is higher.

AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition
device the warning light turns on, but
it should go off after few seconds.
The warning light stays on glowing
steadily with the message on the dis-
play to indicate a failure in the air bag
system.
❒wait for over 20 seconds but less than
1 minute, then unfasten one of the
front seat belts.
This procedure will be valid until turning
the engine off.
For permanent buzzer deactivation con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The
“seat belt reminder” system can be re-
activated only through the “Setup Menu”
of the display (see paragraph “Recon-
figurable multifunction display“ in section
“Dashboard and controls”).
156
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
¬
If the warning light ¬
does not turn on when
fitting the key into the ignition
device, or if stays on when
travelling (together with the
message on the display), this
could indicate a failure in safe-
ty retaining system; under this
condition air bags or preten-
sioners could not trigger in the
event of collision or, in a re-
stricted number of cases, they
could trigger accidentally. Be-
fore restarting contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
The failure of the warning light
¬(warning light off) is also
indicated by the flashing for
more than the normal seconds
of the passenger’s front air
Bag deactivated warning light
F.
WARNINGPASSENGER’S
FRONT AIR BAGS
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
The warning light (set on the front ceil-
ing light panel) turns on when passen-
ger’s front air bags, passenger’s knees
air bag (where provided) and passen-
ger’s front side bag are deactivated
through the relevant key switch (for ver-
sions/markets where applicable).
With passenger’s front air bags on, fitting
the key into the ignition device the warn-
ing light shall turn on glowing steadily for
about 4 seconds, shall flash for other 4
seconds and then it shall turn off.
F