towing Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

23
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IMPORTANTUnder certain conditions
(heavy slopes, for instance), the reading
on the gauge may differ from the actual
amount of fuel in the tank and changes
in level may be indicated late. This con-
dition falls within the regular operating log-
ics of the fuel gauge.The turning on of the warning light u
(together with a message on the dis-
play) indicates that the coolant fluid
temperature is too high; in this case,
stop the engine and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTThe temperature of the
engine coolant may rise towards the
maximum values (red sector) when the
car is driven at low speeds, uphill, fully
laden or during towing, especially if the
ambient temperature is high.
A0F0178mfig. 16
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
fig. 16
This shows the temperature of the en-
gine coolant fluid and begins working
when the fluid temperature exceeds ap-
prox. 50°C.
The pointer should normally be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer
reaches the red sector, reduce your de-
mand on the engine.

24
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
(petrol versions) fig. 17
This shows the temperature of the en-
gine oil and begins working when the
oil temperature exceeds approx. 70°C.
If the pointer reaches the red sector, re-
duce your demand on the engine.
A0F0179mfig. 17
The turning on of the warning light `
when travelling (together with a mes-
sage on the display) indicates that the
oil temperature is too high; in this case,
stop the engine and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTThe temperature of the
engine oil may rise towards the maxi-
mum values (red sector) when the car
is driven at low speeds, uphill, fully
laden or during towing, especially if the
ambient temperature is high.
A0F0180mfig. 18
TURBOCHARGER PRESSURE
GAUGE (diesel versions)
fig. 18
This shows the turbocharger pressure
value.

If a failure is indicated, stop the car, turn
the engine off and then clean the sen-
sors. Make sure to be far from possible
ultrasound sources (e.g.: truck pneu-
matic brakes or pneumatic hammers).
If failure cause has been eliminated the
system will resume regular operation
and message + symbol on the display
will turn off.
If the warning light stays on, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services to have
the system inspected, although the sys-
tem keeps on working. If the failure de-
tected does not impair system operation,
the system keeps on working and fail-
ure is stored in order to be then detect-
ed by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
at next inspection.GENERAL WARNINGS
When parking, take the utmost care to
obstacles that may be set above or un-
der the sensors. Objects set close to the
car, under certain circumstances are not
detected and could therefore cause dam-
ages to the car or be damaged.
Indications sent by the sensors can be
altered by dirt, snow or ice deposited on
the sensors or by ultrasound systems
(e.g.: truck pneumatic brakes or pneu-
matic hammers) set nearby the car.
TOWING TRAILERS
Sensors are reactivated automatically
when removing the trailer cable plug.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
The system control unit checks every
system component each time the key is
fitted into the ignition device. Sensors
and relevant electrical connections are
then constantly monitored during sys-
tem operation.
Sensor failure is indicated by message
+ symbol on the display (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
Sensors operation is de-
activated automatically
when the trailer electric
cable plug is fitted into the car
tow hook socket.
110
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR

137
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
C C C C
O O O O
R R R R
R R R R
E E E E
C C C C
T T T T

U U U U
S S S S
E E E E

O O O O
F F F F

T T T T
H H H H
E E E E

C C C C
A A A A
R R R R
ENGINE STARTING .............................................. 138
PARKING ........................................................... 143
USING THE GEARBOX ......................................... 144
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS ............................ 145
TOWING TRAILERS.............................................. 147
SNOW TYRES .................................................... 150
SNOW CHAINS .................................................. 151
CAR INACTIVITY ................................................ 152

138
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
We recommend that
during the initial period
you do not drive to full
car performance (e.g.: excessive
acceleration, long journeys at
top speed, sharp braking, etc.).
Running the engine in
confined areas is ex-
tremely dangerous. The engine
consumes oxygen and pro-
duces carbon monoxide which
is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
When the engine is
switched off never leave
the electronic key into the
ignition device to prevent point-
less current absorption from
draining the batter.
ENGINE STARTING
The car is fitted with an electronic engine
immobilising system. If the engine fails
to start, see paragraph “Alfa Romeo
CODE system” in section “Dashboard
and controls”.
IMPORTANTTampering with the ig-
nition device can cause unrequired steer-
ing lock.
IMPORTANT Always fit the electron-
ic key completely into the ignition device
to the stop limit.
IMPORTANT Never take the elec-
tronic key out of the ignition device while
the car is moving unless you have to car-
ry out an emergency removal (see para-
graph “Removing the electronic key from
the ignition device in an emergency”),
this ensures that the steering column lock
is deactivated while the car is moving
(e.g.: towing the car).

147
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Engage a low gear when driving down-
hill, rather than constantly using the
brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car
tow hook reduces by the same amount
the actual car loading capacity. To make
sure the maximum towable weight is
not exceeded (given in the log book)
account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and
personal belongings.
Do not exceed the speed limits of the
country you are driving in. In any case
do not exceed 100 km/h.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car
must be fitted with a certified tow hook
and an adequate electric system. In-
stallation should be carried out by spe-
cialised personnel who release a special
document for circulation on the road.
Install any specific and/or additional
rear-view mirrors as specified by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the brak-
ing spaces increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight.
The ABS system with
which the car may be
fitted does not control the
trailer braking system. Drive
with extreme care on slippery
roadbeds.
WARNING
Under no circumstances
should the car brake
system be altered to control
the trailer brake. The trailer
braking system must be fully
independent of the car hy-
draulic system.
WARNING

148
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
For the electric connection a unified con-
nector should be used which is gener-
ally placed on a special bracket normally
fastened to the towing device.
For the electrical connection, 7 pin
12VDC connection is to be used (CU-
NA/UNI and ISO/DIN Standards). Fol-
low the instructions provided by the car
manufacturer and/or the tow hitch man-
ufacturer.
An electric brake or other device (elec-
tric winch, etc.), if required, should be
supplied directly by the battery through
a cable with a cross section of no less
than 2.5 mm
2. In addition to the elec-
trical branches, the car’s electric system
can only be connected to the supply ca-
ble for an electric brake and to the ca-
ble for an internal light, though not
above 15W.Assembly diagram fig. 4
The tow hook structure must be fas-
tened in the points shown by the sym-
bol
Øusing a total of 6 M10 screws.
IMPORTANTIt is compulsory to fas-
ten a label (plainly visible) of suitable
size and material with the following
wording:
MAX LOAD ON BALL 60 kg
After fitting, screw holes shall be sealed
to prevent exhaust gas inlet.
IMPORTANTThe hook should be fas-
tened to the body avoiding any type of
drilling and trimming of the bumper.
INSTALLING THE TOW
HOOK
The towing device should be fastened
to the body by specialised personnel ac-
cording to any additional and/or inte-
grative information supplied by the Man-
ufacturer of the device.
The towing device must meet current
regulations with reference to
94/20/EC Directive and subsequent
amendments.
For any version the towing device used
must match the towable weight of the
car on which it is to be installed.

157
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
– Car heavy duty (e.g.: towing trail-
er uphill or fully laden car): decrease
speed, if the warning light stays on, stop
the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes leaving
the engine on and slightly accelerated to
further activate the circulation of the
coolant fluid, then switch the engine off.
IMPORTANTUnder severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly ac-
celerated for few minutes before switch-
ing it off.
Warning light Findi-
cates also warning light
¬ ¬failures. This is indicated by
intermittent flashing, over 4
seconds, of warning light
F. In
this event warning light
¬ ¬could
not indicate safety system fail-
ures. Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the
system checked immediately.
WARNINGENGINE COOLANT
HIGH TEMPERATURE
(red)
Fitting the key into the ignition device, the
warning light (set on engine coolant
gauge) turns on but it shall go off after a
few seconds. The warning light turns on
(with a dedicated message on the display)
to indicate engine overheating. If the warn-
ing light comes on, proceed as follows:
– Normal driving conditions: stop
the car, switch off the engine and check
whether the water level in the reservoir
is not below the MINmark. Otherwise
wait for few seconds to allow engine
cooling, then open slowly and carefully
the cap, top up coolant and check
whether its level is falling between MIN
and MAXmarks in the reservoir. Check
visually any leak. If when restarting the
warning light comes on again, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
u
With engine hot, do not
remove the cap: risk of
burnt.
WARNING

169
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
I I I I
N N N N

A A A A
N N N N

E E E E
M M M M
E E E E
R R R R
G G G G
E E E E
N N N N
C C C C
Y Y Y Y
JUMP STARTING ................................................ 170
IF A TYRE IS PUNCTURED .................................... 171
QUICK TYRE REPAIR KIT FIX&GO automatic............ 176
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB ................... 182
IF AN EXTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ...................... 185
IF AN INTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ....................... 191
IF A FUSE BLOWS .............................................. 194
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT ...................................... 204
JACKING THE CAR............................................... 205
TOWING THE CAR .............................................. 206

171
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IF A TYRE
IS PUNCTURED
The car is equipped with the “Quick tyre
repair kit Fix&Go automatic“. Opera-
tions required to change a wheel are de-
scribed in the following section.
As an alternative to the “Kit Fix & Go
automatic”, the car can be provided (up-
on request) with space-saver spare
wheel: wheel changing and correct use
of the jack call for some precautions as
listed below.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine (by push-
ing, towing, or coasting downhill) as this
could cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
exhaust system and damage it beyond
repair.
Remember that the
brake booster and the
power steering system are not
operating until the engine is
started, a greater effort will
therefore be required to press
the brake pedal or turn the
steering wheel.
WARNING
Alert other drivers that
the car is stationary in
compliance with local regula-
tions: hazard warning lights,
warning triangle etc. Any pas-
sengers on board should leave
the car, especially if it is heav-
ily laden. Passengers should
stay away from oncoming
traffic while the wheel is be-
ing changed on. If the wheel is
being changed on a steep or
badly surfaced road, place the
wedges or other suitable ma-
terial under the wheel to stop
the car. Never start the engine
when the car is jacked up. If
you were towing a trailer, un-
couple the trailer before jack-
ing the car.
WARNING