Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

This Owner’s Manual describes all the versions of the Alfa Brera, so you should only consider the
information concerning the trim level, engine and version purchased by you.
Dear Customer,
thank you for choosing Alfa Romeo.
Your
Alfa Brerahas been designed to guarantee the safety, comfort and driving pleasure typical of
Alfa Romeo.
This booklet will help you to get to know the characteristics and operation of your car.
The following pages contain all the indications necessary for you to be able to maintain the high standards of per-
formance, quality, safety and respect for the environment which characterize your
Alfa Brera.
The enclosed Warranty Booklet also contains the regulations, the warranty certificate and a guide to the services of-
fered by Alfa Romeo.
Services which are essential and precious because, when you purchase an Alfa Romeo you are not only acquiring a
car, but the tranquillity that comes from knowing that an efficient, willing and widespread organization is at your ser-
vice for any assistance problems you may have.
Have a good trip.

MUST BE READ!
REFUELLING
Petrol engines:only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95.
Diesel engines: only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590. The use of
other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of the warranty due to the
damage caused.
K
ENGINE STARTING
Petrol engines: make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fit the electronic key in-
to the ignition switch to the stop limit; fully depress the clutch or the brake pedal without pressing the accelerator; press
buttonSTART/STOPand release it as soon as the engine has started.
Diesel engines:make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fit the electronic key in-
to the ignition switch to the stop limit; wait for the
mwarning light to go off; fully depress the clutch or the brake ped-
al without pressing the accelerator; press buttonSTART/STOPand release it as soon as the engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While working, the catalyst develops a very high temperature. Do not park the car over grass, dry leaves, pine
needles or any other inflammable materials: risk of fire.

RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protec-
tion is fitted in your car.

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical accessories (that will gradually drain the battery), contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the car’s elec-
tric system can support the required load.

CODE CARD
Keep the code card in a safe place, not in the car.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring it stays in tip-top condition and safeguards its safety fea-
tures, its environmental friendliness and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS…
…information, tips and important warnings regarding the safe, correct driving of your car, and its mainte-
nance. Pay particular attention to the symbols
"(personal safety) #(environmental protection) â(car well-be-
ing).

Any queries concerning servicing should be forwarded to the showroom from which the car was purchased, the sub-
sidiary company or to our branch offices or any point of the Alfa Romeo Network.
Warranty Booklet
The Warranty Booklet is delivered together with every new car and contains the regulations tied to the services giv-
en by Alfa Romeo Services and to the warranty conditions.
Correctly carrying out the scheduled services specified by the manufacturer is the best way to maintain the perfor-
mance, safety characteristics and low running costs of your car. It is also necessary to maintain warranty cover.
“Service” guide
This contains the Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The services can be recognized by the presence of the Alfa Romeo
badge and logo.
The Alfa Romeo organization in Italy can be found in the telephone book under the letter “A” Alfa Romeo.
Not all the models described in this booklet are available in all countries. Only some of the fittings described in this
booklet are fitted as standard to the car. The list of available accessories should be requested from the Alfa Romeo
Dealers.

THE SYMBOLS USED IN THIS BOOKLET
The symbols illustrated in these pages show the subjects which should,
in particular, be closely studied.
Warning: partially or
fully ignoring these rules may lead
to serious injury.This indicates the correct procedures
to be followed to prevent
the car from damaging the environment.Warning: partially or fully ignoring these
rules may lead to serious damage
being caused to the car which, in some
circumstances, may cause forfeiture of the
warranty cover.
The texts, illustrations and specifications given in this booklet refer to the car
at the time of going to press.
As part of our ongoing striving to improve our products, Alfa Romeo may introduce technical changes during production,
therefore the specifications and fittings may be altered without prior notice.
For details on this subject, please apply to the manufacturer’s sales network.
PERSONAL
SAFETYPROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENTCAR
SAFETY

6
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
D D
A A
S S
H H
B B
O O
A A
R R
D D
A A
N N
D D
C C
O O
N N
T T
R R
O O
L L
S S
CEILING LIGHTS ................................................. 75
CONTROLS ........................................................ 77
INTERIOR FITTINGS............................................. 80
FIXED PANORAMA ROOF ..................................... 84
DOORS ............................................................ 86
POWER WINDOWS ............................................ 88
BOOT ............................................................... 90
BONNET............................................................ 96
ROOF RACK/SKI RACK ....................................... 97
HEADLIGHTS...................................................... 97
ABS SYSTEM .................................................... 99
VDC SYSTEM .................................................... 100
EOBD SYSTEM .................................................. 104
SOUND SYSTEM ................................................ 104
ACCESSORIES PURCHASED BY THE OWNER .......... 105
INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC DEVICES .. 105
PARKING SENSORS ............................................ 106
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (T.P.M.S.) .. 109
AT THE FILLING STATION ..................................... 112
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ......................... 114 DASHBOARD...................................................... 7
INSTRUMENT PANEL .......................................... 8
SYMBOLS ........................................................ 9
THE ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEM.......................... 9
ELECTRONIC KEY ............................................... 11
ALARM ............................................................ 17
IGNITION DEVICE................................................ 19
INSTRUMENTS ................................................... 22
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY .......... 26
SEATS .............................................................. 41
HEAD RESTRAINTS.............................................. 44
STEERING WHEEL .............................................. 45
REARVIEW MIRRORS .......................................... 46
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................................ 49
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................... 51
AUTOMATIC TWO-ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM 54
ADDITIONAL HEATER .......................................... 64
EXTERNAL LIGHTS ............................................. 65
WINDOW WASHING .......................................... 68
CRUISE CONTROL .............................................. 72

7
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
A0F0056mfig. 1
1.Adjustable and swivel side air vents - 2.Front side window demisting/defrosting vents - 3.External lights control lever
-4.Instrument panel - 5.Driver’s air bag and horn - 6.Windscreen wiper control lever - 7.Upper central vent - 8.Ad-
justable and swivel central air vents - 9.Fuel level gauge/engine coolant temperature gauge/engine oil temperature gauge
(petrol versions) or turbocharger pressure gauge (diesel versions) - 10.Passenger’s air bag - 11.Passenger’s knees air
bag (where provided) - 12.Glove box - 13.Sound system - 14.Heating/ventilation/climate controls - 15.Engine
START/STOPbutton - 16.Ignition device - 17.Driver’s knees air bag - 18.Sound system controls on the steering
wheel (where provided) - 19.Cruise Control lever (where provided) - 20.Bonnet opening lever - 21.Dashboard fusebox
lid - 22.Switches for external lights, trip meter reset and headlamp aiming device.

8
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INSTRUMENT PANEL
A.Speedometer (speed indicator)
B.Warning lights - C.Rev counter -
D.Reconfigurable multifunction display
cmWarning lights on diesel
versions only
On diesel versions the rev counter
end scale value is at 6000 rpm.
Fig. 2A0F0089m

9
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
THE ALFA ROMEO
CODE SYSTEM
To further protect you car from theft, it
has been fitted with an engine immo-
bilising system. This system is auto-
matically activated when the electronic
key is removed.
An electronic device, in fact, is fitted in
each electronic key grip. The device
transmits a radio-frequency signal when
the engine is started through a special
aerial built into the ignition switch on the
dashboard. The modulated signal, which
changes each time the engine is start-
ed, is the “password”, by means of
which the control unit recognises the
electronic key and enables to start the
engine.
SYMBOLS
Special coloured labels have been at-
tached near or actually on some of the
components of your car. These labels
bear symbols that remind you of the pre-
cautions to be taken as regards that par-
ticular component.
The plate summarising the symbols used
fig. 3can be found under the bonnet.
A0F0138mfig. 3