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

CAR PROTECTION
SYSTEM FAILURE
(amber)
STEERING LOCK
INHIBITION (amber)
Car protection system failure
The message on the display indicates
car protection system failure: in this
event contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
Steering lock inhibition
The display will show a dedicated mes-
sage when the engine is killed by re-
moving the electronic key from the ig-
nition device while the car is moving.
ALARM FAILURE
(where provided)
(amber)
BREAK-IN ATTEMPT
(amber)
ELECTRONIC KEY
NOT RECOGNIZED
(amber)
Alarm failure
The message + symbol on the display
indicate a failure in the alarm system.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible.
Break-in attempt
The message + symbol on the display
indicate an attempt of break-in. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
Electronic key not recognized
The message + symbol on the display in-
dicate that the electronic key being used
for start-up is not enabled. – flashing: indicates the possibility of
damage to the catalyst (see “EOBD sys-
tem” in section “Dashboard and con-
trols”). If the light flashes, it is neces-
sary to release the accelerator pedal to
lower the speed of the engine until the
warning light stops flashing; continue
the journey at moderate speed, trying
to avoid driving conditions that may
cause further flashing and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as soon as
possible.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
If when fitting the key in-
to the ignition device, the
warning light
Udoes
not turn on or if turns on with
fixed light or flashing when the
car is travelling, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible. Warning light
Uoperation can by checked by
traffic agents by proper equip-
ment therefore, comply with
laws and regulations in force in
the country where you are dri-
ving.
>Y

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SAFETY
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
This cycle is performed only once when
the outside temperature read is lower
than or equal to 3°C and it can be re-
peated only when outside temperature
exceeds 6 °C and then falls down to 3
°C or below.
IMPORTANTIn the event of outside
temperature sensor failure, the display
will show dashes instead of the value.PRE-HEATINGGLOW
PLUGS (diesel
versions - amber)
PRE-HEATING GLOW
PLUGS FAILURE
(diesel versions -
amber)
Pre-heating glow plugs
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on and it will turn
off when glow plugs reach the preset
temperature. Start the engine immedi-
ately after warning light switching off.
IMPORTANTWith mild or hot ambi-
ent temperature, warning light stays on
for very short time.
Pre-heating glow plugs failure
The warning light (on certain versions
together with the message on the dis-
play) will flash to indicate a failure in the
pre-heating glow plugs system. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible to have the failure eliminat-
ed.
m
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE
ON THE ROAD
When the outside temperature reaches
or falls below 3°C, the display will show
a warning message, symbol
√, and a
buzzer will sound to warn the driver of
the possible presence of ice on the road.
On certain versions, once the above
warning indication cycle is over or when
pressing briefly the button MENU:
– the displayed message goes off and
previously active screen is displayed
again;
– temperature indication stops flashing;
– symbol
√stays displayed at the bot-
tom right of the screen (until outside
temperature is lower than or equal to
6°C).

INERTIAL
FUEL CUT-OFF
SWITCHED ON
The intervention of the inertial fuel cut-
off switch is indicated by a message +
symbol on the display.
WATER IN DIESEL
FUEL FILTER
(diesel versions -
amber)
The warning light turns on glowing
steadily (together with the message on
the display), when travelling to indicate
that there is water in the diesel fuel fil-
ter.
162
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
c
The presence of water in
the fuel circuit may
cause serious damage to
the entire injection system and
cause irregular engine opera-
tion. If the warning light con
the dial turns on (on certain ver-
sions together with the mes-
sage on the display) contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible to have the
system relieved. If the above
indications come on immediate-
ly after refuelling, water has
probably been poured into the
tank: turn the engine off imme-
diately and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
ABS SYSTEM
FAILURE (amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition
device the warning light turns on, but
it should go off after few seconds.
The warning light turns on (with a ded-
icated message on the display) when
the system is inefficient. In this case the
braking system keeps its effectiveness
unchanged, but without the potential of-
fered by the ABS system. Drive careful-
ly and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
>
If, after a crash, you
smell fuel or see leaks
from the fuel system, do not
reset the switch to avoid fire
risk.
WARNING
s

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SAFETY
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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
EBD SYSTEM
FAILURE (red)
(amber)
With the engine running the
turning on at the same time
of warning lights
>andx
(together with the message on the dis-
play) indicates that the EBD system is
inefficient; in this case heavy braking
may cause the rear wheels to lock be-
fore time, with the possibility of skid-
ding.
Drive with the utmost care to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Service to
have the system checked.
VDC SYSTEM
(where provided)
(amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds.
The warning light flashes when the VDC
cuts in, to alert the driver that the sys-
tem is adapting to the road surface grip
conditions.
VDC deactivation
When the VDC is deactivated manually
(pressing the ASR/VDC button for 2 sec-
onds) (see paragraph “VDC system” in
section “Dashboard and controls”) the
display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
VDC system failure
In the event of a failure the VDC system
is deactivated automatically and warn-
ing light
áturns on glowing steadily
(together with a message on the dis-
play). In this case contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as possible.
>
xá
ASR SYSTEM
(WHEEL ANTISKID
SYSTEM)
(amber)
Fitting the key into the ignition device
the warning light turns on, but it should
go off after few seconds. The warning
light flashes when the system cuts in, to
alert the driver that the system is adapt-
ing to the road surface grip conditions.
ASR deactivation
When the ASR is deactivated manually
(pressing the ASR/VDC button) (see
paragraph “ASR system” in section
“Dashboard and controls”) the led on
the ASR/VDC button will turn on and
the display will show symbol
V.
á
HILL HOLDER
FAILURE
(amber)
In the event of a failure to the Hill Hold-
er system, the display will show a mes-
sage + symbol. In this case contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
*

164
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAREXTERNAL LIGHTS
FAILURE (amber)
The display will show message
+ symbol when one of the following
lights is failing:
– sidelights
– direction indicators
– rear fog guards
– number plate lights.
The failure referring to these lights could
be: one or more blown bulbs, a blown
protection fuse or an electric connection
cut-off.
W
BRAKE LIGHTS
FAILURE
(amber)
The display will show message + sym-
bol when a failure at brake lights (stop)
is detected.
The failure could be due to: blown bulb,
blown protection fuse or electric connec-
tion cut-off.
T
REAR FOG LIGHTS
(amber)
The warning light turns on
when the rear fog lights are turned on.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
(green)
The warning light turns on
when the front fog lights are turned on.
4
5
SIDE/TAILLIGHTS
(green)
FOLLOW ME HOME
(green)
Sidelights
The warning light turns on when
side/taillights are turned on.
Follow me home
The warning light comes on (together with
the message on the display) when the
Follow me home device is activated (see
paragraph “Follow me home” in section
“Dashboard and controls”).
3
2
DIPPED BEAM
HEADLIGHTS
(green)
The warning light turns on when the
dipped beams are turned on.
MAIN BEAM
HEADLIGHTS (blue)
The warning light turns on
when the main beams are turned on.
1
ASR system failure
In the event of a failure the ASR system
is deactivated automatically and the dis-
play will show symbol
V. In this case
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible.

165
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
LIGHT SENSOR
FAILURE
(where provided)
(amber)
The display will show message + sym-
bol to indicate a failure at the light sen-
sor.
1
LEFT-HAND
DIRECTION
INDICATOR
(green)
The warning light turns on when the di-
rection indicator stalk is moved down-
wards or, together with the right indi-
cator, when the hazard light button is
pressed.
RIGHT-HAND
DIRECTION
INDICATOR (green)
The warning light turns on when the di-
rection indicator stalk is moved upwards
or, together with the left indicator, when
the hazard light button is pressed.
R
E
PARKING SENSOR
FAILURE
(where provided)
(amber)
The display will show message + sym-
bol to indicate a failure at parking sen-
sors.
RAIN SENSOR
FAILURE
(where provided)
(amber)
The display will show message + sym-
bol to indicate a failure at the rain sen-
sor.
u
t
FUEL RESERVE –
LIMITEDCRUISING
RANGE(amber)
The warning light on the fuel level gauge
turns on when about 10 litres fuel are
left in the tank. When the cruising range
is less than 50 km (o 31 mi), the dis-
play will show a warning message .
CRUISE CONTROL
(where provided)
(green)
The warning light turns on
(together with the message
on the display) when turning
the knurled ring of the Cruise Control
to
Ü
K
Ü
If warning light Kstarts
flashing when travel-
ling, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.

166
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ANTIPINCH SYSTEM
FAILURE (amber)
The display will show message
+ symbol when failure is detected in the
antipinch system.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
DIESEL PARTICULATE
FILTER CLOGGED
(diesel versions)
(amber)
The display will show message + sym-
bol when the diesel particulate filter is
clogged and the driving conditions do
not enable to activate automatically the
reclaiming procedure.
To enable the cleaning procedure, keep
the car running until symbol
h+
message disappear from the display.
h
5
WINDSCREEN
WASHER FLUID
LOW LEVEL
(amber)
The display will show message + sym-
bol when the windscreen washer fluid
level falls down the preset min. level.
)
SPEED LIMIT
EXCEEDED
The display will show the ded-
icated message + symbol (red) and the
buzzer will sound when the car exceeds
the speed limit set through the “Setup
Menu” (e.g.: 120 km/h) (see para-
graph “Reconfigurable Multifunction Dis-
play” in section “Dashboard and con-
trols”).X
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM
FAILURE
(where provided)
On certain versions the display will show
a warning message + symbol (amber)
when a failure is detected in the T.P.M.S.
system (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem). Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.
Should one or more wheels without sen-
sor be fitted, the display will show a
warning message until initial conditions
are restored.
n

167
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CHECK TYRE
PRESSURE
(where provided)
On certain versions the display will show
a warning message + symbol (amber)
to indicate the flat tyre.
Should two or more tyre be flat, the dis-
play will show the indications corre-
sponding to each tyre in sequence.
Restore proper inflation pressure values
as soon as possible (see paragraph
“Cold inflation pressures” in section
“Technical Specifications”).
n
LOW TYRE
PRESSURE
(where provided)
On certain versions the display will show
a warning message + symbol (red) (and
buzzer will sound) when the pressure of
one or more tyres falls below the preset
threshold. In this way the T.P.M.S. sys-
tem warns the driver that tyre/s is/are
dangerously flat; possible puncture.
IMPORTANTStop immediately with
one or more tyres flat, avoid braking
sharply and abrupt turns. Replace im-
mediately the punctured tyre with the
space-saver spare wheel (where provid-
ed) or repair the puncture tyre using the
proper kit (see paragraph “If a tyre is
punctured” in section “In an emer-
gency”) and then contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services as soon as possible.
TYRE PRESSURE
UNSUITABLE
FOR SPEED
(where provided)
Should it be required to journey at a
speed higher than 160 km/h, inflate
tyres at full load pressures (see paragraph
“Cold inflation pressures” in section "Tech-
nical Specifications").
On certain versions, if the T.P.M.S. sys-
tem detects that the pressure of one or
more tyres is unsuitable for the current
speed the display will show a message +
symbol (amber) that will stay on until the
car speed slow downs below the preset
threshold.
nn

168
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
IMPORTANT In this case slow down
immediately since tyre overheating could
impair tyre performance and life beyond
repair, and even make the tyre to blow-
out.
IMPORTANT Should you have to jour-
ney anyway a speed higher than 160
km/h, stop the car when the display
shows the warning symbol to inflate tyres
to the proper pressure values (see para-
graph "Cold inflation pressures" in section
"Technical Specifications ").

169
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
I I
N N
A A
N N
E E
M M
E E
R R
G G
E E
N N
C C
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