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

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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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Brake fluid is poisonous
and highly corrosive. In
the event of accidental contact,
wash the parts involved im-
mediately with neutral soap
and water, then rinse thor-
oughly. Call the doctor imme-
diately if the fluid is swal-
lowed.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID fig. 11
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake
fluid specified in the table “Fluids and
lubricants” (see section “Technical Spec-
ifications”).
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When
opening the cap take the utmost care to
prevent impurities entering the tank.
When topping up, always use a funnel
with built-in filter with mesh equal to
or lower than 0.12 mm.
A0F0016mfig. 11
Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
From time to time, check the instrument
panel warning light
x: pressing on cap
A(with key fitted into the ignition de-
vice) the warning light shall turn on.
IMPORTANTBrake fluid absorbs
moisture. For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree
of atmospheric humidity, the fluid should
be replaced at more frequent intervals
than specified in the Service Schedule.

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Symbolπon the con-
tainer indicates syn-
thetic brake fluid, distinguish-
ing it from the mineral kind.
Using mineral fluids irre-
versibly damages the special
braking system rubber seals.
WARNINGAIR FILTER/ POLLEN
FILTER
Air cleaner or pollen filter replacement
shall be carried out at Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
DIESEL FUEL FILTER
DRAINING THE CONDENSE
The presence of water in
the fuel circuit can se-
verely damage the in-
jection system and make the en-
gine misfire. If the warning light
cturns on (together with a
message on the display) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
as soon as possible to have the
bleeding operation carried out.
Should the warning light turn on
after refuelling, water has
probably been poured into the
tank: turn the engine off imme-
diately and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.

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Bright white colourTop up electrolyte Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services
Dark colour withoutLow charge level Charge the battery
green area in the centre(advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services)
Dark colour withElectrolyte level and charge No action
green area in the centresufficient
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited mainte-
nance” type: under normal conditions
of use the electrolyte does not need top-
ping up with distilled water. Contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services to have
the battery checked/replaced.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
fig. 12
The battery charge may be checked
through the indicator A(where re-
quired) set on the battery cover and act-
ing according to the colour the indica-
tor shows. Should the battery be not fit-
ted with battery charge inspection de-
vice (optical electrolyte indicator), in-
spection operations shall be carried out
by skilled personnel only.
Refer to the table below.
A0F0127mfig. 12
After connecting/discon-
necting the battery, wait
for 3 minutes at least be-
fore fitting the electronic key in-
to the ignition device in order to
allow the climate control system
control unit to reset the positions
of the electric actuators that ad-
just air temperature and distrib-
ution.
IMPORTANT The charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.

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REPLACING
THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part having the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the Service schedule in this section will
no longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car. If after buying
the car, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm,
free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most
suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, check-
ing whether the car’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding
the load required, or whether it
should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
If the car is left inactive
for long periods at cold,
remove the battery and store
it in a warm place to prevent
freezing.
WARNING
When working on the
battery or near it, al-
ways wear the proper gog-
gles.
WARNING
Batteries contain sub-
stances that are very
harmful for the environ-
ment. You are advised to have
the battery changed at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services,
which is properly equipped for
disposing of used batteries re-
specting nature and the law.
The liquid in the bat-
tery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring
naked flames or possible
sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
WARNING
Running the battery
with low fluid level can
damage the battery beyond
repair and could also cause its
explosion.
WARNING

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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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CORRECT USE
OF THE CARIncorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wearfig. 13:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn.
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
Chigh pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
Tyres must be replaced when the tread
wears down to 1.6 mm. In any case,
comply with the laws in the country
where the car is being driven.
IMPORTANT NOTES
As far as possible, avoid sharp braking
and screech starts, etc. Be careful not to
hit the kerb, potholes or other obstacles
hard. Driving for long stretches over
bumpy roads can damage the tyres.
Periodically check that the tyres have no
cuts in the side wall, abnormal swelling
or irregular tyre wear. If any of these oc-
cur, have the car seen to at Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
Avoid overloading the car when travel-
ling: this may cause serious damage to
the wheels and tyres; if a tyre is punc-
tured, stop immediately and change it
to avoid damage to the tyre, the rim,
suspensions and steering system.
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, includ-
ing the space-saver spare wheel, every
four weeks and before long journeys:
pressure should be checked with the tyre
rested and cold.
For the correct tyre inflation pressure,
see “Wheels” in “Technical specifica-
tions” section.
A0F0120mfig. 13

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Remember that road
holding depends also
on the correct tyre inflating
pressure.
WARNING
If the pressure is too
low the tyre overheats
and this can cause it serious
damage.
WARNING
Never submit alloy
rims to repainting
treatments requiring to use
temperatures exceeding
150°C since the mechanical
properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them
from the right of the car to the
left and vice versa.
WARNINGTyres age even if they are not used
much. Cracks in the tread rubber are a
sign of ageing. In any case, if the tyres
have been on the car for over 6 years,
they should be checked by specialised
personnel, to see if they can still be
used. Also remember to check the space-
saver spare wheel.
In the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of dubious ori-
gin.
If a tyre is changed, also change the in-
flation valve; to allow even wear be-
tween the front and rear tyres, it is ad-
visable to change them over every 10-
15 thousand kilometres, keeping them
on the same side of the car so as to not
reverse the direction of rotation.

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WINDSCREEN/
REARSCREEN
WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn
they should be replaced. In any case
they should be changed once a year.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rub-
ber hoses are concerned, carefully fol-
low the Service schedule in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and
prolonged lack of fluid in the system
may cause hardening and cracking of
the hoses, with possible leaks. Careful
control is therefore necessary.
Driving with worn
wiper blades is a seri-
ous hazard, because visibility
is reduced in bad weather.
WARNING
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
❒if the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen
the rubber against glass. If neces-
sary, thaw using an antifreeze prod-
uct;
❒remove any snow from the glass:
in addition to protecting the blades,
this prevents effort on the motor and
overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen
wipers on dry glass.

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CORRECT USE
OF THE CARChanging the rearscreen
wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
❒raise cover A-fig. 15and remove
the arm by loosening the nut Bthat
secures it to the revolving pin;
❒fit the new arm, tighten the nut B
and then lower the cover A.
SPRAY NOZZLES
If the jet of fluid is missing, firstly check
that there is fluid in the reservoir: see
“Checking fluid levels” in this section).
Then check that the nozzle holes are not
clogged, if necessary use a needle.
Fluid jets shall be directed at about 1/3
height from the window upper edge.
HEADLIGHT WASHERS
Regularly check that the spray jets are
intact and clean.
The headlight washers are automatical-
ly switched on when the windscreen
washer is operated and the dipped
beams are on. Changing the windscreen
wiper blades fig. 14
How to remove the blade:
– raise the windscreen wiper arm A;
– turn the blade Bby 90° around pin
C, on the final section of the arm;
– remove the blade from the pin C.
How to refit the new blade:
– fit pin Cinto the hole in the middle
of the blade B;
– refit the arm with the blade on the
windscreen.
A0F0080mfig. 14A0F0249mfig. 15