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

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.
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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

❒after reaching the tyre pressure spec-
ified in paragraph “Wheels” in sec-
tion “Technical Specifications”, start
driving immediately;
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Apply the sticker in a
visible position for the
driver to indicate that the tyre
has been treated with the
quick tyre repair kit. Drive
carefully especially when cor-
nering and do not exceed 80
km/h. Avoid heavy braking
and accelerating.
WARNING
You shall absolutely
communicate that the
tyre has been repaired with
the quick tyre repair kit. Hand
the instruction brochure to the
personnel charged with treat-
ing the tyre repaired with the
kit.
WARNING
If pressure falls below
1.8 bar, stop the car
since the tyre is excessively
damaged and the quick tyre
repair kit Fix & Go automatic
cannot guarantee suitable
sealing. Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING
❒after driving for about 10 minutes
stop and check again the tyre pres-
sure;pull up the handbrake;❒if at least 1.8 bar pressure is read,
restore proper pressure (with engine
running and handbrake on) and
restart;
❒drive with the utmost care to the
nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized
Service.

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USERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Water in diesel fuel filter sensor/flow meter F35 7.5 48
Brake light switch/central console control panel F35 7.5 48
Cruise Control F35 7.5 48
AQS sensor F35 7.5 48
Disponible F36 – 48
Instrument panel branch point F37 10 48
Front headlight control unit/Power to control unit
for gas-discharge headights (Bixenon) (where provided) F37 10 48
Boot locking/unlocking gearmotor F38 15 48
EOBD system diagnostic socket F39 10 48
T.P.M.S. control unit F39 10 48
Mobile phone presetting F39 10 48
Alarm system control unit (where provided) F39 10 48
Climate control system F39 10 48
Heated rear window F40 30 48
Windscreen washer/rear window washer nozzle demister F41 7.5 48
Heated mirror demister F41 7.5 48
Brake branch point power (ABS/VDC) –
Steering angle branch point – Yawing sensor F42 7.5 48
Windscreen wiper/washer F43 30 48

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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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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

CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
(optional for versions/
markets where applicable)
Remove dried on dirt with lightly moist-
ened chamois leather or cloth without
pressing too hard.
Remove liquid or grease stains with a dry
absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap.
If the stain persists, use specific prod-
ucts, carefully following the instructions
for use.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or al-
cohol-based products.
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Upholstery of your car
has been designed to
withstand wear deriv-
ing from common use of the car.
You are however recommended
to avoid strong and/or contin-
uous scratching with clothing ac-
cessories such as metallic buck-
les, studs, Velcro fastenings and
the like, since these items cause
circumscribed stress of the cov-
er fabric that could lead to yarn
breaking, and damage the cov-
er as a consequence.INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause oxidisation of the
sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND
FABRIC AND VELVET PARTS
Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if
the brush is moistened.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral de-
tergent.

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CORRECT USE
OF THE CARIDENTIFICATION LABEL
This is to be found in the engine com-
partment, aside the upper right shock-
absorber connection and it bears the fol-
lowing identification data:
A.Space for details of national ho-
mologation
B.Space for punching the consecutive
chassis number
IDENTIFICATION
DATA
You are advised to note the identifica-
tion codes. The identification data
stamped and given on the plates and
their position are the following
fig. 1:
1- Identification label
2- Body label
3- Bodywork paint identification label
4- Engine label.C.Space available for maximum
weights authorised by various national
regulations
D.Space for version and any supple-
mentary indications to those specified
E.Space for smoke coefficient (diesel
versions only)
F.Space for punching the Manufactur-
er’s name.
A0F0045mfig. 1A0F0013mfig. 2

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INDEX
– replacing ............................ 224
– useful advice for
lengthening the life ............. 225
Bodywork (cleaning) ................ 230
Bonnet ................................... 96
Boot ....................................... 90
– light replacement ................ 192
Brakes .................................... 241
Brake lights ............................. 188
Bulb (replacement) .................. 182
– general instructions ............. 182
– types of bulbs ..................... 183
Capacities ...................... 112-250
Car inactivity ............................ 152
Car maintenance................. 209
– periodical checks ................. 213
– service Schedule ................. 211
– scheduled service ................ 210
– use of the car under heavy
conditions . ......................... 213
Carrying children safely ............. 121– child restraint systems ......... 124
– passenger’s seat compliance . 124
– presetting for mounting
the “Universal Isofix”
child restraint system ........... 126
Ceiling lights ............................ 75
Checking fluid levels ................. 214
Cigar lighter ............................. 82
Climate control system .............. 49
– automatic two-zone ............. 54
– manual .............................. 51
CO
2emissions ......................... 254
CODE card ............................... 11
Containing running costs ........... 145
Controls .................................. 77
Correct use of the car........ 137
Courtesy mirror light
– bulb replacement ................ 191
Cruise Control .......................... 72
Dashboard .............................. 8
Dashboard and controls.... 6 ABS system ............................ 99
Accessories purchased
by the owner ......................... 106
Additional heater ...................... 64
Air/pollen filter . ....................... 222
Air vents ................................. 50
Alarm ..................................... 17
Alfa Romeo CODE system .......... 9
Armrest
– central ............................... 80
– rear .................................. 81
Ashtray ................................... 82
ASR system ............................. 102
At the filling station .......... 112-250
Automatic headlight sensor ........ 66
Automatic two zone
climate control system ............ 54
Battery
– checking the charge ............ 223
– jump starting ...................... 170
– recharging .......................... 204
I I
N N
D D
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X X