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

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TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM -
T.P.M.S. (where provided)
(optional for versions/markets
where applicable)
The car can be equipped with the
T.P.M.S. (Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem). This system consists of a radio-fre-
quency sensor, installed on each wheel
(on the rim inside the tyre) that sends
pressure information to the control unit.IMPORTANT NOTES
Failure indications will not be stored and
therefore will not be displayed when
turning the engine off and on again. If
failure persists, the control unit will send
warning indications to the instrument
panel only after a few seconds when the
car is moving.
Tyre pressure should be checked with
tyres cold. Should it become necessary
for whatever reason to check pressure
with hot tyres, do not reduce pressure
although it is higher than the prescribed
value but repeat the check when tyres
are cold (see section “Wheels” in sec-
tion “Technical Specifications”).T.P.M.S. cannot indicate sudden tyre
pressure drops (e.g.: tyre burst). In this
event, brake the car cautiously and
avoid sudden steering.
The T.P.M.S. system requires special
equipment. Consult Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services to know what type of ac-
cessories are compatible with the sys-
tem (wheels, wheel caps, etc.). Using
other accessories could cause system
malfunctioning. Due to inflation valve
special characteristics, use only tyre re-
pair sealants approved by Alfa Romeo;
other sealants could cause system mal-
functioning.
The T.P.M.S. does not
exempt the driver from
checking tyre pressure, includ-
ing the space-saver spare
wheel (where provided) at
regular intervals.
WARNING

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If the car is fitted with T.P.M.S. system,
when changing a tyre, change also the
rubber seal of the valve and the fas-
tening ring of the sensor. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
Strong radio-frequency disturbances
could inhibit proper TPMS system oper-
ation. This condition is indicated by a
dedicated massage on the display. This
indication will go off automatically as
soon as the radio-frequency disturbance
ceases.If after repairing a punctured tyre with
the Fix&Go automatic kit and restoring
the initial conditions the flat tyre warn-
ing light continues to stay on, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Tyre pressure could change according to
outside temperature. For this reason the
T.P.M.S. system could temporarily indi-
cate low tyre pressure. In this event
check pressure with cold tyres and re-
store proper inflation values if required.If the car is fitted with T.P.M.S. system,
tyre and/or rim removal and refitting
operations involve special precautions;
to prevent damages or wrong sensor re-
fitting, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have tyre and/or rim
changed.

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Due to the snow tyre features, under
normal conditions of use or on long mo-
torway journeys, the performance of
these tyres is lower than that of normal
tyres. It is therefore necessary to limit
their use to the purposes for which they
are certified.
IMPORTANTWhen snow tyres are
used with a max speed index below the
one that can be reached by the car (in-
creased by 5%), place a notice in the
passenger compartment, plainly in the
driver’s view which states the max per-
missible speed of the snow tyres (as per
EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety
when driving and braking and better dri-
veability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services will be
glad to provide advice concerning the
most suitable type of tyre for the cus-
tomer’s requirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in para-
graph “Wheels” in section “Technical
specifications”.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread
depth is below 4 mm. In this case, they
should be replaced.
The max speed for
snow tyres with “Q”
marking is 160 km/h; 190
km/h for tyres with “T”
marking and 210 km/h for
tyres with H marking. The
Road Traffic Code speed lim-
its must however be always
strictly observed.
WARNING

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W W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G
L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S
A A
N N
D D
M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E
S S
LOW BRAKE FLUID/
HANDBRAKE ON ................................................. 155
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................. 155
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED ................................. 155
AIR BAG FAILURE................................................ 156
PASSANGER’S FRONT AIR BAGS DEACTIVATED ........ 157
ENGINE COOLANT HIGH TEMPERATURE.................. 157
ENGINE OIL HIGH TEMPERATURE .......................... 158
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE/ EXHAUST OIL .......... 158
LOW BATTERY CHARGE ....................................... 158
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING ............................... 159
BONNET OPEN ................................................... 159
BOOT OPEN....................................................... 159
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE....................................... 159
CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
STEERING LOCK INHIBITION................................. 160
ALARM FAILURE/BREAK-IN ATTEMPT/
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT RECOGNIZED ...................... 160
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE ON THE ROAD............ 161
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUGS/
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUG FAILURE ....................... 161
WATER IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER ............................. 162INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCHED ON ................. 162
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE......................................... 162
EBD SYSTEM FAILURE......................................... 163
VDC SYSTEM .................................................... 163
HILL HOLDER FAILURE ........................................ 163
ASR SYSTEM (WHEEL ANTISKID SYSTEM) ............. 163
EXTERNAL LIGHTS FAILURE .................................. 164
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE ....................................... 164
REAR FOGLIGHTS ............................................... 164
FRONT FOG LIGHTS ............................................ 164
SIDE/TAILLIGHTS/FOLLOW ME HOME .................. 164
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS.................................. 164
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS .................................... 164
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ........................ 165
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ...................... 165
LIGHT SENSOR FAILURE........................................ 165
RAIN SENSOR FAILURE......................................... 165
PARKING SENSORS FAILURE ................................ 165
FUEL RESERVE - LIMITED CRUISING RANGE ............ 165
CRUISE CONTROL .............................................. 165
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED .................. 166
ANTIPINCH SYSTEM FAILURE ............................... 166
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID LOW LEVEL ............. 166
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED ...................................... 166
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM FAILURE ................................... 166
CHECK TYRE PRESSURE ...................................... 167
LOW INFLATION PRESSURE ................................. 167
TYRE PRESSURE UNSUITABLE FOR SPEED ............. 167

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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

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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 ").

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Please note:
❒the jack weight is 1.76 kg;
❒the jack requires no adjustment;
❒the jack cannot be repaired. If it
breaks it must be replaced with a
new jack;
❒no tool other than its cranking de-
vice may be fitted on the jack.To change a wheel proceed as follows:
❒Stop the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic
where you can change the wheel
safely. The ground should be flat and
adequately firm;
❒Turn the engine off, pull up the hand-
brake and engage first gear or re-
verse;
❒Using handle A-fig. 2, lift the stiff
coverB;
Never tamper with the
inflation valve. Never
place tools between the rim
and tyre. Check and restore, if
required, the pressure of tyres
and spare wheel to the values
given in section “Technical
Specifications”.
WARNING
A0F0132mfig. 2
❒remove the box as shown in fig. 3;
❒for versions fitted with “quick tyre
repair kit Fix&Go” take the tool con-
tainerfig. 4out of the boot;
A0F0007mfig. 3
A0F0134mfig. 4

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OF THE CAR❒if after 5 minutes it is still impossi-
ble to reach at least 1.5 bar, disen-
gage compressor from valve and cur-
rent outlet, then move the car forth
for approx. ten metres in order to dis-
tribute the sealing fluid inside the
tyre evenly, then repeat the inflation
operation;
❒if after this operation it is still im-
possible after 5 minutes to reach at
least 1.8 bar, do not start driving
since the tyre is excessively dam-
aged and the quick tyre repair kit
cannot guarantee suitable sealing,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services;
❒loosen tyre inflation valve cap, take
out the filler hose A-fig. 14and
screw the ring nut B-fig. 15on the
tyre valve;
❒make sure the compressor switch A-
fig. 16is set to 0(off), start the
engine and fit plug A-fig. 17in-
to the outlet/cigar lighter on the
front console and then turn on the
compressor by setting switch A-fig.
16toI(on);
❒inflate the tyre to the pressure spec-
ified in paragraph “Wheels” in sec-
tion “Technical Specifications”. Check
tyre pressure on gauge B-fig. 16
with compressor off to obtain precise
reading;
A0F0116mfig. 14
A0F0214mfig. 15
A0F0213mfig. 16A0F0217mfig. 17

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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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COLD TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Add +0.3 bar to the prescribed inflation pressure when the tyres are warm. Recheck pressure value with cold tyres.
With snow tyres, add +0.2 bar to the inflation pressure value prescribed for standard tyres.
Inflate tyres to full load pressures if driving at continuous speed exceeding 160 km/h.Tyres
215/55 R16 93V
front rear
2.3 2.3
2.6 2.6
Sapce-saver
spare wheel
T125/80 R17
4.2 Tyres
225/50 R17 98W
front rear
2.5 2.5
2.7 2.7TYRES
235/45 R18 98W
front rear
2.7 2.5
2.8 2.6
average load bar
full load bar