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

24
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
(petrol versions) fig. 17
This shows the temperature of the en-
gine oil and begins working when the
oil temperature exceeds approx. 70°C.
If the pointer reaches the red sector, re-
duce your demand on the engine.
A0F0179mfig. 17
The turning on of the warning light `
when travelling (together with a mes-
sage on the display) indicates that the
oil temperature is too high; in this case,
stop the engine and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTThe temperature of the
engine oil may rise towards the maxi-
mum values (red sector) when the car
is driven at low speeds, uphill, fully
laden or during towing, especially if the
ambient temperature is high.
A0F0180mfig. 18
TURBOCHARGER PRESSURE
GAUGE (diesel versions)
fig. 18
This shows the turbocharger pressure
value.

145
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Climate control
The air conditioner is an additional load
which greatly affects the engine leading
to higher consumption. When the tem-
perature outside the car permits it, use
the air vents where possible.
Spoilers
The use of aerodynamic optional extras
which are not certified for the specific
use on the vehicle, may reduce the aero-
dynamic penetration of the vehicle and
increase consumption. Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the
car (especially when driving in town)
and its trim greatly affects consumption
and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack
from the roof as soon as they are no
longer used. These accessories lower air
penetration and adversely affect con-
sumption levels. When needing to car-
ry particularly voluminous objects, prefer-
ably use a trailer.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window,
additional headlights, windscreen wipers
and heater fan need a considerable
amount of energy therefore, increasing
the requirement of current increases fu-
el consumption (up to +25% in the ur-
ban cycle).CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of
your car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service sched-
ule”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routine-
ly at an interval of no more than 4
weeks: if the pressure is too low, con-
sumption levels increase as resistance
to rolling is higher.

153
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
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

158
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ENGINE OIL
HIGH TEMPERATURE
Fitting the key into the ignition
device, the warning light (set on engine
oil temperature gauge) turns on but it
should go off a few seconds later.
Warning light turning on when travelling
(together with the message on the dis-
play) indicates that engine oil is too hot;
switch the engine off and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
If symbol w+ message are
displayed, contact immediately
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
w
`
If symbol v+ mes-
sage are displayed, con-
tact as soon as possible
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
to have engine oil changed and
displayed symbol
vturned
off.
LOW ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE
EXHAUST OIL
(diesel versions)
Low engineoil pressure
If message + symbol are displayed when
travelling stop the engine immediately
and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
Exhaust oil (diesel versions)
Message + symbol are displayed when
the system detects that the engine oil is
exhaust.
After the first indication, at each engine
starting the message + symbol will be dis-
played for about 1 minute and then every
2 hours until oil is changed.
v
If warning light `starts
flashing when travelling,
contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.

213
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions.
❒check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL Sele-
nia products, designed and produced
specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Techni-
cal specifications”).