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

This Owner’s Manual describes all the versions of the Alfa Brera, so you should only consider the
information concerning the trim level, engine and version purchased by you.
Dear Customer,
thank you for choosing Alfa Romeo.
Your
Alfa Brerahas been designed to guarantee the safety, comfort and driving pleasure typical of
Alfa Romeo.
This booklet will help you to get to know the characteristics and operation of your car.
The following pages contain all the indications necessary for you to be able to maintain the high standards of per-
formance, quality, safety and respect for the environment which characterize your
Alfa Brera.
The enclosed Warranty Booklet also contains the regulations, the warranty certificate and a guide to the services of-
fered by Alfa Romeo.
Services which are essential and precious because, when you purchase an Alfa Romeo you are not only acquiring a
car, but the tranquillity that comes from knowing that an efficient, willing and widespread organization is at your ser-
vice for any assistance problems you may have.
Have a good trip.

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical accessories (that will gradually drain the battery), contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the car’s elec-
tric system can support the required load.

CODE CARD
Keep the code card in a safe place, not in the car.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring it stays in tip-top condition and safeguards its safety fea-
tures, its environmental friendliness and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER’S MANUAL CONTAINS…
…information, tips and important warnings regarding the safe, correct driving of your car, and its mainte-
nance. Pay particular attention to the symbols
"(personal safety) #(environmental protection) â(car well-be-
ing).

Any queries concerning servicing should be forwarded to the showroom from which the car was purchased, the sub-
sidiary company or to our branch offices or any point of the Alfa Romeo Network.
Warranty Booklet
The Warranty Booklet is delivered together with every new car and contains the regulations tied to the services giv-
en by Alfa Romeo Services and to the warranty conditions.
Correctly carrying out the scheduled services specified by the manufacturer is the best way to maintain the perfor-
mance, safety characteristics and low running costs of your car. It is also necessary to maintain warranty cover.
“Service” guide
This contains the Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. The services can be recognized by the presence of the Alfa Romeo
badge and logo.
The Alfa Romeo organization in Italy can be found in the telephone book under the letter “A” Alfa Romeo.
Not all the models described in this booklet are available in all countries. Only some of the fittings described in this
booklet are fitted as standard to the car. The list of available accessories should be requested from the Alfa Romeo
Dealers.

10
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Message + symbol Y
displaying when driving
If message + symbol
Yare displayed
this means that the system is running
a self-test (for example for a voltage
drop).
If message + symbol
Ycontinue to
stay on the display, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
IMPORTANTEvery electronic key has
its own code, which must be memorised
by the system control unit. To memorise
new keys, up to a maximum of eight,
apply solely to Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services taking with you all the keys in
your possession, the CODE card, a per-
sonal identity document and the car’s
possession documents. The codes of the
keys not provided during the new mem-
orising procedure are erased from the
memory. This is to ensure that any lost
or stolen keys can no longer be used
to start the car.
OPERATION
Each time the electronic key is fitted in-
to the ignition switch, the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit sends a recog-
nition code to the engine control unit
to deactivate the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit has recognised
the code transmitted from the electron-
ic key.
If when fitting the electronic key into the
ignition device or starting engine the
code has not been recognised correct-
ly, a message + symbol will be shown
on the display (see section “Warning
lights and messages”).
In this case, the electronic key should
be removed and refitted; if the lock con-
tinues, possibly try again with the oth-
er keys provided with the car. If it is still
not possible to start the car contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
The electronic compo-
nents inside the key may
be damaged if the key is
submitted to sharp knocks.
If 2 seconds after fitting
the electronic key into
the ignition switch the
message + symbol continue to
be displayed, this means that
the code of the keys has not
been memorised, thus the car is
not protected by the Alfa Romeo
CODE system against attempt-
ed theft. In this case, contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorized Service
to have the key codes memo-
rised.

13
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARTo change the battery fig. 8proceed
as follows:
❒take out the metal insert Aby press-
ing button B;
❒remove the snap-fitted case B-fig.
9(red) by levering with the metal
insert Aof the electronic key in the
point shown in the figure;
❒remove the battery D-fig. 8from
the case taking note of the bias (in
the figure the positive pole is facing
downwards);
❒put the new battery into the case
with the correct bias;
❒put the case down into its seat and
refit the metal insert.
A0F0035mfig. 8A0F0242mfig. 9
Used batteries are
harmful to the environ-
ment. They should be
disposed of as specified by law
in the special containers pro-
vided, or take them to Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services
which will deal with their dis-
posal.
IMPORTANTNever touch the electric
contacts of the key and prevent fluid or
dust infiltration inside it.

18
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
HOW TO DEACTIVATE
THE ALARM
Press button Ë. The system will react as
follows (with the exception of certain
markets):
❒two brief flashes of the direction in-
dicators;
❒two brief “beeps”;
❒door unlocking.
The alarm can be deactivated by fitting
the electronic key into the ignition
switch.
IMPORTANTOn certain versions any
attempt to break in detected by the sys-
tem will be indicated by a warning mes-
sage on the instrument panel display
when fitting the electronic key into the
ignition switch.VOLUMETRIC PROTECTION/
ANTI-RAISING SENSORS
To make sure that the protection sensors
are working properly, check that win-
dows are shut.
This function can be cut out (for exam-
ple if you leave animals on the car) by
pressing button A-fig. 12on the front
ceiling light within 1 minute after in-
strument panel turning off.
When this function is off the button led
will turn on. Volumetric protection/an-
ti-raising sensors cut out shall be re-
peated at each instrument panel turning
off. Surveillance
When the system has been turned on,
the led A-fig. 11will flash to indicate
that the system is in the surveillance
mode. The led will flash continuously
while the system is under surveillance.
IMPORTANTOperation of the alarm
is adapted at the origin to the regula-
tions of the different countries.
Self-diagnosis and monitoring
of doors/bonnet/boot
If, after the alarm has been activated, a
second acoustic signal is heard, turn the
system off by pressing button
Ë, check
for proper locking of doors, bonnet and
boot, then turn the system on again by
pressing button
Á.
Otherwise if a door or bonnet/boot lid
is not correctly closed it will not be con-
trolled by the system. If the control sig-
nal is repeated when the doors and bon-
net/boot are closed properly this means
that the self-diagnosis function has de-
tected a system operating fault, in which
case it is necessary to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
A0F0086mfig. 12

19
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IGNITION
DEVICE
The ignition device is located on the
dashboard and it consists of the fol-
lowing:
❒electronic key reading device A-
fig. 13(set near the steering
wheel);
❒buttonSTART/STOP(set under
the electronic key reading device).
IMPORTANTTo prevent running
down the battery do not leave the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device when
the engine is off.
HOW TO CUT OFF THE
ALARM SYSTEM
To deactivate the alarm system com-
pletely (for instance during prolonged
inactivity of the car) simply lock the car
by rotating the metal insert (provided
inside the electronic key) into the dri-
ver’s door lock.
MINISTERIAL
HOMOLOGATION
In keeping with the laws in force in each
country on the subject of radio fre-
quency, for markets in which the trans-
mitter needs to be marked the certifi-
cation number is given on the compo-
nent. For certain versions/markets, the
code may also be marked on the trans-
mitter and/or on the receiver.
A0F0219mfig. 13
If the ignition device is
tampered with (for ex-
ample during an attempted
break-in) have it checked over
by Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services before travelling
again.
WARNING
When leaving the car
always remove the
electronic key from the ignition
device to prevent any passen-
ger in the car from inadver-
tently activating the controls.
Remember to engage the
handbrake and if the car is fac-
ing uphill, first gear and if the
car is facing downhill, reverse.
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car.
WARNING

20
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IMPORTANTIf when fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device, sym-
bol
Yis displayed (on certain versions
together with a message) check
whether the electronic key is the prop-
er one and then try to refit it into the
ignition device. If the problem persists
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL OFF
With the engine off and brake and clutch
pedal released, press button
START/STOPor take the electronic
key out of the ignition device.
Few seconds after the instrument pan-
el will gradually turn off.
IMPORTANTIf when removing the
electronic key from the ignition device
the instrument panel stays on, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
TURNING THE INSTRUMENT
PANEL ON
Proceed as follows:
❒fit the electronic key into the ignition
device;
❒if the electronic key is fitted yet,
press button START/STOPwith-
out pressing the clutch or brake ped-
al.
To safeguard the battery, when leaving
the car with the instrument panel on,
electric and electronic devices will be de-
activated after approx. 1 hour.
IMPORTANT Fit the electronic key in-
to the ignition device completely until
it locks into place.
IMPORTANTIf when fitting the elec-
tronic key into the ignition device the in-
strument panel stays off, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
A0F0028mfig. 14
ENGINE STARTING
See paragraph “Engine starting” in sec-
tion “Correct use of the car”.
START/STOP BUTTON
fig. 14
ButtonSTART/STOP, set on the
dashboard, controls car electric systems
and engine starting/stopping.
ButtonSTART/STOPis fitted with
knurled ring and led. When the led and
the instrument panel are on, the engine
can be started.

21
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
It is absolutely forbidden
to carry out whatever
after-market operation involv-
ing steering system or steering
column modifications (e.g.: in-
stallation of anti-theft device)
that could badly affect perfor-
mance and safety, cause the
lapse of warranty and also re-
sult in non-compliance of the car
with homologation require-
ments.
WARNING
Disengaging
The steering column lock will disengage
after fitting the electronic key into the
ignition device.
IMPORTANTSwitching the engine off
when the car is running will not engage
the steering column lock till next switch-
ing off of the engine with car stopped. In
this event a dedicated message will be dis-
played.
IMPORTANTSteering column lock fail-
ure is indicated by symbol + message on
the display. In this event contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
The steering column lock will engage
5 seconds after removing the electron-
ic key from the ignition device and if the
following conditions are present:
❒engine off;
❒ instrument panel off with car at a
standstill;
❒electronic key removed from ignition
device.IMPORTANTIf after turning the in-
strument panel on and/or starting the en-
gine, the display shows the message “Car
protection system not available”, repeat
the operation using the moving the steer-
ing wheel to facilitate steering column un-
locking. Displaying of the warning mes-
sage will not impair steering column lock
regular operation.

22
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
FUEL GAUGE fig. 15
The pointer shows the amount of fuel
left in the tank.
0- tank empty.
1- tank full (see the indications given
in paragraph “At the filling station").
The fuel gauge warning light turns on to
indicate that approx. 10 litres of fuel are
left in the tank. When range falls below
50 km (or 31 mi) the display will show
a dedicated warning message.
If warning light
Kstarts
flashing when travel-
ling, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
A0F00177mfig. 15
INSTRUMENTS
REV. COUNTER
Rev counter shows engine rpm. The dan-
ger zone (red) indicates excessive high
engine revs. Do not drive for long peri-
ods with the pointer in this area.
IMPORTANTThe electronic injection
control system gradually shuts off the
flow of fuel when the engine is “over-
revving” (rev counter pointer in red
area) resulting in a gradual loss of en-
gine power, in order to bring back rpm
below the safety limit.The rev counter may, when the engine is
idling, indicate gradual or sudden increase
of engine revs as the case may be; such
behaviour is normal and must not be in-
terpreted as a faulty condition as it occurs
during normal operation, for instance when
climate control or electric fan are switched
on. In particular, slow revs variation helps
keep the battery charged.