engine oil Alfa Romeo Brera/Spider 2010 Owner handbook (in English)

7
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
A0F0056mfig. 1
1.Adjustable and swivel side air vents - 2.Front side window demisting/defrosting vents - 3.External lights control lever
-4.Instrument panel - 5.Driver’s air bag and horn - 6.Windscreen wiper control lever - 7.Upper central vent - 8.Ad-
justable and swivel central air vents - 9.Fuel level gauge/engine coolant temperature gauge/engine oil temperature gauge
(petrol versions) or turbocharger pressure gauge (diesel versions) - 10.Passenger’s air bag - 11.Passenger’s knees air
bag (for versions/markets, where provided) - 12.Glove box - 13.Sound system - 14.Heating/ventilation/climate con-
trols - 15.EngineSTART/STOPbutton - 16.Ignition device - 17.Driver’s knees air bag - 18.Sound system controls
on the steering wheel
(for versions/markets, where provided)-19.Cruise Control lever (for versions/markets, where provided)-
20.Bonnet opening lever - 21.Dashboard fusebox lid - 22.Switches for external lights, trip meter reset and headlamp aim-
ing device.

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 except
1750 TURBO BENZINA)
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 (1750 TURBO
BENZINA and diesel
versions) fig. 18
This shows the turbocharger pressure
value.

25
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
AUTOMATIC INSTRUMENT
PANEL LIGHT DIMMER
To give max. visibility and comfort un-
der whatever driving conditions (e.g.:
lights on in daylight, tunnels, etc…), the
speedometer is fitted with a sensor for
adjusting automatically, after fitting the
electronic key into the ignition device and
pressing button START/STOP, the
light intensity of the instrument panel dis-
play, sound system display, climate con-
trol system display, radionavigation sys-
tem display (for versions/markets,
where provided), and instruments (i.e.:
fuel level gauge, engine oil temperature
gauge for petrol versions or turbocharg-
er pressure gauge for diesel versions, and
engine coolant temperature gauge).
TRIP METER RESET fig. 19
To reset the trip meter, keep button A
pressed for a few seconds.
MANUAL INSTRUMENT
PANEL LIGHT DIMMER
With this function it is possible to adjust
on 8 levels the light intensity of the indi-
cations given on the instrument panel dis-
play, sound system display, climate con-
trol system display, radionavigation sys-
tem display (for versions/markets,
where provided), and instruments (i.e.:
fuel level gauge, engine oil temperature
gauge for petrol versions or turbocharger
pressure gauge for diesel versions, and en-
gine coolant temperature gauge).
To increase light intensity press briefly
button+on the left-hand stalk, to re-
duce it press button –: the display will
show an indication and a figure corre-
sponding to the current light intensity
level. This screen will be displayed for
a few seconds and then it will go off.
A0F0072mfig. 19

26
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARThe date Cin the middle of the display
will stay on until another display info is
activated (e.g. “Light dimmer”) or oth-
er information on car conditions.
With ignition key removed (when open-
ing a door) the display will turn on and
indicate for a few seconds time, km (or
mi) covered and external temperature .
INFORMATION ABOUT CAR
CONDITIONS (at event)
❒Scheduled servicing;
❒Trip computer;
❒Instrument panel light dimmer;
❒Engine oil level;
IMPORTANTWhen opening a door
the display will show for a few seconds
the time, the km covered and the ex-
ternal temperature.
RECONFIGURABLE
MULTIFUNCTION
DISPLAY
The “Reconfigurable multifunction dis-
play” shows all the useful information
necessary when driving, more particu-
larly:
INFORMATION ON
STANDARD SCREEN
❒ClockA-fig. 20;
❒External temperature B;
❒DateC;
❒Partial km (or miles) covered D;
❒Total km (or miles) covered E;
❒Indications on car conditions F(e.g.:
doors open, or possible ice on road,
etc. ...).
A0F0015mfig. 20

28
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Selecting “Date” and “Clock”:
❒briefly press button MENUto select
the first value to change (e.g. hours
/minutes or year /month /day);
❒operate buttons +or–(by single
press) to select the new setting;
❒briefly press button MENUto store
new setting and go back to the pre-
viously selected option of the main
menu, if this is the last one you will
go back to the previously selected
option of the main menu.
ENGINE OIL
LEVEL INDICATION
Fitting the electronic key into the igni-
tion device, the display will show for a
few seconds the engine oil level. At this
stage, to clear this indication and to go
to next screen, press button MENU.
Low/excessive oil level will be indicat-
ed by a dedicated warning message on
the display.
IMPORTANT Check the proper en-
gine oil level on the dipstick (see para-
graph “Checking levels” in section “Car
maintenance”).
IMPORTANTProper engine oil level
shall be checked with the car on level
ground.
IMPORTANTFor proper oil level in-
dication, after fitting the key, wait for
about 2 seconds before starting the en-
gine.
IMPORTANTEngine oil level could in-
crease after a long stop.
Selecting an option of the main
menu with submenu:
❒briefly press button MENUto dis-
play the first submenu option;
❒operate buttons +or–(by single
press) to scroll all submenu options;
❒briefly press button MENUto select
the displayed submenu option and
to enter the corresponding setup
menu;
❒ operate buttons +or–(by single
press) to select the new setting of this
submenu option;
❒ briefly press button MENUto store
the new setting and go back to the
previously selected submenu option.

85
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
SUN CURTAIN
INITIALISATION
PROCEDURE
Initialisation
After disconnecting the battery or failing
the protection fuse, the sun curtain sys-
tem shall be "initialised" again; proceed
as follows (the following steps shall be
carried out with engine on):
❒close the sun curtain completely:
– if the anti-crushing safety system
has cut in;
– "force" closing by keeping pressed
the button in closing position;
– 10 seconds after the sun curtain
will close jerkily (during this stage,
continue to keep the button
pressed);
– when the sun curtain stops, re-
lease the button and proceed as
follows;
❒remove the key from the ignition de-
vice for 10 seconds;
❒refit the key and start the engine;
❒press the sun curtain button in clos-
ing position and keep it pressed un-
til hearing the mechanical lock
(about 10 seconds after);
❒release the sun curtain button;
❒press again the sun curtain button in
CLOSING position within 3 seconds;
❒keep the button pressed in this po-
sition: the sun curtain will automat-
ically open and close completely
(keep on pressing the button during
the WHOLE opening/closing cycle);
❒then, release the button;
❒initialisation ended.
Should the opening/closing cycle fail,
repeat the initialisation operations from
the beginning.
MAINTENANCE
Sun curtain slide guides shall be cleaned
at regular intervals to remove any for-
eign matters that could impair regular
sliding.
IMPORTANT
Clean slide guides in order to remove
any foreign matters and dust.
Should slide guides be cleaned with sol-
vents/oil then, grease again sliding
mechanisms, wires, cables and also the
sliding components like the sun curtain
slide runners.
To clean the sun curtains, use common
fabric cleaning products for car uphol-
stery.

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.

151
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/HANDBRAKEON .................... 153
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................. 153
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED................................. 153
AIR BAG FAILURE............................................... 154
PASSANGER’S FRONT AIR BAGS DEACTIVATED ........ 155
ENGINE COOLANT HIGH TEMPERATURE ................. 155
ENGINE OIL HIGH TEMPERATURE.......................... 156
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE/EXHAUST OIL ........... 156
LOW BATTERY CHARGE....................................... 157
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING .............................. 157
BONNET OPEN.................................................. 157
BOOT OPEN..................................................... 157
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE...................................... 158
CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
STEERING LOCK INHIBITION ................................ 159
ALARM FAILURE/BREAK-IN ATTEMPT/
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT RECOGNIZED ...................... 159
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE ON THE ROAD ........... 160
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUGS/
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUG FAILURE....................... 160
WATER IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER ............................. 161
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCHED ON ................ 161
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................ 162
EBD SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................ 162
VDC SYSTEM ................................................... 162HILL 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 ................................... 165
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............................................. 166
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED .................. 166
ANTIPINCH SYSTEM FAILURE............................... 167
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID LOW LEVEL ............. 167
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED...................................... 167
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM FAILURE................................... 167
CHECK TYRE PRESSURE...................................... 167
LOW INFLATION PRESSURE................................. 168
TYRE PRESSURE UNSUITABLE FOR SPEED ............ 168

156
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.
`
LIGHT STAYS ON:
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
FLASHING LIGHT:
EXHAUSTED ENGINE
OIL (only Diesel
versions with DPF –
red)
Fitting the key into the ignition device,
the warning light switches on and should
go out as soon as the engine is started.
1. Low engine oil pressure
The warning light turns on and stays on
constantly (for versions/markets, where
provided) along with the message on
the display when the system detects
that engine oil pressure is low.
v
If warning light `starts
flashing when travelling,
contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
2.Exhausted engine oil
(only Diesel versions with DPF)
The warning light will flash and a specific
message will appear on the display (for
versions/markets, where provided). The
warning light may flash in the follow-
ing ways, depending on the version:
– for 1 minute every two hours;
– for 3 minute cycles with the warning
light off for intervals of 5 seconds until
oil is changed.
After the initial warning, each time the
engine is started up, the warning light
will continue to flash in the above men-
tioned modes, until the oil is changed.
A specific message will appear on the dis-
play (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided) in addition to the warning light.
If the warning light flashes, this does not
mean that the car is defective but sim-
ply informs the driver that it is now nec-
essary to change the oil as a result of
regular vehicle use.
If the warning light
vturns on when
the vehicle is travelling (on
certain versions together with
the message on the display)
stop the engine immediately
and contact a Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
WARNING

157
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
If symbol w+ message are
displayed, contact immediately
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
w
INCOMPLETE DOOR
LOCKING (red)
Symbol´+ message on the
display indicate that one of the doors
is not closed.
´
BOOT OPEN
SymbolR(red) + mes
sage on the display indicate
that the boot is open.
BONNET OPEN
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Symbol
S(red) + message on the
display indicate that the bonnet is open.
S
R
Exhausted engine oil
should be replaced as
soon as possible after the
warning light comes on, never
more than 500 km after the
warning light first comes on.
Failure to change the oil with-
in the first 500 km may result
in severe damage to the en-
gine and will result in forfei-
ture of the warranty.Remem-
ber that when the warning
light flashes, it does not mean
that the level of engine oil is
low, so if the light flashes you
must not top up.
WARNING
Note that engine oil is exhausted faster
under the following circumstances:
– use of the vehicle prevalently for city
driving, requiring more frequent regen-
eration of DPF
– use of the vehicle for short drives, in
which the engine does not have time to
reach its regular operating temperature
– repeated interruption of the regener-
ation process, signalled by the DPF warn-
ing light coming on.