check engine light Alfa Romeo GT 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
209
Keep your speed
down when snow
chains are fitted.
Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements to
prevent damaging the tyres, sus-
pension and steering. Remember
that with snow chains fitted the
brake distance will increase.
VEHICLE INACTIVITY
If the vehicle is to be left inactive for
long periods, the following precautions
should be noted:
– House the vehicle under cover in a dry
and possibly ventilated place.
– Engage a gear.
– Check that the handbrake is not
engaged.
– Clean and protect the paintwork by
protective wax.
– Cover the rubber windscreen and
rearscreen wiper blades with talcum pow-
der and raise them off the glass.
– Open the windows slightly.
– Inflate the tyres to a pressure of 0.5
bars above normal. If possible rest the
tyres on wooden planks and periodically
check the pressure.
– Do not turn on the electronic alarm
system.– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) from the battery and check the
battery charge. This check should be
repeated once a month during stowage.
Charge the battery if the loadless voltage
is below 12,5V.
– Do not empty the engine cooling sys-
tem.
– Cover the vehicle with a fabric or per-
forated plastic cover. Do not use compact
plastic covers which prevent the humidity
on the surface of the vehicle from evapo-
rating. Snow chains cannot be
fitted to the compact
spare wheel. So, if a front
(drive) wheel is punctured and
chains are needed, a rear wheel
should be fitted to the front of
the vehicle (inflate the tyres to
the specified pressure as soon as
possible) and the spare wheel
should be fitted to the rear. This
way, with two normal drive
wheels, snow chains can be fitted
to them to solve an emergency.
With snow chains fitted
it is advisable to turn off
the ASR system. Press
the ASR-OFF button, led on but-
ton on.

IN AN EMERGENCY
220
– make sure the compressor switchA-
fig. 16is set to 0 (off), start the engine
and fit plugA-fig. 17into the outlet/cig-
ar lighter on the front console and then turn
on the compressor by setting switch A-fig.
16toI(on);– inflate the tyre to the proper pressure
value. Check tyre pressure on gauge B-fig.
16with compressor off to obtain precise
reading;
– if after 5 minutes it is still impossible
to reach at least 1.5 bar, disengage com-
pressor from valve and current outlet, then
move the car forth for approx. 10 metres in
order to distribute the sealing fluid inside the
tyre evenly, then repeat the inflation oper-
ation;– if after this operation it is still impossi-
ble after 5 minutes to reach at least 1.8 bar,
do start driving since the tyre is excessive-
ly damaged and the quick tyre repair kit can-
not guarantee suitable sealing, contact Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services;
– after reaching the proper tyre pressure,
start driving immediately;
Apply the sticker in a vis-
ible position for the driver
to indicate that the tyre
has been treated with the quick
tyre repair kit. Drive carefully es-
pecially when cornering and do not
exceed 80 km/h. Avoid heavy
braking and accelerating.
fig. 16
A0A1100b
fig. 17
A0A0647b

IN AN EMERGENCY
227
– Fit a new bulb, making the tab of the
metal part coincide with the one on the
lamp unit, then hook the bulb holder catch
(B).
– Re-connect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.Fog lights (fig. 24)
IMPORTANTWhen needing to
change the left bulb, the side trim next to
the light itself needs to be removed to
facilitate access to the engine compart-
ment.
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover turning
counter-clockwise.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
fig. 24
A0A0161b
After replacement, refit
the covers correctly
checking that they are
properly secured.
IMPORTANTA slight layer of steam
(fogging) can appear on the inside surface
of the beam transparent cover: this is not
a defect. The presence of condensate
traces in beams is a natural phenomenon,
due to a low temperature and to the
degree of humidity in the air. These traces
will disappear when the beams are turned
on. Drops of water inside the headlight
indicate instead water infiltration: contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.

IN AN EMERGENCY
245
Take care when position-
ing the arms of the lift or
workshop lift to avoid
damaging the side strips.
USING AN ARM LIFT OR
WORKSHOP LIFT
The vehicle should be lifted only at the
side, setting the end of the arms or the
workshop lift in the illustrated areas, at
approx. 40 cm from the wheelhouse pro-
file (fig. 57).These areas are highlighted by the sym-
bol
▼on the lower part of the side mem-
ber.
The car may fall if the
jack is not positioned cor-
rectly. Never use the jack
for higher capacities than the one
stated on the label.
IMPORTANTFor versions with
Selespeed transmission, make sure that
the gears are in neutral (N) (checking
that the vehicle moves if pushed) and
then proceed as for towing a normal car
with mechanical transmission, following
the instructions given previously.
Should it be impossible to set the gears
to neutral, do not tow the car and contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.Do not start the engine
when towing the car.
IF THE VEHICLE IS TO BE LIFTED
fig. 57
A0A0672b

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
248
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard warning
lights, boot, passenger compartment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc..)
Check operation of windscreen washer system, adjust spray jets
Check position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check operation of front disk brake pad wear indicator
Check wear conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check the conditions of: body exterior, underbody protection, stiff pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts
(boots - sleeves - bushes etc..)
Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubrication
Sight check for accessory drive belt conditions
Check handbrake lever stroke adjustment
Check antievaporation system (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (JTD versions)
Top up fluid levels (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc..)
Check and if necessary top up the Selespeed automatic transmission oil level
(2.0 JTS versions)
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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
250
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long jour-
neys, check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid
level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen and headlamp washer
fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck and if necessary
top up the engine oil level.
The use of FL Seleniaproducts is rec-
ommended which have been designed
and made expressly for Alfa Romeo cars
(see “Refuelling” in the “Technical
Specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for exam-
ple about 10,000 km) the follow-
ing yearly inspection programme
is advised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if
necessary adjust the pressure (including
spare wheel)
– Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compart-
ment, glovebox lights, warning lights,
etc.)
– Check operation of windscreen wiper
system, spray jet adjustment
– Check position/wear of windscreen
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust -
fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots
- sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel
supply system hoses
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various
drive belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid
levels (engine coolant, brakes, wind-
screen washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
259
Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reser-
voir empty: the action of
the windscreen washer is funda-
mental for improving vision.
To avoid damaging the
pump motor, do not use the
windscreen/rearscreen
washers when the reservoir is
empty.
Some commercial addi-
tives for windscreen wash-
ers are inflammable. The
engine compartment contains hot
components which may set it on
fire.
IMPORTANTBrake and hydraulic
clutch fluid is hygroscopic (i.e. it 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 Scheduled Maintenance
Programme.
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN
HEADLIGHT WASHER FLUID
(fig. 11)
Open the cap (A) and check the level in
the reservoir.
If necessary top up using a mixture of
water and TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid as follows:
– 30% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 70% water in summer;
– 50% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 50% water in winter;
– in the case of temperatures below -
20°C use TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid neat. Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and highly cor-
rosive. In the event of
accidental contact, wash the
parts concerned immediately with
neutral soap and water, then
rinse thoroughly. See a doctor at
once if the fluid is swallowed.
Theπsymbol on the
container indicates syn-
thetic brake fluid, distin-
guishing it from the mineral kind.
Using mineral fluids irreversibly
damages the special braking sys-
tem rubber seals.
fig. 11
A0A0242b

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
263
2.close the driver's window completely
keepingthe button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after window closing (win-
dow upper stop);
3.repeat the same procedure (point 1
and 2) also for the front passenger's win-
dow;
4.check for proper initialisation by oper-
ating the windows automatically.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid rapidly draining the battery and
ensure that it continues to work correctly,
the following should be noted:
– The terminals must always be firmly
tightened.
– Within reason, avoid using electrical de-
vices for a long time when the engine is
switched off (radio, hazard warning lights,
parking lights, etc.). IMPORTANTIf the battery is kept
with a charge of below 50% it is damaged
by sulphation, its starting capability is
reduced and it is also more subject to the
possibility of freezing (this may occur
already at -10 °C). In the event of a pro-
longed inactivity, refer to the paragraph
“Vehicle inactivity”, in the chapter
“Correct use of the car”.
CHANGING THE BATTERY
When changing the battery it should be
replaced with another original one with
the same characteristics. If it is replaced
by a battery with different characteristics,
the maintenance intervals given in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme in
this chapter are no longer valid and for
maintenance it will be necessary to follow
the battery Manufacturer’s instructions.
IMPORTANTAfter control unit power
disconnection (battery replacement or dis-
connection and replacement of power win-
dow control unit protection fuses), the
power window automatism shall be
restored.
Proceed as follows with doors closed:
1.open the driver's window completely
keepingthe button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after window opening
(window lower stop);– When the vehicle is parked in a garage,
ensure that the doors, bonnet, boot and in-
ner lids are closed properly so that the lights
do not stay on permanently.
– Before carrying out any work on the
electric system, disconnect the negative ca-
ble from the battery.
– If after buying the car, you wish to in-
stall electric accessories which require a per-
manent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft func-
tion etc.) or accessories that burden the elec-
tric system, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most suitable de-
vices belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the vehicle’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding the load re-
quired, or whether it should be integrated
with a more powerful battery. In fact, as
some of these devices continue absorbing
energy even when the ignition key is off (car
stationary, engine off), they gradually drain
the battery.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
267
HEADLIGHT WASHERS
(fig.17)
Regularly check that the spray jets are
intact and clean.
If it is necessary to direct the jet, contact
an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are:
– atmospheric pollution
– salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates)
– seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the
abrasive action of wind-borne atmospheric
dust and sand and mud and gravel raised
by other vehicles.
On your car Alfa Romeo has implement-
ed the best manufacturing technologies to
effectively protect the bodywork against
corrosion.
fig. 17
A0A0704b
These include:
– Painting products and systems which
give the vehicle particular resistance to
corrosion and abrasion.
– Use of galvanised (or pretreated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to corro-
sion.
– Spraying of the underbody, engine
compartment, wheel arches and other
parts with highly protective wax products.
– Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner wheel arch lin-
ings, etc.
– Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of mois-
ture from triggering rust inside.
VEHICLE EXTERIOR AND
UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Alfa GTis guaranteed against perfo-
ration due to rust of any original element
of the structure or body. For the general
terms of this warranty, refer to the
Warrantly Booklet.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
269
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electronic
control units. Contact a specialised work-
shop to have this done.
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the en-
gine compartment should
be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid
used in the washing process.
IMPORTANTThe vehicle should be
washed with the engine cold and the igni-
tion key at STOP. After washing make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber
caps and various covers) have not been
damaged or removed. Windows
Use specific products to clean the win-
dows. Use clean cloths to avoid scratching
or altering the transparency of the glass.
IMPORTANTThe inside of the
rearscreen should be wiped gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.
Front headlights
IMPORTANTDo not use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g. petroleum) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) to clean the front headlight plas-
tic transparents.
Never use inflammable
products like fuel oil ether
or rectified petrol for
cleaning inside the car. The elec-
trostatic charges generated when
rubbing to clean may cause fire.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
Periodically check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water drip-
ping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.) which
could cause oxidisation on the sheet metal.
CLEANING SEATS AND FABRIC
AND VELVET PARTS
– Use a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner
to remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if
the brush is moistened.
– Rub the seat with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral deter-
gent.