light Alfa Romeo GT 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
23
REAR-VIEW MIRROR
ADJUSTMENT
INNER
The mirror, fitted with a safety device
that causes it to be released in the event
of a violent crash, can be moved using the
lever (A-fig. 28) to two different posi-
tions, normal or antiglare.
fig. 28
A0A0039b
Folding(fig. 30)
– In the event of need (for example
when the mirror causes difficulty in narrow
spaces) it is possible to fold the mirror
moving it from position (A) to position
(B).
fig. 30
A0A0041b
When driving the mirrors
should always be in posi-
tion (A).
As the driver’s wing mir-
ror is curved, it may slight-
ly alter the perception of
distance.
OUTER
Electric adjustment (fig. 29)
– use the switch (A) to select the mir-
ror required (right or left);
– pressing the button (B) in one of the
four directions, move the mirror selected
previously;
– position the switch (A) in the inter-
mediate locking position.
IMPORTANTAdjustment is possible
only with the ignition key at MAR.
fig. 29
A0A0040b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
32
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
For the best level of protection in the
event of a crash, all occupants must trav-
el seated and secured by suitable restraint
systems. This is even more important for
children.
According to 2003/20/EC Directive,
this prescription is compulsory for all
European Community countries.
Compared with adults, a child’s head is
proportionately larger and heavier than
the rest of the body, while muscles and
bone structure are not completely devel-
oped. Therefore, in order to restrain them
correctly in the event of a crash, different
systems are needed than adult seat belts.
The results of research on the best pro-
tection for a child are summarised in
European Standard ECE- R44, which in
addition to making them compulsory, sub-
divides restraint systems into five groups:
Group 0 - until 10 kg in weight
Group 0+ - until 13 kg in weight
Group 1 9 - 18 kg in weight
Group 2 15 - 25 kg in weight
Group 3 22 - 36 kg in weightAs it may be noted, the groups overlap
partly and in fact, in commerce it is possible
to find devices that cover more than one
weight group.
All the restraint devices must bear the
homologation data, together with the con-
trol brand, on a solidly fixed label which
must absolutely not be removed.
Over 1,50 m in height, from the point of
view of restraint systems, children are con-
sidered as adults and wear belt normally.
The Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes
seats for each weight group, which are the
recommended choice because they have
been designed and specifically experi-
mented for Alfa Romeo cars.
With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle fac-
ing backwards since the air bag ac-
tivation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal, re-
gardless of the seriousness of the
crash that triggered it. You are ad-
vised to carry children always with
proper restraint systems on the
rear seats, as this is the most pro-
tected position in the case of a
crash.SERIOUS DANGER
If it is absolutely
necessary to carry a
child on the front passenger seat
with the cradle child’s seat facing
backwards, the front passenger’s
air bag must be deactivated using
the key switch. In this case it is ab-
solutely necessary to check the
warning light Fon the instru-
ment panel (see paragraph “Pas-
senger’s front air bag”) to make
sure that deactivation has actual-
ly taken place. Moreover, the front
passenger’s seat shall be adjust-
ed in the most backward position
to prevent any contact between
the child’s seat and the dashboard.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
36
Below is a summary of the safe-
ty rules to be observed when car-
rying children:
– The recommended position for
installing a child’s seat is on the rear seat,
as it is the most protected in the event of
a crash.
– If the passenger’s air bag is deactivat-
ed,alwayscheck the warning light
F
on the cluster to make sure that it has
actually been deactivated.
– Carefully follow the instructions pro-
vided with the child’s seat, which the sup-
plier is obliged to attach. Keep them in the
car together with the documents and this
booklet. Do not use used seats without
the instructions for use.
– Always pull the tape to check that
belts are buckled.With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle fac-
ing backwards since the air bag ac-
tivation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal, re-
gardless of the seriousness of the
crash that triggered it. You are ad-
vised to carry children always with
proper restraint systems on the
rear seats, as this is the most pro-
tected position in the case of a
crash.– All restraint systems are strictly for one
child only: never use for two children at
the same time.
– Always make sure that the belts do
not rest on the child’s neck.
– During the journey, do not allow the
child to stay in abnormal positions or
release the belts.
– Do not carry children in your arms, not
even small babies. No-one, however
strong, can keep hold od them in a crash.
– In the case of accidents, replace the
child’s seat with a new one.
PRESETTING FOR
MOUNTING THE
“TYPE ISOFIX” CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
The vehicle is fitted with rear seat
arranged for mounting type Isofix child
restraint system, a European standardised
system for mounting child restraints. Type
Isofix is an additional option that does not
prevent from using traditional child
restraint systems. The type Isofix child’s
seat covers three weight groups: 0, 0+
and 1.
Due to its different anchoring system,
the type Isofix child’s seat shall be
anchored just using the metal brackets
(A-fig. 47) set between rear seat back
and cushion.
fig. 47
A0A0671b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
40
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
It is formed of a cushion contained in a
special recess of the dashboard that inflates
instantaneously and a cushion of bigger vol-
ume than the driver’s one
(fig. 51).
MANUAL DEACTIVATION OF
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
(
fig. 52)(optional for versions /
markets where applicable)
Should it be absolutely necessary to
carry a child on the front seat, the pas-
senger’s font air bag can be deactivated.
Deactivation/reactivation takes place
with ignition key at STOPand through
the key operating the switch in the glove
compartment. SERIOUS DANGER
If it is absolutely
necessary to carry a
child on the front passenger seat
with the cradle child’s seat facing
backwards, the front passenger’s
air bags must be deactivated using
the key switch. In this case it is ab-
solutely necessary to check the
warning light Fon the instru-
ment panel (see paragraph “Pas-
senger’s front air bag”) to make
sure that deactivation has actual-
ly taken place. Moreover, the front
passenger’s seat shall be adjust-
ed in the most backward position
to prevent any contact between
the child’s seat and the dashboard.
fig. 51
A0A0392b
fig. 52
A0A0392b
With passenger’s air bag
active, never place child’s
seats with the cradle fac-
ing backwards since the air bag ac-
tivation could cause to the child se-
rious injuries, even mortal, re-
gardless of the seriousness of the
crash that triggered it. You are ad-
vised to carry children always with
proper restraint systems on the
rear seats, as this is the most pro-
tected position in the case of a
crash.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
41
The key can be inserted and removed in
both positions.
IMPORTANTUse the switch only with
the engine off and the ignition key
removed.
The key-operated switch has two posi-
tions:
– passenger’s front air bag activated
(ONpositionP): warning light
Fon
instrument cluster off; it is absolutely pro-
hibited to carry a child on the front seat.
– passenger’s front air bag deactivated
(OFFposition
F): warning light Fon
instrument cluster on; it is possible to
carry a child protected by special restraint
systems on the front seat.
The warning light
Fon the cluster
stays on permanently until the passen-
ger’s air bag is reactivated.
Deactivation of the passenger’s front air
bag does not inhibit operation of the side
air bag.
SIDE AIR BAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)
SIDE BAG (
fig. 53)
The side bag is formed of an instanta-
neously-inflating cushion housed in the
back rest of the front seat and protects the
chest of occupants in case of a side crash
of medium-high severity.
WINDOW BAG (fig. 54)
The window bag is formed of two “cur-
tain” cushions housed in the side roof lin-
ing covered by a special trim, which pro-
tects the head of front and rear occupants
in the event of a side crash thanks to the
wide cushion inflation surface.
IMPORTANTIn the event of side
crash, you can obtain the best protection
by the system keeping a correct position
on the seat, thus allowing correct window
bag unfolding.
fig. 53
A0A0614b
fig. 54
A0A0615b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
43
GENERAL CAUTIONS
If the ¬warning light does
not turn on when turning
the ignition key to MAR or
if it stays on when travelling, this
could indicate a failure in safety re-
taining systems; under this condi-
tion air bags or pretensioners could
not trigger in the event of collision
or, in a restricted number of cas-
es, they could trigger accidentally.
Stop the car and contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
Do not cover the back rest
of front seats with trims or
covers there are not set for
the use of side bags.Never travel with objects
on your lap, in front of the
chest or with a pipe, pen-
cil, etc. Serious injury may result in
the case of the air bag being trig-
gered.
Always keep your hands
on the steering wheel rim
when driving, so that if the
air bag is triggered, it can inflate
without meeting obstacles. Do not
drive with the body bent forwards,
keep the seat back rest in the erect
position and lean your back well
against it.
If the car has been stolen
or an attempt to steal it
has been made, if it has
been subjected to vandals or
floods, have the air bag system
checked by Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
You are reminded that
when the ignition key is
engaged and in the MAR
position, even with the engine off,
the air bags can be triggered also
on a stationary vehicle, if it is
bumped by another moving vehi-
cle. Therefore, even with the car
stationary, never allow children on
the front seat. You are also re-
minded that with the ignition key
engaged in the STOP position, the
safety devices (air bags or preten-
sioners) are not triggered in the
event of an impact; in this case the
failure to trigger the air bags
should not be considered a system
failure.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
44
STEERING WHEEL
LEVERS
The devices and services controlled by
the levers on the steering wheel can only
be activated with the ignition key at
MAR.
LEFT-HAND LEVER
The left-hand lever controls the outer
lights except for the fog lamps and rear
fog guards.
When the outer lights are switched on,
the various controls on the dashboard are
illuminated.
Only with the ignition key at PARK,
regardless of the position of the knurled
ring, the sidelights and number plate
lights stay on.
Position (1or2-fig. 60) of the lever
causes the turning on only of the side-
lights (front and rear), on the right or left
respectively.
Lights switched off(fig. 55)
When the pointer in the knurled ring is
opposite the symbol O, the outer lights
are switched off. Turning the ignition key to
MAR, the
Fwarning light
(with the passenger’s front
air bag deactivation switch at ON)
turns on and flashes for a few sec-
onds to remind that the passen-
ger’s air bag will be activated in
the event of a crash, then it goes
off.The front air bags are de-
signed to be triggered for
heavier crashes than the
pretensioners. It is therefore nor-
mal for the pretensioners only to
be triggered for crashes within the
two activation thresholds.
Do not hook rigid objects
to the coat hooks and to
the support handles.
The air bag does not re-
place the seat belts, but in-
creases their effectiveness.
Additionally, as the front air bags
are not triggered for head-on-col-
lision at low speed, side crashes,
crashes from behind or overturn-
ing, in these cases the occupants
are protected only by the seat
belts, which must, therefore, al-
ways be fastened. Do not wash the seat
back with pressurised wa-
ter or steam (by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
45
Sidelights(fig. 56)
The sidelights are switched on by turning
the knurled ring from Oto
6.
The
3warning light on the instrument
cluster will come on at the same time.
Dipped-beam headlights (fig. 57)
These are switched on by turning the
knurled ring from
6to2.
fig. 55
A0A0063b
fig. 56
A0A0064b
Main beams (fig. 58)
To turn the main beams on, set the
knurled ring to position
2and push the
lever towards the dashboard (stable posi-
tion); warning light
1on the instrument
panel will turn on.
To set dipped-beams back pull the lever
towards the steering wheel.
fig. 57
A0A0065b
fig. 58
A0A0066b
When the dipped beam headlights and
the fog lamps are switched on, the outer
light control unit (integrated in the Body
Computer) works according to the follow-
ing logics:
– turning on the main beams, the
dipped beams turn off while the fog lamps
stay on, when restoring the starting con-
dition at dipped beam setting;
or
– turning on the main beams, the fog
lamps turn off and then turn on again
automatically as the main beams are
switched off.
Therefore, in the event of Body
Computer replacement, the outer light
operating logic may be different.
fig. 59
A0A0067b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
46
“Follow me home” device
(fig. 61)
This function allows the illumination of
the space in front of the car for the length
of time set, and is activated with the igni-
tion key at STOPor removed, pulling the
left-hand lever towards the steering
wheel.
This function is activated pulling the lever
within 2 minutes from when the engine is
turned off. At each single movement of
the lever, the staying on of the dipped
beams and sidelights is extended by 30
seconds up to a maximum of 3.5 min-
utes; the lights switch off automatically
after the time set.
Each time the lever is operated, the
1
warning light on the cluster turns on. Flashing(fig. 59)
The headlights are flashed pulling the
lever towards the steering wheel (instable
position) regardless of the position of the
knurled ring. The
1warning light on the
cluster will come on at the same time.
IMPORTANTOnly the main-beam
lights are flashed. To avoid penalties follow
local regulations.
Direction indicators (fig. 60)
Regardless of the position of the knurled
ring, moving the lever to the stable posi-
tion will:
up, position (1) - engage the right-hand
direction indicators.
down, position (2) - engage the left-
hand direction indicators.One of the warning lights (
RorE) will
come on on the instrument cluster at the
same time.
The lever is returned to its position auto-
matically and the indicators are switched
off when the steering wheel is straight-
ened.
IMPORTANTIf you wish to signal a
rapid change of direction involving only a
minimal movement of the steering wheel,
the lever can be removed up or down
without it clicking (unstable position).
When released, the lever will return to its
home position.
fig. 61
A0A0067b
fig. 60
A0A0068b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
49
Headlamp washers (fig. 65)
These come into operation when the
windscreen washer is turned on with the
dipped/main beam headlights on.
IMPORTANTOn certain versions
when the headlamp washer is operating,
the climate control system automatically
engages inside air re-circulation, to pre-
vent the smell of liquid detergent from
entering the passenger compartment.CRUISE CONTROL
GENERAL
The speed regulator (CRUISE CON-
TROL), with electronic control, makes it
possible to drive the car at the required
speed without pressing the accelerator
pedal. This reduces driving fatigue during
long journeys because the speed memo-
rised is automatically maintained.
IMPORTANTThe device can only be
engaged at speeds between 30 and 190
km/h.
fig. 65
A0A0704bCruise Control must be ac-
tivated only when the
route and traffic allow a
constant speed for a sufficiently
long distance completely safely.
The device is disengaged automatically
in any of the following cases:
– pressing the brake pedal;
– pressing the clutch pedal;
– if the ASR, MSR or VDC system cuts in;
– with Selespeed transmission if a gear
is changed;
– inadvertently moving the Selespeed
gear control lever to N.
CONTROLS(fig. 66)
Cruise Control is controlled by the
ON/OFFknurled ring (A), by the +/–
ring(B) and by the RESbutton (C).
Ring (A) has two positions:
–OFFin this position the device is
deactivated;
fig. 66
A0A0077b