battery Alfa Romeo GT 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
261
BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited
Maintenance” type and is fitted with an
optical indicator (A-fig. 12) for check-
ing the electrolyte level and charge.
Under normal conditions of use the elec-
trolyte does not need topping up with dis-
tilled water. To make sure that it is in effi-
cient conditions, at routine intervals check
the indicator on the battery cover which
should be dark in colour with a green cen-
tral area.
If the indicator is a bright light colour, or
dark without the green central area, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
fig. 12
A0A0224b
Batteries contain harmful
substances for the envi-
ronment. To change the
battery we advise contacting Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who
are equipped for disposal respect-
ing nature and the law.
The incorrect installation
of electric accessories
may cause serious dam-
age to the vehicle. If, after buy-
ing the car, you wish to install
accessories (alarm, radio,
radiotelephone, etc.) contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who
will be able to suggest the most
suitable devices and above all
advise about the need to use a
more powerful battery.
If the car is to remain
inactive for a long time in
very cold conditions,
remove the battery and take it to
a warm place, otherwise it may
freeze.
POLLEN FILTER
Have the dust/pollen filter checked once
a year by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services,
preferably at the onset of summer.
If the car is mainly used in dusty or heav-
ily polluted areas, the filter should be
changed at more frequent intervals than
specified in the Scheduled Maintenance
Programme.
IMPORTANTThe failure to replace
the pollen filter can considerably reduce
the effectiveness of the climate control
system.
When working on the
battery or near to it,
always protect the eyes
with goggles.
The liquid contained in
the battery is poisonous
and corrosive. Avoid con-
tact with the skin or eyes. The
battery should be charged in a
well ventilated place away from
naked flames or possible sources
of sparks: danger of explosion
and fire.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
262
– Turn on the charger.
– After charging, turn off the charger
before disconnecting it from the battery.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
Never attempt to charge
a frozen battery: it must
firstly be thawed, other-
wise it may burst. If freezing has
occurred, the battery should be
checked before charging by spe-
cialised personnel, to make sure
that the internal elements are not
damaged and that the body is not
cracked, with the risk of leaking
poisonous and corrosive acid.CHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANTThe battery charging
procedure is described only for information
purposes. This operation should be carried
out by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Charging should be slow at a low amp
rating for 24 hours. Charging for a longer
time may damage the battery.
Charge the battery as follows:
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
– Connect the charger cables to the bat-
tery terminal ensuring that the bias is cor-
rect.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
The battery charge may be checked sat-
isfactorily using the indicator, and acting
according to the colour the indicator
shows.
Refer to the table below or to the label
(fig. 13) on the battery itself.Working with a low fluid
level may damage the
battery irreversibly, even
causing it to burst.
Brilliantwhite colour
Dark colour
without green
area in the centre
Dark colour with green
area in the centre
Top up the electrolyte
Low charge level
Sufficient electrolyte level and chargeContact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services
Charge the battery
(you are advised to contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services)
No action
fig. 13
A0A0393b

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
264
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wear:
(A): Normal pressure: tread evenly
worn.
(B): Low pressure: tread particularly
worn at the edges.
(C): High pressure: tread particularly
worn in the centre.
Tyres should be changed when the tread
thickness is reduced to 1,6 mm.
In any case follow local regulations.
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption switched on by the
user, such as for example: baby bottle
warmers, vacuum cleaner, mobile phone,
mini fridge, etc., quicken the battery
draining processif they are turned on
with the engine off or running at idle
speed.
IMPORTANT When installing addi-
tional systems on the vehicle, bear in
mind that improper branches on connec-
tions of the vehicle wiring are dangerous,
particularly if safety devices are involved.
WHEELS AND TYRES
TYRE PRESSURE
Check the tyre pressure of every wheel,
including the spare, every two weeks and
before a long journey. The pressure should
be checked with the tyre rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is in use; for the correct tyre
inflation pressure, see “Wheels” in the
“Technical Specifications” chapter.
Battery
60 Ah
70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
36 mA
42 mA
The maximum absorption of all the
accessories (standard and fitted after-
wards) should be 0,6 mA x Ah (of the bat-
tery), as shown in the following table:
fig. 14
A0A0225b

INDEX
291
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
ABS system .............................. 150
Accessories purchased by the user .. 144
Additional stop light (third stop) .... 230
Air bags
- deactivating passenger’s air bag 40
- driver’s front air bag ................ 39
- front air bags ......................... 38
- general cautions ..................... 43
- passenger’s front air bag .......... 40
- side air bags
(side bag - window bag) .......... 41
Air cleaner .................................. 260
Air re-circulation .................... 105-120
Air vents ............................... 100-101
Alfa Romeo CODE ........................ 6
Armrest (front/rear) .............. 17-22
Ashtray (front/ rear) ............ 140 -141
ASR (system) ............................. 154
Battery ..................................... 261
- advice for preserving
the charge ............................. 263- checking the charge ................ 262
- replacement ........................... 263
- starting with an auxiliary
battery .................................. 211
Body marking/versions ......... 271-272
Bonnet ...................................... 147
Boot
- capacity ................................ 279
- extension .............................. 19
- lighting ................................. 146
- luggage net ........................... 22
- opening button ................ 124-145
- opening from inside ................ 145
- opening with remotecontro 18-145
- restraining the ........................ 146
- tailgate closing ....................... 146
- tailgate emergency opening ..... 146
- warnings for carrying luggage ... 146
Boot light
- changing bulbs ....................... 235
Brakes- checking fluid level
and topping up ....................... 258
- handbrake ............................. 126
- specifications ......................... 275
Braking lights (third stop) ............ 231
- changing bulbs ....................... 230
Bulbs replacement ....................... 221
Card holder ............................... 141
Cell phones (provision) ................ 143
Changing a wheel ....................... 212
Changing bulbs ........................... 222
Checking levels ........................... 253
Children (carrying safely) ............. 32
Cigar lighter ............................... 141
Cleaning and maintenance
- body ..................................... 268
- car interior ............................. 270
- engine compartment ............... 269
- fabric seats ............................ 270
- leather seats .......................... 270
- plastic parts ........................... 270

INDEX
292
- windows ............................... 269
Climate control, automatic
two-zone ................................. 109
Climate control system .......... 103-111
Controls ..................................... 124
CO
2emissions ............................ 287
CODE card .................................. 7
Compact spare wheel .................. 214
- characteristics ........................... 277
Correct use of the car........... 200
Courtesy light
- changing bulbs ....................... 234
Cruise control ............................. 49
Dashboard................................. 52
Demisting-defrosting
- door mirrors ................ 24-107-123
- rearscreen ....................... 105-123
- windscreen and front
side windows ................... 107-122
Diesel fuel filter ........................... 260
Digital multifunction display .......... 57
Direction indicators
- changing front bulbs ................ 229
- changing rear bulbs ................. 230- changing side bulbs ................. 229
- switching on .................... 44-45-46
Door locking system .................... 125
Door mirrors ............................... 23
Doors
- central locking ........................ 16
- opening/closing from inside ..... 15
- opening/closing from outside ... 15
- remote control ........................ 7
- remote locking/unlocking ........ 6-7
Electronic alarm system ............... 11
Emergency starting ...................... 210
- coasting ................................ 212
- starting with an auxiliary
battery .................................. 211
Engine
- identification codes/marking .... 272
- specifications ......................... 273
Engine compartment
- bonnet .................................. 147
Engine starting ........................... 200
- emergency starting ................. 202- ignition switch ........................ 14
- procedure for JTD versions ........ 201
- procedure for petrol versions ..... 200
- switching off .......................... 202
- warming the engine ................ 201
Engine oil consumption ................ 256
EOBD (system) ........................... 155
External lights (switching on) ....... 44
First-aid kit................................. 246
Flashing high beams .................... 45
Fluids (specifications) .................. 284
Follow me home device ............... 46
Foglights
- changing bulbs ................. 225-227
- switching on .......................... 124
Front ceiling light ........................ 138
- changing bulbs ....................... 232
Fuel
- at the filling station ................. 273
- automatic shut off switch ......... 125
- consumption .......................... 286
- fuel cap ................................. 198
- level gauge and reserve ........... 56