engine oil Alfa Romeo GT 2006 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
60
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY
The reconfigurable multifunction display
is able to display all the useful and neces-
sary information when driving and a menu
allows the following adjustments and/or
settings:
TIME
DATE
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE
INFORMATION ABOUT VEHICLE CONDI-
TION
- Trip computer
- Lighting adjustment (rheostat)
- Display of failure messages with corre-
sponding symbol
- Display of warning messages with cor-
responding symbol (e.g.: possible ice
on road)
- Gear selected, for 2.0 JTS Selespeed
versions
- Engine oil level (JTD versions only)Reconfigurable multifunction
display menu
SPEED
- Activation/deactivation of the corre-
sponding indication (ON/OFF)
- Setting the speed limit
TRIP B
- Activation/deactivation of the corre-
sponding function (ON/OFF)
TIME
- Setting the hours
- Setting the minutes
DATE
- Setting the day
- Setting the month
- Setting the year
DST (SUMMER TIME)
- Activation/deactivation of summer
time
MODE 12/24
- Selecting the clock mode on 12 or 24
hours
RADIO
- Activation/deactivation of the follow-
ing items on the display:
frequency or RDS message of the
radio station selected, compact
disc and corresponding track selectedTELEPHONE
- Activation/deactivation of the follow-
ing items on the display:
incoming or outgoing phone call with
name and/or number of the sub-
scriber connected
NAVIGATION
- Activation/deactivation of the displays
and information concerning the route
to be followed
LANGUAGE
- Setting the language of the messages
shown on the display
UNITS
- Selection of the following units of mea-
sure: km, mi, °C, °F, km/l, l/100km,
mpg
BUZZER
- Buzzer volume adjustment
SERVICE
- Display of information concerning cor-
rect vehicle maintenance, strictly con-
nected with the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme
MENU OFF
- Exits the menu.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
63
If the display shows a failure message, see the details given in the
“Warning lights” chapter; if there are two or more failures, the display
shows them in cycle, one after the other. To eliminate the display of the
message and/or of the warning light repeated on the rev counter
by the reconfigurable multifunction display press button
Q.
INITIAL CHECK
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the reconfigurable multifunction display shows the message CHECK ACTIVE: the diagnostic phase of
all the electronic systems on the car has started; this lasts for about 4 seconds (for JTD versions only, the multifunction reconfigurable dis-
play is also able to show the engine oil level, see the “Engine oil level check” paragraph below). If no faults are detected, when the engine
has started, the display shows the OK message.
IMPORTANT If the reconfigurable multifunction display shows a failure message, see the details given in the “Warning lights” chapter.
Standard screen with
mechanical transmission Only JTD versionsStandard screen with
Selespeed transmission
The Programmed Maintenance
Schedule includes vehicle
maintenance every 20,000
km; this is shown automatical-
ly with the ignition key at
MAR, starting from 2,000
km (or miles) from this dead-
line and it is shown again
every 200 km.
If no failures
are presentIs the
engine
started?YES
NO

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
64
Engine oil level check
(JTD
16Vversions)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
reconfigurable multifunction display shows
the engine oil level for 10 seconds. During
this phase, to clear the display and move
to the next screen, press
Q.
IMPORTANTTo make sure that the
engine oil level displayed is correct, carry
out the check with the vehicle on the level
ground.
(Fig. 84) refers to the correct engine
oil level display. As the oil level gradually
falls, the full bars go off leaving room for
the empty ones.
fig. 84
A0A9101g
fig. 85
A0A9102g
fig. 86
A0A9103g
(Fig. 85) refers to the display with an
oil level below the foreseen minimum. In
this condition the bars are all empty.
IMPORTANTIn this case the correct
engine oil level should be restored as soon
as possible, see “Checking levels” in the
“Vehicle Maintenance” chapter. (Fig. 86) refers to the display with an
oil level above the foreseen maximum. In
this condition the bars are all full.
IMPORTANTIn this case, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who will
restore the correct engine oil level.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
86
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
¬
AIR BAG FAILURE
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warning light on the dial turns on, but it should go off after
approx. 4 seconds. The warning light stays on glowing steadily if there is an operating failure in
the Air bag system.
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 retaining systems; under this condition air bags or pretension-
ers 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 Autho-
rised Services.
The failure of the ¬warning light (warning light off) is also indicat-
ed by the flashing for more than the normal 4 seconds of the passen-
ger’s front air bag deactivated warning light.
v
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE
Turning the key to MARthe warning light on the dial turns on, but it should go out as soon as
the engine is started.
If the
vwarning light turns on when the car is travelling (on
some versions there is also the message + symbol on the reconfig-
urable multifunction display), stop the engine immediately and contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
92
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
GLOW PLUGS
Turning the key to MARthe warning light on the reconfigurable multifunction display turns on;
the warning light turns off when the glow plugs have reached the pre-established temperature.
Start the engine as soon as the warning light goes off.
IMPORTANTWith a high environment temperature, the warning light may turn on for an
imperceptible length of time.
WATER IN FUEL OIL FILTER
The message + symbol are shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when there is
water in the fuel oil filter.
The presence of water in the supply circuit may cause serious dam-
age to the entire injection system and cause irregular engine opera-
tion. If the message + symbol are shown by the reconfigurable multi-
function display, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible
to have the system relieved.
GLOW PLUG WARMING FAILURE
The message + symbol are shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when there is a
failure in the glow plug warming system. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as pos-
sible to have the fault eliminated.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
93
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
The message on the display is shown when the inertial fuel cut-off switch is triggered, on some
versions together with the warning light.
If after the display of the message the smell of fuel or leaks from the
supply system are noted, do not re-engage the switch to avoid the risk
of fire.
ENGINE OIL SENSOR FAILURE
The message is shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when there is a failure to the
engine oil level sensor. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible to have the
fault eliminated.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
106
DEMISTING
AND/OR DEFROSTING THE
WINDSCREEN AND FRONT SIDE
WINDOWS, REARSCREEN AND
WING MIRRORS
(MAX-DEF FUNCTION)(fig. 97)
Proceed as follows:
- turn the ring of the air distribution knob
(3)to the
-symbol.
The climate control activates all the functions
necessary to quicken demisting/defrosting of
the windscreen and side windows with tim-
ing (switching off automatically after 3 min-
utes), as follows:
- switches off air re-circulation, if engaged;
- sets the maximum air temperature;
- operates the fan at a predefined speed;
- directs the flow of air towards the wind-
screen and front side window vents;
- turns on rearscreen heating and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.When the max def function is on, the fol-
lowing are on: the led next to the rearscreen
heating button (5)
(.
IMPORTANTIf the engine is not hot
enough, the function does not immediate-
ly engage the pre-established fan speed, to
restrict the inlet of air to the passenger com-
partment that is not warm enough to demist
the windows.
After demisting/defrosting, simply use the
controls to maintain the optimum conditions
of vision and comfort.
IMPORTANTThe hotter the engine the
more effective defrosting will be.IMPORTANTIn cases of heavy damp
and/or rain and/or big differences in tem-
perature between inside the car and outside,
it is advisable to proceed as follows to
demist the windows:
- air re-circulation off, led next to button
(4)
voff;
- pointer of knob (2) at fan second speed
at least;
- pointer of knob (3) on symbol
≤with
the possibility of passing to position
yif
more misting is noted;
To defrost/demist the rearscreen, press
button (5)
(, led next to button on.
A0A0733b
fig. 97

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
121
QUICK FRONT WINDOW
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
BUTTON
(MAX-DEF FUNCTION)
(fig. 112)
Pressing button (7)
-the climate con-
trol automatically activates timed operation
of all the functions needed to quicken
demisting/defrosting of the windscreen and
front side windows, i.e.:
- it turns on the climate control compres-
sor;
- switches off inside air re-circulation, if on
(both leds off);
- sets the maximum air temperature (HI)
on both displays (1) and (5);
- operates the fan at a predefined speed;
- directs the flow of air towards the wind-
screen and front side window vents;
- turns on rearscreen heating and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.
When the maximum demisting/defrost-
ing feature is on, the led on button (7)
-, the led on the rearscreen heating button
(9)
(and the led on button (14)√turn on; at the same time the leds on but-
ton (8)
v.IMPORTANTIf the engine is not hot
enough, the function does not immediate-
ly engage the pre-established fan speed, to
restrict the inlet of air to the passenger com-
partment that is not warm enough to demist
the windows.
When the maximum demisting/defrost-
ing function is on, the only manual opera-
tion possible are manual adjustment of the
fan and switching rearscreen heating off.Pressing one of the following buttons
again: (7)
-, (8)v, (12)MONO,
(13)
AUTOor (14)√the system switch-
es off the maximum demisting/defrosting
function, restoring the operating conditions
of the system prior to turning it on, in ad-
dition to activating the last function required,
if any.
A0A0213b
fig. 112

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
122
WING MIRROR AND
REARSCREEN
DEFROSTING/DEMISTING
BUTTON
(fig. 113)
Pressing button (9)
(turns on demist-
ing/defrosting of the rearscreen and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.
The turning on of this function is shown by
the turning on of the led on the button.
This function is timed and switches off au-
tomatically after 20 minutes, or pressing the
button again; the function is also switched
off when the engine is stopped and will not
be switched on again the next time the en-
gine is started.
IMPORTANTThe system automatically
turns on rearscreen heating if the tempera-
ture is below 3
°C.
IMPORTANTDo not apply stickers on
the inside of the rearscreen over the heat-
ing filaments to avoid damage that might
cause it to stop working properly.
POLLEN FILTER
Have the conditions of the filter checked
by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services at least
once a year, preferably at the onset of sum-
mer.
If the vehicle is used mainly in dusty or pol-
luted areas it should be checked and, if nec-
essary, replaced at shorter intervals.
A0A0214b
The filter has the specific capability of com-
bining the mechanical filtering of the air with
an electrostatic effect so that the outside air
admitted to the passenger compartment is
purified and free of particles such as dust,
pollen, etc.
In addition to the above mentioned func-
tion, it also reduces the concentration of pol-
lutants.
The filtering action takes place under all
air inlet conditions and it is clearly most ef-
fective with the windows shut.The failure to replace the
filter may considerably re-
duce the effectiveness of
the climate control system up to
blocking the air flow from the out-
lets and vents.
fig. 113

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(upon request for
versions/markets where
provided)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols vehicle stability, intervening on the dri-
ving torque and braking the wheels in a dif-
ferentiated manner, in the lack of grip, it
helps to bring the car back to the correct
direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
intervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
The VDC system is engaged automatical-
ly when the car is started and cannot be
switched off.
The basic components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheels;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit, which with the data supplied
by the sensors installed on the car calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor, which
originates from the aeronautical industry, de-
tects the rotations of the car around its own
vertical axis. The centrifugal forces gener-
ated when the car is cornering are detect- The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case always be
adapted to the conditions of the
road surface, visibility and traffic.
The responsibility for road safety
is always and in any case the dri-
ver’s.
The VDC system helps the driver to keep
the car under control in the event of a loss
of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC system to
control the loss of vehicle stability always
depend on the grip between the tyre and
the road surface.