maintenance Alfa Romeo GT 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

CAR MAINTENANCE
237
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the car
should be washed in areas
equipped for collecting and purify-
ing the liquid used in the washing
process.Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substances many species re-
lease give the paint a dull appearance and
increase the possibility of triggering the rust
processes.
IMPORTANTBird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly aggressive.
To correctly wash the car:
1) Remove the aerial from the roof to pre-
vent damage to it if the car is washed in
an automatic system.
2) Spray the car with a low pressure jet of
water.
3) Pass a sponge moistened with a light
detergent solution, rinsing the sponge fre-
quently.
4) Rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or chamois leather.
When drying, take particular care with the
less visible parts like door surrounds, bon-
net and around the headlights where wa-
ter may stagnate. The car should not be tak-
en to a closed area immediately, but left in
the open so that residual water can evapo-
rate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the car.ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
The paintwork does not only serve an
aestethic purpose but also protects the un-
derlying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you
are advised to have the necessary touch-
ing up carried out immediately to avoid the
formation of rust.
Only original products should be used for
touching up paint (see “Body paint identi-
fication plate” in the “Technical Specifica-
tions” chapter).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the con-
ditions and environment of use. For exam-
ple, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are sprayed with salt, it is wise to wash the
car more frequently.

CAR MAINTENANCE
238
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed, with-
out directing the jet against electronic con-
trol units. Contact a specialised workshop 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 car should be washed
with the engine cold and the ignition 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 windows.
Use clean cloths to avoid scratching or al-
tering 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 clean-
ing inside the car. The electrostat-
ic charges generated when rubbing
to clean may cause fire.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
Periodically check that water is not trapped
under the mats (due to water dripping 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.

CAR MAINTENANCE
239
Do not keep aerosol cans
in the car. There is the risk
they might explode. Aerosol
cans must never be exposed to a
temperature above 50°C. The tem-
perature inside the car might go well
beyond that figure when exposed
to the sun’s rays.
INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS
For routine cleaning of interior plastic parts
use a soft cloth moistened with water and
neutral soap. Remove grease or persisting
stains using appropriate solvent-free prod-
ucts designed to preserve appearance and
colour of plastic components.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or petro-
leum to clean the glass of the instrument
panel or other plastic components.
STEERING WHEEL/GEAR LEVER
KNOB WITH GENUINE LEATHER
COVERING
These components shall only be cleaned
with water and neutral soap. Never use spir-
it or alcohol-based products.
Before using special products for cleaning
interiors, read carefully label instructions and
indications to make sure they are free from
spirit and/or alcohol-based substances. If
when cleaning the windscreen with special
glass products, some drops fall on the
leather covering of the steering wheel/gear
lever knob remove them immediately and
then clean with water and neutral soap.
IMPORTANTTake the utmost care
when engaging the steering lock to prevent
scratching the leather covering.
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
– Remove dried on dirt with a lightly
moistened chamois leather or cloth with-
out pressing too hard.
– Remove liquid and grease stains with
a dry absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap. If the stain per-
sists, use specific products, carefully follow-
ing the instructions for use.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or alco-
holbased products, even in small percentage.
Fabric upholstery of your
car is purpose-made to
withstand common wear
resulting from normal use of the
car. It is however absolutely nec-
essary to prevent hard and/or pro-
longed scratching/scraping caused
by clothing accessories like metal-
lic buckles, studs, “Velcro” fixings,
etc. that stressing locally the fabric
could break yarns and damage the
upholstery as a consequence.

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
260
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
ABS system .............................. 134
Accessories purchased by the user .. 127
Additional stop light (third stop) .... 200
Air bags ..................................... 38
Air cleaner .................................. 229
Alfa Romeo CODE ........................ 6
Armrest
- front ..................................... 17
- rear ...................................... 22
Ashtray
- front ........................................ 124
- rear ......................................... 125
ASR (system) ............................. 138
Battery
- advice for preserving
the charge ............................. 232
- checking the charge ........... 212-231
- replacement ........................... 232
Body (maintenance) ................... 236
Body versions ............................. 241 Bonnet ...................................... 131
Boot
- extension .............................. 19
- lighting ................................. 129
- luggage net ........................... 22
- opening from inside ................ 128
- opening with remotecontrol ..8-128
- restraining the load ................. 130
- tailgate closing ....................... 129
- warnings for carrying luggage ... 130
Boot light
- changing bulbs ....................... 204
Brakes ....................................... 245
Braking lights (third stop)
- changing bulbs ....................... 199
Bulbs
- general instructions ................. 193
- replacement ........................... 192
- type of bulbs .......................... 193
Card and glass holder ................. 125
Car maintenance.................... 216
Cell phones (provision) ................ 126
Changing a wheel .................. 181-183 Changing bulbs
- general instructions ................. 192
- types of bulbs ........................ 193
Checking levels ........................... 222
Cigar lighter ............................... 124
Cleaning and maintenance
- body ..................................... 236
- car interior ............................. 238
- engine compartment ............... 238
- windows ............................... 238
Climate control system ................. 81
Climate control system,
automatic two-zone .................. 89
Clock ......................................... 68
Controls ..................................... 106
CO
2emissions ............................ 256
CODE card .................................. 7
Correct use of the car........... 169
Courtesy light
- changing bulbs ....................... 203
Cruise Control ............................. 49

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
262
Inertial fuel cut off switch ............. 107
Installation of electric/
electronic devices ..................... 127
Instrument cluster ....................... 53
In the event of an accident ........... 215
Intelligent washing (windscreen) ... 47
Interior fittings (cleaning) ............. 238
Internal fittings .......................... 121
Keys ........................................ 6
Levers (steering wheel) .............. 44
Lights ........................................ 44
Load limiters .............................. 29
Low beam headlights
- changing bulbs ....................... 197
- switching on ..................... 44-45
Luggage restrainer net ................. 22
Main beam headlights
- changing bulbs ....................... 197
- switching on .......................... 45
Maintenance
- additional operations ............... 229 - annual inspection programme ... 219
- scheduled maintenance ........... 216
- scheduled maintenance
programme ............................ 217
Manual heater ............................ 83
Mechanical gearbox ..................... 109
Number plate lights
- changing bulbs ....................... 200
Oddment recesses ..................... 126
Paintwork ................................ 237
Parking ...................................... 172
Parking sensor ............................ 105
Performance ............................... 249
Pockets ..................................... 125
Pollen filter ................................ 230
Power windows .......................... 24
Pretensioners .............................. 28
Puddle lights .............................. 123
- changing bulbs ....................... 201
Radio transmitters and cellular
telephones .............................. 127
Radio ........................................ 141 Rain sensor ................................ 48
Raising the car ............................ 214
Rear ceiling light ......................... 123
- changing bulbs ....................... 202
Rear fog guards
- changing bulbs ....................... 199
- switching on .......................... 106
Rearview mirror .......................... 23
Reconfigurable multifunction
display .................................... 61
Reducing running costs ................ 172
Refuelling ............................. 166-252
Remote control ........................... 7
Rev counter ................................ 56
Reversing light
- changing bulbs ....................... 199
Rims ......................................... 247
Seat belts ................................. 26
- carrying children safety ............ 31
- front belt height adjustment ..... 27
- general instructions ................. 29
- load limiters ........................... 29
- maintenance .......................... 31
- pretensioners ......................... 28