battery Alfa Romeo GT 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
73
LOW ENGINE
OIL PRESSURE
Message + symbol are displayed when en-
gine oil pressure is low.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE
Message + symbol are displayed when the
battery charge is low.
If message + symbol are displayed, con-
tact immediately Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off after
few seconds.
The warning light stays on glowing steadi-
ly if there is a failure in the air bag system.
¬vw
If when turning the igni-
tion key to MAR, the
warning light
¬does not
turn on or if it stays on when trav-
elling there could be a failure in
safety systems; in this event air
bags or pretensioners could not
trigger in case of impact or, in a mi-
nor number of cases, they could
trigger accidentally. Before restart-
ing contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
The failure of the warning
light
¬(warning light off)
is also indicated by the
flashing for more than the normal
4 seconds of the air bag warning
light
¬.
If message + symbol are
displayed when travelling
stop the engine immedi-
ately and contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
121
INTERIOR FITTINGS
GLOVEBOX
On the dashboard there is a glovebox with
lid and light.
To open use handle (A-fig. 128).
When the glovebox is opened with the key
atMARan inside courtesy light turns on
(A-fig. 129).
FRONT ROOF LIGHT
(fig. 130)
The roof light comprises two courtesy lights
with corresponding control switch.
IMPORTANTWhen a door is opened,
the roof light turns on and timing of about
3 minutes is activated automatically, after
which it goes off; closing the doors (within
the 3 minutes) a second timing of about 7
seconds is activated to allow car starting.
fig. 128
A0A0108b
fig. 129
A0A0109b
Never travel with the
glovebox open: the lid
might harm the passenger
in the event of an accident.
The fitting is completed by device (B), on
the lid, for inserting a pen or pencil.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOP, opening the glovebox, the light in-
side can only be turned on for 15 minutes;
after which the system turns it off to avoid
draining the battery.
fig. 130
A0A0111b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
122fig. 131
A0A0112b
Unlocking the doors using the remote con-
trol, the roof light turns on gradually and tim-
ing is activated automatically for about 15
seconds. Locking the doors with the remote
control the roof light turns off gradually.
The lights are turned off moving the igni-
tion key to MAR(with the doors closed).
With switch (A) in the central position
(1), both lights are turned on when a door
is opened.
Pressing switch (A) to the left (position
0), the lights stay off (OFFposition).
Pressing switch (A) to the right (position
2) both lights stay on.
Switch (B) turns the lights on individually.
Pressing switch (B) to the left (position 0)
the left light is turned on. Pressing the switch
to the right (position 2) the right light is
turned on.
With switch (B) in the central position (po-
sition1) the lights stay off. IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOP, turning the roof light on is only pos-
sible for 15 minutes; after which the system
turns it off to avoid draining the battery.
IMPORTANTBefore leaving the car,
make sure that both switches are in the cen-
tral position. By so doing, the roof lights will
turn off when the doors are closed. Forget-
ting a door open the lights will turn off au-
tomatically after a few seconds. COURTESY LIGHTS
(fig. 131)
On the back of the driver’s or passenger’s
sun visor, opening the cover (A) the roof
lights turn on (B) at the side of the courtesy
mirror, with the ignition key at MAR. These
lights allow use of the courtesy mirror when
the light is poor.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOPthe lights can be activated only for
15 minutes: after which the system turns
them off to avoid draining the battery.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
123
REAR ROOF LIGHT (fig. 132)
IMPORTANTWhen a door is opened,
the roof light turns on and timing of about
3 minutes is activated automatically, after
which it goes off; closing the doors (within
the 3 minutes) a second timing of about 7
seconds is activated to allow car starting.
Unlocking the doors using the remote con-
trol, the roof light turns on gradually and tim-
ing is activated automatically for about 15
seconds. Locking the doors with the remote
control the roof light turns off gradually.
The light turns off in any case turning the
ignition key to MAR(with the door
closed).PUDDLE LIGHTS (fig. 133)
(for versions/markets where
applicable)
The light (A) housed in the doors turns on
when the associated door is opened, re-
gardless of the position of the ignition key.
fig. 132
A0A0633b
On the light there is a switch with three
positions.
When switch (A) is in the central posi-
tion (0) the light turns on automatically
when a door is opened.
Moving the switch to the right (position 1)
the light stays off.
Moving the switch to the left (position 2)
the light stays on.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOPthe roof light can be turned on for
only 15 minutes; after which it is turned off
to avoid draining the battery.
IMPORTANTBefore leaving the car,
make sure that the switch (A) is in the cen-
tral position (0), so that the roof light turns
off when the doors are closed.
fig. 133
A0A0243b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
127
RADIO
TRANSMITTERS
AND CELLULAR
TELEPHONES
Mobile phones and other radio transceiv-
er equipment (e.g.: HAM radio systems and
the like) shall not be used inside the car un-
less a separate aerial is mounted.
IMPORTANTThe use of mobile phones,
HAM radio systems or other similar devices
inside the passenger compartment (without
separate aerial) may cause electronic sys-
tems equipping the car to malfunction. This
could compromise safety in addition to con-
stituting a potential hazard for the passen-
gers.
In addition, transmission and reception of
these devices may be affected by the shield-
ing effect of the car body.
As concerns the use of mobile phones
(GSM, GPRS, UMTS) with homologa-
tion, keep strictly to the mobile phone man-
ufacturer’s specifications.
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED BY
THE OWNER
If after buying the car, you decide to install
electrical accessories that require a perma-
nent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft, etc.)
or accessories that in any case burden the
electric supply, contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Services, whose qualified personnel,
besides suggesting the most suitable devices
belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo, will
also evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the car electric system is
able to withstand the load required, or
whether it needs to be integrated with a
more powerful battery.
INSTALLATION OF
ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC
DEVICES
Electric/electronic devices installed after
buying the car or in aftermarket shall bear
the and marking:
Fiat Auto S.p.A. authorizes the installation
of transceivers provided that installation is
carried out at a specialized shop, work-
manlike performed and in compliance with
manufacturer’s specifications.
IMPORTANTInstallation of devices re-
sulting in modifications of car characteristics
may cause driving license seizing by traffic
agents and also the lapse of the warranty
as concerns defects due to the abovemen-
tioned modification or traceable back to it
directly or indirectly.
Fiat Auto S.p.A. declines all responsibility
for damages caused by the installation of
non-genuine accessories or not recom-
mended by Fiat Auto S.p.A. and installed
not in compliance with the specified re-
quirements.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
129fig. 143
A0A0637b
fig. 144
A0A0658b
Closing the tailgate again, the control func-
tions are restored, the system “beeps” twice
(with the exception of certain markets).
TAILGATE CLOSING
To lock, push in correspondence with the
Alfa Romeo badge to lower tailgate, until
you feel the click of the lock.
BOOT LIGHT (fig. 143)
When the tailgate is opened the light turns
on automatically (A) in the right-hand side
of the boot. Closing the tailgate, the light
turns off automatically.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOP, opening the tailgate, turning on the
light will only be possible for 15 minutes;
after which the system turns it off to avoid
draining the battery. EMERGENCY OPENING
OF TAILGATE
To succeed in opening the tailgate from the
inside, should the car battery be flat, or be-
cause of a defect of the electric lock of the
tailgate itself, proceed as follows (see “Ex-
tending the luggage compartment” in the
chapter “Getting to know you car”):
– tilt the rear seat cushions;
– tilt the backrests;
– unlock the lock by pulling the string (A-
fig. 144) (the string is located inside the
right recess in the tailgate).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
135
Always take due care when braking on
bends, even with the help of the ABS.
The most important advice of all, howev-
er, is this:
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the pulsing on the
pedal, do not lighten the
pressure, but keep the pedal firm-
ly pressed with no fear; this way
you will stop in the least space
possible, compatibly with the con-
ditions of the road surface.
Following these instructions you will be
in the best braking condition under all cir-
cumstances.
IMPORTANTCars fitted with ABS may
only be fitted with the wheel rims, tyres and
brake linings of type and brand approved by
the Manufacturer.
The system is completed by the EBD (Elec-
tronic Brake Distributor) which distributes
the braking action through the control unit
and the ABS system sensors. The car is fitted with an
electronic braking distribu-
tor (EBD). If the
>andx
warning lights turn on simultane-
ously with the engine running, this
indicates an EBD system failure; in
this case with sharp braking the
rear wheels might lock too early,
with the possibility of skidding. Dri-
ving extremely carefully, go to the
nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice to have the system checked.
The turning on of only the
>warning light with the
engine running normally in-
dicates a fault to the ABS system
only. In this case the braking sys-
tem is still efficient, though with-
out the aid of the anti-lock device.
Under these conditions perfor-
mance of the EBD system may be
reduced. In this case too, you are
advised to go immediately to the
nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service to have the system checked
over, driving in such a way as to
avoid sharp braking.
If the low brake fluid lev-
el
xwarning light turns
on, stop the car immedi-
ately and contact the nearest Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service. Any
loss of fluid from the hydraulic sys-
tem will negatively affect the op-
eration of the braking system be it
of the conventional type or of the
type with ABS.
If the compact spare
wheel is used, operation of
the ABS system is cut off
and the
>warning light on the in-
strument cluster turns on.
IMPORTANTIf the battery is run down
the
>andxwarning lights might turn on
when starting the engine and go off after
starting. This should not be considered as
a fault but as a warning that during start-
ing the ABS is not active. The turning off
of the warning lights ensures normal system
operation.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
169
STARTING PROCEDURE
FOR PETROL VERSIONS
IMPORTANTIt is important never to
press the accelerator before the engine has
started.
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2) Move the gear lever to neutral.
3) Fully depress the clutch pedal, so that
the starter motor is not forced to crank the
gears.
4) Ensure that the electric systems and de-
vices, especially if they absorb high quanti-
ties of energy (e.g. heated rearscreen), are
switched off.
5) Turn the ignition key to the AV Vpo-
sition and release it as soon as the engine
starts.
6) If the engine does not start, return the
key to STOP, then repeat the procedure.
IMPORTANTIf it is difficult to start the
engine do not insist with extended attempts
which may damage the catalyst, but con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services. The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
device which obliges the driver to return the
key to the STOPposition before repeat-
ing the starting operation if the engine does
not start immediately.
Similarly, when the engine is running, the
device prevents the key being moved from
theMARto the AV Vposition.
STARTING
THE ENGINE
IMPORTANTThe car is fitted with an
electronic engine lock device. If the engine
fails to start, see the “Alfa Romeo CODE sys-
tem”.
C C
O O
R R
R R
E E
C C
T T
U U
S S
E E
O O
F F
T T
H H
E E
C C
A A
R R
We recommend that dur-
ing the initial period you do
not drive to full car perfor-
mance (for example excessive ac-
celeration, long journeys at top
speed, hard braking etc.).
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely
dangerous. The engine con-
sumes oxygen and produces carbon
monoxide which is a highly toxic
and lethal gas.
When the engine is
switched off never leave
the ignition key in the MAR
position to prevent pointless cur-
rent absorption from draining the
battery.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
170
STARTING PROCEDURE
FOR JTD VERSIONS
1) Make sure the handbrake is engaged.
2) Set the gearshift lever to neutral.
3) Turn the ignition key to MAR. The re-
configurable multifunction display will show
the
mwarning light.
4) Wait for the
mto turn off, which
takes place sooner, the warmer the engine.
With the engine very warm the light might
stay on for such a short time as to pass un-
noticed.
5) Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6) Turn the ignition key to AV Vas soon
as the
mwarning light has gone out.
Waiting too long, makes the warming work
of the glow plugs useless.IMPORTANTThe electric devices that
absorb a high amount of energy (climate
control, rearscreen heating, etc.) are cut off
automatically during starting.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, move the ignition key to STOPbe-
fore repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa Romeo
CODE system working properly), do not in-
sist with prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if the cause
is due to low battery charge. Never use a
battery charger to start the engine.
WARMING THE ENGINE
– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometres of the journey. Wait until
the engine coolant temperature reaches 50-
60 °C.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
172
Never leave children un-
attended in the car. Al-
ways remove the ignition
key when leaving the car and take
it with you.To avoid useless con-
sumption of power and
possible draining of the
battery, never leave the ignition
key in the MAR position when the
engine is not running.
PARKING
When the car is parked, proceed as fol-
lows:
– Switch off the engine.
– Engage the handbrake.
– Engage first gear if the car is faced up-
hill or reverse if the car is facing downhill.
– Turn the front wheels so that the car will
immediately come to a halt if the handbrake
slips.
REDUCING
RUNNING COSTS
AND ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION
By following a few simple guidelines, it
is possible to save car running costs and re-
duce harmful emissions.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
To take care of the car maintenance have
the checks and adjustments carried out in
accordance with the “Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely
at an interval of no more than 4 weeks: if
the pressure is too low consumption levels
increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Useless loads
Never travel with an overload in the boot.
The weight of the car (especially in urban
traffic), and its geometry heavily affect con-
sumption levels and stability.Electric services
Use electric devices only for the amount of
time needed. Rearscreen heating, addition-
al headlights, windscreen wipers and heater
fan need a considerable amount of energy,
therefore increasing the requirement of cur-
rent increases fuel consumption (up to
+25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
The climate control system is a further load
bearing heavily on the engine inducing high-
er consumption levels(up to +20% on av-
erage). Outside temperature permitting,
preferably use the air vents.
Aerodynamic items
The use of non-certified aerodynamic items
may adversely affect air drag and con-
sumption levels.