engine coolant Alfa Romeo GT 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
53
A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Odometer dis-
play (mileage recorder, trip meter with head-
lamp position display) - E. Reconfigurable
multifunction display - F. Rev counter
NOTEOn JTDM versions the scale bottom
is at 6000 revs.
A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Odometer dis-
play (mileage recorder, trip meter with head-
lamp position display) - E. Reconfigurable
multifunction display - F. Rev counter
INSTRUMENT PANEL
fig. 68 - petrol versions
fig. 69 - Black Line petrol versions
A0A0760b
A0A0749b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
54
fig. 70 - Q2 diesel version
fig. 71 - 2.0 JTS Selespeed versionsA.Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B.Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C.Speedometer - D.Odometer dis-
play (mileage recorder, trip meter with head-
lamp position display) - E.Reconfigurable
multifunction display - F.Rev counter
A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Odometer dis-
play (mileage recorder, trip meter with head-
lamp position display) - E. Reconfigurable
multifunction display - F. Rev counter
A0A0761b
A0A0759b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
55
fig. 71a - 2.0 JTS Selespeed Black Line version
fig. 71b - 3.2 V6 versionA.Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B.Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C.Speedometer - D.Odometer dis-
play (mileage recorder, trip meter with head-
lamp position display) - E.Reconfigurable
multifunction display - F.Rev counter
A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Odometer dis-
play (mileage recorder, trip meter with head-
lamp position display) - E. Reconfigurable
multifunction display - F. Rev counter
A0A0746b
A0A0752b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
57
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WITH
RESERVE INDICATOR
This shows the amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank.
The warning light
K(A-fig. 76) turns on
to indicate that approx. 7 litres of fuel are
left in the tank.
IMPORTANTUnder certain conditions
(heavy slopes, for instance), the reading on
the gauge may differ from the actual amount
of fuel in the tank and changes in level may
be indicated late.
This condition falls within the operation log-
ics of the electronic control circuit to avoid
highly unstable readings due to swaying of
the fuel when travelling.
IMPORTANTRefuelling shall always be
performed with engine off and ignition key at
STOP. If the engine is off but the key is at
MAR, a wrong fuel level could temporarily
be indicated. This is due to the internal sys-
tem control logic and cannot be considered as
a system malfunctioning.
ENGINE COOLANT FLUID
TEMPERATURE GAUGE WITH
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
WARNING LIGHT
This shows the temperature of the engine
coolant fluid and begins when the fluid tem-
perature exceeds approx. 50°C.
Normally the pointer should be towards
the middle of the scale. If the pointer reach-
es the higher temperatures of the scale (red
section, or white on certain versions) the re-
quest for car performance should be de-
creased.
The turning on of the
u(B-fig. 76)
warning light (on some versions together
with the message shown on the reconfig-
urablemultifunctiondisplay) indicates that
the coolant fluid temperature is too high;
in this case, stop the engine and contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.IMPORTANTThe temperature of the en-
gine coolant may rise towards the maximum
values (red section, or white on certain ver-
sions) when the car is driven at low speeds,
especially when the ambient air tempera-
ture is high. In this case it is advisable to
stop the car and switch off the engine for
a few minutes, after which the journey can
be resumed, preferably at a higher speed.
fig. 76
A0A0758b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
72
Handbrake on
The warning light turns on when the hand-
brake is on. HIGH ENGINE
COOLANT
TEMPERATURE (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off after
few seconds.
The warning light turns on (together with
message + symbol on the display) when the
engine is overheated: if the warning light
comes on when driving, stop the car leav-
ing the engine on and slightly accelerated
to further activate the circulation of the
coolant fluid.
If the warning light does not turn off with-
in the next 2 or 3 minutes, stop the engine
and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IMPORTANTThe presence of warning
lights depends on the type of engine and
equipment with which the car is fitted.
LOW BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL (red)
HANDBRAKE
ON (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe warn-
ing light turns on, but it should go off after
few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light turns on (together with
message + symbol on the display) when the
level of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls
below the minimum level, due to possible
leak in the circuit.
x
If the warning light turns
on when travelling, check
that the handbrake is not
engaged. If the warning light stays
on with handbrake disengaged,
stop the car immediately and con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
u

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
89
AUTOMATIC TWO-ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
(for versions/markets where applicable)
To start the system (fig. 96):
- turn the knob rings to set the required
temperatures (driver’s side - passenger’s
side).
- press the
AUTObutton.
IMPORTANTThe climate control sys-
tem makes it possible to personalise the
temperatures required on the two side
with a maximum difference of 7°C
between the driver’s side and the passen-
ger’s side.
IMPORTANTThe climate control com-
pressor can only work with the engine run-
ning and external temperature not very
low. With low external tem-
perature the climate con-
trol compressor is unable
to work. It is therefore inadvisable
to use the inside air recirculation
function vwith low outside tem-
perature as windows may mist
over quickly.
For further details about the system and
how to make the best use of it, read the
instructions given in pages that follow.
A0A0203b
fig. 96
The coolant used for the
climate control system is
R134a which meets cur-
rent regulations and does not harm
the environment in the event of ac-
cidental spillage.
Absolutely avoid the use of oth-
er fluids which are incompatible
with the system components.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
95
HI function
(highest heating power - fig. 99)
This is turned on setting on the display a
temperature above 32.5°C, and can be
activated independently from the driver’s
or passenger’s side or both; this setting
brings the system to the “monozone”
mode and is shown on both displays.
This function can be engaged when
requiring to heat the passenger compart-
ment as quickly as possible, exploiting the
maximum potential of the system.
This function uses the maximum temper-
ature of the coolant fluid, while air distrib-
ution and fan speed are controlled accord-
ing to the system settings.
This function is unadvisable with
the engine cold to prevent admit-
ting air that is not warm enough
to the passenger compartment.
All manual settings are possible with this
function on.
To switch the system off, simply turn the
ring of knob (2) or (6) of the tempera-
ture set to a value below 32.5°C; the
opposite display will show 32.5°C.
A0A0218b
fig. 99
Pressing key (13)
AUTOthe display will
show a temperature of 32.5°C and returns
to an operating condition with automatic
temperature adjustment.

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.

CAR MAINTENANCE
217
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, boot, passenger compartment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc..)
Check operation of windscreen washer system, adjust spray jets
Check position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check operation of front disk brake pad wear indicator
Check wear conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check the conditions of: body exterior, underbody protection, stiff pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts
(boots - sleeves - bushes etc..)
Check cleanness of locks, bonnet and boot and lever cleanness, and lubrication
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions
Check handbrake lever stroke adjustment
Check antievaporation system (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (JTD versions)
Top up fluid levels (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc..)
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●
●●●●
●●
●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●

CAR MAINTENANCE
219
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long journeys,
check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen washer and headlamp wash-
er fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck and if necessary
top up the engine oil level.
The use of FL Seleniaproducts is rec-
ommended which have been designed and
made expressly for Alfa Romeo cars (see
“Refuelling” in the “Technical Specifica-
tions” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for example
about 10,000 km) the following
yearly inspection programme is ad-
vised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if nec-
essary adjust the pressure (including spare
wheel)
– Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compart-
ment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc.)
– Check operation of windscreen wiper
system, spray jet adjustment
– Check windscreen blade position/wear
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear
– Check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks, and lever cleanness and lubrication.– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust - fu-
el supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots -
sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel sup-
ply system hoses
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various dri-
ve belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid lev-
els (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen
washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and oil filter
– Change pollen filter.