Protecting The Environment - Alfa Romeo Spider 2008 Owner's Manual

PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
The devices for curtailing petrol engine
emissions are the following:
❒ three-way catalytic converter;
❒ Lambda sensors;
❒ fuel evaporation system.
In addition, do not let the engine run,
even for a test, with one or more spark
plugs disconnected.
The devices for curtailing diesel fuel en-
gine emissions are the following:
❒ oxidising catalytic converter;
❒ exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.);
❒ diesel particulate filter (DPF).
WARNING
During normal service
the diesel particulate
filter (DPF) reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore
park the car over inflammable
materials (grass, dry leaves,
pine needles, etc.): fire hazard.
116
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER
(DPF)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a me-
chanical filter, integral with the exhaust
system, that physically traps particulate
present in the exhaust gases of Diesel
engines.
The diesel particular filter has been
adopted to eliminate almost totally par-
ticulates in compliance with current /
future law regulations.
During normal use of the car, the engine
control unit records a set of data (e.g.: trav-
el time, type of route, temperatures, etc.)
and it will then calculate how much par-
ticulates has been trapped by the filter.
Since this filter physically traps particulates,
it shall be cleaned (reclaimed) at regular
intervals by burning carbon particles. Re-
claiming procedure is controlled automat-
ically by the engine control unit according
to the filter conditions and the conditions
of use of the car. During reclaiming the fol-
lowing phenomena could take place: idling
slight increase, fan activation, slight smoke
increase, high exhaust temperatures. These
situations shall not be considered as faults
and they do not affect car performance and
environment.
Diesel particulate filter
clogged
When the Diesel particulate filter is
clogged, the display will show symbol
h and the dedicated message. In
this case keep the car running until sym-
bol h + and message turn off.