Maserati Spyder User manual

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Owner’s Manual

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Dear Customer,
We thank you for having chosen a MASERATI.
This vehicle is the end result of the MASERATI tradition and experience in the design and production of sports, touring and
racing cars.
The purpose of this manual is to provide you with an understanding of the equipment, systems and controls in the car and
to explain how they work.
In the final section of this manual you will also find instructions for basic maintenance procedures and the complete
Scheduled Maintenance plan, which are needed to maintain steady levels of performance, quality and safe driving. In
addition, keep in mind that proper maintenance is an essential factor contributing to the value of the vehicle over time and
to protection of the environment.
For Scheduled Maintenance or any other intervention, simply contact the Maserati Service Network : you can trust our
constantly updated technical staff, which is provided with the equipment required and will ensure that all procedures are
carried out properly and reliably.
For your own safety and the safety of others, we advise you to read this manual carefully before driving the car.
The Owner's Manual is an integral part of the vehicle and therefore it must always be kept on board.
This manual refers to vehicles with two types of transmission: manual gearbox and electronically controlled “Cambiocorsa"
gearbox; therefore, some indications may vary on the basis of the specific version.

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Historical Background
Historical Background
1914
"Alfieri Maserati Garage Workshop"
begins its activity in Bologna.
1926
Targa Florio, Type 26: debut and
victory for the car which carries the
Trident emblem on its hood, symbol of
Bologna Neptune statue.
1927
Emilio Maserati wins the Italian
champion title with Type 26.
1929
Baconin Borzacchini, Type V4: breaks
the world speed 10 km record at 246
km/h.
1930
Borzacchini, V4: first victory in a Grand
Prix, at Tripoli.
1933
Maserati is the first among the
European manufacturers to introduce
hydraulic brake controls on its racing
cars. Giuseppe Campari, with Type
8CM, wins the Grand Prix of France and
Tazio Nuvolari the Grand Prix of
Belgium and of Nice.
1934
Giuseppe Furmanik, Type 4CM: breaks
the world speed record for the 1100
class at 222 km/h.
1939
Wilbur Shaw with 8CTF wins the 500
Auto Race in Indianapolis: Maserati
still remains today the first and only
Italian manufacturer to have won this
legendary track.
1940
Maserati moves to Modena.
1947
Presentation of the first GT car: the A6
1500, with Pininfarina bodywork.
The racing version A6GCS comes out
winning with Alberto Ascari on the
Modena track.
1954
The 250F is victorious in Argentina; this
single-seater will enable Maserati to
win the Formula 1 World
Championship.
1957
Fangio wins the world titles with the
250F. At the end of the year Maserati
officially retires from racing.
1961
The 3500 GT is the first Italian car
available with fuel-injection.
1963
Creation of Mistral and Quattroporte,
the fastest saloon in the world.
1966
Presentation of Ghibli, a coupé
designed by Giugiaro.
1968
Citrôen joins as a partner, and the V6
engine production is started.
Presentation of 2+2 Indy.
1971
Presentation of Bora, the first Maserati
GT with central engine.
Merak will follow a year later.
1973
Khamsin, designed by Bertone,
replaces Ghibli.
1975
Citrôen leaves the company, taken
over by Alejandro de Tomaso.

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Historical Background
1976
The new Quattroporte, designed by
Giugiaro, is introduced as a high
profile car and will be used even by the
President of the Italian Republic.
1981
De Tomaso changes strategy and starts
producing Biturbo, a saloon with 2
doors with 6-cylinder engine.
1989
Shamal is the first car featuring the
new Biturbo 8-cylinder with 3200 hp.
1993
Fiat Auto purchases the complete
share package and in 1998 presents the
new Quattroporte.
1997
Ferrari acquires the control of
Maserati.
1998
Quattroporte Evoluzione V8 3.2 - V6
2.8.
3200 GT V8.
1999
3200 GT V8 Automatica.
2000
The Officine Alfieri Maserati program.
3500 Vignale spyder
Mistral spyder
Ghibli spyder

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Introduction
Introduction
Consulting the Manual
To facilitate reading and rapid use, the
topics are subdivided into SECTIONS
and CHAPTERS.
The important parts requiring
particular attention are easily
identifiable in the sections and
chapters.
EXTREME CAUTION
REQUIRED: non-compliance
with the instructions can
cause SERIOUS DANGER involving the
safety of persons and damage to the
vehicle!
WARNING warning to prevent any
damage to the vehicle and thus
hazards involving the safety of
persons.
Abbreviations
Some descriptions and terms with
particular meanings are found in this
manual in an abbreviated form:
A.C. - AIR CONDITIONING
ABS - ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM -
Wheel locking prevention
system during braking
ASR - ANTI SLIP REGULATION -
Prevention of skidding during
acceleration
EBD - ELECTRONIC BRAKE-FORCE
DISTRIBUTION - Electronically-
controlled distributor of
braking force
ECU - ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
MSP - MASERATISTABILITY PROGRAM
Yaw prevention monitoring
system
“Cambiocorsa” - Electronically
controlled gearbox.
Updating
The vehicle's high quality level is
guaranteed by constant
improvements. Therefore, there may
prove to be differences between this
manual and your vehicle.
All specifications and illustrations
contained in this manual refer to those
resulting as of the printing date.

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Introduction
Service
The information contained in this
manual is limited to those instructions
and indications that are strictly
required for the use and good
preservation of the vehicle.
The Owner will certainly obtain
greater satisfaction and the best
performance from the vehicle by
following these instructions carefully.
We also advise you to have all the
maintainance and checking
procedures carried out at the Maserati
Service Network , as this Network has
specialized staff and suitable
equipment available.
See the Manual entitled "SALES AND
SERVICE NETWORK" for locations of
AUTHORISED MASERATI DEALERS AND
SERVICE CENTRES.
The Maserati Service Network is at the
Client’s complete disposal for any
information and suggestions required.
“Cambiocorsa" gearbox
The vehicle can be equipped with a
mechanical gearbox system with dry
double-disk clutch, controlled by an
electro-hydraulic system using steering
wheel levers.
Although the system can be used in
"automatic" mode, the
"Cambiocorsa" should not be
considered as an automatic
transmission. Therefore, for correct
use, carefully follow the instructions in
the respective section of this manual.

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Symbols
Symbols
There are specific colored plates on or
near some of the components on your
MASERATI. The related symbols are
important warnings that the user must
follow when using the particular
component at hand.
All of the symbols included in the
labelling on your MASERATI are listed
concisely here below, along with the
component involved with that symbol.
In addition, the meaning of the symbol
shown is also indicated in terms of the
following sub-division: danger,
prohibited, warning, compulsory -
with respect to that same symbol.
Danger symbols
Battery
Corrosive liquid.
Battery
Explosion.
Fan
Can start up automatically
even with the engine stopped.
Expansion tank
Do not remove the cap when
the coolant is hot.
Coil
High voltage.
Belts and pulleys
Moving members; Keep body
parts and clothing away.
Air-conditioning lines
Do not open. Gas under high
pressure.
Symbols of prohibitions
Battery
Do not approach with naked
flames.
Battery
Keep children at a safe
distance.
Heat guards - belts - pulleys -
fans
Do not rest your hands on it.

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Symbols
Warning symbols
Catalytic muffler
Do not park or stop over
flammable surfaces. Refer to
section: “Pollution control
devices”.
Hydraulic steering
Do not exceed the maximum
level of fluid in the tank. Only
use lubricants of the type
prescribed in the chapter
“Capacities and technical
specifications”.
Brake circuit
Do not exceed the maximum
level of fluid in the tank. Only
use fluids of the type
prescribed in the chapter
“Capacities and technical
specifications”.
Windshield wiper
Only use fluids of the type
prescribed in the chapter
“Capacities and technical
specifications”.
Engine
Only use lubricants of the type
prescribed in the chapter
“Capacities and technical
specifications”.
Vehicle using lead-free
gasoline
Only use lead-free gasoline
with an octane number
(R.O.N.) of no less than 95.
Expansion tank
Only use fluid of the type
prescribed in then chapter
"Capacities and technical
specifications".
Symbols indicating compulsory
measures
Battery
Protect your eyes.
Battery - Jack
Refer to the Owner's Manual.

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Symbols

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Symbols
General contents
Car identification data
Active and passive safety
Instruments and controls
Before you drive
Using the vehicle
In an emergency
Capacities and technical specifications
Maintenance
Contents

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Symbols

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Symbols
13
Car identification data
Identification plates (European version) 14
Identification data (European version) summary plate 15
Key codes 16
Electronic anti-theft device code 17

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14
Identification plates (European version)
Identification plates
(European version)
Chassis marking
The vehicle's registration number is
punched on the dashboard panel in
front of the passenger seat.
To read this number, lift the mat and
open the flap A .
Engine marking
The registration number B is punched
on the cylinder block and includes the
type and serial number.
The engine type is also given on the
summary plate located on the front
crossmember of the car.
Paint identification plate
The plate C is applied to the bonnet.
A
B
C

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Identification data (European version) summary plate
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Identification data
(European version)
summary plate
The plate is applied in the engine
compartment, on the front
crossmember and gives the following
data:
A- Manufacturer's name
B- Type approval number
C- Identification code of the
manufacturer (ZAM) and type of
basic vehicle
D- Serial number
E- Maximum admissible weight
F- Maximum admissible weight on
first (front) axle
G- Maximum admissible weight on
second (rear) axle
H- Engine type
I- Vehicle version code
L- Assembly number.
A
B
E
F
G
HIL
CD
A
B
E
F
G
HIL
CD

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Key codes
Key codes
A CODE CARD is supplied with the
keys. This card indicates the following:
– the electronic code A to be used for
“emergency starting”
– the mechanical code B for the keys,
to be given to the Maserati Service
Network in the case that you request
duplicates of the keys.
WARNING The code numbers shown
on the CODE CARD must be kept in a
safe place.
WARNING You are advised to always
keep the CODE CARD number with
you, because it is absolutely necessary
in the event of “emergency starting”.
WARNING In the event of a vehicle
ownership transfer, it is essential that
the new owner is provided with all the
keys and with the CODE CARD.
WARNING It is advisable to write down
and keep the codes listed on the plates
delivered with the keys and the remote
control in a safe place (not in the car)
in order to request duplicates if
needed.
A
B
A
B

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Electronic anti-theft device code
17
Electronic anti-theft
device code
Rolling Code
Each time the radio operated control is
used, the code changes.
Keep the plate with the Rolling Code
with care and in a safe place. To order
extra keys fitted with radio operated
controls, contact your Maserati Service
Network indicating your complete
Rolling Code.

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Electronic anti-theft device code

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Active and passive safety
Seat belts 20
Safe transport of children 24
Front and side airbags 30
MSP System 37
ABS and EBD systems 38
ASR system (electronic anti-skid device) 40
Parking sensors (optional) 41
Fire extinguisher (optional) 44
Fuel cut-off inertia switch 45

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20
Seat belts
Seat belts
The vehicle is equipped with seat belts
with automatic retractor for maximum
freedom of movement.
The seat belts are equipped with
electronically-operated pretensioners
and the lower attachments points are
connected directly to the seat, to
guarantee maximum protection
whatever the seat position.
Before fastening the seat
belts make sure they are
correctly fitted into the guide
A on the seat.
The passenger seat belt (US version
only) is fitted with the KISI system,
which improves safety when children
are travelling in special child seats. The
system is activated by pulling out the
belt to its full length: once the child
seat is securely fastened, the belt can
no longer be pulled out and hence the
belt/child seat system is exceptionally
secure. When the belt is released and
fully retracted, the system deactivates
and resumes its normal operation.
Fastening the seat belts
After recovering the lower part of the
seat belt from the external side of the
seat, grasp the connection tab to
fasten the belt B and pull the seat belt
out until the tab is fully inserted in the
buckle C .
The belt is correctly engaged when the
lock clicks into position. Press the
button D to release the seat belts..
If the driver's seat belt is not fastened,
when the ignition key is rotated into
position MAR , the <
warning light on
the instrument panel will switch on
and a buzzer will activate for
approximately 8 seconds.
The retractor locking device is
activated whenever the belt is pulled
out too rapidly or in case of sudden
braking or collision.
If the belt locks due to too rapid
extraction, allow it to retract a short
distance to disengage the locking
device.
The retractor allows the belt to
automatically fit to the passenger’s
body, allowing him to move freely.
When the vehicle is parked on a steep
slope, the retractor may lock: this is
normal.
WARNING Feed the belt back into the
retractor by hand to avoid twisting and
snagging.
AC
B
D