VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
250
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long jour-
neys, check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid
level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen and headlamp washer
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
Specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for exam-
ple about 10,000 km) the follow-
ing yearly inspection programme
is advised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if
necessary 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 position/wear of windscreen
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust -
fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots
- sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel
supply system hoses
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various
drive belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid
levels (engine coolant, brakes, wind-
screen washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
263
2.close the driver's window completely
keepingthe button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after window closing (win-
dow upper stop);
3.repeat the same procedure (point 1
and 2) also for the front passenger's win-
dow;
4.check for proper initialisation by oper-
ating the windows automatically.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid rapidly draining the battery and
ensure that it continues to work correctly,
the following should be noted:
– The terminals must always be firmly
tightened.
– Within reason, avoid using electrical de-
vices for a long time when the engine is
switched off (radio, hazard warning lights,
parking lights, etc.). IMPORTANTIf the battery is kept
with a charge of below 50% it is damaged
by sulphation, its starting capability is
reduced and it is also more subject to the
possibility of freezing (this may occur
already at -10 °C). In the event of a pro-
longed inactivity, refer to the paragraph
“Vehicle inactivity”, in the chapter
“Correct use of the car”.
CHANGING THE BATTERY
When changing the battery it should be
replaced with another original one with
the same characteristics. If it is replaced
by a battery with different characteristics,
the maintenance intervals given in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme in
this chapter are no longer valid and for
maintenance it will be necessary to follow
the battery Manufacturer’s instructions.
IMPORTANTAfter control unit power
disconnection (battery replacement or dis-
connection and replacement of power win-
dow control unit protection fuses), the
power window automatism shall be
restored.
Proceed as follows with doors closed:
1.open the driver's window completely
keepingthe button pressedfor at
least 3 seconds after window opening
(window lower stop);– When the vehicle is parked in a garage,
ensure that the doors, bonnet, boot and in-
ner lids are closed properly so that the lights
do not stay on permanently.
– Before carrying out any work on the
electric system, disconnect the negative ca-
ble from the battery.
– If after buying the car, you wish to in-
stall electric accessories which require a per-
manent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft func-
tion etc.) or accessories that burden the elec-
tric system, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most suitable de-
vices belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the vehicle’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding the load re-
quired, or whether it should be integrated
with a more powerful battery. In fact, as
some of these devices continue absorbing
energy even when the ignition key is off (car
stationary, engine off), they gradually drain
the battery.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
268
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the
vehicle should be washed
in areas equipped for collecting
and purifying the liquid used in
the washing process.Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substances many species
release 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 vehicle 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,
bonnet and around the headlights where
water may stagnate. The vehicle should
not be taken to a closed area immediate-
ly, but left in the open so that residual
water can evaporate.
Do not wash the vehicle 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 vehicle. ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
The paintwork does not only serve an
aestethic purpose but also protects the
underlying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores,
you are advised to have the necessary
touching up carried out immediately to
avoid the formation fo rust.
Only original products should be used for
touching up paint (see “Body paint identi-
fication plate” in the “Technical
Specifications” chapter).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the
conditions and environment of use. For
example, in highly polluted areas, or if the
roads are sprayed with salt, it is wise to
wash the car more frequently.
RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSIONS
288
fig. 6
A0A0724b
RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSIONS - DASHBOARD
1.Side swivel air vents - 2.Fixed side window air vents -3.Passenger's air bag - 4.Tailgate release button - 5.Card holder (for versions/markets where
applicable) - 6. Sound system (for versions/markets where applicable) - 7.Centre swivel air vents - 8.Fixed upper vent - 9.Glass holder (for versions/mar-
kets where applicable) - 10.Front fog light button - 11.Hazard light switch - 12.Rear fog light button - 13.Outside light control lever - 14.Speedome-
ter with display for mileage recorder, trip meter and headlamp aiming device - 15.Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - 16.Multifunction display -
17.Engine coolant temperature gauge - 18.Rev. counter -19.Windscreen wiper control lever - 20.Bonnet opening lever - 21.Set of controls: trip meter
reset, headlamp aiming device, trip computer - 22.Ignition key and switch - 23.Horn - 24.Steering wheel locking/release lever - 25.Driver's air bag -
26.Door locking button - 27.Controls for heating, ventilation and climate control - 28.Cigar lighter/ashtray housing door - 29.Temperature sensor - 30.
Glove box.
INDEX
291
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
ABS system .............................. 150
Accessories purchased by the user .. 144
Additional stop light (third stop) .... 230
Air bags
- deactivating passenger’s air bag 40
- driver’s front air bag ................ 39
- front air bags ......................... 38
- general cautions ..................... 43
- passenger’s front air bag .......... 40
- side air bags
(side bag - window bag) .......... 41
Air cleaner .................................. 260
Air re-circulation .................... 105-120
Air vents ............................... 100-101
Alfa Romeo CODE ........................ 6
Armrest (front/rear) .............. 17-22
Ashtray (front/ rear) ............ 140 -141
ASR (system) ............................. 154
Battery ..................................... 261
- advice for preserving
the charge ............................. 263- checking the charge ................ 262
- replacement ........................... 263
- starting with an auxiliary
battery .................................. 211
Body marking/versions ......... 271-272
Bonnet ...................................... 147
Boot
- capacity ................................ 279
- extension .............................. 19
- lighting ................................. 146
- luggage net ........................... 22
- opening button ................ 124-145
- opening from inside ................ 145
- opening with remotecontro 18-145
- restraining the ........................ 146
- tailgate closing ....................... 146
- tailgate emergency opening ..... 146
- warnings for carrying luggage ... 146
Boot light
- changing bulbs ....................... 235
Brakes- checking fluid level
and topping up ....................... 258
- handbrake ............................. 126
- specifications ......................... 275
Braking lights (third stop) ............ 231
- changing bulbs ....................... 230
Bulbs replacement ....................... 221
Card holder ............................... 141
Cell phones (provision) ................ 143
Changing a wheel ....................... 212
Changing bulbs ........................... 222
Checking levels ........................... 253
Children (carrying safely) ............. 32
Cigar lighter ............................... 141
Cleaning and maintenance
- body ..................................... 268
- car interior ............................. 270
- engine compartment ............... 269
- fabric seats ............................ 270
- leather seats .......................... 270
- plastic parts ........................... 270
INDEX
292
- windows ............................... 269
Climate control, automatic
two-zone ................................. 109
Climate control system .......... 103-111
Controls ..................................... 124
CO
2emissions ............................ 287
CODE card .................................. 7
Compact spare wheel .................. 214
- characteristics ........................... 277
Correct use of the car........... 200
Courtesy light
- changing bulbs ....................... 234
Cruise control ............................. 49
Dashboard................................. 52
Demisting-defrosting
- door mirrors ................ 24-107-123
- rearscreen ....................... 105-123
- windscreen and front
side windows ................... 107-122
Diesel fuel filter ........................... 260
Digital multifunction display .......... 57
Direction indicators
- changing front bulbs ................ 229
- changing rear bulbs ................. 230- changing side bulbs ................. 229
- switching on .................... 44-45-46
Door locking system .................... 125
Door mirrors ............................... 23
Doors
- central locking ........................ 16
- opening/closing from inside ..... 15
- opening/closing from outside ... 15
- remote control ........................ 7
- remote locking/unlocking ........ 6-7
Electronic alarm system ............... 11
Emergency starting ...................... 210
- coasting ................................ 212
- starting with an auxiliary
battery .................................. 211
Engine
- identification codes/marking .... 272
- specifications ......................... 273
Engine compartment
- bonnet .................................. 147
Engine starting ........................... 200
- emergency starting ................. 202- ignition switch ........................ 14
- procedure for JTD versions ........ 201
- procedure for petrol versions ..... 200
- switching off .......................... 202
- warming the engine ................ 201
Engine oil consumption ................ 256
EOBD (system) ........................... 155
External lights (switching on) ....... 44
First-aid kit................................. 246
Flashing high beams .................... 45
Fluids (specifications) .................. 284
Follow me home device ............... 46
Foglights
- changing bulbs ................. 225-227
- switching on .......................... 124
Front ceiling light ........................ 138
- changing bulbs ....................... 232
Fuel
- at the filling station ................. 273
- automatic shut off switch ......... 125
- consumption .......................... 286
- fuel cap ................................. 198
- level gauge and reserve ........... 56