2005 Alfa Romeo GT engine oil

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
122
WING MIRROR AND
REARSCREEN
DEFROSTING/DEMISTING
BUTTON
(fig. 113)
Pressing button (9)
(turns on demist-
ing/defrosting of the rearscreen and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.
The turning on of this function is shown by
the turning on of the led on the button.
This function is timed and switches off au-
tomatically after 20 minutes, or pressing the
button again; the function is also switched
off when the engine is stopped and will not
be switched on again the next time the en-
gine is started.
IMPORTANTThe system automatically
turns on rearscreen heating if the tempera-
ture is below 3
°C.
IMPORTANTDo not apply stickers on
the inside of the rearscreen over the heat-
ing filaments to avoid damage that might
cause it to stop working properly.
POLLEN FILTER
Have the conditions of the filter checked
by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services at least
once a year, preferably at the onset of sum-
mer.
If the vehicle is used mainly in dusty or pol-
luted areas it should be checked and, if nec-
essary, replaced at shorter intervals.
A0A0214b
The filter has the specific capability of com-
bining the mechanical filtering of the air with
an electrostatic effect so that the outside air
admitted to the passenger compartment is
purified and free of particles such as dust,
pollen, etc.
In addition to the above mentioned func-
tion, it also reduces the concentration of pol-
lutants.
The filtering action takes place under all
air inlet conditions and it is clearly most ef-
fective with the windows shut.The failure to replace the
filter may considerably re-
duce the effectiveness of
the climate control system up to
blocking the air flow from the out-
lets and vents.
fig. 113

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(upon request for
versions/markets where
provided)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols vehicle stability, intervening on the dri-
ving torque and braking the wheels in a dif-
ferentiated manner, in the lack of grip, it
helps to bring the car back to the correct
direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
intervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
The VDC system is engaged automatical-
ly when the car is started and cannot be
switched off.
The basic components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheels;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit, which with the data supplied
by the sensors installed on the car calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor, which
originates from the aeronautical industry, de-
tects the rotations of the car around its own
vertical axis. The centrifugal forces gener-
ated when the car is cornering are detect- The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case always be
adapted to the conditions of the
road surface, visibility and traffic.
The responsibility for road safety
is always and in any case the dri-
ver’s.
The VDC system helps the driver to keep
the car under control in the event of a loss
of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC system to
control the loss of vehicle stability always
depend on the grip between the tyre and
the road surface.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
198
FUEL CAP
The fuel cap (C-fig. 164) is electrically
controlled. To open it, press button (D-
fig. 165); the flap can be opened only
when the engine is off.
The fuel cap (A-fig. 164), accessible af-
ter opening the lid (C), is fitted with a catch
to prevent losing it (B) which fastens it to the
lid.
When refuelling, hook the cap to the de-
vice on the inner flap, as illustrated.
REFUELLING
PETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol.
To prevent accidentally filling with leaded
petrol, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is of such a size as not to accept the noz-
zle of this type of petrol.
The unleaded petrol octane number
(R.O.N.) used shall not be less than 95.
IMPORTANT An inefficient catalyst
leads to harmful emission at the exhaust,
thus environment pollution.
IMPORTANTNever put leaded petrol,
even in small quantity, in the tank, even if
it is an emergency. This would irreversibly
damage the exhaust gas catalyst.
JTD ENGINES
At low temperatures the degree of fluidi-
ty of fuel oil may become insufficient due to
the formation of paraffins leading to mal-
functioning of the fuel system.
Therefore, to avoid inconveniences, sum-
mer and winter fuel oils are normally dis-
tributed depending on the season.
In the event the car is filled with fuel oil
unsuitable for the using temperature, mix
it with DIESEL MIX additive in the propor-
tions stated on the can, firstly putting the
antifreeze in the tank and then the fuel oil.
The vehicle must only be
filled with fuel oil for mo-
tor vehicles, in compliance
with European Specification
EN590. The use of other products
or mixtures may irreparably dam-
age the engine with invalidation of
the warranty due to the damage
caused. In the event of accidental-
ly filling with another type of fuel,
do not start the engine and empty
the tank. If the engine has been run
even for only a very short time, in
addition to the tank, it is also nec-
essary to empty the whole supply
circuit.
fig. 164
A0A0644b

IN AN EMERGENCY
242
40
30
50
15
15
15
15
25
7,5
15
15
30
30
50
20
150
40
60
20 F05 (MAXI-FUSE)
F06 (MAXI-FUSE)
F07 (MAXI-FUSE)
F10
F21
F22
F21
F60 (*)
F16
F61 (*)
F62 (*)
F08
F72 (MAXI-FUSE)
F01 (MAXI-FUSE)
F20
F70 (MEGA-FUSE)
F06 (MAXI-FUSE)
F07 (MAXI-FUSE)
F22 53
53
53
53
53
53
53
52
53
52
52
53
54
53
53
54
53
53
53
SERVICES FIGURE FUSE AMPERES
(*) Fuse behind dashboard control box on an auxiliary bracket.
Climate control fan
Radiator fan (first speed - petrol versions)
Radiator fan (second speed - petrol versions)
Horn
Fuel pump
Injectors (petrol versions)
Ignition coils
Tailgate electric unlocking
Electronic injection system
Bose system
Bose system
Additional heater
Ignition switch
Glow plug warming (JTD versions)
Heated fuel oil filter (JTD versions)
Engine compartment control box (JTD versions)
Radiator fan (first speed – JTD versions)
Radiator fan (second speed – JTD versions)
Injectors (JTD versions)

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
248
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 for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubrication
Sight check for 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..)
Check and if necessary top up the Selespeed automatic transmission oil level
(2.0 JTS versions)
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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
249
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
(*) Or every 3 years for harsh conditions (cold climates, city driving or prolonged lengths of time at idle speed, dusty roads or roads covered with sand and/or salt).
Or every 5 years, regardless of mileage.
Sight check for conditions of timing gear drive toothed belt
Change counter-rotating shaft drive belt
Change timing gear drive belt (*)
Change accessory poly-V drive belt
Change spark plugs
Check operation of engine control system (through diagnosis socket)
Check mechanical transmission oil level
Change engine oil and engine oil filter
Change brake fluid (or every 2 years)
Change fuel filter (JTD versions)
Change pollen filter (or every year)
Check emissions/smoke at the exhaust (JTD versions)

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
251
IMPORTANT
Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy con-
ditions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short distances (less than 7-8 km)
repeated and with external temperatures
below zero
– frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving or in case of a
long term inactivity
replace engine oil more frequently than
required on Service Schedule.IMPORTANT
Diesel filter
The different grades of purity in diesel
fuel normally available might make it nec-
essary to replace the filter more frequent-
ly than indicated in the Service Schedule.
If the engine misfires it shows the filter
needs changing.IMPORTANT
Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads change the
air cleaner more frequently than specified
in the Schedule Maintenance Programme.
For any doubts concerning the intervals
between the engine oil and air cleaner
replacement in relation to how the vehicle
is used, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.