CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
205
TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANTS
For towing caravans or trailers the vehicle
must be fitted with a certified tow hook
and an adequate electric system.
Installation should be carried out by spe-
cialised personnel who release a special
document for circulation on the road.
Install any specific and/or additional
rearview mirrors as specified by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the braking
spaces increase and overtaking takes
longer depending on the overall weight.
Engage a lower gear when driving down-
hill, rather than constantly using the
brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the vehi-
cle tow hook reduces by the same amount
the actual vehicle loading capacity. To make sure the maximum towable
weight is not exceeded (given in the log
book) account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and per-
sonal belongings.
Drive within the specific speed limit in
every country for vehicle trailers. In any
case the maximum speed should never
exceed 100 km/h.
INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel accord-
ing to the following instructions and any
additional and/or integrative information
supplied by the Manufacturer of the device
itself.
The towing device must meet current
regulations with reference to Directive
94/20/CEE and subsequent amend-
ments.
For any version the towing device used
must match the towable weight of the
vehicle on which it is to be installed.
For the electric connection a unified con-
nector should be used which is generally
placed on a special bracket normally fas-
tened to the towing device itself. The ABS system with
which the car may be fit-
ted does not control the
trailer braking system. Particular
care is therefore necessary on
slippery surfaces.
Under no circumstances
should the vehicle brake
system be altered to con-
trol the trailer brake. The trailer
braking system must be fully
independent of the vehicle’s
hydraulic system.
IN AN EMERGENCY
221
– after driving for about 10 minutes stop
and check again the tyre pressure; pull up
the handbrake;
If pressure falls below
1.8 bar, stop the car since
the tyre is excessively
damaged and the quick tyre repair
kit Fix & Go automatic cannot
guarantee suitable sealing, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
– if at least 1.8 bar pressure is read, re-
store proper pressure (with engine running
and handbrake on) and restart;
– drive with the utmost care to the near-
est Alfa Romeo Authorized Service.You shall absolutely com-
municate that the tyre has
been repaired with the
quick tyre repair kit. Hand the in-
struction brochure to the personnel
charged with treating the tyre re-
paired with the kit.CHECKING AND RESTORING
PRESSURE ONLY
The compressor can be also used just for
restoring pressure. Disconnect the quick con-
nectionA-fig. 18and connect it directly
to the tyre valve fig. 19; in this way the
cylinder is not connected to compressor and
the sealing fluid will not flow into the tyre.
fig. 18
A0A1101b
fig. 19
A0A1102b
IN AN EMERGENCY
228
Dipped beam headlights
(fig. 25)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the catches.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb, making the tabs of the
metallic part coincide with the grooves on
the reflector, then hook the bulb holder
catch (B).
– Re-connect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 25
A0A0162b
Main beam headlights
(fig. 27)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the catches.
– Disconnect the electric connector (A).
– Release the bulb catch (B).
– Remove the bulb and replace it.
– Fit a new bulb, making the tabs of the
metallic part coincide with the grooves on
the reflector, then hook the bulb holder
catch (B).
– Re-connect the electric connector (A).
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 27
A0A0164b
Front side lights(fig. 26)
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
– Remove the protective cover releasing
the catches.
– Using the extension (A), integral with
the bulb holder (B), withdraw the bulb
holder itself which is snap-fitted.
– Remove the bulb (C), pushing gently
and turning counter-clockwise.
– Change the bulb and re-insert the bulb
holder making sure that it clicks into
place; also check that the bulb is in the
correct position looking at the lamp from
outside.
– Refit the protective cover correctly.
fig. 26
A0A0342b
IN AN EMERGENCY
241
Volumetric sensors
ESP system sensor
Steering angle sensor
EOBD system diagnosis socket
Cell phone provision
Driver’s door control unit supply
Passenger’s door control unit supply
Control lighting
Climate control system control lighting
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
Driver’s door control unit
ABS control unit
ABS control unit
Dashboard control unit
Air - bag control unit
Electronic injection control unit +30
Engine compartment control box (petrol versions)
Dashboard control unit
Trailer control unit15
7.5
7.5
15
15
20
20
7.5
7.5
10
10
15
7.5
50
50
7.5
7.5
125
70
10 F39
F42
F42
F39
F39
F47
F48
F49
F35
F37
F53
F39
F42
F04 (MAXI-FUSE)
F02 (MAXI-FUSE)
F50
F18
F70 (MEGA-FUSE)
F71 (MAXI-FUSE)
F36 52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
53
53
52
53
54
54
52
SERVICES FIGURE FUSE AMPERES
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
252
Vehicle maintenance
should be entrusted to
Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish
to carry out yourself, always
make sure you have the proper
equipment, genuine Alfa Romeo
spares and the necessary fluids;
do not however carry out these
operations if you have no experi-
ence.IMPORTANT
Pollen filter
If the vehicle is used frequently in dusty
or heavily polluted environments it is
advisable to replace the filtering element
more frequently; in particular it should be
replaced if a reduction of the amount of
air admitted to the passenger compart-
ment is noted. IMPORTANT
Battery
It is advisable to check the battery
charge, preferably at the onset of winter,
to prevent the possibility of the electrolyte
freezing.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used mainly for
short trips, or if it is fitted with accessories
that permanently absorb electricity even
with the ignition key removed, especially
in the case of after market accessories.
If the vehicle is used in hot climates or
particularly harsh conditions it is wise to
check the level of the battery fluid (elec-
trolyte) more frequently than specified in
the Scheduled Maintenance Programme.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
259
Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reser-
voir empty: the action of
the windscreen washer is funda-
mental for improving vision.
To avoid damaging the
pump motor, do not use the
windscreen/rearscreen
washers when the reservoir is
empty.
Some commercial addi-
tives for windscreen wash-
ers are inflammable. The
engine compartment contains hot
components which may set it on
fire.
IMPORTANTBrake and hydraulic
clutch fluid is hygroscopic (i.e. it absorbs
moisture). For this reason, if the car is
mainly used in areas with a high degree of
atmospheric humidity, the fluid should be
replaced at more frequent intervals than
specified in the Scheduled Maintenance
Programme.
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN
HEADLIGHT WASHER FLUID
(fig. 11)
Open the cap (A) and check the level in
the reservoir.
If necessary top up using a mixture of
water and TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid as follows:
– 30% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 70% water in summer;
– 50% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 50% water in winter;
– in the case of temperatures below -
20°C use TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid neat. Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and highly cor-
rosive. In the event of
accidental contact, wash the
parts concerned immediately with
neutral soap and water, then
rinse thoroughly. See a doctor at
once if the fluid is swallowed.
Theπsymbol on the
container indicates syn-
thetic brake fluid, distin-
guishing it from the mineral kind.
Using mineral fluids irreversibly
damages the special braking sys-
tem rubber seals.
fig. 11
A0A0242b
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
264
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wear:
(A): Normal pressure: tread evenly
worn.
(B): Low pressure: tread particularly
worn at the edges.
(C): High pressure: tread particularly
worn in the centre.
Tyres should be changed when the tread
thickness is reduced to 1,6 mm.
In any case follow local regulations.
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption switched on by the
user, such as for example: baby bottle
warmers, vacuum cleaner, mobile phone,
mini fridge, etc., quicken the battery
draining processif they are turned on
with the engine off or running at idle
speed.
IMPORTANT When installing addi-
tional systems on the vehicle, bear in
mind that improper branches on connec-
tions of the vehicle wiring are dangerous,
particularly if safety devices are involved.
WHEELS AND TYRES
TYRE PRESSURE
Check the tyre pressure of every wheel,
including the spare, every two weeks and
before a long journey. The pressure should
be checked with the tyre rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is in use; for the correct tyre
inflation pressure, see “Wheels” in the
“Technical Specifications” chapter.
Battery
60 Ah
70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
36 mA
42 mA
The maximum absorption of all the
accessories (standard and fitted after-
wards) should be 0,6 mA x Ah (of the bat-
tery), as shown in the following table:
fig. 14
A0A0225b