CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
196
Tyres
Tyres should be checked at least every four
4 weeks: if the pressure is too low, fuel con-
sumption increases as the resistance to the
rolling movement of the tyre is higher. In
this state, tyre wear is increased
and vehicle handling suffers which will af-
fect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much luggage stowed
in the boot. The weight of the vehicle (es-
pecially when driving in town) and its trim
greatly affects consumption and stability.
Luggage/ski rack
Remove luggage or ski racks from the roof
of the vehicle as soon as they are no longer
needed. These accessories reduce the aero-
dynamic penetration of the vehicle and will
increase consumption. When transporting
particularly large objects, use a trailer where
possible.Electrical devices
Use the electric devices for the necessary
time only. The heated rear window, supple-
mentary lights, windscreen wipers, heating
system blower require large amounts of en-
ergy and, increasing the request for power
also increases fuel consumption (up to
+25% when driving in built-up areas).
Air conditioner
The air conditioner is an additional load
which greatly affects the engine leading to
higher consumption (on average up to
+20%). When the temperature outside the
vehicle permits it, use the air vents where
possible.
Spoilers
The use of aerodynamic optional extras
which are not certified for the specific use
on the vehicle, may reduce the aerodynamic
penetration of the vehicle and increase con-
sumption.
STYLE OF DRIVINGStarting
Do not warm the engine when the vehicle
is stationary or at high or low revs: in this
way the engine will warm up gradually in-
creasing consumption and emissions. You
should drive off slowly straight away avoid-
ing high revs so that the engine will warm
up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving the engine when stopped at
traffic lights or before switching off the en-
gine and avoid doubling the clutch as these
actions have no purpose on modern vehicles
and serve only to increase consumption and
pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the traffic and road conditions
allow it, shift to a higher gear. Using a lower
gear to liven up acceleration greatly in-
creases consumption. In the same way, im-
proper use of the higher gears will increase
consumption, emissions and wear and tear
on the engine.
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
198
PROTECTING EMISSION
REDUCING DEVICESCorrect operation of the antipollution de-
vices not only guarantees respect for the en-
vironment but also influences car perfor-
mance. Keeping these devices in good con-
dition is therefore the first rule for both en-
vironment-friendly and economy driving.
The first precaution is to closely follow the
“Scheduled Maintenance Programme ”. For
petrol engines only use unleaded petrol (95
RON) (specification EN228), for diesel en-
gines only use fuel oil for motor vehicles
(specification EN590).
If difficulty with starting is experienced do
not insist with extended attempts. Especially
avoid bump, tow or coast starts: these may
all damage the catalyst. Only use an auxil-
iary battery to start the car in an emergency.If the engine is “not running smoothly”
when the vehicle is travelling, reduce the re-
quest for performance to a minimum and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as
soon as possible.
When the fuel reserve warning light comes
on fill up as soon as possible. A low fuel level
may cause an irregular supply to the engine
with inevitable increase of the exhaust gas
temperature; this would result in serious
damage to the catalyst.
Never run the engine, even as a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. Do
not warm the engine at idle speed before
moving off, unless the outside temperature
is very low and, in this case too, for no more
than 30 seconds.
Do not install other heat
guards and do not remove
the existing ones on the catalyst
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
Do not spray anything on
the catalyst, lambda sen-
sor and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
The failure to follow these
rules may cause a fire
hazard.
WARNING
During normal service the
catalyst reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore park
the car over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING
CAR MAINTENANCE
252
WARNING
Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy condi-
tions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external temperatures be-
low zero.
– frequently idling engines or long distance
low speed driving (e.g. taxis or door-to-door
deliveries) or in case of a long term inac-
tivity.
Replace engine oil more frequently than
required on
SERVICE SCHEDULE
.WARNING
Fuel oil filter
The variety of the degree of purity of the
fuel oil in commerce may make it necessary
to change the fuel oil filter more frequently
than stated in the Scheduled Maintenance
Programme. If the engine is “sobbing” it
is a sign that the filter needs changing.WARNING
Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, change the
air cleaner more frequently than stated in
the Scheduled Maintenance Programme.
For any doubts about the intervals be-
tween engine oil and air cleaner changes
in relation to how the car is used, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
CAR MAINTENANCE
260
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent characteristics than
those of the oil already in
the system.
The oil level should never exceed the
MAXmark on the dipstick on the COLD
side, if the level is checked cold and on the
HOTside if the level is checked with the
gearbox/differential unit hot.
fig. 14
A0B0163m
The level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word COLD(+40°C).
WARNINGAfter long journeys with the
gearbox/differential unit very hot, the oil
level should be between the MINand
MAXmarks of the sector identified by the
word HOT(+80°C).
Q-SYSTEM AUTOMATIC
GEARBOX OIL LEVEL
(fig. 14)
The oil should be checked with the engine
idling and at operating temperature, the
gearshift lever at position Pand the car on
level ground.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– remove the dipstick (A);
– clean it with a clean lint free cloth;
– insert the dipstick in its housing pushing
well down to the bottom;
– remove it to check.
If the oil level is near or below the MIN
mark, add TUTELA GI/2oil through the
dipstick housing.
When the engine is very
hot, take care when work-
ing inside the engine compartment
to avoid burns. Remember that
when the engine is hot, the fan may
cut in: danger of injury.
WARNING
Used gearbox oil contain
pollutants. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to
have the oil changed as these are
equipped to dispose of the waste
oil respecting the environment and
laws.
WARNING
CAR MAINTENANCE
273
Proceed as follows:
– Raise the windscreen wiper arm and po-
sition the blade so that it forms an angle
of 90° with the arm.
– Press tab (B) of the coupling spring and
remove the blade to be replaced from the
arm (A).
– When the spring is released from the
curved top of the arm, move the blade to al-
low the arm to be withdrawn through the slot.
– Insert a new blade passing it through the
curved top of the arm (A) through the slot.
– Lift the blade to clamp tab (B) of the cou-
pling spring with the curved top of the arm.
– Lower the windscreen wiper arm.
WARNINGThe blades may differ ac-
cording to the versions. In any case, follow
the instructions provided in the packs avail-
able as spares from Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services. Changing the windscreen wiper
blade (fig. 27)
WARNINGThe blade on driver’s side
is fitted with a spoiler that improves adhe-
sion between the blade and the windscreen.
To prevent improper fitting, before changing
the blade, check the spoiler direction of the
blade to be replaced, then fit the new blade
following the same spoiler direction.
fig. 27
A0B0580m
WINDSCREEN/REAR
SCREEN WIPERSBLADESPeriodically clean the rubber part using spe-
cial products TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they
should be replaced. In any case they should
be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
– If the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the rub-
ber against the glass. If necessary, thaw us-
ing an antifreeze product.
– Remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this prevents
effort on the motor and overheating.
– Do not operate the windscreen and rear
window wipers on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
321
UseLubricants and greases
for transmissionsBrake fluidProtective agent for radiatorsAdditive for fuel oil
Windscreen/
rearscreen/headlampwasher fluid
(*) IMPORTANTDo not add or mix with fluids with specifications other than the specified ones.Quality features of fluids and lubricants
for correct vehicle operation
Synthetic-based engine oil, SAE 75W-80 EP grade that passes API GL5
and MIL-L-2105 D Lev specifications
SAE 75W-85 completly synthetic engine oil.
Meets API GL 4 and ZF TE ML06 (B&C) LEVEL, ALLISON C4 specifications
“ATF DEXRON II D LEV”, type oil
“ATF DEXRON III” type specific oil
“ATF DEXRON II D LEV”, SAE 10W type oil
Lithium-soap-based grease with molybdenum bisulphate.
Consistency NLGI 2
FMVSS n° 116 DOT 4, ISO 4925, SAE J1704,
CUNA NC 956-01 synthetic fluid
Protective with antifreeze action, blue color, based on inhibited monoethylene
glycol, CUNA NC 956-16
Protective with antifreeze action, red colour, based on inhibited monoethylen
glycol, with O.A.T.-based organic formula, that passes CUNA NC 956-16,
ASTM D 3306 specifications
Additive for fuel oil with protective action for Diesel engines
Mixture of spirits and surface-active agents CUNA NC 956-11Recommended fluids
and lubricants
TUTELA CAR
ZC 75 Synth
TUTELA CAR
MATRYX
TUTELA GI/2
TUTELA CAR
CS SPEED
TUTELA GI/A
TUTELA MRM 2
TUTELA CAR TOP 4
for Alfa Romeo
PARAFLU 11 (*)
or
PARAFLU UP (*)
DIESEL MIX
TUTELA
PROFESSIONAL
SC 35
Applications
Mechanical gearbox and
differential
Mechanical gearbox and
differential for high
temperatures
Automatic gearbox
Selespeed transmission
electrically-operated
electrohydraulic drive
Hydraulic power steering
C.V. joints
Hydraulic brake and
clutch control
Cooling ducts
Percentage:
50% down to –35°C
To be mixed with the fuel
oil (25 cc per 10 litres)
To be used neat
or diluted
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
328
Diesel filter ................................. 265
Dimensions ........................... 315-316
Dipped beam headlights
– aiming for left-hand/
right-hand driving ................... 178
– changing bulbs ..................... 224
– switching on ......................... 48
Direction indicators
– changing front bulbs ............... 223
– changing rear bulbs ................ 228
– changing side bulbs ................ 227
– switching on ......................... 49
Door mirrors.......................... 25-26
Doors
– centralized locking ................. 19
– child safety lock............... 20-279
– opening/closing
from inside ..................... 19-278
– opening/closing
from outside ................... 18-278
– remote control ....................... 7
– remote locking/unlocking ...... 16
Economy and environment-friendly
driving ..................................... 197
Electronic alarm system................. 11
– automatic engagement ........... 14
– cutting out the siren .............. 15
– description ............................ 11
– interrupting the alarm ............. 14
– ministerial homologation ........ 16
– request for additional
emote controls....................... 12
– switching off ........................ 13
– switching on ......................... 12
– volumetric protection ............. 15
– when the alarm is triggered ..... 14
Electronic control units ................. 270
Emergency starting ................ 191-205
– starting by inertia .................. 207
– starting with an auxiliary
battery ................................. 242
Engine
– identification codes................. 301
– marking ............................... 299
– specifications ......................... 302
Engine compartment
– bonnet ................................. 172
– cleaning................................ 276Engine coolant
– checking level and topping up .. 261
– temperature gauge
and warning light ................... 62
Engine lock system
(Alfa Romeo CODE) ................... 6
Engine oil
– checking level and topping up .. 257
– consumption ......................... 258
Environment
– economy and environment-
friendly driving....................... 197
– emission reducing devices . 187-188
– protecting emission
reducing devices .................... 198
– reducing running costs
and environment pollution ....... 195
– use of non-toxic materials........ 187
EOBD system............................... 182
First-aid kit ................................ 247
Fix&Go (quick tyre repair kit) ........ 212
Flashing main beam headlights ..... 49
Fluids and lubricants .................... 320
Front foglights
– adjustment............................ 177
– changing bulbs ..................... 225
– switching on.......................... 136
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