Page 140 of 272

139
DRIVING UNDER ADVERSE
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Rain and fog can be extremely danger-
ous if the style of driving is not adapted
to suit these conditions. Some sugges-
tions are given below:
– if the road is wet, the friction be-
tween wheel and asphalt is greatly re-
duced thus increasing the stopping dis-
tance and decreasing road holding when
cornering.
Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– Heavy rain and fog reduce visibility.
Headlights should be switched on as the
road traffic laws and common sense dic-
tate, above all to render yourself visible
to others.
– Do not drive over puddles or flooded
roads at high speed as the aquaplaning
phenomenon may cause you to loose
control over the vehicle.
– If visibility is already reduced prevent
it from worsening by ensuring that the
windows do not steam up. Use the heat-
ing-ventilation controls as indicated in the
chapter “Know your vehicle”.– Check the condition of the windscreen
wiper blades.
– If fog is very thick avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling cannot be
avoided drive with extreme care and
moderate your speed. Avoid overtaking.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop owing
to a malfunction or zero visibility condi-
tions, pull off the road, switch on the haz-
ard warning lights and if possible, the
dipped-beam headlights.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING
Mountain driving requires a greater de-
gree of concentration. Some practical
hints follow:
– Before driving off check the level of
fluids (engine oil, brakes, coolant) and
the state of the tyres.
– When travelling down hill use the en-
gine braking by engaging lower gears to
prevent the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast downhill with the engine
off or in neutral and especially not with
the ignition key removed.
– Drive at a moderate speed and avoid
cutting corners.– Remember that overtaking uphill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being
overtaken on a hill move over to enable
the other vehicle to pass in safety.
WINTER DRIVING
If the temperature falls below 0°C or in
the presence of snow or ice the following
recommendations should be followed:
– Before driving off check that the
windscreen wipers are not frozen to the
windscreen.
– Remove the snow from the air intake
(grille) at the base of the windscreen.
– Do not stop long on deep snow with
the engine running: the snow might di-
vert the exhaust gas carbon monoxide in-
to the passenger compartment.
– Ensure that brakes and tyres are in
perfect working order.
–Ensure that the detergent liquid locat-
ed in the windscreen/headlight washers
has been topped up with anti-freeze and
anti-scale additives.
– Use engine braking where possible
and avoid abrupt braking.
Page 206 of 272
205
thousands of kilometres 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Change fuel filter (diesel versions)•••••••••
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)••••
Change air cleaner cartridge (diesel versions)•••••••••
Check and top up, if required, fluid levels (brakes/hydraulic clutch, power steering,
windscreen washer, battery, engine coolant, etc.)•••••••••
Replacement of timing gear drive belt (*) and Poly-V accessory drive belt•
Replacement of spark plugs (petrol versions)•
Check operation of engine control systems (through diagnostics socket)••••
Check manual gearbox and differential oil level (petrol versions)••
Change engine oil and oil filter •••••••••
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)•••
Check dust/pollen filter•••••••••
(*)Or every 4 years in harsh conditions (cold climates, stop and go city traffic).
Or every 5 years, regardless of the mileage.
Page 207 of 272

206 ANNUAL INSPECTION
PLAN
An annual inspection plan has
been established for cars that cov-
er less than 20,000 km a year
(e.g. 10,000 km). It consists of
the following:
– Checking the condition/wear of tyres,
and adjusting pressure (including the com-
pact spare wheel, where applicable).
– Checking the lighting system (head-
lights, turn indicators, hazard warning
lights, boot light, passenger compart-
ment, warning lights of instrument panel,
etc.).
– Checking the working order of the
windscreen wiper-washer and adjusting
the nozzles.
– Checking the positioning/wear of the
windscreen wipers.
– Checking the condition and wear of
the front brake pad.– Sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber
parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.).
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication.
– Check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte).
– Visually checking the condition of the
belts and various controls.
– Checking and topping up, if neces-
sary, the level of liquids (coolant, brake
fluid, windscreen washer fluid, battery
etc.).
– Change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired.
– Check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired.
– Check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long jour-
neys check and if necessary top up:
– the engine coolant fluid level
– brake fluid/hydraulic clutch control
fluid level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen washer and headlamp
washer fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
– check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
etc.).
– check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear.
Every 3000 kmcheck the level of
the engine oil and top up if necessary.
Every 5000 km(only for fuel oil en-
gines): drain the condensation water
from the filter. You are recommended to
use products of the FL Selenia, de-
signed and developed expressly for Alfa
Romeo cars (see the table “Fluids and lu-
bricants” in the Technical specifications”
chapter).
Page 210 of 272
209
3.2 V6 24V version
fig. 1
k
1)engine oil
π
2)brake and
clutch fluid
+
3)windscreen
washer fluid
n
4)engine coolant
fluid
∂
5)power steering
fluid
A0D0099m
CHECKING LEVELS
Page 211 of 272
210
JTD 20V Multijet version
fig. 2
k
1)engine oil
π
2)brake and
clutch fluid
+
3)windscreen
washer fluid
n
4)engine coolant
fluid
∂
5)power steering
fluid
A0D0112m
Page 218 of 272

217
CHECKING AND TOPPING UP
THE WINDSCREEN/HEADLIGHT
WASHER FLUID
(fig. 12-13)
Access to the windscreen/headlight
washer fluid reservoir, remove the cover
(A-fig. 12) after turning the pins (B).
Then remove the cap (C-fig. 13) and
pour the fluid in the tank until the level
can be seen through the filler neck.
Then close the filler with the cap and re-
fit the cover fastening with the two pins.To avoid damaging the
pump motor do not use
the windscreen washers
when the reservoir is empty.
A0D0104mA0D0103m
fig. 12 fig. 13
Symbolπon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
type brake fluid distinguishing it
from the mineral kind. Using min-
eral type fluids damages the spe-
cial rubber braking system gaskets
beyond repair.
WARNING
Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and corrosive.
In the event of contact wash the
parts concerned immediately with
neutral soap and water, then rinse
thoroughly. See a doctor at once if
the fluid is swallowed.
WARNING
Some commercial addi-
tives for windscreen
washers are inflammable. The en-
gine compartment contains hot com-
ponents which could set it on fire.
WARNING
Page 226 of 272

225
– Application of enamels with greater
resistance to atmospheric pollutants.
– Adoption of “open” boxed parts to
prevent condensation from triggering cor-
rosion from the inside.
The underbody is treated with the appli-
cation of a special protective material.
If this protective layer requires restora-
tion the exhaust system, lambda probe
and catalytic converter must be left free
of any wax, oil, plastic and/or inflamma-
ble product.
This should therefore be carried out by
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.SPRAY JETS
Make sure that the windscreen and
headlight washer jets deliver a jet of fluid
which is adequate and correctly directed.
If the spray devices are not working
check that the supply circuit is not
blocked. If necessary unclog the nozzles
using a needle.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
Alfa Romeo employs manufacturing
technologies which are designed to pro-
tect the bodywork against chemical corro-
sion caused by various factors, for exam-
ple:
– atmospheric pollution.
– Salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
hot-humid climates).
– Road surfaces covered with salt and
de-icing products during the winter.
To further increase resistance against
corrosion the following procedures have
been adopted:
– painting system and paint products
which render the vehicle particularly resis-
tant to corrosion and abrasion.
– Wide use of sheet metal which is ex-
tremely resistant to corrosion.
– Spraying of the underbody, engine
bay, wheel arches and boxed parts with
suitable products which adhere strongly
to the metal parts and have a high pro-
tection capability.
Page 237 of 272
236 SERVICING
Unleaded petrol with no less than 95 R.O.N.
(EN228 Specification)Diesel fuel for motor vehicles
(EN590 Specification) 3.2 V6 24V JTD 20V
Multijet
Fuel
Capacity of fuel tank 69 litres 69 litres– reserve of 9 litres 9 litres
Engine oil (quantity
for periodical change, including
the oil filter change) 5.90 litres 5.0 litres
Gearbox/differential oil
(except versions with electronic
automatic gearbox) 2.0 litres 1.45 litres
Engine cooling system 10.3 litres 9.1 litres
Windscreen washer fluid
reservoir capacity 7 litres 7 litres