GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
186
FUEL CAP
(fig. 176)
The fuel flap is released from inside the
car, raising the front part of the lever (A).
The fuel cap (A-fig. 177) has a catch
to prevent misplacing it (B) that fastens it
to the flap (C).
WARNINGThe fuel tank is sealed her-
metically and pressure may build up inside.
Any noise of rushing air when the cap is re-
moved is perfectly normal.
fig. 176
A0B0044m
fig. 177
A0B0045m
In case of need, replace
the fuel cap only with an
original one; otherwise,
the efficiency of the petrol vapour
recovery system could be badly af-
fected.
EMERGENCY FLAP OPENING
DEVICEIf the lever (A-fig. 176) fails to work,
it is still possible to open the flap by pulling
the cord (A-fig. 178) on the right-hand
side of the luggage compartment.fig. 178
A0B0388m
WARNINGFor your safety, make sure
that the fuelling pump nozzle is inserted cor-
rectly into the housing, before starting the
engine.
Do not get near the fuel
filler with naked flames or
lit cigarettes: danger of fire. Also
avoid going too near the filler with
the face to avoid inhaling harmful
vapours.
WARNING
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.
CAR MAINTENANCE
249
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Thousands of km
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●●●●
●●
●●
●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●
●●●●
●●
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,boot lights, passenger compartment lights, glovebox light, warning lights, etc..)Check operation of windscreen wiper/washer system, adjust spray jetsCheck position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper bladesCheck front disk brake pad wear indicatorCheck conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check for the conditions of: exterior bodywork, underbody protection,
pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts (boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.)Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubricationCheck condition of timing drive beltSight check for conditions of Poly-V accessory drive beltCheck/adjust handbrake lever strokeCheck/adjust valve clearance (1.9 JTD 8V versions)Check petrol engine exhaust emissionsCheck engine smoke (diesel versions)Check operation of antievaporation system (petrol engines)
CAR MAINTENANCE
251
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONSEvery 1000 kmor before long journeys
check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant level
– brake fluid/hydraulic clutch control flu-
id level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen washer and headlamp wash-
er fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck the level of the
engine oil and top up if necessary.
You are recommended to use products of
the FL Selenia, designed and developed
expressly for Alfa Romeo cars (see the table
“Specifications of fluids and lubricants” in
the “Technical specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMMEAn annual inspection programme
has been established for cars thet
cover less than 20,000 km (e.g.
10,000 km). It consists of the fol-
lowing:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust
pressure if required (including the compact
spare wheel)
– Check lighting system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
boot lights, passenger compartment lights,
glovebox light, warning lights of instrument
panel, etc.)
– Check windscreen and rear-screen
wiper/washer operation, adjust nozzles
– Check windscreen/rear-screen blade po-
sition/wear
– Check condition and wear of the front
brake pad
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication– Visually check the following: engine,
gearbox, transmission, piping (exhaust - fu-
el - brakes) rubber components (casings -
sleeves - bushings, etc..), brake and fuel
hoses
– Check battery charge condition
– Visually check the condition of the belts
and various controls
– Check and top up if necessary, the flu-
id levels (coolant, brake fluid, windscreen
washer fluid, battery, etc.)
– Change engine oil
– Replace engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.
AFTER SALESASSISTENZA TECNICA - INGEGNERIA ASSISTENZIALE
Viale Alfa Romeo 20020 Arese (MI) - Italia
Fiat Auto S.p.A.
Pubblication n° 60431326 - 5
thEdition - 09/2004
Printed by Satiz - Turin (Italy)
All rights reserved. Reproduction, even partial, is strictly prohibited without
written permission from Fiat Auto S.p.A
Coordinamento Editoriale Satiz - Torino
SERVICE
REFUELLING (litres)Only use unleaded petrol with over 95 R.O.N.
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V JTD JTD 16V JTD 20V
Multijet Multijet
Fuel tank capacity 63 63 63 63 63 63 63Reserve 9 9 9 9 9 9 9TYRE INFLATION PRESSURES COLD (bar) (*) = Snow chains may not be used on this tyres(●)= Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
(▼)= Tyres on which chains can be fitted: use snow chains with reduced size with max. protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 12 mm.
With the tyre hot the inflating pressure should be +0.3 bar compared with the specified rating. Recheck pressure value with cold tyres.
With winter tyres the inflation pressure should be +0.2 bar compared with the specified rating.
ENGINE OIL REPLACEMENT (litres)
Tyres
185/65 R15”
(▼)
front rear
2.2 2.2
2.5 2.5Tyres
205/55 R16”
(●)
front rear
2.4 2.4
2.6 2.6Tyres
205/60 R15”
(▼)
front rear
2.2 2.2
2.5 2.5Tyres
215/45 ZR17”
(*)
front rear
2.4 2.4
2.6 2.6
Compact spare wheel
125/80 R15”
4.2
Reduced load(2 occupants)Full load
1.6 T.SPARK 1.8 T.SPARK 2.0 JTS 2.5 V6 24V JTD JTD 16V JTD 20V
Multijet Multijet
Quantity for periodical replacement (also changing filter) 4.40 4.40 4.40 5.90 4.50 4.50 5Do not discard used oil in the environment.