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207
IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more frequently
than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme if the car is used pre-
vailingly in one of the following particular-
ly harsh conditions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short, repeated journeys (less than 7-
8 km) with an outside temperature of be-
low freezing point.
– engine idling frequently or driving
long distances at low speed (e.g. taxi or
door-to-door deliveries) or in the case of
prolonged inactivity.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, change
the air cleaner more frequently than stat-
ed in the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.
For any doubts about the intervals be-
tween engine oil and air cleaner changes
in relation to how the car is used, contact
Authorised Alfa Romeo Services.IMPORTANT - 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 Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme. If the en-
gine is “sobbing” it is a sign that the fil-
ter needs changing.
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments, you are
recommended to change the activated
carbon filtering element more frequently;
in particular, it should be changed if a
lower flow of air admitted to the passen-
ger compartment is noted.IMPORTANT - Batteries
You are recommended to have the bat-
tery charge conditions checked, prefer-
ably at the onset of winter, to avoid the
possibility of freezing the electrolyte.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used prevailingly
for short journeys, or if it is fitted with
services that absorb high amounts of cur-
rent permanently with the ignition key
off, especially if installed in the after mar-
ket.
In the case of use of the car in hot cli-
mates or particularly harsh conditions, it
is wise to check the level of the battery
fluid (electrolyte) at more frequent inter-
vals than stated in the Scheduled Mainte-
nance Programme.
IMPORTANT - Remote control
If when pressing the remote control but-
ton of the key, the operating led on the
key flashes briefly only once, the battery
need replacing with other of the same
type.
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 212 of 272

211
PROTECTIVE SHIELD UNDER
ENGINE
The car is fitted with a protective shield
under the engine.
IMPORTANTWhen changing the en-
gine oil and filter, checking and changing
the gearbox and differential oil, this pro-
tection should be removed. This operation
should be carried out by Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
Fig. 3:3.2 V6 24V version
Fig. 4:JTD 20V Multijet version
The engine oil level should be checked
when the vehicle is standing on a level
surface a few minutes (about 5) after the
engine has been switched off.
Remove the dipstick (A), clean it, then
re-insert it completely, remove it once again
and check that the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.The interval between the MIN and MAX
marks corresponds to approximately 1
litre of oil.
Max. engine oil consumption is usually
400 grams every 1000 km.
When the car is new, the engine needs
to run in, therefore the engine oil con-
sumption can only be considered sta-
bilised after the first 5000-6000 km.
fig. 3 - 3.2 V6 24V version
424PGSm
fig. 4 - JTD 20V Multijet version
A0D0113m
Page 213 of 272
212
fig. 6 - JTD 20V Multijet version
A0D0114m
The oil consumption depends on driving
style and the conditions under which the
car is used.
fig. 5 - 3.2 V6 24V versionTOPPING UP ENGINE OIL
Fig. 5:3.2 V6 24V version
Fig. 6:JTD 20V Multijet version
When the level falls to the MIN mark,
cap (B) should be removed and the sys-
tem topped up to the MAX mark through
the filler neck.
Do not exceed the MAX mark when top-
ping up with engine oil.IMPORTANT After topping up the en-
gine oil, before checking the level, run the
engine a few seconds and wait for a few
minutes (approx. 5) after stopping it.
To avoid burns particular
care should be taken
when working inside the engine
compartment when the engine is
warm.
WARNING
556PGSm
Page 214 of 272
213
Never add oil with
characteristics (classifi-
cation, viscosity) which
are different from those of the
oil already in the circuit.
Remember that when the
engine is warm the elec-
tric fan, which is operated on the
basis of the engine coolant tem-
perature, could cut-in automatical-
ly and cause injury.
WARNING
Never exceed the MAX
level when topping up or
changing engine oil. Too much en-
gine oil would cause it to be tak-
en in through the blow-by cylinder.
For JTD versions this can rapidly in-
crease the engine speed (no longer
controllable, in this case, by re-
leasing the accelerator pedal and
moving the ignition key to STOP)
and damage to the engine with the
risk of seizing or fire.
WARNING
Page 216 of 272

215
CHECKING POWER STEERING
OIL LEVEL
Fig. 8:JTD 20V Multijet version
Fig. 9:JTD 20V Multijet version
Fig. 10:3.2 V6 24V version
Check that the oil in the reservoir is at
the maximum level.
This operation must be carried out with
the car on level ground and when the en-
gine is stationary and cold.
fig. 8 - JTD 20V Multijet versionfig. 9 - JTD 20V Multijet versionfig. 10 - 3.2 V6 24V version On JTD 20V Multijet versions access to
the reservoir is gained by removing the cov-
er (A-fig. 8) after turning the fastening
pins withdraw the tube (B-fig. 9).
Slacken the cap (C-fig. 9-10) and
check that the level corresponds to the
reference notch of the maximum level on
the dipstick which is an integral part of
the cap.
TOPPING UP THE POWER
STEERING OIL
If the level of the oil in the power steer-
ing reservoir falls below the specified lev-
el, top up only with one of the products
listed in he table of “Fluids and lubri-
cants” in the “Technical specifications”
chapter as follows.
– Start the engine and allow the oil in
the reservoir to settle.
– When the engine is running turn the
steering wheel lock to lock a few times.
– Top up the MAX level notch and then
replace the cover.
A0D0115mA0D0101mA0D0116m
Page 217 of 272

When the cap (B) is
screwed off the reser-
voir ensure that the
electrical connections are not dis-
connected. Make sure that the
highly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the paint-
work. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.
IMPORTANT Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services for maintenance and re-
pair operations.Oil consumption is very
low; if topping up again
is needed shortly after-
wards, have the system checked
for possible leaks by Alfa Romeo
Authorized services.
CHECKING AND TOPPING UP
THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH
FLUID
(fig. 11)
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake flu-
id specified in the table “Fluids and lubri-
cants” (see section “Technical Specifica-
tions ").
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When open-
ing the cap take the utmost care to pre-
vent impurities entering the tank. When
topping up, always use a funnel with
built-in filter with mesh equal to or lower
than 0.12 mm. On JTD 20V Multijet versions insert the
tube on the cap and refit the cover fasten-
ing with the three screws.
Do not allow power
steering fluid to touch hot
engine parts: it is inflammable.
WARNING
A0D0102m
fig. 11
216
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
From time to time check the instrument
panel warning light by pressing cover (B)
of the reservoir (A) (with the ignition
key at MAR) the instrument warning
panel light
xshould come on.
Page 265 of 272

264
Engine starting ..............................134
EOBD (system) ..............................113
First aid kit ..................................199
Fluids and lubricants ......................243
Fog lamps ......................................93
"Follow me home" device ................60
Front roof lamp..............................100
Fuel consumption ..........................240
Fuel flap ........................................94
Fuel oil filter ..................................219
Fuel reserve ....................................73
Fuel tank cap ................................127
Fuses and relays ............................186
Gear shift ......................................95
Getting to know your car........11
Glovebox ........................................98
Handbrake ....................................95
Hazard warning lights ......................93Headlamps ....................................110
Headrests........................................33
High beam headlamps ......................58
Identification data..................232
In an emergency ............................157
In the event of an accident ..............198
Inside rear-view mirror ......................36
Installation of electric/
electronic devices ......................156
Instrument cluster ............................12
Instrument light dimmer ....................94
Interior equipment ............................96
Interior maintenance ......................228
Keys............................................ 16
Level checking ..............................209
Light switch ....................................57
Low beam headlamps ......................58
Luggage compartment ....................110
Maintenance
- Additional operations ................206
- Annual Inspection Programme ....206
- Maintenance programme ..........204
- Scheduled Maintenance ............202
Mileage recorder ..............................70
Number plate lights ......................179
Oddments compartments........103-104
Oddment compartment light ............183
Parking ......................................138
Parking lights ..................................58
Parking sensors................................67
Performance ..................................239
Pollen/dust filter ......................90-219
Position lights ..................................58
Power steering ..............................142
Power windows ..............................38