2009 Alfa Romeo 8C service

192
8
ADDITIONAL
CHECKSEvery 500 km or before long journeys, check
and if necessary correct:
- engine coolant level
- windscreen washer fl uid level
- tyre pressure and condition.WARNING - ENGINE OIL
If the vehicle is used mainly in one of the
following particularly severe conditions:
- dusty roads;
- short repetitive trips (less than 7-8 km)
when the external temperature is below
zero;
- engine running frequently at idle or without
reaching stabilised temperatures, replace
the engine oil more frequently than
indicated in the Maintenance Schedule. WARNING - AIR FILTER
When using the vehicle on dusty roads, replace
the air filters more frequently than indicated in
the Maintenance Schedule.
If you have any doubts about the frequency
for engine oil and air filter replacements, in
the relation to the vehicle conditions of use,
contact an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
WARNING: The vehicle must be serviced
by an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network. For routine and minor
maintenance operations or small repairs which
you can carry out yourself, make sure that you
always use the right equipment, genuine Alfa
Romeo spare parts and the recommended fluids.
In any case, never perform these operations if
you have no experience.

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8
A
MAXMIN
ENGINE OIL
The level must be checked when the engine is
warm, following the procedure below:
- start the vehicle and warm it up until the
temperature stabilises;
- turn off the engine, remove the fi ller cap
A
and wait 5 minutes to allow the oil to fl ow
into the sump;
- measure the level and top up if necessary.
The oil level must be between the MIN and MAX
notches on the dipstick.
The interval between MIN and MAX corresponds
to approximately 1.5 litres of oil.
WARNING: Do not exceed the MAX level!
If the oil level is close to or below the MIN notch,
add oil through the filler neck
A positioned next
to the dipstick until reaching the MAX notch. The
oil level must never exceed the MAX reference
notch.
WARNING: Do not top up with oil having
characteristics other than those of the oil already
used in the engine.After topping up or replacing the oil, check its
level once again.
WARNING: The engine oil used and the oil filter
changed contain substances that are dangerous
for the environment. To replace the oil and
filters, we advise you to contact an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network where all the necessary equipment is
available to dispose of the used oil and filters in
compliance with applicable legislation and in an
environment-friendly manner.

195
8
MAXMIN
B
MAINTENANCE
GEARBOX OIL
Have the oil level checked at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.WARNING: Do not top up with oil having
characteristics other than those of the oil already
used in the engine.
WARNING: Waste transmission oil contains
substances that are dangerous for the
environment. To have the oil changed, we advise
you to contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network, where all the
necessary equipment is available to dispose
of the used oil and filters in compliance with
applicable legislation and in an environment-
friendly manner.
ENGINE COOLANT
CAUTION
When the engine is very hot, do
not remove the cap from the pan: risk
of burns!
The fluid level must be checked with the engine
cold and must be between the MIN and MAX
reference notches visible on the tank.
If the level is too low, slowly pour the
recommended fluid through the pan filler neck
until the level is near to the MAX reference
notch.WINDSCREEN/
HEADLIGHT WASHER
FLUID
For topping-up, open the cover
B, extract the
filler neck extension and pour in a mixture of
water and detergent in the proportion indicated
on the package.
WARNING: If the temperature is below 20°C,
use pure detergent fluid.
WARNING: Do not drive with the windscreen
washer tank empty: the action of the washer is
essential for improving visibility.

197
8
MAINTENANCE
AIR FILTERHave the air filter replaced at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
ANTI-DUST/ANTI-
POLLEN FILTERThis filter performs mechanic/electrostatic air
filtering, provided that windows and doors are
fully closed.
Have the anti-pollen/dust filter replaced at least
once a year, at an Authorised Service Centre of
the Manufacturer’s Network preferably at the
beginning of the warm season.
If the vehicle is mainly used in the city traffic,
on highways or dusty roads, we recommend
that you replace the filters more frequently than
prescribed in the Maintenance Schedule.
WARNING: Failure to replace the filter may
considerably reduce the air conditioning and
heating system efficiency.
CAUTION
We advise you to have the
anti-pollen/dust filter replaced at
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.

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8
A
B
C
BATTERYThe battery is of the “low maintenance” type,
and is located on the right side of the luggage
compartment
To access the battery lift the shelf and
A and the
box cover
B releasing the hooks.
C.
With the vehicle standing on a flat surface, the
battery fluid level (electrolyte) must be between
the MIN and MAX reference notches shown on
the battery.
If the level is lower than the MIN reference
notch, contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network to have it
checked.To recharge the battery, see the section “In an
emergency”.
CAUTION
The fluid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
Do not approach the battery with open
flames or possible sources of sparks:
risk of explosion and fire!
Batteries contain substances that are very
harmful for the environment. We advise you
to have the battery replaced at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network, where all the necessary equipment
is available to dispose of the used parts in compliance with applicable legislation and in an
environment-friendly manner.
WARNING: Incorrect assembly of electrical and
electronic accessories can cause serious damage
to the vehicle.USEFUL HINTS FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
THE BATTERY
When parking the vehicle, make sure that the
doors, luggage and engine compartment lids
are properly closed. All interior lights should be
off. When the engine is off, do not keep the
connected devices switched on for a long time
(for example the radio, the hazard warning
lights, the fan, etc.).

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8
CAUTION
During the tyre life, the rolling
direction of the first fitting shall
always be observed, also in case of
“non-directional” tyres.
CAUTION
Check the depth of the tyre
tread at regular intervals (minimum
allowed value 1.6 mm). The thinner
is the tread, the greater is the risk of
skidding.
CAUTION
Drive carefully on wet roads to
decrease the risk of aquaplaning.
WINDSCREEN
WIPERSClean the rubber parts regularly using the
appropriate products.
Change the blades if the edge of the rubber
is deformed or worn. In any case, the blades
should be changed about once a year.
CAUTION
Travelling with worn wiper
blades is very dangerous because it
reduces the visibility in the event of
poor atmospheric conditions.
CAUTION
The arms of the wiper blade
have to be replaced with new ones
after having disassembled them twice.
The special arm fixing system ensures
optimal mechanical stability only after
the first two refitting operations,
provided that the specified tightening
torque is observed.CAUTION
We advise you to have any
operations involving removal of the
windscreen wiper arms performed at
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
Some simple measures may reduce the
possibility of damage to the blades.
- In the case of temperatures below zero °C,
check that ice has not stuck the rubber part
against the windscreen glass. If necessary,
release with an anti-ice product.
- Remove any snow on the windscreen: as
well as protecting the blades, this avoids
forcing and overheating the electric motor.
- Do not activate the windscreen wipers when
the windscreen is dry.

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8
B
A
C
MAINTENANCE
SPRAY NOZZLES
If the jet does not work, first check that there
is fluid in the pan (see “Level checks” in this
section) then check that the nozzles are not
clogged.REPLACING THE WIPER
BLADES
1) Release the blade
A by lifting the catch
B.
2) Slide the blade
A to the right to remove it
from the arm. C.
3) Fit the new blade working in reverse order.
WARNING: When replacing the blade, be careful
not to damage the bodywork or the blade itself.
AIR
CONDITIONING/
HEATING SYSTEMDuring the winter, the air conditioning system
should be operated at least once a month for
about 10 minutes.
Before the summer season, have the system
efficiency checked at an Authorised Service
Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network. WARNING: The system uses R134a type
coolant that, in the event of accidental leakage,
is not harmful for the environment. Under no
circumstances should you use R12 fluid that, in
addition to being incompatible with the system
components, contains chloro-fluoro-carbons
(CFCs).

206
8
INTERIORSCheck at regular intervals that there is no water
trapped under the mats (due to drips off shoes,
umbrellas etc.) which may cause the metal parts
to oxidise.
CLEANING THE LEATHER
UPHOLSTERY
- Remove the dried dirt with a slightly damp
deerskin or a cloth, without rubbing too
hard.
- Remove any liquid or grease stains with a
dry absorbent cloth, without rubbing.
- Then run a soft cloth or deerskin damped
with water and neutral detergent.
- If the stain persists, use specifi c products
carefully following the instructions for use. WARNING: Never use alcohol, alcohol-based
products or solvents.
It is in any case advisable to use the Car Care
Kit (specifically for cleaning leather) included in
the Alfa Romeo accessory line. The kit cannot be
used on suede.
LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
TREATMENT
Have the leather upholstery treated according
to the Maintenance Schedule and only
at an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network, where the specific
products required for the treatment are available.CARBON PARTS
Have small scratches and marks on the carbon
structure removed by an Authorised Service
Centre of the Manufacturer’s Network.
Improper operations may irreparably damage the
carbon parts.
CAUTION
Do not use aggressive organic
substances, such as: petrol, kerosene,
petroleum, acetone or solvents.