Page 44 of 271

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
42
IMPORTANTThe front and/or side air
bags may be activated if the car is subject-
ed to heavy shocks or accidents that involve
the underbody area, such as for example vi-
olent bumps against steps, pavements or
fixed obstacles on the ground, falling into
big holes or bumpy roads.
IMPORTANTThe triggering of air bags
releases a small amount of powder. This
powder is not harmful and does not indicate
a start of fire; also the surfaces of the de-
ployed bag and the car interior may be cov-
ered with dusty residue: this may irritate the
skin and eyes. In the event of exposure,
wash with neutral soap and water.
Life and validity of pyrotechnic charge and
coil contact are indicated on the label set
near the lock of the left front door. As this
date approaches, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the device re-
placed.IMPORTANTShould an accident occur
in which any of the safety devices is acti-
vated, take the car to Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services to have the devices activated
replaced and to have the system checked.
All operations involving checking, repair-
ing and replacing components concerning
the air bag must be carried out by Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services
If the car is to be demolished, Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services should be contacted be-
forehand to have the system deactivated. If
the car changes ownership, the new own-
er must be informed of the instructions for
use and of the above warnings and be giv-
en this “Owner’s Manual”.
IMPORTANT The triggering of the pre-
tensioners, front air bags and side bags is
decided in a differentiated manner depend-
ing on the type of crash. The failure to trig-
ger one or more of them does not neces-
sarily indicate a system malfunction.Never rest head, arms
and elbows on the door, on
the windows and in the
window bag area to prevent pos-
sible injuries during the inflation
phase.
Never lean head, arms
and elbows out of the win-
dow.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
63
Engine oil level check
(JTD versions)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe dis-
play shows the engine oil level for a few sec-
onds. During this phase, to clear the display
and move to next screen, press briefly but-
tonMODE.
IMPORTANTTo make sure that the en-
gine oil level displayed is correct, carry out
the check with the car on level ground.
Fig. 85refers to the correct engine oil
level display. As the oil level gradually falls,
the full bars go off leaving room for the emp-
ty ones.
fig. 85
A0A9101g
fig. 86
A0A9102g
fig. 87
A0A9103g
Fig. 86refers to the display with an oil
level below the preset minimum. In this con-
dition the bars are all empty.
IMPORTANTIn this case the correct en-
gine oil level should be restored as soon as
possible, see “Checking levels” in section
“Car maintenance”. Fig. 87refers to the display with an oil
level above the preset maximum. In this con-
dition the bars are all full.
IMPORTANTIn this case, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who will restore
the correct engine oil level.
Page 224 of 271
CAR MAINTENANCE
222
fig. 1 - 1.8 T. SPARK version
A0A0736b
A0A0681b
CHECKING LEVELS
Never smoke while work-
ing in the engine compart-
ment; gas and inflammable
vapours may be present, with the
risk of fire.
When topping up take
care not to confuse the var-
ious types of fluids: they
are incompatible with one anoth-
er and could seriously damage the
car.
fig. 2 - 2.0 JTS version 1Engine oil - 2Battery - 3Brake fluid -
4Windscreen/rear window/headlight
washer fluid - 5Engine coolant - 6Power
steering fluid - 7Selespeed transmission oil
(2.0 JTS Selespeed versions)
Page 226 of 271

CAR MAINTENANCE
224
ENGINE OIL (fig. 5-6-7-8)
The engine oil should be checked with the
car on a level surface a few minutes (about
5) after the engine has been switched off.
Remove the dipstick (A), clean it, put it
back in completely, remove it and check that
the level is within the MINandMAX
marks on the dipstick. The interval between
theMINandMAXmarks correspond to
about one litre of oil.When the engine is hot,
take care when working
inside the engine compart-
ment to avoid burns. Remember
that when the engine is hot, the
fan may cut in: danger of injury.
Never add oil with char-
acteristics (classification,
viscosity) which are differ-
ent from those of the oil already in
the circuit.
fig. 6 - 2.0 JTS version
A0A0682b
fig. 8 - JTD 16Vversion
A0A0398b
AB
fig. 7 - 3.2 V6version
A0A0406b
fig. 5 - 1.8 T. SPARK version
A0A0737b
If the oil level is near or even below the
MINmark, add oil through the filter neck
(B), until reaching the MAXmark.
IMPORTANTIf a routine check reveals
that the level is above the MAXmark, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to have
the correct level restored.
IMPORTANTAfter topping up the oil,
before checking the level again, run the en-
gine a few seconds and wait for a few min-
utes after stopping it.
Page 227 of 271

CAR MAINTENANCE
225
Used engine oil and filter
contain harmful substances
for the environment. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vices to have the oil and the filter
changed, as they are equipped to
dispose of the waste oil and filters
respecting nature and the law.
SELESPEED TRANSMISSION
OIL
(fig. 9)
The Selespeed transmission oil should be
checked with the car on a level surface and
with the engine stopped and cold.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– turn the ignition key to MAR;
– disconnect the breather tube and re-
move the cap (A) checking that the level
corresponds with the MAXmark on the dip-
stick integrated with the cap;
– if the oil is below the MAXmark, top
up to reach the correct level;Do not add oil with spec-
ifications other than that
already in the gearbox.
fig. 9
A0A0197b
Used gearbox oil contains
dangerous substances for
the environment. For chang-
ing the oil we advise contacting Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Services who
are equipped for disposing of used
oil respecting nature and the law.
Be very careful working
inside the engine compart-
ment if the engine is hot:
danger of burns. Remember that
the fan may cut in if the engine is
very hot: danger of injury.
Engine oil consumption
Max engine oil consumption is usually 400
grams every 1000 km.
During the initial period of use the engine
settles, therefore engine oil consumption
may be considered stabilised only after the
first 5000 ÷ 6000 km.
IMPORTANTEngine oil consumption de-
pends on the way of driving and the condi-
tions of use of the car.– after refitting the cap, insert the
breather tube firmly on the housing on the
cap and turn the ignition key to STOP.