Page 186 of 291

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
184
PROTECTING EMISSION
REDUCING DEVICES
Correct operation of the anti-pollution de-
vices not only guarantees respect for the en-
vironment but also influences vehicle per-
formance. Keeping these devices in good
condition is therefore the first rule for both
environment-friendly and economy driving.
The first precaution is to closely follow the
“Programmed Maintenance Schedule”. Use
only unleaded petrol (95 RON) (Specifica-
tion EN228).
If difficulty with starting is experienced do
not insist with extended attempts. Especially
avoid bump, tow or coast starts: these may
all damage the catalyst. Only use an auxil-
iary battery to start the car in an emergency.If when driving the engine is not running
smoothly, continue, minimising the need for
engine performance and contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services as soon as possible.
When the fuel reserve warning light turns
on, fill up as soon as possible. A low fuel lev-
el may cause an irregular supply to the en-
gine with inevitable increase of the exhaust
gas temperature; this would result in serious
damage to the catalyst.
Never run the engine, even as a test, with
one or more spark plugs disconnected. Do
not warm the engine at idle speed before
moving off, unless the outside temperature
is very low and, in this case too, for no more
than 30 seconds.
Do not spray anything on
the catalyst, lamda sensor
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
The failure to follow these
rules may cause a fire
hazard.
WARNING
Do not install other heat
guards and do not remove
the existing ones on the catalyst
and exhaust pipe.
WARNING
During normal service the
catalyst reaches high tem-
peratures. Do not therefore park
the car over inflammable materials
(grass, dry leaves, pine needles,
etc.): fire hazard.
WARNING
Page 191 of 291

IN AN EMERGENCY
189
STARTING
WITH AN AUXILIARY BATTERY
If the battery is flat, (for battery with op-
tical hydrometer: dark colour without green
area in the centre), it is possible to start the
engine using an auxiliary battery with the
same capacity or a little higher than the flat
one.
Proceed as follows (fig. 1):
1) Remove the protective cover on the pos-
itive battery post, pressing on the opening
catches (front), then connect the positive
terminals (+sign next to the terminal) of
the two batteries using a special cable.
2) Connect the end of the second jump
lead to the negative terminal (–) of the
auxiliary battery with an earth point
Eon
the engine or gearbox of the vehicle to be
started.IMPORTANTDo not directly connect the
negative terminals of the two batteries: any
sparks may ignite the detonating gas which
could come out of the battery. If the auxil-
iary battery is installed on another car, avoid
metal parts touching accidentally between
this car and the one with the flat battery.
3) Start the engine.
4) When the engine has started, remove
the cables, reversing the sequence followed
for connection.
If after a few attempts the engine does not
start, do not insist but contact the nearest Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Service.
fig. 1
A0A0492m
Never use a battery
charger to start the engine
as this could damage the
electronic systems of your vehicle,
particularly the ignition and fuel
supply control units.
This starting procedure
must be carried out by
qualified personnel because incor-
rect operations may cause electri-
cal discharge of considerable in-
tensity. The liquid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames and light-
ed cigarettes away from the bat-
tery and do not cause sparks.
WARNING
Page 192 of 291
IN AN EMERGENCY
190
IMPORTANTThe car is equipped with
“Kit for tyre quick repair Fix&Go“, see the
instructions contained in the following chap-
ter.
STARTING BY INERTIAIN THE EVENT OF A PUNCTURE
Never push, tow or coast
start the vehicle. This could
cause fuel to flow into the
catalyst damaging it irreversibly.
Remember that the engine
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
is started, therefore, much greater
effort than usual is needed on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
Signal the presence of the
stationary vehicle according
to the current regulations: hazard
warning lights, reflecting triangle,
etc. Any passengersshould leave
the car.
WARNING
Should the type of wheels
used be changed (alloy
rims instead of steel), it is also nec-
essary to replace the complete kit
of fastening bolts with others of
suitable size.
WARNING
Page 217 of 291
IN AN EMERGENCY
215
40
40
40
15
15
25
7.5
15
15
20
15
15
7.5
30
50 A/C (MAXI-FUSE)
FAN1 (MAXI-FUSE)
FAN2 (MAXI-FUSE)
F3
F4
F60 (*)
F11
F61 (*)
F62 (*)
F63 (*)
F46
F10
F12
EFI (MAXI-FUSE)
JB3 (MAXI-FUSE) 54
54
54
53
53
52
53
52
52
52
52
53
53
54
54
SERVICES FIGURE FUSE AMPERES
(*) Fuse behind dashboard control box on an auxiliary bracket.
Climate control fan
Radiator fan
Radiator fan
Horn
Fuel pump
Tailgate electric unlocking
Electronic injection system
Bose system
Bose system
Sunroof
Sun roof
Petrol/ignition coil injectors
Services
Electronic injection
Engine compartment fuse carrier module
Page 218 of 291

IN AN EMERGENCY
216
IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT BATTERY
Before anything else, you are advised to
read the precautions for preventing the bat-
tery from draining and for ensuring long life
in the “Vehicle maintenance” chapter.
CHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANTThe battery charging pro-
cedure is described only for information pur-
poses. This operation should be carried out
by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Charging should be slow at a low amp rat-
ing for 24 hours. Charging for a longer time
may damage the battery.Charge the battery as follows:
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
– Connect the charger cables to the bat-
tery terminals ensuring that the bias is cor-
rect.
– Turn on the charger.
– After charging, turn off the charger be-
fore disconnecting it from the battery.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–).
STARTING WITH AN
AUXILIARY BATTERY
See “Starting with an auxiliary battery” in
this chapter.
Strictly avoid using a bat-
tery charger to start the
engine: you may damage
the electronic systems, in particu-
lar the ignition and fuel supply con-
trol units.
The liquid contained in the
battery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin or eyes. The battery should be
charged in a well ventilated place,
away from naked flames or pos-
sible sources of sparks: danger of
explosion and fire.
WARNING
Do not attempt to charge a
frozen battery: it must
firstly be thawed, otherwise it
may burst. If freezing has occurred,
the battery should be checked by
skilled personnel to make sure that
the internal elements are not dam-
aged and that the body is not
cracked, with the risk of leaking
poisonous and corrosive acid.
WARNING
Page 221 of 291

IN AN EMERGENCY
219
IN THE EVENT
OF AN ACCIDENT
– It is important to keep calm.
– If you are not directly involved, stop at
least a few dozen metres away from the ac-
cident.
– On motorways, stop without blocking
the emergency lane.
– Turn the engine off and the hazard warn-
ing lights on.
– At night, illuminate the place of the ac-
cident with the headlights.
– Take care, do not risk being run over.– Signal the accident placing the triangle
at regulation distance in a clearly visible
place.
– Call the emergency organisation, giving
the most accurate information possible. On
motorways use the special phones provid-
ed.
– In motorway pileups, especially with
poor visibility, the risk of being involved in
other crashes is high. Leave the car imme-
diately and go beyond the guard-rail.
– If the doors are blocked, do not try to
get out of the car breaking the windscreen
which is stratified. The windows and rear
screen are easier to break.
– Remove the ignition key of the vehi-
cles involved.– If you note a smell of fuel or other chem-
ical products, do not smoke and have ciga-
rettes stubbed out.
– To put out fires, even small ones, use
the extinguisher, blankets, sand, or earth.
Never use water.
– If use of the lighting system is not nec-
essary, disconnect the battery negative ter-
minal (–).
Page 224 of 291

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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
222
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compartment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc..)
Check operation of windscreen washer system, adjust spray jets
Check position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check operation of front disk brake pad wear indicator
Check wear conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check the conditions of: body exterior, underbody protection, stiff pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots - sleeves - bushes etc..)
Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubrication
Sight check for accessory poly-V drive belt
Check handbrake lever stroke adjustment
Check antievaporation system
Change air cleaner cartridge
Top up fluid levels (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc..)
Check and if necessary top up the Selespeed automatic transmission oil level
Sight check for conditions of timing gear drive toothed belt
Page 226 of 291

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
224
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long journeys,
check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen/rearscreen and headlamp
washer fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck and if necessary
top up the engine oil level.
The use of products of the FL Seleniais
recommended which have been designed
and made expressly for Alfa Romeo cars
(see “Refuelling” in the “Technical Specifi-
cations” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for example
about 10,000 km) the following
yearly inspection programme is ad-
vised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if nec-
essary adjust the pressure
– Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compart-
ment, glovebox lights, warning lights )
– Check operation of windscreen wiper
system, spray jet adjustment
– Check position/wear of windscreen/
rearscreen wiper blades
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust - fu-
el supply - brakes) rubber parts (boots -
sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel sup-
ply system hoses
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various dri-
ve belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid lev-
els (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen
washer, battery, etc...)
– Change engine oil
– Change engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.