
63
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ACTIVATED CARBON 
POLLEN FILTER
The car is fitted with activated carbon
pollen filter. The filter has the specific ca-
pability of admitting to the passenger
compartment purified air, free from par-
ticles such as dust, pollen, etc. The fil-
tering action takes place under all air in-
let conditions and it is clearly most ef-
fective with the windows shut. 
Have the conditions of the filter checked
by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services at
least once a year, preferably at the on-
set of summer. If the car is used main-
ly in polluted or dusty areas it should be
checked and if necessary replaced at
shorter intervals than specified in the
Service Schedule (see section “Car
Maintenance”). AQS function 
(Air Quality System) 
(where provided)
The AQS function turns on automatical-
ly air recirculation when it detects the
presence of polluted air (e.g. in queues
and tunnels).
IMPORTANTWith AQS function on,
after a preset time with recirculation on,
the compressor will enable outside air
inlet (for about 1 minute) to change air
inside the passenger compartment, re-
gardless of outside air pollution level.
IMPORTANTThe AQS function is dis-
abled when the outside temperature is
cold to prevent window misting up. To
reactivate this function, press button
v. Led “A” on button vwill
turn on to indicate that the function is
on.
Failure to replace the fil-
ter may considerably re-
duce the effectiveness of
the climate control system up to
blocking the air flow from the
outlets and vents. 

112
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DIESEL ENGINES
If the outside temperature is very low,
the diesel thickens due to the formation
of paraffin and could clog the diesel fu-
el filter.
In order to avoid these problems, dif-
ferent types of diesel are distributed ac-
cording to the season: summer type,
winter type arctic type (mountains/cold
areas).
If refuelling with diesel fuel not suitable
for the current temperature, mix diesel
fuel with TUTELA DIESEL ARTad-
ditive in the proportions stated on the
can, putting first the antifreeze in the
tank and then the diesel fuel.
If driving or parking the vehicle for a long
period in cold areas/mountains, refuel
with the diesel fuel available at local fill-
ing stations. In this situation you are al-
so recommended to have in the tank an
amount of fuel 50% higher than usable
capacity.
AT THE FILLING
STATION
PETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol. To prevent er-
rors, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is too small to introduce a lead petrol
pump filler. Use petrol with a rated oc-
tane number (R.O.N.) not lower than
95.
IMPORTANTAn inefficient catalyst
leads to harmful exhaust emissions, thus
contributing to air pollution.
IMPORTANT Never use leaded
petrol, even in small amount or in an
emergency, as this would damage the
catalyst beyond repair.
The car must only be
filled with diesel fuel for
motor vehicles, in com-
pliance with European Standard
EN590. The use of other prod-
ucts or mixtures may irrepara-
bly damage the engine with in-
validation of the warranty due
to the damage caused. In the
event of accidentally filling with
another type of fuel, do not
start the engine and empty the
tank. If the engine has been run
even for only a very short time,
in addition to the tank, it is al-
so necessary to drain out the
whole fuel circuit.
REFUELLING
To guarantee full tank filling, carry out
two refuelling operations after the first
click of the fuel delivery gun. Avoid fur-
ther topping up operations that could
cause damages to the fuel system. 

151
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
W W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G
L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S
A A
N N
D D
M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E
S S
LOW BRAKE FLUID/HANDBRAKEON .................... 153
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................. 153
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED................................. 153
AIR BAG FAILURE............................................... 154
PASSANGER’S FRONT AIR BAGS DEACTIVATED ........ 155
ENGINE COOLANT HIGH TEMPERATURE ................. 155
ENGINE OIL HIGH TEMPERATURE.......................... 156
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE/EXHAUST OIL ........... 156
LOW BATTERY CHARGE....................................... 157
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING .............................. 157
BONNET OPEN.................................................. 157
BOOT OPEN..................................................... 157
INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE...................................... 158
CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM FAILURE/
STEERING LOCK INHIBITION ................................ 159
ALARM FAILURE/BREAK-IN ATTEMPT/
ELECTRONIC KEY NOT RECOGNIZED ...................... 159
POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE ON THE ROAD ........... 160
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUGS/
PRE-HEATING GLOW PLUG FAILURE....................... 160
WATER IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER ............................. 161
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCHED ON  ................ 161
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................ 162
EBD SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................ 162
VDC SYSTEM ................................................... 162HILL HOLDER FAILURE ....................................... 163
ASR SYSTEM (WHEEL ANTISKID SYSTEM) ............ 163
EXTERNAL LIGHTS FAILURE ................................. 164
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE ...................................... 164
REAR FOGLIGHTS.............................................. 164
FRONT FOG LIGHTS........................................... 164
SIDE/TAILLIGHTS/FOLLOW ME HOME.................. 164
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS ................................. 164
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS ................................... 165
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ........................ 165
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ...................... 165
LIGHT SENSOR FAILURE....................................... 165
RAIN SENSOR FAILURE........................................ 165
PARKING SENSORS FAILURE................................ 165
FUEL RESERVE - LIMITED CRUISING RANGE............ 165
CRUISE CONTROL............................................. 166
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLOGGED .................. 166
ANTIPINCH SYSTEM FAILURE............................... 167
WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID LOW LEVEL ............. 167
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED...................................... 167
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM FAILURE................................... 167
CHECK TYRE PRESSURE...................................... 167
LOW INFLATION PRESSURE................................. 168
TYRE PRESSURE UNSUITABLE FOR SPEED ............ 168 

209
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
C C
A A
R R
M M
A A
I I
N N
T T
E E
N N
A A
N N
C C
E E
SCHEDULED SERVICING...................................... 210
SERVICE SCHEDULE........................................... 211
PERIODICAL CHECKS.......................................... 213
USE OF THE CAR UNDER HEAVY CONDITIONS ........ 213
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS .................................... 214
AIR FILTER/POLLEN FILTER ................................ 222
BATTERY.......................................................... 222
WHEELS AND TYRES.......................................... 226
RUBBER HOSES................................................ 228
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN WIPER .................... 228
BODYWORK..................................................... 230
INTERIORS....................................................... 233 

210
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance is essential for en-
suring long car life under the best condi-
tions.
This is why Alfa Romeo has programmed
a series of checks and maintenance op-
erations every 35,000 km (or 21,000
mi).
IMPORTANTThe actual engine oil and
filter change frequency depends on the
conditions of use of the car and is sig-
nalled by means of a warning light or
message (where provided) on the in-
strument panel.
IMPORTANTAt 2000 km from the
scheduled service, the display will show
a dedicated message. It is however important to remember that
scheduled servicing does not completely
cover all the car’s requirements: also in
the initial period before 35,000 km (or
21,000 mi) service coupon and later, be-
tween one coupon and another, ordinary
care is still required such as for example
routine check and topping up the level of
fluids, tyre pressure check, etc...
IMPORTANTThe Programmed Main-
tenance coupons are specified by the
Manufacturer. The failure to have them
carried out may invalidate the warranty.
Scheduled Servicing is performed by all
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, at pre-
established times.
If during whatever service operation, in
addition to the ones programmed, the
need arises for further replacements or
repairs, these may be carried out only
with the explicit agreement of the Cus-
tomer.IMPORTANTYou are advised to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services in
the event of any minor operating faults,
without waiting for the next service
coupon.
If your car is used frequently for towing,
the interval between one service coupon
and the other must be reduced. 

212
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
35 70 105 140 175
●
●
●
●●
●
●●
●●
●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●
●●●●●
Thousands of km
Replace accessory drive belt/s
Replace timing belt (1750 TURBO BENZINA versions) (*)
Replace timing belt (diesel versions) (*)
Change spark plugs (1750 TURBO BENZINA versions)
Change spark plugs (3.2 JTS and 2.2 JTS Selespeed versions)
Replace diesel fuel filter (diesel versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge
Change front transmission gear oil (3.2 JTS 4x4 versions)
Changing engine oil and oil filter (3.2 JTS and 2.2 JTS Selespeed versions) 
(or every 24 months) 
Changing engine oil and oil filter (1750 TURBO BENZINA versions) (**)
(or every 12 months) 
Change engine oil and oil filter (diesel versions with DPF) (**) 
(or every 24 months) 
Change engine oil and oil filter (diesel versions without DPF) 
(or every 24 months) 
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*)   Regardless of the km covered, the timing belt shall be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates, driving in the city, idling
for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
(**) The engine oil and the filter must be changed when the instrument panel warning light comes on (see “Warning lights and Messages” chapter) and in all cas-
es every 24 months.
If the car is used mainly in towns the engine oil and filter need to be changed every 12 months 

213
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
USE OF THE CAR
UNDER HEAVY
CONDITIONS
Should prevailing use of the car be un-
der one of the following specially heavy
conditions:
❒trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km)
and repeated with external temper-
atures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g.: door-
to-door deliveries) or in case of a long
term inactivity;
❒urban routes;
carry out checks more frequently than
required on Service Schedule:
❒check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear;
❒check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubri-
cation;
❒sight inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.);
❒check battery charge and fluid level
(electrolyte);
❒visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒change engine oil and oil filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace pollen filter, if re-
quired;
❒check and replace air cleaner, if re-
quired.
PERIODICAL CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long jour-
neys, check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions.
❒check light system operation (head-
lights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❒check windscreen wiper/washer op-
eration and windscreen/rear window
blade position/wear;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if re-
quired: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use
PETRONAS LUBRICANTSprod-
ucts, designed and produced specifical-
ly for Alfa Romeo cars (see table “Ca-
pacities” in section “Technical specifi-
cations”). 

222
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
AIR FILTER/ 
POLLEN FILTER
Air cleaner or pollen filter replacement
shall be carried out at Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
BATTERY
The battery does not require top ups of
distilled water to replenish the elec-
trolyte. A periodic check carried out at
an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services is,
however, necessary to check efficien-
cy.
IMPORTANT The charge in the bat-
tery should be checked at the start of
winter to limit the risk of electrolyte
freezing. This check should be carried
out more frequently if the car is used
mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted with
accessories that permanently absorb
electricity also with the ignition key re-
moved, especially in the case of after
market accessories.
After connecting / dis-
connecting the battery,
wait for 3 minutes at
least before fitting the electron-
ic key into the ignition device in
order to allow the climate control
system control unit to reset the
positions of the electric actuators
that adjust air temperature and
distribution.
The liquid in the bat-
tery is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
eyes and skin. Do not bring
naked flames or possible
sources of sparks near to the
battery: risk of fire and ex-
plosion.
WARNING