VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
235
You are also reminded that services with
high current absorption switched on by the
user, such as for example: baby bottle warm-
ers, vacuum cleaner, mobile phone, mini
fridge, etc., quicken the battery draining
processif they are turned on with
the engine offor running at idle speed.
IMPORTANT When installing addition-
al systems on the vehicle, bear in mind that
improper branches on connections of the ve-
hicle wiring are dangerous, particularly if
safety devices are involved.
Battery
60 Ah
70 AhMaximum permissible
loadless absorption
36 mA
42 mA
The maximum absorption of all the ac-
cessories (standard and fitted afterwards)
should be 0.6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the following table:CHANGING THE BATTERY
When changing the battery it should be re-
placed with another original one with the
same characteristics. If it is replaced by a
battery with different characteristics, the
maintenance intervals given in the Sched-
uled Maintenance Programme in this chap-
ter are no longer valid and for maintenance
it will be necessary to follow the battery
Manufacturer’s instructions.
USEFUL HINTS TO EXTEND
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid rapidly draining the battery and
ensure that it continues to work correctly,
the following should be noted:
– The terminals must always be firmly
tightened.
– Within reason, avoid using electrical de-
vices for a long time when the engine is
switched off (radio, hazard warning lights,
parking lights, etc.).– When the vehicle is parked in a garage,
ensure that the doors, bonnet, boot and in-
ner lids are closed properly so that the lights
do not stay on permanently.
– Before carrying out any work on the
electric system, disconnect the negative ca-
ble from the battery.
– If after buying the car, you wish to in-
stall electric accessories which require a per-
manent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft func-
tion etc.) or accessories that burden the elec-
tric system, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
services whose qualified personnel, in ad-
dition to suggesting the most suitable de-
vices belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the vehicle’s electric sys-
tem is capable of withstanding the load re-
quired, or whether it should be integrated
with a more powerful battery. In fact, as
some of these devices continue absorbing
energy even when the ignition key is off (car
stationary, engine off), they gradually drain
the battery.
RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
272
HEADLIGHTS
COMPENSATION FOR TILT
(fig. 25)
When the vehicle is loaded, the beam from
the headlights is raised due to the backwards
tilt of the vehicle.
In this case the headlights must be ad-
justed correctly.
To do this, use the rocker button (A), on
the plate at the side of the steering column:
– pressing the button in correspondence
with the arrow (
A) increases by one posi-
tion (e.g.: 0
➟1➟ 2➟3);
– pressing the button in correspondence
with the arrow (
S) decreases by one posi-
tion (e.g.: 3
➟2➟1➟0);
The display (B) in the speedometer shows
the position while adjustment takes place.
fig. 25
A0A0320m
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
ABROAD
(fig. 26)
The dipped-beam headlights are adjusted
for circulation in the country in which the ve-
hicle is marketed. In countries with opposite
circulation, to avoid glaring oncoming vehi-
cles it is necessary to cover the areas of the
headlight as shown below; this is done us-
ing non-transparent sticker tape.
The illustration refers to the passage from
left-hand drive to right-hand drive.
fig. 26
A0A0321m
For correct adjustment, bear in mind the
following conditions:
– position 0: one or two people occupy-
ing the front seats
– position 1: five people;
– position 2: five people + load in the
boot;
– position 3: driver + maaximum per-
missible load all stowed in
the boot
Check headlight aiming
every time the load carried
changes.
WARNING
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
277
- marking ................................. 244
- specifications .......................... 245
Engine codes ............................... 244
Engine compartment
- bonnet ................................... 130
- washing ................................. 242
Engine coolant fluid
- checking level
and topping up ........................ 231
- temperature gauge and
warning light........................... 52
Engine oil
- checking the level and
topping up .............................. 227
- consumption ........................... 227
Engine starting ............................ 175
- emergency starting .................. 177
- ignition switch ......................... 14
- switching off ........................... 176
- warming the engine ................. 176Engine oil consumption ................. 227
EOBD (system)............................ 139
Environment (safeguarding) .......... 174
- emission reducing devices ......... 174
- reducing running costs
and environment pollution......... 181
- running economy ..................... 183
- safeguarding emission
reduction devices ..................... 184
- use of non-toxic materials ......... 174
Extending the luggage compartment
- partial .................................... 20
- total ...................................... 19
External lights (switching on) ........ 42
First-aid kit................................. 220
Flashing high beams..................... 43
Fluids (specifications) ................... 255
Fluids and lubricants.............. 255-256
Follow me home device ................ 44Foglights
- changing bulbs................. 199-201
- switching on ........................... 106
Front ceiling light ......................... 120
- changing bulbs ........................ 206
Fuel
- automatic shut off switch .......... 107
- consumption ........................... 257
- fuel cap.................................. 173
- level gauge and reserve
warning light........................... 52
- refilling .................................. 173
Fuel flap ..................................... 173
Fuel reserve ................................ 52
Fuel supply (technical data)........... 246
Fuses
- in control box in engine
compartment .......................... 210
- in control box on battery post .... 211
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
279
Maintenance
- additional operations ................ 224
- annual inspection programme .... 224
- checking levels ........................ 226
- precautions and warnings.......... 225
- scheduled maintenance ............ 221
- scheduled maintenance
programme............................. 222
Mechanical gearbox
- lever ...................................... 109
Number plate lights
- changing bulbs ........................ 205
Paintwork (maintenance) ............ 241
- colour label ............................. 244
Parking....................................... 177
Performance................................ 251
Pockets on doors.......................... 124
Pollen filter ................................ 232
Power steering oil- checking level and topping up.... 229
Power windows ........................... 24
Pretensioners............................... 28
Radio transmitters
and cell phones ......................... 126
Radio
- presetting system ................... 140
Radio with CD player .................... 141
- advice .................................... 141
- aerial ..................................... 171
- antitheft protection .................. 144
- cautions ................................. 144
- CD changer ............................. 168
- CD player section ..................... 165
- controls at steering wheel ......... 149
- controls on front panel.............. 148
- functions and adjustments......... 150
- general .................................. 143
- glossary ................................. 145- protection fuse ........................ 171
- radio section ........................... 153
- speakers ................................ 171
- telephone provision .................. 153
Rain sensor ................................. 45
Raising the car
- with arm lift or workshop
lift ......................................... 220
Rear ceiling light .......................... 121
- changing bulbs ........................ 207
Rear fog guards
- changing bulbs ........................ 203
- switching on ........................... 107
Rear oddment pockets .................. 124
Rearscreen heating ....................... 105
Rearscreen washer ....................... 46
- spray jet ................................. 239
Rearscreen wiper
- blade replacement ................... 239
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
281
Starting with an auxiliary
battery..................................... 189
Steering lock ............................... 15
Steering system
- adjustment lever...................... 22
- technical specifications.............. 247
Steering wheel
- adjustment lever ................ 22
Sunroof ...................................... 127
- emergency manoeuvre ............. 128
- opening-closing........................ 127
- raising at rear.......................... 128
Sun visors ................................... 125
Symbols ..................................... 5-6
Tailgate
- opening from inside ................. 128
- opening with remote
control .............................. 8-128
Technical specifications.......... 243Towing the car ............................. 217
Trailer towing............................... 185
Transmission
- specifications .......................... 246
Trip computer .............................. 72
Trip meter reset............................ 51
Tyres
- correct reading ........................ 249
- FIX&GO kit for quick
tyre repairing .......................... 191
- inflating pressure ..................... 248
- snow chains ............................ 186
- types of tyres and rims ............. 248
- winter .................................... 185Use of non-toxic material............. 174
Useful accessories ........................ 187
VDC system .............................. 136
Vehicle data plate ................... 243-244
Vehicle dimensions ....................... 252Vehicle identification ..................... 243
Vehicle inactivity .......................... 186
- using again ............................. 187
Vehicle maintenance.............. 221
Volumetric protection .................... 13
Warning lights .......................... 77
Washing the car
- engine compartment ................ 242
- exterior .................................. 241
- interior ................................... 242
Weights ...................................... 253
Wheels
- FIX&GO kit for quick
tyre repairing .......................... 191
- geometry ............................... 251
- snow chains ............................ 186
- tyre inflating pressure ............... 248
- tyres and rims.................. 249-250