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221
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TOWING THE CAR
The tow hook provided with the car is
contained into the Fix&Go automatic
container.
PRECAUTIONS FOR
TOWING THE CAR
To prevent damaging the transmission
components, tow the car only in one of
following ways:
❒with front wheels raised and rear
wheels resting on a truck provided for
the purpose;
❒with rear wheels raised and front
wheels resting on a truck provided for
the purpose;
❒with front and rear wheels on the
flatbed of a wrecker or maintenance
vehicle.
A0E0111mfig. 64
TOW RING HOOKING
Front
Proceed as follows:
❒take the tow hookA-fig. 64from
the Fix&Go automatic container.
❒remove the snap-fitted plug A-fig. 65
from the front bumper. If using the flat
blade screwdriver B-fig. 64 provided
as standard, protect its tip with a soft
cloth to prevent damaging the car.
❒tighten the tow hook in its seat.
Rear
The tow hook A-fig. 66for the rear
bumper is fixed.
A0E0230mfig. 65
A0E0176mfig. 66
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222
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
Do not start the engine
when towing the car.
WARNING
Before fitting the hook,
clean accurately its
threaded seat. Before starting
to tow, make sure to have
tighten the hook.
WARNING
Before starting to tow,
disengage the steering
lock (see paragraph “Ignition de-
vice” in section “Dashboard and
controls”). When towing, re-
member that without the help of
the brake booster and power
steering, a greater effort is re-
quired on the pedal and steer-
ing wheel. Do not use flexible ca-
bles for towing and avoid jerks.
During towing operations make
sure that fastening the joint to
the car does not damage the
components in contact with it.
When towing the car, you must
comply with the specific traffic
regulations regarding the tow
ring and how to tow on the road.
WARNING
The front and rear tow
hooks must only be
used for emergency situations
on the road. The vehicle may
be towed for short distances
when a dedicated device is
used in compliance with the
Highway Code (rigid bar), in
order to move the vehicle on
the road in preparation for
towing by a tow truck Tow
hooks MUST NOT be used to
tow vehicles off the road or
where there are obstacles
and/or for towing operations
using cables or other non-rigid
devices. Respecting the above
conditions, towing must only
take place with two vehicles
(one towing, the other towed)
travelling as far as possible in
alignment along the same cen-
treline.
WARNING
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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...................................... 224
SERVICE SCHEDULE........................................... 225
PERIODICAL CHECKS.......................................... 227
USE OF THE CAR UNDER HEAVY CONDITIONS ........ 227
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS .................................... 228
AIR FILTER/POLLEN FILTER ................................ 237
BATTERY.......................................................... 237
WHEELS AND TYRES.......................................... 241
RUBBER HOSES................................................ 243
WINDSCREEN WIPER ........................................ 243
BODYWORK..................................................... 245
INTERIORS....................................................... 247
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
223
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Page 226 of 331

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 si-
gnalled by means of a warning light or
message (where provided) on the in-
strument panel.
IMPORTANTAt 2,000 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.
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
224
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35 70 105 140 175
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●
●●
●
●
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if required
Check light system operation (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
boot lights, passenger compartment lights, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer operation,adjust nozzles if required
Check windscreen/rear window blade position/wear
Check front disk brake pad conditions and wear and wear indicator operation
Check rear disk brake pad conditions and wear
Sight inspect the conditions of: body external parts, underbody protection,
pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts
(boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check cleanness of locks, bonnet and boot and lever cleanness
and lubrication
Check and top up, if required, fluid levels (brakes/hydraulic clutch,
power steering, windscreen washer, battery, engine coolant, etc.)
Check and adjust handbrake lever stroke
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions (except 1.8 140 HP version)
Sight inspect accessory drive belt conditions (1.8 140 HP version)
Sight inspect timing belt conditions (1.8 140 HP version)
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
225
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35 70 105 140 175
●●●●●
●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●●
●●
●●
●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●●●●
●●
●●●●●
Thousands of km
Check and adjust tappet clearance (1.9 JTDM8v version)
Check and adjust tappet clearance, if required (1.8 140 HP version)
Check exhaust emissions (petrol versions)
Check exhaust emissions/smoke (diesel versions)
Check engine control system operation (through diagnosis socket)
Replace accessory drive belt/s (except 1.8 140 HP version)
Replace accessory drive belt/s (1.8 140 HP version)
Replace timing belt (1.8 140 HP version) (*)
Replace timing belt (1750 TURBO BENZINA version) (*)
Replace timing belt (diesel versions) (*)
Change spark plugs (3.2 JTS and 2.2 JTS Selespeed versions)
Change spark plugs (1.8 140 HP and 1750 TURBO BENZINA versions)
Replace diesel fuel filter (diesel versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge
Change front transmission gear oil (3.2 JTS 4x4 versions)
Change engine oil and oil filter (1.8 140 HP versions) (or every 12 months)
Change engine oil and oil filter (1750 TURBO BENZINA versions) (**)
(or every 12 months)
Change engine oil and oil filter (3.2 JTS and 2.2 JTS Selespeed versions)
(or every 24 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 cases every 24 months.
If the car is mainly used for town driving or in particularly harsh climate conditions and has a low annual mileage, the engine oil and filter should
be changed every 12 months.
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
226
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Page 229 of 331

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”).
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
227
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Page 230 of 331
228
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
CHECKING
FLUID LEVELS
For refilling amounts refer to Technical
Specifications section.
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant -
6.Power steering fluid
fig. 2 - 1750 TURBO BENZINA version
2
4
1 6
53
A0E0854m
Never smoke while
working in the engine
compartment; gas and inflam-
mable vapours may be pre-
sent, with the risk of fire.
WARNING
When topping up take
care not to confuse the
various types of fluids:
they are all incompatible with
one another and could serious-
ly damage the car.
A0E0374mfig. 1 - 1.8 140 HP version
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 228