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
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 227
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
Page 231 of 331
229
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
fig. 3/a - 3.2 JTS versionA0E0038m
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant
6.Power steering fluid
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
fig. 3 - 2.2 JTS Selespeed versionA0E0161m
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant
6.Power steering fluid
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 229
Page 232 of 331
230
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
fig. 4 - 1.9 JTDM8v - 1.9 JTDM16v versionsA0E0162m
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant
6.Power steering fluid
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant
6.Power steering fluid
fig. 5 - 2.0 JTDMversion
653
2
4
1
A0E0853m
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 230
Page 233 of 331
231
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
fig. 6 - 2.4 JTDMversionA0E0203m
1.Engine oil - 2. Battery
3.Brake fluid - 4.Windscreen washer
fluid - 5.Engine coolant
6.Power steering fluid
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 231
Page 234 of 331
ENGINE OIL
Fig. 7: 1.8 140 HP version
Fig. 8: 1750 TURBO BENZINA version
Fig. 8/a: 2.2 JTS Selespeed version
Fig. 9: 3.2 JTS version
Fig. 10: 1.9 JTD
M8V-
1.9 JTD
M16Vversions
Fig. 11: 2.0 JTD
Mversion
Fig. 12: 2.4 JTD
MversionChecking engine oil
Check the oil level a few minutes (about
5) after the engine has stopped, with
the car parked on level ground.
Remove the dipstick Aand clean it, put it
back in completely, remove it and check
that the level is within the MIN and
MAXmarks on the dipstick. The gap be-
tween the MINand MAX marks cor-
responds to about one litre of oil.
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
232
A0E0856mfig. 8A0E0069mfig. 9
A0E0233mfig. 10
A0E0855mfig. 11A0E0400mfig. 7
A0E0202mfig. 12
A0E0018mfig. 8/a
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 232
Page 235 of 331

CAR
MAINTENANCE
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
INDEX
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IN AN
EMERGENCY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
SAFETY
DEVICES
233
Engine oil consumption
Max engine oil consumption is usually
400 grams every 1000 km.
When the car is new, the engine needs
to run in, therefore the engine oil con-
sumption can only be considered sta-
bilised after the first 5000 - 6000 km.
IMPORTANTThe oil consumption de-
pends on driving style and the conditions
under which the car is used.
IMPORTANTDo not add oil with
specifications other than that already
in the engine. Topping up engine oil
If the oil level is near or even below the
MINmark, add oil through the filler
neck B, until reaching the MAXmark.
Oil level shall never exceed the MAX
mark.
IMPORTANT If a routine check re-
veals that the oil level is above the
MAXmark, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the correct lev-
el restored.
IMPORTANT After adding or changing
the oil, let the engine turn over for a few
seconds and wait a few minutes after
turning it off before you check the level.
When the engine is hot,
take care when work-
ing inside the engine compart-
ment to avoid burns. Remem-
ber that when the engine is
hot, the fan may cut in: danger
of injury. Scarves, ties and
other loose clothing might be
pulled by moving parts.
WARNING
Used engine oil and fil-
ter contain harmful sub-
stances for the environ-
ment. Contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services to have the oil
and filter changed.
223-248 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 14:11 Pagina 233
Page 269 of 331

FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS AND THEIR SPECIFICATIONS
Use Fluid and lubricant specifications Original fluids Change
for correct car operation and lubricants
For diesel engines, in emergency cases where genuine products are not available, lubricants with min. performance ACEA B4 and ACEA C2 are
accepted. If this is the case, the best engine performance is not guaranteed. We however recommend replacing the lubricant with those recommended
by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Use of products with low-quality properties than ACEA A3 and ACEA B4 could cause damages to the engine that are not covered by the warranty.
267
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
INDEX
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Lubricants for petrol
engines (1.8 140 HP,
2.2 JTS and 3.2 JTS
versions)
Lubricants
for petrol engines
(1750 TURBO
BENZINA versions)
Lubricants for
diesel engines
(2.4 JTD
Mversions)
Lubricants for diesel
engines (1.9 JTD
M8V,
1.9 JTD
M16V,
2.0 JTD
Mversions)Synthetic-based oil, grade SAE 5W-40,
FIAT 9.55535-H2qualification
Synthetic-based oil, grade SAE 5W-40, ACEA C3.
FIAT 9.55535-S2 qualification.
Synthetic-based oil, grade SAE 5W-40
FIAT 9.55535-N2 qualification.
Synthetic-based oil, grade SAE 5W-30.
FIAT 9.55535-S1 qualification.
SELENIA StAR
Contractual Technical
Reference N° F216.D05
SELENIA StAR P.E.
Contractual Technical
Reference N° F603.D08
SELENIA WR
Contractual Technical
Reference N° F515.D06
SELENIA WR P.E.
Contractual Technical
Reference N° F510.D07
According to
Service Schedule
According to
Service Schedule
According to
Service Schedule
According to
Service Schedule
249-270 Alfa 159 GB 3-12-2009 15:51 Pagina 267