2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta catalytic converter

REFUELLING
Petrol engines: refuel with unleaded petrol with an
octane rating (RON) of 95 or higher only.
Diesel engines: refuel with diesel fuel compliant with
European specification EN590 only. The use of other products or
mixtures may damage the engine beyond repair and consequently
invalidate the warranty, depending on the damage caused.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Petrol engines: make sure that the handbrake is
engaged, set the gearshift lever to neutral, fully depress the
clutch without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition key
to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.
Diesel engines: turn the ignition key to MAR and wait for the Yandmwarning lights to turn off; turn the key to AVV and release it
as soon as the engine starts.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter reaches high temperatures
during operation. Do not park the car on grass, dry
leaves, pine needles or other flammable material: fire
hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The car is fitted with a system that carries out a
continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components
in order to help protect the environment.
ELECTRIC ACCESSORIES
If after having purchased your car you decide to add
accessories requiring electricity (that may otherwise
cause the battery to gradually lose power), please
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. They can
calculate the overall electric requirement and check that
the car’s electric system can support the required load
CODE CARD(for versions/markets where provided)
Keep this in a safe place, not in the car. We recommend
that you always carry the electronic code provided on
the CODE card with you, in case you need to perform
an emergency start.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct car maintenance is essential to ensure that the
performance, safety features, environmental
friendliness and low running costs stay in tip-top
condition over the years.
THE OWNER HANDBOOK CONTAINS…
... information, tips and important warnings on the
correct use and maintenance of your car over time. Pay
special attention to the symbols
"(personal safety) #(environmental protection) â(car integrity).
READ THIS CAREFULLY
K



12
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
VDC system (amber)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds. If
the warning light does not go out, or if it remains lit up when dri-
ving, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. A specific message
is displayed on certain versions. The warning light will flash while
driving to indicate that the VDC system is intervening.
ASR fault
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light turns
on but should go off after a few seconds. If the warning light does
not go out, or if it remains lit up when driving, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services. A specific message is displayed on certain ver-
sions. The warning light will flash while driving to indicate that
the ASR system is intervening.
Hill Holder fault
This warning light comes on, on some versions together with the
*symbol and a message in the display, in the event of a Hill Hold-
er system fault. In this case, contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
á
NOTE (petrol engines only)
If the warning light is flashing, this indicates that the catalytic
converter may be damaged.
If the warning light comes on intermittently, release the accelera-
tor pedal to lower the speed of the engine until the warning light
stops flashing; continue the journey at moderate speed, trying to
avoid driving conditions that may cause further flashing and contact
an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider as soon as possible.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as
possible if the
Uwarning light does not light up
or if, while travelling, the warning light comes on
either fixed or blinking (in combination with a message
on the display on some versions). The operation of the
U
warning light may be checked by traffic police using ap-
propriate equipment. Follow the laws in force in the coun-
try where you are driving.

127
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
REFUELLING THE CAR
Switch off the engine before refuelling.
PETROL ENGINES
Only use unleaded petrol. The petrol octane rating (RON) must not
be lower than 95.
In order to prevent damage to the catalytic converter never intro-
duce even the smallest amount of leaded petrol, even in the event
of an emergency.
DIESEL ENGINES
Only use diesel fuel compliant with European specification EN590.
The use of other products or mixtures may damage the engine
beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, depend-
ing on the damage caused.
Operation at low temperatures
If the outside temperature is very low, the diesel thickens due to
the formation of paraffin clots with consequent defective operation
of the fuel supply system.
In order to avoid these problems, different types of diesel are dis-
tributed according to the season: summer type, winter type and
arctic type (cold, mountain areas). If refuelling with diesel fuel
whose features are not suitable for the temperature of use, it is ad-
visable to mix TUTELA DIESEL ART additive with the fuel, in the pro-
portions shown on the container. Pour the additive into the tank
before the fuel.
When parking or storing the car for a long time in the mountains
or cold areas, it is advisable to refuel using locally available fuel.
In this case, it is also advisable to keep the tank over 50% full.

129
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
The catalytic converter and particulate filter (DPF)
reach very high temperatures during operation.
Do not park the vehicle on grass, dry leaves, pine
needles or other flammable material: fire hazard.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The devices for reducing petrol engine emissions are the following:
catalytic converter, lambda sensors and anti-evaporation system.
The following devices are used for reducing diesel fuel engine emis-
sions: oxidising catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR)
and particulate filter (DPF).
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This is a mechanical filter, fitted in the exhaust system, which al-
most completely eliminates carbon particle emissions.

152
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
It is advisable not to demand maximum perfor-
mance from your car (e.g. excessive acceleration,
long distances at top rpm, excessively intense brak-
ing, etc.) when it is first used.
Remember that the brake servo and electro-
mechanical power steering are not operational un-
til the engine has been started, therefore much
more effort than usual is required on the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
Never jump start the engine by pushing, towing or
driving downhill. These manoeuvres may damage
the catalytic converter.
When the engine is switched off never leave the
key in the MAR position to prevent useless cur-
rent absorption from draining the battery.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE
AFTER IT HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❍drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium speed. Do
not accelerate abruptly;
❍do not demand maximum performance for the first few kilo-
metres. Wait until the engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, before turning the engine off you
should allow it to idle to allow the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before turning off
the engine serves absolutely no practical purpose;
it wastes fuel and is especially damaging to tur-
bocharged engines.