6
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
SPEEDOMETER (SPEED INDICATOR)
This shows the speed of the car.
REV COUNTER
This indicates the engine rpm.
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE
This shows the amount of fuel left in the fuel tank.
0 - tank empty.
1 - tank full
The warning light in the gauge lights up when there are only 8 to
10 litres of fuel remaining in the tank; refuel at the earliest op-
portunity.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. The
warning light on the indicator lights up to indicate an increase in
coolant temperature; in the event of this happening, switch off the
engine and contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS
General warnings
The warning lights come on in conjunction with a dedicated mes-
sage and/or a buzzer where appropriate. These indications are
brief and precautionary and as such must not be considered as
exhaustive and/or alternative to the information contained in the
Owner’s Handbook, which you are recommended to read careful-
ly in all cases. Always refer to the information in this chapter in the
event of a failure signal.
Low brake fluid level (red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light (or symbol on the display) comes on
when the level of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls below the
minimum level due to possible leaks in the circuit.
A specific message will be shown on the display.
Handbrake on (red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light turns
on but should go off after a few seconds. The warning light (or
symbol on the display) comes on when the handbrake is on. If
the car is moving a buzzer is also triggered.
IMPORTANT If the warning light comes on with the vehicle in mo-
tion, check that the handbrake is not engaged.
x
11
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Hot engine coolant (red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the engine is over-
heated. A specific message will be shown on the display.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as follows:
❍when driving normally: stop the car, switch off the engine and
check that the water level in the reservoir is not below the MIN
mark. If it is not, wait for a few minutes for the engine to cool
down then slowly and carefully open the cap, top-up with coolant
and check that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks.
Also visually check for leaks. If the warning light comes on again
at the next engine start-up, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
❍if the car is used under demanding conditions (e.g. towing trail-
ers uphill or fully loaded): slow down and, if the light stays on,
stop the car. Stop for two or three minutes with the engine run-
ning and slightly accelerated to assist better coolant circulation.
Then switch the engine off. Check correct fluid level as described
above.
IMPORTANT On particularly demanding journeys, it is advisable to
keep the engine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes be-
fore switching it off.
u
Door open (red)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light (or symbol on the display) comes
on when one or more doors or the boot are not perfectly
closed. An acoustic signal is activated with the doors open and
the car moving. On some versions, the warning light (or symbol
on the display) also lights up when the bonnet is not perfectly
closed.´
EOBD/injection system fault (amber)
Under normal conditions, the warning light comes on
when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but should
go off as soon as the engine is started.
If the warning light remains on or comes on whilst driving, that
means that the injection system is not working properly; in partic-
ular, if the warning light comes on constantly, this indicates a mal-
function in the supply/ignition system that could cause excessive
exhaust emissions, a possible loss of performance, poor driveabil-
ity and high fuel consumption.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
Under these conditions, you can continue travelling at moderate
speed without demanding excessive effort from the engine. Pro-
longed use of the car with the warning light on may cause dam-
age. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as possible.
The warning light goes out after the fault disappears, but the in-
dication is stored in the system.U
ENGINE OIL
Check that the oil level is between the MIN and MAX references
on the dipstick A-fig. 161-162-163-164.
If the oil level is near or under the MIN line, add oil through the
filler A until it reaches the MAX line.
Do not add oil with different characteristics to those
of the existing engine oil.
Used engine oil and the replaced oil filter contain
substances that are harmful to the environment.
We recommend having the oil and oil filter re-
placed by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the level is too low, undo reservoir cap C-fig. 161-162-163-164
and add the fluid described in “Technical Specifications” chapter.
PARAFLUUPanti-freeze is used in the engine cool-
ing system. Use the same fluid as in the cooling
system when topping up. PARAFLU
UPmay not be
mixed with any other type of fluid. If this accidentally
occurs, do not start the engine. Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
The engine cooling system is pressurised. If the cap
needs replacing, do so with another original or the
effectiveness of the system may be compromised.
Do not remove the cap from the reservoir when the en-
gine is hot: you may get burned
212
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
The oil level must never exceed the MAX line.
Engine oil consumption
The maximum engine oil consumption is usually 400 grams every
1000 km. During the initial period of use the engine oil consumption
conditions should be considered as having stabilised after the first
5000 - 6000 km.
If the engine oil is being topped up, wait for the
engine to cool down before loosening the filler plug,
particularly for vehicles with aluminium plug (for
versions/markets where provided). CAUTION: risk of burns!
