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STARTING UP AND DRIVING159
3
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration of the car and have
a negative effect on fuel consumption. It is better to use a trailer,
particularly for transporting bulky objects.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount of time needed. The heat-
ed rear windscreen, additional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan require a considerable amount of energy; increasing the
current uptake increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% in an
urban cycle).
Climate control
Using the climate control system increases fuel consumption: use
the air vents when outdoor temperature permits.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect air drag and
fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car at a standstill and do not
use excessive engine speeds: the engine warms up very slowly in
these conditions, increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It is
advisable to start off immediately and slowly, keeping the engine
speed down: the engine will warm up much faster this way.
Unnecessar y actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic lights or before stopping
the engine. The latter action, like double-declutching, is unneces-
sary and causes increased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
When traffic and road conditions allow, use a high gear. Using a
low gear for faster acceleration will increase fuel consumption. In
the same way improper use of a high gear increases consump-
tion, emissions and engine wear.
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases as speed increases. Keep
your speed as even as possible, avoiding unnecessary braking
and acceleration which cause excessive fuel consumption and in-
creased emissions.
Page 194 of 262
41
41
41
43
41
41
41
41
43
43
4315
20
15
7.5
30
7.5
30
15
5
10
5F08
F09
F10
F13
F15
F19
F20
F21
F31
F36
F37
IN AN EMERGENCY193
4
CONSUMERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Heated windscreen
Headlight washer pump
Two-tone horn
Headlight alignment adjustment system
Additional heater (PTC 1)
“Dynamic Suspension” control system
Air conditioning compressor
Heated rear windscreen, demisting system
Fuel pump on tank
INT/A key exhaust relay coils
on engine fuse box
Radio, Blue&Me
TMcontrol unit, Climate control unit,
Alarm control unit, Volume sensing system control unit,
EOBD external diagnostic socket,
Tyre pressure detection control unit
Instrument panel, Brake light switch,
Gas discharge headlights management system
Page 196 of 262
43
43
45
45
45
45
45
45
41
41
415
5
15
10
15
20
–
15
40
15
7.5F51
F53
F4
F5
F6
F1
F2
F3
F83
F85
F87
IN AN EMERGENCY195
4
CONSUMERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Clutch switch, Brake light
switch, relay coils on
engine fuse box, Control system on
internal heater/air conditioning unit,
Blue&Me
TMcontrol unit,
Radio wiring, Air flow meter,
Water in diesel fuel sensor
Instrument panel
Bose HI-FI system amplifier control unit
Bassbox subwoofer in spare wheel compartment
Left and right front seat heater
Electric sunroof opening system
Fuse wiring
Luggage compartment power socket
Passenger compartment fan
Power socket on tunnel
Passenger/driver-side door mirror demister,
Demister on front jets, Heated windscreen relay coil
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204CARE AND MAINTENANCE
2 If the car is mainly used in cities or travels less than 10,000 km a year, change the engine oil and filter every
12 months.
30 60 90 120 150 180
●●● ●●●
●●● ●●●
●
●
●●● ●●●
●●●
●●● ●●●
●●●
●●● ●●●
1 For 1.4 Turbo Petrol, 1.4 Multi Air and 1.4 Turbo Multi Air versions, in order to guarantee correct operation pre-
vent serious damage to the engine, it is essential to observe the following:
- only use spark plugs specifically certified for1.4 Turbo Petrol, 1.4 Multi Air and 1.4 Turbo Multi Air engines; all spark plugs
should be of the same type and brand (see the “Engine” paragraph);
- adhere strictly to the spark plug replacement intervals detailed in the Scheduled Service Plan;
- it is advisable to have this carried out by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Thousands of kilometres
Check exhaust emissions
Check engine management system operation (via diagnostic socket)
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (*)
Replace spark plugs 1
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and oil filter (or every 24 months) 2
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should 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.
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206CARE AND MAINTENANCE
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should 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 oil filter should be changed when the warning light on the dashboard comes on, or every 24 months.
Thousands of kilometres
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (except 1.3 JTDM-2engine)(*)
Replace fuel filter
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and replace oil filter (diesel versions with DPF) (**)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Replace pollen filter (or every 24 months)
35 70 105 140 175
●
●
●●
●● ● ● ●
●●
●● ● ● ●
If the car is mainly used in cities or travels less than 10,000 km a year, change the engine oil and filter every
12 months.
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE207
5
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and top up the fol-
lowing if necessary:
❍engine coolant level, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid
❍tyre pressure and condition;
❍operation of lights (headlights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❍operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system, position
and wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check the following and top-up, if necessary: en-
gine oil level.
We recommend the use of PETRONAS LUBRICANTS products, de-
signed and produced specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see “Con-
sumables” table in chapter 6).
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR
If you use the vehicle mainly under one of the following conditions:
❍trailer or caravan towing;
❍dusty roads;
❍repeated short distances (less than 7-8 km) and with exter-
nal temperatures below zero;
❍frequently idling the engine, travelling long distances at low
speeds or long term inactivity;
❍in cities;
perform the following inspections more frequently than shown on
the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❍check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
❍check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, and cleanliness and
lubrication of linkages;
❍visually inspect the condition of: engine, gearbox, transmission,
pipes and hoses (exhaust – fuel supply - brakes) rubber ele-
ments (gaiters – hoses - bushes etc.);
Page 209 of 262
208CARE AND MAINTENANCE
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS
Be careful not to confuse the various types of flu-
ids while topping up: they are incompatible and
mixing them up may seriously damage the
vehicle.
Do not smoke while working on the engine com-
partment: there may be flammable gases and
vapours present.
With the engine warm, take great care when work-
ing in the engine compartment: risk of burns. Re-
member that the fan may start up if the engine is
hot: risk of injury. Pay attention to scarves, ties and oth-
er loose fitting garments: they could get dragged in by the
moving parts.
❍check battery charge and fluid level (electrolyte);
❍visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drivebelts;
❍check and if necessary change engine oil and oil filter;
❍check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
❍check air filter and replace, if required.
Page 216 of 262

CARE AND MAINTENANCE215
5
ENGINE OIL
Check that the oil level is between the MIN and MAX references
on the dipstick A-fig. 1-2-3-4-5-6.
If the oil level is near or even under the MIN line, add oil using
the filler B to reach 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.
Don’t add any oil with different characteristics to
those of the existing engine oil.
The oil level should never exceed the MAX line.
Used engine oil and the replaced oil filter contain
substances that may be dangerous for the envi-
ronment. We recommend having the oil and oil fil-
ter replaced by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the level is too low, undo reservoir cap C-fig. 1-2-3-4-5-6 and add
the fluid described in chapter “6”.
PARAFLU UPantifreeze is used in the engine cooling
system. Use fluid of the same type contained in the
cooling system for top-ups. PARAFLU
UPmay not be
mixed with other types of fluids. If this accidentally oc-
curs, do not start the engine. Contact an Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Services.
The engine cooling system is pressurised. If re-
quired, replace the cap with an original spare part
so as not to compromise system efficiency. Do not
remove the cap from the reservoir when the engine is hot:
risk of burns.