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Remember that the brake servo and electromechanical
power steering are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much more effort than
usual is required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. These manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
WARMING UP THE ENGINE JUST
AFTER IT HAS STARTEDProceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium revs and without
accelerating abruptly;
❒do not demand maximum performance for the first few kilometres. It
is advisable to wait until the engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.STOPPING THE ENGINETurn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive, before turning the engine off
you should allow it to idle to allow the temperature in the engine
compartment to decrease.
A quick burst on the accelerator before stopping the engine
serves absolutely no practical purpose. It wastes fuel and
is especially damaging to turbocharged engines.
PARKINGSwitch off the engine and pull up the handbrake. Engage a gear (1
stif
the car is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing downhill) and leave
the wheels steered to one side.
If the car is parked on a steep slope block the wheels with a wedge or
stone. Always remove the ignition key when leaving the car.
Never leave children unattended in the car. Always
remove the key from the ignition when leaving the car
and take it with you.
HANDBRAKETo engage the handbrake pull lever A fig. 118 upwards until the car is
secured. To release the handbrake, raise lever A slightly, hold down
button B and lower the lever.
fig. 118
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STORING THE CARIf the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the following
precautions should be noted:
❒park the vehicle in a dry, covered and, if possible, ventilated area;
engage a gear and check that the handbrake is not engaged;
❒disconnect the negative battery terminal and check the battery
charge. Repeat this check once every three months during storage;
❒if you have not disconnected the battery, check the battery charge
every thirty days;
❒clean and protect the painted parts using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts using special compounds
available commercially;❒sprinkle talcum powder on the windscreen and rear window wiper
rubber blades and lift them off the glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a cloth or perforated plastic sheet. Do not use
compact plastic sheets which do not allow humidity to evaporate
from the surface of the car.
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the standard specified pressure and
check it at intervals;
❒do not drain the engine cooling system.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition key to STOP, wait at least 1
minute before disconnecting the battery power supply.
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IMPORTANT Never connect the negative terminals of the two batteries
directly! If the auxiliary battery is installed on another car, prevent
accidental contact between metallic parts of the two cars.
Never use a fast battery-charger to start the engine as this
could damage the electronic systems of your car,
particularly the ignition and fuel supply control units.This starting procedure must be performed by expert
personnel because incorrect actions could cause
electrical discharge of considerable intensity.
Furthermore, battery fluid is poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes. Keep naked flames and lighted
cigarettes away from the battery and do not cause sparks.
BUMP STARTINGNever start the engine by pushing, towing or coasting downhill.
REPLACING A WHEELGENERAL INSTRUCTIONSThe car is equipped with the “Fix&Go Automatic Kit”: see the
paragraph “Fix&Go Automatic Kit” for how to use this device.
As an alternative to the “Fix&Go Automatic Kit” the car may be
equipped with a space-saver wheel: see the instructions on the
following pages for changing the tyre.
The spare wheel is specific for your car. Do not use it
on cars of different models. Do not use spare wheels of
different models on your car. The space-saver wheel
must only be used in case of emergency. It must only be used for
the distance necessary to reach a service point and the car speed
must not exceed 80 km/h. The space-saver wheel has an orange
sticker that summarises the main cautions for use and limitations.
Never remove or cover the label. Never apply any hub cap to
the space-saver spare wheel.Alert other drivers that the car is stationary in
compliance with local regulations: hazard warning
lights, warning triangle, etc. Any passengers on board
should leave the car, especially if it is heavily laden. Passengers
should stay away from on-coming traffic while the wheel is
being changed. In case of steep slopes or rough slopes, place
wedges or other materials suitable to stop the vehicle under the
wheels.
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REPLACING FUSESGENERAL INFORMATIONFuses protect the electrical system: they intervene (blow) in the event of
a failure or improper intervention on the system.
When a device does not work, check the condition of its protective
fuse: the conductor element A fig. 157 must be intact.
If it is not, replace the blown fuse with another with the same
amperage (same colour).
B = undamaged fuse.
C = fuse with damaged filament.
Use the pliers A fig. 158 under the engine compartment fusebox lid to
remove the fuses (see “Engine compartment fusebox” for how to
remove the lid).
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services should the
fuse blow again.
Never replace a fuse with metal wires or anything else.Never replace a fuse with another with a higher amp
rating; DANGER OF FIRE.If a general protection fuse (MAXI-FUSE, MEGA-FUSE,
MIDI-FUSE) blows, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.Remove the key from the ignition switch and switch off
all loads before replacing a fuse.
fig. 157
A0K0042
fig. 158
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BATTERY RECHARGINGIMPORTANT The battery recharging procedure is given as information
only. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to carry out this
operation.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition key to STOP, wait at least 1
minute before disconnecting the battery power supply.
We recommend recharging the battery slowly for approximately 24
hours at low amperage. Charging for a longer time may damage the
battery.VERSIONS WITHOUT Start&Stop
SYSTEM(for versions/markets, where provided)
Charge the battery as follows:
❒disconnect the negative battery terminal;
❒connect the charger cables to the battery terminals, observing the
polarity;
❒turn on the battery charger;
❒when it is recharged, turn the charger off before disconnecting it
from the battery;
❒reconnect the negative battery terminal.VERSIONS WITH Start&Stop SYSTEM(for versions/markets, where provided)
Charge the battery as follows:
❒disconnect the connector A fig. 164 (pressing the button B) from the
sensor C monitoring the battery conditions, on the negative pole D
of the battery;❒connect the positive cable of the battery charger to the positive
battery terminal E and the negative cable to sensor terminal D
as shown;
fig. 164
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TOWING THE CARThe tow ring provided with the car is housed in the tool box in the
boot.ATTACHING THE TOW HOOKRelease the plug A by pressing the lower part, take the tow hook B
from its housing in the tool support and tighten it securely on the front
threaded pin (fig. 165) or on the rear threaded pin (fig. 166).
Before beginning to tow, turn the ignition key to MAR
and then to STOP, without extracting it The steering
column will automatically lock when the key is
removed and the wheels cannot be steered.
Remember that whilst towing it is necessary to exert a
greater force when steering and braking because the
brake servo and electro-mechanical power steering
will be inoperative. Do not use wires for towing. Do not jerk. Be
careful not to damage parts in contact with the car while towing.
When towing the vehicle, you must comply with all specific traffic
regulations and adopt an appropriate driving behaviour. Do not
start the engine while towing the car. Clean the threaded seat
carefully before fastening the hook. Make sure that the hook is
fully fastened in the housing before towing the car.
fig. 165
A0K0136
fig. 166
A0K0137
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Replacing the wiper bladesProceed as follows:
❒raise the wiper arm, press tab A fig. 172 of the attachment spring
and remove the blade from the arm;
❒fit the new blade by inserting the tab into the special slot in the arm.
Make sure that it is properly locked into place;
❒lower the windscreen wiper arm on the windscreen.
Do not operate the windscreen wiper with the blades lifted
from the windscreen.
Lifting the wiper bladesWhen the wiper blades have to be lifted from the windscreen (i.e. in
the event of snow), proceed as follows:
❒turn the ignition key to the MAR position;
❒operate the lever to the right of the steering wheel to activate a
windscreen wiper stroke (see paragraph "Window washing" in
chapter "Getting to know your car");
❒turn the ignition key to the STOP position when the driver's side
wiper blade reaches the windscreen side pillar and lift the
windscreen wiper to the rest position;
❒bring the wiper blades back into contact with the windscreen before
activating the windscreen wiper.
fig. 172
A0K0144
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Engine compartment
At the end of every winter, wash the engine compartment thoroughly,
taking care not to aim the jet of water directly at the electronic control
units or at the windscreen wiper motors. Have this operation
performed at a specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take place with the engine cold and
the ignition key in the STOP position. After washing, make sure that the
various protective devices (e.g. rubber caps and guards) have not
been removed or damaged.
INTERIORSPeriodically check for water puddles under the mats that could cause
the panels to rust.
Never use flammable products, such as petrol ether or
rectified petrol to clean the inside of the car. The
electrostatic charges which are generated by rubbing
during the cleaning operation may cause a fire.Do not keep aerosol cans in the car: they might
explode. Aerosol cans must not be exposed to a
temperature exceeding 50°C. When the car is exposed
to sunlight, the internal temperature can greatly exceed this
value.
SEATS AND FABRIC PARTSRemove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner. It is advisable to
use a moist brush on velvet upholstery. Rub the seats with a sponge
soaked in a solution of neutral detergent and water.
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