
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold
start-ups will prevent the engine from
reaching optimal running temperature.
This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (from +15 to
+30% on the urban cycle) and
emissions.
Traffic and road
conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in a queue with frequent use
of low gears or in large towns with
many traffic lights. Winding mountain
roads and rough road surfaces also
adversely affect consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level
crossings) switch off the engine.
TOWING TRAILERSIMPORTANT
The vehicle must be provided with a
type-approved tow hook and adequate
electrical system to tow caravans or
trailers. Installation must be carried out
by a specialist.
Fit any specific and/or additional rear
view mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the
braking spaces increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly using
the brake.
The weight of the trailer reduces the
load capacity of the car by the same
amount. Consider the weight at full
load, including accessories and
luggage, to make sure you do not
exceed the maximum towable weight
(shown in the registration document).
Do not exceed the speed limits specific
to each country you are driving in, in
the case of vehicles towing trailers.
In any case do not exceed 100 km/h.INSTALLING A TOW
HOOK
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to
install a tow hook.
108) 109)
WARNING
108) The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the
braking system of the trailer.
Particular caution is therefore
required when travelling on
slippery roads.
109) Never modify the braking
system of the car to control the
trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
from the hydraulic system of the
car.
166
STARTING AND DRIVING

113) Use your hazard lights, warning
triangle, etc to show that your car
is stationary. Passengers should
get out of the car, particularly if it
is heavily loaded, and wait for
the wheel to be changed away
from the traffic. In the event of a
wheel change on a slope or on
unsurfaced roads, chock the
wheels.
114) Car handling is modified with
the space-saver wheel fitted.
Avoid violent acceleration and
braking, abrupt steering and fast
cornering. The overall duration
of the space-saver wheel is of
about 3000 km, after which the
relevant tyre must be replaced
with another one of the same
type. Never install a traditional
tyre on a rim designed to be used
as a space-saver wheel. Have
the wheel repaired and refitted as
soon as possible. Using two or
more space-saver wheels at the
same time is forbidden. Do not
grease the bolt threads before you
fit them, because they could
suddenly come loose.115) Use the jack only to replace
wheels on the car with which it
is supplied or on other cars of the
same model. Never use the jack
for other purposes, such as lifting
other car models. Never use it
for repair operations under the
car. Incorrect positioning of the
jack may cause the car to fall. Do
not use the jack for loads higher
than those shown on the label.
Never install snow chains on the
space-saver wheel; if a front tyre
(driving wheel) is punctured and
you need to use snow chains, use
a standard wheel from the rear
axle and install the space-saver
wheel on the rear axle. In this
way, with two normal front drive
wheels, it is possible to use snow
chains.
116) Incorrect hub cap assembly
may cause it to come off when the
car is moving. Never tamper with
the inflation valve. Never
introduce tools of any kind
between rim and tyre. Regularly
check the inflation pressure of the
tyres and space-saver wheel
(see chapter "Technical
specifications").
IMPORTANT
26) Contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership as soon as possible to
have the correct tightening of
the wheel bolts checked.
175

IMPORTANT When the weather is cold
or damp or after heavy rain or washing,
the surface of headlights or rear lights,
may steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is
a natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside
of the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from
the centre of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges.
IMPORTANT
28) Halogen bulbs must be handled
by holding the metallic part only.
Touching the transparent part
of the bulb with your fingers may
reduce the intensity of the
emitted light and even reduce the
lifespan of the bulb. In the case
of accidental contact, rub the
lamp with a cloth and spirit and
leave to dry.
WARNING
126) Changes or repairs to the
electrical system carried out
incorrectly and without due
consideration for the technical
specifications of the system may
lead to malfunctioning and
generate a fire hazard.
127) Halogen bulbs contain
pressurised gas. If they break,
glass fragments could fly
everywhere.
128) Due to the high supply voltage,
gas discharge bulbs (Bi-Xenon)
should only be replaced by
specialised personnel: danger of
death! Contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
180
IN AN EMERGENCY

SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN1.4 Turbo Petrol and 1.4 Turbo MultiAir VERSIONSThousands of miles 18 36 54 72 90 108
Thousands of kilometres 30 60 90 120 150 180
Months24 48 72 96 120 144Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure, if required●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning
lights, passenger compartment, luggage compartment, instrument panel warning
lights, etc.)●●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen washer/wiper system●●●●●●
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rear window wiper blades●●●●●●
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation of pad wear
indicator●●●●●●
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear●●●●●●
Condition and status visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody protection, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes), rubber elements (boots - sleeves -
bushes etc.)●●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of
linkages●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine cooling, hydraulic brakes/clutch,
screen washer, battery, etc.)●●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if required●●●●●●
Check timing belt condition●●
201

1750 Turbo Petrol VERSIONSThousands of miles 21 42 63 84 105
Thousands of kilometres 35 70 105 140 175
Months24 48 72 96 120Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure, if required●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning
lights, passenger compartment, luggage compartment, instrument panel warning
lights, etc.)●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen washer/wiper system●●●●●
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rear window wiper blades●●●●●
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation of pad wear
indicator●●●●●
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear●●●●●
Condition and status visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody protection, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes), rubber elements (boots - sleeves -
bushes etc.)●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of
linkages●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine cooling, hydraulic brakes/clutch,
screen washer, battery, etc.)●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if required●●●●●
Check timing belt condition●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belt(s)●
203

Diesel VERSIONSThousands of miles 21 42 63 84 105
Thousands of kilometres 35 70 105 140 175
Months24 48 72 96 120Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure, if required●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning
lights, passenger compartment, luggage compartment, instrument panel warning
lights, etc.)●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen washer/wiper system●●●●●
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rear window wiper blades●●●●●
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation of pad wear
indicator●●●●●
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear●●●●●
Condition and status visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody protection, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes), rubber elements (boots - sleeves -
bushes etc.)●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of
linkages●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine cooling, hydraulic brakes/clutch,
screen washer, battery, etc.)●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if required●●●●●
Check exhaust fumes/emissions●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belts●●
205

PERIODIC CHECKSEvery 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
❒engine coolant, brake fluid and
windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre inflation pressure and condition;
❒operation of lighting system
(headlamps, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
❒operation of window washer/wiper
system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper
blades
Check and top up, if required, the
engine oil level every 3,000 km.
HEAVY-DUTY USE OF
THE CARIf the car is used mainly under one of
the following conditions:
❒towing a trailer or caravan;
❒dusty roads;
❒short, repeated journeys (less than
7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
❒engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long
periods of idleness;
the following checks must be carried
out more often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒check front disc brake pad
conditions and wear;
❒check cleanliness of bonnet and boot
locks, cleanliness and lubrication of
linkage;
❒visually inspect conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel system -
brakes) and rubber elements (boots -
sleeves - bushes - etc.);
❒check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
❒visually inspect condition of the
accessory drive belts;❒check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
❒check and, if necessary, replace
pollen filter;
❒check and, if necessary, replace air
cleaner.
207

BATTERYBattery F (see previous pages) does not
require the electrolyte to be topped up
with distilled water. A periodic check
carried out at an Alfa Romeo Dealership
is, however, necessary to check
efficiency.
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
145) 146) 147) 148)36)5)
If necessary, replace the battery with
another original battery with the same
specifications. Follow the battery
manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that
the doors, tailgate and bonnet are
closed properly, to prevent any lights
from remaining on inside the
passenger's compartment;❒switch off all roof lights inside the car:
the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all internal
lights off automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect
the negative battery cable.
IMPORTANT After the battery is
disconnected, the steering must be
initialised. The warning light switches
on to indicate this. To carry out this
procedure, simply turn the steering
wheel all the way from one end to the
other or drive in a straight line for about
a hundred metres.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk
of freezing (this can happen as early as
–10°C). Refer to the paragraph "Car
inactivity" in "Starting and driving"
chapter if the car is left parked for a
long time.If, after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which
require permanent electrical supply (e.g.
alarm, etc.) or accessories which
influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership, whose qualified staff will
evaluate the overall electrical
consumption.
WARNING
145) Battery liquid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin and eyes. Keep naked flames
and sources of sparks away from
the battery: risk of explosion and
fire.
146) Using the battery with
insufficient fluid irreparably
damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
147) If the car must remain unused
for a long time at a very low
temperature, remove the battery
and take it to a warm place, to
avoid freezing.
214
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE