CAR INACTIVITYIn the event of car inactivity (or if the battery is replaced), special
attention must be paid to the disconnection of the battery power
supply.
The procedure must be carried out as follows: press button A fig. 82 to
detach connector B from battery status monitoring sensor C (this is
located on the negative pole of the battery itself).
In case of battery replacement, always contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services. Replace the battery with
one of the same type (HEAVY DUTY) and with the same
specifications.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition key to STOP, wait at least 1
minute before disconnecting the electrical supply to the battery.
JUMP STARTINGWhen jump starting, never connect the negative lead (–) of the
auxiliary battery to the negative pole A fig. 83 of the car battery, but
rather to an engine/gearbox earth point.
Before opening the bonnet, make sure the engine is off and
the ignition key is in the STOP position. Follow the
indications on the plate underneath the bonnet fig. 84. It is
advisable to extract the key when there are other people in the car.
Leave the car only after having removed the ignition key or having
turned it to STOP. During refuelling, make sure that the engine is off
and that the ignition key is in the STOP position.
fig. 82
A0J0379
fig. 83
A0J0388
101GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CARSAFETY
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IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONSProceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever in neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR-ON: the warning lights
and
(or the symbol on the display) on the instrument panel will
switch on;
❒wait for the warning lights (or the symbol on the display) to switch
off;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal, without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV;
warning light switches off.
Waiting too long will waste the heating work carried out by the
glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If the
warning light flashes for about 1 minute after
starting or during prolonged cranking, this indicates a fault
in the glow plug preheating system. Use the car normally
if the engine starts and go to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
It is dangerous to run the engine in enclosed areas. The
engine takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.It is advisable not to demand maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.) when it is
first used.
When the engine is off, do not leave the ignition key turned
to MAR to prevent unnecessary electrical consumption from
draining the battery.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.
134GETTING TO KNOW
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SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGIN AN EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
SNOW CHAINSThe use of snow chains should be in compliance with local regulations.
The snow chains may be applied only onto the front wheel tyres (drive
wheels).
Check the tension of the snow chains after the first few metres have
been driven.
Use reduced size snow chains: on all versions, for 195/55 R16" and
205/55 R16" size tyres use low-clearance snow chains with a
maximum projection beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
IMPORTANT The space-saver wheel cannot be fitted with snow chains.
If a front (drive) wheel is punctured and snow chains must be used,
you must remove a normal wheel from the rear and replace this one
with the space-saver wheel. In this way, with two normal drive wheels,
it is possible to use snow chains.
Keep your speed down when snow chains are fitted; do not
exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes, steps and pavements
and avoid driving long distances on roads not covered with
snow to avoid damaging the car and the roadbed.
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.
141GETTING TO KNOW
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SAFETYSTARTING AND
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SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
IN AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency we recommend that you call the freephone number found in the Warranty Booklet. You can also
consult www.alfaromeo.com to find your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.STARTING THE ENGINEIf the
warning light on the instrument panel remains on constantly,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services immediately.
JUMP STARTINGIf the battery is flat, the engine may be started using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a little higher than the flat one.
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle:
❒connect the positive terminals (+ sign near the terminal) of the two
batteries with a jump lead fig. 113;❒with a second cable, connect the negative terminal(–)ofthe
auxiliary battery to an earthing point
on the engine or the
gearbox of the car to be started;
❒start the engine; afterwards, follow the sequence above in reverse
order to remove the cables.
For versions with Start&Stop system, to carry out the jump starting
procedure, refer to the paragraph “Start&Stop system” in the “Getting
to know your car” section.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services if you cannot start the engine
after several attempts.
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.
fig. 113
A0J0392
142GETTING TO KNOW
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
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.
143GETTING TO KNOW
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SAFETY
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INDEX
FUSE LOCATIONFuses are grouped together in three fuse boxes located in the engine
compartment, dashboard and luggage compartment.
Engine compartment fuse box
This is located next to the battery fig. 151: to access the fuses, undo the
screws A fig. 150 and remove cover B.
The number identifying the electrical component corresponding to each
fuse is on the back of the cover.
After replacing the fuse, make sure you close cover B on the fuse box.
If you have to wash the engine compartment, take care not
to aim the jet of water directly at the fuse box or
windscreen wiper motors.
fig. 150
A0J0126
fig. 151
A0J0417
164GETTING TO KNOW
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SAFETY
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SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
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 SYSTEMCharge the battery as follows:
❒disconnect the connector A fig. 156 (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 battery
positive pole (+);
❒connect the negative cable (—) of the battery charger to the post D
of the battery negative pole (—);
❒turn on the battery charger;
❒when it is recharged, turn the charger off before disconnecting it
from the battery;
❒reconnect the connector A to the sensor C of the battery.
fig. 156
A0J0389
170GETTING TO KNOW
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SAFETY
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EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLANPETROL VERSIONSThousands of miles18 36 54 72 90 108
Thousands of kilometres 30 60 90 120 150 180
Months24 48 72 96 120 144
Check 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 of condition of timing drive belt (excluding TwinAir Turbo versions)●●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belt(s)●●
Check tension of accessory drive belts and adjust if necessary (versions with heater) (1.4 Petrol 8V
78 HP versions)●●
Check tappet clearance and adjust, if necessary (1.4 Petrol 8V 78 HP versions)●●●
174GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
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IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX