2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Owner handbook (in English)

If the fluid level in the reservoir is not
sufficient, proceed as follows:
❒take the black funnel for topping up
the brake fluid and its extension
pipe from the service kit in the
luggage compartment;
❒loosen the reservoir plug and
introduce the funnel F fig. 126 with
the extension pipe in the reservoir
inlet;
❒after topping up, remove the funnel F
with the extension pipe;
❒tighten the reservoir plug;
❒reposition the protection panel and
tighten the 2 self-tapping screws E.
WARNING Be very careful while
removing the plug from the opening to
prevent the plug from falling inside
the vehicle body.
IMPORTANT
21) Be careful not to confuse the
various types of fluids while
topping up: they are not
compatible with each other!
Topping up with an unsuitable
fluid could severely damage your
vehicle.
22) The oil level should never exceed
the MAX mark.
23) Do not add oil with specifications
other than those of the oil already
in the engine.24) PARAFLU
UPanti-freeze fluid is
used in the engine cooling
system; use the same fluid type as
that already in the cooling system
when topping up. PARAFLU
UP
may not be mixed with other types
of anti-freeze fluids. If topping up
with an unsuitable product, under
no circumstances start the engine
and contact a dedicated Alfa
Romeo Dealership.
25) Avoid allowing brake fluid, which
is extremely corrosive, to come
into contact with painted areas.
Should it happen, immediately
wash with water.
26) Be very careful while topping up
the brake fluid, as it could drip
from the extension pipe inside the
vehicle under the engine cover
and on parts of the body and
windscreen, corroding and
damaging them. Adopt suitable
protection (e.g absorbing paper)
to reduce this risk as much as
possible.
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WARNING
118) The Alfa Romeo 4C is designed
and produced for road use, in
compliance with the current
regulations. Vehicle use in the
track must be considered as
occasional and in any case under
the responsibility of the user.
The vehicle CANNOT be modified
or tampered with for any reason,
this would alter the Manufacturer
homologation and/or safety
requirements. Using a modified or
tampered product relieves the
Manufacturer from any
responsibility on it and may
expose people to serious risks.
119) Never smoke when performing
operations in the engine
compartment. Flammable gases
and fumes may be present, with
the risk of fire.
120) Be very careful when working in
the engine compartment if the
engine is hot: risk of burns.121) If the engine oil is being topped
up, wait for the engine to cool
down before loosening the filler
plug, particularly for cars with
aluminium plug (for versions/
markets, where provided).
WARNING: risk of burns!
122) The cooling system is
pressurised. If necessary, only
replace the plug with another
original one or the operation of
the system may be adversely
affected. Do not remove the
reservoir plug when the engine is
hot: risk of burns.
123) Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reservoir
empty: the windscreen washer is
essential for improving visibility.
Repeated operation of the system
without fluid could damage or
cause rapid deterioration of some
system components.
124) Certain commercial additives
for windscreen washer fluids are
inflammable. The engine
compartment contains hot
components which may set it on
fire.125) Brake fluid is poisonous and
highly corrosive. In the event of
accidental contact, immediately
wash the affected parts with
water and mild soap. Then rinse
thoroughly. Call a doctor
immediately if swallowed.
126) Thesymbol on the container
indicates a synthetic brake fluid,
which is different from a mineral
fluid. Using a mineral fluid will
damage the special rubber seals
of the braking system beyond
repair.
IMPORTANT
3) Used engine oil and oil filters
contain substances which are
harmful to the environment. You
are advised to go to a dedicated
Alfa Romeo Dealership to have
the oil and filters changed.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

AIR CLEANER
For cleaner replacement, contact a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
BATTERY
Battery A fig. 127 does not require the
electrolyte to be topped up with distilled
water. A periodic check carried out at
a dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership
is, however, necessary to check
efficiency.
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
127) 128) 129) 130)
27)
4)
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 rapidly
and maintain its efficiency over time,
carefully observe the following
instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that
the doors and tailgate are properly
closed, to prevent roof lights inside
the passenger and luggage
compartments respectively from
staying on;
❒switch off the roof lights; the car is,
however, equipped with a system
which switches the interior lights off
automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard warning 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.
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IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting the
electrical supply from the battery. When
reconnecting the electrical supply to
the battery, make sure that the ignition
key is in the STOP position and the
driver side door is closed.
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 “Car inactivity”
paragraph in “Starting and driving” 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
(alarm, etc.) or accessories which
influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact a dedicated Alfa
Romeo Dealership, whose qualified
staff will evaluate the overall electrical
consumption.
WARNING
127) Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin and eyes. Keep open flames
away from the battery and do
not use objects that might create
sparks: risk of explosion and fire.
128) Using the battery with
insufficient fluid irreparably
damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
129) If the car will be unused for an
extended period of time in
extremely cold weather
conditions, remove the battery
and store it in a heated area to
prevent it from freezing.
130) Always wear appropriate
goggles when working on or near
the battery.
IMPORTANT
27) Incorrect assembly of electrical
and electronic accessories may
cause severe damage to your car.
Contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership if you want to install
accessories (anti-theft systems,
etc.) after purchasing the car.
They can suggest the most
suitable devices and above all
advise you whether a higher
capacity battery needs to
be installed.
IMPORTANT
4) Batteries contain substances
which are very dangerous for the
environment. For battery
replacement, contact a dedicated
Alfa Romeo Dealership.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

WHEELS AND TYRES
Before embarking on a long trip, and
every two weeks, check the tyre
inflation pressure. Check the tyres when
cold.
131) 132) 133) 134) 135)
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is used; for the correct
tyre inflation pressure, see “Wheels” in
the “Technical specifications” section.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal
tyre wear fig. 128:
A normal pressure: tread evenly worn;
B low pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges;
C high pressure: tread particularly
worn in the centre.The tyres must be replaced when the
tread is less than 1.6 mm thick. In
any case, follow the laws in force in the
country you are in.
IMPORTANT
For versions/markets, where provided,
the 4C may be equipped with
high-performance tyres able to
guarantee superior grip; this results,
however, in increased wear. Alfa
Romeo, together with Pirelli, has indeed
developed special tyres for 4C: a
dedicated series of Pirelli PZero,
initialled AR, meeting the technical
specifications necessary to get the car
best performance.
Take the following precautions to
prevent damage to the tyres:
❒avoid violent impact against the kerb,
potholes or obstacles as well as
driving for extended periods on
uneven road surfaces;
❒periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tread wear;
❒avoid travelling with the car
overloaded. If a tyre is punctured,
stop immediately and change it;❒tyres age even if they are not used a
great deal. Cracks in the tread and
on the sidewalls are a sign of ageing.
Have the tyres checked by
specialised personnel if they have
been fitted for longer than 6 years;
❒if replaced, always fit new tyres,
avoiding those of dubious origin;
❒if a tyre is changed, also change the
inflation valve.
WARNING
131) The road holding qualities of
the car also depend on the correct
inflation pressure of the tyres.
132) If tyre pressure is too low, it
may overheat and be severely
damaged as a result.
133) Do not switch tyres from the
left to the right side and vice
versa, in order to prevent
inversion of the rotation direction.
134) Do not repaint alloy wheel rims
at temperatures higher than
150°C. The mechanical
characteristics of the wheels
could be compromised.
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135) The car is always equipped with
front and rear wheels of different
dimensions. It is not therefore
possible to move the wheels from
the front to the back and vice
versa.WINDSCREEN
WIPER
It is advisable to replace the blade
about once a year.
136)
A few simple precautions can reduce
the possibility of damage to the blade:
❒if the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen
the rubber to the glass. Use an
antifreeze product to release it if
required;
❒remove any snow from the glass;
❒do not operate the windscreen wiper
on dry glass.
IMPORTANT Do not lift the arm of the
windscreen wiper when it is in its initial
rest position. Refer to the following
instructions to lift the windscreen wiper
blade correctly.
Lifting blade
If it is necessary to lift the blade from
the windscreen (e.g. in the event of
snow or if the blade needs
replacement) proceed as follows:
❒turn ring nut A fig. 129 to
(wiper
off);
❒turn the ignition key to MAR-ON and
then to STOP;❒after turning the ignition key to STOP,
within 2 minutes move the right stalk
upwards, into unstable ("anti-panic")
position, for at least half a second.
The windscreen wiper then executes
part of a stroke; at each command,
approximately 1/3 of a normal wiper
stroke is triggered.
❒the previous operation can be
repeated up to 3 times, in order to
move the blade to the most suitable
position;
❒lift the blade from the windscreen and
proceed with the required operation;
❒lower the blade, bringing it into
contact with the windscreen;
❒bring the blade to the initial rest
position, turning the ignition key
to MAR-ON.
28)
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Replacing the
windscreen wiper blade
Proceed as follows:
❒lift the windscreen wiper blade,
following the instructions given
preciously;
❒press tab A fig. 130 of the
attachment spring and remove the
blade from the arm;
❒fit the new blade, inserting the tab in
the dedicated housing in the arm
and checking that it is locked;
❒lower the wiper arm onto the
windscreen.NOZZLES
Screen washer
The windscreen washer nozzles are
adjustable fig. 131. They are originally
adjusted at the factory. Should it be
necessary to adjust them again,
contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
If there is no jet of fluid, firstly check
that there is some fluid in the reservoir
(see paragraph "Checking fluid levels"
in this chapter).
Then check that the nozzle holes are
not clogged; use a needle to unblock
them if necessary.
WARNING
136) Driving with a worn wiper blade
is a serious hazard, because
visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
IMPORTANT
28) Do not operate the screen wiper
with the blades lifted from the
windscreen.
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BODYWORK
PROTECTION AGAINST
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The car features advanced
technological solutions for effective
protection of the exterior bodywork and
structure.
The best products and best painting
systems lend the exterior bodywork
particularly high resistance to
atmospheric agents (solar radiation,
acid rain, etc.) and gravel, through
specific protections.
The chassis too, in light, corrosion-
resistant alloy, is treated to prevent the
formation of surface oxidation.
CAR CORROSION
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation, due to rust, of any original
element of the structure. For the
general terms of this warranty, refer to
the Warranty Booklet.PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paintwork5)29) 30)
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of
washing the car: the frequency
depends on the conditions and
environment where the car is used. For
example, in highly polluted areas, or if
the roads are spread with salt, it is
advisable to wash the car more
frequently.
To correctly wash the car, proceed as
follows:
❒wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water. Remember that
the build up of water can damage
the car over a period of time;
❒wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork,
frequently rinsing the sponge;
❒rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, engine cover, headlight frames,
etc.) with special care, as water may
stagnate more easily in these areas.
The car should not be taken to a closed
area immediately, but left outside so
that residual water can evaporate.Do not wash the car after it has been
left in the sun or with the tailgate hot:
this may alter the shine of the
paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned
in the same way as the rest of the car.
Avoid parking under trees as much
as possible; the resin from trees dulls
the paintwork.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly
as the acid they contain is particularly
aggressive.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean
cloths to prevent scratching or altering
the transparency.
Front headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketenes (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the front headlights.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE