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 STARTING
Never start the engine by pushing, towing or coasting downhill.
REPLACING A WHEEL
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
The 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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The vehicle's driving characteristics will be modified
with the space-saver wheel fitted. Avoid violent
acceleration and braking, sharp steering and fast
cornering. The total life of a space-saver wheel is approximately
3,000 km, after which it must be replaced by another wheel of
the same type. Never attempt to fit a conventional tyre on a rim
designed for use as a space-saver wheel. Repair and refit the
standard wheel as soon as possible. Two or more space-saver
wheels should never be used together. Do not grease the threads
of bolts before fitting them: they might slip out.
The jack provided is only intended to be used for
replacing tyres on the vehicle with which it is supplied,
or on same-model vehicles. Never use the jack for
other purposes, such as lifting other car models. Never use it for
repair operations under the vehicle. 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 small spare 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 small spare wheel on the
rear axle. In this way, with two normal front drive wheels, it is
possible to use snow chains.
Incorrectly fitting the hubcap may cause it to fall off
when the vehicle is in motion. Never tamper with the
inflating 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").
JACK
Please note that:
❒the jack weight is 1.76 kg;
❒the jack requires no adjustment;
❒the jack cannot be repaired and in the event of a fault it must be
replaced by another original one;
❒no tool other than its cranking device may be fitted on the jack.
To change a wheel proceed as follows:
❒stop the car in a position that is not dangerous for oncoming traffic
where you can change the wheel safely. The ground must be flat
and sufficiently compact;
❒switch off the engine, pull up the handbrake and engage 1
agear or
reverse; put on the high visibility jacket (required by law) before
leaving the vehicle;
❒open the luggage compartment, pull tab A fig. 116 and lift up the
mat;
fig. 116A0J0104
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❒if after five minutes it is still impossible to reach at least 1.8 bar,
disengage the compressor from the valve and power socket, then
move the car forwards by approx. ten metres in order to distribute
the sealing fluid inside the tyre evenly, then repeat the inflation
operation;
❒if you still cannot obtain a pressure of at least 1.8 bar within 5
minutes from the compressor switching on, do not drive off and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services;
❒after driving for about 10 minutes, stop and check the tyre pressure
again; remember to put the handbrake on;
❒if a pressure value of at least 1.8 bar is detected, restore the correct
pressure (with the engine running and the handbrake engaged),
resume driving and drive with great care to Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
Apply the adhesive label where it can be easily seen
by the driver as a reminder that the tyre has been
treated with the quick repair kit. Drive carefully,
particularly on bends. Do not exceed 80 km/h. Do not accelerate
or brake suddenly.
If the pressure has fallen below 1.8 bar, do not drive
any further: the Fix&Go Automatic quick tyre repair kit
cannot guarantee the correct hold because the tyre is
too damaged. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
Inform the dealership that the tyre has been repaired
using the quick tyre repair kit. Give the leaflet to the
technicians who will be handling the tyre that was
repaired using the quick repair kit.
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BATTERY RECHARGING
IMPORTANT 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
Charge the battery as follows:
❒disconnect the connector A fig. 158 (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. 158A0J0389
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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.
The front and rear tow hooks should be used only for
emergencies on the road. You are allowed to tow the
vehicle for short distances using an appropriate device
in accordance with the highway code (a rigid bar), to move the
vehicle on the road in readiness for towing or transport via a
breakdown vehicle. Tow hooks MUST NOT be used to tow
vehicles off the road or where there are obstacles and/or for
towing operations using cables or other non-rigid devices.
Respecting the above conditions, towing must take place with the
two vehicles (one towing, the other towed) aligned as much as
possible along the same centre line.
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WHEELS AND TYRES
Before embarking on a long trip, and every two weeks, check the tyre
inflation pressure and space-saver wheel. Check the tyres when cold.
While driving the car, the pressure increases under standard
conditions: for the correct tyre inflation pressure, see "Wheels"
paragraph in the "Technical specifications" chapter.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre wear fig. 166:
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.IMPORTANT
Take the following precautions to prevent damage to the tyres:
❒avoid braking suddenly, racing starts and violent impact against the
curb, potholes or other obstacles and driving for extended periods
on uneven road surfaces;
❒periodically check that the tyres have no cuts in the side wall,
abnormal swelling or irregular tyre wear;
❒avoid travelling with the car overloaded. If you puncture a tyre, stop
immediately and replace it;
❒change the position of the tyres every 10-15 thousand kilometres,
keeping them on the same side of the car to avoid inverting the
direction of rotation;
❒tyres age even if they are not used much. 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. Remember to check the space-saver wheel very carefully;
❒In the case of replacement, always fit new tyres, avoiding those of
dubious origin;
❒if a tyre is replaced, also replace the inflation valve.
fig. 166A0J0136
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Replacing the wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the wiper arm, press tab A fig. 167 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 blades
When 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. 167A0J0054
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IMPORTANT
Avoid parking under trees; the resin dropped by trees makes the
paintwork go opaque and increases the possibility of corrosion.
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.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window inside gently with a cloth following
the direction of the filaments to avoid damaging the heating device.
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.
IMPORTANT When cleaning with a pressure washer, keep the water jet
at least 20 cm away from the headlights.
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 the washing operation,
make sure that the various protections (e.g. rubber caps and guards)
have not been removed or damaged.INTERIORS
Periodically 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 PARTS
Remove 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.
CLEANING ALCANTARA SEATS
Alcantara trim can be treated and cleaned easily in the same way as
the other trims. The same indications given for cleaning fabrics are
also therefore applicable for this trim.
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