Page 249 of 348
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 1.750 TURBO . . .249
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .250
REPLACEMENT PARTS..................250
DEALER SERVICE......................251
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES...........251
▫Engine Oil..........................252
▫Engine Oil Filter......................254
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................254
▫Engine Cover........................255
▫Maintenance-Free Battery...............256▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............257
▫Body Lubrication.....................258
▫Wiper Blades........................259
▫Windshield Washer Nozzles..............261
▫Adding Washer Solvent.................262
▫Exhaust System......................265
▫Cooling System......................268
▫Brake System........................274
▫Alfa Twin Clutch Transmission...........278
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engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
the engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and its
performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service
station or governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
Engine Oil Filter
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new filter
at every engine oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
This manufacturer’s engines have a full-flow type dispos-
able oil filter. Use a filter of this type for replacement. The
quality of replacement filters varies considerably. Only
high quality filters should be used to assure most efficient
service. MOPAR® engine oil filters are high quality oil
filters and are recommended.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) can
provide a measure of protection in the case of engine
backfire. Do not remove the air induction system (air
cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such removal is necessary
for repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one is
near the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
used to assure most efficient service. MOPAR® engine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are recom-
mended.
Engine Cover
To avoid possible damage to the engine cover, please
disconnect each of the four mounting studs by pulling
the engine cover upward, and then lift off the complete
cover. Tilting the engine cover when one or more studs
are still engaged will lead to premature failure of the
couplers.
To reassemble the cover back onto the engine, first make
sure it is properly aligned, the oil cap is centered, and that
all four studs are lined up with their couplers. Then
gently push on the four corners of the engine cover to
snap the stud back into position.
No tools are required to remove or reassemble the engine
cover.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 255
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•Short, repeated trips (less than 4-5 miles or 7-8 km) at
sub-zero temperatures
•Allowing the engine to idle for extended periods of
time
•Driving for long distances at low speeds
•Allowing the vehicle to sit for long periods of inactiv-
ity
Under any of the above circumstances, the following
checks need to be performed more frequently than indi-
cated in the Maintenance Schedule:
•Check front and rear disc brake pad condition and
wear
•Check cleanliness of tailgate locks.
•Check cleanliness and lubrication of chassis and steer-
ing linkage•Visually inspect condition of: engine, gearbox, trans-
mission, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel system -
brakes) and rubber elements (gaiters - sleeves - bushes
- etc.)
•Check battery charge and battery fluid level (electro-
lyte)
•Visually inspect condition of the auxiliary drive belts
•Check and, if necessary, change engine oil and replace
oil filter
•Check and, if necessary, replace air cleaner
Using the car on track should be regarded as an excep-
tion. The car has been designed and produced for road
use.
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 313
Page 316 of 348
Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
If the vehicle is operated in a dusty or dirty environment
the engine air filter has to be changed every 6500 miles
(10,000 km).
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip/Periodic Checks
Every 600 miles (1,000 km) or before long trips, check
and, if necessary, top off the following:
•Check engine oil level
•Check brake fluid level
•Check windshield washer fluid level•Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and
brake master cylinder reservoir, and add as needed
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights
•Check screen wash/wipe system and positioning/
wear of windscreen
Every 2000 miles (3000 km) check and, if necessary, top
up: engine oil level
314 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
Change oil and filter.
Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, and hoses.
Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
Check and adjust hand brake.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road
conditions.
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 315
Page 321 of 348

Mileage or time passed (whichever comes first)
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
Or Months: 12 24 36 48 60 72
Or Kilometers:
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
Replace air filter cartridge (***) X X X X X X
(⌂) Recommend using Midtronics tester to check charge
status and, if necessary, recharge battery.
(#) The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply. The following are essential
to ensure correct operation and prevent serious damage
to the engine:
•Only use spark plugs of the same make and type
which are specially certified for such engines (refer to
“Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts” in “Maintain-
ing Your Vehicle” for further information).•Strictly comply with the spark plug replacement inter-
val given in the maintenance schedule for spark plug
replacement.
•Contact your Alfa Romeo Dealer if you have questions.
(*) Regardless of the distance covered, the timing belt
must be changed every 4 years for particularly demand-
ing use (cold climates, city driving, long periods of
idling) or at least every 5 years.
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 319
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(**) The actual interval for changing the oil and replacing
the engine oil filter depends on the vehicle usage condi-
tions and is signalled by the warning light or message (if
present) on the instrument panel or every 12 months.
(***) If the vehicle is operated in a dusty or dirty
environment the engine air filter has to be changed every
6,500 miles (10,000 km).WARNING!
•You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
•Failure to properly inspect and maintain your ve-
hicle could result in a component malfunction and
effect vehicle handling and performance. This
could cause an accident.
320 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES