
take the tow hook from its housing in
the boot and carefully clean the threaded
housing on the vehicle before using it;
tighten the vehicle's tow hook in its
place for about 11 turns.
IMPORTANT The largest work angle of
the cable to fix on the tow hook must not
exceed 15°, as shown in fig. 147.
WARNING
140)Move the ignition device to ON and
then to STOP, without opening the door.
141)The brake servo and the
electromechanical power steering will not
work while the vehicle is being towed. You
will therefore need to apply more force on
the brake pedal and steering wheel. Do not
use flexible ropes when towing, and avoid
jerky movements. During towing, make sure
that the trailer hitch does not damage any
components it is touching. When towing the
car, you must comply with all specific traffic
regulations and adopt an appropriate
driving behaviour. Do not start the engine
while towing the car. Before tightening the
ring, clean the threaded housing thoroughly.
Make sure that the ring is fully screwed into
the housing before towing the car.
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139

SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct servicing is crucial for
guaranteeing a long life for the vehicle
under the best conditions.
For this reason, Alfa Romeo has planned
a series of checks and services at fixed
distance intervals and, for
versions/markets, where provided, at
fixed time intervals, as described in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan.
Before each service, it is always
necessary to carefully follow the
instructions in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan (e.g. periodically check level of
fluids, tyre pressure, etc.).
Scheduled Servicing is offered by an Alfa
Romeo Dealership according to a set
time schedule. If, during each operation,
in addition to the ones scheduled, the
need arises for further replacements or
repairs, these may be carried out with the
owner's explicit consent only.
IMPORTANT Scheduled Servicing
Coupons are required by the
Manufacturer. Failure to have them
carried out may invalidate the warranty.
It is advisable to inform the Alfa Romeo
Dealership of any small operating
irregularities without waiting for the next
service.
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every year or every600mi (1,000 km) or
before long trips check and, if necessary,
top up:
engine coolant level;
brake fluid level (if insufficient, see an
Alfa Romeo dealership as soon as
possible);
windscreen washer fluid level;
tyre inflation pressure and condition;
operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.);
operation of screen washing/wiping
system and positioning/wear of wiper
blades.
Every1,800mi (3,000 km), check and
top up if required: engine oil level.
HEAVY USAGE OF THE CAR
If the vehicle is used under one of the
following conditions:
dusty roads;
short, repeated journeys (less than
4-5 mi (7-8 km)) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long periods
of inactivity;
in the event of a long period of
inactivity;
the following checks must be carried outmore often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
check front and rear disc brake pad
condition 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 (gaiters/sleeves/bushes, etc.);
check battery charge and battery fluid
level (electrolyte);
visually inspect conditions 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;
check and, if necessary, replace the
Bad Fuel fuel filter (where available).
142
SERVICING AND CARE

SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN (2.2 JTD diesel engine versions)
The checks listed in the Scheduled Servicing Plan, after reaching 120,000 mi (200,000 km)/10 years, must be cyclically repeated
starting from the first interval, thus following the same intervals as before.
Thousands of miles12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120
Thousands of kilometres20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Years12345678910
Check battery charge status with the proper instrument●●●●●●●●●●
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure, if necessary.
Check the Tyre Repair Kit recharge condition and expiry date●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, boot, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel warning
lights, etc.)
●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (1)●●●●●●●●●●
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness●●●●●●●●●●
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine
management systems operation, emissions and, for
versions/markets, where provided, engine oil degradation (2)
●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel system, brakes),
rubber elements (gaiters, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
●●●●●
Check position/wear of front windscreen wiper blade●●●●●
(1) Top up using the fluids indicated in the “Fluids and lubricants” paragraph of the “Technical data” chapter and only after checking that the system is
intact.
(2) If the vehicle diagnostics shows the oil to be degraded to less than 20%, replacing the engine oil and filter is advised.
143

149)Using the battery with insufficient
fluid irreparably damages the battery and
may cause an explosion.
150)If the vehicle 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.
151)When performing any operation on the
battery or near it, always protect your eyes
with special goggles.
IMPORTANT
55)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.
56)The oil level must never exceed the MAX
reference.
57)Do not add oil with specifications other
than those of the oil already in the engine.
58)Use a fluid of the same type as that
already present in the reservoir for any
topping up of the engine cooling system. The
fluid cannot be mixed with other types of
antifreeze fluids. In the event of topping up
with an unsuitable product, under no
circumstances start the engine and contact
an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
59)When you need to disconnect or remove
the battery, do not close the boot. In order to
avoid possible accidental closure, it is
recommended to place an obstacle (e.g. a
cloth) on the lock that would physically avoid
closure.
IMPORTANT
4)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. To change the oil and filters, we
advise you to contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
5)Used transmission fluid contains
substances that are harmful to the
environment. You are advised to contact an
Alfa Romeo Dealership for oil changes.
6)Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. For
battery replacement, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
BATTERY RECHARGING
IMPORTANT NOTES
152) 153)
IMPORTANT Before using the charging
device, always make sure that it is
appropriate for the installed battery,
with constant voltage (below 14.8 V) and
low amperage (maximum 15 A).
IMPORTANT Recharge the battery in a
well ventilated environment.
IMPORTANT Never charge or recharge a
frozen battery: it may explode because
of the nitrogen trapped inside the ice
crystals.
IMPORTANT At all times while charging
or recharging the battery, make sure that
any sparks or open flames are kept
sufficiently far away from the battery.
IMPORTANT Before using any devices to
charge or to maintain the charge of the
battery, carefully follow the instructions
provided with the device in order to
properly and safely connect it to the car
battery.
You can recharge the battery without
disconnecting the wires of the vehicle's
electrical system.
To reach the battery, remove the
access panel inside the boot fig. 149;
149

remove the protective cover 1
fig. 150 and connect the positive cable
terminal of the charger (usually red) to
the positive terminal (+) of the battery;
connect the negative terminal of the
charger (usually black) to nut 2 next to
the negative terminal (-) of the battery, as
shown in fig. 150;
The vehicle is equipped with an IBS
(Intelligent Battery Sensor), which is ableto measure the charge and discharge
voltage and calculate the charge level
and the general condition of the battery.
The sensor is placed next to the negative
terminal (-) of the battery.
For a correct charge/discharge
procedure, the charge voltage must go
through the IBS sensor.
Turn the charger on and follow the
instructions on the user's manual to
completely recharge the battery;
when the battery is charged, turn the
charger off before disconnecting it from
the battery;
first disconnect the black cable
terminal of the battery charger and then
the red cable terminal;
refit the protective cover of the
positive terminal of the battery and the
access cover to the battery
compartment.
IMPORTANT If a "quick-type" battery
charger is used with the battery fitted on
the vehicle, before connecting it
disconnect both cables of the battery
itself. Do not use a "quick-type" battery
charger to provide the starting voltage.
60)
WARNING
152)The process of charging or recharging
the battery produces hydrogen, a flammable
gas that can explode and cause serious
injury.
153)When charging or recharging the
battery, always follow the precautions
listed.
IMPORTANT
60)When you need to disconnect or remove
the battery, do not close the boot. In order to
avoid possible accidental closure, it is
recommended to place an obstacle (e.g. a
cloth) on the lock that would physically avoid
closure.
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150
SERVICING AND CARE

WARNING
154)The air intake system (air cleaner,
rubber hoses, etc.) can be a protection in the
case of blowbacks from the engine. DO NOT
REMOVE this system unless you need to
carry out repair or servicing operations.
Before starting the engine, ensure that the
system has not been removed: failure to
observe this precaution may result in serious
injury.
155)Exhaust emissions are very dangerous,
and may be lethal. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas which
can cause fainting and poisoning if inhaled.
156)The exhaust system may reach high
temperatures and may cause a fire if the
vehicle is parked on flammable material. Dry
grass or leaves can also catch fire if they
come into contact with the exhaust system.
Do not park or use the vehicle in a place in
which the exhaust system might come into
contact with flammable material.
IMPORTANT
61)Incorrect servicing of the vehicle or
failure to carry out operations or repairs
(when necessary) may lead to more
expensive repairs, damage to other
components or have a negative impact on
the vehicle performance. Have any
malfunction inspected immediately by an
Alfa Romeo Dealership.62)The vehicle is equipped with fluids which
are optimised or protecting its performance
and life and extending service intervals. Do
not use chemicals for washing these
components since they may damage the
engine, the gearbox or the climate control
system. This damage is not covered by the
vehicle’s warranty. If any component needs
to be washed due to malfunctioning, use only
the specific liquid for that procedure.
63)An excessive or insufficient amount of
oil inside the base is extremely damaging to
the engine. Make sure it is always at an
adequate level.
64)Vehicles equipped with catalytic
converter must be fuelled only with unleaded
petrol. Leaded petrol would permanently
damage the catalytic converter and
eliminate its ability to reduce polluting
emissions, seriously compromising the
engine performance, which would be
irreparably damaged. If the engine does not
work correctly, especially if it starts
irregularly or if there is a reduction of its
performance, immediately go to an Alfa
Romeo Dealership. Prolonged and faulty
operation of the engine may cause
overheating of the converter and, as a
consequence, possible damage to the
converter and the vehicle.
65)Using a gearbox fluid different from that
approved may compromise gearshifting
quality and/or cause vibration of the
gearbox itself.66)It is recommended to have the vehicle
serviced by an Alfa Romeo Dealership. When
carrying out normal periodic operations and
small servicing interventions personally on
the vehicle, it is recommended to use
suitable equipment, genuine spare parts and
the necessary fluids. Do not carry out any
interventions if you don't have the necessary
experience.
67)When you need to disconnect or remove
the battery, do not close the boot. In order to
avoid possible accidental closure, it is
recommended to place an obstacle (e.g. a
cloth) on the lock that would physically avoid
closure.
68)Always require the use of only
compressor coolants and lubricants
approved and suitable for the specific air
conditioning system fitted on the vehicle.
Some non-approved coolants are flammable
and may explode, with the risk of injuries. The
use of non-approved coolants or lubricants
may adversely affect system efficiency,
leading to expensive repairs.
69)The air conditioner system contains
coolant under high pressure: to avoid injuries
to people or damage to the system, any
coolant addition or repair that requires to
disconnect the cables must be carried out by
an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
152
SERVICING AND CARE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
WARNING
INTERIOR FITTINGS
Do not travel with the storage compartment open: it may injure the front seat occupants in the event of an accident.
The cigar lighter gets extremely hot. Handle it carefully and make sure that children don’t use it: risk of fire and/or burns.
Do not use the ashtray as a waste paper basket: it may catch fire in contact with cigarette stubs.
INTERIOR
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 vehicle is
exposed to sunlight, the internal temperature can greatly exceed this value.
There must be no obstacles on the floor underneath the pedals; make sure that mats are always flat and do not interfere with the pedals.
Do not use aggressive organic substance such as: gasoline, kerosene, oil, acetone or solvents.
SUPPLY
Modifications or repairs to the supply system that are not carried out correctly or do not take the system technical specifications into account can
cause malfunctions leading to the risk of fire.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONSYSTEMS
The catalytic converter and particulate filter (DPF) reach very high temperatures during operation. Therefore do not park the vehicle on flammable
materials (e.g. grass, dry leaves, pine needles, etc.): fire hazard.
IMPORTANT
EXTENDED CAR INACTIVITY
When you need to disconnect or remove the battery, do not close the boot. In order to avoid possible accidental closure, it is recommended to place
an obstacle (e.g. a cloth) on the lock that would physically avoid closure.
INTERIOR
Never use alcohol, petrols and derivatives to clean the dashboard and instrument panel lens.