
Carefully check the car for fuel leaks, for instance in the engine
compartment, under the car or near the tank area.
After a collision, turn the ignition key to STOP to prevent the battery
from running down.
To restore the correct operation of the car, proceed as follows:
❒turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON position;
❒activate the right direction indicator;
❒deactivate the right direction indicator;
❒activate the left direction indicator;
❒deactivate the left direction indicator;
❒activate the right direction indicator;
❒deactivate the right direction indicator;
❒activate the left direction indicator;
❒deactivate the left direction indicator;
❒turn the ignition key to the STOP position;
❒turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON position.
If, after an impact, you smell fuel or notice leaks from
the fuel system, do not reactivate the system to avoid
the risk of fire.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
GLOVE COMPARTMENT
Operate handle A fig. 47 to open the compartment. When the
compartment is opened, a courtesy light switches on.
The glove compartment features a document holder.
Do not travel with the glove compartment open: it
could injure the passenger in the event of an accident.
fig. 47A0J0060
71
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

IMPORTANT
Do not wash the seats with water or pressurised steam (by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).
The front and/or side bags may activate in the event of sharp knocks
to the underbody of the car (e.g. impact with steps, pavements,
potholes or road bumps etc.).
When the airbag deploys it emits a small amount of dust: the dust is
harmless and does not indicate the beginning of a fire. The dust may
irritate the skin and eyes however: in this case, wash with neutral soap
and water.
All operations on airbags (inspection, repair and replacement) must be
carried out by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
If the car is to be scrapped, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to
have the airbags deactivated.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed in different ways, according to
the type of impact. Failure to deploy of one of the devices does not
necessarily indicate a system malfunction.
If thewarning light does not switch on when the
key is turned to MAR-ON, or stays on while driving (on
some versions together with a message on the
display) there may be a fault in the restraint systems. In this
case, airbags or pretensioners may not be activated in the case
of an accident or (in a lesser number of cases) they may be
activated incorrectly. Before proceeding, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services to have the system checked immediately.
Do not travel carrying objects in your lap, in front of
your chest or between your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.):
they could cause severe injury if the airbag is
deployed.
If the car has been subject to theft, attempted theft,
vandalism, or flooding, have the airbag system
inspected at Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
When the ignition key is in and turned in the MAR-ON
position and the engine is off, the airbags may deploy
if the car is crashed by another moving vehicle.
Therefore, even if the car is stationary, when an active passenger
airbag is fitted, DO NOT install rear facing child restraint systems
on the front passenger seat. Deployment of the airbag following
an impact could cause fatal injuries to the child. Therefore,
always deactivate the passenger airbag when a rear facing child
restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be positioned back as far as possible
in order to avoid the child restraint system from coming into
contact with the dashboard. Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the child restraint system has been
removed. Also remember that, if the key is turned to STOP, none
of the safety devices (airbags or pretensioners) will be deployed
in the event of collision. Non-deployment in such cases does not
indicate a system malfunction.
128
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which can help you to save fuel and lower
harmful emissions.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan” (see chapter “Maintenance and care”).
Ty r e s
Check the tyre pressure at least once every 4 weeks: if the pressure is
too low, consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of the car and its
arrangement greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories lower aerodynamic penetration and adversely affect
consumption levels. It is better to use a trailer to transport particularly
bulky objects.
Electrical devices
Only use electrical devices for the time needed. The heated rear
window, additional headlights, windscreen wipers and heater fan
require a considerable amount of energy; increasing the current uptake
increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% in an urban cycle).Climate control system
Using the climate control system will increase consumption: use the air
vents when the external temperature allows it.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs when the vehicle is
stationary; this causes the engine to warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It is therefore advisable to
move off immediately, slowly, avoiding high speeds: in this way the
engine will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when at traffic lights or before switching off the
engine. The latter action, like double-declutching, is unnecessary and
causes increased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear when traffic and road conditions allow it. Using a
low gear for faster acceleration will increase consumption. In the same
way improper use of a high gear increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.
135
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

SNOW CHAINS
The 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 CAR
If 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.
138
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN
PETROL VERSIONS
Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years12345678910
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure, if necessary. Check
“Fix&Go Automatic” kit recharge expiry date●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, luggage compartment, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel warning lights,
etc.)●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine coolant, hydraulic
clutch/brakes, screen washer, battery, etc.)●●●●●●●●●●
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness●●●●●●●●●●
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine management system
operation, emissions and, for versions/markets, where provided,
engine oil degradation●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect condition of: exterior bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel system, brakes), rubber
elements (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.)●●●●●
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen wiper/washer system and adjust jets,
if necessary●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage compartment locks, as well
as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages●●●●●
172
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
The checks listed in the Scheduled Servicing Plan, after reaching 120,000 km/8 years, must be cyclically repeated starting from the first interval,
thus following the same intervals as before. 

DIESEL VERSIONS
Thousands of miles 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120
Thousands of kilometres 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Years12345678910
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure, if necessary. Check
“Fix&Go Automatic” kit recharge expiry date●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, luggage compartment, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel warning lights,
etc.)●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine coolant, hydraulic
clutch/brakes, screen washer, battery, etc.)●●●●●●●●●●
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness●●●●●●●●●●
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine management system
operation, emissions and, for versions/markets, where provided,
engine oil degradation●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect condition of: exterior bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel system, brakes), rubber
elements (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.)●●●●●
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen wiper/washer system and adjust jets,
if necessary●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage compartment locks, as well
as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if necessary●●●●●
Visually inspect condition and wear of front and rear disc brake pads●●●●●●●●●●
175
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
The checks listed in the Scheduled Servicing Plan, after reaching 120,000 km/6 years, must be cyclically repeated starting from the first interval,
thus following the same intervals as before. 

PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and restore the
following if necessary:
❒engine coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre inflation pressure and condition;
❒operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
❒operation of window washer/wiper system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper blades
Check and top up, if required, the engine oil level every 3,000 km.
HEAVY-DUTY USE OF THE CAR
If you use the car mainly under one of the following conditions:
❒towing a trailer or caravan;
❒dusty roads;
❒short, repeated journeys (less than 7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
❒engine often idling or driving long distances at low speeds or long
periods of idleness;
the following checks must be performed more frequently than indicated
in the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒check front disc brake pad conditions 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
(boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.);
❒check battery charge and battery fluid level (electrolyte);
❒visually inspect condition 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.
177
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

AIR CLEANER/POLLEN
FILTER/DIESEL FILTER
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to replace the filters.
BATTERY
Battery F (see previous pages) does not require the electrolyte to be
topped up with distilled water. A periodic check carried out at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services is, however, necessary to check efficiency.
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If necessary, replace the battery with another genuine 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, bonnet and flaps are
closed correctly, to prevent any roof lights from remaining on inside
the passenger compartment;
❒switch off all roof lights inside the car: the car is however equipped
with a system which switches all internal lights off automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system, hazard 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 pole;
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.
186
GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing (this can happen as
early as –10°C). Refer to “Storing the car” in “Starting and driving” if
the car is left parked for a long time.
If after having purchased your car you decide to add accessories
requiring permanent electrical power (alarm etc.) or accessories that
require large amounts of power, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement.