2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Owner's Manual

WARNING!(Continued)
•The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that
should not be disconnected and should only be
replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).
CAUTION!
•It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) and are identified on the
battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the
terminal posts and free of corrosion.
•
If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in the
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables be-
fore connecting the charger to the battery. Do not
use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should include cleaning of the condenser fins and a perfor-
mance test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at
this time.
NOTE:
•
Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants ap-
proved by the manufacturer for your air conditioning
system. Some unapproved refrigerants are flam-
mable and can explode, injuring you. Other unap-
proved refrigerants or lubricants can cause the sys-
tem to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to Warranty
Information Book, located on the USB card, for
further warranty information.
• The air conditioning system contains refrigerant un-
der high pressure. To avoid risk of personal injury or
damage to the system, adding refrigerant or any
repair requiring lines to be disconnected should be
done by an experienced technician.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air condition-
ing system as the chemicals can damage your air
conditioning components. Such damage is not cov-
ered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223

Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling HFO 1234yf
HFO 1234yf Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydro-
fluorocarbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environ-
mental Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving prod-
uct with a low GWP (Global Warming Potential).
However, the manufacturer recommends that air con-
ditioning service be performed by authorized dealer or
other service facilities using recovery and recycling
equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
PAG compressor oil, and refrigerants.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, decklid, sliding doors and hood hinges, should
be lubricated periodically with a lithium based grease,
such as MOPAR Spray White Lube to assure quiet, easy
operation and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to
the application of any lubricant, the parts concerned
should be wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after
lubricating excess oil and grease should be removed. Particular attention should also be given to hood latch-
ing components to ensure proper function. When per-
forming other underhood services, the hood latch,
release mechanism and safety catch should be cleaned
and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant, such as MOPAR
Lock Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield and rear window periodically with a
sponge or soft cloth and a mild nonabrasive cleaner.
This will remove accumulations of salt, waxes, or road
film, and help reduce streaking and smearing.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always
use washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt
or dirt from a dry windshield or rear window.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice
from the windshield or rear window. Make sure that
they are not frozen to the glass before turning them on
224 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

to avoid damaging the blade. Keep the wiper blade out
of contact with petroleum products such as engine oil,
gasoline, etc.
NOTE:Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depend-
ing on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor
performance of blades may be present with chattering,
marks, water lines or wet spots. If any of these condi-
tions are present, clean the wiper blades or replace as
necessary.
Blade Lifting
If it is necessary to lift the blade from the windshield (In
the event of snow or blade replacement) Proceed as
directed:
1. Rotate the end of the multifunction lever to the OFF position.
2. Turn the ignition to the MAR-ON position then to STOP. 3. After turning the ignition to the STOP, within two
minutes move the right stalk upward, into the un-
stable (“anti-panic”) position, for at least half of a
second. The windshield wiper then executes part of a
stroke; at each command, approximately 1/3 of a
normal wiper stroke is triggered.
NOTE: The previous operation can be repeated up to
three times. In order to move the blades to the most
suitable position.Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 225

4. Lift the blade from the windshield and proceed withthe required operation.
5. Carefully lower the blade, bringing it back in contact with the windshield.
6. Bring the blade to the initial rest position, turning the ignition to MAR-ON.
NOTE: Do not operate the screen wiper with the blades
lifted from the windshield.
Front Wiper Blade Removal/Installation
1. Lift the front wiper arm upward to raise the wiper blade off of the windshield.
2. Push the release button on the arm of the wiper blade.
3. Push the wiper blade up and remove it. 4. Install the wiper blade and firmly push the wiper
blade until it snaps into place.
Windshield Washer Nozzles
The windshield washer nozzles are adjustable. They
originally adjusted at the factory. Should it be necessary
to adjust them again, contact your authorized Alfa
Romeo Dealer.
1—WiperBlade
2 — Release Button
3—WiperArm
226 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

If there is not jet of fluid, first check that there is fluid in
the washer reservoir. Refer to “Adding Washer Solvent”
in this section for further information.
Then check that the nozzle holes are not clogged; use a
suitable tool such as a needle to unblock them if
necessary.
Adding Washer Solvent
To check the windshield washer solvent level, proceed
as follows:
1. To avoid any interference during the procedure, liftthe windshield wiper blade.
2. Loosen the four screws using the supplied screw- driver. Remove the washer solvent protection panel.
3. Release the plug from the opening.
4. Leaving the plug close to the opening, put a finger on the central hole in the plug and remove it: the level
can be seen on the control pipe due to capillarity.
1 — Brake Fluid Access Panel
2 — Washer Solvent Access Panel
1 — Screw Locations
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 227

5. After the check, reinsert the plug with the controlpipe in the initial position.
6. Reposition the washer solvent protection panel and tighten the four self-tapping screws.
If the level is not sufficient, namely if there is no washer
solvent inside the pipe, proceed as follows:
1. To avoid any interference during the procedure, lift the windshield wiper blade.
2. Loosen the four screws using the supplied screw- driver. Remove the washer solvent protection panel.
3. Take the black funnel for topping up the windshield washer solvent and its extension pipe from the
service kit in the luggage compartment.
4. Take out the plug with the solvent control pipe through the washer solvent protection panel.
5. Introduce the funnel and its extension pipe in the reservoir neck and top up.
Washer Solvent Plug
Washer Solvent Dip Stick
228 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

6. After topping up, remove the funnel with the exten-sion pipe.
7. Refit the plug with the dipstick.
8. Reposition the washer solvent protection panel and tighten the four self-tapping screws.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer sol-
vents are flammable. They could ignite and burn
you. Care must be exercised when filling or work-
ing around the washer solution.
Exhaust System
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine ex-
haust system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust
system; or if the exhaust fumes can be detected inside
the vehicle; or when the underside or rear of the vehicle
is damaged; have an authorized technician inspect the
complete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for
broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts.
Open seams or loose connections could permit exhaust
fumes to seep into the passenger compartment. In
addition, have the exhaust system inspected each time
the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change.
Replace as required.
Washer Solvent Fill Funnel7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 229

WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breath-
ing CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle”
for further information.
• A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials
might be grass or leaves coming into contact with
your exhaust system. Do not park or operate your
vehicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if
your vehicle is not kept in proper operating
condition. In the event of engine malfunction,
particularly involving engine misfire or other
apparent loss of performance, have your vehicle
serviced promptly. Continued operation of your
vehicle with a severe malfunction could cause the
converter to overheat, resulting in possible dam-
age to the converter and vehicle.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is
important to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
230 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE