Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as
the allowable load weight a truck can
carry, including the weight of the driver,
all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
load on the front and rear axles. The
load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is
not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the
components in the system with the
lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles
or suspension components sometimes
specified by purchasers for increased
durability does not necessarily increase
the vehicle's GVWR.
Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification
Label represents the actual tire size on
your vehicle. Replacement tires must be
equal to the load capacity of this tire
size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate
for the tire size listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for
your vehicle for all loading conditions up
to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined
as the total weight of the vehicle with all
fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no
occupants or cargo loaded into the
vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your
vehicle on a commercial scale before
any occupants or cargo are added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight
of the front and rear of your vehicle at
the ground can best be determined by
weighing it when it is loaded and ready
for operation.The entire vehicle should first be
weighed on a commercial scale to
insure that the GVWR has not been
exceeded. The weight on the front and
rear of the vehicle should then be
determined separately to be sure that
the load is properly distributed over the
front and rear axle. Weighing the vehicle
may show that the GAWR of either the
front or rear axles has been exceeded
but the total load is within the specified
GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as
appropriate until the specified weight
limitations are met. Store the heavier
items down low and be sure that the
weight is distributed equally. Stow all
loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have
an adverse effect on the way your
vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
Caution!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the GVWR or the maximum front and rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
174
STARTING AND OPERATING
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer Towing — If
Equipped
Trailer towing is not recommended for
this vehicle.
SUGGESTIONS FOR
DRIVING
Saving Fuel
Below are some suggestions which
may help you save fuel and lower the
amount of harmful emissions released
into the atmosphere.
Vehicle maintenance
Checks and operations should be
carried out in accordance with the
"Scheduled Servicing" (see chapter
"Servicing And Maintenance").
Tires
Check the tire pressures at least once
every four weeks: if the pressure is too
low, consumption levels increase as
resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded trunk.
The weight of the vehicle and its
arrangement greatly affect fuel
consumption and stability.
Electric devices
Use electrical systems only for the
amount of time needed. The rear
window defroster, additional headlights,
windshield wipers and heater blower
fan require a considerable amount of
energy; increasing the current uptake
increases fuel consumption (by up to
+25% when city driving).Climate control system
Using the climate control system will
increase consumption: use standard
ventilation when the temperature
outside permits.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and consumption levels.
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 drive off
immediately, slowly, avoiding high
speeds: by doing this the engine will
warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary Actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic
lights or before stopping the engine.
This action is unnecessary and causes
increased fuel consumption and
pollution.
Gear Selection
Use a high gear when traffic and road
conditions allow it. Using a low gear for
faster acceleration will increase fuel
consumption. Improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.
175
Max. Speed
Fuel consumption considerably
increases as speed increases. Maintain
a constant speed, avoiding
unnecessary braking and acceleration,
which cost in terms of both fuel
consumption and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects
consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum
torque.
Conditions Of Use
Cold Starting
Short trips and frequent cold starts will
not allow the engine to reach optimum
operating temperature. This results in a
significant increase in consumption
levels (from +15 to +30% in city driving)
and emissions.
Traffic And Road Conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in traffic with frequent use of
low gears or in cities with many traffic
lights. Winding mountain roads and
rough road surfaces also adversely
affect consumption.
Stops In Traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. railway
crossings) switch off the engine.
Transporting
Passengers
Warning!
It is extremely dangerous to leave
children in a parked vehicle when the
temperature outside is very high. The heat
inside the passenger compartment may
have serious, or even fatal, consequences.
Never travel in the trunk of the vehicle. In
the event of an accident, anyone inside the
trunk would be at greater risk of serious or
even fatal injury.
Ensure that all the occupants of the
vehicle wear their seat belts correctly and
that any children are positioned correctly
on the dedicated child restraint systems.
Transporting Animals
The intervention of the airbags may be
dangerous for an animal on the front
seat. It is therefore advised to arrange
animals on the rear seat inside
dedicated cages restrained by the
vehicle’s seat belts.
Keep in mind that, in the event of a
sudden braking or an accident, an
inadequately restrained animal may be
projected within the passenger
compartment, risking injury to the
animal itself and the other occupants of
the vehicle.
Exhaust Gas
Exhaust emissions are very dangerous,
and may be lethal. They contain carbon
monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas
which can cause fainting and poisoning
if inhaled.
To avoid inhaling carbon monoxide,
take the following measures:
Do not keep the engine running in
closed spaces.
If, for some reason (e.g. transporting
bulky loads), it is necessary to drive
with the trunk open, close all the
windows and run the climate control fan
at maximum speed. DO NOT activate
air recirculation mode.
Should it be necessary to stay in the
stationary vehicle with engine running,
adjust the ventilation/heating system
and operate the fan in such a way that
outside air will enter the passenger
compartment. Activate the maximum
fan speed.
Maintenance of the exhaust system
provides the best protection against
leaks of carbon monoxide into the
passenger compartment.
Should an unusual noise from the
exhaust system or the presence of
exhaust gas in the passenger
compartment be identified, or if the
underbody or rear section of the vehicle
is damaged, have the entire exhaust
system and bodywork areas checked
to identify any components which are
176
STARTING AND OPERATING
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Have a flat tire or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem such as these may
interfere with your driving experience.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency, we recommend that
you call the phone number found in the
Warranty Book.
You may also consider contacting your
nearest authorized dealer.HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS . . . .180
BULB REPLACEMENT.........180
FUSES .................. .186
TIRE REPAIR KIT —
IF EQUIPPED ..............192
EMERGENCYSTARTING ......196
REFUELING IN EMERGENCY . . . .198
ENGINE OVERHEATING .......199
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE . .200
TOW HOOKS ..............201
ENHANCED ACCIDENT
RESPONSE SYSTEM (EARS) . . . .203
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) . .203
179
Jump Starting
Warning!
Failure to follow this jump-starting
procedure could result in personal injury or
property damage due to battery explosion.
Caution!
Failure to follow these procedures could
result in damage to the charging system of
the booster vehicle or the discharged
vehicle.
Preparation For Jump Starting:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake, and
turn the ignition to the STOP position.
2. Switch off all electrical features in the
vehicle.
3.
If using another vehicle to jump-start
the battery, park the vehicle within the
jumper cables reach, set the parking
brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
Warning!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other
as this could establish a ground
connection and personal injury could
result.
Cable Connection
Proceed as follows to perform a jump
starting procedure:
1. Connect the positive (+) end of the
jumper cable to the positive (+) post of
the vehicle with the discharged battery
2. Connect the opposite end of the
positive (+) jumper cable to the positive
(+) post of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end (-) of the
jumper cable to the negative (-) post of
the booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the
negative (-) jumper cable to a good
engine ground of the vehicle with the
discharged battery (exposed metal part
of the engine) away from the battery
and the fuel injection system.
Warning!
Do not connect the jumper cable to the
negative (-) post of the discharged battery.
The resulting electrical spark could cause
the battery to explode and could result in
serious injury. Only use the specific ground
point, do not use any other exposed metal
parts.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that
has the booster battery, let the engine
idle a few minutes, and then start the
engine in the vehicle with the
discharged battery. If using a portable
battery booster pack, before starting
the vehicle, wait a few seconds after
completing the connection.
Cable Disconnection
Once the engine is started, remove the
connection cables in reverse sequence,
as described below:
1. Disconnect the negative (-) jumper
cable from the engine (-) ground of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Disconnect the negative end (-) of
the jumper cable from the negative (-)
post of the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the opposite end of the
positive (+) jumper cable from the
positive (+) post of the booster battery.
197
4. Disconnect the positive (+) end of
the jumper cable from the positive (+)
post of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
If frequent jump-starting is required to
start your vehicle, you should have the
battery and charging system inspected
at your authorized dealer.
Caution!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle’s
battery, even when not in use (i.e., cellular
phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough without engine operation, the
vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently
to degrade battery life and/or prevent the
engine from starting.
Bump Starting
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.
Note:
You cannot start a vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing it.
Caution!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle’s
battery, even when not in use (i.e., cellular
phones, etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long
enough without engine operation, the
vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently
to degrade battery life and/or prevent the
engine from starting.
REFUELING IN
EMERGENCY
Refueling in an emergency is described
in "Refueling The Vehicle" in "Starting
And Operating".
198
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
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
for your vehicle at fixed intervals based
on distance and time, 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, tire pressure, etc.).
Scheduled Servicing is offered by an
authorized dealer 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 owners explicit consent
only.
Note:
Scheduled Servicing intervals are
required by the Manufacturer. Failure to
have them carried out may invalidate
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
You are advised to inform your
authorized dealer of any small operating
irregularities without waiting for the next
service.
Periodic Checks
Every month or every600miles
( 1,000 km) or before long trips check
and, if necessary, top off:
Engine coolant level.
Brake fluid level (if insufficient, see
your authorized dealer as soon as
possible).
Windshield washer fluid level.
Tire inflation pressure and condition.
Operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.).
Operation of windshield
washing/wiping system and
positioning/wear of wiper blades.
Every 2,000 miles ( 3,000km), check
and top off 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 miles (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
out more often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
Check cleanliness of hood and trunk
locks, cleanliness and lubrication of
linkage.
Visually inspect conditions of: engine,
transmission, pipes and hoses
(exhaust/fuel system/brakes) and
rubber elements (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
cabin air filter.
Check and, if necessary, replace air
cleaner.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles
(6,500 km) if the vehicle is operated in a
dusty and off-road environment or is
operated predominately at idle or only
very low engine RPM’s. This type of
vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
205
Maintenance Plan (2.9 V6 Engine)
Thousands of miles10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
Years123456789101112131415
Thousands of kilometers16
32
48
64
80
96
112
128
144
160
176
192
208
224
240
Check battery charge status with the proper instrument. ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check tire condition/wear and adjust pressure, if
necessary. Check the tire repair kit recharge condition and
expiration date. ●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, deck lid, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel
warning lights, etc.). ●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels
(1)●●●●●●●●● ●●●●●●
Check engine control system operation (via diagnostic
tool). ●●●●●●●●●
●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior bodywork,
underbody protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel
system, brakes), rubber elements (sleeves, bushes, etc.). ●●●●●●●
Check position/wear of front windshield wiper blade. ●●●●●●●●
Check operation of the windshield wiper/washer system
and adjust nozzles, if necessary. ●●●●●●●●
(1) Top up using the fluids indicated in the “Fluids And Lubricants” section of the “Technical Specifications” chapter only after checking that the system is intact.
206
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE