Warning!
Do not use a tire, wheel size, load rating,
or speed rating other than that specified for
your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change
suspension dimensions and performance
characteristics, resulting in changes to
steering, handling, and braking of your
vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and
suspension components. You could lose
control and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved
for your vehicle.
Never use a tire with a smaller load
index or capacity, other than what was
originally equipped on your vehicle. Using a
tire with a smaller load index could result in
tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have a collision.
Failure to equip your vehicle with tires
having adequate speed capability can
result in sudden tire failure and loss of
vehicle control.
Caution!
Replacing original tires with tires of a
different size may result in false
speedometer and odometer readings.
DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE
QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories
were established by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The specific grade rating assigned by
the tire's manufacturer in each category
is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal safety requirements
in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative
rating, based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half times
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement, as measured
under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
233
2. Make sure the free end of the strap
remains outside the deck lid when
closing the deck lid.
3. The trunk can now be opened
manually by pulling the strap.
Note:
This procedure must be carried out
exclusively in safe places because it
allows to open the trunk unconditionally.BODYWORK
Protection Against
Atmospheric Agents
The car is equipped with the best
available technological solutions to
protect the bodywork against corrosion.
These include:
Painting products and systems
which give the vehicle resistance to
corrosion and abrasion.
Use of galvanized (or pre-treated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to
corrosion.
Spraying of plastic parts, with a
protective function in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner wing, edges,
etc.
Use of “open” boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets of
moisture which could favor the
formation of rust inside.
Use of special films to protect
against abrasion in exposed areas (e.g.
rear wing, doors, etc.).
Corrosion Warranty
Your vehicle is covered by Corrosion
Warranty against perforation due to rust
of any original element of the structure
or bodywork. For the general terms of
this warranty, refer to the Warranty
Booklet.
Preserving The
Bodywork
Paint
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent the formation of
rust.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of
washing the car: the frequency
depends on the conditions and
environment where the car is used. For
example, it is advisable to wash the
vehicle more often in areas with high
levels of atmospheric pollution or salted
roads.
Some parts of the vehicle may be
covered with a matt paint which, in
order to be maintained intact, requires
special care.
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow
these instructions:
If high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the vehicle, keep a
distance of at least 15 inches (40 cm)
from the bodywork to avoid damage or
alteration. Build up of water could
cause damage to the vehicle in the long
term.
To make it easier to remove any dirt
deposits in the area where the blades
are normally located it is recommended
to position the windshield wipers
vertically (service position), for more
information, refer to “Dealer Service” in
this chapter.
09086S0001EMTrunk Compartment
235
Wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water if possible.
Wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge.
Rinse well with water and dry with a
leather chamois.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, hood, headlight frames, etc.)
with special care, as water may
stagnate more easily in these areas. Do
not wash the car after it has been left in
the sun or with the hood hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned
in the same way as the rest of the
vehicle.
If washing the car in a service that
moves the car, for cars with automatic
transmissions, PARK (P) must be cut
out. You have to shut off the engine in
the following conditions: car stopped,
transmission in NEUTRAL (N), press the
starter button for at least three
seconds.
Note:
Avoid parking under trees; the resin
dropped by trees makes the paintwork
go opaque and increases the possibility
of corrosion. Windows
Use specific detergents and clean
cloths to prevent scratching or altering
the transparency.Caution!
Wipe the rear window inside gently with a
cloth following the direction of the filaments
to avoid damaging the heating device.
Front headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
Note:
Never use aromatic substances
(e.g. gasoline) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the headlights.
When cleaning with a pressure
washer, keep the pressure washer at
least eight inches (20 cm) away from
the headlights. Engine compartment
At the end of every winter, wash the
engine compartment thoroughly, taking
care not to aim the jet of water directly
at the electronic control units or at the
windshield wiper motors. Have this
operation performed at specializeded
workshop.
Note:
The washing should take place with the
engine cold and the ignition device in
the STOP position. After the washing
operation, make sure that the various
protections (e.g. rubber caps and
guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
236
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
FUEL
REQUIREMENTS
This engine is
designed to meet all
emission regulations,
and provide
satisfactory fuel
economy and
performance, when
using high-quality
unleaded “Regular” gasoline having a
posted octane number of 87 as
specified by the (R+M)/2 method. For
optimum performance and fuel
economy the use of “Premium”
91 octane gasoline or higher is
recommended.
While operating on gasoline with an
octane number of 87, hearing a light
knocking sound from the engine is not
a cause for concern. However, if the
engine is heard making a heavy
knocking sound, see your dealer
immediately. Use of gasoline with an
octane number lower than 87 can
cause engine failure and may void or
not be covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Poor quality gasoline can cause
problems such as hard starting, stalling,
and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of
gasoline before considering service for
the vehicle.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the
use of cleaner burning gasoline referred
to as “Reformulated Gasoline”.
Reformulated gasoline contains
oxygenates and are specifically blended
to reduce vehicle emissions and
improve air quality.
The use of reformulated gasoline is
recommended. Properly blended
reformulated gasoline will provide
improved performance and durability of
engine and fuel system components.
Gasoline/Oxygenate
Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded
gasoline with oxygenates such as
ethanol.
Caution!
DO NOT use gasoline containing methanol
or gasoline containing more than 15%
ethanol (E-15). Use of these blends may
result in starting and drivability problems,
damage critical fuel system components,
cause emissions to exceed the applicable
standard, and/or cause the “Malfunction
Indicator Light” to illuminate. Please
observe pump labels as they should clearly
communicate if a fuel contains greater than
15% ethanol (E-15).
Problems that result from using
gasoline containing more than 15%
ethanol (E-15) or gasoline containing
methanol are not the responsibility of
the manufacturer and may void or not
be covered under New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
CNG And LP Fuel System
Modifications
Modifications that allow the engine to
run on compressed natural gas (CNG)
or liquid propane (LP) may result in
damage to the engine, emissions, and
fuel system components. Problems that
result from running CNG or LP are not
the responsibility of the manufacturer
and may void or not be covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
249
MMT In Gasoline
Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl (MMT) is a manganese-
containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase
octane. Gasoline blended with MMT
provides no performance advantage
beyond gasoline of the same octane
number without MMT. Gasoline blended
with MMT reduces spark plug life and
reduces emissions system performance
in some vehicles. The manufacturer
recommends that gasoline without
MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT
content of gasoline may not be
indicated on the gasoline pump;
therefore, you should ask your gasoline
retailer whether the gasoline contains
MMT. MMT is prohibited in Federal and
California reformulated gasoline.
Materials Added To Fuel
Besides using unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating, gasolines that
contain detergents, corrosion and
stability additives are recommended.
Using gasolines that have these
additives will help improve fuel
economy, reduce emissions, and
maintain vehicle performance.Designated TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline
contains a higher level
of detergents to further
aide in minimizing
engine and fuel system
deposits. When
available, the usage of Top Tier
Detergent gasoline is recommended.
Visit www.toptiergas.com for a list of
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Retailers.
Indiscriminate use of fuel system
cleaning agents should be avoided.
Many of these materials intended for
gum and varnish removal may contain
active solvents or similar ingredients.
These can harm fuel system gasket and
diaphragm materials.
Fuel System Cautions
Caution!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your
vehicle’s performance:
The use of leaded gasoline is prohibited
by Federal law. Using leaded gasoline can
impair engine performance and damage
the emissions control system.
An out-of-tune engine or certain fuel or
ignition malfunctions can cause the
catalytic converter to overheat. If you notice
a pungent burning odor or some light
smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate
service. Contact your authorized dealer for
service assistance.
The use of fuel additives, which are now
being sold as octane enhancers, is not
recommended. Most of these products
contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle
performance problems resulting from the
use of such fuels or additives is not the
responsibility of the manufacturer and may
void or not be covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Note:
Intentional tampering with the
emissions control system can result in
civil penalties being assessed against
you.
250
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING
SERVICE FOR YOUR VEHICLE . . .256
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE.....256
WARRANTYINFORMATION.....258
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS . .258
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS . . .259
255
SUGGESTIONS FOR
OBTAINING SERVICE
FOR YOUR VEHICLE
Prepare For The
Appointment
If you are having warranty work done,
be sure to bring the right papers with
you, as well as your warranty folder. All
work to be performed may not be
covered by the warranty. Discuss
additional charges with the service
manager. Keep a maintenance log of
your vehicle's service history, as this
can often provide a clue to the current
problem.
Prepare A List
Make a written list of your vehicle's
problems or the specific work you want
done. If you've had an accident or work
done that is not on your maintenance
log, let the service advisor know.
Be Reasonable With
Requests
If you list a number of items and you
must have your vehicle by the end of
the day, discuss the situation with the
service advisor and list the items in
order of priority. At many authorized
dealers, you may obtain a rental vehicle
at a minimal daily charge. If you need a
rental, it is advisable to make these
arrangements when you call for an
appointment.
IF YOU NEED
ASSISTANCE
The manufacturer and its authorized
dealer are vitally interested in your
satisfaction. We want you to be happy
with our products and services.
Warranty service must be done by an
authorized dealer. We strongly
recommend that you take the vehicle to
an authorized dealer. They know your
vehicle the best, and are most
concerned that you get prompt and
high quality service. The manufacturer's
authorized dealer have the facilities,
factory-trained technicians, special
tools, and the latest information to
ensure the vehicle is fixed correctly and
in a timely manner.
This is why you should always talk to an
authorized dealer service manager first.
Most matters can be resolved with this
process.
If for some reason you are still not
satisfied, talk to the general manager or
owner of the authorized dealer. They
want to know if you need assistance.
If an authorized dealer is unable to
resolve the concern, you may contact
the manufacturer's customer center. Any communication to the
manufacturer's customer center should
include the following information:
Owner's name and address
Owner's telephone number (home
and office)
Authorized dealer name
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle delivery date and mileage
Alfa Customer Center
P.O. Box 21–8004 Auburn Hills, MI
48321–8004 Phone: 1-844-Alfa-USA
(1-844-253-2872)
Alfa Customer Center
(Canada)
P.O. Box 1621 Windsor, Ontario N9A
4H6 Phone: 1-800-465-2001 (English)
Phone: 1-800-387-9983 (French)
256
CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
Customer Assistance
For The Hearing Or
Speech Impaired
(TDD/TTY)
To assist customers who have hearing
difficulties, the manufacturer has
installed special TDD
(Telecommunication Devices for the
Deaf) equipment at its customer center.
Any hearing or speech impaired
customer, who has access to a TDD or
a conventional teletypewriter (TTY) in
the United States, can communicate
with the manufacturer by dialing
1-800-380-CHRY.
Canadian residents with hearing
difficulties that require assistance can
use the special needs relay service
offered by Bell Canada. For TTY
teletypewriter users, dial 711 and for
Voice callers, dial 1-800-855-0511 to
connect with a Bell Relay Service
operator.
Service Contract
You may have purchased a service
contract for a vehicle to help protect
you from the high cost of unexpected
repairs after the manufacturer's New
Vehicle Limited Warranty expires. The
manufacturer stands behind only the
manufacturer's service contracts. If you
purchased a manufacturer's service
contract, you will receive Plan
Provisions and an Owner Identification
Card in the mail within three weeks of
the vehicle delivery date. If you have
any questions about the service
contract, call the manufacturer's
Service Contract National Customer
Hotline at 1-800-521-9922 (Canadian
residents, call (800) 465-2001 English /
(800) 387-9983 French).
The manufacturer will not stand behind
any service contract that is not the
manufacturer's service contract. It is
not responsible for any service contract
other than the manufacturer's service
contract. If you purchased a service
contract that is not a manufacturer's
service contract, and you require
service after the manufacturer's New
Vehicle Limited Warranty expires,
please refer to the contract documents,
and contact the person listed in those
documents.We appreciate that you have made a
major investment when you purchased
the vehicle. An authorized dealer has
also made a major investment in
facilities, tools, and training to assure
that you are absolutely delighted with
the ownership experience. You will be
pleased with their sincere efforts to
resolve any warranty issues or related
concerns.
Warning!
Engine exhaust (internal combustion
engines only), some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain, or
emit, chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects, or other reproductive harm. In
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles
and certain products of component wear
contain, or emit, chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
257