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•Check front and rear disc brake pad condition and
wear.
• Check cleanliness of tailgate locks.
• Check cleanliness and lubrication of chassis and
steering linkage.
• Visually inspect condition of: engine, gearbox, trans-
mission, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel system -
brakes) and rubber elements (gaiters - sleeves -
bushes - etc.).
• Check battery charge and battery fluid level (electro-
lyte).
• Visually inspect condition of the auxiliary drive belts.
• Check and, if necessary, change engine oil and re-
place oil filter.
• Check and, if necessary, replace air cleaner filter.
Using the vehicle on a track should be regarded as an
exception. The vehicle has been designed and manufac-
tured for road use. Change engine oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the
vehicle is operated in a dusty and off road environment.
This type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
If the vehicle is operated in a dusty or dirty environ-
ment the engine air filter has to be changed every 6,500
miles (10,000 km).
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip/Periodic
Checks
Every 600 miles (1,000 km) or before long trips, check
and, if necessary, top off the following:
•
Check engine oil level.
• Check brake fluid level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check the tire inflation pressures and look for un-
usual wear or damage.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and
brake master cylinder reservoir, and add as needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
Every 2,000 miles (3,000 km) check and, if necessary, top
up: engine oil level.
200 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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Maintenance Plan
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the maintenance plan on the following page for
the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By OilChange Indicator System:
Change oil and filter.
Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as required.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, and hoses. Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses. Check and adjust hand brake.Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect engine air cleaner filter if using in dusty or off-road conditions.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 201
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Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
Or Months: 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 156
Or Kilometers:
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
200,000
220,000
240,000
260,000
Check battery charge sta-
tus and possibly recharge
# XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check tire condition/wear
and adjust pressure if re-
quired XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check lighting system op-
eration (headlights, direc-
tion indicators, hazard
lights, passenger compart-
ment lights, boot lights,
instrument panel warning
lights, etc.) XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check vehicle fasteners X X X X X X X
Check mechanical compo-
nents fasteners XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check windshield/washer
operation XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check position/wear of
windshield blade XXXXXXXXXXXXX
202 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
12,000
24,000
36,000
48,000
60,000
72,000
84,000
96,000
108,000
120,000
132,000
144,000
156,000
Or Months: 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120 132 144 156
Or Kilometers:
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
200,000
220,000
240,000
260,000
Check condition and wear
of rear brake pads and
discs, and operation of
pad wear indicator XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check and top off, if re-
quired, fluid levels (engine
coolant, brake/hydraulic
clutch fluid, windscreen
washer fluid, battery fluid,
etc) XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Visually inspect the condi-
tion of accessory drive
belt(s) XX X X
Check condition of timing
belt XX X
Check handbrake lever
travel and adjust, if neces-
sary (or every 12 months) XXXXXXXXXXXXX
204 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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# Recommend using Midtronics tester to check charge
status and, if necessary, recharge battery.
* The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply. The following are essen-
tial to ensure correct operation and prevent serious
damage to the engine:
•Only use spark plugs of the same make and type
which are specially certified for such engines (refer to
“Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical Specifica-
tions” for further information).
• Strictly comply with the spark plug replacement
interval given in the maintenance plan for spark plug
replacement.
• Contact your Alfa Romeo Dealer if you have ques-
tions.
** Regardless of the distance covered, the timing belt
must be changed every four years for particularly
demanding use (cold climates, city driving, long peri-
ods of idling) or at least every five years.
*** The actual interval for changing the oil and replac-
ing the engine oil filter depends on the vehicle usage conditions and is signalled by the warning light or
message (if present) on the instrument panel or every 12
months.
**** If the vehicle is operated in a dusty or dirty
environment the engine air filter has to be changed
every 6,500 miles (10,000 km).
***** DOT 4 brake fluid must be changed every two
years regardless of mileage.
WARNING!
•
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to
perform a service job, take your vehicle to a
competent mechanic.
• Failure to properly inspect and maintain your
vehicle could result in a component malfunction
and effect vehicle handling and performance.
This could cause an accident.
206 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1750 Turbo Engine
1 — Fuse Box3 — Engine Oil Dip Stick5 — Coolant Reservoir
2 — Battery 4 — Engine Oil Fill
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 207
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WARNING!(Continued)
you. Care must be exercised when filling or work-
ing around the washer solution.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free bat-
tery. You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
WARNING!
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery
fluid to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do
not lean over a battery when attaching clamps. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area
immediately with large amounts of water. Refer
to “Jump Starting Procedure” in “In Case Of
Emergency” for further information.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow
cable clamps to touch each other.
• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
• 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.
(Continued)
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 211
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WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, or ex-
cessive loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than
21 days, you may want to take these steps to protect
your battery.
• Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
• Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (e.g., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
BODYWORK
Protection From Atmospheric Agents
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will en-
able you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 253