SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING ...............197
▫ Maintenance Plan ....................199
ENGINE COMPARTMENT ...............204
▫ 1750 Turbo Engine ...................204
▫ Checking Oil Level ...................205
▫ Adding Washer Solvent ................205
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ..............208
DEALER SERVICE ....................209
▫ Engine Oil ........................ .209
▫ Engine Oil Filter .....................210
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ...............210
▫ Engine Cover .......................211
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............211
▫ Body Lubrication ....................212 ▫
Wiper Blades ...................... .213
▫ Windshield Washer Nozzles .............214
▫ Exhaust System .....................215
▫ Cooling System .....................216
▫ Brake System ...................... .221
▫ Alfa Twin Clutch Transmission ..........224
RAISING THE VEHICLE ................225
TIRES ............................. .226
▫ Tire Safety Information ................226
▫ Tires — General Information ............234
▫ Tire Types ......................... .241
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ..............242
▫ Wheel
And Wheel Trim Care ............245
▫ Tire Chains (Traction Devices) ...........246
8
Under any of the above circumstances, the following
checks need to be performed more frequently than
indicated in the Maintenance Plan:
•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.
198 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By OilChange Indicator System:
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.
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 status and possibly
recharge # XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check tire condition/wear and adjust pres-
sure if required XXXXXXXXXXXXX
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 199
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 front brake
pads and discs, and operation of pad wear
indicator XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check condition and wear of rear brake
pads and discs, and operation of pad wear
indicator XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check and top off, if required, fluid levels
(engine coolant, brake/hydraulic clutch
fluid, windscreen washer fluid, battery
fluid, etc) XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Visually inspect the condition of accessory
drive belt(s) XX X X
Check condition of timing belt X X X
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if
necessary (or every 12 months) XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check engine control system operation
(via diagnostic tool) XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Check and, if necessary, top off oil level of
twin clutch transmission XX
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 201
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
Replace accessory drive belt(s) XX
Replace spark plugs * XX X X
Replace toothed timing drive belt ** XX
Change engine oil and oil filter ***
Change brake fluid every 24 months***** X X X XX X
Replace air filter cartridge**** X X X X X X X X XXXXX
# 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.
202 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must be
maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals. The best time to check the engine oil level
is before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Do not check oil level when the engine is warm.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is warm will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground,
and has sat overnight, will improve the accuracy of the
oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. The safe range is
indicated by a crosshatch zone. Adding 1 quart of oil
when the reading is at the low end of the indicated
range will result in the oil level at the full end of the
indicator range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine with oil. Overfilling the
engine with oil will cause oil aeration, which can
lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil
temperature. This loss of oil pressure and increased
oil temperature could damage your engine.
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.
1 — Brake Fluid Access Panel
2 — Washer Solvent Access Panel
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 205
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.)
can provide a measure of protection in the case of
engine backfire. Do not remove the air induction
system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless such removal
is necessary for repair or maintenance. Make sure
that no one is near the engine compartment before
starting the vehicle with the air induction system
(air cleaner, hoses, etc.) removed. Failure to do so
can result in serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
used to assure most efficient service. Mopar engine air
cleaner filters are a high quality filter and are recom-
mended.
Engine Cover
To avoid possible damage to the engine cover, please
disconnect each of the four mounting studs by pulling the
engine cover upward, and then lift off the complete cover.
Tilting the engine cover when one or more studs are still
engaged will lead to premature failure of the couplers.
To reassemble the cover back onto the engine, first make
sure it is properly aligned, the oil cap is centered, and
that all four studs are lined up with their couplers. Then
gently push on the four corners of the engine cover to
snap the stud back into position.
No tools are required to remove or reassemble the
engine cover.
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.
WARNING!
• Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer
(Continued)
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 211
If there is not a jet of fluid, first check that there is fluid
in the washer reservoir. Refer to “Adding Washer
Solvent” in this chapter 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.
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.
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” in “Safety” 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.
• Damage to the catalytic converter can result if
your vehicle is not kept in proper operating
(Continued)
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 215