Use of the Engine
Breaking-In
Today's most modern production
methods are designed to provide
extremely precise construction and
assembly of components. However,
moving parts do undergo a settling
process, basically in the first hours of
vehicle operation.
Do not drive keeping at a constant
high speed rate for a prolonged time.
While cruising, brief full-throttle
acceleration within the limits of local
traffic laws contributes to a good
break-in. Wide-open throttle
acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine
at the factory is a high-quality energy
conserving type lubricant. Oil changes
should be consistent with anticipated
climate conditions under which vehicle
operations will occur. For the
recommended viscosity and quality
grades, see “Refillings” in section
“Features and Specifications”.
A new engine may consume some oil
during its first few thousand
kilometers of operation. This should
be considered as a normal part of thebreak-in and not interpreted as an
indication of malfunction.
Avoid exceeding 5000 rpm for the first
620 trip mi (1000 km).
After starting the vehicle, do not
exceed 4000 rpm until the engine has
warmed up sufficiently (coolant
temperature: 149-158°F/65-70°C).
While Driving
Never travel with the tachometer
indicator approaching the peak rpm,
not even downhill. When the
tachometer indicator is approaching
the peak rpm (red colored zone), take
precautions to avoid exceeding that
limit.
Ensure proper operation of different
devices checking their respective
control telltales.
CAUTION!
• Under normal conditions, all red
warning lights on the instrument
cluster display should be off. When
they come on, they indicate a
malfunction. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster” in section “Dashboard
Instruments and Controls”.
• Continuing to drive when a red
warning light is on could cause
serious damage to the vehicle and
affect its performance.
WARNING!
Do not travel downhill with the
engine off, as the servo brake will no
longer function due to the vacuum
decrease and thus after a few braking
attempts, the system becomes totally
inefficient. The power steering will
also lose its efficiency under these
conditions.
Onboard Diagnostic System
Your vehicle is equipped with a
sophisticated onboard diagnostic
system. This system monitors the
performance of the emissions, engine,
Driving
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183
Vehicle Stored for Long
Periods
If the vehicle is going to be stored for
over a month, follow the below
precautions:
• Wash and dry the vehicle
thoroughly.
• Store the vehicle in a covered, dry
and, if possible, ventilated area.
• Select P (Park) and turn off the
engine.
• Turn the key in the ignition switch in
STOP (OFF)position.
• Disconnect the battery (refer
“Maintenance-Free Battery” in this
section) or connect a battery charger
(refer to paragraph “Maintaining
Battery Charge” of chapter “Battery
Statement” in this section).
• Check the battery charge status.
During parking, this check must be
carried out every three weeks.
Recharge the battery if the open
circuit voltage is lower than 12.2 V.
• Check that the parking brake is NOT
engaged.
• Do not empty the engine cooling
system.
• Clean and protect the painted parts
applying protective wax.• Clean and protect polished metal
parts with special products available
on the market.
• Talc the windshield wiper blades and
raise them from the windshield.
• Cover the vehicle with a long cloth
in breathable fabric (available from
theAuthorized Maserati Dealer). Do
not use thick plastic sheets, which do
not allow the humidity on the
vehicle surface to evaporate.
• Inflate the tires up to a pressure
which must be 1 bar (14.5 psi) higher
than the normally prescribed one,
and check it at regular intervals.
NOTE:
TheAuthorized Maserati Dealercan
provide you with any information
about the available “Indoor and
Outdoor Car Covers”, available in the
“Genuine Accessories” range.
WARNING!
The tire pressure must be brought
back to the prescribed value before
reusing the vehicle (see “Tire Inflation
Pressure” in section “Features and
Specifications”).
Restarting the Vehicle
Before restarting the vehicle after a
long period of inactivity, we
recommend that you carry out the
following operations.
• Check the tires for pressure and for
any damages, cuts or cracks. If this is
the case, have them replaced.
• Do not dry-rub the external surface
of the vehicle.
• Visually inspect if there are any fluid
leaks (oil, brake and clutch fluid,
engine coolant etc.).
• Have the engine oil and filter
replaced.
• Check the fluid levels in the brake
system, as well as the engine coolant
level.
• Check the air filter and have them
replaced if necessary.
• Reconnect the battery after checking
the charge status (refer to
“Maintenance-Free Battery” in this
section) and perform the initializing
procedure if applicable.
• With the transmission in N (Neutral),
let the engine idle for several
minutes.
Maintenance and Care
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