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soap to wipe away promptly. Do not use harsh
chemicals or a stiff brush. They can damage
the wheel’s protective coating that helps keep
them from corroding and tarnishing.
When cleaning extremely dirty wheels
including excessive brake dust, care must be
taken in the selection of tire and wheel
cleaning chemicals and equipment to prevent
damage to the wheels. Select a non-abrasive,
non-acidic cleaner for aluminum or chrome
wheels.
NOTE:

If you intend parking or storing your vehicle for
an extended period after cleaning the wheels
with wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle and
apply the brakes to remove the water droplets
from the brake components. This activity will
remove the red rust on the brake rotors and
prevent vehicle vibration when braking.
Dark Or Low Gloss Wheels
Tire Types
All Season Tires — If Equipped
All Season tires provide traction for all seasons
(Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter). Trac
-
tion levels may vary between different all
season tires. All season tires can be identified
by the M+S, M&S, M/S or MS designation on
the tire sidewall. Use all season tires only in
sets of four; failure to do so may adversely
affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
Summer Or Three Season Tires — If
Equipped
Summer tires provide traction in both wet and
dry conditions, and are not intended to be
driven in snow or on ice. If your vehicle is
equipped with Summer tires, be aware these
tires are not designed for Winter or cold driving
conditions. Install Winter tires on your vehicle
when ambient temperatures are less than
40°F (5°C) or if roads are covered with ice or
snow. For more information, contact an autho -
rized dealer.
Summer tires do not contain the all season
designation or mountain/snowflake symbol on
the tire sidewall. Use Summer tires only in sets
of four; failure to do so may adversely affect
the safety and handling of your vehicle.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of
snow tires during the Winter. Snow tires can
be identified by a “mountain/snowflake”
symbol on the tire sidewall.
CAUTION!
Avoid products or automatic car washes
that use acidic solutions or strong alkaline
additives or harsh brushes. Many
aftermarket wheel cleaners and automatic
car washes may damage the wheel's
protective finish. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Only car wash soap is
recommended.
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a
bristle brush, metal polishes or oven
cleaner. These products may damage the
wheel's protective finish. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Only car wash soap is
recommended.
CAUTION!
If your vehicle is equipped with these
specialty wheels, DO NOT USE wheel
cleaners, abrasives, or polishing
compounds. They will permanently damage
this finish and such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. HAND
WASH ONLY USING MILD SOAP AND WATER
WITH A SOFT CLOTH. Used on a regular
basis; this is all that is required to maintain
this finish.
WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice
conditions. You could lose vehicle control,
resulting in severe injury or death. Driving
too fast for conditions also creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
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(Continued)
If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the
original equipment tires. Use snow
tires only in sets of four; failure to do
so may adversely affect the safety and
handling of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings
than what was originally equipped with your
vehicle and should not be operated at
sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to
original equipment or an authorized tire dealer
for recommended safe operating speeds,
loading and cold tire inflation pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on
ice, skid and traction capability on wet or dry
surfaces may be poorer than that of
non-studded tires. Some states prohibit
studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
Snow Traction Devices
Use of traction devices require sufficient
tire-to-body clearance. Follow these recom -
mendations to guard against damage.

NOTE:

Traction device must be of proper size for
the tire, as recommended by the traction
device manufacturer.
Use on rear tires only.
Due to limited clearance, the following trac -
tion devices are recommended:
For a 255/35R19 tire, use of a snow trac -
tion device with a maximum projection of
7 mm beyond the tire profile is recom -
mended.
For 225/50R17, 225/45R18 or 225/
40R19 tires, use of a snow traction device
with a maximum projection of 9 mm beyond
the tire profile is recommended.
For a 265/35R19 98V tire, use of a
zero-clearance snow traction device recom -
mended.
It is not possible to install traction devices on
285/30R19 tires.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires,
observe the following precautions:
Because of restricted traction device
clearance between tires and other
suspension components, it is important
that only traction devices in good condi -
tion are used. Broken devices can cause
serious damage. Stop the vehicle immedi -
ately if noise occurs that could indicate
device breakage. Remove the damaged
parts of the device before further use.
Install device as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about ½ mile
(0.8 km). Autosock devices do not require
retightening.
Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns
and large bumps, especially with a loaded
vehicle.
Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry
pavement.
Observe the traction device manufac -
turer’s instructions on the method of
installation, operating speed, and condi -
tions for use. Always use the suggested
operating speed of the device manufac -
turer’s if it is less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
Do not use traction devices on a compact
spare tire.
CAUTION! (Continued)
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249

Tire Rotation Recommendations
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles
operate at different loads and perform
different steering, driving, and braking func-
tions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal
rates. These effects can be reduced by timely
rotation of tires. Rotation will increase tread
life, maintain traction levels and contribute to
a smooth, quiet ride.
To resolve this problem, tires should be
rotated at each service interval (approximately
every 10,000 miles [16,000km]). More
frequent rotation is permissible if desired. The
reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should
be corrected prior to rotation being performed.
Tire Rotations Not Recommended — If
Equipped
Due to different size tires and wheels on front
and rear axles tire rotation is not possible for:
2.0T GME Engine Equipped with a 225/
40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires
2.9L V6 Engine Equipped with 19” tires and
wheels
Tire rotation contributes to the preservation of
the grip and traction performance on wet,
muddy or snowy roads, guaranteeing optimal
driveability of the vehicle.
In the case of irregular wear of the tires iden -
tify the cause and correct it as soon as
possible, by contacting an authorized dealer.
Tire Rotation for Directional Tires — If
Equipped
Directional tires are equipped on the following:
2.0T GME Engine equipped with same size
tires and wheels on front and rear axles
The rotational direction of the tire must be
taken into consideration when rotating the
tires. The recommended rotation pattern for
directional tires is shown below. Tire Rotation
All Wheel Drive (AWD) Models
It is recommended to avoid situations with a
large difference in wear between the front and
rear tires and to strictly use Winter tires of the
sizes given on the tire placard.
The AWD system and the original tires are
developed together to ensure the vehicle’s
best performance. When changing the tires, it
is recommended to us the same “AR” marked
tires, to maintain the same level of perfor -
mance and component life.
CAUTION!
Damage to the vehicle may occur if 225/
40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires are
rotated
CAUTION!
Damage to the vehicle may occur if 19”
front and rear tires are rotated
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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 cate-
gory is shown on the sidewall of the
tires on your vehicle.
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal safety require -
ments 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 perfor -
mance 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 speci -
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat,
when tested under controlled condi -
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corre -
sponds to a level of performance, which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel, than the
minimum required by law.
STORING THE VEHICLE
If the vehicle is left inactive for longer than a
month, the following precautions should be
observed:
Park the vehicle in an area that is covered
and dry, and well-ventilated if possible.
Slightly open the windows.
Check that the Electric Park Brake is not
activated.
Carry out the procedure: “manual trunk
opening device” procedure described in this
paragraph.
Disconnect the negative battery terminal
and check the battery charge. Repeat this
check once every three months during
storage.
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.
WARNING!

The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
under-inflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.

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251

If the battery is not disconnected from the
electrical system, check its state of charge
every 30 days.
Clean and protect the painted parts using
protective wax.
Clean and protect the shiny metal parts
using special compounds available
commercially.
Sprinkle talcum powder on the windshield
wiper rubber blades, and lift them off the
glass.
Cover the vehicle with a fabric or perforated
plastic sheet, paying particular care not to
damage the painted surface by dragging
any dust that may have accumulated on it.
Do not use compact plastic sheets, as they
do not allow humidity to evaporate from the
surface of the vehicle.
Inflate tires to +7.25 psi (+0.5 bar) above
the standard prescribed pressure and
check it periodically.
Do not drain the engine cooling system.
Any time the vehicle is left inactive for two
weeks or more, operate the air conditioning
system with engine idling for at least five
minutes, setting external air and with fan
set to maximum speed. This operation will
ensure appropriate lubrication for the
system, thus minimizing the possibility of
damage to the compressor when the
system is operated again.

NOTE:

After placing the ignition in STOP and having
closed the driver side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting the electrical
supply from the battery. When reconnecting
the electrical supply to the battery, make sure
that the ignition is in the STOP position and the
driver side door is closed. Manual Trunk Opening Device
Proceed as follows if the battery needs to be
disconnected:
1. From the trunk interior covering, rotate the
plug counterclockwise of the lock and
extract the cord connected to it.
Trunk Compartment
Trunk Manual Release Cord
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2. Make sure the free end of the cordremains outside the trunk when closing
the trunk lid.
Manual Release Cord Shown With Trunk Closed
3. The trunk can now be opened manually by pulling the cord.
4. After releasing the trunk, rewind the strap around the plug, put it back into its
housing and turn it clockwise.BODYWORK
Protection Against Atmospheric Agents
The vehicle is equipped with the best available
technological solutions to protect the body -
work 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: under
door, 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 abra -
sion 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 immedi -
ately to prevent the formation of rust.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of washing
the car: the frequency depends on the condi -
tions and environment where the car is used.
For example, it is advisable to wash the vehicle
more often in areas with high levels of atmo -
spheric pollution or salted roads.
Some parts of the vehicle may be covered with
a matte 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).

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.
CAUTION!
The Manual Trunk Opening Device allows
the trunk to be opened without a key, even
if the vehicle is locked. Do not use this
Device unless the vehicle is parked in a
secure area.
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253

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), push
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 transpar -
ency. Front Headlights

Use a soft cloth soaked in water and detergent
for washing cars.

NOTE:

Never use aromatic substances (e.g. gaso -
line) 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 a
specialized workshop. For further information

Ú
page 215.

NOTE:

The washing should take place with the engine
cold and the ignition device in the STOP posi -
tion. After the washing operation, make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
INTERIORS
Periodically check the cleanliness of the inte -
rior, beneath the mats, which could cause
oxidation of the sheet metal.
Seats And Fabric Parts
Remove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum
cleaner. Rub the seats with a sponge moist -
ened with a solution of water and neutral
detergent.
Cleaning heat press images on seats — if
equipped:
Due to the color, opacity and wear-resistant
protection with which the heat press images
on some seats are made, they may be subject
to temporary scratching if they are touched by
finger nails, keys, or other hard objects. In
such cases, the visible signs do not impair the
profiled images, and can easily be removed by
wiping the affected area with a microfiber
cloth moistened with water (not dry) to restore
the seat to its original condition. The micro -
fiber cloth must not have been previously
soaked in other substances or detergents.
CAUTION!
Wipe the rear window inside gently with a
cloth following the direction of the filaments
to avoid damaging the heating device.
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Leather Seats
Remove the dry dirt with a chamois or slightly
damp cloth, without exerting too much pres-
sure.
Remove any liquid or grease stains using an
absorbent dry cloth, without rubbing. Then
clean with a soft cloth or buckskin cloth damp -
ened with water and mild soap. If the stain
persists, use specific products and observe
the instructions carefully.

NOTE:

Never use alcohol. Make sure that the
cleaning products used contain no alcohol or
alcohol derivatives, even in small quantities.
Plastic And Coated Parts
Clean interior plastic parts with a damp cloth
(if possible made from microfiber), and a solu -
tion of water and neutral, non-abrasive deter -
gent.
To clean oily or persistent stains, use specific
products free from solvents and designed to
maintain the original appearance and color of
the components.
Remove any dust using a microfiber cloth, if
necessary moistened with water. The use of
paper tissues is not recommended as these
may leave residues.
Alcantara Parts — If Equipped
Alcantara parts maintenance procedure:
Treat the surface with a microfiber cloth
moistened with mild marseille soap and
water, taking care to apply a uniform light
pressure over the entire area (do not rub
vigorously).
Rinse and wring out the microfiber cloth,
and pass it over the entire area again.
Let it dry, and then brush gently with a soft
brush.
Genuine Leather Surfaces — If Equipped
Use only water and mild soap to clean these
parts. Never use alcohol or alcohol-based
products.
Before using a specific product for cleaning
interiors, make sure that it does not contain
alcohol and/or alcohol based substances.
Carbon Fiber Parts
To eliminate small scratches and marks on the
carbon, contact an authorized dealer. An
improperly performed operation may irrepa -
rably damage the carbon.
CAUTION!
Do not use “hard” synthetic brushes as
they can damage the fabric.
Do not clean small areas because it could
cause “aesthetic” differences between
treated and untreated areas.
Do not use alcohol or acetone-based
solvents.
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