
132)If the engine oil is being topped up, wait
for the engine to cool down before loosening
the filler cap, particularly for vehicles with
aluminium cap (where provided). WARNING:
risk of burns!
133)The cooling system is pressurised. If
necessary, only replace the plug with
another original or the operation of the
system may be adversely affected. Do not
remove the reservoir plug when the engine is
hot: you risk scalding yourself.
134)Do not travel with the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir empty: the
windscreen washer is essential for
improving visibility. Repeated operation of
the system without fluid could damage or
cause rapid deterioration of some system
components.
135)Some commercial additives for
windscreen washer fluid are flammable. The
engine compartment contains hot
components which may start a fire.
136)Brake fluid is poisonous and highly
corrosive. In the event of accidental contact,
immediately wash the affected parts with
water and mild soap. Then rinse thoroughly.
Call a doctor immediately if swallowed.
137)The symbol
, on the brake fluid
container indicates if a brake fluid is
synthetic or mineral-based. Use of mineral
type fluids will damage the special rubber
seals of the braking system beyond repair.
IMPORTANT
2)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. To change the oil and filters, we
advise you to contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
3)Used transmission fluid contains
substances that are harmful to the
environment. You are advised to contact an
Alfa Romeo Dealership for oil changes.
BATTERY RECHARGING
IMPORTANT The battery recharging
procedure is given as information only. To
carry out this operation contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver's side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting and then
reconnecting the electrical supply to the
battery.
Charging should be slow at a low ampere
rating for approximately 24 hours.
Charging for a longer time may damage
the battery.
IMPORTANT The cables of the electrical
system must be correctly reconnected to
the battery, i.e. the positive cable (+) to
the positive terminal and the negative
cable (–) to the negative terminal. The
battery terminals are marked with the
positive (+) and negative (–) symbols, and
are shown on the battery cover. The
battery terminals must also be
corrosion-free and firmly secured to the
terminals. If a "quick-type" battery
charger is used with the battery fitted on
the vehicle, before connecting it
disconnect both cables of the battery
itself. Do not use a "quick-type" battery
charger to provide the starting voltage.
The cables of the electrical system must
143

be correctly reconnected to the battery,
i.e. the positive cable (+) to the positive
terminal and the negative cable (–) to the
negative terminal. The battery terminals
are marked with the positive (+) and
negative (–) symbols, and are shown on
the battery cover. The battery terminals
must also be corrosion-free and firmly
secured to the terminals.
VERSIONS WITHOUT START&STOP
SYSTEM
(where provided)
To recharge, proceed as follows:
disconnect the terminal from the
negative battery pole;
connect the charger cables to the
battery terminals, observing the polarity;
turn on the charger;
when it is recharged, turn the charger
off before disconnecting it from the
battery;
reconnect the terminal to the negative
battery pole.
VERSIONS WITH START&STOP
SYSTEM
To recharge, proceed as follows:
disconnect the connector 1
fig. 124 (pressing the button 2) from the
sensor 3 monitoring the battery
conditions, on the negative pole (–) 4 of
the battery;
connect the positive cable (+) of the
battery charger to the positive batterypole (+) and the negative cable (-) of the
charger to terminal 4 of the negative
battery pole (-);
turn on the battery charger. When it is
recharged, turn the charger off before
disconnecting it from the battery;
after having disconnected the
charging device, reconnect connector
1 to the sensor 3 of the battery.
WINDSCREEN / REAR WINDOW
WIPERS
WIPER BLADES
138)
42)
Raising the windscreen wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
rotate the ignition key to MAR
position and operate the steering wheel
right lever to engage once the
windscreen wiper blade. Turn the ignition
key to the STOP position when the driver
side wiper blade reaches the windscreen
side pillar and lift the windscreen wiper
to the rest position;
bring the wiper blades back into
contact with the windscreen before
activating the windscreen wiper.
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
raise the wiper arm, press tab 1
fig. 125 of the attachment spring and
remove the blade from the arm;
fit the new blade by inserting the tab
into the special slot in the arm. Make sure
that it is properly locked into place.
lower the wiper arm onto the
windscreen.
124A0J0389C
144
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

BATTERY
The battery 6 (see previous pages) does
not require the electrolyte to be topped
up with distilled water. A periodic check
carried out at an Alfa Romeo Dealership
is, however, necessary to check
efficiency.
INSPECTING THE CHARGE AND THE
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
139) 140) 141) 142)
43)
4)
If necessary, replace the battery with
another original battery with the same
specifications. Follow the battery
manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make
it last longer, observe the following
instructions:
when you park the car, ensure that the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly, to prevent any lights from
remaining on inside the passenger's
compartment;
switch off all roof lights inside the car:
the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all internal lights
off automatically;
do not keep accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard warning lights, etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running;
before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
negative battery cable.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery is
damaged by sulphation, reducing its
capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (this can happen as early as
-10°C). Refer to the "Vehicle inactivity"
paragraph in "Starting and driving"
chapter if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time.
If, after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which
require permanent electrical supply (e.g.
alarm, etc.) or accessories which
influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership, whose qualified staff will
evaluate the overall electrical
consumption.
WARNING
139)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep open flames away from the
battery and do not use objects that might
create sparks: risk of explosion and fire.
140)Using the battery with insufficient
fluid irreparably damages the battery and
may cause an explosion.
141)If the vehicle must remain unused for a
long time at a very low temperature, remove
the battery and take it to a warm place, to
avoid freezing.
142)When performing any operation on the
battery or near it, always protect your eyes
with special goggles.
IMPORTANT
43)Incorrect installation of electric and
electronic devices may cause severe damage
to your car. After purchasing your vehicle, if
you wish to install any accessories (e.g.
anti-theft, radio phone, etc.), go to an Alfa
Romeo Dealership, which will suggest the
most suitable devices and advise you
whether a higher capacity battery needs to
be installed.
146
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT
4)Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. For
battery replacement, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
LIFTING THE VEHICLE
If the car needs to be jacked up, go to an
Alfa Romeo Dealership which is equipped
with shop jacks and jack arms.
IMPORTANT Be careful when positioning
the arm of the lift for versions with side
skirts.
BODYWORK
PRESERVING THE BODYWORK
44)
5)
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.
On some versions the car may be
equipped, on request, with an exclusive
opaque paint on the roof which, in order
to be maintained intact, requires special
care: see the instructions in the warning.
45)
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow
these instructions:
if the vehicle is washed remove the
aerial from the roof;
if high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the car, keep a distance of
at least 40 cm from the bodywork to
avoid damage or alteration. Bear in mind
that a build up of water could cause
damage to the car in the long term;
147

INDEX
"Electronic Q2" system ("E-Q2")....67
“Alfa DNA” system.............34
“Smart Bag” system (multistage
front airbags)..............81
ABS system................66
Active safety systems...........66
Alarm system................13
Alfa Romeo Code system.........12
Alfa TCT ...................93
ALFA TCT transmission (key
removal) ................124
ASR (AntiSlip Regulation) system....66
Automatic dual-zone climate
control system.............26
Battery..................146
Battery (recharging)...........143
Bodywork (maintenance)........147
Boot . . ...................33
Brake Assist system............66
Brakes (fluid level)............142
Carrying children safely.........75
CBC (Cornering Brake Control)
system..................67
Changing a wheel.............116
Checking levels..............137
Cleaning and maintenance
bodywork...............147
leather parts..............149
leather seats..............149seats and fabric parts........149
Climate control...............24
Climate control/heating system.....24
CO2 emissions..............178
Control buttons...............42
Control panel and on-board
instruments...............40
Cruise Control...............97
Daytime running lights (DRL)......19
Dimensions................165
Dipped headlights (bulb
replacement)..............108
Direction indicators............20
Direction indicators (bulb
replacement)..............109
Display....................42
Door central locking/unlocking.....13
Door mirrors................18
Doors.....................13
Driver side knee bag............83
DST system (Dynamic Steering
Torque)..................66
Dusk sensor.................19
Dynamic suspension............35
EBD system................66
Electric sunroof..............30
Electric windows..............29
Engine...................154
marking.................153
Engine bonnet...............32Engine coolant fluid . ..........142
Engine oil (level check)..........142
EOBD system ................64
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
system . . . ...............66
External courtesy lights . . . . . .....21
External lights . . .............19
Fitting "Universal" child restraint
system..................76
Fix&Go Automatic kit..........120
Flashing . ..................20
Fluids and lubricants . ..........172
Follow Me Home (device) . ........21
Front airbag driver's side . ........82
Front airbags ................81
Front ceiling light . . . . ..........21
Front fog lights . . .............20
bulb replacement . ..........109
Front seats . . . . .............14
Fuel consumption............176
Fuel cut-off system . ..........123
Fuel tank cap . . . . . ..........100
Fuses (replacement) . ..........110
Gear Shift Indicator............42
Handbrake.................91
Hazard warning lights..........104
Head restraints . . .............16
Headlights..................34
Headlight alignment corrector . . . .20