IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
178
If frequent jump starting is required to start your
vehicle, you should have the battery and charging
system inspected at an authorized dealer.
BUMP STARTING
Never jump start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill.
NOTE:
You cannot start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
IF YOUR ENGINE
OVERHEATS
Engine overheating may occur in situations of
extreme environmental temperatures, frequent
engine stops/starts, or driving in heavy traffic. If
the engine becomes overheated, the Engine
Temperature Warning Light in the instrument
cluster will illuminate along with a dedicated
message
Ú
page 70.If the vehicle is overheating, it will need to be
serviced by an authorized dealer.
In any of the following situations, you can reduce
the potential for overheating by taking the
appropriate action.
On the highways — slow down.
In city traffic — while stopped, place the
transmission in NEUTRAL, but do not increase
engine idle speed.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
If your Air Conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off.
The A/C system adds heat to the engine
cooling system and turning the A/C off can
help remove this heat.
You can also turn the temperature control to
maximum heat, the mode control to floor and
the blower control to high. This allows the
heater core to act as a supplement to the
radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
Do not go near the front of the vehicle. Stop the
engine. Wait until the steam dissipates. Then,
open the hood and start the engine.
If Neither Coolant Nor Steam Is Escaping
Open the hood and idle the engine until it cools.
NOTE:
If the cooling fan does not operate while the
engine is running, the engine temperature will
increase. Stop the engine and contact an
authorized dealer.
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling system
inspected. The engine could be seriously
damaged unless repairs are made. Contact an
authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones,
etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long enough
without engine operation, the vehicle’s battery
will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from
under the hood, do not open the hood until
the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the
radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge
reads “H”, pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off
until the pointer drops back into the normal
range. If the pointer remains on the “H”, turn
the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 178
182
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Correct servicing permits the performance of the
vehicle to be maintained over time, as well as
limited running costs and safeguarding the
efficiency of the safety systems.
This chapter explains how.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct servicing is crucial for guaranteeing a
long life for the vehicle under the best conditions.
For this reason, Alfa Romeo has planned a series
of checks and services for your vehicle at fixed
intervals based on distance and time, as
described in the Scheduled Servicing Plan.
Before each service, it is always necessary to
carefully follow the instructions in the Scheduled
Servicing Plan (e.g. periodically check level of
fluids, tire pressure, etc.).
Scheduled Servicing is offered by an authorized
dealer according to a set time schedule. If, during
each operation, in addition to the ones
scheduled, the need arises for further
replacements or repairs, these may be carried
out with the owner’s explicit consent only.
NOTE:
Scheduled Servicing intervals are required by the
manufacturer. Failure to have them carried out
may invalidate the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
You are advised to inform an authorized dealer of
any small operating irregularities without waiting
for the next service.
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every month or every 600 miles (1,000 km) or
before long trips check and, if necessary, top off:
Engine coolant level.
Brake fluid level (if insufficient, see an
authorized dealer as soon as possible).
Windshield washer fluid level.
Tire inflation pressure and condition.
Operation of lighting system (headlights,
direction indicators, hazard warning lights,
etc.).
Operation of windshield washing/wiping
system and positioning/wear of wiper blades.
Inspect the CV/Universal joints.
Oil consumption of the engine depends on
conditions and driving style. For this reason, the
engine oil level must be checked every
1,860 miles (3,000 km), and top off if necessary
Ú
page 188.
HEAVY USAGE OF THE VEHICLE
If the vehicle is used under one of the following
conditions:
Dusty roads.
Short, repeated journeys less than 4 miles
(7 km) at sub-zero outside temperatures.
Engine often idling or driving long distances at
low speeds or long periods of inactivity.
In the event of a long period of inactivity. The following checks must be carried out more
often than indicated in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan:
Check cleanliness of hood and trunk locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage.
Visually inspect conditions of: engine,
transmission, pipes and hoses (exhaust/fuel
system/brakes) and rubber elements
(sleeves/bushes, etc.).
Check battery charge and battery fluid level
(electrolyte).
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory
drive belts.
Check and, if necessary, change engine oil and
replace oil filter.
Check and, if necessary, replace cabin air
filter.
Check and, if necessary, replace engine air
cleaner.
Severe Duty All Models
Vehicles that are operated in a dusty and off-road
environment, or predominately at idle or very low
engine RPM are known as Severe Duty vehicles.
It is recommended that you change engine oil at
4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350 hours of engine
run time.
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 182
183
MAINTENANCE PLAN — 2.0L ENGINE
Thousands Of Miles102030405060708090100110120130140150
Years123456789101112131415
Thousands Of Kilometers163248648096112128144160176192208224240
SOS back up battery replacement (if equipped).1●●●
Check battery charge status with the proper instrument.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check tire condition/wear and adjust pressure, if
necessary. Check the tire repair kit recharge condition and
expiration date.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, trunk lid, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel
warning lights, etc.).
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check engine control system operation (via diagnostic tool)
and, if equipped, engine oil degradation.
2●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel system, brakes),
rubber elements (sleeves, bushes, etc.).
●●●●●●●
Check position/wear of front windshield wiper blade.●●●●●●●●
Check operation of the windshield wiper/washer system
and adjust nozzles, if necessary.
●●●●●●●●
Check cleanliness of hood and luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage.
●●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions and wear of front/rear disc brake
pads and operation of pad wear indicators.●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect the condition and tensioning of the
accessory drive belt(s).
●●●●●●●●●●●●
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 183
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
184
(o) Recommended operations
(●) Mandatory operations
Change engine coolant.●
Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
3
Repla
ce transfer case oil (AWD models only).
●
Replace accessory drive belt(s).●
Replace engine air cleaner.
4●●●●●
Replace additional fuel filter (if equipped).
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Change the brake fluid.
5
Repla
ce cabin air filter.
4o●o●o●o●o●o●o●o
Spark plug replacement.
6
1. The SOS back up battery must be replaced every five years, regardless of mileage.
2. If oil degradation ratio (data collectible from diagnostic device) is more than 80% (oil quality less than 20%) engine oil and filter replacement is recommended.
3. The actual interval for changing engine oil and replacing the engine oil filter depends on the vehicle usage conditions and is signaled by the warning light or message in the instrument panel. In all cases, never exceed 1 year/10,000 miles (16,000 km).
4. If the vehicle is used in dusty areas, this cleaner must be replaced every 10,000 miles (16,000 km).
5. The brake fluid replacement has to be done every two years, irrespective of the mileage.
6. The spark plug change interval is 60,000 miles for NAFTA market or 60,000 km outside NAFTA. Yearly intervals do not apply.
Thousands Of Miles102030405060708090100110120130140150
Years123456789101112131415
Thousands Of Kilometers163248648096112128144160176192208224240
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 affect vehicle handling and performance. This could
cause an accident.
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 184
185
MAINTENANCE PLAN — 2.9L ENGINE
Thousands Of Miles102030405060708090100110120130140150
Years123456789101112131415
Thousands Of Kilometers163248648096112128144160176192208224240
SOS back up battery replacement (if equipped).1●●●
Check battery charge status with the proper instrument.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check tire condition/wear and adjust pressure, if
necessary. Check the tire repair kit recharge condition and
expiration date.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, trunk lid, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel
warning lights, etc.).
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Check engine control system operation (via diagnostic tool).
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel system, brakes),
rubber elements (sleeves, bushes, etc.).
●●●●●●●
Check position/wear of front windshield wiper blade.●●●●●●●●
Check operation of the windshield wiper/washer system
and adjust nozzles, if necessary.
●●●●●●●●
Check cleanliness of hood and luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage.
●●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions and wear of front/rear disc brake
pads and operation of pad wear indicators.●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect the brake discs surface and edge.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Brake pads/brake discs replacement.
2
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 185
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
186
(o) Recommended operations
(●) Mandatory operations
Visually inspect the condition and tensioning of the
accessory drive belt(s).●●●●●●●●●●●●
Change engine coolant.
●
Change engine oil and replace oil filter.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Replace accessory drive belt/s.
3
Repla
ce engine air cleaner.
4●●●●●●●
Replace additional fuel filter (if equipped).●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Change the brake fluid.
5
Repla
ce cabin air filter.
4o●o●o●o●o●o●o●o
Spark plug replacement.
6●●●●●
1. The SOS back up battery must be replaced every five years, regardless of mileage.
2. The actual interval for changing the brake pads and the carbon ceramic brake discs depends on the vehicle usage conditions and is signaled by the warning light or message on the instrument panel. After each discs replacement, reset the warning light using the diagnostic socket.
3. Areas that are not dusty: recommended maximum mileage 36,000 miles (60,000 km). Regardless of the mileage, the belt must be replaced every four years. Dusty areas and/or demanding use of the vehicle (cold climates, town use, long periods of idling): advised maximum mileage 18,000 miles (30,000 km). Regardless of the mileage, the
belt must be replaced every two years.
4. If the vehicle is used in dusty areas, this cleaner must be replaced every 10,000 miles (16,000 km).
5. The brake fluid replacement has to be done every two years, irrespective of the mileage.
6. The spark plug change interval is mileage-based only. Yearly intervals do not apply.
Thousands Of Miles102030405060708090100110120130140150
Years123456789101112131415
Thousands Of Kilometers163248648096112128144160176192208224240
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 affect vehicle handling and performance. This could
cause an accident.
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 186
189
NOTE:
Always reinstall the oil cap and tighten to proper
torque whenever it is removed to add oil to
engine. Never run the engine with cap removed
as this could cause oil to leak from engine.
Manual Oil Level Checking Procedure —
2.9L Engine
Check that the oil level is between the MIN and
MAX marks on dipstick, clean it with a lint-free
cloth and reinsert it. Extract the dipstick again
and check that the level is between the MIN and
MAX marks.
Top-Up And Oil Level Indication Update On
Display — 2.9L Engine
If an engine oil top-off is needed, in order to
ensure the correct indication of the oil level on
the display, proceed with the following process:
Leave the car on flat ground with the engine
running for approximately five minutes
(temperature higher than 198°F (90°C) and
shut the engine off.
Wait for five minutes, turn the ignition to the
ON mode without starting the engine and wait
for a few seconds.
NOTE:
If the level indication is not updated after the
previously described procedure, repeat the
engine adjustment, shut the engine off and wait
another five minutes before starting it again. If
the indication is not updated after the second
start, contact an authorized dealer.
Top-Up And Oil Level Indication Update On
Display — 2.0L Engine
If an engine oil top-off is needed, in order to
ensure the correct indication of the oil level on
the display, proceed with the following process:
Leave the car on flat ground with the engine
running for approximately five minutes
(temperature higher than 176°F (80°C) and
shut the engine off.
Start the engine again and idle it for about two
minutes.
NOTE:
If you have added the specified amount of oil and
the indicator is not reading “Full”, please contact
an authorized dealer.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the level is too low, remove the cap of reservoir
and add the fluid described on
Ú
page 233.
WASHER FLUID FOR WINDSHIELD/
H
EADLIGHTS
The windshield and headlights washer fluid
reservoir has a telescopic filler.
If the level is too low, remove reservoir cap and lift
the filler. Then, add the fluid described on
Ú
page 233.
NOTE:
Use care when filling under hood fluids such as
engine oil, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze
etc. to minimize spillage onto the top of the
engine. Any excess fluid that is spilled onto the
top of the engine should be removed using
compressed air or an absorbent cloth.
CAUTION!
Make sure not to add too much oil when
topping off the engine. Engine oil in excess
may damage the engine. Have the vehicle
checked. Never exceed the MAX level when
topping off engine oil. It is advisable to check
the oil level in intermediate steps using the oil
dipstick (2.9L Engine Only).
CAUTION!
The oil level is not refreshed immediately on
the display after topping off. Consequently,
wait for the oil level to be refreshed on the
display and see the following procedures.
WARNING!
If the engine oil is being topped up, wait for the
engine to cool down before loosening the filler
cap, particularly for vehicles with aluminum
cap (if equipped). WARNING: risk of burns!
CAUTION!
The oil level must never exceed the MAX mark.
If the MAX mark is exceeded (last notch on the
right turns red) after the fill-up, go to an
authorized dealer as soon as possible to have
the oil in excess removed.
Do not add oil with specifications different
from those of the oil already in the engine.
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 authorized dealer.
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 189
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
190
NOTE:
The headlight washing system will not work if the
liquid level is low (as indicated by the symbol on
the instrument cluster display). On vehicles
equipped with headlight washers, there is a refer-
ence notch on the dipstick: ONLY the windshield/
rear window washer operates with the level below
this reference.
BRAKE FLUID
Check that the fluid is at the maximum level. If
the fluid level in the tank is low, contact an
authorized dealer to have the system checked.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ACTIVATION
S
YSTEM OIL
The transmission control oil level should only be
checked at an authorized dealer.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
L
IFE 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
and trunk are closed properly to prevent any
lights from remaining on inside the
passenger's compartment.
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. If you wish to install electrical accessories after
purchasing the car that require permanent
electrical supply (e.g. alarm, etc.), or accessories
which influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact an authorized dealer,
whose qualified staff will evaluate the overall
electrical consumption.
NOTE:
After the battery is disconnected, the steering
must be initialized. The warning light on the
instrument panel switches on to indicate this. To
carry out this procedure, simply turn the steering
wheel all the way from one end to the other, and
then turn it back to the central position.
BATTERY
The battery does not require the electrolyte to be
topped up with distilled water. A periodic check
carried out at an authorized dealer, however, is
necessary to check efficiency.
Follow the battery manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
Replacing The Battery
If necessary, replace the battery with another
original battery with the same specifications.
Follow the battery manufacturer’s instructions for
maintenance.
NOTE:
It will not be possible to open the trunk with a key
or by pushing the button in the passenger
compartment when the battery is disconnected.
So, always position the manual trunk opening
strap on the trunk lock before disconnecting the
battery
Ú
page 220.
CAUTION!
If the charge level remains under 50% for a
long time, the battery may be damaged by
sulphation, reducing its capacity and
efficiency during a vehicle start. The battery is
also more prone to the risk of freezing (at
temperatures as high as 14°F (-10°C).
WARNING!
Battery acid is a corrosive solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery
acid to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing.
Do not lean over a battery when attaching
clamps
Ú
page 177. If acid splashes in eyes
or on skin, flush the area immediately with
large amounts of water.
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 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.
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 190