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.
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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
187
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CHECKING LEVELS — 2.0L ENGINE
1 – Engine Oil Filler Cap4 – Windshield/Headlights Washer Fluid Reservoir Cap
2 – Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 5 – Intercooler Coolant Reservoir Cap
3 – Engine Coolant Reservoir Cap
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
188
CHECKING LEVELS — 2.9L ENGINE
E
NGINE OIL
The engine oil level can be seen on the
instrument cluster display every time the engine
is started, or on the Information and
Entertainment system display by activating on
the main menu (MENU button) the following
functions in sequence: “Vehicle Information”;
“Engine Oil”. Check on the display using the 6 notches that the
oil level is between the MIN and MAX level:
1 notch MIN level, 6 notches MAX level.
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.If the oil level is close to or below the MIN mark,
add oil gradually through the filler, (refer to
“Top-Up And Oil Level Indication Update On
Display” in this section) considering that each
notch shown on the display corresponds to
approximately 8.8 fl oz (250 ml).
The oil level can also be checked manually on
2.9L Engines.
1 – Engine Oil Dipstick
4 – Windshield/Headlight Washer Fluid Reservoir Cap
2 – Engine Oil Filler 5 – Brake Fluid Reservoir Cap Access Cover
3 – Engine Coolant Reservoir Cap 6 – Intercooler Coolant Reservoir Cap
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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.
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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.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
192
4. Refit the protective cover of the positive terminal of the battery and the access cover
to the battery compartment.
NOTE:
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.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
The following pages contain instructions on the
required maintenance from the technical
personnel who designed the vehicle.
In addition to these specific maintenance
instructions specified for routine scheduled
servicing, there are other components which may
require periodic maintenance or replacement
over the vehicle’s life cycle.
ENGINE OIL
Engine Oil Level Check
To ensure correct engine lubrication, the oil must
always be kept at the appropriate level.
Check the oil level at regular intervals, for
example every 1,864 miles (3,000 km).
It must be checked once full operating
temperature is reached.
The vehicle must also be parked on as level a
surface as possible.
The engine oil level can be checked using the
Information and Entertainment system. To
access the function, activate the main menu
(MENU button) and select the following options in
sequence: “Vehicle Information”; “Engine Oil”. Changing The Engine Oil
For the correct servicing intervals
Ú
page 182.
Choice Of Engine Oil Type
To ensure optimal performance and maximum
protection in all operating conditions, it is
advisable to only use certified engine oils
Ú
page 233.
Additives For Engine Oil
It is strongly recommended not to use additives
(other than leak detection dyes) with the engine
oil.
The engine oil is a product designed especially for
the vehicle and its performance may be deteri -
orated through the use of further additives.
Disposal Of Used Engine Oil And Filters
For disposal of used engine oil and filters, consult
the appropriate local regulations.
NOTE:
Inappropriate disposal of used engine oil may
seriously harm the environment.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a
new filter at every engine oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
A full-flow type disposable oil filter should be used
for replacement. The quality of replacement
filters varies considerably. Only high quality
Mopar® certified filters should be used.
ENGINE AIR CLEANER
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement filters varies consid -
erably. Only high quality Mopar® certified filters
should be used.
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
M
AINTENANCE
To ensure the best possible performance, the air
conditioning system must be checked and
undergo maintenance at an authorized dealer at
the beginning of the summer.
Replace The Cabin Air Cleaner
For the correct servicing intervals
Ú
page 182.
For cabin air cleaner replacement, contact an
authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemicals to clean the air
conditioning system, since the internal
components may be damaged. This kind of
damage is not covered by warranty.
WARNING!
Use only refrigerants and compressor lubri -
cants approved by the manufacturer for your
air conditioning system. Some unapproved
refrigerants are flammable and can explode,
injuring you. Other unapproved refrigerants or
lubricants can cause the system to fail, requir -
ing costly repairs. Refer to Warranty Informa -
tion Book, located in your owner’s information
kit, for further warranty information.
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193
LUBRICATING MOVING PARTS OF THE
B
ODYWORK
Ensure that the locks and bodywork junction
points, including components such as the seat
guides, door hinges (and rollers), trunk and hood
are periodically lubricated with lithium-based
grease to ensure correct, silent operation and to
protect them from rust and wear.
Thoroughly clean the components, eliminating
every trace of dirt and dust. After lubricating,
eliminate excess oil and grease. Also pay
particular attention to the hood closing devices,
to ensure correct operation. During operations on
the hood, to be carried out with the engine cold,
also remember to check, clean and lubricate the
locking, release and safety devices.
Lubricate the external lock barrels twice a year.
Apply a small amount of high-quality lubricant
directly into the lock barrel.
If necessary, contact an authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
WINDSHIELD WIPER
Periodically clean the windshield and rear window
and rubber profile of the windshield wiper blades,
using a sponge or a soft cloth and a non-abrasive
detergent. This eliminates the salt or impurities
accumulated when driving.
Prolonged operation of the windshield window
wipers with dry glass may cause the deterioration
of the blades, in addition to abrasion of the
surface of the glass. To eliminate the impurities
on the dry glass, always operate the windshield
washers. In the event of very low outdoor temperatures,
below 0°F (-17.8°C), ensure that the movement
of the rubber part in contact with the glass is not
obstructed. Use a suitable deicing product to
release it if required.
Avoid using the windshield wipers to remove frost
or ice.
Also avoid contact of the rubber profile of the
blades with petroleum derivatives such as engine
oil, gas, etc.
NOTE:
The life of the windshield wiper blades varies
according to the usage frequency. In any case, it
is advised to replace the blades approximately
once a year. When the blades are worn, noise,
marks on the glass or streaks of water may be
noticed. In the presence of these conditions,
clean the windshield wiper blades or, if neces
-
sary, replace them.
Raising The Windshield Wiper Blades (“Service
Position” Function)
The “service position” function allows the driver
to replace the windshield wiper blades more
easily. It is also recommended to activate this
function when it is snowing and to make it easier
to remove any dirt deposits in the area where the
blades are normally positioned, when washing. Activation Of The Function
To activate this function, disable the windshield
wiper before setting the ignition device to OFF.
This function can only be activated within two
minutes of placing the ignition in OFF.
To activate this function, move the lever upward
for at least three seconds.
Windshield Wiper Stalk
Function Deactivation
The function is deactivated if:
More than two minutes passes before placing
the ignition in the STOP position after having
raised the lever and putting the wipers into
service position.
The ignition is placed in the ACC position and
the windshield wiper control is used.
If, after using the function, the ignition is set back
to ACC with the blades in a position other than
rest position (at the base of the windshield), they
will only return to rest position following a
command given using the stalk (stalk upwards,
into unstable position) or when a speed of 3 mph
(5 km/h) is exceeded.
WARNING!
Driving with worn windshield wiper blades is a
serious hazard, because visibility is reduced in
bad weather conditions.
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