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HEADLIGHTWASHERS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
These are located within the front
bumper.
They are activated when the dipped
beam and/or main beam headlights are
on and the windscreen washer is
activated.
Check the correct condition and
cleanliness of nozzles at regular
intervals.
WARNING
139)
Driving with worn windscreen/rear
window wiper blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad weather.
IMPORTANT
46)
Do not operate the windscreen wiper
with the blades lifted from the windscreen.
BATTERY
The battery 5 (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
140) 141) 142) 143)
47)
5)
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;
138
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
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 Every time the battery is
disconnected, the steering must be
initialised. This is indicated by the
appearance of the icon
. To carry out
this procedure, simply turn the steering
wheel all the way from one end to the
other or drive in a straight line for about a
hundred metres.
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
140)
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.
141)
Using the battery with insufficient
fluid irreparably damages the battery and
may cause an explosion.
142)
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.
143)
When performing any operation on the
battery or near it, always protect your eyes
with special goggles.
IMPORTANT
47)
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.
IMPORTANT
5)
Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. For
battery replacement, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
139
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
Paint
6)
48)
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 car more often in
areas with high environmental 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.
49)
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;
wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water;
wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge;
rinse well with water and dry with a jet
of air or a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, bonnet, 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 bonnet 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.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Avoid parking under trees; the resin
dropped by trees makes the paintwork
go opaque and increases the possibility
of corrosion.
Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid
they contain is particularly aggressive.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths
to prevent scratching or altering the
transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window inside
gently with a cloth following the direction
of the filaments to avoid damaging the
heating device.
140
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Front headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the headlights.
IMPORTANT When cleaning with a
pressure washer, keep the water jet at
least 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
windscreen wiper motors. Have this
operation performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take
place with the engine cold and the
ignition key in the STOP position. After
the washing operation, make sure that
the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
IMPORTANT
6)
Detergents pollute the environment. Only
wash your vehicle in areas equipped to
collect and treat wastewater from this type
of activity.
IMPORTANT
48)
In order to preserve the aesthetic
appearance of the paint abrasive products
and/or polishes should not be used for
cleaning the vehicle.
49)
Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Wash the
vehicle only by hand using neutral pH
detergents; dry it with a wet chamois leather.
Abrasive products and/or polishes should
not be used for cleaning the car. Bird
droppings must be washed off immediately
and thoroughly as the acid they contain is
particularly aggressive. Avoid (if at all
possible) parking the vehicle under trees;
remove vegetable resins immediately as,
when dried, it may only be possible to remove
them with abrasive products and/or polishes,
which is highly inadvisable as they could alter
the typical opaqueness of the paint. Do not
use pure windscreen washer fluid for
cleaning the front windscreen and rear
window; dilute it min. 50% with water. Only
use pure screen washer fluid when strictly
necessary due to outside temperature
conditions.
INTERIOR
144) 145) 146)
Periodically check the cleanliness of the
interior, 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. It is advisable to use a
moist brush on velvet upholstery. Rub the
seats with a sponge moistened with a
solution of water and neutral detergent.
LEATHER SEATS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Remove the dry dirt with a chamois or
slightly damp cloth, without exerting too
much pressure. Remove any liquid or
grease stains using an absorbent dry
cloth, without rubbing. Then clean with a
soft cloth or buckskin cloth dampened
with water and mild soap. If the stain
persists, use specific products and
observe the instructions carefully.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol. Make
sure that the cleaning products used
contain no alcohol or alcohol derivatives,
even in small quantities.
141
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