checking oil Alfa Romeo 147 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
39
IMPORTANTIn the event of side crash,
you can obtain the best protection by the
system keeping a correct position on the
seat, thus allowing correct window bag un-
folding.
IMPORTANTThe front and/or side air
bags may be activated if the car is subjected
to heavy shocks or accidents that involve the
underbody area, such as for example violent
bumps against steps, pavements or fixed ob-
stacles on the ground, falling into big holes
or bumpy roads.IMPORTANTThe triggering of air bags
releases a small amount of powder. This pow-
der is not harmful and does not indicate a
start of fire; also the surfaces of the deployed
bag and the car interior may be covered with
dusty residue: this may irritate the skin and
eyes. In the event of exposure, wash with
neutral soap and water.
The airbag system has a validity of 14
years for the pyrotechnic charge and 10
years for the coil contact (see the plate lo-
cated on the front left door near the lock).
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services for
replacement as these dates approach.
IMPORTANTIf an accident has trig-
gered the air bag, Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services must be contacted to have the de-
vices activated replaced and to have the
whole system checked.All operations involving checking, repair-
ing and replacing components concerning
the Air bag must be carried out by Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services.
If the car is to be demolished, Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services should be contacted be-
forehand to have the system deactivated.
If the car changes ownership, the new
owner must be informed of the instructions
for use and of the above warnings and be
given this “Owner’s Manual“.
IMPORTANTThe triggering of the pre-
tensioners, front air bags and side bags is
decided by the electronic control unit in a
differentiated manner depending on the type
of crash. The failure to trigger one or more
of them does not necessarily indicate a sys-
tem malfunction.
Never rest head, arms and
elbows on the door, on the
windows and in the window bag
area to prevent possible injuries
during the inflation phase.
WARNING
Never lean head, arms and
elbows out of the window.
WARNING

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
187
USEFUL ACCESSORIES
Independently of current regulations, we
suggest you keep the following on board
(fig. 2):
– first aid kit containing non-alcoholic dis-
infectant, sterile gauzes, gauze roll, plas-
ters, etc.;
– electric torch;
– rounded scissors;
– work gloves.
fig. 2
A0A0148m
– Disconnect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) from the battery and check the bat-
tery charge. This check should be repeated
once a month during stowage. Charge the
battery if the loadless voltage is below
12.5V.
– Do not empty the engine cooling sys-
tem.
– Cover the vehicle with a fabric or per-
forated plastic cover. Do not use compact
plastic covers which prevent the humidity on
the surface of the vehicle from evaporating.
USING AGAIN
Before using the car again after a pro-
longed period of inactivity, the following op-
erations are recommended:
– Do not dust the outside of the car.
– Check for leaks of fluids (oil, brake and
clutch fluid, engine coolant fluid, etc.).
– Change the engine oil and filter.
– Check the level of brake and clutch flu-
id engine coolant fluid.– Check the air cleaner and change it if
necessary.
– Check the tyre pressure and the tyres
for signs of damage, cuts or cracks. In this
case they need to be changed.
– Check the conditions of the engine belts.
– Re-connect the battery negative termi-
nal (–) after checking the battery charge.
– With the gears in neutral, start the en-
gine and let it idle a few minutes, pressing
the clutch pedal repeatedly.
This operation must be car-
ried out in the open.
Exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide which highly toxic and
lethal.
WARNING

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
226
A0A0405m
fig. 1
CHECKING LEVELS
1Engine oil - 2Battery - 3Brake fluid - 4Power steering fluid - 5Windscreen/rearscreen/head-
lamp washer fluid - 6Engine coolant fluid When topping up take
care not to confuse the var-
ious types of fluids: they
are all incompatible with one an-
other and could seriously damage
the vehicle.
Never smoke while work-
ing in the engine compart-
ment; gas and inflammable vapours
may be present, with the risk of
fire.
WARNING

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
227
Used engine oil and filter
contain harmful substances
for the environment. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vices, to have the oil and filter
changed as they are equipped to
dispose of the waste oil and filters
respecting nature and the law.
ENGINE OIL (fig. 3)
The engine oil should be checked with the
vehicle on a level surface a few minutes
(about 5) after the engine has been
switched off.
Remove the dipstick (A) clean it, put it
back in completely, remove it and check that
the level is within the MINandMAX
marks on the dipstick. The interval between
theMINandMAXmarks corresponds to
about one litre of oil.If the oil level is near or even below the
MINmark, add oil through the filler neck
(B), until reaching the MAXmark.
IMPORTANTIf a routine check reveals
that the level is above the MAXmark, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to have
the correct level restored.
IMPORTANTAfter topping up the oil,
before checking the level again, run the en-
gine a few seconds and wait for a few min-
utes after stopping it.Engine oil consumption
Max engine oil consumption is usually 400
grams every 1000 km.
During the initial period of use the engine
settles, therefore engine oil consumption
may be considered stabilised only after the
first 5000 ÷ 6000 km.
IMPORTANTEngine oil consumption de-
pends on the way of driving and the condi-
tions of use of the vehicle.
fig. 3
A0A0406m
Do not add oil with spec-
ifications (classification,
viscosity) other than those
of the oil already in the engine.
When the engine is hot,
take care when working
inside the engine compartment to
avoid burns. Remember that when
the engine is hot, the fan may cut
in: danger of injury.
WARNING

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
228
SELESPEED TRANSMISSION
OIL
(fig. 4)
The Selespeed transmission oil should be
checked with the vehicle on a level surface
and with the engine stopped and cold.
To check the level, proceed as follows:
– turn the ignition key to MAR;
– disconnect the breather tube and re-
move the cap (A) checking that the level
corresponds with the MAXmark on the dip-
stick integrated with the cap;– if the oil is below the MAXmark, top
up to reach the correct level;
– after refitting the cap, insert the breather
tube firmly on the housing on the cap and
turn the ignition key to STOP.
Used gearbox oil contains
dangerous substances for
the environment. For chang-
ing the oil we advise contacting Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Services who
are equipped for disposing of used
oil respecting nature and the law.Do not add oil with spec-
ifications other than that
already in the gearbox.
fig. 4
A0A00197m
Be very careful working in-
side the engine compart-
ment if the engine is hot: danger of
burns. Remember that the fan may
cut in if the engine is very hot: dan-
ger of injury.
WARNING

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
275
Brake and clutch hydraulic fluid
- checking level and topping up.... 230
Brakes
- checking fluid level and
topping up .............................. 230
- handbrake .............................. 108
- specifications .......................... 247
Braking lights
- changing bulbs ........................ 205
Bulbs
- general instructions .................. 196
- replacement............................ 198
- types of bulbs ......................... 196
Card holder ................................ 123
Catalyst ...................................... 174
Cell phones (provision) ................. 125
Changing battery of key with
remote control .......................... 10
Changing bulbs- general information.................. 196
- types of bulbs ......................... 196
Checking levels ............................ 226
- checking level and topping
up brake and clutch fluid........... 230
- checking level and topping
up coolant fluid ....................... 229
- checking level and topping
up engine oil ........................... 227
- checking level and topping
up power steering oil................ 229
- checking level and topping up
windscreen/rearscreen/
headlamp washer fluid ............. 231
Children (carrying safely) .............. 31
Cigar lighter ................................ 122
Cleaning and maintenance
- body ...................................... 240
- car interior .............................. 242
- engine compartment ................ 242- leather seats ........................... 242
- plastic parts ............................ 242
- windows ................................ 241
Climate control, automatic
two-zone.................................. 91
Climate control system.............. 89
- air vents ........................ 89-90
- controls .................................. 93
Clock.......................................... 60
Clutch
- checking fluid level and
topping up .............................. 230
CO
2emissions ............................. 258
CODE card................................... 7
Controls ...................................... 106
Correct use of the car............ 175
Courtesy light .............................. 121
- changing bulbs ........................ 207
Cruise control .............................. 47

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
277
- marking ................................. 244
- specifications .......................... 245
Engine codes ............................... 244
Engine compartment
- bonnet ................................... 130
- washing ................................. 242
Engine coolant fluid
- checking level
and topping up ........................ 231
- temperature gauge and
warning light........................... 52
Engine oil
- checking the level and
topping up .............................. 227
- consumption ........................... 227
Engine starting ............................ 175
- emergency starting .................. 177
- ignition switch ......................... 14
- switching off ........................... 176
- warming the engine ................. 176Engine oil consumption ................. 227
EOBD (system)............................ 139
Environment (safeguarding) .......... 174
- emission reducing devices ......... 174
- reducing running costs
and environment pollution......... 181
- running economy ..................... 183
- safeguarding emission
reduction devices ..................... 184
- use of non-toxic materials ......... 174
Extending the luggage compartment
- partial .................................... 20
- total ...................................... 19
External lights (switching on) ........ 42
First-aid kit................................. 220
Flashing high beams..................... 43
Fluids (specifications) ................... 255
Fluids and lubricants.............. 255-256
Follow me home device ................ 44Foglights
- changing bulbs................. 199-201
- switching on ........................... 106
Front ceiling light ......................... 120
- changing bulbs ........................ 206
Fuel
- automatic shut off switch .......... 107
- consumption ........................... 257
- fuel cap.................................. 173
- level gauge and reserve
warning light........................... 52
- refilling .................................. 173
Fuel flap ..................................... 173
Fuel reserve ................................ 52
Fuel supply (technical data)........... 246
Fuses
- in control box in engine
compartment .......................... 210
- in control box on battery post .... 211

ALPHABETICAL INDEX
279
Maintenance
- additional operations ................ 224
- annual inspection programme .... 224
- checking levels ........................ 226
- precautions and warnings.......... 225
- scheduled maintenance ............ 221
- scheduled maintenance
programme............................. 222
Mechanical gearbox
- lever ...................................... 109
Number plate lights
- changing bulbs ........................ 205
Paintwork (maintenance) ............ 241
- colour label ............................. 244
Parking....................................... 177
Performance................................ 251
Pockets on doors.......................... 124
Pollen filter ................................ 232
Power steering oil- checking level and topping up.... 229
Power windows ........................... 24
Pretensioners............................... 28
Radio transmitters
and cell phones ......................... 126
Radio
- presetting system ................... 140
Radio with CD player .................... 141
- advice .................................... 141
- aerial ..................................... 171
- antitheft protection .................. 144
- cautions ................................. 144
- CD changer ............................. 168
- CD player section ..................... 165
- controls at steering wheel ......... 149
- controls on front panel.............. 148
- functions and adjustments......... 150
- general .................................. 143
- glossary ................................. 145- protection fuse ........................ 171
- radio section ........................... 153
- speakers ................................ 171
- telephone provision .................. 153
Rain sensor ................................. 45
Raising the car
- with arm lift or workshop
lift ......................................... 220
Rear ceiling light .......................... 121
- changing bulbs ........................ 207
Rear fog guards
- changing bulbs ........................ 203
- switching on ........................... 107
Rear oddment pockets .................. 124
Rearscreen heating ....................... 105
Rearscreen washer ....................... 46
- spray jet ................................. 239
Rearscreen wiper
- blade replacement ................... 239