maintenance Alfa Romeo 8C 2010 Owner handbook (in English)

8
MAINTENANCE
Scheduled Maintenance ...................................................................................................... 190
Additional checks ............................................................................................................... 192
Level checks ..................................................................................................................... 193
Air fi lter ............................................................................................................................ 197
Anti-dust/anti-pollen fi lter ................................................................................................... 197
Battery ............................................................................................................................. 198
Electronic control units ........................................................................................................ 199
Spark plugs ...................................................................................................................... 200
Wheels and tyres ............................................................................................................... 200
Windscreen wipers .............................................................................................................202
Air conditioning/heating system .......................................................................................... 203
Bodywork ......................................................................................................................... 204
Interiors ........................................................................................................................... 206
If the vehicle is laid up for long periods ................................................................................. 207
Radio-frequency remote control: Ministerial homologation ....................................................... 211
Conversion table ................................................................................................................ 212

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8
SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCECorrect maintenance is clearly the best way
to maintain vehicle performance and safety
features, ensure respect for the environment and
low operating costs.WARNING: Also remember that the scrupulous
observance of the maintenance procedures is
essential for the validity of the warranty.For this reason, Alfa Romeo has provided for
a series of checks and maintenance operations
involving the 1
st service when the vehicle
mileage reaches 5,000 km or after 6 months of
the vehicle life, and subsequently every 10,000
km or every year. AFTER THE 11
TH SERVICE
After the 11
th service, scheduled maintenance is
restarted with the same operations performed for
the 1
st, 2nd, 3rd Services
WARNING: The Scheduled Maintenance services
are prescribed by the Manufacturer. Failure to
have the services carried out invalidates the
warranty.
Scheduled Maintenance Services are
provided by all Authorised Service Centres
of the Manufacturer’s Network. In the
event that, when a service is performed,
further replacements or repairs are found to
be necessary in addition to the scheduled
operations, these can be carried out only with
the specific consent of the Customer. WARNING: We advise you to immediately
report to an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network any small operating
failures and not to wait for the next service.The Maintenance Schedule is contained in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Schedule” book.

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8
MAINTENANCE
The Scheduled Maintenance operations are
indicated on the display up to the ninth service
when the due date is approaching; this value is
shown in kilometres.
The message is displayed only once, upon
activating the instrument panel, at decreasing
intervals expressed in Km (1800, 1600, ......
100, 50).
Once the set limit in kilometres is reached, every
time the instrument panel is turned on thereafter,
the message “Service Stop expired” will be
displayed.Selecting the “Service” function from the Setup
menu, you can view when the next service is due
(see page 48).

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ADDITIONAL
CHECKSEvery 500 km or before long journeys, check
and if necessary correct:
- engine coolant level
- windscreen washer fl uid level
- tyre pressure and condition.WARNING - ENGINE OIL
If the vehicle is used mainly in one of the
following particularly severe conditions:
- dusty roads;
- short repetitive trips (less than 7-8 km)
when the external temperature is below
zero;
- engine running frequently at idle or without
reaching stabilised temperatures, replace
the engine oil more frequently than
indicated in the Maintenance Schedule. WARNING - AIR FILTER
When using the vehicle on dusty roads, replace
the air filters more frequently than indicated in
the Maintenance Schedule.
If you have any doubts about the frequency
for engine oil and air filter replacements, in
the relation to the vehicle conditions of use,
contact an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.
WARNING: The vehicle must be serviced
by an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network. For routine and minor
maintenance operations or small repairs which
you can carry out yourself, make sure that you
always use the right equipment, genuine Alfa
Romeo spare parts and the recommended fluids.
In any case, never perform these operations if
you have no experience.

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2
5
3
1
4MAINTENANCE
LEVEL CHECKS1) Engine oil
2) Engine coolant
3) Windscreen washer fluid
4) Brake fluid
5) Power steering fluid

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MAXMIN
B
MAINTENANCE
GEARBOX OIL
Have the oil level checked at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.WARNING: Do not top up with oil having
characteristics other than those of the oil already
used in the engine.
WARNING: Waste transmission oil contains
substances that are dangerous for the
environment. To have the oil changed, we advise
you to contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network, where all the
necessary equipment is available to dispose
of the used oil and filters in compliance with
applicable legislation and in an environment-
friendly manner.
ENGINE COOLANT
CAUTION
When the engine is very hot, do
not remove the cap from the pan: risk
of burns!
The fluid level must be checked with the engine
cold and must be between the MIN and MAX
reference notches visible on the tank.
If the level is too low, slowly pour the
recommended fluid through the pan filler neck
until the level is near to the MAX reference
notch.WINDSCREEN/
HEADLIGHT WASHER
FLUID
For topping-up, open the cover
B, extract the
filler neck extension and pour in a mixture of
water and detergent in the proportion indicated
on the package.
WARNING: If the temperature is below 20°C,
use pure detergent fluid.
WARNING: Do not drive with the windscreen
washer tank empty: the action of the washer is
essential for improving visibility.

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MAX
MA
X MAX
MIN MIN
POWER STEERING FLUIDWARNING: Make sure that the power steering
fluid does not come in touch with the engine hot
parts as it is flammable.Check that the fluid level, with the vehicle on a
level ground and the engine cold, is in position
with the MAX notch shown on the dipstick.
For inspection, unscrew the cap, clean the
dipstick, tighten the cap back on tight, remove it
again and check the level.
When the oil is hot the level may also exceed the
MAX notch.If necessary, top up with fluid making sure that it
has the same characteristics as the one already
used in the system.
BRAKE FLUID
Check that the fluid level in the tank is at the
maximum level. If the level goes below the
minimum, with the ignition key in position MAR,
the relative warning light
will illuminate on
the instrument panel.
If fluid is needed for topping up, use only the
type classified as DOT4.
WARNING: The brake fluid is hygroscopic (i.e.
it absorbs humidity). For this reason, if the
vehicle is used mainly in areas with a high rate
of atmospheric humidity, the fluid should be
changed more frequently than indicated in the
Maintenance Schedule.
WARNING: Do not let the brake fluid, which
is highly corrosive, come into contact with the
paintwork. If this should happen, wash the
paintwork immediately with water.
WARNING: The symbol
on the container
identifies the synthetic type of brake fluid,
distinguishing it from the mineral type. Using
mineral fluids irreparably damages the special
rubber linings of the braking system.

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MAINTENANCE
AIR FILTERHave the air filter replaced at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network.
ANTI-DUST/ANTI-
POLLEN FILTERThis filter performs mechanic/electrostatic air
filtering, provided that windows and doors are
fully closed.
Have the anti-pollen/dust filter replaced at least
once a year, at an Authorised Service Centre of
the Manufacturer’s Network preferably at the
beginning of the warm season.
If the vehicle is mainly used in the city traffic,
on highways or dusty roads, we recommend
that you replace the filters more frequently than
prescribed in the Maintenance Schedule.
WARNING: Failure to replace the filter may
considerably reduce the air conditioning and
heating system efficiency.
CAUTION
We advise you to have the
anti-pollen/dust filter replaced at
an Authorised Service Centre of the
Manufacturer’s Network.

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A
B
C
BATTERYThe battery is of the “low maintenance” type,
and is located on the right side of the luggage
compartment
To access the battery lift the shelf and
A and the
box cover
B releasing the hooks.
C.
With the vehicle standing on a flat surface, the
battery fluid level (electrolyte) must be between
the MIN and MAX reference notches shown on
the battery.
If the level is lower than the MIN reference
notch, contact an Authorised Service Centre
of the Manufacturer’s Network to have it
checked.To recharge the battery, see the section “In an
emergency”.
CAUTION
The fluid contained in the
battery is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
Do not approach the battery with open
flames or possible sources of sparks:
risk of explosion and fire!
Batteries contain substances that are very
harmful for the environment. We advise you
to have the battery replaced at an Authorised
Service Centre of the Manufacturer’s
Network, where all the necessary equipment
is available to dispose of the used parts in compliance with applicable legislation and in an
environment-friendly manner.
WARNING: Incorrect assembly of electrical and
electronic accessories can cause serious damage
to the vehicle.USEFUL HINTS FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
THE BATTERY
When parking the vehicle, make sure that the
doors, luggage and engine compartment lids
are properly closed. All interior lights should be
off. When the engine is off, do not keep the
connected devices switched on for a long time
(for example the radio, the hazard warning
lights, the fan, etc.).

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MAINTENANCE
WARNING: If the battery charge remains
below 50% for a long period of time, it will be
damaged due to sulphating: this will reduce its
performance and starting power and the battery
will be more subject to freezing (this can happen
even at -10°C).We recommend that you have the battery charge
condition checked, preferably at the beginning of
the cold season, to prevent the electrolyte from
freezing.
This check should be performed more frequently
if the vehicle is used mainly for short trips or if it
is equipped with power absorbing devices that
remain permanently on even if when the ignition
key is removed. This applies above all if these
devices have been fitted “after market”.
If the vehicle is not used for long periods of time,
please refer to chapter “If the vehicle is laid up
for long periods”, in this section.WARNING: If additional systems have to be
fitted in the vehicle, there is the risk of creating
dangerous branches on the electric wiring, in
particular if the safety devices are involved.
ELECTRONIC
CONTROL UNITSNo special precautions are required for the
normal use of the vehicle.
In the event of repairs to the electrical system
or in an emergency starting, the following
instructions must be strictly followed:
- Never disconnect the battery from the
electrical system when the engine is
running.
- Disconnect the battery from the electrical
system when recharging it (see page 168
“If the battery is fl at”). WARNING: When the battery is disconnected,
you must first detach the negative pole terminal
(–) and then the positive pole one (+).
WARNING: The battery is secured inside the
vehicle by means of a metal box, therefore, be
extremely careful not to let the battery charger
clips come into contact with it.WARNING: When the battery is reconnected,
you must first attach the positive pole (+),
remembering to cover it with the cap provided,
and then the negative one (–).
- Never perform the emergency starting
procedure using a battery charger: always
use an auxiliary battery.
- Take special care when connecting the
battery to the electrical system, checking
both that polarity is correct and that the
connection is properly working.
- Do not connect or disconnect the terminals
of the ECUs when the ignition key is at
MAR.
- Do not check the electric polarities through
sparking.
- Disconnect the ECUs in the event of
electrical welding on the vehicle body.
Remove them if the temperature is
over 80°C (special interventions on the
bodywork, etc.).