oil change Alfa Romeo GT 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(upon request for
versions/markets where
provided)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols vehicle stability, intervening on the dri-
ving torque and braking the wheels in a dif-
ferentiated manner, in the lack of grip, it
helps to bring the car back to the correct
direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
intervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
The VDC system is engaged automatical-
ly when the car is started and cannot be
switched off.
The basic components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheels;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit, which with the data supplied
by the sensors installed on the car calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor, which
originates from the aeronautical industry, de-
tects the rotations of the car around its own
vertical axis. The centrifugal forces gener-
ated when the car is cornering are detect- The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case always be
adapted to the conditions of the
road surface, visibility and traffic.
The responsibility for road safety
is always and in any case the dri-
ver’s.
The VDC system helps the driver to keep
the car under control in the event of a loss
of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC system to
control the loss of vehicle stability always
depend on the grip between the tyre and
the road surface.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
248
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard warning
lights, boot, passenger compartment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc..)
Check operation of windscreen washer system, adjust spray jets
Check position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check operation of front disk brake pad wear indicator
Check wear conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check the conditions of: body exterior, underbody protection, stiff pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts
(boots - sleeves - bushes etc..)
Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubrication
Sight check for accessory drive belt conditions
Check handbrake lever stroke adjustment
Check antievaporation system (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (JTD versions)
Top up fluid levels (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc..)
Check and if necessary top up the Selespeed automatic transmission oil level
(2.0 JTS versions)
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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
249
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
(*) Or every 3 years for harsh conditions (cold climates, city driving or prolonged lengths of time at idle speed, dusty roads or roads covered with sand and/or salt).
Or every 5 years, regardless of mileage.
Sight check for conditions of timing gear drive toothed belt
Change counter-rotating shaft drive belt
Change timing gear drive belt (*)
Change accessory poly-V drive belt
Change spark plugs
Check operation of engine control system (through diagnosis socket)
Check mechanical transmission oil level
Change engine oil and engine oil filter
Change brake fluid (or every 2 years)
Change fuel filter (JTD versions)
Change pollen filter (or every year)
Check emissions/smoke at the exhaust (JTD versions)

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
250
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long jour-
neys, check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid
level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen and headlamp washer
fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck and if necessary
top up the engine oil level.
The use of FL Seleniaproducts is rec-
ommended which have been designed
and made expressly for Alfa Romeo cars
(see “Refuelling” in the “Technical
Specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for exam-
ple about 10,000 km) the follow-
ing yearly inspection programme
is advised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if
necessary adjust the pressure (including
spare wheel)
– Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compart-
ment, glovebox lights, warning lights,
etc.)
– Check operation of windscreen wiper
system, spray jet adjustment
– Check position/wear of windscreen
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust -
fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots
- sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel
supply system hoses
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various
drive belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid
levels (engine coolant, brakes, wind-
screen washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
251
IMPORTANT
Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy con-
ditions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short distances (less than 7-8 km)
repeated and with external temperatures
below zero
– frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving or in case of a
long term inactivity
replace engine oil more frequently than
required on Service Schedule.IMPORTANT
Diesel filter
The different grades of purity in diesel
fuel normally available might make it nec-
essary to replace the filter more frequent-
ly than indicated in the Service Schedule.
If the engine misfires it shows the filter
needs changing.IMPORTANT
Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads change the
air cleaner more frequently than specified
in the Schedule Maintenance Programme.
For any doubts concerning the intervals
between the engine oil and air cleaner
replacement in relation to how the vehicle
is used, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
256
Used engine oil and filter
contain harmful sub-
stances for the environ-
ment. Contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services to have the
oil and the filter changed, as they
are equipped to dispose of the
waste oil and filters respecting
nature and the law.
SELESPEED TRANSMISSION
OIL
(fig. 7)
The Selespeed transmission oil should be
checked with the vehicle on a level sur-
face 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
remove the cap (A) checking that the
level corresponds with the MAXmark on
the dipstick integrated with the cap;
– if the oil is below the MAXmark, top
up to reach the correct level;Do not add oil with spec-
ifications other than that
already in the gearbox.
fig. 7
A0A0197b
Used gearbox oil con-
tains dangerous sub-
stances for the environ-
ment. For changing the oil we
advise contacting Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services who are
equipped for disposing of used oil
respecting nature and the law.
Be very careful working
inside the engine com-
partment if the engine is
hot: danger of burns. Remember
that the fan may cut in if the
engine is very hot: danger of
injury.
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 con-
sumption may be considered stabilised
only after the first 5000 ÷ 6000 km.
IMPORTANTEngine oil consumption
depends on the way of driving and the
conditions of use of the vehicle.– after refitting the cap, insert the
breather tube firmly on the housing on the
cap and turn the ignition key to STOP.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
284
Use Fluid and lubricant specifications Genuine fluids Change
for correct car operation and lubricants intervals
Lubricants for
petrol engines
1.8 T.SPARK
Lubricants for
petrol engines
2.0 JTS - 3.2 V6
Lubricants for
Multijet engines
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS AND THEIR SPECIFICATIONS
Synthetic-based engine oils, grade SAE 10W-40,
FIAT 9.55535-G2qualification
Synthetic-based engine oils, grade SAE 10W-60,
FIAT 9.55535-H3qualification
Synthetic-based engine oils, grade SAE 5W-40,
FIAT 9.55535-M2qualification
Should non-genuine products be used, lubricants with minimum ACEA A3 properties for petrol engines and ACEA B4 for Diesel engines are tolerated; in this
event top engine performance is not guaranteed.
Using low-quality products, not compliant with ACEA A3 and ACEA B4 properties could cause engine damages not covered by warranty.
For very cold temperatures, consult Alfa Romeo Authorized Services for the proper Seleniaproduct to use
SELENIA 20K
ALFA ROMEO
SELENIA RACING
SELENIA WRAs per Service Schedule
As per Service Schedule
As per Service Schedule