Alfa Romeo GT 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

CAR MAINTENANCE
219
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long journeys,
check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen washer and headlamp wash-
er 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 Specifica-
tions” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for example
about 10,000 km) the following
yearly inspection programme is ad-
vised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if nec-
essary 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 windscreen blade position/wear
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear
– Check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks, and lever cleanness and lubrication.– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust - fu-
el supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots -
sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel sup-
ply system hoses
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various dri-
ve belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid lev-
els (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen
washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and oil filter
– Change pollen filter.

CAR MAINTENANCE
220
IMPORTANT
Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy condi-
tions:
– trailer or caravan towing
– dusty roads
– short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external temperatures be-
low zero
– frequently idling engines or long distance
low speed driving or in case of a long term
inactivity
replace engine oil more frequently than re-
quired on the Scheduled Maintenance Pro-
gramme.IMPORTANT
Diesel filter
The variety of the degree of purity of the
fuel oil in commerce may make it necessary
to change the fuel oil filter more frequently
than stated in the Scheduled Maintenance
Programme. If the engine is “sobbing” it
is a sign that 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 be-
tween the engine oil and air cleaner re-
placement in relation to how the car is used,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.

CAR MAINTENANCE
221
Car maintenance should be
entrusted to Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. For
routine and minor maintenance op-
erations you wish to carry out
yourself, always make sure you
have the proper equipment, genuine
Alfa Romeo spares and the neces-
sary fluids; do not however carry
out these operations if you have no
experience.IMPORTANT
Pollen filter
If the car is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments it is advisable
to replace the filtering element more fre-
quently; in particular it should be replaced if
a reduction of the amount of air admitted to
the passenger compartment is noted. IMPORTANT
Battery
It is advisable to check the battery charge,
preferably at the onset of winter, to prevent
the possibility of the electrolyte freezing.
This check should be carried out more fre-
quently if the car is used mainly for short
trips, or if it is fitted with accessories that
permanently absorb electricity even with the
ignition key removed, especially in the case
of after market accessories.
If the car is used in hot climates or partic-
ularly harsh conditions it is wise to check the
level of the battery fluid (electrolyte) more
frequently than specified in the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme.

CAR MAINTENANCE
222
fig. 1 - 1.8 T. SPARK version
A0A0736b
A0A0681b
CHECKING LEVELS
Never smoke while work-
ing in the engine compart-
ment; gas and inflammable
vapours may be present, with the
risk of fire.
When topping up take
care not to confuse the var-
ious types of fluids: they
are incompatible with one anoth-
er and could seriously damage the
car.
fig. 2 - 2.0 JTS version 1Engine oil - 2Battery - 3Brake fluid -
4Windscreen/rear window/headlight
washer fluid - 5Engine coolant - 6Power
steering fluid - 7Selespeed transmission oil
(2.0 JTS Selespeed versions)

CAR MAINTENANCE
223
A0A0396b
fig. 4 - JTD 16V version1Engine oil - 2Battery - 3Brake fluid -
4Windscreen/rearscreen/headlamp wash-
er fluid - 5Engine coolant fluid - 6Power
steering fluid
A0A0683b
fig. 3 - 3.2 V6 version 1Engine oil - 2Battery - 3Brake fluid -
4Windscreen/rear window/headlight
washer fluid - 5Engine coolant - 6Power
steering fluid

CAR MAINTENANCE
224
ENGINE OIL (fig. 5-6-7-8)
The engine oil should be checked with the
car 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 correspond to
about one litre of oil.When the engine is hot,
take care when working
inside the engine compart-
ment to avoid burns. Remember
that when the engine is hot, the
fan may cut in: danger of injury.
Never add oil with char-
acteristics (classification,
viscosity) which are differ-
ent from those of the oil already in
the circuit.
fig. 6 - 2.0 JTS version
A0A0682b
fig. 8 - JTD 16Vversion
A0A0398b
AB
fig. 7 - 3.2 V6version
A0A0406b
fig. 5 - 1.8 T. SPARK version
A0A0737b
If the oil level is near or even below the
MINmark, add oil through the filter 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.

CAR MAINTENANCE
225
Used engine oil and filter
contain harmful substances
for the environment. Con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vices 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. 9)
The Selespeed transmission oil should be
checked with the car 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;Do not add oil with spec-
ifications other than that
already in the gearbox.
fig. 9
A0A0197b
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.
Be very careful working
inside 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: 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 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 car.– after refitting the cap, insert the
breather tube firmly on the housing on the
cap and turn the ignition key to STOP.

CAR MAINTENANCE
226
The cooling system is
pressurised. If necessary,
replace the cap only with
another genuine one, otherwise
system efficiency could be compro-
mised. Do not remove the reservoir
cap when the engine is hot: you
risk scalding yourself.
The cooling system uses
PARAFLU UP antifreeze.
Do not add fluid having dif-
ferent specifications from that al-
ready existing. PARAFLU UP can-
not be mixed with other types of
fluids. Should other fluids be
added, do not start the engine and
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible.ENGINE COOLANT FLUID
(fig. 10)
Do not remove the cap
when the engine is hot:
danger of burns.
The level of the coolant in the header tank
(reservoir) should be checked with the en-
gine cold and the car on a level surface and
it should be between the MINandMAX
marks on the tank.
fig. 10
A0A0240b
If the level is low, loosen the header tank
cap (A) and slowly pour a mixture of 50%
distilled water and 50% PARAFLU UP FL
Seleniathrough the filler neck until near-
ing the MAXmark.
The antifreeze mixture of 50% PARAFLU
UPand 50% distilled water guarantees pro-
tection down to –35 °C.

CAR MAINTENANCE
227
Oil consumption is very
low; if topping up again is
needed shortly afterwards,
have the system checked for pos-
sible leaks by Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Services.Do not allow the power
steering fluid to touch hot
parts of the engine: it is in-
flammable.
fig. 12
A0A0217b
fig. 11
A0A0400b
BRAKE AND HYDRAULIC
CLUTCH FLUID
(fig. 12)
Check that the fluid level in the reservoir
is at maximum. Top up with the brake fluid
specified in the table “Fluids and lubricants”
(see section “Technical specifications").
NOTEClean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface. When opening
the cap take the utmost care to prevent im-
purities entering the tank. When topping up,
always use a funnel with built-in filter with
mesh equal to or lower than 0.12 mm.
IMPORTANTFor this operation it is
however recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
POWER STEERING FLUID
(fig. 11)
Check that the level of the oil in the reser-
voir is at maximum.
This operation should be carried out with
the car on a level surface and the engine
switched off and cold.
Check that the level reaches the MAX
mark on the reservoir or coincides with the
upper notch (maximum level) on the dip-
stick (A) integral with the reservoir cap.If the oil level in the reservoir is below the
specified one, top up only with one of the
products listed in the “Fluids and lubricants”
table in the “Technical specifications” chap-
ter proceeding as follows:
– Start the engine and wait for the oil lev-
el in the reservoir to stabilise.
– With the engine running, turn the steer-
ing wheel lock to lock a few times.
– Top up to the MAXlevel notch, then
refit the cap.

CAR MAINTENANCE
228
Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reser-
voir empty: the action of
the windscreen washer is funda-
mental for improving vision.
To avoid damaging the
pump motor, do not use the
windscreen/rearscreen
washers when the reservoir is
empty.
Some commercial addi-
tives for windscreen wash-
ers are inflammable. The
engine compartment contains hot
components which may set it on
fire.
IMPORTANTBrake and hydraulic clutch
fluid is hygroscopic (i.e. it absorbs moisture).
For this reason, if the car is mainly used in
areas with a high degree of atmospheric hu-
midity, the fluid should be replaced at more
frequent intervals than specified in the
Scheduled Maintenance Programme.
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN
HEADLIGHT WASHER FLUID
(fig. 13)
Open the cap (A) and check the level in
the reservoir.
If necessary top up using a mixture of wa-
ter and TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC
35fluid as follows:
– 30% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 70% water in summer; Brake and clutch fluid is
poisonous and highly cor-
rosive. In the event of ac-
cidental contact, wash the parts
concerned immediately with neu-
tral soap and water, then rinse
thoroughly. See a doctor at once if
the fluid is swallowed.
Theπsymbol on the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
brake fluid, distinguishing
it from the mineral kind. Using min-
eral fluids irreversibly damages the
special braking system rubber
seals.
fig. 13
A0A0242b
– 50% of TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35and 50% water in winter;
– in the case of temperatures below
–20°C use TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC 35fluid neat. Make sure that the high-
ly corrosive brake fluid
does not drip onto the
paintwork. If it does, wash it off
immediately with water.