Holiday Motoring
You should always keep your Alfa Romeo well maintained so that it continues to deliver optimum performance. Before long trips, make sure your car is in top condition before you set out.
Your Alfa Romeo Owners Manual has an easy to follow section titled "Car Maintenance", which you should refer to with regard to the correct maintenance and servicing to undertake.
Taking your Alfa on Holiday
Checklist
- If a service is due, make sure you take it to an Authorised Alfa Romeo Dealer.
- Remember to STOP, REVIVE, SURVIVE. Take a break from driving every two hours on a long trip.
- To ensure the efficient running of your Alfa engine, you should always use premium, unleaded fuel.
- It’s important to check your engine oil, tyres and radiator coolant before any trip.
- Also on the checklist:
- Power steering fluid
- Brake and clutch fluid
- Battery
- Windscreen wipers and washer fluid
- Headlights and inside controls
Instructions
Engine oil
The engine oil level should be checked when the car is standing on a level surface about 5 minutes after the engine has been switched off. Remove the dipstick, clean it, put it back completely, remove it once again and check that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick. The interval between the MIN and MAX marks corresponds to approximately 1 litre of oil. Alfa Romeo recommends Selena Racing 10 W 60 full synthetic oil, or an oil that meets the same specifications.
If going on a long trip, you should treat your engine to an oil change.
If you use your car mainly for short trips in the city, thick sludge may build up in the sump and condensation may give a false oil level reading. If your last oil change was some time ago, the lubricating properties of your car's oil will have diminished, causing greater wear on the engine's moving parts.
Tyres
Incorrect tyre pressure can reduce the life of your tyres, significantly increase fuel consumption and may make your car less safe to drive. Check and adjust pressure when tyres are cold. You'll find your cars correct tyre pressure on the tyre placard on the inside the driver's door opening. You should check for a minimum tread depth of 1.5 mm on any part of the tyre surface that comes into contact with the road. Tyres have indicators in their tread pattern which show (as lines across the tread) when worn down to 1.6 mm. Check your tyres for abnormal wear or damage (such as cracks, bulges or tears).
Fluid Levels
- Radiator coolant
- Automatic transmission fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Brake and clutch fluid
Refer to your Owner Handbook for the location of these containers. Check the levels and if they are low, take them to your Alfa Dealer to be filled with the correct fluids. If you are in any doubt, your Alfa dealer will be happy to assist.
Checking your Battery
You should have your battery checked by your dealer before a long trip, and replaced if necessary.
Windscreen wipers and washer fluid
- Washer fluid: Fill your washer bottle with clean water and the right amount of windscreen washer additive. Don't use household detergents as they can damage your paintwork and wiper blades.
- Windscreen wipers: Check the condition of your blades, and replace them if split, perished or not wiping your windscreen properly.
Headlights and inside controls
Make sure all your lights are working, including high beam, stop and reverse lights. If you can't get someone to help you, drive your car up to a wall (or some reflective surface) and look for the reflection. Reverse to the same reflective surface to check your rear lights.
Things to pay attention to while driving
If any warning light comes on while driving, stop the car and refer to the Owners Manual for the recommended course of action.