Inside Line: Comma

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A few notes about the Alfa Romeo 159 (2005-2011):

Engine Oil

For this particular vehicle, Alfa Romeo list a number of specifications for engine oil which should be covered by Comma Pro-Tech 5W30 or Syner G 5W40, depending on the specification and engine.

With service intervals of up to 19,000 miles or two years, supplying the customer with a top up pack and reminding them that they should be checking the engine oil regularly (see handbook for guidance) might also be prudent here. A quick check before you change might be a good way of reinforcing the importance of top up to the customer. Combined with longer service intervals and the increased use of sensitive components like turbochargers, checking your oil has become more critical than ever before.

Brake Fluid

Alfa Romeo use one or two specifications for brake fluid for the 159 and again you can rely on Comma’s online application guide to identify which product is suitable for the vehicle you are servicing.

Most people don’t think of brake fluid as a service item however, as with many manufacturers, Alfa Romeo specify a change interval of 24 months for the 159. Brake fluid degrades over time by absorbing water from the atmosphere, which lowers its boiling point. Boiling point is a critical factor in brake fluid performance because of the amount of heat generated during braking. If the boiling point of the fluid is too low then continuous or hard braking may cause the brake fluid to vaporise, which in turn can result in a loss of hydraulic pressure within the system. The message here is that brake fluid is a safety critical item so check and change when specified – don’t assume that it will just be OK.

Power Steering Fluid

Alfa Romeo use one or two specifications for power steering fluid for the 159 and again you can rely on Comma’s online application to confirm which product is suitable for the vehicle you are servicing.

Coolant

Xstream G30 is the recommended product for the 159, as it is for all recent Alfa Romeo vehicles.

Transmission

For this particular model, Alfa Romeo uses a range of transmissions that includes mostly manuals but also some automatic alternatives along with differential and transfer box fluid for the four-wheel drive system. As well as different fluid requirements, change intervals and capacities will vary depending on the type of transmission so we would advise you to consult the handbook to ensure that you get the right product for the vehicle you are servicing.

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