2016-2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Brake Fluid Type and Flush Interval

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

The Alfa Romeo Giulia takes DOT 4 brake fluid that meets FCA specification MS.90039, and Alfa's scheduled servicing plan says the fluid must be replaced every two years regardless of mileage. The hydraulic brake circuit holds about 0.9 quarts (0.9 liters) on both the 2.0L turbo four and the 2.9L V6 Quadrifoglio.

That covers the short answer. The rest of this guide explains why the Giulia is less forgiving of old fluid than most sedans, what the warning light is telling you, and why a flush on this car is not a simple two-person pedal-pump job.

Giulia Brake Fluid Specs at a Glance

A note on years first: the Giulia launched in Europe in 2016, but cars built for the U.S. market started production on September 6, 2016 as 2017 models. If you are in North America, your 2016-2017 search almost certainly means a 2017 car. Every figure below comes from the 2017 Giulia User's Guide published by FCA.

The same DOT 4 MS.90039 fluid appears in FCA's own dealer parts list for Giulia brake work, sold as a 12 oz bottle under part number 04549625AE. Any DOT 4 fluid that states it meets MS.90039 is the correct match. Do not substitute silicone-based DOT 5, and do not top off with an unknown fluid from the shelf.

Why the Two-Year Interval Matters on This Car

DOT 4 is a glycol-based fluid, and glycol fluids are hygroscopic: they pull moisture out of the air through hoses, seals and the reservoir cap. As water content rises, the fluid's boiling point drops. The industry "wet" boiling point is measured after the fluid has absorbed 3.7 percent water by volume, and ADVICS, an OE brake supplier, notes that DOT 4 reaches that saturation level after about two years of use. That is exactly where Alfa set the interval.

When saturated fluid gets hot in a caliper, it can boil and form vapor. Vapor compresses where liquid does not, so the pedal goes soft or sinks during hard or repeated stops. Water in the fluid also corrodes the inside of calipers, lines and valves over time.

On the Giulia there is a second reason to stay on schedule. The car uses Continental's MK C1 integrated brake system, the first production application of that unit anywhere. MK C1 combines the master cylinder, the brake booster and the ABS/ESC controls into a single electro-hydraulic module. Instead of a vacuum booster, an electric motor builds brake pressure. That module has fine internal valves and passages, and clean fluid is cheap insurance for an expensive, dealer-level part.

Symptoms of Old or Low Fluid

• Red BRAKE warning light. On the Giulia this light covers brake fluid level and the electric park brake. If it stays on with the park brake released and the reservoir at the full mark, the owner's guide says it points to a hydraulic system fault or a brake booster problem detected by the ABS/ESC system.
• ABS pump running during normal stops. The guide notes that if the booster function has a problem, the ABS pump runs when you brake and you may feel a pulsation on each stop.
• Red BRAKE plus amber warning together. That combination means Electronic Brake Force Distribution is not available and the rear wheels can lock under hard braking. Drive gently and get it inspected immediately.
• Soft or long pedal after hard driving. A classic sign of moisture-laden fluid that has started to boil.
• Dark fluid or a falling level. Fluid should be at the MAX mark. Alfa's guidance is direct: if the level is low, have the system checked. Pads wearing down will lower the level slowly, but a sudden drop means a leak.

Known Brake Fluid Issues: Recall UB9 and Recall 68A

Two recalls are worth checking by VIN before any brake work.

Recall UB9 (NHTSA 18V-828), brake fluid tube. About 6,100 2017-2018 Giulias with the 2.0L 280 hp engine and all-wheel drive, built from September 23, 2016 through October 9, 2017, can have the right front brake fluid tube rub against a coolant hose clamp. Over time that can cause a brake fluid leak onto the catalyst, with a burning smell, smoke and a fire risk. The dealer inspects the tube and either adds a locating bracket or installs a redesigned tube. If you smell hot fluid or see a wet line near that clamp, stop and get the recall done.

Recall 68A (NHTSA 23V-382), carbon ceramic rotors. This one is not about fluid, but it involves the same brake module. On 2017-2020 Giulias with carbon ceramic brakes, the roll-away prevention feature of the electric parking brake could apply enough clamp force to fracture a rotor. The fix is a brake system module software update. The report lists 603 affected Giulias.

How the Flush Is Done, and Why It Is Not a Driveway Job

FCA's own dealer instructions for the UB9 repair show what a full bleed on this car involves:

1. Put the electronic parking brake into Brake Service mode through the infotainment settings menu. FCA's instructions say that if the park brake is not deactivated, the brakes cannot be bled properly.
2. Pressure bleed through the reservoir with a pressure bleeder and the correct threaded cap, holding about 2 bar (29 to 43 psi), with DOT 4 fluid in the bleeder.
3. Stage one: open each bleeder without pressing the pedal until no bubbles appear. On the cars covered by that recall, each front caliper has an inner and an outer bleeder screw, and both must be bled.
4. Stage two: run the ABS module bleed routine with the factory scan tool, repeating until no air comes out of the module valves and the tool's bleeding and leakage test passes.
5. Tighten bleeders to specification, re-enable the auto park brake, and initialize the steering by turning lock to lock if the battery was disconnected.

A basic gravity or pedal flush that only exchanges fluid at the calipers can leave old fluid and any trapped air inside the integrated module. Unless you own a scan tool that supports the Giulia's ABS bleed routine and a proper pressure bleeder, this is a job for a dealer or a shop that services Alfas regularly.

What to Replace at the Same Time

A fluid service is a good time to look at the rest of the brake system, especially if you are near a pad change anyway. Alfa's schedule calls for a visual check of pads, pad wear indicators and rotor surfaces at every service, and notes new pads and rotors need about 300 miles of gentle bedding-in.

• For 2.0L turbo cars, EBC Bluestuff NDX front pads for the Giulia 2.0 Turbo suit hard street and track use, and EBC Redstuff ceramic rear pads for the Giulia 2.0T keep dust down on daily drivers.
• For the Quadrifoglio with iron rotors, the GiroDisc A1-224 slotted front rotor set and EBC Yellowstuff front pads for the 2.9L twin turbo are a common track-day pairing.
• Browse our full brake pad collection and brake rotor collection, and consider braided brake lines if you track the car and want a firmer pedal.

If you track a Giulia, consider changing the fluid more often than every two years, since track heat is exactly what exposes wet fluid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What brake fluid does an Alfa Romeo Giulia use?

DOT 4 brake fluid that meets FCA specification MS.90039. The same fluid is specified for the 2.0L four-cylinder and the 2.9L V6 Quadrifoglio.

How often should I change the brake fluid on my Giulia?

Every two years, regardless of mileage. Alfa's scheduled servicing plan lists this as a time-based requirement, not a mileage one.

How much brake fluid does the Giulia hold?

The hydraulic brake circuit holds about 0.9 quarts (0.9 liters). Buy extra for a full flush, because pressure bleeding pushes fluid through until it runs clean and bubble-free.

Can I bleed Giulia brakes myself?

You can open the caliper bleeders, but a complete bleed also requires the ABS module bleed routine run with a compatible scan tool, plus putting the electric park brake into service mode. Without those steps, air or old fluid can stay in the integrated brake module.

Why is my Giulia brake warning light on when the fluid is full?

With the parking brake released and the reservoir full, the owner's guide says the light indicates a possible hydraulic malfunction or a brake booster fault detected by the ABS/ESC system. Have it diagnosed promptly.

Can I use DOT 5.1 or DOT 3 instead?

Stick with DOT 4 that states MS.90039 on the label, which is what Alfa specifies. Never use silicone DOT 5 in this system.

Sources

1. 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia User's Guide (FCA) - DOT 4 MS.90039 spec, 0.9 qt capacity, two-year replacement, level checks, warning lights, brake layout, 300-mile bedding-in
2. NHTSA 18V-828 / FCA Safety Recall UB9 dealer instructions - brake fluid tube recall scope, DOT 4 part number, park brake service mode, pressure bleed and scan-tool ABS bleed procedure
3. NHTSA 23V-382 Part 573 Safety Recall Report - carbon ceramic rotor recall, affected population, first U.S. Giulia build date
4. Continental: MK C1 brake system debuts in the Alfa Romeo Giulia - integrated master cylinder, booster and ABS/ESC module, first series application
5. ADVICS: Brake Fluid Boiling Points - 3.7 percent water wet boiling point definition, DOT 4 saturation after about two years, vapor lock