2023-2025 Tonale / Hornet Premature Oil Change Light TSB

Owners of 2023-2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet vehicles may encounter an unexpected "oil change light is illuminated" message on their instrument panel cluster (IPC) much sooner than anticipated. This issue, identified as a manufacturing concern, is addressed by Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 01-001-24 REV. A, issued on October 29, 2024. This bulletin supersedes the earlier TSB 01-001-24 from October 11, 2024, and includes updated information for 2025 model year vehicles.

This TSB provides a clear procedure for dealerships to diagnose and resolve the premature oil change light indication, ensuring vehicles receive the correct service action.

Symptoms

The primary symptom is the illumination of the "oil change light" on the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC). This typically occurs shortly after the vehicle has been delivered, often within 4,000 miles (6,437 Km) of operation. If you experience the Alfa Romeo Tonale premature oil change light, it indicates your vehicle may be affected by this issue.

Cause

The premature illumination of the oil change light is attributed to a manufacturing issue. This suggests an internal factory setting or calibration that causes the oil life monitoring system to trigger an alert too early.

Important Warnings for Owners

• If your vehicle's oil service light comes on when the vehicle has accumulated more than 4,001 miles (6,438 Km), this specific TSB 01-001-24 REV. A does not apply. In such cases, a normal oil change procedure should be performed as per the vehicle's maintenance schedule.
• If, after a reset attempt, the "oil change indicator message" illuminates again when the vehicle is started, the oil change indicator system did not reset correctly. The procedure should be repeated. If repeated attempts fail, a scan tool must be used by a technician to complete the reset process.

Diagnosis and Conditions for Repair

Dealerships will diagnose the issue based on whether the vehicle is new (prior to customer delivery) or customer-owned, and its mileage and age since manufacturing.

Prior to Delivery

• If the vehicle is less than 365 days old AND has less than 150 miles (241 Km), only the oil life monitor needs to be reset.
• If the vehicle is older than 365 days OR has more than 150 miles (241 Km), the engine oil and filter should be changed, and the oil life monitor reset.

Customer-Owned Vehicle

• If a customer brings the vehicle in because the oil service light is on with less than 4,000 miles (6,437 Km), the dealer should change the oil and filter, and reset the oil life monitor under warranty. This applies to the Alfa Romeo Tonale premature oil change light issue.
• As noted above, if the vehicle has more than 4,001 miles (6,438 Km), this bulletin does not apply, and standard oil change procedures should be followed.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for the premature oil change light involves either resetting the oil life monitor or performing an oil and filter change, followed by a reset. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Engine Oil and Filter Change (if required): If the diagnosis indicates, the technician will perform a complete engine oil and filter change. This procedure follows detailed service instructions found in DealerCONNECT's Service Library for 1.3L or 2.0L engines.
2. Oil Change Reset Procedure: Regardless of whether an oil change was performed, the oil life monitor must be reset. This can be done manually:
   • Without pressing the brake pedal, push the Engine Stop/Start (ESS) button to cycle the ignition to the On/Run position. Do not start the engine.
   • Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly, three times within 10 seconds.
   • Cycle the ignition to the Off position.
   • If the "oil change indicator message" reappears, the technician will repeat the procedure or use a scan tool to complete the reset.

Required Parts

For vehicles requiring an oil and filter change, the following parts may be used:

• Filter, Engine Oil (1.3L Engine): Part No. 68439517AA
• Oil, 0W-30 Quart (1.3L Engine): Part No. 68523988AA
• Filter, Engine Oil (2.0L Engine): Part No. 04892339BE
• Oil, 5W-30 Quart (2.0L Engine): Part No. 68523981AA

Warranty Information

This service action is reimbursable within the provisions of the vehicle's warranty. The labor operations associated with this bulletin are:

• Labor Operation No: 09-55-01-97 - Reset Enhanced Automatic Oil Change Indicator (0.2 Hrs)
• Labor Operation No: 09-55-01-98 - Change Engine Oil and Filter, Includes Reset Enhanced Automatic Oil Change Indicator (0.7 Hrs)
• Failure Code: ZZ - Service Action

Owners experiencing the Alfa Romeo Tonale premature oil change light should contact their authorized dealership to schedule service.

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Source: NHTSA ID: 11010225