2023-2024 Tonale / Hornet Premature Oil Change Light TSB

Symptoms

Owners of 2023-2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet vehicles may experience the oil change light illuminating on the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) much sooner than expected. This often occurs shortly after taking delivery of the vehicle, typically within 6,437 Km (4,000 mi) of ownership. This premature warning indicates a potential issue with the oil life monitoring system.

Cause

According to TSB 01-001-24, the premature illumination of the oil change light is attributed to a manufacturing issue. This suggests an anomaly in how the oil life monitor is calibrated or functions from the factory.

Diagnosis and Trigger Conditions

Diagnosis for the premature oil change light depends on the vehicle's mileage, the number of days since it was built, and whether it's a new vehicle awaiting delivery or a customer-owned vehicle.

For vehicles prior to customer delivery:

• If the vehicle has been built for 365 days or less AND has less than 241 Km (150 mi), only the oil life monitor needs to be reset.
• If the vehicle has been built for more than 365 days OR has more than 241 Km (150 mi), both the engine oil and filter should be changed, followed by an oil life monitor reset.

For customer-owned vehicles:

• If the oil service light appears with less than 6,437 Km (4,000 mi) on the vehicle, the dealer should change the oil and filter, then reset the oil life monitor under warranty.
• If the oil service light appears with more than 6,438 Km (4,001 mi) on the vehicle, this TSB 01-001-24 does not apply. In this case, a normal oil change procedure should be performed, as the mileage indicates a regular service interval.

Repair Procedure Summary

The repair for the premature Alfa Romeo Tonale oil change light involves either resetting the oil life monitor or performing an oil and filter change, then resetting the monitor. The specific steps are as follows:

1. Engine Oil and Filter Change: If required by the diagnosis, technicians will perform an engine oil and filter change. This procedure follows the detailed service instructions found in the DealerCONNECT Service Library.
2. Oil Change Reset Procedure: After any necessary oil change, the oil life monitor must be reset. This can be done manually:
   • With the brake pedal not pressed, 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.

Important Note: If the oil change indicator message illuminates again after attempting the manual reset, the system did not reset successfully. The procedure should be repeated. If repeated attempts fail, a scan tool, such as Witech, must be used to complete the reset process.

Required Tools or Parts

Depending on the diagnosis, the following parts may be required for the repair:

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

Technicians may also utilize the Witech diagnostic tool for resetting the oil life monitor if the manual procedure is unsuccessful.

Owner Action

If you own a 2023-2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale or Dodge Hornet and notice the oil change light illuminating prematurely, especially within the first 6,437 Km (4,000 mi), you should contact your authorized dealer. The repair outlined in TSB 01-001-24, including any necessary oil and filter change and oil life monitor reset, is reimbursable under warranty provisions. The labor operations associated with this service action include 26-99-00-06, 26-99-00-07, 26-99-00-08, and 26-99-00-09, with a failure code of ZZ.

Source: NHTSA ID: 11008914, TSB: 01-001-24