But let’s talk about the reality of finding that free French workshop manual—and what you should actually do next. For the uninitiated, Revue Technique is the European gold standard for auto repair manuals (similar to Haynes or Chilton, but often more detailed for European cars). A free PDF of this document is the holy grail for the budget-conscious DIYer.

Yes, PDFs of these manuals exist in the dark corners of French forums and file-sharing sites.

However you get the manual, go straight to the "Lubrication system" chapter first. Read about the oil strainer cleaning procedure. Do that job, and your engine will outlast the car's rusty wheel arches. Have you found a reliable source for the Grande Punto manual? Let us know in the comments (without posting pirate links!).