GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
129
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
IMPORTANTWhen the driver’s door is
opened the Selespeed starts the hydraulic
part of the system to prepare it for when the
engine is started. This function (noted by
the turning of the electric pump) is deacti-
vated after 10 door openings/closings not
followed by actual system activation turning
the ignition key.
Turning the ignition key to MAR, all the
segments on the display turn on (fig.
121) together with the gearbox failure
warning light (fig. 122) and the word
CITY. After about a second, the display
shows the gear engaged (N, 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, R); from this moment onwards, the Se-
lespeed system accepts gearshift com-
mands.
IMPORTANTIf after 10 seconds the dis-
play segments do not show the gear en-
gaged or the warning light stays on, turn the
ignition key to STOPand wait for the dis-
play to turn off, then repeat system switch
on. If the fault persists, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. With the gearbox in the CITYmode it is
still possible to carry out manual gearshift-
ing, both using the gear lever and the steer-
ing wheel controls. The gearbox remains in
theCITYmode.
The gear engaged (fig. 121) is always
signalled on the display regardless of the se-
lected mode.
N= neutral;
1= first gear;
2= second gear;
3= third gear;
4= fourth gear;
5= fifth gear;
R= reverse.During operation in the CITYorSPORT
mode, the selected mode is shown as well.
IMPORTANTTheSPORTmode can be
engaged only after disengaging the CITY
mode.
Failures of the Selespeed gearbox are sig-
nalled to the driver through a warning light
connected with the associated failure mes-
sage (fig. 122) and accompanied by an
acoustic signal.
The Selespeed considerably simplifies use
of the car, reducing the fatigue of city dri-
ving or when frequent gearshifting is re-
quired, at the same time offering brilliant
performance.
fig. 121
A0A9017g
fig. 122
A0A9081g
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
131
Never remove the ignition
key when the car is mov-
ing. In addition to the fact
that the Selespeed system would
not work properly up to stopping
the car, the steering wheel would
lock automatically the first time it
is turned.
STARTING THE ENGINE
The engine can be started either with a
gear engaged or in neutral (N), provided
that the brake pedal is fully depressed.
IMPORTANTKeep the pedal fully de-
pressed during starting. Since the brake ped-
al becomes hard if it is pressed repeatedly
with the engine off, in this situation it is nec-
essary to increase the pressure on the ped-
al itself to start the engine.
After starting, the gearbox sets to neutral
automatically, the display shows the letter
(N) and the system selects the operating
mode memorised before switching off.
If the engine fails to start
with the gear engaged, the
driver is informed of the
potentially dangerous situation due
to the fact that the gearbox is in
neutral by the buzzer and by the
display.
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
AND SYSTEM DEACTIVATION
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe en-
gine turns off but the Selespeed system is
still active waiting for the car to stop com-
pletely. After about 2-4 seconds from when
the key has been turned to STOP, the hy-
draulic part is deactivated and immediately
after the gear sign on the display disappears.
Now the Selespeed system is deactivated.
The gear selected before switching off the
engine remains engaged.
If the engine is stopped with the gearbox
in neutral (N), the buzzer calls the driver’s
attention so that the car can be put in safe-
ty conditions engaging first gear (1) or re-
verse (R). In this case, the ignition key
should be turned to MARand with the
brake pedal pressed, engage first gear (1)
or reverse (R).
NEVER leave the car with
the gears in neutral (N).
It is absolutely necessary
to turn off the engine and
then turn off the Selespeed
system keeping the brake pedal
pressed: ONLY release the pedal
when the display has gone out.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
137
PARKING THE CAR
To park the car safely it is absolutely nec-
essary to engage first gear (1) or reverse
(R) and also the handbrake if the road is
on a slope.
Turning off the engine with the car on an
uphill slope and a gear engaged, it is ab-
solutely necessary to wait for the display
showing the gear engaged to go off before
releasing the brake pedal, so that the clutch
is completely closed.
If the gearbox is in neutral (N) and want-
ing to engage a parking gear, the system
should be activated and with the foot on the
brake pedal it is necessary to engage (1)
or (R).
TOWING THE CAR
IMPORTANTFor towing the car follow
local regulations. Make sure that the gear-
box is in neutral (N) (checking that the car
moves if pushed) and tow as for a car with
normal mechanical gearbox following the
instructions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
Should it be impossible to set to neutral,
do not tow the vehicle; contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
While towing the car do
not start the engine.
BUZZER WARNINGS
The buzzer is activated when:
– reverse gear is engaged (R);
– the car is parked with the gearbox in
neutral (N); signal that can be noted turn-
ing the ignition key to STOP;
– clutch overheating occurs when moving
off;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged (e.g.: the car moves
downwards with reverse gear engaged);
– the system has shifted automatically
to neutral (N) when:
no action is made on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 minutes;
or the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;
or the driver’s door is opened and no ac-
tion is made on the accelerator and brake
for at least 1 second;
or a gearbox failure has been detected.
– In the event of gearbox failure.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
138
INTERIOR FITTINGS
GLOVEBOX
On the dashboard there is a glovebox with
lid and light.
To open use handle (A-fig. 130).
When the glovebox is opened with the key
atMARan inside courtesy light turns on
(A-fig. 131).
FRONT ROOF LIGHT (fig. 139)
The roof light comprises two courtesy lights
with corresponding control switch.
IMPORTANTWhen a door is opened,
the roof light turns on and timing of about
3 minutes is activated automatically, after
which it goes off; closing the doors (within
the 3 minutes) a second timing of about 7
seconds is activated to allow vehicle start-
ing.
fig. 130
A0A0108b
fig. 131
A0A0109b
Never travel with the
glovebox open: the lid
might harm the passenger
in the event of an accident.
The fitting is completed by device (B), on
the lid, for inserting a pen or pencil.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOP, opening the glovebox, the light in-
side can only be turned on for 15 minutes;
after which the system turns it off to avoid
draining the battery.
fig. 132
A0A0111b
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
139fig. 133
A0A0112b
Unlocking the doors using the remote con-
trol, the roof light turns on gradually and tim-
ing is activated automatically for about 15
seconds. Locking the doors with the remote
control the roof light turns off gradually.
The lights are turned off moving the igni-
tion key to MAR(with the doors closed).
With switch (A) in the central position
(1), both lights are turned on when a door
is opened.
Pressing switch (A) to the left (position
0), the lights stay off (OFFposition).
Pressing switch (A) to the right (position
2) both lights stay on.
Switch (B) turns the lights on individually.
Pressing switch (B) to the left (position
0) the left light is turned on. Pressing the
switch to the right (position 2) the right light
is turned on.
With switch (B) in the central position (po-
sition1) the lights stay off.IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOP, turning the roof light on is only pos-
sible for 15 minutes; after which the system
turns it off to avoid draining the battery.
IMPORTANTBefore leaving the car,
make sure that both switches are in the cen-
tral position. By so doing, the roof lights will
turn off when the doors are closed. Forget-
ting a door open the lights will turn off au-
tomatically after a few seconds.COURTESY LIGHTS (fig. 133)
On the back of the driver’s or passenger’s
sun visor, opening the cover (A) the roof
lights turn on (B) at the side of the courtesy
mirror, with the ignition key at MAR. These
lights allow use of the courtesy mirror when
the light is poor.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOPthe lights can be activated only for
15 minutes: after which the system turns
them off to avoid draining the battery.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
140
REAR ROOF LIGHT (fig. 134)
IMPORTANTWhen a door is opened,
the roof light turns on and timing of about
3 minutes is activated automatically, after
which it goes off; closing the doors (within
the 3 minutes) a second timing of about 7
seconds is activated to allow vehicle start-
ing.
Unlocking the doors using the remote con-
trol, the roof light turns on gradually and tim-
ing is activated automatically for about 15
seconds. Locking the doors with the remote
control the roof light turns off gradually.
The light turns off in any case turning the
ignition key to MAR(with the door
closed).PUDDLE LIGHTS (fig. 135)
(for versions/markets where
applicable)
The light (A) housed in the doors turns on
when the associated door is opened, re-
gardless of the position of the ignition key.
fig. 134
A0A0633b
On the light there is a switch with three
positions.
When switch (A) is in the central posi-
tion (0) the light turns on automatically
when a door is opened.
Moving the switch to the right (position 1)
the light stays off.
Moving the switch to the left (position 2)
the light stays on.
IMPORTANTTurning the ignition key to
STOPthe roof light can be turned on for on-
ly 15 minutes; after which it is turned off to
avoid draining the battery.
IMPORTANTBefore leaving the car,
make sure that the switch (A) is in the cen-
tral position (0), so that the roof light turns
off when the doors are closed.
fig. 135
A0A0243b
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
141
Do not use the ashtray as
waste paper basket: it
might set on fire in contact
with cigarette stubs.
Always ensure that the
cigar lighter has turned off.
The cigar lighter gets ex-
tremely hot. Handle with
care and prevent its use by
children: danger of fire and/or
burning.DETERRENT LED (fig. 136)
The led (A) on the instrument cluster
comes into operation when the doors are
locked (ignition key at STOPor removed)
and it remains in the “deterrence” condition,
flashing with a red light until the next time
the doors are unlocked.
IMPORTANTIf a door or the tailgate are
not closed perfectly, the deterrent led flash-
es at a higher frequency for 4 seconds and
then flashes at normal frequency again.FRONT ASHTRAY AND CIGAR
LIGHTER
(fig. 137)
To gain access to the ashtray and the cig-
ar lighter open the lid (A).
To use the cigar lighter, with the key at
MAR, press button (B); after a few sec-
onds the button will return automatically
to its initial position and the cigar lighter is
ready for use.
Remove the tray to empty and clean the
ashtray (C).
The position of the cigar lighter in relation
to the ashtray and viceversa, may vary de-
pending on the trim level.
fig. 136
A0A0005b
fig. 137
A0A0634b
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
145
OPENING FROM INSIDE
(fig. 143)
Tailgate is released electrically and this can
be performed only when the ignition key
is in position MARwith car at a standstill
or in STOPorPARKposition for 3 min-
utes without unlocking/locking one of the
doors.
To unlock the tailgate, press button (A)
on the centre console panel.
Tailgate raising is facilitated by the gas
shock springs.
OPENING WITH REMOTE
CONTROL
(fig. 144)
The tailgate can be opened by remote con-
trol from outside pressing the button (A),
also when the electronic alarm is engaged.
Opening of the tailgate is accompanied by
a double flash of the direction indicators;
closing is accompanied by a single flash.
If an electronic alarm is fitted, with the
opening of the tailgate, the alarm system
switches off volumetric protection and the
tailgate control sensor, the system “beeps”
twice (with the exception of certain mar-
kets).
Closing the tailgate again, the control func-
tions are restored, the system “beeps” twice
(with the exception of certain markets).
fig. 143
A0A0129b
LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENT
The tailgate can be opened:
from the outside of the car- by a
remote control impulse;
from the inside of the door- by de-
pressing the button (A-fig. 143).
IMPORTANTIf the boot is not proper-
ly shut, the
´warning light will come on
(on certain versions accompanied by the
message on the reconfigurable multifunction
display).
The gas springs are cali-
brated to ensure correct
tailgate raising with the
weights foreseen by the manufac-
turer. The arbitrary addition of
items (such spoilers, etc.) may
compromise the correct operation
and safety of the actual tailgate.
fig. 144
A0A0636b