
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
122
PUDDLE LIGHTS (fig. 113)
(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.DETERRENT LED (fig. 114)
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
flashes at a higher frequency for 4 seconds
and then flashes at normal frequency again.FRONT ASHTRAY AND CIGAR
LIGHTER
(fig. 115)
To use the ashtray open the lid (A).
To use the ashtray, with the key at MAR,
press button (B); after a few seconds 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. 113
A0A0243m
fig. 114
A0A0005m
fig. 115
A0A0433m 

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
134
ABS
The car is fitted with an ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from lock-
ing when braking, makes full use of the grip
and within the limits of the grip available,
keeps the car controllable also in emergency
braking.
When braking a slight pulsing accompa-
nied by noise may be felt on the brake ped-
al due to the action of the ABS system.
This should not be interpreted as a brak-
ing malfunction. It is the signal to the driver
that the ABS has come into action: it is the
warning that the car is travelling at the lim-
it of its grip and therefore the speed should
be adapted to the type of road.
The ABS system is an additional part of the
base braking system; in the event of a fail-
ure it is disabled, leaving the braking sys-
tem in the same conditions as a vehicle with-
out ABS.
In the case of a failure, the anti-lock action
is no longer present, the braking capacity of
the vehicle is not adversely affected at all.If you have never previously used cars fit-
ted with ABS, it is advisable to practice a lit-
tle on a slippery surface, naturally in safe-
ty conditions and in accordance with the lo-
cal Highway Code you are also advised to
read the following instructions carefully.
The advantage of the ABS over a conven-
tional system is that it makes it possible to
obtain the highest degree of handling also
when braking completely under limited grip
conditions, preventing the wheels from lock-
ing.
However, with the ABS do not expect the
braking distance to always shorten: for ex-
ample, on soft surfaces like gravel or fresh
snow or a slippery surface, the space might
increase.
To better exploit the possibilities of the an-
ti-lock system in the case of need, the ad-
vice given below should be followed.
If the ABS cuts in it means
that the limit of grip is be-
ing reached between the tyre and
the road surface: it is therefore
necessary to slow down to adapt
driving to the grip available.
WARNING
The ABS better exploits the
grip available, but cannot
increase it; caution is therefore nec-
essary on slippery surfaces, with-
out taking unnecessary risks.
WARNING
In the event of a system
failure, with the turning on
of the 
>warning light on the
instrument cluster, have the car
checked immediately by Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services driving slow-
ly, to be able to have the system re-
stored to fully efficient conditions.
WARNING 

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
137
The stabilising action of the VDC system is
based on the calculations of the system elec-
tronic control unit, which processes the sig-
nals received from the steering wheel rota-
tion sensor, acceleration sensor and rotation
speed sensor of ech wheel.These signals al-
low the control unit to recognise the ma-
noeuvre the driver intends to do when the
steering wheel is turned. 
The control unit processes the information
received from the sensors and therefore able
to know the position of the car instant by in-
stant and compare it with the course the dri-
ver would like to follow. In the event of a
discrepancy, in a fraction of a second the
control unit chooses and commands the
most suitable intervention to bring the car
immediately back to the required course:
braking one or more wheels at different in-
tensity and, if necessary, reducing the pow-
er transmitted by the engine.
The corrective actions are modified and
controlled continuously in seeking the course
required by the driver.
The action of the VDC system considerably
enhances the active safety of the car in very
critical situations and it is particularly help-
ful when the grip conditions of the road sur-
face change.CUTTING IN 
OF THE VDC SYSTEM 
The cutting in of the VDC system is indi-
cated by the flashing of the 
áwarning light
on the instrument cluster, to inform the dri-
ver that the car is in critical conditions of sta-
bility and grip.
VDC system failure warning
In the event of a failure the VDC system
disengages automatically and the 
áwarn-
ing light on the instrument cluster turns on
glowing steadily, together with the message
on the reconfigurable multifunction display.
In the event of a VDC system failure the
car behaves like a vehicle not fitted with this
system: in any case it is advisable to con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon
as possible.
For the VDC system to
work correctly, the tyres
must be of the same brand and
type on all wheels, in perfect con-
ditions and above all of the speci-
fied type, brand and size.
WARNING 

IN AN EMERGENCY
214
Volumetric sensors
VDC system sensor
Steering angle sensor
EOBD system diagnosis socket
Cell phone provision
Driver’s door control unit supply
Passenger’s door control unit supply
Controls lighting
Climate control system controls lighting
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
Driver’s door control unit
ABS control unit
ABS control unit
Dashboard control box
Boot control unit
Air - bag control unit
Electronic injection control unit +30
Dashboard control unit15
7.5
7.5
15
15
20
20
7.5
7.5
10
10
15
7.5
50
50
15
7.5
7.5
70 F39
F42
F42
F39
F39
F47
F48
F49
F35
F37
F53
F39
F42
ABS (MAXI-FUSE)
CPL2 (MAXI-FUSE)
F39
F50
F6
CPL1 (MAXI-FUSE) 52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
54
54
52
52
53
54
SERVICES FIGURE FUSE AMPERES 

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
242
CLEANING LEATHER SEATS
– Remove dried on dirt with a lightly
moistened chamois leather or cloth with-
out pressing too hard.
– Remove liquid and grease stains with
a dry absorbent cloth without rubbing. Then
wipe with a soft cloth or chamois leather
with water and neutral soap. If the stain per-
sists, use specific products, carefully follow-
ing the instructions for use.
IMPORTANTNever use alcohol. Make
sure that cleaning products do not contain
alcohol and alcohol derivatives even at low
strength.
INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS
Use appropriate products designed to pre-
serve the appearance of components.
IMPORTANTNever use spirit or petro-
leum to clean the instrument cluster. Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed, with-
out directing the jet against electronic con-
trol units. Contact a specialised workshop to
have this done.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
Periodically check that water is not trapped
under the mats (due to water dripping off
shoes, umbrellas, etc.) which could cause ox-
idisation of the sheet metal.
Detergents cause water
pollution. Therefore the en-
gine compartment should
be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid
used in the washing process.
IMPORTANTThe vehicle should washed
with the engine cold and the ignition key at
STOP. After washing make sure that the
various protections (e.g. rubber caps and
various covers) have not been damaged or
removed.CLEANING SEATS AND FABRIC
AND VELVET PARTS
– Use a soft brush or vacuum cleaner to
remove dust. Velvet is cleaned better if the
brush is moistened.
– Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral deter-
gent.
Never use inflammable
products like fuel oil ether
or rectified petrol for cleaning inside
the car. The electrostatic charges
generated when rubbing to clean
may cause fire.
WARNING
Do not keep aerosol cans in
the car. They might ex-
plode. Aerosol cans must never be
exposed to a temperature above
50°C. The temperature inside the
car exposed to the sun may go well
beyond that figure.
WARNING 

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSION
270
If no leaks are found the vehicle can be
restarted. Press button (A) to activate the
fuel supply system again.
fig. 22
A0A0318m
CONTROLS
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF
SWITCH
(fig. 22)
This is an automatic safety switch, to be
found on the floor next to the driver’s door
pillar, which is triggered in the event of a
crash of a certain magnitude to interrupt the
flow of fuel.
The cutting in of the inertial switch is shown
on the display of the instrument cluster.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
GLOVEBOX
On the dashboard there is a glovebox with
lid and light. 
To open use handle (A-fig. 20).
When the glovebox is opened with the ig-
nition key at MARa courtesy light inside
is turned on (A-fig. 21).
The fitting is completed by a recess (B) on
the lid for inserting a pen or pencil.
fig. 20
A0A0316m
fig. 21
A0A0317m
If a smell of fuel is noted
following an accident, or
the fuel system is leaking, to avoid
the risk of fire do not reset the
switch.
WARNING
Do not travel with the
glovebox open: the lid could
harm the passenger in the event of
an accident.
WARNING