2006 Alfa Romeo GT steering

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
83
DIMMER
With this function it is possible to adjust the lighting (dimming/brightening) of the instrument cluster, mileage recorder (total, trip meter),
headlamp aiming display, radio display, radio navigator display and two-zone climate control.
Partial lighting
Keeping the
ãbutton pressed (on the plate at the side of the steering column) for more than 4 seconds, the instrument cluster light-
ing is turned off with the exception of the speedometer.
Keeping the
âbutton pressed (on the plate at the side of the steering column) for more than 4 seconds, the complete instrument clus-
ter lighting is turned on again.
Standard screen
with mechanical
transmission
Standard screen with
Selespeed transmission
Return to
standard screen
IMPORTANT
When the outer lights are switched on, dimming of the brightness
can be perceived. In the event of any faults, lighting adjustment
(rheostat) is not possible and the display is
shown at its maximum brightness.
QR
â
ã
â
ãâ
ã
See
INITIAL CHECK

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
126
The adjustment of Xenon headlights is au-
tomatic, therefore the versions fitted with
this optional lack the headlight aiming de-
vice (fig. 116a).
HAND BRAKE(fig. 117)
The hand brake lever is located between
the two front seats.
To operate the brake when the vehicle is
stationary, pull lever (A) upwards, until the
required braking action is obtained.
When the ignition key is at MAR, the
warning light on the instrument cluster
x
will come on.
fig. 117
A0A0620b
fig. 116a versions with Xenon headlights
A0A0677b
Adjust the beams every
time the load carried
changes.
For correct adjustment, bear in mind the
following conditions:
– position 0: one or two people occupy-
ing the the front seats
– position 1: five people;
– position 2: five people + load in the
boot;
– position 3: driver + maximum permis-
sible load all stowed in lug-
gage compartment
fig. 116 versions without Xenon headlights
A0A0093b
HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
(fig. 116)
The headlights should be aimed correctly
depending on the vehicle load.
To do this, use the rocker button (A), on
the plate at the side of the steering column:
– press the arrow on the button (
A), to
increase by one position (e.g.:0
➟1➟2➟
3);
– press the arrow on the button (
S), to lower
by one position (e.g.:3
➟2➟1➟0);
The display (B) in the tachometer shows the
positions during adjustment.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
128
The gearbox can work in two operating
modes:
– the first is semiautomatic(then called
MANUAL), in which the driver directly re-
quests gearshifting through the lever on the
centre console or pressing the buttons at the
steering wheel;
– the second is automatic, calledCITY
(mode selectable with the specific button
B-fig. 119, the CITYsign appears on the
displayfig. 121), in which the system de-
cides directly when to shift gear.SELESPEED
TRANSMISSION
(on request for versions/markets
where applicable)
IMPORTANTTo be able to use the Se-
lespeed correctly, this chapter should be read
in full to understand the correct, permissible
operations to be carried out right from the
start.
This device comprises a conventional me-
chanical gearbox to which an electronical-
ly-operated electro-hydraulic device has been
added which automatically controls the
clutch and gear engagement.
The clutch pedal has been eliminated and
the vehicle moves off using only the accel-
erator pedal.Gearshifting takes place through the con-
trol lever (A-fig. 119) which is of the
floating type with a “single central stable
position”. Using the lever it is possible to re-
quest an increase/decrease of the gear ra-
tio engaged and/or reverse gear engage-
ment (R) or neutral (N).
There are also two buttons on the steering
wheel spokes (fig. 120) through which,
only with the car on the move (with speed
above 0.5 km/h), it is possible to shift gear
up or down.
fig. 119
A0A0697b
fig. 120
A0A0669b

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
132
This should not be considered a failure be-
cause it is part of the operating logic. For
the same reason, if sticking occurs on re-
verse gear, the system controls partial clutch
closing so that the gear can be engaged;
in this case the engagement of reverse gear
(R) will not be as smooth as usual.
Moving off the car is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually pressing the accelerator pedal.
The more the accelerator is pressed the
higher the pickup torque.
After a request to shift
gear with the car station-
ary, before pressing the ac-
celerator pedal to make the car
move, the driver must always
check the display to see that the
gear engaged is the one required.MOVING OFF THE CAR
With the engine on and the car stationary,
the gears that can be engaged for moving
off are only first (1), second (2) or reverse
(R).
To engage them, keep the brake pedal de-
pressed and operate only the control lever
on the central console, as the steering wheel
levers make it possible to engage the gears
only at speed over 0.5 km/h.
IMPORTANTReverse gear (R) can be
engaged from any of the following other ra-
tios: neutral (N), first (1) or second (2).
If the car is moving, the request is not ac-
cepted, it is necessary to wait for the car
to stop completely and request the en-
gagement of reverse again (R).
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the display and by the
intermittent sound of a buzzer.
IMPORTANTIf when shifting from re-
verse (R)/first (1) or neutral (N)/first (1)
sticking occurs on first gear, the system au-
tomatically engages second gear (2).IMPORTANTS
– With the car stopped and a gear en-
gaged always keep the brake pedal pressed
until deciding to move off;
– during prolonged halts with the engine
running it is advisable to keep the gearbox
in neutral;
– when the car is parked facing uphill, do
not use the moving off manoeuvre to keep
the car still; use the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal only when deciding to
move off;
– use second gear only when more con-
trol is needed for moving off manoeuvres at
low speed;
– if, in reverse gear, first gear is engaged
or vice versa, shift gear only when the car
is stopped completely and with the brake
pedal pressed.
Though highly unadvisable, if when trav-
elling downhill for some unexpected reason
the car is set to neutral (N), when the en-
gagement of a gear is requested the system
automatically engages the best gear in re-
lation to the speed of the car to allow the
correct transmission of torque to the wheels.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
134
SEMIAUTOMATIC OPERATION
(MANUAL)
In the MANUAL operating mode, the dis-
play shows the gear engaged.
In this operating mode, the decision to
change gear is left to the driver who decides
the most appropriate moment.The requests to change gear may take
place through:
– the control lever on the centre console
(A-fig. 126);
– the buttons on the steering wheel
(fig. 127), which can be operated only
when the car speed exceeds 0.5 km/h.
TheMANUALoperating mode is set
when, with the CITYmode selected, the
CITYbutton(A-fig. 128) is pressed
again, excluding the previously selected
mode.When changing gear it is not necessary
to release the accelerator pedal because the
Selespeed system directly controls the en-
gine in such a way as to:
– reduce and then increase engine torque;
– adapt the engine speed to the latest
gear engaged.
When downshifting, the engine is accel-
erated automatically to bring it to the speed
necessary with the new gear ratio.
The neutral command (N) is accepted un-
til the vehicle speed exceeds 20 km/h.
The reverse gear engagement command
(R) is accepted only if the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
fig. 127
A0A0669b
fig. 126
A0A0702b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
148
Scarves, ties and other
loose clothing might be
pulled by moving parts.
For safety reasons the
bonnet shall always be
perfectly closed when trav-
elling. Always check for proper
bonnet locking. If the bonnet is left
inadvertently open, stop the car
immediately and close the bonnet.
To close:
– lower the bonnet until approx. 20 cm
from the engine compartment and then let
it drop, ensuring it is fully closed and not just
held in position by the safety catch.
If the bonnet does not close properly do
not push it down but open it again and re-
peat the above procedure.
HEADLIGHTS
The adjustment of the headlights is vital to
your safety and comfort and to that of oth-
er road users.
The adjustment of the headlights is also
governed by precise regulations.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to
have the headlights correctly adjusted.
IMPORTANTThe headlight inner sur-
face may get slightly misted: this does not
mean it is faulty; it is a natural phenome-
non due to low temperature and the air hu-
midity level. Misting will disappear as soon
as the headlights are turned on. The pres-
ence of water drops inside the headlight in-
dicates water infiltration: contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
COMPENSATION FOR TILT
(fig. 150)
When the vehicle is loaded, the beam from
the headlights is raised due to the back-
wards tilt of the vehicle.
In this case the headlights must be ad-
justed correctly.
To do this, use the rocker button (A), on
the plate at the side of the steering column:
– press the arrow on the button (
A), to
increase by one position (e.g.:0
➟1➟2➟
3);
– press the arrow on the button (
S), this will low-
er by one position (e.g.:3
➟2➟1➟0);
The display (B) in the tachometer shows
the positions while adjustment is being ma
fig. 150
A0A0093b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
152
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(upon request for
versions/markets where
provided)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols vehicle stability, intervening on the dri-
ving torque and braking the wheels in a dif-
ferentiated manner, in the lack of grip, it
helps to bring the car back to the correct
direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip.When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
intervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
The VDC system is engaged automatical-
ly when the car is started and cannot be
switched off.
The basic components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheels;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit, which with the data supplied
by the sensors installed on the car calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor, which
originates from the aeronautical industry, de-
tects the rotations of the car around its own
vertical axis. The centrifugal forces gener-
ated when the car is cornering are detect- The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case always be
adapted to the conditions of the
road surface, visibility and traffic.
The responsibility for road safety
is always and in any case the dri-
ver’s.
The VDC system helps the driver to keep
the car under control in the event of a loss
of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the VDC system to
control the loss of vehicle stability always
depend on the grip between the tyre and
the road surface.