2006 Alfa Romeo GT display

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
133
OPERATION
The gearbox can work in two operating
modes:
– the first is semiautomatic (MANUAL),
in which the driver directly decides when to
shift gear; this mode is based on two logics:
1) normal: comfortable driving;
2) sports (mode selectable with button B-
fig. 126): sports driving.
The sports mode can be selected by press-
ing the specific button SPORT(B-fig.
126) on the gearbox lever knob; when this
mode is selected, the SPORTsign appears
on the display.
– the second is completely automatic
(CITY), in which the system decides di-
rectly when to shift gear according to the
type of driving.
TheCITYmode can be selected by press-
ing the specific button CITYon the gearbox
lever knob; when this mode is selected, the
CITY sign appears on the display. When travelling downhill with a gear en-
gaged and the accelerator released (if the
vehicle is moving), beyond a pre-established
speed, the system engages the clutch au-
tomatically to give the car adequate engine
braking.
For safety reasons the Selespeed system
activates the buzzer when:
– clutch overheating occurs while the ve-
hicle is being started; in this case it is nec-
essary to “force” starting avoiding hesita-
tion or, if the car is on a slope, release the
accelerator and use the brake pedal to stop
the car;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged, (e.g.: it moves for-
wards with reverse gear engaged); in this
situation it is necessary to stop the car and
engage the correct gear, keeping the brake
pedal pressed.
Still due to safety reasons, with the car sta-
tionary, the engine running and gear (1),
(2) or (R) engaged, the system activates
the buzzer and automatically shifts to neu-
tral (N) when:
– no action is made on the accelerator
and/or brake pedals for at least 3 minutes;
– the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;– the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake are not touched for at
least 1 second.
STOPPING THE CAR
To stop the car, simply release the accel-
erator pedal and, if necessary, press the
brake pedal.
Regardless of the gear engaged and the
operating mode activated (MANUALor
CITY) the system automatically disengages
the clutch and shifts to a lower gear.
If deciding to move off again without hav-
ing stopped the car completely, the most
suitable ratio will be available for accelera-
tor again.
Stopping the car the system automatical-
ly engages first gear (1).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
135
With the accelerator pedal pressed to over
60% of its stroke and an engine speed
above 5000 rpm, gearshifting becomes
quicker. In the MANUALoperating mode
there are certain automatic/security devices
which simplify driving:
– At slowing down the clutch is disen-
gaged and the automatic reduction of the
gearbox ratio is carried out to be ready for
the possible gear recovery; on the contrary,
when the vehicle stops the gearbox will au-
tomatically engage the first gear (1);
– requests to change gear that would take
the engine to above maximum speed or be-
low minimum speed are not accepted;AUTOMATIC OPERATION (CITY)
The automatic operating mode CITYis se-
lected pressing button (A-fig. 128), at
the base of the gearshift lever or activating
the Cruise Control system (where fitted).
In addition to the gear, the display shows
the word CITY.
The system decides directly when gearshift-
ing according to the engine running speed
and the driving style.
Releasing the accelerator pedal quickly, the
system does not engage a higher gear in or-
der to maintain an adequate level of engine
brake.
fig. 128
A0A0701b
– if jamming occurs during gear engage-
ment, the system firstly tries to engage the
gear required again and, if it is still not pos-
sible, it automatically engages the imme-
diately higher one to avoid leaving the car
in neutral.
IMPORTANTIt is advisable to wait for
the end of a gear shifting operation before
requesting another one, to avoid multiple
requests in rapid succession.

In the event of a gearbox
fault to any component,
contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Services as soon as possible
to have the system checked over.In the case of a fault to the gearshift con-
trol lever, the system automatically engages
the automatic operating mode CITYto
make it possible to reach the nearest Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service to have the fault
eliminated.
In the case of a fault to the other gear-
box components, the system only allows the
engagement of certain gears: first gear (1),
second gear (2) and reverse (R).
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
FAILURE WARNING
Failures of the Selespeed gearbox are
shown on the display by the warning light
t(fig. 129) associated with a mes-
sage and a buzzer. If warning light
tand
the message appear on the
display, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services as soon
as possible to have the fault elim-
inated.
fig. 129
A0A9081g

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
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

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
153
ed by a highly sensitive lateral acceleration
sensor.
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 each wheel. These signals
allow 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 is
able to know the position of the car instant
by instant and compares it with the course
the driver 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 VDC system considerably en-
hances 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.For the VDC system to
work correctly, the tyres
must be of the same brand
and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and above all of the
specified type, brand and size.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 an 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.During use of the compact
spare wheel, the VDC sys-
tem continues working. It
should be borne in mind that the
spare wheel is smaller than a nor-
mal tyre, therefore its grip is low-
er than that of the other tyres of
the car.