GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
60
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY
The reconfigurable multifunction display
is able to display all the useful and neces-
sary information when driving and a menu
allows the following adjustments and/or
settings:
TIME
DATE
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE
INFORMATION ABOUT VEHICLE CONDI-
TION
- Trip computer
- Lighting adjustment (rheostat)
- Display of failure messages with corre-
sponding symbol
- Display of warning messages with cor-
responding symbol (e.g.: possible ice
on road)
- Gear selected, for 2.0 JTS Selespeed
versions
- Engine oil level (JTD versions only)Reconfigurable multifunction
display menu
SPEED
- Activation/deactivation of the corre-
sponding indication (ON/OFF)
- Setting the speed limit
TRIP B
- Activation/deactivation of the corre-
sponding function (ON/OFF)
TIME
- Setting the hours
- Setting the minutes
DATE
- Setting the day
- Setting the month
- Setting the year
DST (SUMMER TIME)
- Activation/deactivation of summer
time
MODE 12/24
- Selecting the clock mode on 12 or 24
hours
RADIO
- Activation/deactivation of the follow-
ing items on the display:
frequency or RDS message of the
radio station selected, compact
disc and corresponding track selectedTELEPHONE
- Activation/deactivation of the follow-
ing items on the display:
incoming or outgoing phone call with
name and/or number of the sub-
scriber connected
NAVIGATION
- Activation/deactivation of the displays
and information concerning the route
to be followed
LANGUAGE
- Setting the language of the messages
shown on the display
UNITS
- Selection of the following units of mea-
sure: km, mi, °C, °F, km/l, l/100km,
mpg
BUZZER
- Buzzer volume adjustment
SERVICE
- Display of information concerning cor-
rect vehicle maintenance, strictly con-
nected with the Scheduled
Maintenance Programme
MENU OFF
- Exits the menu.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
63
If the display shows a failure message, see the details given in the
“Warning lights” chapter; if there are two or more failures, the display
shows them in cycle, one after the other. To eliminate the display of the
message and/or of the warning light repeated on the rev counter
by the reconfigurable multifunction display press button
Q.
INITIAL CHECK
Turning the ignition key to MAR, the reconfigurable multifunction display shows the message CHECK ACTIVE: the diagnostic phase of
all the electronic systems on the car has started; this lasts for about 4 seconds (for JTD versions only, the multifunction reconfigurable dis-
play is also able to show the engine oil level, see the “Engine oil level check” paragraph below). If no faults are detected, when the engine
has started, the display shows the OK message.
IMPORTANT If the reconfigurable multifunction display shows a failure message, see the details given in the “Warning lights” chapter.
Standard screen with
mechanical transmission Only JTD versionsStandard screen with
Selespeed transmission
The Programmed Maintenance
Schedule includes vehicle
maintenance every 20,000
km; this is shown automatical-
ly with the ignition key at
MAR, starting from 2,000
km (or miles) from this dead-
line and it is shown again
every 200 km.
If no failures
are presentIs the
engine
started?YES
NO
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
64
Engine oil level check
(JTD
16Vversions)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
reconfigurable multifunction display shows
the engine oil level for 10 seconds. During
this phase, to clear the display and move
to the next screen, press
Q.
IMPORTANTTo make sure that the
engine oil level displayed is correct, carry
out the check with the vehicle on the level
ground.
(Fig. 84) refers to the correct engine
oil level display. As the oil level gradually
falls, the full bars go off leaving room for
the empty ones.
fig. 84
A0A9101g
fig. 85
A0A9102g
fig. 86
A0A9103g
(Fig. 85) refers to the display with an
oil level below the foreseen minimum. In
this condition the bars are all empty.
IMPORTANTIn this case the correct
engine oil level should be restored as soon
as possible, see “Checking levels” in the
“Vehicle Maintenance” chapter. (Fig. 86) refers to the display with an
oil level above the foreseen maximum. In
this condition the bars are all full.
IMPORTANTIn this case, contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services who will
restore the correct engine oil level.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
93
Warning
light on dialMessage
on display
INERTIAL FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH
The message on the display is shown when the inertial fuel cut-off switch is triggered, on some
versions together with the warning light.
If after the display of the message the smell of fuel or leaks from the
supply system are noted, do not re-engage the switch to avoid the risk
of fire.
ENGINE OIL SENSOR FAILURE
The message is shown by the reconfigurable multifunction display when there is a failure to the
engine oil level sensor. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services as soon as possible to have the
fault eliminated.
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.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
248
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure if necessary
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard warning
lights, boot, passenger compartment, glovebox lights, warning lights, etc..)
Check operation of windscreen washer system, adjust spray jets
Check position/wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check operation of front disk brake pad wear indicator
Check wear conditions of rear disk brake pads
Sight check the conditions of: body exterior, underbody protection, stiff pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts
(boots - sleeves - bushes etc..)
Check for bonnet and boot lock cleanness, lever cleanness and lubrication
Sight check for accessory drive belt conditions
Check handbrake lever stroke adjustment
Check antievaporation system (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (petrol versions)
Change air cleaner cartridge (JTD versions)
Top up fluid levels (engine coolant, brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc..)
Check and if necessary top up the Selespeed automatic transmission oil level
(2.0 JTS versions)
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VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
249
20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180Thousands of km
(*) Or every 3 years for harsh conditions (cold climates, city driving or prolonged lengths of time at idle speed, dusty roads or roads covered with sand and/or salt).
Or every 5 years, regardless of mileage.
Sight check for conditions of timing gear drive toothed belt
Change counter-rotating shaft drive belt
Change timing gear drive belt (*)
Change accessory poly-V drive belt
Change spark plugs
Check operation of engine control system (through diagnosis socket)
Check mechanical transmission oil level
Change engine oil and engine oil filter
Change brake fluid (or every 2 years)
Change fuel filter (JTD versions)
Change pollen filter (or every year)
Check emissions/smoke at the exhaust (JTD versions)
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
250
ADDITIONAL
OPERATIONS
Every 1000 kmor before long jour-
neys, check and if necessary top up:
– engine coolant fluid level
– brake/hydraulic clutch control fluid
level
– power steering fluid level
– windscreen and headlamp washer
fluid level
– tyre pressure and conditions.
Every 3000 kmcheck and if necessary
top up the engine oil level.
The use of FL Seleniaproducts is rec-
ommended which have been designed
and made expressly for Alfa Romeo cars
(see “Refuelling” in the “Technical
Specifications” chapter).
ANNUAL INSPECTION
PROGRAMME
For cars with an annual mileage
of below 20,000 km (for exam-
ple about 10,000 km) the follow-
ing yearly inspection programme
is advised:
– Check tyre conditions/wear and if
necessary adjust the pressure (including
spare wheel)
– Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger compart-
ment, glovebox lights, warning lights,
etc.)
– Check operation of windscreen wiper
system, spray jet adjustment
– Check position/wear of windscreen
– Check front disk brake pad conditions
and wear– Sight check for conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes (exhaust -
fuel supply - brakes), rubber parts (boots
- sleeves - bushes etc..), brake and fuel
supply system hoses
– Check for bonnet and boot lock clean-
ness, lever cleanness and lubrication
– Check battery charge
– Sight check for conditions of various
drive belts
– Check and if necessary top up fluid
levels (engine coolant, brakes, wind-
screen washer, battery etc. )
– Change engine oil and engine oil filter
– Change pollen filter.