GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
108
HAND BRAKE (fig. 94)
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 MARthe
warning light on the instrument cluster
x
will come on.
fig. 94
A0A0490m
The display (B), in the tachometer shows
the positions during adjustment.
For correct adjustment, bear in mind the
following conditions:
– position 0: one or two people occupy-
ing 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. 93
A0A0467m
HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
(fig. 93)(excluding versions
with Xenon headlights)
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 (eg.: 0
➟1➟ 2
➟3);
– press the arrow on the button (
S), to
lower by one position (eg.: 3
➟2➟1
➟0).
Adjust the beams every time
the load carried changes.
WARNING
The wheels should be
locked after a few clicks of
the hand brake. If this does not oc-
cur contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
services to have the hand brake
adjusted.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
109
To release the hand brake:
– slightly lift the lever (A) and press the
release button (B);
– keeping the button pressed lower the
lever, the warning light
xon the instru-
ment cluster will go out.
To prevent the car from moving acciden-
tally, keep the brake pedal pressed when
engaging the hand brake.
IMPORTANTThe hand brake lever (A)
is fitted with a safety device which prevents
the brake from being released when, with
the lever pulled, button (B) is pressed.
Therefore, to release the brake, in addition
to pressing button (B) it is also necessary
to pull lever (A) further upwards to release
the safety device, then lower the lever com-
pletely.
IMPORTANTOn certain versions a
buzzer sounds to alert the driver if the car
is moved with the hand brake engaged.
GEARSHIFT LEVER (fig. 95)
The position of the single gears is shown
by the pictogram on the gearshift lever
knob.
When shifting gear, always fully depress
the clutch pedal. Before engaging reverse
gear (R) wait for the car to be stationary.
For versions fitted with six speed gearbox,
to engage reverse gear (R), raise the ring
under the grip (with the fingers of the same
hand holding the lever).
After engaging reverse gear, release the
ring. It is not necessary to raise the ring on
the lever when shifting from reverse to an-
other gear.
fig. 95
A0A0410m
To change gear smoothly,
the clutch pedal must be
fully depressed. Therefore, there
should be no obstacles on the floor
under the pedal unit: make sure
that any mats are well laid and do
not interfere with the pedals.
WARNING
IMPORTANTReverse gear may only be
engaged with the car completely at a stand-
still. With the engine running, before en-
gaging reverse gear it is necessary to wait
for at least 3 seconds with the clutch pedal
fully depressed to prevent clashing and the
possibility of damaging the gears.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
111fig. 99
A0A9017g
fig. 100
A0A9081g
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. 99) is always sig-
nalled 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;
6= sixth gear
R= reverse.Failures of the Selespeed gearbox are sig-
nalled to the driver through a warning light
(
t) connected with the associated fail-
ure message (fig. 100) and accompanied
by an acoustic signal.
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 switch to MAR, af-
ter about one second, the reconfigurable
multifunction display shows the gear en-
gaged (N,1,2,3,4,5,6,R); from this
moment onwards, the Selespeed system ac-
cepts gearshift commands.
IMPORTANTIf after 10 seconds the re-
configurable display does not show the gear
engaged or the warning light
t(togeth-
er with the message shown by the display)
stays on, turn the ignition key to STOPand
wait for the display to turn off, then repeat
system switch on. If the fault persists, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
113
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.
IMPORTANTIf the brake pedal is not
depressed, the starter motor will not turn,
thus preventing the engine from being start-
ed.
After starting, the gearbox sets to neutral
automatically, the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display shows the letter (N) and the
system selects the semiautomatic operating
mode (manual).
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 moved to STOP, the hy-
draulic part is deactivated and the reconfig-
urable multifunction display is turned off im-
mediately afterwards; at this point is the Se-
lespeed system 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).
IMPORTANTIf the engine is stopped
with the CITYmode engaged, this will be
stored by the system. Indeed, the next time
the engine is started, this condition will still
be active.IMPORTANTShould the engine go off
with the car on the move, the next time it
is started the Alfa Romeo CODE warning
light (Y) may come on. In this case check
that the warning light goes off turning the
engine off and on again with the vehicle sta-
tionary. If not contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
NEVER leave the car with
the gears in neutral (N).
WARNING
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 auto-
matically the first time it is turned.
WARNING
If the engine fails to start
with the gear engaged, the
driver is informed of the potential-
ly dangerous situation due to the
fact that the gearbox is in neutral
by the buzzer and by the reconfig-
urable multifunction display.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
117
In the “MANUAL” operating mode there
are certain automatic/security devices which
simplify driving:
– when slowing down the clutch is opened
and the transmission ratio is automatically
reduced to be ready for picking up again;
otherwise, when the car is stopped, the
gearbox will automatically be in firstgear
(1);
– requests to change gear that would take
the engine to above maximum speed or be-
low minimum speed are not accepted;
– 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
inneutral.
IMPORTANTIt is advisable to wait for
the end of a gear shifting operation before
requesting another one, to avoid multiple
requests in rapid succession.AUTOMATIC OPERATION (CITY)
The automatic operating mode CITYis se-
lected pressing button (A-fig. 106) at the
base of the gearshift lever.
In addition to the gear, the reconfigurable
multifunction display shows the word CITY
(fig. 99).
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.
FAILURE WARNING
Failures of the Selespeed gearbox are shown
by the
twarning light (fig. 100) con-
nected with the associated failure message,
both shown on the display.
When the system is turned on (turning the
ignition key to MAR), the warning light
should turn on glowing steadily for about
4 seconds and then turn off.If the warning light stays on it means that
a fault to the gearbox has been detected; at
the same time a buzzer sounds intermit-
tently for 4 seconds to attract the driver's
attention.
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 other gearbox com-
ponents, the system only allows the en-
gagement of certain gears: first gear (1),
second gear (2) and reverse (R).
If warning light tand
the message appear on the
display, contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Services as soon as pos-
sible to have the fault eliminated.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
119
INTERIOR FITTINGS
GLOVEBOX
On the dashboard there is a glovebox with
lid and light.
To open use handle (A-fig. 107).
When the glovebox is opened with the key
atMARan inside courtesy light turns on
(A-fig. 108).
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.
GRAB HANDLES (fig. 109)
Suitable grab handles are fitted above the
doors and rear side windows.
fig. 107
A0A0108m
fig. 108
A0A0109m
fig. 109
A0A0110m
The fitting is completed by device (B), on
the lid, for inserting a pen or pencil.
Never travel with the
glovebox open: the lid
might harm the passenger in the
event of an accident.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
123
REAR ASHTRAYS (fig. 116)
For the rear passengers there are two con-
cealed ashtrays.
To use or remove pull in the direction of
the arrow.
CD COMPARTMENT
(fig. 117)(for versions/
markets where applicable)
To open the CD compartment, press it as
shown by the arrow.
CARD HOLDER RECESS AND
GLASS HOLDER
(fig. 117/a)
(for versions/markets where
applicable)
The interior fittings are completed by the
removable card holder recess(A) and glass
holder (B) located at the centre of the dash-
board. To use them, press as shown.
fig. 116
A0A0434m
Always ensure that the
cigar lighter has turned off.
fig. 117/a
A0A0116mfig. 117
A0A0515m
Do not use the ashtray as
waste paper basket: it
might set on fire in contact with
cigarette stubs.
WARNING
The cigar lighter gets ex-
tremely hot. Handle with
care and prevent its use by chil-
dren: danger of fire and/or burn-
ing.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
132fig. 135
A0A0199m
For correct adjustment, bear in mind the
following conditions:
– position 0: one or two people occupy-
ing 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 compartmentCOMPENSATION FOR TILT
(fig. 134)(excluding versions
with Xenon headlights)
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), this
will increase by one position (eg.: 0
➟1
➟ 2➟3);
– press the arrow on the button (
S), this
will lower by one position (eg.: 3
➟2➟
1➟0);
The display (B), in the tachometer shows
the positions while adjustment is being
made.
fig. 134
A0A0467m
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.
IMPORTANTOn the inside surface of
the headlight there could appear a slight
coat of fogging; this does not show a defect,
since it is a natural occurrence due to low
temperature and to the degree of humidity
in the air; it will soon disappear as soon as
the lights are turned on. The presence of
drops inside the headlight shows water seep-
age, refer to the Alfa Romeo Dealership.
Check beam aiming every
time the load carried
changes.
WARNING