2007 Alfa Romeo GT four wheel drive

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
111
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
IMPORTANTOpening the driver’s door,
the Selespeed starts the hydraulic part of
the system to prepare it for the engine to be
started.
Turning the ignition key to MAR, all the
segments of the display (fig. 119), the
gearbox warning light (fig. 120) and the
wordCITYturn on. After about one second,
the display indicates the gear engaged (N,
1,2,3,4,5,R).
IMPORTANTIf after 10 seconds the dis-
play segment do not display the gear en-
gaged or the warning light stays on, turn the
ignition key to STOPand wait for the dis-
play to go off, then repeat the system acti-
vation procedure. If the fault persists, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. With gearshift to CITYgears can be shift-
ed manually using both the gearshift lever
or the steering wheel controls. Gearshift
stays in CITY.
The gear selected (fig. 119) is always
displayed regardless of the mode being se-
lected selected .
N= neutral;
1= first gear;
2= second gear;
3= third gear;
4= fourth gear;
5= fifth gear;
R= reverse. InCITYorSPORT, the selected mode is
also displayed.
IMPORTANT SPORTmode can only
be activated after deactivating the CITY
mode.
A warning light, a message (fig. 120)
and a buzzer draw the attention of the dri-
ver in the event of a fault at Selespeed trans-
mission.
The Selespeed considerably simplifies use
of the car, reducing the fatigue of city dri-
ving or when frequent gearshifting is re-
quired, at the same time offering brilliant
performance.
fig. 120
A0A9081g

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols car stability, intervening on the driving
torque and braking the wheels in a differ-
entiated 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 system in-
tervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
System is engaged automatically when the
car is started and cannot be switched off.
The basic components of the 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 system is the 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, detects the rotations
of the car around its own vertical axis. The
centrifugal forces generated when the car
is cornering are detected by a highly sensi-
tive lateral acceleration sensor. 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.
System helps the driver to keep the car un-
der control in the event of a loss of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the system to con-
trol the loss of car stability always depend
on the grip between the tyre and the road
surface.

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
177
It is necessary therefore to limit their use
to the purposes for which they are certified.
IMPORTANTWhen winter tyres are
used with a maximum speed index below
the one that can be reached by the car (in-
creased by 5%), place a notice in the pas-
senger’s compartment, plainly in the driver’s
view, which states the maximum permissi-
ble speed of the winter tyres (as per EC Di-
rective).
Fit the same type of tyre on all four wheels
(brand and profile) to ensure higher driving
safety when braking and good handling.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.WINTER TYRES
These tyres are specially designed for dri-
ving on snow and ice, to be fitted in re-
placement of those fitted on the car.
Use winter tyres of the same size as nor-
mal tyres provided on the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services will be
pleased to advise you on the choice of the
tyre most suited to the use the Customer in-
tends to make of it.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and specifications of winter tyres,
follow the instructions given in the “Tech-
nical Specifications” chapter.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread depth
is below 4 mm. In this case, they should be
replaced.
Due to the winter features, under normal
conditions of use or long motorway jour-
neys, the performance of these tyres is low-
er than that of normal tyres.
SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
For 1.8 T. SPARK, 2.0 JTS and 1.9
JTD versions, tyre 195/60 R15 can be
fitted with chains (use snow chains with re-
duced size with max protrusion beyond the
tyre profile of 12 mm). Tyres 205/60 R15
- 205/55 R16 - 205/55 ZR16 - 215/45
R17 - 215/45 ZR17 - 225/40 ZR18 can-
not be fitted with snow chains.
For 3.2
V6version, only use spider type
chains on tyres 215/45 R17” and
215/45 ZR 17”. Tyres 225/45 ZR17 -
225/40 ZR18 cannot be fitted with snow
chains.
Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo provides SPIKES
SPIDER COMPACT chains (model: 17003
compact) with 9 spikes, 16 mm adjustable
length and 17 inch wheel cap adapter.
Snow chains should only be applied to the
drive wheels (front).
Before purchasing or using snow chains,
you are recommended to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
Check the tensions of the chain after the
first few metres have been driven.