2008 Alfa Romeo GT steering

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
112
If the car is on the move, the request is
not accepted; wait for the car to stop and
then request reverse gear engagement
again.
IMPORTANTOnce a gear has been
changed it is necessary to immediately re-
lease the gearshift control lever after mak-
ing the request. A manoeuvre prolonged
(over 10 seconds) makes the system au-
tomatically switch to CITYmode; every-
thing stops releasing the gearshift lever.
IMPORTANTIf wanting to leave the car
parked on a sloping road with a gear en-
gaged to keep it braked, it is necessary to
check that the display shows the new gear
engaged and then wait for 1 to 2 seconds
before releasing the brake pedal to allow
complete clutch engagement.
fig. 123
A0A0700b
OPERATION WITH ENGINE OFF
IMPORTANTBefore using the gearshift
control lever, always check the gear en-
gaged on the display (N,1,2,3,4,5,
R).
With the engine off and the car station-
ary it is possible to engage all the gears.
With the car stationary and with the brake
pedal pressed, requests to shift gears are
both accepted through the control lever on
the central console or through the steering
wheel levers.
To request gearshifting, in addition to keep-
ing the brake pedal pressed:
– to shift upwards (+) (fig. 121) push
the lever “forwards” (if the car is in first gear
it shifts to second, if in second it shifts to
third and so on up to fifth). If the system
is in neutral (N) or reverse (R) moving thelever forwards causes the engagement of
first gear (1).
– to shift downwards (–) (fig. 121)
push the lever backwards (if the car is in
fifth gear it shifts to fourth, if in fourth it
shifts to third and so on down to first gear).
To allow setting the transmission to neu-
tral (N), starting from the condition with
the car stationary and brake pedal pressed,
move the gearshift lever to the right (fig.
122).
From any gear (N,1,2,3,4,5) and
with the car practically at a standstill, it is
possible to request engagement of reverse
gear, pushing the lever to the right and then
backwards (fig. 123).
fig. 121
A0A0698b
fig. 122
A0A0699b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
113
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 with the gear
engaged or in neutral (N), provided that the
brake pedal is pressed down.
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 alerted of the po-
tentially dangerous situation due
to the fact that the gearbox has
automatically set to neutral by the
buzzer and the display.
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
AND SYSTEM DEACTIVATION
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe en-
gine switches off: the gear selected before
turning the engine off remains engaged.
If the engine stops with the gearbox in
neutral (N), the buzzer and the blinking
of (N) draw the attention of the driver so
that the car can be put in safety conditions
engaging the first gear (1) or reverse (R).
In this case, it is necessary to turn the igni-
tion key to MARand with the brake ped-
al 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 con-
sequently deactivating the
Selespeed system keeping the brake
pedal pressed: release the pedal
ONLY when the display goes off.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
114
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the intermittent sound
of the buzzer as well as by the display.
IMPORTANTIf while shifting from re-
verse (R)/first gear (1) or neutral (N)/
first gear (1) sticking occurs on the first
gear, the system automatically engages sec-
ond gear (2).
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. After a request to shift
gear with the car station-
ary, before pressing the ac-
celerator pedal to make the car
start, the driver must always check
that the gear engaged shown on
the display is the one required. MOVING OFF THE CAR
With the engine running and the car sta-
tionary, the gears that can be engaged for
moving off are only first (1), second (2) or
reverse (R).
To engage them it is possible to use the
control lever on the centre console, with the
brake pedal pressed, as the steering wheel
levers allow gear engagement only over 0.5
km/h.
IMPORTANTReverse gear (R) can be
engaged from each of the following other
ratios: neutral (N), first gear (1) or second
gear (2). If the car is on the move, the re-
quest is not accepted; it is necessary to wait
for the car to be completely stopped and
then request reverse (R) again. Moving off the car is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually pressing the accelerator ped-
al.
The more the accelerator pedal is pressed
the higher the car pick-up torque will be.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
117
SEMIAUTOMATIC OPERATION
(MANUAL)
In the MANUALoperating 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. 124);
– the buttons on the steering wheel (fig.
125), 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. 126) is pressed
again, thereby cutting out the previously se-
lected 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 new gear
ratio engaged.
When downshifting, the engine is accel-
erated automatically to bring it to the speed
necessary with the new gear ratio.
Neutral (N) is accepted until the car speed
exceeds 40 km/h.
The reverse gear engagement command
(R) is accepted only if the car is station-
ary.
fig. 125
A0A0669b
fig. 124
A0A0702b

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.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
137
The stabilising action of the 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 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 system is indicated by
the flashing of the áwarning light on the
instrument cluster, to inform the driver that
the car is in critical conditions of stability and
grip.
VDC system failure warning
In the event of a failure the system dis-
engages automatically and the
áwarning
light on the instrument cluster turns on glow-
ing steadily, together with the message on
the reconfigurable multifunction display.
In the event of an system failure the car
behaves like a car not fitted with this sys-
tem: in any case it is advisable to contact
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.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
148
STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS
(where provided)
fig. 153A0A1114b
Button FUNCTION Mode
z
+
–
SRC
ô
ó
Audio Mute on/off
(with sound system on)
Volume up
Volume down
Radio frequency
(FM1, FM2, FMT, MW, LW) and audio source
(Radio - CD - MP3 - CD Changer) selection button
Radio: recall preset stations (1 to 6)
MP3: select next directory
CD Changer: select next CD in the CD Changer
Radio: recall preset stations (6 to 1)
MP3: select previous directory
CD Changer: select previous CD in the CD ChangerBrief button pressing
Press button
Press button
Press button
Press button
Press button

CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
171
Never push, tow or coast
start the car. This could
cause fuel to flow into the
catalyst damaging it irreversibly.
Remember that the en-
gine brake and power
steering are not opera-
tional until the engine is started,
therefore, much greater effort than
usual is needed on the brake ped-
al and steering wheel. For cars with turbocharg-
er in particular, but for all
cars in general, sharp ac-
celerating should be avoided before
switching the engine off.
A “kick” on the accelerator
serves no purpose, consumes fuel
pointlessly and may cause serious
damage to the turbocharger im-
peller bearings.
EMERGENCY STARTING
If the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (warning light
Yon the instru-
ment cluster glowing on steadily) emer-
gency starting may be carried out using the
code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
IMPORTANTIf the engine turns off with
the car on the move, the next time it is start-
ed, the Alfa Romeo CODE warning light may
turn on(
Y). In this case, check that switch-
ing off and starting the engine again with
the car stationary, the warning light stays
off. If not, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOPpo-
sition and switch off the engine.
IMPORTANTAfter a tiring journey it is
advisable to let the engine “get its breath
back” allowing it to idle a while to lower the
temperature in the engine compartment.