GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
110fig. 119
A0A9017i
The gearbox can work according to two op-
erating modes:
– the first is semi-automatic (hereinafter
calledMANUAL), in which the driver shifts
gear directly using the lever on the central
console or the levers on the steering wheel
spokes;
– the second is automatic, called CITY
(when selecting CITYwith button B-fig.
117, the word CITYwill be displayed fig.
119). In this mode the system decides di-
rectly when to shift gear. SELESPEED
TRANSMISSION
(on request for versions/markets
where applicable)
IMPORTANTTo be able to use the Se-
lespeed correctly, this chapter should be read
in full to understand the correct, permissible
operations to be carried out right from the
start.
This device comprises a conventional me-
chanical transmission, to which an elec-
tronically-controlled electrohydraulic device
has been added, which automatically con-
trols the clutch and gear engagement.
The clutch pedal has been eliminated and
the car moves off using only the accelerator
pedal.Gearshifting takes place through a floating
control lever (A-fig. 117) with “only one
stable central position”. Using this lever it is
possible to request increase/decrease of the
ratio of the gear engaged and/or engage-
ment of reverse gear (R) or neutral (N).
There are also two levers on the steering
wheel spokes (fig. 118) through which,
only with the car on the move (with speed
above 0,5 km/h), it is possible to in-
crease/decrease the gear engaged.
fig. 117
A0A0697b
fig. 118
A0A0669b
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
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
115
Though strongly inadvisable, if due to un-
foreseen circumstances when driving down-
hill the car is allowed to travel with the gear-
box in neutral (N), when the engagement
of a gear is requested, the system auto-
matically engages the best gear to allow
transmission of the torque to the wheels in
relation to the speed of the car.
When travelling downhill with a gear en-
gaged and the accelerator released (if the
car 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 over-
heating occurs during car starting; in this
case, it is necessary to “force” moving off
avoiding hesitations or to release the accel-
erator and use the brake pedal to park the
car if the car is on a slope.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 pedal are not pressed
for at least 1.5 seconds. IMPORTANT NOTES
– 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, with reverse gear engaged, you need
to engage first gear or vice versa, shift gear
only when the car is completely stationary
and with the brake pedal pressed.
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
119
In the event of whatever
transmission fault, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices as soon as possible to have
the system checked. In the event of a fault to the gearshift lever,
the system automatically activates the au-
tomaticCITYmode to allow the car to
reach the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the fault detected elimi-
nated.
In the event 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).
FAILURE INDICATIONS
Failures to the Selespeed gearbox are in-
dicated on the display by warning light
t
(fig. 127), dedicated message and
buzzer. If the warning light
t
and the message are dis-
played, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as
possible to have the fault elimi-
nated.
fig. 127
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
121
INTERIOR FITTINGS
GLOVEBOX
On the dashboard there is a glovebox with
lid and light.
To open use handle (A-fig. 128).
When the glovebox is opened with the key
atMARan inside courtesy light turns on
(A-fig. 129).
FRONT ROOF LIGHT
(fig. 130)
The roof light comprises two courtesy lights
with corresponding control switch.
IMPORTANTWhen a door is opened,
the roof light turns on and timing of about
3 minutes is activated automatically, after
which it goes off; closing the doors (within
the 3 minutes) a second timing of about 7
seconds is activated to allow car starting.
fig. 128
A0A0108b
fig. 129
A0A0109b
Never travel with the
glovebox open: the lid
might harm the passenger
in the event of an accident.
The fitting is completed by device (B), on
the lid, for inserting a pen or pencil.
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.
fig. 130
A0A0111b
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
127
RADIO
TRANSMITTERS
AND CELLULAR
TELEPHONES
Mobile phones and other radio transceiv-
er equipment (e.g.: HAM radio systems and
the like) shall not be used inside the car un-
less a separate aerial is mounted.
IMPORTANTThe use of mobile phones,
HAM radio systems or other similar devices
inside the passenger compartment (without
separate aerial) may cause electronic sys-
tems equipping the car to malfunction. This
could compromise safety in addition to con-
stituting a potential hazard for the passen-
gers.
In addition, transmission and reception of
these devices may be affected by the shield-
ing effect of the car body.
As concerns the use of mobile phones
(GSM, GPRS, UMTS) with homologa-
tion, keep strictly to the mobile phone man-
ufacturer’s specifications.
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED BY
THE OWNER
If after buying the car, you decide to install
electrical accessories that require a perma-
nent electric supply (alarm, voice feature,
radionavigator with satellite antitheft, etc.)
or accessories that in any case burden the
electric supply, contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Services, whose qualified personnel,
besides suggesting the most suitable devices
belonging to Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo, will
also evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the car electric system is
able to withstand the load required, or
whether it needs to be integrated with a
more powerful battery.
INSTALLATION OF
ELECTRIC/ELECTRONIC
DEVICES
Electric/electronic devices installed after
buying the car or in aftermarket shall bear
the and marking:
Fiat Auto S.p.A. authorizes the installation
of transceivers provided that installation is
carried out at a specialized shop, work-
manlike performed and in compliance with
manufacturer’s specifications.
IMPORTANTInstallation of devices re-
sulting in modifications of car characteristics
may cause driving license seizing by traffic
agents and also the lapse of the warranty
as concerns defects due to the abovemen-
tioned modification or traceable back to it
directly or indirectly.
Fiat Auto S.p.A. declines all responsibility
for damages caused by the installation of
non-genuine accessories or not recom-
mended by Fiat Auto S.p.A. and installed
not in compliance with the specified re-
quirements.