GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
106
CONTROLS
TAILGATE OPENING (fig. 112)
Electric tailgate release is only allowed with
the ignition key in the ignition switch at
MARcar stationary, at STOPorPARK
for 3 minutes without opening/closing a
door. To release the tailgate, press button
(A) on the central console panel.
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS
(fig. 112)
They are switched on by pressing button
(C), on the central console panel, regard-
less of the position of the ignition key.
When the hazard lights are switched on,
the switch itself begins to flash together with
the direction indicators and warning lights
on the instrument panel. This function is
switched off by pressing the button again. Use of the hazard lights is
ruled by the Highway Code
of the country in which the
car is used. Observe regulations.
FOG LIGHTS (fig. 112)
These are turned on pressing button (B),
on the centre console panel, when the out-
er lights are already on, at the same time
the led on the button itself turns on.
Press button (B) again to switch off.
IMPORTANTThe front foglights should
be used in compliance with the local traffic
laws.
fig. 112
A0A0091b
REAR FOG GUARDS (fig. 112)
These are turned on, with the dipped beam
headlights or fog lights on, pressing button
(D) on the centre console panel, at the
same time the warning light on the button
itself turns on.
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe fog
guards are automatically turned off and they
do not come on the next time the engine
is started unless button (D) is pressed. To
turn them off press button (D).
IMPORTANTAlways use the rear fog
guards in compliance with local regulations.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
108
The wheels should be
locked after a few clicks of
the hand brake. If it does
not occur contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Services to have the hand
brake adjusted.
HAND BRAKE (fig. 115)
The hand brake lever is located between
the two front seats.
To operate the brake when the car is sta-
tionary, pull lever (A) upwards, until the re-
quired braking action is obtained.
When the ignition key is at MAR, the
warning light on the instrument cluster
x
will come on.
fig. 115
A0A0620b
Adjust the beams every
time the load carried
changes.
Correct positions as a function of the load:
– 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 + 350 Kg load all
stowed in luggage com-
partment
fig. 114
A0A1106b
HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
(fig. 114)
The headlights should be aimed correctly
depending on the car load.
For the required adjustment (only possible
with low beams on), press buttons
▲/▼:
– press button
▲, to increase by one po-
sition (e.g.: 0
➟1➟ 2➟3);
– press button
▼to decrease by one po-
sition (e.g.: 3
➟2➟1➟0);
The display (A), in the tachometer shows
positions during adjustment.
Xenon headlights aiming is automatic, ver-
sions with this optional are therefore not fit-
ted with headlight aiming device.
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. 116)
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.
Certain versions are equipped with 6-speed
gearbox. For the versions with 6 gears, to
engage reverse (R) lift (with the fingers
of the same hand holding the lever) the ring
(A-fig. 116) positioned under the lever.
After engaging the reverse, release the ring.
To change from reverse to another gear, it
is not necessary to lift the ring on the lever.
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. 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.
fig. 116
A0A0684b
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
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
A0A9081g
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
120
PARKING THE CAR
To park the car safely it is absolutely nec-
essary to engage first gear (1) or reverse
(R) and also the handbrake if the road is
on a slope.
Turning the engine off with the car facing
uphill and a gear engaged, it is absolutely
necessary to wait for the gear display to go
off before releasing the brake pedal, so that
the clutch is fully disengaged.
If the gearbox is in neutral (N) and want-
ing to engage a parking gear, the system
should be activated and with the foot on the
brake pedal it is necessary to engage (1)
or (R).
TOWING THE CAR
IMPORTANTFor towing the car, adhere
to local regulations. Make sure that the gear-
box is in neutral (N) (checking that the car
moves when pushed) and proceed as for
towing a normal car with mechanical gear-
box following the instructions given in sec-
tion “In an emergency”.
If setting to neutral is not possible, do not
tow the car and contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.
While towing the car do
not start the engine.
BUZZER WARNINGS
The buzzer is activated when:
– reverse gear is engaged (R);
– the car is parked with the gearbox in
neutral (N); signal that can be noted turn-
ing the ignition key to STOP;
– clutch overheating occurs when moving
off;
– the system has shifted automatically
to neutral (N) when:
there is no action on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 minutes;
or the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;
or the driver’s door is opened and no ac-
tion is made on the accelerator and brake
for at least 1.5 seconds;
or detection of a gearbox fault;
– gearbox fault.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
128
OPENING FROM INSIDE
(fig. 141)
Tailgate is released electrically and this can
be performed only when the ignition key
is in position MARwith car at a standstill
or in STOPorPARKposition for 3 min-
utes without unlocking/locking one of the
doors.
To unlock the tailgate, press button (A)
on the centre console panel.
Tailgate raising is facilitated by the gas
shock springs.
OPENING WITH REMOTE
CONTROL
(fig. 142)
The tailgate can be opened by remote con-
trol from outside pressing the button (A),
also when the electronic alarm is engaged.
Opening of the tailgate is accompanied by
a double flash of the direction indicators;
closing is accompanied by a single flash.
If an electronic alarm is fitted, with the
opening of the tailgate, the alarm system
switches off volumetric protection and the
tailgate control sensor, the system “beeps”
twice (with the exception of certain mar-
kets).
fig. 141
A0A0129b
BOOT
The tailgate can be opened:
from the outside of the car- by a
remote control impulse;
from the inside of the door- by de-
pressing the button (A-fig. 141).
IMPORTANTIf the boot is not proper-
ly shut, the
´warning light will come on
(on certain versions accompanied by the
message on the reconfigurable multifunction
display).
The gas springs are cali-
brated to ensure correct
tailgate raising with the
weights foreseen by the manufac-
turer. The arbitrary addition of
items (such spoilers, etc.) may
compromise the correct operation
and safety of the actual tailgate.
fig. 142
A0A0636b
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
134
ABS
(on request for versions/markets
where applicable)
The car is fitted with an ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from lock-
ing when braking, makes full use of the grip
and within the limits of the grip available,
keeps the car controllable also in emergency
braking.
When braking a slight pulsing accompa-
nied by noise may be felt on the brake ped-
al due to the action of the ABS system.
This should not be interpreted as a brak-
ing malfunction. It is the signal to the driver
that the ABS has come into action: it is the
warning that the car is travelling at the lim-
it of its grip and therefore the speed should
be adapted to the type of road.
The ABS system is an additional part of the
base braking system; in the event of a fail-
ure it is disabled, leaving the braking sys-
tem in the same conditions as a car without
ABS.
In the case of a failure, the anti-lock action
is no longer present, the braking capacity of
the car is not adversely affected at all. The ABS better exploits
the grip available, but can-
not increase it; caution is
therefore necessary on slippery
surfaces, without taking unneces-
sary risks.
If the ABS cuts in it means
that the limit of the grip is
being reached between the
tyre and the road surface: it is
therefore necessary to slow down
to adapt driving to the grip avail-
able.
In the event of a system
failure, with the turning on
of the
>warning light on
the instrument cluster, have the car
checked immediately by Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services, to be
able to have the system restored
to fully efficient conditions.
If you have never previously used cars fit-
ted with ABS, it is advisable to practice a lit-
tle on a slippery surface, naturally in safe-
ty conditions and in accordance with the lo-
cal Highway Code; you are also advised to
read the following instructions carefully.
The advantage of the ABS over a conven-
tional system is that it makes it possible to ob-
tain the highest degree of handling also when
braking completely under limited grip condi-
tions, preventing the wheels from locking.
However, with the ABS do not expect the
braking distance to always shorten: for ex-
ample, on soft surfaces like gravel or fresh
snow or a slippery surface, the space might
increase.
To better exploit the possibilities of the an-
ti-lock system in the case of need, the ad-
vice given below should be followed.