GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
45
Rain sensor (fig. 61)
The rain sensor (A), fitted only on cer-
tain versions, is an electronic device com-
bined with the windscreen wiper which has
the purpose of automatically adjusting the
number of wipes during intermittent opera-
tion, to the intensity of the rain.
All the other functions controlled by the
right-hand lever remain unchanged.
The rain sensor is activated automatically
moving the right-hand lever to position (B-
fig. 59) and it has a range of adjustment
that gradually varies between wiper sta-
tionary (no wiping) when the windscreen is
dry, to wiper at first continuous speed (con-
tinuous, slow) with heavy rain.Turning the knurled ring (F-fig. 59) it
is possible to increase the sensitivity of the
rain sensor, obtaining a quicker change from
stationary when the windscreen is dry, to
first continuous speed (continuous, slow).
Operating the windscreen washer with the
rain sensor activated (lever at position B)
the normal washing cycle is performed at
the end of which the rain sensor resumes its
normal automatic function.
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe rain
sensor is deactivated and the next time the
engine is started (MARposition) it will not
be reactivated even if the lever has remained
in position (B). In this case to activate the
rain sensor, simply move the lever to (A)
or (C) and then back to (B).
When the rain sensor is reactivated in this
way, the wiper performs at least one stroke,
even if the windscreen is dry, to indicate that
reactivation has occurred.
The rain sensor is located behind the inner
rear-view mirror in contact with the wind-
screen and inside the area cleaned by the
wiper and it controls an electronic control
unit which in turn controls the wiper motor. “INTELLIGENT WASHING” FUNCTION”
Pulling the lever towards the steering
wheel (instable position) operates the wind-
screen washer.
Keeping the lever pulled, with only one
movement it is possible to operate the wash-
er jet and the wiper at the same time; in-
deed, the latter comes into action auto-
matically if the lever is pulled for more than
half a second.
The wiper stops working a few strokes af-
ter releasing the lever; a further “cleaning
stroke” after a few seconds completes the
wiping operation.
fig. 60
A0A0071m
fig. 61
A0A0489m
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
50
DASHBOARD
1. Side swivel air vents - 2. Fixed side window air vents - 3. Outer light control lever - 4. Speedometer with mileage recorder and trip recorder
and headlamp aiming display - 5. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light - 6. Multifunction display - 7. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge - 8. Rev counter - 9. Tailgate release button - 10. Card holder - 11. Radio - 12. Centre swivel air vents - 13. Fixed upper vent - 14.
Glass holder - 15. Fog lamp button - 16. Hazard warning light switch - 17. Rear fog guard button - 18. Passenger’s front Air bag - 19. Glove-
box - 20. Door locking button - 21. Controls for heating, ventilation and climate control - 22. Cigar lighter - 23. Ashtray - 24. Temperature
sensor - 25. Windscreen/rearscreen wiper control lever - 26. Ignition key and switch - 27. Horn - 28. Steering wheel locking/release lever -
29. Driver’s front Air bag - 30. Set of controls: trip meter reset, headlamp aiming device, trip computer - 31. Bonnet opening lever. fig. 66
A0A0426m
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
51
MILEAGE RECORDER
Display with double meter (total and trip)
and headlamp position display.
The display shows:
– the mileage on the first line (6 figures)
– the trip meter on the second line (4 fig-
ures)
– the position relating to the headlamp
aiming device.
To reset the trip meter, keep the button
(A-fig. 68) on the plate at the side of the
steering column pressed for a few seconds.IMPORTANTIf the battery is discon-
nected the trip meter reading is not stored. A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Display (mileage
recorder, trip meter and headlamp position
display) - E. Reconfigurable multifunction
display - F. Rev counter
REV COUNTER
The rev. counter shows engine rpm. The nee-
dle pointed to the danger area (red) indicates
excessive high engine speed. Do not drive for
long periods with the needle in this area.
IMPORTANTThe electronic injection con-
trol system gradually shuts off the flow of fu-
el when the engine is “over-revving” resulting
in a gradual loss of engine power.
When the engine is idling, the rev counter
may indicate a gradual or sudden highering of
the speed, this is normal as it takes place dur-
ing normal operation, for example when en-
gaging the climatecontrol system or the fan.
In particular a slow change in the speed pre-
serves the battery charge.
fig. 67
A0A0427m
INSTRUMENT PANEL
fig. 68
A0A0466m
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
54
CONTROL BUTTONS (fig. 69-70)
To use the information the reconfigurable multifunction display is able to give (with the ignition key at MAR) you should firstly familiarise
with the control buttons (on the plate at the side of the steering column and on the top of the right lever) using them as described below. Be-
fore doing anything you are also advised to read this chapter in full.
fig. 69
fig. 70
Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated withTin the following dia-
grams to move to the next screen
Press for more than 4 seconds indicated with
Uin the following diagrams, to
reset and then start a new journey
To scroll the display and the related options, upwards or to increase the value
displayed depending on the case
To scroll the display and the related options, down wards or decrease the value
displayed according to the case Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated with
Qin the following dia-
grams, to confirm the choice required and/or move to the next screen or ac-
cess the Menu
Press for more than 2 seconds indicated with
Rin the following diagrams,
to confirm the choice required and return to the standard screen
A0A0022m
A0A0021m
IMPORTANTButtonsâandãactivate different functions depending on the following
situations:
- When the standard screen is activated, they allow adjustment of the inner lighting
- Within the menu they allow scrolling up or down
- They make it possible to increase or decrease during setting operations.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
75
DIMMER
With this function it is possible to adjust the lighting (dimming/brightening) of the instrument cluster, mileage recorder (total, trip meter),
headlamp aiming display, radio display, radio navigator display and two-zone climate control.
Partial lighting
Keeping the
ãbutton pressed (on the plate at the side of the steering column) for more than 4 seconds the instrument cluster lighting is
turned off with the exception of the speedometer.
Keeping the
âbutton pressed (on the plate at the side of the steering column) for more than 4 seconds the complete instrument cluster
lighting is turned on again.
Standard screen
Return
to standard screen
WARNING
When the outer lights are switched on dimming of the brightness can
be perceived. In the event of any faults, lighting adjustment (rheostat)
is not possible and the display is shown at its maximum brightness.
QR
â
ãâ
ãSee
INITIAL CHECK
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
110
SELESPEED
TRANSMISSION
The car may be fitted with a mechanical
transmission with electronic control called
“Selespeed”.
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.
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 gearbox to which an electronical-
ly-operated electrohydraulic device has been
added which automatically controls the
clutch and gear engagement.
The clutch pedal has been eliminated and
the vehicle moves off using only the accel-
erator pedal.
Gearshifting takes place through the con-
trol lever (A-fig. 96) which is of the float-
ing type with a “single central stable posi-
tion”.
Using the lever it is possible to request an
increase/decrease of the gear ratio engaged
and/or reverse gear engagement (R) or
neutral (N).There are also two stalks on the steering
wheel spokes (fig. 97) through which, on-
ly with the car on the move (with speed
above 2 km/h), it is possible to shift gear
up or down.
The gearbox can work in two operating
modes:
– the first is semiautomatic (MANUAL),
in which the driver directly requests gearshift-
ing through the lever on the centre console
or pressing the buttons at the steering
wheel;
– the second is automatic, called CITY,
in which the system decides directly when
to shift gear (mode selectable with the spe-
cific button A-fig. 98).
fig. 97
A0A0098m
fig. 98
A0A0096m
fig. 96
A0A0097m
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