
101
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CARTURNING THE VDC SYSTEM
ON/OFF
The VDC system is automatically acti-
vated when the engine is started. When
travelling, to turn the VDC off press the
ASR/ VDC button on the central console
for 2 seconds fig. 85. Turning off the
VDC will also turn off the ASR. Both func-
tions can be reactivated by pressing the
ASR/VDC button.
VDC system deactivation is indicated
by the dedicated message on the dis-
play.
If the VDC has been turned off when
travelling, at next engine start-up it will
turn on again automatically.
A0F0026mfig. 85
Performance of the
VDC system, in terms
of active safety should not in-
duce the driver to take point-
less and unnecessary risks.
The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to
the conditions of the road sur-
face, visibility an traffic. Road
safety is always the driver’s
responsibility.
WARNING
During the use of the
space-saver spare wheel
(for versions/markets, where
provided), the VDC system
carries on working. However,
you must remind that the
space-saver spare wheel has
dimensions smaller than the
standard tyre and therefore its
grip is reduced as to the oth-
er car tyres.
WARNING
For correct operation of
the VDC system, the
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand and type on all
wheels, in perfect conditions
and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING
FAILURE WARNING LIGHTS
In the event of failure, the VDC system
is automatically disconnected and the
warning light  
ácomes on with fixed
light on the instrument panel (together
with a message on the display) (see sec-
tion “Warning lights and messages”). In
this case contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services as soon as possible. 

103
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
❒acceleration on slippery, snowy or
frozen surfaces;
❒in the case of loss of grip on a wet
surface (aquaplaning).
The performance of the
system, in terms of ac-
tive safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless
and unnecessary risks. The
style of driving must in any
case always be adapted to the
conditions of the road surface,
visibility an traffic. Road safe-
ty is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNING
Switching the ASR system 
on/off
The ASR system switches on automati-
cally each time the instrument panel is
turned on.
When travelling the ASR can be
switched off by pressing briefly the
ASR/VDC button on the central console. 
When the ASR is switched off this is
shown by the lighting up of the
ASR/VDC button led and by symbol 
V
on the display.
If the ASR is switched off when travel-
ling, it will turn on again automatically
the next time the engine is started.
When travelling on snowy roads with
snow chains, it may be helpful to turn
the ASR off: in fact, in these conditions,
slipping of the driving wheels when mov-
ing off makes it possible to obtain bet-
ter drive.
Failure warnings
In the event of malfunctioning, the ASR
system is automatically disconnected
and symbol 
Vwill be displayed. In this
case contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices as soon as possible.
For correct operation of
the ASR system, all
tyres must absolutely be of
the same brand, size and type,
in normal conditions of use and
at the pressure values speci-
fied in paragraph “Wheels” in
section “Technical Specifica-
tions”).
WARNING
MSR system (engine braking
torque control)
It is an integral part of the ASR system
that in case of sudden gear shifting, cuts
in providing torque to the engine thus
preventing excessive driving wheel dri-
ve that, specially in poor grip conditions,
can lead to loss of stability. 

111
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
In order to use the system properly, refer to the following table when you have to change wheels/tyres:
Failure Indication
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NOAlfa Romeo Authorized 
Services operation
Contact Alfa Romeo 
Authorized Services
Repair damaged 
wheel
Contact Alfa Romeo 
Authorized Services
–
–
– Sensor presence
–
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
(*) Given as an alternative on the owner's manual and to be found in Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo.
(**) Not crossed (tyres shall remain on the same side).
Operation
–
Wheel change 
with space-saver spare wheel
Wheel change 
with snow tyres
Wheel change 
with snow tyres
Wheel change 
with others of different 
size (*) 
Wheel cross switching 
(front/rear) (**) 

148
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Due to the snow tyre features, under
normal conditions of use or on long mo-
torway journeys, the performance of
these tyres is lower than that of normal
tyres. It is therefore necessary to limit
their use to the purposes for which they
are certified.
IMPORTANTWhen snow tyres are
used with a max speed index below the
one that can be reached by the car (in-
creased by 5%), place a notice in the
passenger compartment, plainly in the
driver’s view which states the max per-
missible speed of the snow tyres (as per
EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety
when driving and braking and better dri-
veability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services will be
glad to provide advice concerning the
most suitable type of tyre for the cus-
tomer’s requirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in para-
graph “Wheels” in section “Technical
specifications”.
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. 
The max speed for
snow tyres with “Q”
marking is 160 km/h; 190
km/h for tyres with “T”
marking and 210 km/h for
tyres with H marking. The
Road Traffic Code speed lim-
its must however be always
strictly observed.
WARNING 

149
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IMPORTANTSnow chains cannot be
fitted to the space-saver spare wheel (for
versions/markets, where provided). So,
if a front (drive) wheel is punctured and
chains are needed, a rear wheel should
be fitted to the front of the car and the
spare wheel should be fitted to the rear
(adjust tyre pressure to the specified val-
ue as soon as possible). This way with
two normal drive wheels, snow chains can
be fitted to them to solve an emergency.SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in compli-
ance with local regulations.
Snow chains should only be applied to
the driving wheels (front wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven.
Use snow chains with reduced size: for
tyres 215/55 R16” use snow chains
with reduced size with max protrusion
beyond the tyre profile of 12 mm.
Use of snow chains may be compulso-
ry also for cars with four-wheel drive.
On tyres 225/50 R17”
only “spider” type
chains can be used. 
Keep your speed down
when snow chains are
fitted. Do not exceed
40 km/h. Avoid pot-
holes, steps and pave-
ments and avoid also to drive
for long distances on roads not
covered with snow to prevent
damaging the car and the
roadbed.
WARNING
Disengage the ASR sys-
tem when snow chains
are fitted. Press button
ASR/VDC (see paragraph “ASR
system” in section “Dashboard
and controls”). Tyres 235/45 R18”
cannot be fitted with
snow chains due to in-
terference with fender. On 3.2 JTS version
snow chains shall be fit-
ted to FRONT wheels. 

SPACE-SAVER SPARE WHEEL
Pressed steel rim. Tubeless tyre.
UNDERSTANDING 
TYRE MARKING fig. 5
Example: 215/55 R 16 93 V
215= Nominal width (S, distance be-
tween sidewalls in mm).
55= Percentage height/width ratio
(H/S).
R= Radial tyre.
16= Rim diameter in inches. (Ø).
93=  Load rating (capacity).
V= Maximum speed index.Load rating (capacity)
60= 250 kg 84= 500 kg
61= 257 kg 85= 515 kg
62= 265 kg 86= 530 kg
63= 272 kg 87= 545 kg
64= 280 kg 88= 560 kg
65= 290 kg 89= 580 kg
66= 300 kg 90= 600 kg
67= 307 kg 91= 615 kg
68= 315 kg 92= 630 kg
69= 325 kg 93= 650 kg
70= 335 kg94= 670 kg
71= 345 kg 95= 690 kg
72= 355 kg 96= 710 kg
73= 365 kg 97= 730 kg
74= 375 kg98= 750 kg
75= 387 kg 99= 775 kg
76= 400 kg 100= 800 kg
77= 412 kg 101= 825 kg
78= 425 kg 102= 850 kg
79
= 437 kg 103= 875 kg
80= 450 kg 104= 900 kg
81= 462 kg 105= 925 kg
82= 475 kg 106= 950 kg
83= 487 kg
WHEELS
RIMS AND TYRES
Alloy rims. Tubeless tyres with radial car-
cass. The homologated tyres are listed
in the Log book.
WARNINGIn the event of discrep-
ancies between the information provid-
ed on this “Owner’s Manual” and the
“Log book”, consider the specifications
shown in the log book only.
On cars fitted with four-wheel drive, all
four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to prevent damaging the 4-
WD system. The efficiency of the 4-WD
system however, is not jeopardized if
tyres with different wear conditions are
fitted.
Attaining to the prescribed size, to en-
sure safety of the car in movement, it
must be fitted with tyres of the same
make and type on all wheels.
WARNINGDo not use inner tubes
with Tubeless tyres.
242
SAFETY
DEVICES
WARNING 
LIGHTS AND 
MESSAGES
IN AN 
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
A0F0186mfig. 5