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.
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
139
ASR system
failure indications
In the event of a fault, the ASR system
switches off automatically and the
Vwarn-
ing light on the instrument cluster turns on,
together with the message on the reconfig-
urable multifunction display.
In the event of an ASR system operating
failure, the car behaves in the same way
as a car that is not fitted with this system:
in any case, it is advisable to contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services as soon as pos-
sible.MSR SYSTEM (engine braking
torque control)
The car is fitted with a special system, in-
tegral with the ASR system, that in case of
sudden gear shifting, cuts in providing torque
to the engine thus preventing excessive dri-
ving wheel drive that, specially in poor grip
conditions, can lead to loss of stability. During use of the compact
spare wheel, the ASR func-
tion is cut off and the
V
warning light on the instrument
cluster turns on glowing steadily
together with the message on the
reconfigurable multifunction dis-
play.
For correct operation of
the ASR 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.
IMPORTANTWhen travelling on snowy
roads with snow chains, it may be helpful
to turn the ASR off: in fact, in these condi-
tions, slipping of the driving wheels when
moving off makes it possible to obtain bet-
ter drive.
Volumetric sensors
ESP system sensor
Steering angle sensor
EOBD system diagnosis socket
Cell phone provision
Driver’s door control unit supply
Passenger’s door control unit supply
Control lighting
Climate control system control lighting
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
Driver’s door control unit
ABS control unit
ABS control unit
Dashboard control unit
Air - bag control unit
Electronic injection control unit +30
Engine compartment control box (petrol versions)
Dashboard control unit
Trailer control unit15
7.5
7.5
15
15
20
20
7.5
7.5
10
10
15
7.5
50
50
7.5
7.5
125
70
10 F39
F42
F42
F39
F39
F47
F48
F49
F35
F37
F53
F39
F42
F04 (MAXI-FUSE)
F02 (MAXI-FUSE)
F50
F18
F70 (MEGA-FUSE)
F71 (MAXI-FUSE)
F36 52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
52
53
53
52
53
54
54
52
SERVICES FIGURE FUSE AMPERES
IN AN EMERGENCY
210
ALPHABETICAL INDEX
262
Inertial fuel cut off switch ............. 107
Installation of electric/
electronic devices ..................... 127
Instrument cluster ....................... 53
In the event of an accident ........... 215
Intelligent washing (windscreen) ... 47
Interior fittings (cleaning) ............. 238
Internal fittings .......................... 121
Keys ........................................ 6
Levers (steering wheel) .............. 44
Lights ........................................ 44
Load limiters .............................. 29
Low beam headlights
- changing bulbs ....................... 197
- switching on ..................... 44-45
Luggage restrainer net ................. 22
Main beam headlights
- changing bulbs ....................... 197
- switching on .......................... 45
Maintenance
- additional operations ............... 229 - annual inspection programme ... 219
- scheduled maintenance ........... 216
- scheduled maintenance
programme ............................ 217
Manual heater ............................ 83
Mechanical gearbox ..................... 109
Number plate lights
- changing bulbs ....................... 200
Oddment recesses ..................... 126
Paintwork ................................ 237
Parking ...................................... 172
Parking sensor ............................ 105
Performance ............................... 249
Pockets ..................................... 125
Pollen filter ................................ 230
Power windows .......................... 24
Pretensioners .............................. 28
Puddle lights .............................. 123
- changing bulbs ....................... 201
Radio transmitters and cellular
telephones .............................. 127
Radio ........................................ 141 Rain sensor ................................ 48
Raising the car ............................ 214
Rear ceiling light ......................... 123
- changing bulbs ....................... 202
Rear fog guards
- changing bulbs ....................... 199
- switching on .......................... 106
Rearview mirror .......................... 23
Reconfigurable multifunction
display .................................... 61
Reducing running costs ................ 172
Refuelling ............................. 166-252
Remote control ........................... 7
Rev counter ................................ 56
Reversing light
- changing bulbs ....................... 199
Rims ......................................... 247
Seat belts ................................. 26
- carrying children safety ............ 31
- front belt height adjustment ..... 27
- general instructions ................. 29
- load limiters ........................... 29
- maintenance .......................... 31
- pretensioners ......................... 28