GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
99
AIR DISTRIBUTION SELECTION
BUTTONS
(fig. 104)
Pressing one or more buttons (10) it is
possible to manually choose one of the 5
possible air distributions to the passenger
compartment:
REFlow of air to the dashboard centre
and side outlets and rear outlet.
RESplitting of the air flow between the
Zvents to the lower part of the pas-
senger compartment (warmest air)
and the dashboard centre and side ou-
tlets and the rear outlet (coolest air).
The air flow distribution is particularly
useful in spring and autumn, when
the sun is shining.
ZAir flow towards the front and rear
lower parts of the passenger com-
partment. Due to the natural ten-
dency of heat to spread upwards, this
type of distribution allows heating of
the passenger compartment in the
shortest time, also giving a prompt
feeling of warmth to the coldest parts
of the body.
A0A0208b
QSplitting of the air flow between the
Zwindscreen and side window defro-
sting/demisting vents and the lower
part the of the car. This type of air di-
stribution allows satisfactory heating
of the passenger compartment while
preventing misting of the windows.
QAir flow to the windscreen and front
side window vents to demist or de-
frost them. IMPORTANTPressing one of these
buttons turns on (led on button itself on)
or off (led on button off) the associated
functions if the combination chosen is
among the 5 possible ones; if not it only
activates the main function of the button
pressed, without the possibility of turning
off with another press (at least in one dis-
tribution the air flow should be spread in
the passenger compartment).
To restore automatic air distribution con-
trol after a manual selection, press button
(13)
AUTO. fig. 104
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
103
FRONT WINDOWS FAST
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
(MAX-DEF)FUNCTION(fig. 109)
Pressing button (7)
-the climate con-
trol automatically activates timed opera-
tion of all the functions needed to quicken
demisting/defrosting of the windscreen
and front side windows, i.e.:
- it turns on the climate control compres-
sor;
- switches off inside air re-circulation, if on
(both leds off);
- sets the maximum air temperature (HI)
on both displays (1) and (5);
- operates the fan at a predefined speed;
- directs the flow of air towards the wind-
screen and front side window vents;
- turns on rearscreen heating and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.
When the maximum demisting/defrosting
feature is on, the led on button (7)
-,
the led on the rearscreen heating button
(9)
(and the led on button (14)√turn on; at the same time the leds on but-
ton (8)
v.IMPORTANTIf the engine is not hot
enough, the function does not immediate-
ly engage the pre-established fan speed,
to restrict the inlet of air to the passenger
compartment that is not warm enough to
demist the windows.
When the maximum demisting/defrost-
ing function is on, the only manual opera-
tion possible are manual adjustment of the
fan and switching rearscreen heating off. Pressing one of the following buttons
again: (7)
-, (8)v, (12)MONO,
(13)
AUTOor (14)√the system
switches off the maximum demisting/
defrosting function, restoring the operat-
ing conditions of the system prior to turn-
ing it on, in addition to activating the last
function required, if any.
A0A0213b
fig. 109
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
105
PARKING SENSORS
(fig. 111)
(upon request for
versions/markets where
applicable)
Parking sensors are located in the rear
bumper and their function is to inform the
driver, through an intermittent buzzer,
about the presence of obstacles behind
the car.
ACTIVATION
Sensors are automatically activated
when the reverse gear is engaged.
As the distance from the obstacle behind
the car decreases, the acoustic alarm
becomes more frequent.
BUZZER WARNINGS
When the reverse gear is engaged an
intermittent acoustic signal is automatical-
ly activated.
The acoustic signal:
– becomes louder as the reduction of
distance between the car and the obstacle
decreases;
– becomes continuous when the dis-
tance between the car and the obstacle is
less that 30 cm and stops immediately if
the distance raises.
– is constant if the distance is unvaried.
If this situation takes place for side sen-
sors, the signal is stopped after about 3
seconds to prevent sound indications
when performing manoeuvres near walls.
OPERATION WITH TRAILER
Parking sensor operation
is deactivated automati-
cally when the trailer elec-
tric cable plug is fitted into the car
tow hook socket.
Sensors are reactivated automatically
when removing the trailer cable plug.
fig. 111
A0A0735b
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
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
133
Check beam aiming 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
HEADLIGHT ADJUSTMENT
ABROAD
(fig. 149-150)
The dipped-beam headlights are adjusted
for circulation in the country in which the car
is marketed. In countries with opposite cir-
culation, to avoid glaring oncoming vehicles
it is necessary to cover the area of the head-
lights as shown below; this is done using
non-transparent sticker tape.
The illustrations refer to passing from right-
hand drive to left-hand drive.
IMPORTANTXenon headlights aiming
is automatic, versions with this optional are
therefore not fitted with headlight aiming
device.
fig. 149
A0A0199b
fig. 150
A0A0750b
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
138
SWITCHING ON
THE ASR FUNCTION
The ASR function switches on automati-
cally each time the engine is started.
When travelling the ASR can be switched
off and on again pressing switch (A-fig.
151).
When the function is turned off, the in-
strument panel warning light
Vturns on.
If the function is switched off when trav-
elling, it will turn on again automatically the
next time the engine is started.
fig. 151
A0A1107b
ASR SYSTEM
(Antislip Regulation)
(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
The ASR function controls the car drive and
cuts in automatically every time one or both
driving wheels slip.
In slipping conditions, tow different control
systems are activated:
1) if slipping involves both driving wheels,
being caused by excessive power transmit-
ted, the ASR device cuts in reducing the pow-
er transmitted by the engine.
2) if slipping involves only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in automatical-
ly braking the wheel that is slipping, with
an effect similar to that of a self-locking dif-
ferential.The performance of the
system in terms of active
safety should not induce
the driver to take pointless and un-
necessary risks. The style of dri-
ving must in any case be adapted
to the conditions of the road sur-
face, visibility and traffic. Road
surface is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
The action of the ASR is particularly help-
ful in the following circumstances:
– slipping of the inner wheel on a bend,
due to the effect of dynamic load changes
or excessive acceleration.
– too much power transmitted to the
wheels also in relation to the conditions of
the road safety.
– acceleration on slippery, snowy or frozen
surfaces.
– in the case of loss of grip on a wet sur-
face (aquaplaning).
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
171
Never push, tow or coast
start the car. This could
cause fuel to flow into the
catalyst damaging it irreversibly.
Remember that the en-
gine brake and power
steering are not opera-
tional until the engine is started,
therefore, much greater effort than
usual is needed on the brake ped-
al and steering wheel. For cars with turbocharg-
er in particular, but for all
cars in general, sharp ac-
celerating should be avoided before
switching the engine off.
A “kick” on the accelerator
serves no purpose, consumes fuel
pointlessly and may cause serious
damage to the turbocharger im-
peller bearings.
EMERGENCY STARTING
If the Alfa Romeo CODE system does not
recognise the code transmitted by the igni-
tion key (warning light
Yon the instru-
ment cluster glowing on steadily) emer-
gency starting may be carried out using the
code of the CODE card.
For the correct procedure see the chapter
“In an emergency”.
IMPORTANTIf the engine turns off with
the car on the move, the next time it is start-
ed, the Alfa Romeo CODE warning light may
turn on(
Y). In this case, check that switch-
ing off and starting the engine again with
the car stationary, the warning light stays
off. If not, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
– Release the accelerator pedal and wait
until the engine reaches idle speed.
– Turn the ignition key to the STOPpo-
sition and switch off the engine.
IMPORTANTAfter a tiring journey it is
advisable to let the engine “get its breath
back” allowing it to idle a while to lower the
temperature in the engine compartment.