2010 Alfa Romeo GT engine

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
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).

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.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
140
EOBD SYSTEM
(upon request for versions/
markets where applicable)
The EOBD system (European On Board Di-
agnosis) allows continuous diagnosis of the
components of the car correlated with emis-
sions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the
warning light
Uon the instrument panel
(on certain versions together with message
+ symbol on the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display), when these components are
no longer in peak conditions.
The objective is:
– to keep the system efficiency under con-
trol;
– to warn when a fault causes emissions
levels to increase;
– to warn of the need to replace deterio-
rated components.The system also has a diagnostic connec-
tor that can be interfaced with appropriate
tools, which makes it possible to read the
error codes stored in the control unit, to-
gether with a series of specific parameters
for engine operation and diagnosis. This
check can also be carried out by the traffic
police.IMPORTANTAfter eliminating the in-
convenience, to check the system com-
pletely, Alfa Romeo Authorised Services are
obliged to run a bench test and, if necessary,
road tests which may also call for a long jour-
ney.
If, turning the ignition key
to MAR, the warning light
Udoes not turn on or if,
while travelling it turns on glow-
ing steadily or flashing (on some
versions together with the mes-
sage + symbol on the reconfig-
urable multifunction display), con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vices as soon as possible.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
165
DIESEL ENGINES
If the outside temperature is very low, the
diesel thickens due to the formation of paraf-
fins and could clog the diesel fuel filter.
In order to avoid these problems, different
types of diesel are distributed according to
the season: summer type, winter type arc-
tic type (mountains/cold areas).
If refuelling with diesel fuel not suitable for
the current temperature, mix diesel fuel with
TUTELA DIESEL ARTadditive in the pro-
portions stated on the can, putting first the
antifreeze in the tank and then the diesel
fuel.
TUTELA DIESEL ARTshall be added to
diesel fuel before the due to cold take place.
Adding it later will be worthless. If driving or
parking the vehicle for a long period in cold
areas/mountains, refuel with the diesel fu-
el available at local filling stations. In this
situation you are also recommended to have
in the tank an amount of fuel 50% higher
than usable capacity.
REFUELLING
PETROL ENGINES
Use only unleaded petrol.
To prevent accidentally filling with leaded
petrol, the diameter of the fuel tank filler
is of such a size as not to accept the noz-
zle of this type of petrol.
The unleaded petrol octane number
(R.O.N.) used shall not be less than 95.
IMPORTANTAn inefficient catalyst
leads to harmful emission at the exhaust,
thus environment pollution.
IMPORTANTUnder no circumstances
should conventional leaded petrol be used,
as this would irreparably damage the cata-
lyst.Cars with diesel engines
must only be filled with
diesel fuel for motor vehi-
cles, in compliance with European
Specification EN590. The use of
other products or mixtures may ir-
reparably damage the engine with
invalidation of the warranty due to
the damage caused. In the event of
accidentally filling with another
type of fuel, do not start the en-
gine and empty the tank. If the en-
gine has been run even for only a
very short time, in addition to the
tank, it is also necessary to drain
out the whole fuel circuit.
REFUELLING
To guarantee full tank filling, carry out two
refuelling operations after the first click of
the fuel delivery gun. Avoid further topping
up operations that could cause damages to
the fuel system.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
166
IMPORTANTThe sealing of the tank
may cause light pressurising in the tank. A
little breathing off, while slackening the cap,
is absolutely normal.
After refuelling, turn the cap clockwise and
close the flap.
IMPORTANTFor your safety, make sure
that the fuelling pump nozzle is inserted cor-
rectly into the housing, before starting the
engine.Should it be not possible to open the fuel
flap electrically, use the special cable in the
boot (A-fig. 156) to open it manually. FUEL CAP
The fuel cap (C-fig. 154) is electrically
controlled. To open it, press button (D-fig.
155); the flap can be opened only when
the engine is off.
The fuel cap (A-fig. 154), accessible af-
ter opening the lid (C), is fitted with a catch
to prevent losing it (B) which fastens it to
the lid.
When refuelling, hook the cap to the de-
vice on the inner flap, as illustrated.
Do not put naked flames
or lighted cigarettes near
the fuel filler hole as there
is a danger of fire. Do not bend too
close to the hole either so as not to
breathe in harmful vapours.
If required, replace the fu-
el cap only with a genuine
new one to prevent im-
pairing the petrol vapour system.
fig. 154
A0A0644b
fig. 155
A0A1108b
fig. 156
A0A0652b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
167
The devices used to reduce diesel fuel en-
gine emissions are:
– oxidising catalyst;
– exhaust gas recirculation system (E. G. R.);
– diesel particulate filter (DPF). DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)
(for versions/ markets where
applicable)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a mechani-
cal filter, integral with the exhaust system,
that physically traps particulates present in
the exhaust gases of Diesel engines.
The diesel particular filter has been adopt-
ed to eliminate almost totally particulates in
compliance with current / future law regu-
lations.
During normal use of the car, the engine
control unit records a set of data (e.g.: trav-
el time, type of route, temperatures, etc.)
and it will then calculate how much partic-
ulates has been trapped by the filter.
Since this filter physically traps particulates,
it shall be cleaned (reclaimed) at regular in-
tervals by burning carbon particles.
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
The devices used to reduce petrol engine
emissions are:
– trivalent catalytic converter (catalytic si-
lencer);
– Lambda sensors;
– anti-evaporation system.
If one or more spark plugs are discon-
nected, do not run the engine, even for a
test.During normal service the
catalyst and the diesel par-
ticulate filter (DPF) reach
high temperatures. Do not there-
fore park the car over inflammable
materials (grass, dry leaves, pine
needles, etc.): fire hazard.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
168
Diesel Particulate Filter clogged
When the diesel particulate filter is
clogged, the display shows symbol
h
+ message. In this event keep the engine
running until symbol
hand message
turn off. Reclaiming procedure is controlled auto-
matically by the engine control unit accord-
ing to the filter conditions and the conditions
of use of the car. During reclaiming the fol-
lowing phenomena could take place: idling
slight increase, fan activation, slight smoke
increase, high exhaust temperatures.
These situations shall not be considered as
faults and they do not affect car perfor-
mance and environment.