2010 Alfa Romeo GT wheel torque

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
114
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the intermittent sound
of the buzzer as well as by the display.
IMPORTANTIf while shifting from re-
verse (R)/first gear (1) or neutral (N)/
first gear (1) sticking occurs on the first
gear, the system automatically engages sec-
ond gear (2).
This should not be considered a failure be-
cause it is part of the operating logic. For
the same reason, if sticking occurs on re-
verse gear, the system controls partial clutch
closing so that the gear can be engaged;
in this case the engagement of reverse gear
(R) will not be as smooth as usual. After a request to shift
gear with the car station-
ary, before pressing the ac-
celerator pedal to make the car
start, the driver must always check
that the gear engaged shown on
the display is the one required. MOVING OFF THE CAR
With the engine running and the car sta-
tionary, the gears that can be engaged for
moving off are only first (1), second (2) or
reverse (R).
To engage them it is possible to use the
control lever on the centre console, with the
brake pedal pressed, as the steering wheel
levers allow gear engagement only over 0.5
km/h.
IMPORTANTReverse gear (R) can be
engaged from each of the following other
ratios: neutral (N), first gear (1) or second
gear (2). If the car is on the move, the re-
quest is not accepted; it is necessary to wait
for the car to be completely stopped and
then request reverse (R) again. Moving off the car is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually pressing the accelerator ped-
al.
The more the accelerator pedal is pressed
the higher the car pick-up torque will be.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
115
Though strongly inadvisable, if due to un-
foreseen circumstances when driving down-
hill the car is allowed to travel with the gear-
box in neutral (N), when the engagement
of a gear is requested, the system auto-
matically engages the best gear to allow
transmission of the torque to the wheels in
relation to the speed of the car.
When travelling downhill with a gear en-
gaged and the accelerator released (if the
car is moving), beyond a pre-established
speed, the system engages the clutch au-
tomatically to give the car adequate engine
braking.
For safety reasons the Selespeed system
activates the buzzer when: clutch over-
heating occurs during car starting; in this
case, it is necessary to “force” moving off
avoiding hesitations or to release the accel-
erator and use the brake pedal to park the
car if the car is on a slope.Still due to safety reasons, with the car sta-
tionary, the engine running and gear (1),
(2) or (R) engaged, the system activates
the buzzer and automatically shifts to neu-
tral (N) when:
– no action is made on the accelerator
and/or brake pedals for at least 3 minutes;
– the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;
– the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake pedal are not pressed
for at least 1.5 seconds. IMPORTANT NOTES
– With the car stopped and a gear en-
gaged always keep the brake pedal pressed
until deciding to move off;
– during prolonged halts with the engine
running it is advisable to keep the gearbox
in neutral;
– when the car is parked facing uphill, do
not use the moving off manoeuvre to keep
the car still; use the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal only when deciding to
move off;
– use second gear only when more con-
trol is needed for moving off manoeuvres at
low speed;
– if, with reverse gear engaged, you need
to engage first gear or vice versa, shift gear
only when the car is completely stationary
and with the brake pedal pressed.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
117
SEMIAUTOMATIC OPERATION
(MANUAL)
In the MANUALoperating mode the dis-
play shows the gear engaged.
In this operating mode, the decision to
change gear is left to the driver who decides
the most appropriate moment. The requests to change gear may take
place through:
– the control lever on the centre console
(A-fig. 124);
– the buttons on the steering wheel (fig.
125), which can be operated only when
the car speed exceeds 0.5 km/h.
TheMANUALoperating mode is set
when, with the CITYmode selected, the
CITYbutton (A-fig. 126) is pressed
again, thereby cutting out the previously se-
lected mode. When changing gear it is not necessary
to release the accelerator pedal because the
Selespeed system directly controls the en-
gine in such a way as to:
– reduce and then increase engine torque;
– adapt the engine speed to the new gear
ratio engaged.
When downshifting, the engine is accel-
erated automatically to bring it to the speed
necessary with the new gear ratio.
Neutral (N) is accepted until the car speed
exceeds 40 km/h.
The reverse gear engagement command
(R) is accepted only if the car is station-
ary.
fig. 125
A0A0669b
fig. 124
A0A0702b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
(on request for versions/
markets where applicable)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols car stability, intervening on the driving
torque and braking the wheels in a differ-
entiated manner, in the lack of grip, it helps
to bring the car back to the correct direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip. When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the system in-
tervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
System is engaged automatically when the
car is started and cannot be switched off.
The basic components of the system are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheels;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the system is the control unit,
which with the data supplied by the sensors
installed on the car calculates the centrifugal
forces generated when the car is cornering.
The yawing sensor, which originates from the
aeronautical industry, detects the rotations
of the car around its own vertical axis. The
centrifugal forces generated when the car
is cornering are detected by a highly sensi-
tive lateral acceleration sensor. 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 always be
adapted to the conditions of the
road surface, visibility and traffic.
The responsibility for road safety
is always and in any case the dri-
ver’s.
System helps the driver to keep the car un-
der control in the event of a loss of tyre grip.
The forces induced by the system to con-
trol the loss of car stability always depend
on the grip between the tyre and the road
surface.

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.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
244
FRONT WHEEL DRIVE WITH
SELF-LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL
(upon request for versions/
markets where applicable)
Alfa Q2characteristics are such as to
guarantee top performance with whatever
road condition.Alfa Q2features front wheel drive with
front mechanical self-locking differential LSD
(Limited Slip Differential). Torque level be-
tween right and left wheel is modulated ac-
cording to the TORSEN Bfront differen-
tial grip. Mechanical modulation is continu-
ous and gradual thus optimizing drive under
whatever running condition and guarantee-
ing smooth drive, high stability and keeping
top comfort conditions.This type of differential enables to exploit
the tyre-road grip at the best even under
poor grip conditions: the driver is however
charged with observing common safety rules
since road safety is always the driver's re-
sponsibility.