GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
100
AIR DISTRIBUTION SELECTION
BUTTONS
(fig. 84)
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
vents to the lower part of the pas-
senger compartment (warmest air)
and the dashboard centre and side
outlets and the rear outlet (coolest
air). This air flow distribution is par-
ticularly useful in spring and au-
tumn,when the sun is shining.
ZAir flow towards the front and rear
lower parts of the passenger com-
partment. Due to the natural tenden-
cy 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.
A0A0208m
QSplitting of the air flow between the
windscreen and side window defrost-
ing/demisting vents and the lower
part of the vehicle. This type of air dis-
tribution allows satisfactory heating
of the passenger compartment while
preventing possible misting of the win-
dows.
QAir flow to the windscreen and front
side window vents to demist or de-
frost them.IMPORTANTPressing one of these but-
tons turns on (led on button itself on) or off
(led on button off) the associated function
if the combination chosen is among the 5
possible ones, if not it only activates the
main function of the button pressed, with-
out the possibility of turning off with another
press (at least in one distribution the air flow
should be spread in the passenger com-
partment).
To restore automatic air distribution control
after a manual selection, press button (13)
AUTO.
Z
Z
fig. 84
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
103
AUTOMATIC OPERATION AUTO
BUTTON
(fig. 88)
Pressing the (13)
AUTObutton the sys-
tem automatically adjusts the amount and
distribution of the air admitted to the pas-
senger compartment, cancelling all the pre-
vious manual adjustments.
This condition is indicated by the lighting
up of both leds on the button itself.
When the right led, on button (13)
AU-
TO, is off, this means that one or more man-
ual operations have been carried out and
therefore automatic control is not complete
(except temperature control which is always
automatic) indicated by the left led on, or
that the system is in the
OFFcondition.
A0A0209m
fig. 88
The inside air re-circulation
system makes it possible
to reach the required “heating” or
“cooling” conditions faster. It is
however inadvisable to use it on
rainy/cold days as it would con-
siderably increase the possibility of
the windows misting inside, espe-
cially if the climate control system
is off.
WARNING
In certain weather condi-
tions (e.g.: outside tem-
perature around 0°C) and with au-
tomatic air re-circulation control on,
mist may form on the windows. In
this case press the inside air re-cir-
culation button (8)
v, to switch
off re-circulation (leds on button
off) and if necessary increase the
flow of air to the windscreen.
WARNING
It is advisable to turn on
the inside air re-circulation
system in queues or tunnels to
avoid admitting polluted air from
outside. The prolonged use of this
function should however be avoid-
ed, especially with several persons
on board, to avoid the possibility of
the windows misting inside.
WARNING
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
104
QUICK FRONT WINDOW
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
BUTTON
(-MAX-DEFfunction)(fig. 89)
Pressing button (7)
-the climate con-
trol automatically activates timed operation
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 button (8)
vgo off.IMPORTANTIf the engine is not warm
enough, the function will not engage the
predefined fan speed immediately, to limit
the flow to the passenger compartment of
air that is not warm enough to demist the
windows.
When the maximum demisting/defrost-
ing function is on, the only manual opera-
tions 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 switch-
es off the maximum demisting/defrosting
function, restoring the operating conditions
of the system prior to turning it on, in ad-
dition to activating the last function required,
if any.
A0A0213m
fig. 89
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
105
WING MIRROR
AND REARSCREEN
DEFROSTING/DEMISTING
BUTTON
((fig. 90)
Pressing button (9)
(turns on demist-
ing/defrosting of the rearscreen and, if pre-
sent, the wing mirror coils.
The turning on of this function is shown by
the turning on of the led on the button.
This function is timed and switches off au-
tomatically after 20 minutes, or pressing the
button again; the function is also switched
off when the engine is stopped and will not
be switched on again the next time the en-
gine is started.
IMPORTANTThe system turns on
rearscreen heating automatically if the tem-
perature is below 3
°C.
IMPORTANTDo not apply stickers on
the inside of the rearscreen over the heat-
ing filaments to avoid damage that might
cause it to stop working properly.
POLLEN FILTER
Have the conditions of the filter checked
by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services at least
once a year, preferably at the onset of sum-
mer.
If the vehicle is used mainly in dusty or pol-
luted areas it should be checked and if nec-
essary replaced, at shorter intervals.
A0A0214m
The filter has the specific capability of com-
bining the mechanical filtering of the air with
an electrostatic effect so that the outside air
admitted to the passenger compartment is
purified and free of particles such as dust,
pollen, etc.
In addition to the above, it also effective-
ly reduces the concentration of pullutants.
The filtering action takes place under all
air inlet conditions and it is clearly most ef-
fective with the windows shut.The failure to replace the
filter may considerably re-
duce the effectiveness of
the climate control system up to
blocking the air flow from the out-
lets and vents.
fig. 90
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
115
WARNINGS
– 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 onlywhen more con-
trol is needed for moving off manoeuvres at
low speed;
– if, in reverse gear, first gear is engaged
or vice versa, shift gear only when the car
is stopped completely and with the brake
pedal pressed.
Though highly unadvisable, if when trav-
elling downhill for some unexpected reason
the car is set to neutral (N), when the en-
gagement of a gear is requested the system
automatically engages the best gear in re-
lation to the speed of the car to allow the
correct transmission of torque to the wheels.When travelling downhill with a gear en-
gaged and the accelerator released (if the
vehicle 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 overheating occurs while the ve-
hicle is being started; in this case it is nec-
essary to “force” starting avoiding hesita-
tion or, if the car is on a slope, release the
accelerator and use the brake pedalto stop
the car;
– the car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged, (e.g.: it moves for-
wards with reverse gear engaged; in this sit-
uation it is necessary to stop the car and en-
gage the correct gear, keeping the brake
pedal pressed.
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 minutes;
– the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake are not touched for at
least 1 second.
STOPPING THE CAR
To stop the car, simply release the accel-
erator pedal and, if necessary press the
brake pedal.
Regardless of the gear engaged and the
operating mode activated (MANUALor
CITY) the system automatically disengages
the clutch and shifts to a lower gear.
If deciding to move off again without hav-
ing stopped the car completely, the most
suitable ratio will be available for acceler-
ating again.
Stopping the car the system automatical-
ly engages first gear (1).
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
118
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 car moves in the opposite direction
to the gear engaged (e.g.: the car moves
downwards with reverse gear engaged);
– in the event of gearbox failure;
– the system has shifted automatically
to neutral (N) when:
•an attempt is made to start the engine
with a gear engaged and the brake ped-
al is not pressed completely;
•no action is made on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 min-
utes;
•the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;
•the driver’s door is opened and no ac-
tion is made on the accelerator and
brake for at least 1 second;
•a gearbox failure has been detected.
PARKING THE CAR
To park the car safely it is absolutely
necessaryto engage first gear (1) or re-
verse (R) and also the hand brake if the
road is on a slope.
Turning off the engine with the car on an
uphill slope and a gear engaged, it is ab-
solutely necessaryto wait for the re-
configurable multifunction display showing
the gear engaged to go off before releasing
the brake pedal, so that the clutch is com-
pletely inserted.
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 1st
gear (1) or (R).
TOWING THE CAR
IMPORTANTFor towing the car follow
local regulations. Make sure that the gear-
box is in neutral (N) (checking that the car
moves if pushed) and tow as for a car with
normal mechanical gearbox following the in-
structions given in the chapter “In an emer-
gency”.
Should it be impossible to set to neutral,
do not tow the vehicle but contact Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
While towing the car do
not start the engine.
WARNING
In the event of a gearbox
fault to any component,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services as soon as possible to
have the system checked over.
WARNING
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
176
IMPORTANTThe electric devices
that absorb a high amount of energy (cli-
mate control, rearscreen heating etc.) are
cut off automatically during starting.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, move the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If starting is difficult (with the Alfa
Romeo CODE system working properly),
do not insist with prolonged attempts.
Only use an auxiliary battery if the cause
is due to low battery charge. Never use a
battery charger to start the engine.WARMING THE ENGINE
– Drive off slowly, at medium revs with-
out accelerating abruptly.
– Do not drive at full performance for the
initial kilometres of the journey. Wait until
the engine coolant temperature reaches
50-60 °C.
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.
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
180
DRIVING WITH RAIN
Rain and wet roads can be dangerous.
If the road is wet, the traction between
wheel and asphalt is greatly reduced, thus
increasing the stopping distance and de-
creasing road holding.
Here are a few suggestions in the case of
rain:
– Reduce speed and keep further back
from the vehicle in front.
– Heavy rain also reduces visibility. In
these cases, turn on the headlights even dur-
ing the day to make yourself more visible
to others.
– Do not drive over puddles at high speed
and hold the steering wheel firmly: you may
lose control of the car (aquaplaning).
– Position the ventilation controls for
demisting (as described in the chapter (“Get-
ting to know your car”), to prevent visibili-
ty from worsening.
– Routinely check the conditions of the
windscreen wiper blades.
DRIVING IN FOG
– If fog is very thick, avoid travelling
where possible. If travelling with mist,
ground fog or the possibility of fog banks:
– Drive at moderate speed.
– Also in the day turn on the dipped-beam
headlights, rear fog guards and front fog
lights. Do not use the main-beam headlights.
IMPORTANTIf visibility in some parts
improves, switch off the rear fog guards; the
intense light disturbs the occupants of ve-
hicles behind.
– Remember that fog also involves wet
asphalt, thus greater difficulty in all types of
manoeuvres and longer stopping distances.
– Keep well away from the vehicle in
front.
– Where possible avoid sudden changes
in speed.
– Possibly avoid overtaking other vehicles.
– If the vehicle is forced to stop (faults,
impossibility to continue due to poor visi-
bility, etc.), firstly try to pull off the road.
Then turn on the hazard warning lights and,
if possible the dipped-beam headlights.
Rhythmically sound the horn if you note an-
other car coming.
MOUNTAIN DRIVING
– When travelling down hill use the en-
gine braking by engaging lower gears to pre-
vent the brakes from overheating.
– Never coast down hill with the engine
off or in neutral and especially not with the
ignition key removed.
– Drive at a moderate speed and avoid
cutting corners.
– Remember that overtaking up hill is
slower and therefore requires a greater
length of clear road. If you are being over-
taken on a hill, move over to enable the oth-
er vehicle to pass in safety.