2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Owner handbook (in English)

109
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CONTENTSIf the ABS intervenes, it means you have almost
reached the limit of grip between the tyres and the
road surface: slow down to make sure you can use
the available grip.
ABS SYSTEM
ABS is an integral part of the braking system, which prevents the
wheels from locking when braking, makes the most of road grip
and gives the best control when performing emergency braking un-
der difficult road conditions.
The EBD system (Electronic Braking Force Distribution) completes
the system, allowing the brake force to be distributed between the
front and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT For maximum efficiency of the braking system, a bed-
ding-in period of about 500 km is needed: during this period it is
better to avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged braking.
The ABS gets the most out of the available grip,
but it cannot increase it; you must therefore always
take care when driving on skiddy roads. Do not
take any unnecessary risks.
When the ABS intervenes and you notice the brake
pedal pulsating, do not be afraid to keep the ped-
al pushed down. This will help you to stop in the
shortest distance possible, depending on the road condi-
tions.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
The brake pedal pulsates slightly and the system gets noisier: it
means that the speed should be altered to suit the type of road sur-
face.

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VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
This is an electronic system that controls vehicle stability in the
event of tyre grip loss, helping maintain directional control. The sys-
tem is capable of recognising potentially dangerous situations in
terms of the stability and intervenes automatically on the brakes
in a differentiated manner for the four wheels in order to provide
a stabilizing torque.
The VDC, in turn, includes the following systems:
❍Hill Holder
❍ASR
❍Brake Assist
❍MSR
❍CBC
❍“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❍DST
❍RAB
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is signalled by warning light áblinking on the instrument
panel to inform the driver that stability and grip conditions are
critical.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The VDC system switches on automatically each time the engine
is started and cannot be switched off.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the VDC system and it is provided
to facilitate starting on slopes.
It is activated automatically in the following instances:
❍uphill: car standing on a road with a gradient of more than 5%,
engine on, brake pedals pressed and gearbox in neutral or gear
(other than reverse) engaged;
❍downhill: car at a standstill on a road with a gradient higher
than 5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and reverse gear
engaged.
When setting off the VDC system control unit maintains the brak-
ing pressure at the wheels until the engine torque required for de-
parture is reached or for approximately 2 seconds, allowing your
right foot to be moved easily from the brake pedal to the acceler-
ator.
If the car does not start off after this time, the system will deacti-
vate automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A noise
may be heard: this means that the car is about to start moving.
IMPORTANT the Hill Holder system should not be used as a hand-
brake. Do not leave the vehicle without having engaged the hand-
brake, switched off the engine and engaged a gear.

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ASR SYSTEM (AntiSlip Regulation)
It is an integral part of the VDC system. It intervenes automatical-
ly if one or both of the drive wheels is slipping, there is a loss in
grip on a wet surface (aquaplaning), acceleration on slippery, snow-
covered or icy surfaces, etc.
Depending on how slippery the road is, two different control sys-
tems are activated:
❍if the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR intervenes
reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
❍if the slipping only involves one of the drive wheels, the ASR
intervenes automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.
In order for the ESP and ASR systems to operate
correctly, it is essential that the tyres are of the
same brand and type on all wheels, in perfect con-
dition and, above all, of the specified type, brand and size.
If the space saver wheel is used, the VDC system
keeps operating. Be aware however that the space
saver wheel, being smaller than the original wheel,
provides less grip.
The performance of the VDC and ASR systems
should not encourage the driver to take unneces-
sary risks. Your driving style should always take
road conditions, visibility and traffic into account. The dri-
ver is always ultimately responsible for road safety.

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“ELECTRONIC Q2” SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)
The “Electronic Q2” system uses the braking system to create an
effect similar to a limited slip differential.
The front braking circuit, when accelerating around a corner, acts
on the inside wheel to increase the drive to the outside wheel (in-
creased load), dynamically and continuously distributing the torque
between the front drive wheels according to driving and road con-
ditions.
The system, combined with Mc Pherson front suspension, allows
particularly effective, sporty driving.
DST SYSTEM (Dynamic Steering Torque)
This function integrates Dual Pinion active steering into the opera-
tion of VDC. For particular manoeuvres, VDC controls the steering
to actuate a steering torque and assist the driver in the best pos-
sible way. The system operates the brakes and steering in a coor-
dinated manner to increase the suspension and safety level of the
car as a whole. The steering provides addition torque on the steer-
ing wheel.
RAB SYSTEM (Ready Alert Brake)
(“Dynamic” mode only)
By pre-approaching the brake pads (front and rear) after rapid ac-
celerator release, this function provides prompter braking and re-
duces stopping distance.
BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance)
The system, which cannot be turned off, recognises emergency
braking (on the basis of the brake pedal operating speed) and
speeding up the response of the braking system. The Brake
Assist function is deactivated in the event of VDC system fault.
MSR SYSTEM
(Motor Schleppmoment Regelung)
This system is an integral part of the ABS, that intervenes, if there
is a sudden change to a lower gear, restoring torque to the engine,
thereby preventing excessive drive at the drive wheels which, es-
pecially in poor grip conditions, could lead to a loss in stability.
CBC SYSTEM (Cornering Braking Control)
This system improves the distribution of the braking pressure at the
four wheels (to fully exploit the grip available on the ground) when
braking round bends when the ABS intervenes. This improves stop-
ping distances and above all vehicle stability when cornering.

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“Alfa DNA” SYSTEM
(Dynamic control system)
This device allows, using switch A-fig. 80 (on the central tunnel),
three response modes to be selected according to driving style
and road conditions:
❍d = Dynamic (for sporty driving)
❍n = Normal (normal driving mode)
❍a = All Weather (driving mode for poor grip conditions, i.e. rain
and snow on the road)
The device also acts on the dynamic vehicle control systems (en-
gine, steering, VDC system, instrument panel).
When the lever A-fig. 80 is moved to “d” position, the activation
of “Dynamic” mode is confirmed by a temporary variation in the
brightness (flashing) of the instrument panel.
fig. 80A0K0072m
DRIVING MODES
Switch A-fig. 80 is a monostable switch, i.e. it always remains in the
central position. The selected driving mode is indicated by the corre-
sponding LED coming on in the panel and by an indication on the re-
configurable multifunction display, as illustrated below:
A0K0009m
A0K0010m
Dynamic mode (display image available for
versions/markets where
provided)All Weather mode
“Normal” mode
When “Normal” mode is selected, no messages or symbols are
shown on the display.
VDCandASR: operating thresholds set for normal comfort lev-
el for normal driving conditions.
Steering tuning: functions aimed at providing comfort in nor-
mal conditions of use.
DST: Standard braking control coordinated with ABS/VDC.
Standard control over lateral acceleration.
Oversteer compensation: a slight pulse on the steering wheel
encourages the driver to carry out the most appropriate ma-
noeuvre.
Engine: Standard responsiveness

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TURNING “Dynamic” MODE ON/OFF
On
Move lever A-fig. 80 upwards (to the letter “d”) and hold in this
position for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding LED lights up or
the word “Dynamic” appears on the display (see figures). The
switch A will go back to central position after having been released.Electronic Q2: improves traction and reduces understeer in acce-
leration while exiting curves.
RAB: pre-positioning of the brake pads (front and rear) following
a rapid release of the accelerator pedal to reduce braking
times, shorten stopping distances and improve the feel of
the brake pedal.
The activation of the Dynamic mode is also shown by the change
in the instrument panel lighting that, after decreasing, reaches
the highest luminosity and then returns to the previously set va-
lues.
Off
To turn “Dynamic” mode off and go back to “Normal” mode, move
the lever as described above once again. In this case, the LED cor-
responding to “Normal” mode will light up and the words “Nor-
mal on” will appear on the reconfigurable multifunction display
(see figure).
A0K1225gA0K1055g
A0K1052g
VDCandASR: intervention thresholds that allow more enjoy-
able, sportier driving whilst guaranteeing stabil-
ity in the event of loss of control. Improves trac-
tion whilst accelerating on bends.
Steering tuning: sports mode operation.
DST:Standard brake control coordinated with ABS/VDC.
Standard control over lateral acceleration
Oversteer compensation adapted to VDC/ASR intervention
thresholds: a slight pulse on the steering wheel encourage
the driver to carry the most appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine: Prompter response + Overboost to maximise torque (for
versions/markets, where provided).

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TURNING “All Weather” MODE ON/OFF
On
Move switch A-fig. 80 downwards (to the letter “a”) and hold in
this position for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding LED lights up
or the word “All Weather” appears on the display (see figures).
A0K1226gA0K1180g
VDCandASR: intervention thresholds to ensure maximum safe-
ty and control even in critical conditions (e.g. rain,
snow, etc.).
Steering wheel tuning: Standard comfort.
DST: Higher brake control coordinated with ABS/VDC.
Standard control over lateral acceleration
Oversteer compensation adapted to VDC/ASR intervention
thresholds: a slight pulse on the steering wheel encour-
ages the driver to carry the most appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine: Standard response
On
To disengage “All Weather” mode and return to “Normal”, carry
out the same procedure described for“Dynamic” mode, however
moving lever A-fig. 80 to “a”.
IMPORTANT
❍It is not possible to go directly from “Dynamic” mode to “All
Weather” mode and vice versa. You must always first go back
to “Normal” mode and then select the other mode.
❍“Dynamic” mode was engaged when the engine was switched
off, the next time it is started “Normal” mode is automatical-
ly selected. If, however, “All Weather” or “Normal”, was en-
gaged when the engine was switched off, the selected mode
is maintained the next time it is started.
❍“Dynamic” mode cannot be engaged at speeds of above 110
km/h.
❍In the event of system failure or a fault with lever A-fig. 80,
no driving modes can be selected. The display will show a warn-
ing message.

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OPERATING MODES
Engine stopping mode
With the car at a standstill, the engine stops with the gearbox in
neutral and the clutch released.
NOTEThe engine can only be stopped automatically after a speed
of about 10 km/h is reached, to prevent the engine from being
repeatedly stopped when driving at walking pace.
Symbol
Ufig. 81 appears on the display when the engine stops.
Engine restarting mode
Press the clutch pedal to restart the engine.
fig. 81A0K0163m
START&STOP SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The Start&Stop system automatically stops the engine whenever
the car is stationary and starts it again when the driver wants to
move off. This improves the efficiency of the vehicle by reducing
fuel consumption, the emission of harmful gases and noise pollu-
tion.
The system is active every time the engine is started.