7
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
EBD fault
Warning lights x(red) and >light up at the same
time with the engine running to indicate an EBD sys-
tem fault or that the system is not available. Early
locking of the rear wheels may occur in the event of
sharp braking, causing the car to swerve. Under these
circumstances drive with extreme caution straight to
the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider
to have the system checked. A specific message ap-
pears on the display.x
>
ABS system fault (amber)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light (or symbol on the display) lights up to
indicate a system fault. Under these circumstances, the braking sys-
tem will work as normal but without the extra performance offered
by the ABS system. Drive with caution and visit an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service Provider at your earliest convenience. A specif-
ic message appears on the display.>
Brake pads worn (amber)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light (or symbol on the display) switch-
es on when the front and rear brake pads show signs
of wear; under these circumstances have them replaced as soon as
possible. The display will show the dedicated message.d
49
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
IGNITION SWITCH
The key can be turned to three different positions fig. 21:
❍STOP: engine off, key can be extracted, steering locked. Some
electric devices (e.g. car radio, central door locking system,
alarm, etc.) can work;
❍MAR: driving position. All electric devices can work;
❍ON: starting the engine.
The ignition switch is fitted with an electronic safety system that
requires the ignition key to be turned back to STOP if the engine
will not start, before the starting operation can be repeated.
fig. 21A0K0063m
If the ignition switch is tampered with (e.g.: at-
tempted theft), have it checked over by an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service Provider as soon as pos-
sible.
Always remove the key when you leave your car
to prevent someone from accidentally operating
the controls. Remember to engage the handbrake.
Engage 1
stgear if the car is parked uphill or reverse if the
car is parked downhill. Never leave children unattended
in the car.
STEERING LOCK
Engagement
When the key is at STOP, remove the key and turn the steering
wheel until it locks.
Disengagement
Move the steering wheel slightly and turn the ignition key to MAR.
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-
market operation involving steering system or
steering column modifications (e.g.: installation of
anti-theft device). This could badly affect performance and
safety, invalidate the warranty and also result in the non-
compliance of the car with approval requirements.
Never remove the key while the car is moving. The
steering wheel should lock automatically as soon
as it is turned. This also applies to when the car is
towed.
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GETTING
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IN AN
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SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
REAR HEAD RESTRAINTS
Two height-adjustable head restraints are provided for the back
seats (to adjust the height see the previous paragraph). On some
versions a head restraint is also provided for the central seat.
To remove the head restraints:
❍raise the head restraints to their maximum height;
❍press A and B buttons fig. 27 and then remove the head re-
straint by sliding it upwards.
STEERING WHEEL
It can be adjusted axially and vertically.
To adjust, release A lever fig. 28 by pushing it forwards (position
1) and adjust the steering wheel. Then lock lever A by pulling it
towards the steering wheel (position 2).
fig. 27A0K0065mfig. 28A0K0077m
Any adjustment of the steering wheel position must
be carried out only with the car stationary and the
engine turned off.
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-
market operation involving steering system or
steering column modifications (e.g. installing an
anti-theft device) that could badly affect performance and
safety, invalidate the warranty and also result in the car
failing to comply with regulations.
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GETTING
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SAFETY
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
CEILING LIGHTS
FRONT CEILING LIGHT fig. 44
A Switch is used to switch the ceiling lights on/off.
A Switch positions:
❍central position (position 1): C and D lights come on/off when
the doors are opened/closed;
❍pressed to the left (position 0): C and D lights are always off;
❍pressed to the right (position 2): C and D lights are always on.
Lights are gradually switched on/off.
Turning the device off automatically
The device is automatically turned off in the following cases:
❍if the ABS or VDC systems intervene;
❍with car speed below the preset limit;
❍in the event of system fault.
Do not position the gear lever in neutral when dri-
ving with the device on.
In the event of faulty operation or fault, turn the
ring A-fig. 43 to OFF and contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service.
fig. 44A0K0061m
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GETTING
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EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
BONNET
OPENING
Proceed as follows:
❍pull lever A-fig. 77 in the direction indicated by the arrow;
❍operate lever B in the sense indicated by the arrow and open the
bonnet.
IMPORTANT Two side gas shock absorbers are provided to assist
opening the bonnet. Do not tamper with the shock absorber and
accompany the bonnet while lifting it.
IMPORTANT Before lifting up the bonnet make sure that the wind-
screen wipers are in the rest position and not operational.
fig. 77A0K0116m
CLOSING
Lower the bonnet to approximately 20 centimetres from the en-
gine compartment and let it drop. Make sure that the bonnet is
completely closed and not only fastened by the safety catch by try-
ing to open it. If it is not perfectly closed, open the bonnet and
repeat the procedure. Do not simply press it.
IMPORTANT Always check that the bonnet is closed properly to avoid
it opening while the car is travelling.
For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be per-
fectly closed while travelling. Make sure that the
bonnet is perfectly closed and that the lock is en-
gaged. If you discover whilst driving that the lock is not
fully engaged, stop immediately and close the bonnet in
the correct manner.
Perform these operations only when the car is sta-
tionary.
109
GETTING
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EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
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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CONTENTS
“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.
113
GETTING
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
“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