2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta potential

110
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
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.

124
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND CELLULAR PHONES
Radio transmitting equipment (vehicle mobile phones, CB radios,
amateur radio etc.) shall not be used inside the car unless a sep-
arate aerial is mounted on the roof.
IMPORTANT The use of these devices inside the passenger com-
partment (without a separate aerial) may cause the vehicle elec-
trical systems to malfunction. This could compromise safety in ad-
dition to constituting a potential hazard for passengers’ health.
In addition, transmission and reception of these devices may be af-
fected by the shielding effect of the car body. As far as the use of
EC-approved mobile phones is concerned (GSM, GPRS, UMTS), fol-
low the instructions for use provided by the mobile phone manu-
facturer.
PARKING SENSORS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The parking sensors are located on the rear bumper fig. 88 and
their function is to inform the driver, through an intermittent beep-
ing, of the presence of obstacles behind the car.
TURNING THE SENSORS ON
The sensors are turned on when reverse gear is engaged. As the
distance from the obstacle behind the car decreases, the beeping
becomes more frequent.
fig. 88A0K0060m

126
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
The ultimate responsibility when parking and car-
rying out other dangerous manoeuvres still rests
with the driver. When carrying out such manoeu-
vres, always ensure that the manoeuvring area is free
of people (particularly children) and animals. Parking sen-
sors are designed to assist drivers; however, you must al-
ways concentrate fully during potentially dangerous ma-
noeuvres, even if carried out at low speeds.
GENERAL WARNINGS
During parking manoeuvres, pay the utmost attention to any ob-
stacles that could be located above or below the sensors.
Sometimes, objects located close to the rear part of the car may
not be detected by the system and may damage the car or become
damaged themselves.
Here below are some conditions that may influence the perfor-
mance of the parking system:
❍Reduced sensor sensitivity and a reduction in the parking as-
sistance system performance could be due to the presence on
the surface of the sensor of: ice, snow, mud, thick paint.
❍the sensor may detect a non-existent obstacle (echo noise) due
to mechanical noises, for example when washing the vehicle,
in case of rain, strong wind, hail.
❍the signals sent by the sensors can also be altered by the pres-
ence of ultrasound devices (e.g. pneumatic brake systems or
pneumatic drills) near the car;
❍sensor performance can also be influenced by the position of
the sensors. For example by a change in the ride setting (caused
by the wear of the shock absorbers, suspension), overloading
the car and carrying out specific tuning operations that require
the car to be lowered;
❍the detection of obstacles at the top part of the vehicle may
not be guaranteed because the system detects obstacles that
could cause an impact with the vehicle in the bottom part.
For repainting the bumpers or retouching the paint-
work around the sensors contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services. Incorrect application of paint
may compromise the operation of the parking sensors.