2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta tyre pressure

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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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SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may help you to save fuel and
lower the amount of harmful emissions released into the atmos-
phere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan” (see chapter “Servicing and mainte-
nance”).
Tyres
Check the tyre pressure at least once every 4 weeks: if the pres-
sure is too low, consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling
is higher.
Unnecessar y loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of the car and
its arrangement greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration and have a nega-
tive effect on fuel consumption. It is better to use a trailer to trans-
port particularly bulky objects.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount of time needed. The heat-
ed rear windscreen, additional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan require a considerable amount of energy; increasing the
current uptake increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% in an
urban cycle).
Climate control system
Using the climate control system will increase consumption: use
the air vents when the external temperature so allows.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect aerodynam-
ics and fuel consumption.

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SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the normal tyres provided
with the car. Alfa Romeo Authorized Services will advise you on the
most appropriate tyre for use.
Only use these tyres in the event of ice or snow on the roads.
For the type, pressures and specifications of the snow tyre to be
used, follow carefully the instructions given in the “Wheels” para-
graph of the “Technical specifications” chapter.
The performance of these tyres is considerably reduced when the
tread depth is less than 4 mm. If this is the case, replace them.
Due to their specific features, the performance of snow tyres is
much lower than that of standard tyres in normal conditions or on
long motorway stretches. You should therefore use them only in
the conditions for which they were designed. All four tyres should be the same (brand and track) to ensure greater
safety when driving, during braking and better driveability. Re-
member that it is inappropriate to change the direction of rotation
of tyres.
The maximum speed for snow tyres marked “Q”
is 160 km/h, while it is 190 km/h for “T” tyres
and 210 km/h for “H” tyres. You should, howev-
er, always stick to the speed limits of the highway code.

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Keep your speed down when snow chains are fit-
ted - do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes, steps
and pavements and also avoid driving for long dis-
tances on roads not covered with snow to avoid damag-
ing the car and the road surface.
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in compliance with local regu-
lations. Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheel tyres
(drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the first few metres have been
driven.
Use reduced bulk snow chains:
– All versions: for 195/55 R16”, 205/55 R16” and 225/45
R17” size tyres use low-clearance snow chains with a maximum
protrusion beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
IMPORTANT The space-saver wheel cannot be fitted with snow
chains. If a front (drive) wheel is punctured and snow chains must
be used, you must remove a normal wheel from the rear and re-
place this one with the space-saver wheel. In this way, with two
normal drive wheels, it is possible to use snow chains.
STORING THE CAR
If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the following
precautions should be noted:
❍park the car in a dry, covered and, if possible, ventilated area;
engage a gear and check that the handbrake is not engaged;
❍disconnect the negative battery terminal and check battery
charge. Repeat this check once every three months during stor-
age;
❍clean and protect painted areas using protective wax;
❍clean and protect the shiny metal areas using special com-
mercially-available products;
❍sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen and rear win-
dow wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
❍slightly open the windows;
❍cover the car with a fabric or perforated plastic sheet. Do not
use compact plastic sheets which do not allow humidity to evap-
orate from the surface of the car.
❍inflate tyres to a pressure of +0.5 bar above the normal spec-
ified pressure and check the pressure at regular intervals;
❍if you have not disconnected the battery, check the battery
charge every thirty days;
❍do not drain the engine cooling system.

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The jack may be used to replace wheels only on
the car that it comes with or other cars of the same
model. Never use the jack for other purposes, such
as lifting other models. Never use the jack to carry out re-
pairs under the car. Incorrect positioning of the jack may
cause the car to fall. Do not use the jack for loads higher
than the one shown on its label. Never install snow chains
on the space-saver spare wheel; if a front tyre (driving
wheel) is punctured and you need to use snow chains, use
a standard wheel from the rear axle and install the space-
saver spare wheel on the rear axle. In this way, with two
normal drive wheels, it is possible to use snow chains.
If the hub cap is not fitted correctly, it may come
off when the car is travelling. Never tamper with
the inflation valve. Never introduce tools of any
kind between the rim and the tyre. Regularly check the
inflation pressure of the tyres and space-saver wheel (see
chapter “Technical specifications”).Vehicle handling is modified with the space-saver
spare wheel fitted. Avoid violent acceleration and
braking, sharp steering and fast cornering. The
overall duration of the space-saver spare wheel is of about
3000 km, after which the relevant tyre must be replaced
with another one of the same type. Never install a tradi-
tional tyre on a rim designed to be used as a space-saver
spare wheel. Repair and refit the standard wheel as soon
as possible. Using two or more space-saver spare wheels
at the same time is forbidden. Do not apply grease to
the bolt threads before assembly: they might sponta-
neously unscrew.
JACK
Important notes:
❍the jack weight is 1.76 kg;
❍the jack requires no adjustment;
❍the jack cannot be repaired; if it breaks it must be replaced with
a new jack;
❍no tool other than the cranking device may be fitted on the
jack.

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“Automatic Fix&Go” KIT
This is located in the boot (the kit container may change according
to versions - see fig. 122). The kit container also contains a screw-
driver and the tow ring. The kit contains:
❍a bottle A-fig. 122a containing sealing liquid, provided with:
filling tube B and adhesive label C with the wording
“max. 80 km/h” to be placed in a clearly visible position
(e.g. on the dashboard) after repairing the tyre;
fig. 122aA0K0019m
fig. 122A0K0126mfig. 123A0K0020m
❍a compressor D complete with pressure gauge and connectors;
❍an information booklet fig. 123, providing instructions for us-
ing the kit correctly. This booklet should be given to the per-
sons charged with handling the tyre treated with this kit;

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❍inflate the tyre to the pressure shown in the “Wheels” para-
graph in the “Technical Specifications” chapter. In order to ob-
tain a precise reading, check the pressure on pressure gauge
B-fig. 126 with the compressor off;
❍if after 5 minutes you cannot reach at least 1.8 bar, unplug the
compressor from the valve and the socket, then move the car
forward about ten metres in order to distribute the sealant in-
side the tyre evenly, then repeat the inflation operation;
❍if you still cannot obtain a pressure of at least 1.8 bar within
5 minutes from the compressor switching on, do not drive off
and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services;
❍after driving for about 10 minutes, stop and check the tyre pres-
sure again; remember to put the handbrake on;
Apply the adhesive label where it can be easily
seen by the driver as a reminder that the tyre has
been treated with the quick repair kit. Drive care-
fully, particularly on bends. Do not exceed 80 km/h. Do
not accelerate or brake suddenly.
❍if a pressure value of at least 1.8 bar is detected, restore the
correct pressure (with the engine running and the handbrake
engaged), and drive with care to Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices.
If the pressure has fallen below 1.8 bar, do not dri-
ve any further: the Automatic Fix&Go quick tyre
repair kit cannot guarantee proper hold because
the tyre is too damaged. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
Remember to inform the workshop that the tyre
has been treated with a quick repair kit. Give the
instruction booklet to the personnel charged with
handling the treated tyre.
fig. 127A0K0128m

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fig. 128A0K0086m
A
CHECKING AND RESTORING TYRE PRESSURE
The compressor can also be used to check and if necessary top
up the tyre pressure. Release quick coupling A-fig. 128 and con-
nect it directly to the tyre to be inflated.
REPLACING THE BOTTLE
Proceed as follows:
❍release coupling A-fig. 129 and disconnect pipe B;
❍turn the bottle to be replaced anticlockwise and raise it;
❍fit the new bottle and turn it clockwise;
❍insert coupling A or connect tube B into its housing.
fig. 129A0K0041m