2012 Alfa Romeo Giulietta gearbox

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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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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.

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EMERGENCY STARTING
When jump starting, never connect the negative lead (–) of the
auxiliary battery to the negative pole A-fig. 84 of the car battery,
but rather to an engine/gearbox earth point.
Before opening the engine hood, make sure that
the engine is off and that the ignition key is in STOP
position. Follow the instructions on the plate af-
fixed on the front crossmember (fig. 85). You are advised
to extract the key when other people are inside the car.
Remove the ignition key or turn it to the STOP position be-
fore leaving the car. During refuelling, make sure that the
engine is off and the key is in STOP position.
fig. 84A0K0180mfig. 85A0K0224m

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STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍turn the ignition key to the MAR position: warning lights m
andYon the instrument panel will light up;
❍wait for the warning lights to go out;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as warning light mgoes
out. Waiting too long will waste the heating work carried out
by the glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If warning light mblinks for approximately 1
minute after starting or during prolonged crank-
ing, this indicates a fault in the glow plug pre-heat-
ing system. Use the car normally if the engine starts and
go to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as possible.
It is dangerous to have the engine running indoors.
The engine takes in oxygen and discharges carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
STARTING THE ENGINE
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the moment the en-
gine starts.
IMPORTANT
❍If the engine does not start on the first attempt, turn the igni-
tion key to STOP before repeating the operation.
❍If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel warn-
ing light
Yremains on together with warning light U, turn
the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the warning light
remains on, try with the other keys provided with the car. If
you are still unable to start the engine contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
❍Never leave the ignition key on MAR when the engine is off.

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USING THE GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal down fully and shift
the gear lever into the required position (a diagram is shown
on the knob fig. 111).
To engage 6th gear, operate the lever by pressing it towards the
right in order to avoid engaging 4th gear by mistake. Similar ac-
tion to pass from sixth to fifth gear.
To engage reverse gear (R) from the neutral position, lift up ring
A-fig. 111 and simultaneously move the lever to the left and then
forwards.
IMPORTANT Reverse may be engaged only when the car is at a
standstill.
fig. 111A0K0082m
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears cor-
rectly. Therefore, the floor area under the pedals
must be clear: ensure that any rubber mats are flat
and do not interfere with the pedals.
Do not drive with your hand resting on the gear
lever, because this pressure, even if light, can wear
out the inner components of the gearbox over
time.

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IN AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency we recommend that you call the freephone number found in the Warranty Booklet.
You can also consult www.alfaromeo.com to find your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
STARTING THE ENGINE
If the Ywarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services immediately.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be started using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a little higher than the flat one.
For engine starting follow the procedure below, fig. 112:
❍connect the positive terminal (+) of the booster battery only
with the point indicated on the vehicle battery (writing OK
figure 112) and nowhere else;
❍with a second lead, connect the negative terminal (–) of the
auxiliary battery to an earthing point
Eon the engine or the
gearbox of the car to be started;
❍when the engine has been started, follow the sequence above
in reverse order to remove the leads.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider if you cannot
start the engine after several attempts.
IMPORTANT Never connect the negative terminals of the two bat-
teries directly! If the auxiliary battery is installed on another car,
prevent accidental contact between metallic parts of the two cars.
fig. 112A0K0247m

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Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services should the
fuse blow again.
Never replace a blown fuse with metallic wires or
other material.
Never replace a fuse with another of higher am-
perage: FIRE RISK.
If a general protection fuse (MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-
FUSE, MAXI-FUSE) blows, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
Remove the key from the ignition switch and switch
off all loads before replacing a fuse.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services if a safe-
ty system (air bags, brakes), engine system (en-
gine, gearbox) or steering system general pro-
tection fuse blows.

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REGULAR CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and top up the fol-
lowing if necessary:
❍engine coolant level, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid
❍tyre pressure and condition;
❍operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard lights, etc.);
❍operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system, position
and wear of windscreen/rear window wiper blades;
Check and top up, if required, the engine oil level every 3,000 km.
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR
If you use the car mainly under one of the following conditions:
❍trailer or caravan towing;
❍dusty roads;
❍short (less than 7-8 km) and repeated journeys in sub-zero
temperatures;
❍frequent engine idling, travelling long distances at low speeds
or long term inactivity;
perform the following inspections more frequently than shown on
the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❍check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
❍check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanli-
ness and lubrication of linkages;
❍visually inspect the conditions of: engine, gearbox, transmis-
sion, pipes and tubes (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts
(boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❍check battery charge and liquid level (electrolyte);
❍visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drive belts;
❍check and if necessary change engine oil and oil filter;
❍check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
❍check air filter and replace, if required.