2013 Alfa Romeo Giulietta ESC

ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEMThis is an electronic system controlling car stability in the event of tyre
grip loss, helping to maintain directional control.
The system 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
stabilising torque.
The ESC system also includes the following systems:
❒Hill Holder
❒ASR
❒Brake Assist
❒MSR
❒CBC
❒“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❒DST
❒RABSYSTEM ACTIVATIONThe ESC system switches on automatically when the engine is started
and cannot be switched off.SYSTEM INTERVENTIONIt is signalled by the flashing of theESCwarning light on the
instrument panel, to inform the driver that the car is in critical stability
and grip conditions.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEMThis system is an integral part of the ESC system and facilitates starting
on slopes.
It is automatically activated in the following conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pedal pressed and gearbox in neutral or
gear (other than reverse) engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than
5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and reverse gear
engaged.
When setting off the ESC system control unit maintains the braking
pressure at the wheels until the engine torque required for departure is
reached or for approximately 2 seconds, allowing your right foot to
be moved easily from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the system will deactivate
automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A sound may
be heard during this stage: this indicates that the vehicle is about
to move off.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a handbrake. Do not leave
the vehicle without having engaged the handbrake, switched off the
engine and engaged a gear.
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ASR (AntiSlip Regulation) SYSTEMIt is an integral part of the ESC system. It automatically operates in the
event of one or both drive wheels slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(aquaplaning) and acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc.
Depending on the slipping conditions, two different control systems 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.
For the correct operation of the ESC and ASR systems,
the tyres must be the same make and type on all
wheels, in perfect condition and, above all, of the type,
make and size recommended.The ESC system operates even when the space-saver
wheel is being used. Always remember that the
space-saver wheel, being smaller than the original
wheel, provides less grip.Do not take unnecessary risks, even if your vehicle is
fitted with the ESC and ASR systems. Driving style must
always be adapted to road conditions, visibility and
traffic. The driver is always responsible for road safety.
BRAKE ASSIST(assistance during emergency braking)
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 device is
deactivated if there is a ESC system failure.MSR SYSTEM(Motor Schleppmoment Regelung)
This system is an integral part of the ABS, that intervenes, if there is a
sudden downshifting, restoring torque to the engine, thereby
preventing excessive drive at the drive wheels which, especially in poor
grip conditions, could lead to a loss in stability of the car.CBC (Cornering Brake Control)
SYSTEMThis function improves the distribution of the braking pressure at the
four wheels (to fully exploit the grip available on the ground) when
braking on bends if the ABS intervenes. This improves stopping
distances and above all vehicle stability when cornering.“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 system, when accelerating around a curve, acts on
the inside wheel to increase the drive to the outside wheel (increased
load), dynamically and continuously distributing the torque between
the front drive wheels according to driving and road conditions.
The system, combined with MacPherson front suspension, allows
particularly effective and sports driving to be achieved.
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DST SYSTEM
(Dynamic Steering Torque)This function integrates Dual Pinion active steering into the operation of
ESC. For particular manoeuvres, the ESC system controls the steering
to actuate a steering torque and assist the driver in the best possible
way.
The system operates the brakes and steering in a coordinated manner
to increase the suspension and safety level of the car as a whole.
The steering provides additional torque on the steering wheel.RAB SYSTEM (Ready Alert Brakes)
(only with “Dynamic” mode
engaged)It is a function that achieves a pre-positioning of the brake pads (front
and rear) following a rapid release of the accelerator pedal to reduce
braking times, shortening stopping distances.
“Alfa DNA” SYSTEM
(Car dynamic control system)This device allows, using lever A fig. 82 (on the central tunnel), three
car response modes to be selected according to driving style and road
conditions:
❒d = Dynamic (sports driving mode);
❒n = Natural (mode for driving in normal conditions);
❒a = All Weather (mode for driving in poor grip conditions, such as
rain and snow).
The device also acts on the dynamic car control systems (engine,
steering, VDC system, instrument panel).
When lever A fig. 82 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. 82
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DRIVING MODESLever A is monostable type. In other words, it always remains in a
central position.
The selected driving mode is indicated by the corresponding LED
coming on in the panel and by an indication on the reconfigurable
multifunction display, as illustrated below:
❒Dynamic modefig. 83 (display image available for versions/
markets, where provided)
❒All Weather Modefig. 84
“Natural” mode
When “Natural” mode is selected, no messages or symbols are shown
on the display.
ESC e ASR:intervention thresholds aimed at comfort in normal
conditions of use for normal driving conditions.
Steering wheel tuning:functions aimed at comfort in normal
conditions of use.DST:braking standard control coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Oversteer compensation: a slight
pulse on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry out the most
appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:standard response.
ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“Dynamic” MODEEngagement
Move the lever A fig. 82 upwards (next 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 fig. 85).
Upon release, lever A returns to the central position.
ESC and ASR:intervention thresholds that allow more enjoyable,
sportier driving whilst guaranteeing stability in the event of loss of
control of the car. Improves traction whilst accelerating on bends.
Steering wheel tuning:uses the sports mode function.
fig. 83
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fig. 84
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DST:braking standard control coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Oversteering compensation
depending on the ESC/ASR intervention thresholds: a slight movement
on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry out the most
appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:prompter response + Overboost to maximise torque (for
versions/markets, where provided).
Electronic Q2:improves traction and reduces understeer in
acceleration while exiting curves.
RAB:by 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 brake pedal feeling.
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 values.Disengagement
To deactivate “Dynamic” mode and return to “Natural”, repeat the
same movement of the lever within the same times. In this case, the LED
corresponding to “Natural” mode will light up and the words “Natural
on” will appear on the reconfigurable multifunction display (see fig.
86).
ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“All Weather” MODEEngagement
Move lever A fig. 82 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 fig. 87).
ESC and ASR: intervention thresholds for top safety and car control
even in the event of critical road conditions (e.g. in case of rain, snow,
etc.).
Steering wheel tuning:maximum comfort.
fig. 85
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fig. 86
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DST:higher braking control coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Oversteering compensation
depending on the ESC/ASR intervention thresholds: a slight movement
on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry out the most
appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:standard response.
Disengagement
To deactivate “All Weather” mode and return to “Natural”, carry out
the same procedure described for “Dynamic” mode, but move lever A
fig. 82 to “a”.IMPORTANT
❒It is not possible to switch directly from “Dynamic” mode to “All
Weather” mode and vice versa. You must always first go back
to “Natural” mode and then select the other mode.
❒If “All Weather” or “Natural ”mode was active when the engine was
stopped, the next time it is started the mode that was selected is
reactivated.
❒In the event of system failure or a fault with lever A fig. 82, no
driving modes can be selected. The display will show a warning
message.
fig. 87
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Front seats (warning light
no. 1 = driver and
no. 5 = passenger)Driver
If the driver is the only occupant and their seat belt is not fastened,
when 20 km/h is exceeded or when travelling at a speed between 10
and 20 km/h for longer than 5 seconds, an acoustic signal cycle
will be started for the front seats (continuous acoustic signal for
6 seconds followed by a 90 second beep). The warning light will flash.
The warning lights will stay on constantly at the end of the cycle until
the engine is stopped. The acoustic signal will be interrupted
immediately when the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the warning
light will turn green.
The reminder cycle (acoustic and visual) will be repeated as described
above and the red warning light will flash if the seat belt is unfastened
again while travelling.
Passenger
A similar situation applies to the front passenger, with the difference
that the warning light turns green and the indication is also interrupted
when the passenger leaves the car.
If both front seat belts are unfastened a few seconds apart while the
car is travelling, the acoustic signal will refer to the most recent event
and the two warning lights will proceed with the visual indication
independently.
fig. 103
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CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYFor optimal protection in the event of a collision, all passengers must
be seated and wearing adequate restraint systems. This is even more
important for children.
This prescription is compulsory in all EC countries according to
Directive 2003/20/EC. Compared with an adult, a child's head is
larger and heavier in proportion to his/her body and the child's
muscular and bone structures are not fully developed. Therefore,
correct restraint systems other than adult seat belts are necessary to
reduce as much as possible the risk of injuries in case of accident,
braking or sudden manoeuvre.
Children must be suitably restrained inside the vehicle according to
their weight. Several children restraint system types are available;
always choose the one most suitable for the child.
Over 1.50 m in height, from the point of view of restraint systems,
children are considered as adults and wear the seat belts normally.
The results of research on the best child restraint systems are contained
in the European Standard ECE-R44, which enforces the use of restraint
systems classified into five weight groups:Group Weight groups
Group0 upto10kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
All restraint devices must bear the type-approval data along with the
control mark on a label firmly secured to the child seat which must
never be removed.
Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes child seats for each weight group.
These devices are recommended having been specifically tested for
Alfa Romeo cars.
When an active passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT
install child seats to be fitted facing backwards on the
front seat. Deployment of the airbag in an accident
could cause fatal injuries to the baby regardless of the severity of
the collision. It is advisable to always carry children in a child
seat on the rear seat, which is the most protected position in the
event of a collision.Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
passenger side front seat in a child seat facing backwards,
the passenger side airbags (pelvis/chest protection front
and side bags) must be deactivated through the Setup
menu. Deactivation should be verified by checking if the
warning light is on the instrument panel. Slide the passenger seat
back as far as possible to avoid contact between the child seat and
the dashboard.
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