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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Main safety rules to be followed
when carrying children❒Install the child seats on the rear seat, which is the most protected
position in the event of an accident;
❒if the front passenger airbag is deactivated always check the
warning light on the instrument panel to make sure that it has
actually been deactivated.
❒Follow the instructions supplied with the child seat itself, which the
manufacturer must provide. Keep the instructions in the car along
with the other documents and this handbook. Do not use child seats
without instructions;
❒always check that the seat belt is well fastened by pulling on it;
❒only one child is to be strapped into each retaining system; never
carry two children using one child seat;
❒always check that the belts do not rest on the child’s neck;❒while travelling, do not let the child sit incorrectly or release the
belts;
❒never carry children on your lap, even newborns. No-one could
restrain them in the event of an accident;
❒in the event of an accident, replace the child seat with a new one.
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FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAGThis is located in a dedicated compartment in the dashboard fig. 115.
When the passenger side airbag is activated, child seats
facing backwards must NEVER be placed 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. Always deactivate the passenger side airbag
when placing a child seat on the front seat. The passenger seat must
also be positioned back as far as possible in order to avoid the child
seat from coming into contact with the dashboard. Though not required
by law, we recommend that you reactivate this airbag as soon as the
child no longer needs to be transported to ensure better protection
for adults.
Deactivating passenger side airbags:
front airbag and seat-mounted side
bag for pelvis, chest and shoulders
protection (Side bag)If a child must be carried on the front seat in a child seat facing
backwards, deactivate the passenger side front airbag and seat-
mounted side bag for pelvis, chest and shoulder protection (side back).
With the airbags deactivated, the
warning light switches on in the
instrument panel.
To deactivate the airbags, see the “Knowing your car”
section, “Menu Options” paragraph.
fig. 115
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Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on the door,
windows or the area in which the window bag is
located to avoid possible injury during inflation.Never lean your head, arms or elbows out of the
window.
IMPORTANT
Do not wash the seats with water or pressurised steam (by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).
The front airbags and/or side bags may be deployed if the car is
subject to violent impacts involving the underbody area (e.g. violent
impacts against steps or kerbs, big holes or dips in the road etc.).When the airbag deploys it emits a small amount of dust: the dust is
harmless and does not indicate the beginning of a fire. The dust may
irritate the skin and eyes however: in this case, wash with neutral soap
and water.
All operations on airbags (inspection, repair and replacement) must be
carried out by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
If the car is to be scrapped, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the airbag system deactivated.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed in different ways, according to
the type of impact. Failure to deploy of one of the devices does not
necessarily indicate a system malfunction.
If the
warning light does not switch on when the
key is turned to MAR, or stays on while driving (on
some versions together with a message on the display)
there may be a fault in the restraint systems. In this case, airbags
or pretensioners may not be activated in the case of an accident
or (in a lesser number of cases) they may be activated
incorrectly. Before proceeding, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the system checked immediately.
The expiry dates of the explosive charge and the clock
spring are shown on a specific label contained in the
glove compartment. As these dates approach, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Workshops.
fig. 117
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Do not travel carrying objects in your lap, in front of
your chest or between your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.):
they could cause severe injury if the airbag is
deployed.If the car has been subject to theft, attempted theft,
vandalism, or flooding, have the airbag system
inspected at Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.The airbags may also be deployed when the car is not
moving, if the key is in the ignition and turned to MAR
even when the engine is off, if the car is hit by another
moving vehicle. For this reason, children must never sit on the
front seat, even if the car is not moving. Also remember that no
safety device (airbags or pretensioners) will activate in the event
of impact when the key is at STOP. Non-deployment of these
devices under these circumstances does not therefore indicate a
system malfunction.
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the
warning light (with passenger side front airbag
activated) switches on and flashes for a few seconds to
remind you that the passenger airbag will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should switch off.
The front airbag is designed to be deployed for
impacts of a greater intensity than for the
pretensioners. For impacts whose intensity falls
between the two levels, it is normal for only the pretensioners to
be activated.The airbag does not replace seat belts but increases
their effectiveness. Because front airbags are not
deployed for low-speed crashes, side collisions,
rear-end shunts or rollovers, occupants are protected, in addition
to any side bags, only by their seat belts, which must therefore
always be fastened.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINEPROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONSProceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever in neutral;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal, without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine
starts.
IMPORTANT
❒If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOP before repeating the starting procedure.
❒If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel warning
light
remains on together with warning light
, turn the
key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the warning light remains on,
try the other keys provided. If you are still unable to start the engine
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
❒Never leave the ignition key at MAR when the engine is stopped.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONSProceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever in neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR: the warning lights
and
on
the instrument panel will switch on;
❒wait for the warning lights to switch off;❒fully depress the clutch pedal, without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV;
warning light switches off.
Waiting too long will waste the heating work carried out by the
glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If the
warning light flashes for about 1 minute after
starting or during prolonged cranking, this indicates a fault
in the glow plug preheating system. Use the car normally
if the engine starts and go to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
It is dangerous to run the engine in enclosed areas. The
engine takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.It is advisable not to demand maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.) when it is
first used.When the engine is off, do not leave the ignition key turned
to MAR to prevent unnecessary electrical consumption from
draining the battery.
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Remember that the brake servo and electromechanical
power steering are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much more effort than
usual is required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. These manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
WARMING UP THE ENGINE JUST
AFTER IT HAS STARTEDProceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium revs and without
accelerating abruptly;
❒do not demand maximum performance for the first few kilometres. It
is advisable to wait until the engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.STOPPING THE ENGINETurn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive, before turning the engine off
you should allow it to idle to allow the temperature in the engine
compartment to decrease.
A quick burst on the accelerator before stopping the engine
serves absolutely no practical purpose. It wastes fuel and
is especially damaging to turbocharged engines.
PARKINGSwitch off the engine and pull up the handbrake. Engage a gear (1
stif
the car is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing downhill) and leave
the wheels steered to one side.
If the car is parked on a steep slope block the wheels with a wedge or
stone. Always remove the ignition key when leaving the car.
Never leave children unattended in the car. Always
remove the key from the ignition when leaving the car
and take it with you.
HANDBRAKETo engage the handbrake pull lever A fig. 118 upwards until the car is
secured. To release the handbrake, raise lever A slightly, hold down
button B and lower the lever.
fig. 118
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Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears correctly. It
is therefore essential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying flat and do not
get in the way of the pedals.Do not drive with your hand resting on the gear lever as
the force exerted, even if slight, could lead over time to
premature wear of the gearbox internal components.
SAVING FUELHere are some suggestions which can help you to save fuel and lower
harmful emissions.GENERAL CONSIDERATIONSCar maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan” (see chapter “Maintenance and care”).
Ty r e s
Check the tyre pressure at least once every 4 weeks: if the pressure is
too low, consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary 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 lower aerodynamic penetration and adversely affect
consumption levels. It is better to use a trailer to transport particularly
bulky objects.
Electrical devices
Only use electrical devices for the time needed. The heated rear
window, 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).
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