ESC (Electronic
Stability Control)
SYSTEM
IN BRIEF
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of the
vehicle in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the car’s
understeer and oversteer, distributing
the brake force on the appropriate
wheels. The torque supplied by
the engine can also be reduced in
order to maintain control of the car.
26) 27) 28) 29) 30)
The ESC system uses sensors installed
on the car to determine the trajectory
that the driver intends to follow and
compares it with the car’s effective
trajectory. When the real trajectory
deviates from the desired trajectory, the
ESC system intervenes to counter the
car’s understeer or oversteer.
❒ Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel. ❒
Understeer: occurs when the vehicle
is turning less than it should
according to the angle of the steering
wheel
The ESC system also includes the
following systems:
❒ ABS
❒ EBD
❒ CBC
❒ DTC
❒ ASR
❒ HILL HOLDER
❒ HBA
❒ “ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❒ "PRE-FILL" (RAB - Ready Alert
Brake)
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system activates automatically
when the engine is started and can
only be deactivated by selecting "Race"
mode. For more details, refer to the
"Alfa DNA system" paragraph in this
chapter.
46
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Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
authorises the installation of transceiver
devices on condition that such
installations are carried out in
a workmanlike fashion, following the
manufacturer’s instructions, at a
specialised centre.
IMPORTANT Traffic police may not
allow the car on the road if devices
have been installed which modify the
features of the car. This may also cause
invalidation of warranty in relation to
faults caused by the change either
directly or indirectly related to it.
Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. shall not
be liable for damage caused by the
installation of accessories either not
supplied or recommended by Fiat
Group Automobiles S.p.A. and/or not
installed in compliance with the
provided instructions.
RADIO TRANSMITTERS
AND MOBILE PHONES
Radio transmitter equipment (vehicle
mobile phones, CB radios, amateur
radio etc.) cannot be used inside the
car unless a separate aerial is mounted
on the roof.IMPORTANT The use of these devices
inside the passenger compartment
(without a separate aerial) may cause
the vehicle’s electronic systems to
malfunction. This could compromise
safety in addition to constituting a
potential hazard for passengers' health.
As far as the use of EC-approved
mobile phones is concerned (GSM,
GPRS, UMTS), follow the usage
instructions provided by the mobile
phone manufacturer.
WARNING
44) Take care when fitting additional
spoilers or non-standard alloy
wheels: they could reduce the
ventilation of the brakes and
affect efficiency in sharp,
repeated braking or on long
descents. Make sure that nothing
obstructs the pedal stroke (mats,
etc.).
PARKING SENSORS(for versions/markets, where provided)
They are located in the rear bumper
fig. 53 and their function is to detect the
presence of any obstacles near the
rear part of the car; they consequently
inform the driver, through an
intermittent acoustic signal.
ACTIVATION/
DEACTIVATION
The sensors are automatically activated
when reverse gear is engaged. As the
obstacle behind the car gets closer, the
acoustic signal becomes more
frequent.53
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Under certain circumstances, objects
close to the vehicle are not detected by
the system and could therefore cause
damage to the car or be damaged
themselves.
Some conditions may influence the
performance of the parking sensors:
❒the presence of ice, snow, mud
or multiple layers of paint on the
sensor surface may cause reduced
sensitivity of the sensor itself and
therefore reduce the system
performance;
❒ mechanical interference (e.g. washing
the car, rain, strong wind, hail) may
cause the sensor to detect a
non-existent obstacle ("echo
interference");
❒ the presence of ultrasonic systems
(e.g. pneumatic brake systems of
trucks or pneumatic drills) near the
car could alter the signals sent by the
sensor;
❒ the variation in sensor position,
caused by variation in ride (due
to suspension component wear),
changing tyres, overloaded car,
or tuning that lowers the car, for
example, may affect parking sensor
system performance.
WARNING
45) The responsibility for parking
and other dangerous manoeuvres
always and in every case lies
with the driver. While carrying out
these manoeuvres, always make
sure that no people (especially
children) or animals are in the
area concerned. The parking
sensors are an aid for the driver,
but must never allow their
attention to lapse during
potentially dangerous
manoeuvres, even those executed
at low speeds.
IMPORTANT
4) The sensor must be free frommud, dirt, snow or ice in order for
the system to operate correctly.
Be careful not to scratch or
damage the sensors while
cleaning them. Avoid using dry,
rough or hard cloths. The sensors
must be washed using clean
water, with the addition of car
shampoo if necessary. When
using special washing equipment
such as high pressure jets or
steam cleaning, clean the sensors
very quickly keeping the jet more
than 10 cm away. Also, do not
apply stickers to the sensors.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
This section of the booklet gives you all
the information you need to
understand, interpret and use the
instrument panel correctly.CONTROL PANEL AND
INSTRUMENTS ............................... 60
SETUP MENU ................................. 62
MENU OPTIONS ............................. 64
TRIP COMPUTER ........................... 68
WARNING LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES .................................... 71
- LOW BRAKE FLUID / HANDBRAKE
ENGAGED .......................................... 71
- EBD FAILURE .................................. 72
- AIRBAG FAILURE ............................. 72
- SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED .......... 72
- ABS FAILURE ................................... 73
- PASSENGER AIRBAG
DEACTIVATED .................................... 74
- INJECTION/EOBD SYSTEM
FAILURE ............................................. 75
- TPMS ............................................... 76
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
(ESC) SYSTEM ................................... 77
- ASR FUNCTION DEACTIVATED
WARNING LIGHT ............................... 77
- SIDE LIGHTS AND DIPPED
HEADLIGHTS ..................................... 78
- FOLLOW ME HOME ........................ 78
- LEFT DIRECTION INDICATOR .......... 79
- RIGHT DIRECTION INDICATOR ....... 79
- MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS .............. 79
- LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE ......... 80
-ENGINE OIL DETERIORATED ........... 80
- ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
TOO HIGH .......................................... 81
- ALTERNATOR FAILURE ................... 81
- GEARBOX FAILURE ......................... 82
-INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING ........ 82
-WORN BRAKE PADS ........................ 82
- ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEM
FAILURE ............................................. 82 - FUEL RESERVE/LIMITED RANGE .... 83
- FUEL RESERVE/LIMITED RANGE
SENSOR FAULT ................................. 83
- CRUISE CONTROL .......................... 83
- DOOR MIRROR
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING ................. 83
- EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAULT ............... 84
- SERVICE (SCHEDULED SERVICING)
............................................................ 84
- GENERAL FAILURE ......................... 85
- FUEL CUT-OFF ................................ 85
- LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OPEN . 86
- POSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD ................ 86
- BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE ................. 86
- PARKING SENSOR FAILURE ........... 86
- DISPLAY OF SELECTED DRIVING
MODE (“Alfa DNA” system) ................. 86
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Warning lights ondisplay What it means
What to do
GENERAL FAILURE
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The symbol lights up in the display in the
circumstances indicated below.
Engine oil pressure sensor failure
The symbol lights up when the engine oil pressure
sensor is faulty. The display shows the dedicated
message.In these case contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership to have the fault fixed as soon as
possible.
"Clutch overheating" message
The
symbol, along with a message on the
display, lights up to indicate clutch overheating.
If the driver continues, the
symbol will switch
off and the
warning light will light up (on some
versions together with a message on the display)
to indicate a transmission failure. If the
symbol lights up along with a message
on the display, reduce gear shifting and/or
change usage conditions, until the normal
operating conditions are restored.
If thewarning light lights up (a message will
appear on the display, on some versions) stop
immediately, operate the handbrake, stop the
engine and wait 5 minutes: after this, normal
transmission operating conditions will be
restored.
Should the transmission failure condition persist,
contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership
FUEL CUT-OFF
The symbol and the corresponding message are
shown on the display in the following cases:
❒ fuel cut-off system intervention: the yellow
symbol lights up;
❒ fuel cut-off system failure: the red symbol lights
up. For the fuel cut-off system reactivation procedure,
refer to the "Fuel Cut-Off System" section of the
"Controls" paragraph, in the "Knowing your car"
chapter. If it is still not possible to restore the fuel
supply, contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
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Warning lights ondisplay What it means
What to do
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OPEN
The symbol and the corresponding message are
shown on the display.POSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD
The symbol and corresponding message appear
on the display when the outside temperature is
below or equal to 3°C.
IMPORTANT In the event of outside temperature
sensor failure, the digits that indicate the value are
replaced by dashes.BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE
The symbol and corresponding message appear
on the display if a fault is detected in the brake
lights.The fault may be caused by a blown bulb, a
blown protection fuse or an interruption of the
electrical connection.PARKING SENSOR FAILURE
The symbol and corresponding message appear
on the display if there is a parking sensor failure.
DISPLAY OF SELECTED DRIVING MODE
(“Alfa DNA” system)
A letter (d, n, or a) corresponding to the active
driving mode (dynamic or race, normal, all
weather) and a dedicated message are shown on
the display.
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– speedometer ............................. 62Parking ......................................... 103
– Handbrake ................................ 103
Parking lights ................................. 27
Parking sensors ............................. 50
Passenger side front airbag ............ 98
Performance .................................. 168
Plugs (type) .................................... 157
Power socket ................................. 34
Pre-Fill system (RAB - Ready Alert Brake) .................................. 44
Pretensioners ................................. 92 – Load limiters.............................. 93
Protecting the environment ............ 57Radio system................................ 49
Radio transmitters and mobile phones......................................... 50
Raising the car ............................... 129
Rear direction indicators................. 123
Rear fog light.................................. 32
Rear fog light/reversing light ........... 124
Rear view mirrors ........................... 18 – Internal mirror ............................ 18
Rear window washer – rear window washer fluid level ... 141
Refuelling ....................................... 170
Refuelling the car ........................... 56
Rev counter ................................... 62
Rim Protector................................. 164 Roof light
– bulb replacement ...................... 125
Roof lights...................................... 31 – Front roof light ........................... 31
Saving fuel .................................... 109
SBR system (Seat Belt Reminder) .................................... 92
Scheduled Servicing Plan ............... 135
Screen wiper/washer ..................... 28 – “Smart washing” function .......... 29
Seat belts....................................... 90 – Use ........................................... 90
Seats ............................................. 15
Setup menu ............................... 62-63
Side air diffusers............................. 19
Side lights/brake lights ................... 123
Side lights/daytime running lights (DRL)
– bulb replacement ...................... 122
Side lights/dipped headlights ......... 27
Snow tyres ..................................... 111
Speedometer ................................. 62
Speedometer (speed indicator) ...... 62
Starting the engine ......................... 102
Starting the engine ......................... 114 – Bump starting ........................... 114
– Jump starting ............................ 114
Steering ......................................... 162
Steering lock .................................. 15
Steering wheel ............................... 17 Storage compartments .................. 33
Sun visors ...................................... 35
Suspension .................................... 161
Symbols......................................... 10
Technical data .............................. 154
The keys ........................................ 11 – Key without remote control........ 11
– Key with remote control............. 11
Third brake lights – bulb replacement ...................... 124
Towing the car ............................... 130 – Attaching the tow hook ............. 130
TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System)........................................ 53
Transmission .................................. 159
TRIP button.................................... 69
Trip Computer ................................ 68
Tyres – Fix&Go automatic (kit) ............... 115
– inflation pressures ..................... 166
– reading the tyre code ................ 163
– Rim Protector tyres ................... 164
– snow tyres................................. 165
– tyres provided ........................... 165
Tyres - maintenance ....................... 147Using the transmission.................. 104W
arning lights and messages ....... 71
Weights.......................................... 169
Wheel rims
INDEX