ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
Engine can be switched off in any
position of the gear lever.
Versions with
Start&Stop system
To switch the engine off, you need to
stop the car by pressing the brake
pedal properly; if the pressure is not
enough, the engine will not be switched
off.
This feature can be exploited so that
the engine does not switch off in
particular traffic conditions.
Ignition key removal
The ignition key can be removed only if
the gear lever is in position P:
❒if the engine is switched off with the
gear lever in position P: the ignition
key can be removed within 30
seconds;
❒if the engine is switched off with the
gear lever in a position other than P:
the P letter on the display and on
the gear lever trim flashes for 5
seconds and an acoustic signal will
be emitted at the same time. Move
the lever to P within 5 seconds; then
it will be possible to remove the
ignition key for about 30 seconds.In both cases, if the described
conditions and times are not respected,
the ignition key will be automatically
locked.
To remove the key, turn it to MAR-ON
and then to STOP.
IMPORTANT If the battery is flat and the
ignition key is engaged, the latter is
locked in position. To remove the key
manually, pull up the handbrake and
insert the screwdriver supplied in the
hole under the dashboard fig. 133
pressing slightly, until the key is
removed.MOVING THE CAR
To move the car, from P press the
brake pedal and, using the button on
the gear lever, move the lever to the
desired position (D, R or "Sequential
mode").
The display will show the gear
engaged.
When the brake pedal is released, the
car starts moving forwards or
backwards, as soon as the manoeuvre
is activated ("creeping" effect). The
accelerator should not be pressed in
this case.
IMPORTANT The inconsistency
between the speed actually engaged
(shown on the display) and the position
of the gear lever is indicated by the
letter corresponding to the position of
the lever flashing on the trim (also
accompanied by an acoustic signal).
This condition should not be interpreted
as an operational fault, but simply as a
request by the system to repeat the
manoeuvre.
IMPORTANT With engine running and
car stationary, in "Sequential mode",
the request for engaging 2
nd
gear is not
accepted by the system (whether the
brake pedal is pressed or not).
133
A0K0254
160
STARTING AND DRIVING
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. When transporting
particularly large objects, use a trailer
if possible.
Electrical devices
Use the electrical devices only for the
necessary amount of time. The heated
rear window, additional headlights,
screen 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 temperature outside permits.
Devices for
aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and fuel consumption.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or
high revs when the car is stationary;
this causes the engine to warm up
more slowly, thereby increasing fuel
consumption and emissions. It is
therefore advisable to move off
immediately, slowly, avoiding high
speeds: in this way the engine will
warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before switching off the
engine. The latter action, as well as
double-declutching, is unnecessary and
causes increased fuel consumption
and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a high gear when traffic and road
conditions allow it. Using a low gear for
faster acceleration will increase fuel
consumption. In the same way
improper use of a high gear increases
consumption, emissions and engine
wear.Maximum speed
Fuel consumption considerably
increases as speed increases. Maintain
a constant speed, avoiding
unnecessary braking and acceleration,
which cost in terms of both fuel
consumption and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects
consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum
torque.
165
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold
start-ups will prevent the engine from
reaching optimal running temperature.
This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (from +15 to
+30% on the urban cycle) and
emissions.
Traffic and road
conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in a queue with frequent use
of low gears or in large towns with
many traffic lights. Winding mountain
roads and rough road surfaces also
adversely affect consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level
crossings) switch off the engine.
TOWING TRAILERSIMPORTANT
The vehicle must be provided with a
type-approved tow hook and adequate
electrical system to tow caravans or
trailers. Installation must be carried out
by a specialist.
Fit any specific and/or additional rear
view mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the
braking spaces increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly using
the brake.
The weight of the trailer reduces the
load capacity of the car by the same
amount. Consider the weight at full
load, including accessories and
luggage, to make sure you do not
exceed the maximum towable weight
(shown in the registration document).
Do not exceed the speed limits specific
to each country you are driving in, in
the case of vehicles towing trailers.
In any case do not exceed 100 km/h.INSTALLING A TOW
HOOK
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to
install a tow hook.
108) 109)
WARNING
108) The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the
braking system of the trailer.
Particular caution is therefore
required when travelling on
slippery roads.
109) Never modify the braking
system of the car to control the
trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
from the hydraulic system of the
car.
166
STARTING AND DRIVING
IMPORTANT
23) Keep your speed down when
snow chains are fitted; do not
exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes,
steps and pavements and avoid
driving for long distances on
roads not covered with snow to
prevent damaging the car and the
road surface.
STORING THE CARIf the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if
possible well-ventilated premises and
slightly open the windows;
❒check that the handbrake is not
engaged;
❒disconnect the negative battery
terminal and check the battery
charge. Repeat this check once
every three months during storage;
❒if the battery is not disconnected
from the electrical system, checks its
state of charge every thirty days;
❒clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds
available commercially;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the
windscreen and rear window wiper
rubber blades and lift them off the
glasses;
❒slightly open the windows;❒cover the car with a cloth or
perforated plastic sheet. Do not use
compact plastic sheets which do
not allow humidity to evaporate from
the surface of the car.
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the
standard prescribed pressure and
check it periodically;
❒do not drain the engine cooling
system;
❒Any time the car is left inactive for
two weeks or more, operate the
air conditioning system with engine
idling for at least 5 minutes, setting
external air and with fan at maximum
speed. This operation will ensure a
suitable lubrication to minimise
possibility of damage to the
compressor when the system is
operated again.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP, wait at least 1 minute
before disconnecting the electrical
supply to the battery.
168
STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE
ENGINEContact the Alfa Romeo Dealership
immediately if the warning light
stays on constantly on the
instrument panel.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, start the engine
using an auxiliary battery with the same
capacity or a little higher than the flat
one.
24) 25)
111)
Proceed as follows to start the car:
❒connect the positive terminal (+) fig.
138 of the auxiliary battery only to
the point indicated on the car battery
(writing OK) and nowhere else;
❒with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal(−)oftheauxiliary
battery to an earthing point
on
the engine or the gearbox/
transmission of the car to be started;
❒start the engine; when the engine has
been started, remove the leads
reversing the order above.
For versions with Start&Stop system, in
case of starting by auxiliary battery,
refer to the paragraph “Start&Stop
system” in the chapter “Getting to know
your car”.If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, contact the Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
BUMP STARTING
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.
IMPORTANT
24) Do not connect the negative
terminals of the two batteries
directly! If the auxiliary battery is
installed on another car, prevent
accidental contact between
metallic parts of the two cars.
25) Never use a fast battery charger
to start the engine as this could
damage the electronic systems
and the ignition and engine fuel
supply control units.
WARNING
111) This procedure must be
performed by qualified personnel
as incorrect actions may cause
high-intensity electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames away from the
battery. No smoking. Do not cause
sparks.
138
A0K0247
170
IN AN EMERGENCY
113) Use your hazard lights, warning
triangle, etc to show that your car
is stationary. Passengers should
get out of the car, particularly if it
is heavily loaded, and wait for
the wheel to be changed away
from the traffic. In the event of a
wheel change on a slope or on
unsurfaced roads, chock the
wheels.
114) Car handling is modified with
the space-saver wheel fitted.
Avoid violent acceleration and
braking, abrupt steering and fast
cornering. The overall duration
of the space-saver wheel is of
about 3000 km, after which the
relevant tyre must be replaced
with another one of the same
type. Never install a traditional
tyre on a rim designed to be used
as a space-saver wheel. Have
the wheel repaired and refitted as
soon as possible. Using two or
more space-saver wheels at the
same time is forbidden. Do not
grease the bolt threads before you
fit them, because they could
suddenly come loose.115) Use the jack only to replace
wheels on the car with which it
is supplied or on other cars of the
same model. Never use the jack
for other purposes, such as lifting
other car models. Never use it
for repair operations under the
car. Incorrect positioning of the
jack may cause the car to fall. Do
not use the jack for loads higher
than those shown on the label.
Never install snow chains on the
space-saver 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
wheel on the rear axle. In this
way, with two normal front drive
wheels, it is possible to use snow
chains.
116) Incorrect hub cap assembly
may cause it to come off when the
car is moving. Never tamper with
the inflation valve. Never
introduce tools of any kind
between rim and tyre. Regularly
check the inflation pressure of the
tyres and space-saver wheel
(see chapter "Technical
specifications").
IMPORTANT
26) Contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership as soon as possible to
have the correct tightening of
the wheel bolts checked.
175
122) Always indicate that the tyre
was repaired using the quick
tyre repair kit. Give the booklet to
the technicians who will be
handling the tyre that was treated
using the kit.
123) Repair is not possible if the
wheel rim is damaged (groove
is deformed, causing air to
escape). Do not remove foreign
bodies (screws or nails) from the
tyre.
124) Do not operate the compressor
for longer than 20 minutes
consecutively. Risk of
overheating. The kit is not suitable
for definitive repairs, so the
repaired tyres may only be used
temporarily.125) The bottle contains ethylene
glycol and latex: it may cause
an allergic reaction. It is harmful if
swallowed. It is irritant for the
eyes. It may cause sensitisation if
inhaled or on contact. Avoid
contact with eyes, skin and
clothes. In the event of contact,
rinse immediately with plenty
of water. If ingested, do not
induce vomiting. Rinse out your
mouth, drink large quantities
of water and seek immediate
medical attention. Keep out of the
reach of children. The product
must not be used by asthmatics.
Do not inhale the vapours during
insertion and suction. Call a
doctor immediately if allergic
reactions are noted. Store the
bottle in its proper compartment,
away from sources of heat. The
sealant fluid has an expiry date.
Replace the bottle containing
out-of-date sealant fluid.
CHANGING A BULB
28)126) 127) 128)
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
❒Before changing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation;
❒replace blown bulbs with others of
the same type and power;
❒after replacing a headlight bulb,
always check its alignment;
❒when a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before changing the bulb. For the
location of fuses, refer to the
paragraph “If a fuse blows” in this
chapter.
179
IMPORTANT When the weather is cold
or damp or after heavy rain or washing,
the surface of headlights or rear lights,
may steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is
a natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside
of the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from
the centre of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges.
IMPORTANT
28) Halogen bulbs must be handled
by holding the metallic part only.
Touching the transparent part
of the bulb with your fingers may
reduce the intensity of the
emitted light and even reduce the
lifespan of the bulb. In the case
of accidental contact, rub the
lamp with a cloth and spirit and
leave to dry.
WARNING
126) Changes or repairs to the
electrical system carried out
incorrectly and without due
consideration for the technical
specifications of the system may
lead to malfunctioning and
generate a fire hazard.
127) Halogen bulbs contain
pressurised gas. If they break,
glass fragments could fly
everywhere.
128) Due to the high supply voltage,
gas discharge bulbs (Bi-Xenon)
should only be replaced by
specialised personnel: danger of
death! Contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
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IN AN EMERGENCY