
Gearshifting through
gear lever
Move the lever sideways (to the left)
from position D to the sequential
position:
❒lever towards "+": engage higher
gear;
❒lever towards "−": engage lower gear.
The lever correct position in "Sequential
mode" is signalled when the symbols
"+" and "−" switch on and the symbol D
switches off on the display (the gear
engaged only is shown on the display).
Gearshifting through
steering wheel paddles
(for versions/markets, where provided)
On some versions, the steering wheel
paddles can be used to change gear
fig. 135.
106)
To use the paddles on the steering
wheel, the gear lever must be in
"Sequential mode" or in D:
❒steering wheel paddle "+" (pulling
paddle towards driver fig. 136):
engage higher gear;
❒steering wheel paddle "-" (pulling
paddle towards driver fig. 136):
engage lower gear.The engagement of a lower or higher
gear is only permitted if the engine revs
allow it.
If the car is stopped with a higher gear
than 1
stengaged, the transmission
will automatically engage 1
stgear.
"Launch Control"
Function
The "Launch Control" strategy permits
high-performance starting.
With the car stationary, proceed as
follows to activate this function:
❒operate the “Alfa DNA” system and
activate the "Dynamic" driving mode;
❒depress the brake pedal with your left
foot and, simultaneously, fully
depress the accelerator pedal with
your right foot;
❒shift gear using the gear lever or the
steering wheel paddle "−" (pulling
the paddle towards the driver as
previously described): rpm are thus
increased from 2500 to 4500;
❒release the brake pedal: in this way a
more "lively" start is achieved.
135
A0K0266
136
A0K0269
137
A0K0271
162
STARTING AND DRIVING

When the brake pedal is released, the
car will start with maximum
acceleration. Despite the "Sequential
mode", the car will autonomously shift
the gear to guarantee max.
acceleration, once the correct shifting
speed has been reached.
To abandon the strategy, simply
interrupt the above sequence
of operations or release the accelerator
pedal.
ACOUSTIC SIGNAL
For safety reasons, an acoustic signal is
heard when:
❒the driver's side door is opened with
engine running and the gear lever is
in a position other than P;
❒engine is switched off with gear lever
in a position other than P.
With the car stationary, the engine
started and (1st), (D) or (R) gear
engaged, the system activates the
acoustic signal and automatically
places the transmission in neutral (N)
when:
❒the accelerator and/or brake pedals
are not pressed for at least 3 minutes
with creeping deactivated (for
example with handbrake engaged);❒the brake pedal is pressed for longer
than 10 minutes;
❒the driver's door is opened with
creeping deactivated (for example
with handbrake engaged) without
pressing brake and/or accelerator
pedals;
❒a fault has been detected in the
transmission.
IMPORTANT Shifting to neutral (N) -
operated by the system - involves
a situation of inconsistency between
gear lever position and gear engaged.
The manoeuvre is accompanied by
an acoustic inconsistency signal. This
acoustic signal continues until the gear
lever is placed in P or N, to restore
the correct transmission operation
conditions.
PARKING THE CAR
To park safely, with the brake pedal
pressed, P must be engaged and, in
case of parking uphills/downhills, the
handbrake must be engaged.
Before releasing the brake pedal, wait
until P appears on the display.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car
before having positioned the lever in P.TOWING THE CAR
Make sure that the transmission is in
neutral (N), checking that the car moves
when pushed, and proceed in the
same way as for towing a normal car
with a manual gearbox.
IMPORTANT If the transmission cannot
be put in neutral (N), do not tow the
car and contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership. Should the lever be in P,
release it before towing (see paragraph
"Positions of the lever").
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
With car stationary and gear engaged,
always keep the brake pedal pressed
until you decide to set off, then release
the brake and accelerate gradually.
During prolonged stops with the engine
running, it is advisable to keep the
transmission in neutral (N).
To protect the clutch, never use the
accelerator to keep the car stationary
(for example when stopped uphills/
downhills): clutch overheating could
damage it. Use the brake pedal instead
or the handbrake and only press the
accelerator pedal when you wish to set
off.
163

If reverse (R) is engaged, only engage
the 1
stgear (or vice versa) when the car
is completely stopped.
Although it is highly inadvisable, if you
are driving downhill and, for unexpected
reasons, you let the car move forward
with the transmission in neutral (N),
when there is a request to engage
a gear, depending on the speed of the
car, the system will automatically
engage the best gear for the correct
transmission of drive torque to the
wheels.
107)IMPORTANT
21) If the car is on a gradient, always
pull the handbrake BEFORE
placing the gear lever in P.
22) Engage reverse only with the car
stationary, engine at idling speed
and accelerator fully released.
WARNING
106) Using the levers incorrectly
(levers pushed towards the
dashboard, see fig. 137) could
break them.
107) Never leave children
unattended in the car. Always
remove the ignition key when
leaving the car and take the key
with you.
SAVING FUELHere are some suggestions which can
help you to save fuel and lower harmful
emissions.
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Checks and adjustments should be
carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan” (see
chapter “Maintenance and care”).
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least once
every four 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.
164
STARTING AND DRIVING

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

REPLACING A
WHEELGENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
The car is equipped with the “Fix&Go
Automatic Kit”: see the paragraph
“Fix&Go Automatic Kit” for how to use
this device.
As an alternative to the “Fix&Go
Automatic Kit” the car may be
requested with a space-saver wheel:
see the instructions on the following
pages for changing the wheel.
112) 113) 114) 115) 116)
JACK
Please note that:
❒the jack weight is 1.76 kg;
❒the jack requires no adjustment;
❒the jack cannot be repaired and in
the event of a fault it must be
replaced by another original one;
❒no tool other than its cranking device
may be fitted on the jack.
To change a wheel, proceed as follows:❒stop the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic
where you can change the wheel
safely. The ground should be flat
if possible, and sufficiently firm;
❒switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and engage the 1
stgear
or reverse. Wear the reflective safety
jacket (compulsory by law) before
getting out of the car;
❒open the luggage compartment, pull
tab A fig. 139 and lift up the mat;
❒using wrench A fig. 140 positioned in
the tool box, loosen the locking
device, take the tool box B and place
it close to the wheel to be replaced,
then take the space-saver wheel C;❒take the wrench A fig. 141 and
loosen the fixing bolts by about one
turn. For versions with alloy rims,
shake the car to facilitate detachment
of the rim from the wheel hub.
❒position the jack under the car, near
the wheel to be changed. On
versions where this is fitted, be
careful not to damage the plastic
aerodynamic guard;
139
A0K0648
140
A0K0649
141
A0K0650
171

"Fix&Go Automatic"
kitThis is located in the luggage
compartment (the kit container may
vary according to version - see fig.
149).
The kit also contains a screwdriver and
a tow hook.
The kit also contains:❒bottle A fig. 150 containing sealant
and fitted with: filling tube B and
adhesive label C with the wording
“max. 80 km/h” to be placed in
a clearly visible position (e.g. on the
dashboard) after repairing the tyre;
❒a compressor D complete with
pressure gauge and connectors;
❒an information leaflet fig. 151,
providing instructions for using the kit
correctly. This booklet should be
given to the persons charged with
handling the tyre treated with this kit;
❒a pair of gloves located in the side
compartment of the compressor;
❒adapters for inflating different
elements.
2)117) 118) 120)
IMPORTANT The sealing liquid is
suitable for use at temperatures in the
range from –20°C to +50°C. The
sealant has an expiry date.
INFLATION PROCEDURE
119) 121) 122) 123) 124) 125)
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake, unscrew the
tyre valve cap, take out filler hose A
fig. 152 and tighten ring nut B on the
tyre valve;
❒make sure that switch A for the
compressor is in position0(off), start
the engine, insert the plug into the
luggage compartment power socket
(see fig. 154) or on central tunnel
(see fig. 155) and switch on the
compressor by bringing switch A to
positionI(on);
149
A0K0515
150
A0K0516
151
A0K0517
176
IN AN EMERGENCY

❒inflate the tyre to the pressure
indicated in the “Wheels” paragraph
in the “Technical data” chapter. In
order to obtain a more precise
reading, check the pressure value on
pressure gauge B fig. 153 with the
compressor off;
❒if after five minutes it is still impossible
to reach at least 1.8 bar, disengage
the compressor from the valve and
power socket, then move the car
forwards by approx. ten metres
in order to distribute the sealing fluid
inside the tyre evenly, then repeat
the inflation operation;
❒if you still cannot obtain a pressure of
at least 1.8 bar within 5 minutes from
the compressor switching on, do
not drive off and contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership;❒after having driven for about 10
minutes, stop and recheck the tyre
pressure; remember to engage
the handbrake;
❒if a pressure value of at least 1.8 bar
is detected, restore the correct
pressure (with the engine running and
the handbrake engaged), resume
driving and drive with great care to an
Alfa Romeo Dealership.
CHECKING AND
RESTORING TYRE
PRESSURE
The compressor can also be used to
check and, if necessary, adjust the tyre
pressure.
Release quick coupling A fig. 157 and
connect it directly to the valve of the
tyre to be inflated.
152
A0K0518
153
A0K0519
154
A0K0520
155
A0K0128
156
A0K0521
177