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
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
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
FUSE BOX
fig. 178DEVICE PROTECTED FUSE AMPSHeadlamp washer pump power supply F09 30
HornF10 15
AC compressorF19 7,5
Heated rear window F20 30
Fuel pumpF21 15
Cigar lighter/power socket F85 15
12 V boot power socket F86 15
IBS Battery charge status sensor for Start&Stop system F87 5
External mirror defrosters F88 7,5
191
BATTERY
RECHARGINGIMPORTANT The battery recharging
procedure is given as information only.
To carry out this operation contact
an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP, wait at least 1 minute
before disconnecting the electrical
supply to the battery.
Charging should be slow at a low
ampere rating for approximately 24
hours. Charging for a longer time may
damage the battery.
VERSIONS WITHOUT
Start&Stop SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To recharge, proceed as follows:
❒disconnect the negative battery
terminal;
❒connect the charger cables to the
battery terminals, observing the
polarity;
❒turn on the charger;
❒when it is recharged, turn the charger
off before disconnecting it from the
battery;
❒reconnect the negative battery
terminal.VERSIONS WITH
Start&Stop SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To recharge, proceed as follows:
❒disconnect the connector A fig. 182
(pressing the button B) from the
sensor C monitoring the battery
conditions, on the negative pole (–) D
of the battery;❒connect the positive cable (+) of the
battery charger to the positive battery
terminal E and the negative cable (–)
to sensor terminal D as shown;
❒turn on the battery charger. At the
end of the charging process, switch
the battery charger off;
❒after having disconnected the
charging device, reconnect
connector A to the sensor C as
shown.
182
A0K0530
196
IN AN EMERGENCY