2015 Alfa Romeo 4C parking brake

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION!
REFUELLING
Only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95, in compliance with the European specification EN228. In
particular, the 4C’s engine has been designed to comply with all emission limits while simultaneously guaranteeing minimal consumption and
maximum performance, using premium-quality unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) of 98 or higher. The use of petrol that does not
conform to the specification indicated may cause the
warning light to switch on and the irregular operation of the engine.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Make sure that the handbrake is engaged. Press the brake pedal and, without pressing the accelerator, turn the ignition key to AVV; release it
as soon as the engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperatures during operation. Do not park the car on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or other
flammable material: fire hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The car is fitted with a system that carries out a continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components in order to help protect the
environment.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after purchasing the car, you want to install accessories that require an electrical supply (with the risk of gradually draining the battery),
contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership which will calculate the overall electrical consumption and check that the car’s electrical system
can support the required load.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring that it maintains its performance and its safety features, its environmental friendliness
and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER HANDBOOK CONTAINS…
... important information, advice and warnings for correct use, driving safety and maintenance of your car over time. Special attention must
be paid to the symbols provided(personal safety)(environmental protection)(car integrity).

System intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and facilitates starting on
slopes, activating automatically in the
following cases:
❒uphill: car stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and
transmission in neutral or gear other
than reverse engaged;
❒downhill: car stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
When setting off, the ESC system
control unit maintains the braking
pressure on the wheels until the engine
torque necessary for starting is
reached, or in any case for a maximum
of 2 seconds, allowing your right foot
to be moved easily from the brake
pedal to the accelerator.When the 2 seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure. During
this release stage, the typical brake
disengagement noise, indicating that
the car is going to move imminently,
can be heard.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is
not a parking brake; therefore, never
leave the vehicle without having
engaged the handbrake, turned the
engine off and engaged first gear,
so that the vehicle is parked in safe
conditions (for further information read
the "Parking" paragraph in the "Starting
and driving" chapter).
IMPORTANT There may be situations
on small gradients (less than 8%),
with vehicle laden, in which the Hill
Holder system may not activate,
causing a slight reversing motion and
increasing the risk of collision with
another vehicle or object. The driver is,
in any case, responsible for safe driving.HBA (Hydraulic Brake
Assistant) SYSTEM41) 42) 43)
The HBA system is designed to
improve the car’s braking capacity
during emergency braking. The system
detects emergency braking by
monitoring the speed and force with
which the brake pedal is pressed, and
consequently applies the optimal brake
pressure. This can reduce the braking
distance, the HBA system therefore
completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the HBA
system is obtained pressing the brake
pedal very quickly. In addition, the
brake pedal should be pressed
continuously during braking, avoiding
intermittent presses, to get the most
out of the system.
Do not reduce pressure on the brake
pedal until braking is no longer
necessary.
The HBA system is deactivated when
the brake pedal is released.
44
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

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.
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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 from
mud, 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.
53

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 ............................... 62
SETUP MENU ................................. 64
MENU OPTIONS ............................. 66
TRIP COMPUTER ........................... 70
WARNING LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES .................................... 73
- LOW BRAKE FLUID / HANDBRAKE
ENGAGED .......................................... 73
- EBD FAILURE .................................. 74
- AIRBAG FAILURE ............................. 74
- SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED .......... 74
- ABS FAILURE ................................... 75
- PASSENGER AIRBAG
DEACTIVATED .................................... 76
- INJECTION/EOBD SYSTEM
FAILURE ............................................. 77
- TPMS ............................................... 78
- ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
(ESC) SYSTEM ................................... 79
- ASR FUNCTION DEACTIVATED
WARNING LIGHT ............................... 79
- SIDE LIGHTS AND DIPPED
HEADLIGHTS ..................................... 80
- FOLLOW ME HOME ........................ 80
- LEFT DIRECTION INDICATOR .......... 81
- RIGHT DIRECTION INDICATOR ....... 81
- MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS .............. 81
- LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE ......... 82
-ENGINE OIL DETERIORATED ........... 82
- ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
TOO HIGH .......................................... 83
- ALTERNATOR FAILURE ................... 83
- GEARBOX FAILURE ......................... 84
-INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING ........ 84
-WORN BRAKE PADS ........................ 84
- ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEM
FAILURE ............................................. 84- FUEL RESERVE/LIMITED RANGE .... 85
- FUEL RESERVE/LIMITED RANGE
SENSOR FAULT ................................. 85
- CRUISE CONTROL .......................... 85
- DOOR MIRROR
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING ................. 85
- EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAULT ............... 86
- SERVICE
................ 86
- GENERAL FAILURE ......................... 87
- FUEL CUT-OFF ................................ 87
- LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OPEN . 88
- POSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD ................ 88
- BRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE ................. 88
- PARKING SENSOR FAILURE ........... 88
- DISPLAY OF SELECTED DRIVING
MODE (“Alfa DNA” system) ................. 88
61
(SCHEDULED SERVICING)

Warning lights on
displayWhat 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.
88
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

9) When the engine is off, do not
leave the ignition key turned to
MAR-ON to prevent unnecessary
electrical consumption from
draining the battery.
10) A quick burst on the accelerator
before turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.PARKING
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
❒engage a gear (first gear if parked
uphill or reverse if facing downhill)
and leave the wheels turned;
❒stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
Wait until the indication of the gear
engaged disappears on the display
before releasing the brake pedal.
87)
IMPORTANT:NEVERleave the car with
the gearbox in neutral.
HANDBRAKE
To engage it, pull lever A fig. 73
upwards until the car is secured. When
the handbrake is engaged and the
ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
warning light will switch on in the
instrument panel.
To release the handbrake, raise lever A
slightly, hold down button B and lower
the lever. The
warning light in the
instrument panel will switch off.Four or five clicks are generally enough
when the car is on level ground, while
ten or eleven may be required if the car
is on a steep slope and laden.
88)
IMPORTANT Carry out these
manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
WARNING
87) Never leave children unattended
in the car. Always remove the key
from the ignition device when
leaving the car and take it with
you.
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88) The car must be locked after a
few clicks of the parking brake: if
this is not so, contact the
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership
to have it adjusted. Always park
the vehicle safely as indicated by
the Highway Code and as
described above.USING THE
TRANSMISSION
The 4C features the TCT 6-speed twin
dry clutch transmission with steering
wheel controls. This is an advanced
technical solution which combines the
control of a manual gearbox, the
immediacy of a sequential system and
the convenience of being able to select
an automatic selection programme
without the slowdown of a conventional
automatic transmission.
With the key removed from the ignition,
the system will not implement any
action when the buttons on the
transmission control panel on the
central tunnel fig. 74 are pressed,
irrespective of the pressure applied to
the brake pedal. Therefore, the
transmission will remain in the condition
that it was in when the engine was
switched off.With car stationary and key at MAR-ON
(ignition-operated electrical services
activated), the screen displays the gear
engaged and the active operating
mode (automatic =AUTOor manual =
no display).
OPERATING MODES
The transmission can operate in two
operating modes (except when the
"Race" mode is selected):
❒the first manual type (MANUAL), in
which the driver decides directly
when to change gear;
❒the second completely automatic
(AUTO), in which the system decides
when to change gear.
When the "Race" mode is selected, the
only allowed operating mode is
MANUAL.
Manual operation
(MANUAL)
In this operating mode, the driver is
responsible for choosing the best gear
to engage, depending on the car
operating conditions.
Use the “+” steering wheel stalk to
engage a higher gear, or the “–” stalk to
engage a lower gear (see the following
paragraph, "Steering wheel stalks").
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STARTING AND DRIVING