2015 Alfa Romeo Giulietta steering

“Kick-Down” function
To resume speed quickly, when the
accelerator pedal is pressed fully, the
transmission control system downshifts
("Kick-down" function).
IMPORTANT When driving on roads
with poor grip conditions (snow, ice,
etc.) avoid activating the kick-down
function.
Integration with "Alfa
DNA" system
Operating the “Alfa DNA” system fig.
134, three different driving modes can
be selected:
❒“Dynamic”: gear changes at higher
engine speeds. It enhances sporty
driving;❒“Natural”: gear changes at low
engine speeds. It enhances comfort
and reduces consumption;
❒“All Weather”: driving programme on
roads with poor grip (e.g. snow, ice,
mud, etc.).
Gearshifting suggestion
With the transmission in automatic
mode (selector lever in position D),
when gearshifting is required by the
paddles on the steering wheel (for
versions/markets, where provided), the
system shifts to "Sequential mode",
with relevant displaying of the gear
engaged, for about 5 second.
When this time has elapsed, if the
paddles are not operated anymore, the
system goes back to the automatic
mode (D), with following displaying.
SEQUENTIAL DRIVING
MODE
In sequential driving mode, the
transmission works like a manual
gearbox.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)
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135A0K0266
155

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 1stgear.
"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;
❒release the brake pedal: in this way a
more "lively" start is achieved.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.
108)
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);
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156
STARTING AND DRIVING
❒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 2750 to 4500; (1.4
Petrol versions) and from 1700 to
2700 (2.0 JTD
Mversions);

115) 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.116) 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.
117) 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.
169

134) Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership if a safety system (airbags, brakes), power unit system (engine, gearbox) or
steering system general protection fuse blows.
190
IN AN EMERGENCY
WARNING
130) If the fuse blows again contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
131) Never replace a fuse with another with a higher amp rating; DANGER OF FIRE.
132) If a general protection fuse (MAXI-FUSE, MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-FUSE) blows, contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
133) Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition key has been removed and that all the other services are
switched off and/or deactivated.

RAISING THE CAR
If the car needs to be jacked up, go to
an Alfa Romeo Dealership which is
equipped with shop jacks and jack
arms.
IMPORTANT Be careful when
positioning the arm of the lift for
versions with side skirts.
TOWING THE CAR
The tow ring provided with the car is
housed in the tool box in the boot.
ATTACHING THE TOW
HOOK
Release plug A by pressing the lower
part, take tow hook B from its housing
in the tool support and tighten it
securely on the front threaded pin (fig.
183) or on the rear threaded pin (fig.
184).
135) 136) 137)
WARNING
135) Before towing, turn the ignition
key to MAR-ON and then to STOP
without removing it. The steering
column will automatically lock
when the key is removed and the
wheels cannot be steered. Also
check that the gearbox is in
neutral (on versions equipped with
Alfa TCT automatic transmission,
check that the gear lever is inN
position)
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184A0K0704
192
IN AN EMERGENCY

136) Remember that the brake servo
and the electromechanical power
steering will not work while
towing the car. You will therefore
need to apply more force on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
Do not use wires for towing. Do
not jerk. During towing, make sure
that the trailer hitch does not
damage any components it
is touching. When towing the car,
you must comply with all specific
traffic regulations and adopt an
appropriate driving behaviour. Do
not start the engine while towing
the car. Before tightening the
ring, clean the threaded housing
thoroughly. Make sure that the
ring is fully fastened in the
housing before towing the car.137) The front and rear tow hooks
should be used only for
emergencies on the road. You are
allowed to tow the vehicle for
short distances using an
appropriate device in accordance
with the highway code (a rigid
bar), to move the vehicle on the
road in readiness for towing or
transport via a tow truck. Tow
hooks MUST NOT be used to tow
vehicles off the road or where
there are obstacles and/or for
towing operations using cables or
other non-rigid devices.
Respecting the above conditions,
towing must take place with two
vehicles (one towing, the other
towed) aligned as much as
possible along the same centre
line.
193

BATTERY
Battery F (see previous pages) does not
require the electrolyte to be topped up
with distilled water. A periodic check
carried out at an Alfa Romeo Dealership
is, however, necessary to check
efficiency.
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
146) 147) 148) 149)
36)
5)
If necessary, replace the battery with
another original battery with the same
specifications. Follow the battery
manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that
the doors, tailgate and bonnet are
closed properly, to prevent any lights
from remaining on inside the
passenger's compartment;❒switch off all roof lights inside the car:
the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all internal
lights off automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect
the negative battery cable.
IMPORTANT After the battery is
disconnected, the steering must be
initialised. Thewarning light
switches on to indicate this. To carry
out this procedure, simply turn the
steering wheel all the way from one end
to the other or drive in a straight line
for about a hundred metres.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk
of freezing (this can happen as early as
–10°C). Refer to the paragraph "Car
inactivity" in "Starting and driving"
chapter if the car is left parked for a
long time.If, after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which
require permanent electrical supply (e.g.
alarm, etc.) or accessories which
influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership, whose qualified staff will
evaluate the overall electrical
consumption.WARNING
146) Battery liquid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the
skin and eyes. Keep naked flames
and sources of sparks away from
the battery: risk of explosion and
fire.
147) Using the battery with
insufficient fluid irreparably
damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
148) If the car must remain unused
for a long time at a very low
temperature, remove the battery
and take it to a warm place, to
avoid freezing.
211

WARNING
150) The road holding qualities of
the car also depend on the correct
inflation pressure of the tyres.
151) If tyre pressure is too low, it
may overheat and be severely
damaged as a result.
152) Do not switch tyres from the
left to the right side and vice
versa, in order to prevent
inversion of the rotation direction.
153) Do not repaint alloy wheel rims
at temperatures higher than
150°C. The mechanical
characteristics of the wheels
might be compromised.
WINDSCREEN/REAR
WINDOW WIPERS
BLADES
It is advisable to replace the blades
about once a year.
154)
A few simple precautions can reduce
the possibility of damage to the blade:
❒if the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen
the rubber to the glass. Use an
antifreeze product to release it if
required;
❒remove any snow from the glass;
❒do not operate the windscreen/rear
window wipers on dry glass.
Replacing the
windscreen wiper
blades
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the wiper arm, press tab A fig.
190 of the attachment spring and
remove the blade from the arm;
❒fit the new blade by inserting the tab
into the special slot in the arm. Make
sure that it is properly locked into
place.
❒lower the wiper arm on the
windscreen.Raising the windscreen
wipers
If it is necessary to lift the blade from
the windscreen (e.g. in the event of
snow or if the blade needs
replacement) proceed as follows:
❒turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON
position;
❒operate the lever to the right of the
steering wheel to activate a
windscreen wiper stroke (see
paragraph "Window washing" in
chapter "Getting to know your car");
❒turn the ignition key to the STOP
position when the driver's side wiper
blade reaches the windscreen side
pillar and lift the windscreen wiper to
the rest position;
❒bring the wiper blades back into
contact with the windscreen before
activating the windscreen wiper.
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213
37)