2016 Alfa Romeo 4C ABS

USE OF THE OWNER HANDBOOK
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Each time direction instructions (left/right or forwards/backwards) about the vehicle are given, these must be understood as
regarding an occupant in the driver's seat. Special cases not complying with this rule will be specified as appropriate in the text.
The figures in the Owner Handbook are provided by way of example only: this might imply that some details of the image do
not correspond to the actual arrangement of your vehicle. In addition, the Handbook has been conceived considering vehicles
with steering wheel on the left side; it is therefore possible that on vehicles with steering wheel on the right side, the position or
construction of some controls is not exactly mirror-like with respect to the figure.
To identify the chapter with the information needed you can consult the index at the end of this Owner Handbook.
Chapters can be rapidly identified with dedicated graphic tabs, at the side of each odd page. A few pages further there is a key
for getting to know the chapter order and the relevant symbols in the tabs. There is in any case a textual indication of the
current chapter at the side of each even page.

IGNITION SWITCH
Operation
The key can be turned to three different
positions fig. 9:
STOP: engine off, key can be
removed, steering column locked.
Some electrical devices (e.g. radio,
central door locking system, alarm, etc.)
are still available;
MAR-ON: driving position. All
electrical devices are available;
AVV: engine starting.
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
system that requires the ignition key to
be turned back to STOP if the engine
does not start, before the starting
operation can be repeated.
...... 03)
STEERING LOCK
Activation
When the key is at STOP, remove the
key and turn the steering wheel until it
locks.
Deactivation
Move the steering wheel slightly and
turn the ignition key to MAR-ON.
4) 5)
WARNING
2)If the ignition device has been tampered
with (e.g. an attempted theft), have it
checked over by the Alfa Romeo
Dealership before driving again.
3)Always take the key with you when you
leave your vehicle to prevent someone
from accidentally operating the controls.
Remember to engage the electric parking
brake. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
4)It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any
after-market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of anti-theft device) that
could adversely affect performance,
invalidate the warranty, cause serious
safety problems and also result in the car
not meeting type-approval requirements.
5)Never extract the mechanical key while
the vehicle is moving. The steering wheel
will automatically lock as soon as it is
turned. This holds true for cars being
towed as well.
SEATS
ADJUSTMENTS
Lengthwise adjustment
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Lift lever A fig. 10 and push the seat
forwards or backwards: in the driving
position your arms should rest on the
rim of the steering wheel.
6) 7)
Alfa Romeo’s advice: the seat must be
adjusted so that the entire sole of the
foot presses on the brake pedal when it
is fully depressed; at the same time,
your right leg must be bent slightly. In
this way, in the event of emergency, the
driver can generate sufficient force to
achieve adequate pressure on the
brake pedal. Moreover, this reduces the
risk of leg injuries in the event of an
accident.
9A0L0010
10A0L0011
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

STEERING WHEEL
Adjustment
It can be adjusted axially and vertically.
To adjust, release lever A fig. 12,
pushing it forwards (position 1). Having
made the adjustment, lock lever A by
pulling it towards the steering wheel
(position 2).
9) 10)
Alfa Romeo’s advice: after lengthwise
seat adjustment and backrest angle
adjustment, the steering wheel can be
adjusted. To check that the steeringwheel position is correct, the left arm
must be extended completely, so that it
touches (without gripping) the highest
part of the steering wheel rim with the
wrist. At the same time, the driver’s
shoulders must remain firmly in contact
with the backrest. In this position, when
you grip the rim of the steering wheel in
"9:15" position (i.e. with hands
corresponding to the hands of a clock
at 9 hours and 15 minutes, imagining
that the wheel is a clock face) there
should be an angle of 90 degrees
between upper arm and forearm. This
permits maximum control of the
steering wheel and ensures that it is
used as a precision instrument and not
as a handgrip on bends. This is also the
most ergonomically correct driving
position, thus permitting minimum
fatigue when driving.
WARNING
9)All adjustments must be carried out only
with the car stationary and engine off.
10)It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
any after-market operation involving
steering system or steering column
modifications (e.g. installation of anti-theft
device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety, invalidate the
warranty and also result in the car not
meeting type-approval requirements.
REAR VIEW
MIRRORS
INTERNAL MIRROR
Adjustment
Operate lever A fig. 13 to adjust the
mirror into two different positions:
normal or anti-glare.
DOOR MIRRORS
Electric adjustment
The mirrors can only be adjusted with
the ignition key at MAR-ON.
Select the desired mirror using device A
fig. 14:
12A0L0012
13A0L0013
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

CLIMATE CONTROL
CENTRAL/SIDE AIR DIFFUSERS
A - Adjustable and directable central air
diffusers fig. 17
B - Adjustable and directable side air
diffusers fig. 18
C - Fixed side air diffusers fig. 18
Adjust the diffuser manually using its
tabs to move it into the desired position
or to interrupt the air flow.
17A0L0016
18A0L0017
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

DOORS
CENTRAL DOOR
LOCKING/UNLOCKING
Locking doors from the outside
With the doors closed, press the
button on the key or turn the metal
insert (located inside the key) in the
door lock.
LED A fig. 38 on the
button on the
dashboard will switch on to indicate
that the doors have locked.
Door locking is carried out with all
doors shut, irrespective of the tailgate
open/closed status.
Unlocking doors from the outside
Press the
button on the key or turn
the metal insert (located inside the key)
in the driver side door lock.Locking/unlocking doors from the
inside
Press the
button. The button has
an LED that indicates whether the
doors are locked or unlocked.
LED on: doors locked. Pressing the
button again centrally unlocks all
doors and switches off the LED.
LED off: doors unlocked. Pressing the
button again centrally locks all the
doors. The doors will be locked only if
all the doors are properly shut.
Once the doors have been locked via
the remote control or the key pawl, it
will no longer be possible to unlock
them by pressing the
button.
In the absence of electrical power
supply (blown fuse, battery
disconnected, etc.) it is still possible to
lock the doors manually.
EMERGENCY DOOR
LOCKING DEVICE
Passenger side door
The passenger side door has a device
to lock it when there is no current.
To lock it, place the metal insert of the
ignition key in housing A fig. 39 and
turn it clockwise.To restore the starting condition of the
door locks (only if battery charge
restored), proceed as follows:
press thebutton on the remote
control;
or
press thedoor locking/
unlocking button on the dashboard;
or
introduce the metal insert of the
ignition key in the front door pawl;
or
pull the internal door handle.
Door opening/closing mechanism
initialisation
If the battery is disconnected or the
protection fuse blows, the door
opening/closing mechanism must be
initialised as follows:
close all the doors;
press thebutton on the key or the
door locking/unlocking button on
38A0L0007
39A0L0036
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

on the car to determine the trajectory
that the driver intends to follow and
compares it with the car’s effective
trajectory. When the real trajectory
deviates from the desired trajectory, the
ESC system intervenes to counter the
car’s understeer or oversteer.
Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
Understeer: occurs when the vehicle
is turning less than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel
The ESC system also includes the
following systems:
ABS
EBD
CBC
DTC
ASR
HILL HOLDER
HBA
“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
"PRE-FILL" (RAB - Ready Alert
Brake)
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system activates automatically
when the engine is started and can only
be deactivated by selecting "Race"
mode. For more details, refer to the
"Alfa DNA system" paragraph in this
chapter.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is indicated by the flashing of thewarning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
ABS
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The system intervenes when braking
and the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent.
The system also improves control and
stability of the car when braking on a
surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37)
System intervention
A slight pulsing of the brake pedal and
noise indicates the intervention of the
ABS: this is completely normal when
the system intervenes.
EBD SYSTEM
The EBD system is an integral part of
the ABS system and intervenes during
braking, distributing the brake force
optimally between front and rear
wheels.
This guarantees greater braking stability
for the vehicle, preventing sudden
locking of the rear wheels and the
consequent instability of the vehicle.
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control) SYSTEM
The system acts when braking on
corners, optimising the distribution of
brake pressure on the four wheels: the
system prevents the wheels on the
inside of the corner (less affected by the
weight of the car) from locking, ensuring
better stability and direction for the car.
DTC (Drag Torque
Control) SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ABS
system and intervenes in the case of
sudden downshifting, or during braking
when the ABS intervenes, restoring
torque to the engine and thus
preventing excessive drag at the drive
wheels, which may lead the wheels to
lock and a loss of car stability, above all
in low-grip conditions.
41

ASR (AntiSlip
Regulation) SYSTEM
29) 30) 38) 39) 40)
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and automatically operates in
the event of one or both drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(aquaplaning) and acceleration on
slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc.
Depending on the slipping conditions,
two different control systems are
activated:
if the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the ASR system intervenes,
reducing the power transmitted by the
engine;
if the slipping only involves one of
the drive wheels, it also intervenes
automatically, braking the wheel that is
slipping.
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 otherthan 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 increasingthe risk of collision with another vehicle
or object. The driver is, in any case,
responsible for safe driving.
HBA (Hydraulic Brake
Assistant) SYSTEM
41) 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.
“ELECTRONIC Q2”
SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)
The "Electronic Q2" system intervenes
during acceleration on corners, braking
the inner drive wheel and thus
increasing the traction of the outer
wheel (which bears more of the car’s
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

weight): the torque is thus distributed
optimally between the drive wheels in
accordance with the driving conditions
and road surface, permitting particularly
effective, sporty driving.
"PRE-FILL" SYSTEM
(RAB - Ready Alert
Brake)
(only with “Dynamic” or "Race" mode
activated)
This function activates automatically if
the accelerator pedal is released rapidly,
reducing the brake pad travel (both at
front and back), with the aim of
preparing the braking system and
enhancing its responsiveness, thus
reducing the stopping distance in the
event of subsequent braking.
WARNING
26)The ESC system cannot alter the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase grip, which depends on the
condition of the road.
27)The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
28)The capability of the ESC system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the safety
of others.29)For the correct operation of the ASR
system, the tyres must of necessity be the
same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and dimensions.
30)Do not take unnecessary risks, even if
your vehicle is fitted with the ESC and ASR
systems. Your driving style must always be
suited to the road conditions, visibility and
traffic. The driver is always responsible for
road safety.
31)When the ABS intervenes and you feel
the brake pedal pulsating, do not reduce
the pressure, but hold it down firmly and
confidently; in doing so you will brake in the
shortest distance possible, depending on
the current road conditions.
32)To obtain the maximum efficiency of
the braking system, a bedding-in period of
about 500 km is needed: during this period
it is better to avoid sharp, repeated and
prolonged braking.
33)If the ABS intervenes, this indicates
that the grip of the tyres on the road is
nearing its limit: you must slow down to a
speed compatible with the available grip.
34)The ABS cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase the
grip available according to the condition of
the road.
35)The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those due to excessive speed on
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
36)The capability of the ABS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.37)For the correct operation of the ABS,
the tyres must of necessity be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and dimensions.
38)The ASR cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase the
grip available according to the condition of
the road.
39)The ASR system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
40)The capability of the ASR must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
41)The HBA system can’t overrule the
natural laws of physics, and can’t increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
42)The HBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
43)The features of the HBA system must
never be tested in imprudent or dangerous
ways, with the possibility of putting the
safety of the driver, occupants or other
road users at risk.
43