2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider clutch

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................176
▫ Automatic Transmission ................176
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .177
▫ Cold Weather Operation ................177
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................177
▫ After Starting ....................... .178
▫ Turbo Charger “Cool Down” .............178
 SIX-SPEED ALFA TWIN CLUTCH
TRANSMISSION ...................... .178
▫ Using The Transmission ................179 
ALFA DNA SYSTEM (DYNAMIC VEHICLE
CONTROL SYSTEM) ....................186
▫ Driving Modes ...................... .186
▫ System Failure ....................... .191
▫ Launch Control ..................... .191
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........192
▫ Acceleration ........................ .192
▫ Traction ........................... .192
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............193
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................193
5

CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with a Alfa Twin Clutch
Transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-
ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at
a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
Turbo Charger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool
the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the pump
will run for up to five minutes after the engine has been
shut off to circulate coolant through the turbocharger.
Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
SIX-SPEED ALFA TWIN CLUTCH TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
•
It is dangerous to shift out of NEUTRAL if the
engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot
is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and your foot is firmly pressing
the brake pedal.
(Continued)
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the vehicle
into FIRST gear or REVERSE, apply the parking
brake, turn the vehicle OFF, remove the key fob
from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children). A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
Using The Transmission
This vehicle is equipped with a Six-Speed Alfa Twin
Clutch transmission with steering wheel mounted shift
paddles.
When the ignition is in the OFF position, the transmission
controls (shift paddles on the steering wheel, and gear
selector buttons on the center console) are disabled.
When the key is turned to the ON position, the current
transmission gear will be displayed in the instrument
cluster, along with the AUTOindicator. This indicates
the transmission is in Automatic mode.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 179

•Understeer: occurs when the vehicle is turning less
than it should according to the angle of the steering
wheel.
This vehicle’s advanced electronic brake control system
also includes: Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Anti-
Lock Brake System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control Sys-
tem (CBC), Drag Torque Control System (DTC), AntiSlip
Regulation System (ASR), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hy-
draulic Brake Assistant System (HBA), ELECTRONIC Q2
system (E-Q2) and Ready Alert Brake (RAB). All of the
systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions, and are commonly
referred to as ESC.
System Activation
The ESC system activates automatically when the engine
is started and can only be deactivated by selecting Race
mode. Refer to the Six-Speed Alfa Twin Clutch Trans-
mission in this section for further information.
System Intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the warning light on
the instrument panel, to inform the driver that the vehicle
is in critical stability and grip conditions.
Electronic Brake Distribution System (EBD)
The EBD system is an integral part of the ESC 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.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Four-Wheel ABS is designed to aid the driver in
maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking con-
ditions. The system operates with a separate computer to
modulate hydraulic pressure, to prevent wheel lock-up
and to help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 199

TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
NOTE:This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels are OFFthe
ground.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the
drivetrain will result.
• Do not dolly tow this vehicle. Use of a towing dolly
can cause significant damage to your vehicle. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the GroundAlfa Twin Clutch Transmission
Flat Tow NoneNOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow FrontNOT ALLOWED
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer AllOK
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Cooling System ..................... .286
▫ Brake System ....................... .292
▫ Alfa Twin Clutch Transmission ...........296
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... .298
 FUSES ............................. .305
▫ Engine Compartment Fuses ..............306
▫ Dashboard Fuse Box ...................308
 VEHICLE STORAGE ....................310
 REPLACEMENT BULBS .................310
 BULB REPLACEMENT ..................312
▫ Front Light Clusters ...................312
▫ Front Side Marker .....................317 ▫
Rear Light Clusters ....................318
▫ Direction Indicators ...................319
▫ Tail Lights/Brake Lights ................320
▫ Reversing Light ..................... .320
▫ Third Brake Lights ....................321
▫ License Plate Lights ...................321
▫ Roof Light ......................... .322
▫ Luggage Compartment Roof Light .........323
 FLUID CAPACITIES ....................325
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS, AND GENUINE
PARTS ............................. .326
▫ Engine ............................ .326
▫ Chassis ........................... .327
264 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and Alfa Twin
Clutch Transmission control systems. When these sys-
tems are operating properly, your vehicle will provide
excellent performance and fuel economy, as well as
engine emissions well within current government regu-
lations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity
Your vehicle is required to have an Onboard Diagnostic
system (OBD II) and a connection port to allow access to
information related to the performance of your emissions
controls. Authorized service technicians may need to
266 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transmis-
sion.
Checking Brake Fluid
1 — Brake Fluid Protection Panel
2 — Washer Solvent Protection Panel
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE