2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia Owner's Manual

Symbol What it means
SOFT SUSPENSION CALIBRATION INSERTION (where provided)
Switches on when the most comfortable suspension setting is activated.
SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILURE (ADC)
(where provided)
While driving, if the symbol switches on, it signals a failure in the suspension system.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have the system checked.
CLUTCH PEDAL
(where provided)
Lights up to alert the driver to press the clutch pedal in order to start the engine.
Press the clutch pedal.
WINDSCREEN WASHER LIQUID LEVEL
The symbol appears for some seconds to indicate that the level of the windscreen and headlight washing fluid (if any) is low.
Refill the liquid: to do this, please consult the "Level check" section in the "Service and care" chapter. Always use liquid with the
features indicated in the "Liquids and lubricants" section in the "Technical information" chapter.
63

Green symbols
Symbol What it means
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS (on 7" TFT display)
The symbol switches on when the dipped beam headlights are turned on.
START & STOP EVO OPERATION
The symbol comes on in the case of Start & Stop Evo system intervention (stopping the engine).
When the engine is restarted the symbol switches off (for the engine restarting modes see the "Start & Stop Evo" paragraph in
the "Starting and driving" chapter).
CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM
The symbol comes on when the Cruise Control system is activated.
Blue symbols
Symbol What it means
AUTOMATIC HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS (on 7" TFT display)
The symbol comes on when the automatic main beam headlights are activated.
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS (on 7" TFT display)
The symbol comes on when the main beam headlights are activated.
64
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

The chapter that you are about to read is very important: it
describes the safety systems with which the vehicle is equipped
and provides instructions on how to use them correctly.
SAFETY
ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS........................66
DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS....................69
OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS..................78
SEATBELTS..................................78
SBA (Seat Belt Alert) SYSTEM......................80
PRETENSIONERS..............................81
CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS......................83
SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) - AIRBAG......95

ACTIVE SAFETYSYSTEMS
The vehicle may be equipped with the
following active safety devices:
ABS (Anti-Lock Brakes);
DTC (Drive Train Control);
ESC (Electronic Stability Control);
TC (Traction Control);
PBA (Panic Brake Assist);
HSA (Hill Start Assist);
AST (Alfa™ Steering Torque);
ATV (Alfa™ Active Torque Vectoring).
For the operation of the systems, see the
following pages.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
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 vehicle can be
controlled even during emergency
braking and optimising stopping
distances.
The system intervenes during braking
when 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 vehicle when braking on a
surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.The Electronic Braking Force Distribution
(EBD) system completes the system
allowing the brake force to be distributed
between the front and rear wheels.
System intervention
The ABS equipped on this vehicle is
provided with the "Brake by wire"
(Integrated Brake System - IBS) function.
With this system, the brake pedal command
given by pressing the brake pedal is not
transmitted hydraulically but electronically,
therefore, the light pulsation that could be
felt on the pedal with the traditional system
is no longer perceptible.
30) 31) 32) 33) 34) 35)
DTC (Drive Train Control)SYSTEM(where provided)
Some versions of this vehicle are
equipped with a four-wheel drive system
(AWD), activated on request, which offers
an optimal drive for countless driving
conditions and road surfaces. The system
reduces the slipping of the tyres to a
minimum, automatically redistributing
the torque to the front and rear wheels,
as needed.
To maximize fuel savings, the vehicle with
AWD automatically passes to rear
four-wheel drive (RWD) when the road
and environmental conditions are such
that they wouldn't cause the tyres to slip.
When the road and environmentalconditions require better traction, the
vehicle automatically goes to AWD mode.
36)
The driving mode, RWD or AWD, is shown
on the instrument panel display.
IMPORTANT If the system failure symbol
switches on, after starting the engine or
while driving, it means that the AWD
system is not working properly. If the
warning message activates frequently, it
is recommended to carry out the
maintenance operations.
37)
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
SYSTEM
The ESC system improves the directional
control and stability of the car in various
driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the car’s
understeer and oversteer, distributing
the brake force on the appropriate
wheels. The torque supplied by the
engine can also be reduced in order to
maintain control of the vehicle.
The ESC system uses sensors installed
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
vehicle’s understeer or oversteer.
66
SAFETY

Oversteer: occurs when the car 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.
System intervention
The intervention of the system is
indicated by the flashing of the ESC
warning light on the instrument panel, to
inform the driver that the vehicle
stability and grip are critical.
38) 39) 40) 41) 42)
TC (Traction Control)SYSTEM
The system automatically operates in the
event of slipping, loss of grip on wet
roads (aquaplaning) and acceleration on
slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc. on one
or both drive wheels. Depending on the
slipping conditions, two different control
systems are activated:
if the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the system intervenes, reducing
the power transmitted by the engine;
if the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, the BLD (Brake Limited
Differential) function is activated,
automatically braking the wheel which is
slipping (the behaviour of a self-locking
differential is simulated). This will
increase the engine torque transferred to
the wheel which isn't slipping.System intervention
The intervention of the system is
indicated by the flashing of the ESC
warning light on the instrument panel, to
inform the driver that the vehicle
stability and grip are critical.
43) 44) 45) 46) 47)
PBA (Panic Brake Assist)SYSTEM
The PBA system is designed to improve
the vehicle’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 PBA system therefore
complements the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the PBA
system is obtained by 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 PBA system is deactivated when the
brake pedal is released.
48) 49) 50)
HSA (Hill Start Assist)SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC system
and facilitates starting on slopes,
activating automatically in the following
cases:
uphill: vehicle 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: vehicle 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 two seconds have elapsed, without
starting, the system is automatically
deactivated, gradually releasing the
braking pressure. During this release
stage it is possible to hear a typical
mechanical brake release noise,
indicating the imminent movement of the
car.
51) 52)
67

AST (Alfa™ Steering Torque)SYSTEM
53)
The AST function uses the integration of
the ESC system with the electric power
steering to increase the safety level of
the whole vehicle.
In critical situations (braking on surfaces
with different grip conditions), through
the AST function the ESC system
controls the steering to implement an
additional torque contribution on the
steering wheel, to suggest the most
correct manoeuvre to the driver.
The coordinated action of the brakes and
steering increases the sensation of
safety and control of the vehicle.
ATV (Alfa™ Active Torque Vectoring)
SYSTEM
The dynamic drive control is used to optimize
and balance the drive torque between the
wheels of the same axis. The ATV system
improves the grip in turns, sending more drive
torque to the external wheel.
Given that, in a turn, the external wheels
of the car travel more than the internal
ones and therefore turn faster, sending a
higher thrust to the external rear wheel
allows for the car to be more stable and
to not suffer a phenomenon called
"understeer". Understeer occurs when,
during a turn, a car tends to widen the set
trajectory, in this situation the lateral
acceleration the car is subjected tobecomes higher that the grip of the tyres,
which are unable to maintain the car in
the trajectory set by the driver through
the steering angle determined by turning
the steering wheel.
WARNING
30)For maximum efficiency of the braking
system, a bedding-in period of about 500 km
(310 miles) is required: during this period it
is advisable to avoid sharp, repeated and
prolonged braking.
31)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.
32)
The ABS cannot overrule the natural laws
of physics, and cannot increase the grip
available according to the condition of the road.
33)The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those due to excessive speed on corners, driving
on low-grip surfaces or aquaplaning.
34)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.
35)
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.
36)There may be a brief delay in shifting to
AWD mode after a tyre slipping event.
37)When a DTC system failure symbol
appears, the driver must be aware of the
different driving reaction and therefore
reduce the speed. The symbol
warns the
driver not to drive in areas that require
four-wheel drive or on snow-covered roads.38)The ESC system cannot alter the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase grip,
which depends on the condition of the road.
39)The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
40)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.
41)For the correct operation of the ESC
system, the tyres must necessarily be of the
same make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and size.
42)ESC performance features must not
induce the driver to take unnecessary or
unwarranted risks. Your driving style must
always be suited to the road conditions,
visibility and traffic. The driver is, in any
case, responsible for safe driving.
43)For the correct operation of the TC
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.
44)TC performance features must not
induce the driver to take unnecessary or
unwarranted risks. Your driving style must
always be suited to the road conditions,
visibility and traffic. The driver is, in any
case, responsible for safe driving.
45)The TC system cannot overrule the
natural laws of physics, and cannot increase
the grip available according to the condition
of the road.
46)The TC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
68
SAFETY

47)The capability of the TC must never be
tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
48)The PBA system cannot overrule the
natural laws of physics, and cannot increase
the grip available according to the condition
of the road.
49)The PBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
50)The capability of the PBA system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to compromise
the safety of the driver, the other occupants
of the vehicle or any other road user.
51)The HSA system is not a parking brake;
therefore, never leave the vehicle without
having engaged the electric parking brake,
turned the engine off and engaged first gear,
so that it is parked in safe conditions.
52)There may be situations on small
gradients (less than 8%), with vehicle laden,
in which the Hill Start Assist 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.
53)The AST system is an aid for driving and
does not relieve the driver of responsibility
for driving the vehicle.DRIVING ASSISTANCE
SYSTEMS
The vehicle can feature the following
driving assistance systems:
BSM (Blind Spot Monitoring);
FCW (Forward Collision Warning);
TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring
System).
For the operation of the systems, see the
following pages.
BSM (Blind Spot Monitoring)SYSTEM
The BSM (Blind Spot Monitoring) system
uses two radar sensors, located in the
rear bumper (one for each side - see
fig. 66 ), to detect the presence of
vehicles (vehicles, trucks, motorbikes,
etc.) in the rear side blind spots of your
vehicle.
The system warns the driver about the
presence of vehicles in the detectionarea by lighting up, on the relevant side,
the warning light located on the door
mirror fig. 67.
When the engine is started the warning
light turns on to signal the driver that the
system is active.
Sensors
54)
The sensors are activated when any
forward gear is engaged at a speed
higher than about 6 mph (10 km/h), or
when reverse is engaged.
The sensors are temporarily deactivated
when the vehicle is stationary and the P
(Park) mode active.
The detection area of the system covers
about a lane on both sides of the vehicle
(around 10 ft (3 m)).
This area begins from the door mirror and
6606016S0001EM
6706016S0002EM
69

extends for about 20 ft (6 m) towards the
rear part of the vehicle.
When the sensors are active the system
monitors the detection areas on both
sides of the vehicle and warns the driver
about the possible presence of vehicles
in these areas.
While driving the system monitors the
detection area from three different input
points (side, rear and front) to check
whether a signal needs to be sent to the
driver. The system can detect the
presence of a vehicle in one of these
three areas.
IMPORTANT The system does not signal
the presence of fixed object (e.g. safety
barriers, poles, walls, etc.). However, in
some circumstances, the system may
activate in the presence of these objects.
This is normal and does not indicate a
system malfunction.
IMPORTANT The system does not warn
the driver about the presence of vehicles
coming from the opposite direction, in
the adjacent lanes.
Important notes
If a trailer is hitched to the vehicle, the
system automatically deactivates.
For the system to operate correctly, the
rear bumper area where the radarsensors are located must stay free from
snow, ice and dirt gathered from the road
surface.
Do not cover the rear bumper area where
the radar sensors are located with any
object (e.g. adhesives, bike rack, etc.).
If, after purchasing the vehicle, you wish
to install the tow hook, you need to
deactivate the system via the Connect
system. To access the function, on the
main menu select the following items in
sequence: "Settings", "Safety" and "Blind
Spot Alert".
Rear view
The system detects vehicles coming from
the rear part of your vehicle on both sides
and entering the rear detection area with
a difference in speed of less than 30 mph
(50 km/h) with respect to your vehicle.
Overtaking vehicles
If another vehicle is overtaken slowly
(with a difference in speed of less than
about 15 mph (25 km/h)) and this stays in
the blind spot for about 1.5 seconds, the
warning light on the door mirror of the
corresponding side lights up.
If the difference in speed between the
two vehicles is greater than about
15 mph (25 km/h), the warning light does
not light up.RCP (Rear Cross Path detection) system
This system helps the driver during
reverse manoeuvres in the case of
reduced visibility.
The RCP system monitors the rear
detection areas on both sides of the
vehicle, to detect objects moving
towards the sides of the vehicle at a
minimum speed between about 0.6 mph
(1 km/h) and 2 mph (3 km/h) and objects
moving at a maximum speed of 22 mph
(35 km/h), as generally happens in
parking areas.
The system activation is signalled to the
driver by means of a visual and acoustic
warning.
IMPORTANT If the sensors are covered
by objects or vehicles, the system will not
warn the driver.
Operating mode
The system may be activated/
deactivated via the Connect system. To
access the function, on the main menu
select the following items in sequence:
"Settings", "Safety" and "Blind Spot
Alert".
"Blind spot alert", "Visual" mode
When the system is enabled, a visual
warning is sent to the door mirror on the
side of the detected object.
The visual warning on the mirror will blink
if the driver switches on the direction
70
SAFETY