FRONT AIRBAGS
“SMART BAG” SYSTEM
(MULTISTAGE FRONT
AIRBAGS)
The car features multistage front
airbags (“Smart bag”) for driver and
passenger.
The front (driver and passenger) airbags
protect occupants in the event of
head-on crashes of medium-high
severity, by placing the a cushion
between the occupant and the steering
wheel or dashboard.
Therefore non-deployment in other
types of impacts (side impacts, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) does not
indicate a system malfunction.
Airbags are not a replacement of but
complementary to the seat belts, which
you are recommended to always wear.
In the event of impact, those not
wearing a seat belt are projected
forwards and may come into contact
with the bag which is still inflating. The
protection offered by the bag is
compromised in these circumstances.
85) 86) 88)
Front airbags may not activate in the
following situations:❒frontal impacts against highly
deformable objects not involving the
front surface of the car (e.g. wing
collision against guard rail, etc.);
❒jamming of the car underneath other
vehicles or protective barriers (e.g.
underneath a truck or a guard rail) as,
in this case, the bags would offer no
additional protection with respect
to the seat belt and their deployment
would be inappropriate. In these
cases, non-deployment does not
indicate a system malfunction.
FRONT DRIVER SIDE
AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating
bag contained in a special
compartment in the centre of the
steering wheel fig. 120.FRONT PASSENGER
AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating
bag contained in a special recess in the
dashboard fig. 121: this bag has a
larger volume than that of the driver's.
87)
FRONT PASSENGER
AIRBAG AND CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
89)
ALWAYScomply with the instructions
on the label stuck on the passenger
side sun visor.
120A0K0364
121A0K0135
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SAFETY
WARNING
85) Do not apply stickers or other objects on the steering wheel, on the dashboard in the passenger side airbag area, on
side upholstery on the roof or on the seats. Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the passenger's side dashboard
since they could interfere with correct inflation of the airbag and also cause serious injury to the passengers.
86) Always drive keeping your hands on the steering wheel rim so that the airbag can inflate freely if necessary. Do not
drive with your body bent forward. Keep the back of your seat upright and lean back into it.
87) When an active passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install rear facing child restraint systems on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause fatal injuries to the child regardless of the severity of the
impact. Therefore, always deactivate the passenger airbag when a rear facing child restraint system is installed on
the front passenger seat. The front passenger seat must also be positioned back as far as possible in order to avoid
the child restraint system from coming into contact with the dashboard. Immediately reactivate the passenger airbag
as soon as the child restraint system has been removed.
88) To deactivate the airbags, see the “Knowing your car” section, “Menu Items” paragraph.
89) When an active passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install rear facing child restraint systems on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause fatal injuries to the child regardless of the severity of the
impact.
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Shifting from D to "Sequential mode" is
free.
Shifting from "Sequential mode" to D is
free.
Shifting from D to N is free.
Shifting from N to R is possible only
with button on gear lever pressed.
Shifting from R to P is possible only
with button on gear lever pressed.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting is only permitted with gear
lever in position P or N (with or without
brake pedal pressed).
On starting, the system is at N or P (the
latter means neutral, but with the car’s
wheels locked mechanically).
Start&Stop system
With car at a standstill and Start&Stop
system activated, the engine switches
off if the gear lever is in a position
other than R.
The Start&Stop system does not
operate when the gear lever is in R, for
making parking manoeuvres easier.
In the event of stops uphill, the engine
switching off is disabled to activate
the "Hill Holder" function (works only
with running engine).The engine restarts automatically if:
❒the brake pedal is released (and the
lever is not at N or P)
❒the lever is shifted to an unstable
position: +, − or R
❒the lever is shifted from D to the left
in "Sequential mode"
❒by the "+" or "–" paddles on the
steering wheel (for versions/markets,
where provided)
During the engine stop and start
sequence, the system passes through
the automatic engagement of neutral:
the display shows N.
IMPORTANT In some conditions (for
example with small gradients and brake
pedal not fully depressed), engine
switching off is not deactivated. In this
case, fully depress the brake pedal
to make the "Hill Holder" function
available and restart the engine, using
the gear lever or the paddles on the
steering wheel (for versions/markets,
where provided) as described
previously.ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
Engine can be switched off in any
position of the gear lever.
Versions with
Start&Stop system
To switch the engine off, you need to
stop the car by pressing the brake
pedal properly; if the pressure is not
enough, the engine will not be switched
off.
This feature can be exploited so that
the engine does not switch off in
particular traffic conditions.
Ignition key removal
The ignition key can be removed only if
the gear lever is in position P:
❒if the engine is switched off with the
gear lever in position P: the ignition
key can be removed within 30
seconds;
❒if the engine is switched off with the
gear lever in a position other than P:
the P letter on the display and on
the gear lever trim flashes for 5
seconds and an acoustic signal will
be emitted at the same time. Move
the lever to P within 5 seconds; then
it will be possible to remove the
ignition key for about 30 seconds.
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“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)
134A0K0612
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);
136A0K0269
137A0K0271
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
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)
183A0K0623
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