
ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEM
To further protect your car from theft, it has been fitted with an engine
immobilising system. It is automatically activated when the ignition
key is removed.
Each key contains an electronic device which modulates the signal
emitted during ignition by an antenna built into the ignition device. The
modulated signal, which changes each time the engine is started, is
the “password”, by means of which the control unit recognises the key
and enables to start the engine.
OPERATION
Each time the car is started by turning the ignition key to MAR, the
Alfa Romeo CODE system control unit sends an acknowledgement
code to the engine management control unit to deactivate the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo CODE system control unit has
recognised the code transmitted from the key.
Each time the ignition key is turned to STOP, the Alfa Romeo CODE
system deactivates the functions of the engine management control
unit. If, during starting, the code is not correctly recognised, the
warning light switches on in the instrument panel.
In this case, turn the key to STOP and then to MAR; if it is still locked,
try again with the other keys that come with the vehicle. If you are
still unable to start the engine contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.Activation of warning light while driving
❒If the
warning light switches on, this means that the system is
running a self-diagnosis (for example due to a voltage drop).
❒If the
warning light remains on, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
The electronic components inside the key may be damaged
if the key is subjected to strong shocks.
34
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

SWITCHING OFF THE ALARM
Press thebutton. The following operations are performed (excluding
specific markets):
❒the direction indicators flash briefly twice;
❒there are two brief acoustic signals;
❒unlocking of the doors.
IMPORTANT The alarm does not switch off when the central opening is
activated using the metal insert in the key.
VOLUMETRIC/ANTI-LIFT PROTECTION
To guarantee the correct operation of the protection, close the side
windows and any sun roof completely (for versions/markets, where
provided).
To disable the function, press button A fig. 20 before activating the
alarm. When the function is disabled, this is indicated by the LED on
the button flashing for several seconds.Any disabling of the volumetric/anti-lift protection must be repeated
each time the instrument panel is switched off.
DISABLING THE ALARM
To permanently disable the alarm (e.g. during a lengthy period of car
inactivity), lock the car by turning the metal insert of the key with
remote control in the lock.
IMPORTANT If the batteries of the key with the remote control run out
or there is a fault with the system, the alarm can be switched off by
inserting the key in the ignition switch and turning it to MAR.
fig. 20A0J0226
41
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

ADDITIONAL HEATER
(only diesel versions)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This allows the passenger compartment to be heated more quickly in
cold weather conditions. The additional heater turns off automatically
after the required comfort conditions are achieved.
Automatic dual zone climate control system
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The additional heater activates automatically when the ignition key is
turned to MAR-ON.
Manual heater and manual climate control
The additional heater activates automatically when knob N is turned to
the end of the red section and the fan is set to at least 1
stspeed.
IMPORTANT The heater only works if the outside temperature and
engine coolant temperature are low. The heater will not activate if the
battery voltage is too low.
EXTERIOR LIGHTS
LEFT STALK
The left stalk fig. 35 operates most of the exterior lights. The external
lights can only be switched on when the ignition key is at MAR.
The instrument panel and the various controls on the dashboard will
come on when the external lights are switched on.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL)
“Daytime Running Lights”
With the ignition key at MAR and ring nut A fig. 35 turned to
,the
daytime running lights switch on. The other lights and interior lighting
stay off.
For daytime running light functionality, see the “Menu Items”
paragraph in this section. If the function is deactivated, no lights are
switched on when ring nut A is turned to
.
fig. 35A0J0063
59
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

SIDE LIGHTS/DIPPED BEAM
HEADLIGHTS
With the ignition key turned to MAR, turn ring nut A fig. 35 to.
The daytime running lights are switched off and the side lights and
dipped headlights are switched on. The warning light
switches
on on the instrument panel.
PARKING LIGHTS
These lights can only be switched on with ignition key at STOP or
removed, by moving ring nut A first to position
and then to position
.
When the parking lights are switched on, the number plate lights and
the front and rear side lights switch on as well (the daytime running
lights (DRLs) remain off however).
The warning light
switches on on the instrument panel.
When the direction indicator stalk is activated the side for the lights
(left or right) can be selected.
AUTOMATIC LIGHTING CONTROL
(AUTOLIGHT) (Dusk sensor)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This infrared LED sensor, combined with the rain sensor and located on
the windscreen, detects the variations in outside brightness depending
on the light sensitivity set with the Set-up Menu: the greater the
sensitivity, the less external light is required to activate the exterior
lights.Activation
The dusk sensor activates when ring nut A fig. 35 is turned to
.In
this way the side lights and dipped headlights are activated
automatically according to the external light level.
IMPORTANT The sensor is unable to detect the presence of fog.
Therefore under these circumstances, these lights must be turned on
manually.
When the lights are turned on by the sensor, the fog lights (for
versions/markets, where provided) and the rear fog lights may be
turned on.
When the lights are automatically switched off, the front and rear fog
lights (if activated) are also switched off. The next time the lights are
switched on automatically, the fog lights must be reactivated manually
(if required).
With the sensor active, it is possible to flash the headlights but the
main beam headlights cannot be switched on. If you need to turn these
lights on, turn ring nut A to position
and turn the dipped
headlights on.
When the lights have been activated automatically and are then
switched off by the sensor, the dipped beam headlights are switched
off first, followed by the side lights a few seconds later.
If the sensor is activated but is malfunctioning, the side lights and
dipped beam headlights are switched on irrespective of the outside
light level and the sensor failure is indicated on the instrument panel
display.
It is also possible to deactivate the sensor and switch on these lights if
necessary.
60
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS
To activate the main beam headlights, with ring nut A at, pull the
stalk towards the steering wheel beyond the end of travel position.
The warning light
switches on on the instrument panel.
When the stalk is pulled towards the steering wheel again, beyond the
end of travel position, the main beam headlights deactivate, the
dipped beam headlights reactivate and the warning light
switches
off.
FLASHING
To do this, pull the stalk towards the steering wheel (unstable position)
regardless of the position of ring nut A.
The warning light
switches on on the instrument panel.
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Bring the stalk into (stable) position:
❒upwards: activates right direction indicator;
❒downwards: activates left direction indicator.
Warning light
orwill flash in the instrument panel.
The indicators are switched off automatically when the steering wheel
is straightened."Lane change" function
If you want to signal that you are changing lane, hold the left stalk in
the unstable position for less than half a second. The direction indicator
on the selected side flashes 3 times and then switches off automatically.
"FOLLOW ME HOME" DEVICE
This device allows you to illuminate the area in front of the car for a
certain amount of time.
Activation
With the ignition key at STOP or removed, pull stalk A towards the
steering wheel and move it within 2 minutes of the engine switching
off.
At each single movement of the stalk, the lights will remain on for an
extra 30 seconds up to a maximum of 210 seconds; then the lights are
switched off automatically.
The
warning light on the instrument panel will light up (and the
corresponding message will appear on the display) as long as the
function is active.
The light comes on when the stalk is first moved and stays on until the
function is automatically deactivated. Each movement of the stalk
only increases the amount of time the lights stay on.
Deactivation
Keep stalk A pulled towards the steering wheel for more than 2
seconds.
61
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

FOG LIGHTS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Operation
Press the
fig. 45 button to switch the lights on/off.
With the lights on, warning light
in the instrument panel switches
on.
REAR FOG LIGHT
Operation
Press the
fig. 45 button to switch the light on/off.
The rear fog light switches on only when the dipped headlights are
switched on. With the light on, the
warning light in the instrument
panel switches on.
CENTRAL LOCKING
Operation
Press button A fig. 46 to lock all doors at the same time.
Locking takes place irrespective of the position of the ignition key.
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM
Operation
This intervenes in the case of an impact causing:
❒the interruption of the fuel supply with the engine consequently
cutting out;
❒the automatic unlocking of the doors;
❒the interior lights being switched on.
The intervention of the system is indicated by a message shown on the
display.
fig. 45A0J0303fig. 46A0J0030
70
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

Door unlocking from the outside
Press the
button on the key or turn the metal insert (located inside
the key) in the driver side door lock.
Door locking/unlocking from the inside
Press fig. 57 button A. The button has an LED that indicates whether
the car doors are locked or unlocked.
LED on: doors locked. Press button
once again to centrally unlock
all doors. The LED will switch off.
LED off: doors unlocked. Press the button
again to centrally lock all
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 button
.
IMPORTANT With the central locking system on, pull the door lever of
one of the doors to open that door only (the LED on button A will
stay on if it is the passenger door).
In the absence of electrical power supply (blown fuse, battery
disconnected, etc.) it is still possible to lock the doors manually.
PASSENGER SIDE EMERGENCY FRONT
DOOR LOCKING DEVICE
The front passenger side door has a device to lock it when there is no
current.
To lock it, fit the metal insert of the ignition key in the housing A fig. 58
and move it upwards.
IMPORTANT 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 button
on the key or buttonfor locking/unlocking the
doors on the instrument panel;
❒press button
on the key or buttonfor locking/unlocking the
doors on the instrument panel.
fig. 58A0J0309
78
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX 

ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
This is an electronic system that controls vehicle stability in the event of
tyre grip loss, helping maintain directional control.
The system is capable of recognising potentially dangerous situations
in terms of the stability and intervenes automatically on the brakes in a
differentiated manner for the four wheels in order to provide a
stabilising torque.
The ESC system also includes the following systems:
❒Hill Holder
❒ASR
❒Brake Assist
❒MSR
❒CBC
❒“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❒DST
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system switches on automatically when the engine is started
and cannot be switched off.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the warning lighton the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is in critical stability and grip
conditions.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the ESC system and facilitates starting
on slopes.
It is automatically activated in the following conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pedal pressed and gearbox in neutral or
gear (other than reverse) engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than
5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and reverse gear
engaged.
When setting off the ESC system control unit maintains the braking
pressure at the wheels until the engine torque required for departure is
reached or for approximately 2 seconds, allowing your right foot to
be moved easily from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the system will deactivate
automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A sound may
be heard during this stage: this indicates that the vehicle is about
to move off.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a handbrake. Do not leave
the vehicle without having engaged the handbrake, switched off the
engine and engaged a gear.
89
GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX