2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Owner's Manual

engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to
15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” proce-
dure.
Cold Weather Operation
Your engine is designed to operate at temperatures as
low as 0°F (-18°C).
CAUTION!
Use of the recommended SAE 5W-40 Synthetic oil
and adhering to the prescribed oil change intervals
is important to prevent engine damage and ensure
satisfactory starting in cold conditions.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
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 dam-
age 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.
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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.
• 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 apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into FIRST gear or
REVERSE, turn the engine OFF, and remove the
key fob.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
• Do not leave the key fob 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 transmis-
sion controls (shift paddles on the steering wheel, and
gear selector buttons on the center console) are dis-
abled.
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When the key is turned to the ON position, the current
transmission gear will be displayed in the instrument
cluster, along with theAUTOindicator. This indicates
the transmission is in Automatic mode.
Operating Modes
The transmission has two normal operating modes
(except when the “Race” mode is selected on the DNA
switch):
• MANUAL mode: The driver must shift gears manu-
ally (using the steering wheel mounted shift
paddles). •
Automatic (AUTO) mode: The system shifts between
all forward gears automatically.
When the “Race” mode is selected via the DNA selector,
the only allowed transmission operating mode is
MANUAL.
MANUAL Mode
In this operating mode, the driver is responsible for
choosing the best gear to engage, depending on the
vehicle’s operating conditions. The current gear is dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
To activate/deactivate MANUAL mode, push the A/M
button on the center console when the transmission is in
any forward gear.
Use the “+” shift paddle to engage a higher gear, or the
“–” paddle to engage a lower gear.
If a requested gear shift is not allowed (typically,
because it would cause engine overspeed or lugging),
an acoustic signal will sound and the transmission will
remain in the existing gear.
The transmission will automatically downshift during
closed-throttle decelerations, to prevent engine lugging.
Transmission Gear Selector
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STARTING AND OPERATING 137

When coming to a stop, the transmission will automati-
cally select FIRST (1st) gear. The driver must manually
upshift the transmission (by tapping the + shift paddle)
as the vehicle accelerates.
NOTE:To provide better comfort, the transmission will
up-shift to the next available gear if the engine speed
limit is reached. This feature is only available in NATU-
RAL and ALL WEATHER Modes.
AUTO Mode
In AUTO mode the transmission shifts gears automati-
cally depending on vehicle speed, engine RPM, and
accelerator pedal position.
AUTO is the default operating mode at startup. When
in AUTO mode, AUTOappears in the instrument
cluster, adjacent to the current gear display.
To toggle between AUTO and MANUAL modes, push
the A/M button on the center console.
Accelerating From A Stop
FIRST (1) and REVERSE (R) can only be engaged (at a
stop) when the brake pedal is pressed. To drive, press the brake pedal, and select 1 (1st) or R
(REVERSE) using the transmission gear selector buttons
on the center console. Then release the brake pedal and
smoothly press the accelerator pedal.
NOTE:
•
The vehicle will not “creep” when the brake pedal is
released, and may in fact roll down on an incline.
Leaving from a stop, the accelerator pedal must be
pressed to transmit driving torque to the wheels.
• When starting on a fairly steep incline, it may be
helpful to engage the parking brake.
• The vehicle can only be launched (from a stop) in
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R). Second gear (or higher)
cannot be engaged when the vehicle is stationary.
• If the brake pedal is not depressed (and the vehicle is
stationary for a period of time), the transmission will
automatically engage NEUTRAL (N).
•
FIRST (1) and REVERSE (R) gears can only be engaged
at vehicle speeds below 2 mph (3 km/h). At speeds
below 6 mph (10 km/h), attempts to shift from 1 to R
(or R to 1) will only be allowed if the vehicle speed
drops below the 2 mph (3 km/h) threshold within
138 STARTING AND OPERATING

three seconds of the request; otherwise, the transmis-
sion will shift to NEUTRAL (N). The driver should
then repeat the request for 1st or R once the vehicle has
come to a stop.
Shift Paddles
In MANUAL mode, the steering wheel mounted shift
paddles (labeled + and -) control the transmission
shifting.
Tapping the (+) paddle will upshift the transmission to
the next higher gear, while tapping the (-) paddle will
downshift to the next lower gear. The current gear is
displayed in the instrument cluster. If a requested shift
would cause engine lugging or overspeed, that request
will be ignored.
In AUTO mode, tapping a shift paddle will temporarily
place the transmission in MANUAL mode, and execute
the requested upshift or downshift (if allowable). The
transmission will then return to AUTO mode after a
brief interval.
Pressing a shift paddle will only shift the transmission
one gear at a time. Holding a paddle depressed will not
command multiple shifts; the paddle must be pressed
multiple times in succession to generate multiple shifts.Neutral (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Always apply the
parking brake if you must leave the vehicle.
At engine startup, the transmission will automatically
select NEUTRAL (N) and AUTO mode. The brake pedal
must be pressed when starting the engine.
To select NEUTRAL (N) when the vehicle is stationary,
turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON position (engine
running or not), press the brake pedal, and push the N
button on the transmission gear selector.
When the vehicle is moving (with ignition ON), push-
ing the NEUTRAL (N) button will engage N, regardless
of whether the brake pedal is pressed.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. Coasting in NEUTRAL
and turning off the ignition while coasting severely
limit your ability to respond to changing traffic or road
conditions. Failure to follow this WARNING may
result in loss of vehicle control, collision, and serious
injury or death.
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With the vehicle in motion, to engage a gear from the
NEUTRAL (N) position, push the 1 button on the
transmission control panel (it is not necessary to press
the brake pedal). The transmission will engage the
correct gear according to the vehicle’s speed.
Acoustic Signal
If the vehicle is stationary with the engine running and
FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R) engaged, the system acti-
vates an acoustic signal and automatically places the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N) when:
•The accelerator and/or brake pedal are not operated
for at least three minutes.
•
The brake pedal is pressed for longer than 10 minutes.
• The driver ’s door is opened and the accelerator pedal
or the brake pedal are not operated for at least one
and a half seconds.
• A fault has been detected in the transmission.
Parking The Vehicle
When parking and leaving the vehicle, proceed as
follows:
1. Make sure that the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, put the vehicle into either a forward or reverse gear by pushing 1 or R.
(The vehicle may already be in 1 or R if you were just
driving.)
3. Engage the parking brake.
4. Turn off and remove the key.
5. Release the brake pedal.
When parking on an incline, turn the front wheels
toward the curb on a downhill slope and away from the
curb on an uphill slope. Always chock the wheels when
parking on steep grades.
140 STARTING AND OPERATING

General Notes
When the vehicle is stopped and in gear, always keep
the brake pedal pressed until you decide to set off, then
release the brake and accelerate gradually.
During prolonged stops with the engine running, it is
advisable to keep the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
When stopped on an incline, always hold the vehicle in
place using the brakes. On steep inclines, Hill Start
Assist (HSA) will temporarily hold the vehicle in posi-
tion when the brake pedal is released. If the accelerator
pedal is not applied after a short time, the vehicle will
roll back. Either reapply the brake (to hold the vehicle)
or press the accelerator to climb the hill.
Only shift between FIRST (1) and REVERSE (R) when
completely stopped, with the brake pedal pressed.
When necessary, it is possible to engage FIRST (1),
REVERSE (R) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine off, the
key at MAR-ON and the brake pressed. In this case,
wait at least five seconds between one gear change and
the next, in order to safeguard the operation of the
hydraulic system, and the pump in particular.For uphill departures, accelerate gradually but fully,
immediately after releasing the parking brake or the
brake pedal; this allows the engine speed to increase to
provide more torque at the wheels.
ALFA DNA SYSTEM (DYNAMIC VEHICLE
CONTROL SYSTEM)
This vehicle is equipped with a “Alfa DNA” system
lever (located on the center console). There are four
modes of operation to be selected according to driving
style and road conditions:
•
Dynamic (This mode alters the transmission’s auto-
matic shift schedule for sportier driving [D]).
• Natural (mode for driving in normal conditions [N]).
• All Weather (mode for driving in poor grip condi-
tions, such as rain and snow [A]).
• Race (sports driving mode [D]).5
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This also acts on the dynamic vehicle control systems
(engine, gearbox/transmission, ESC system).
Driving Modes
The Alfa DNA system lever will always return to the
center position after use.
The selected driving mode is indicated by the corre-
sponding LED switching in the panel and by an indi-
cation on the display.
Dynamic Mode
Activation
Move the Alfa DNA system lever upwards (to the letter
“D”) and hold in this position for half a second, until
the corresponding LED lights up and the Dynamic
mode activation indicator appears on the display.
When Dynamic mode is activated, the turbocharger
pressure and engine oil temperature screen is displayed
automatically. When released, the Alfa DNA system
lever will return to the central position.
NOTE:Dynamic Mode will be inhibited until the
vehicle has accumulated 155 miles (250 km).
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip
Regulation (ASR) systems:
The ESC and ASR system ensures more enjoyable,
sportier driving while guaranteeing the stability of the
vehicle.
Electronic Q2 system:
The system increases vehicle stability while accelerating
on bends, improving the agility of the vehicle.
Alfa DNA Mode Selector
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