WARNING!(Continued)
in a reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety of others.
• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly
maintain your vehicle, may change the handling
characteristics of your vehicle, and may nega-
tively affect the performance of the ESC system.
Changes to the steering system, suspension, brak-
ing system, tire type and size or wheel size may
adversely affect ESC performance. Improperly
inflated and unevenly worn tires may also de-
grade ESC performance. Any vehicle modifica-
tion or poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the
effectiveness of the ESC system can increase the
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
The ESC system uses sensors installed on the vehicle to
determine the trajectory that the driver intends to
follow and compares it with the vehicles effective
trajectory. When the real trajectory deviates from the
desired trajectory, the ESC system intervenes to counter
the vehicles understeer or oversteer. •
Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle 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.
This vehicle’s advanced electronic brake control system
also includes: Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Anti-
Lock Brake System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control
System (CBC), Drag Torque Control System (DTC),
AntiSlip Regulation System (ASR), Hill Start Assist
(HSA), Hydraulic 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 condi-
tions, and are commonly referred to as ESC.
System Activation
The ESC system activates automatically when the en-
gine is started and can only be deactivated by selecting
Race mode. Refer to the Six-Speed Alfa Twin Clutch
Transmission in this section for further information.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 151
AntiSlip Regulation System (ASR)
WARNING!
•Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded
by prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot pre-
vent all collisions, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery
surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also cannot pre-
vent collisions resulting from loss of vehicle
control due to inappropriate driver input for the
conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent collisions.The capabilities of
an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited
in a reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety of others.
• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly
maintain your vehicle, may change the handling
characteristics of your vehicle, and may nega-
tively affect the performance of the ESC system.
Changes to the steering system, suspension, brak-
ing system, tire type and size or wheel size may
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
adversely affect ESC performance. Improperly
inflated and unevenly worn tires may also de-
grade ESC performance. Any vehicle modifica-
tion or poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the
effectiveness of the ESC system can increase the
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
This is an integral part of the ESC system and automati-
cally operates in the event of one or both drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads (hydroplaning) and
acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc.
Depending on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
• If the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR
system intervenes, reducing the power transmitted
by the engine.
• If the slipping only involves one of the drive wheels,
it also intervenes automatically, braking the wheel
that is slipping.
154 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire fail-
ure. You could lose control and have a collision
resulting in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of
many characteristics. They should be inspected regu-
larly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressures.
The manufacturer strongly recommends that you use
tires equivalent to the originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is needed. Refer to the
paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicator”. Refer to the Tire
and Loading Information placard or the Vehicle Certi-
fication Label for the size designation of your tire. The
Load Index and Speed Symbol for your tire will be
found on the original equipment tire sidewall. See the
Tire Sizing Chart example found in the “Tire Safety
Information” section of this manual for more information
relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a tire.
It is recommended to replace the two front tires or two
rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever replace a
wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifications match
those of the original wheels.
It is recommended you contact your authorized tire dealer
or original equipment dealer with any questions you may
have on tire specifications or capability. Failure to use
equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the
safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.
WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension
components. You could lose control and have a
collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use
(Continued)
176 STARTING AND OPERATING
Side Lights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
These are LEDs. For the replacement, contact the your
authorized dealer.
Low/High Beam Bi-Halogen Headlights
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
1. Turn the steering wheel completely.
2. Open the protective flap by rotating the screw.3. Remove protective cover from headlamp assembly.
1 — Direction Indicator Bulb Protective Flap
2 — Headlamp Bulb Protective Flap
Protective Cover
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 247
4. Remove the electric connector (1) and then rotate thebulb holder (2) clockwise and remove it.
5. Extract the bulb and replace it.
6. Refit the new bulb, making sure that it is locked correctly, and reconnect the electrical connector.
7. Reinstall protective cover in the headlamp assembly and close the protective flap.Low/High Beam HID & LED Headlights
For the replacement, contact the your authorized dealer.
Direction Indicators
Front:
1. Turn the steering wheel completely.
2. Open the protective flap by rotating the screw.
1 — Electrical Connector
2 — Bulb Holder
1 — Direction Indicator Bulb Protective Flap
2 — Headlamp Bulb Protective Flap
248 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Safety Tips..............................56
Schedule, Maintenance ....................260
Seat Belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) ..........32
Energy Management Feature ...............32
Lap/Shoulder Belt Operation ..............29
Lap/Shoulder Belts .....................27
Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting ..............31
Pregnant Women .......................31
Seat Belt Pretensioner ....................32
Seat Belt Reminder ......................25
Seat Belt Maintenance .....................240
Seat Belt Reminder ........................25
Seat Belts ........................... .25, 57
Child Restraint .........................46
Front Seat ...................... .25, 27, 29
Inspection ............................57
Operating Instructions ...................29
Pregnant Women .......................31
Pretensioners ..........................32
Rear Seat .............................27
Reminder ............................97
Untwisting Procedure ....................31
Seats ..................................65
Adjustment ........................ .65, 66Reclining
.............................66
Security Alarm ...........................12
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ....................11
Service Assistance ....................... .270
Service Contract ........................ .271
Service Manuals ........................ .273
Shoulder Belts ...........................27
Signals, Turn ........................ .59, 107
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ..................177
Snow Tires ............................ .171
Spare Tire ....................171, 172, 173, 174
Spark Plugs ........................... .257
Speed Control Accel/Decel ...........................79
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...............77
Starting .............................. .134
Automatic Transmission .................134
Cold Weather ........................ .135
Engine Fails To Start ....................135
Steering Column
Lock ..........................76
Tilt Column ...........................76
Wheel, Tilt ............................76
Storage .............................. .244
Storage, Vehicle ........................ .244
10
INDEX 283