Warning LightWhat It Means What To Do
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) INDICATOR
LIGHT
When the ignition is cycled to ON, the indicator light
illuminates, but should turn off as soon as the engine is
started.
ESC System Intervention: Intervention by the system
is indicated by the flashing of the indicator light: it
indicates that the car is in critical stability and grip
conditions.
ECS System Failure : If the indicator light does not turn
off, or if it stays on with the engine running, a failure was
found in the ESC system. In these cases, contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Hill Start Assist System Failure : The illumination of the
indicator light indicates a Hill Start Assist system failure.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) OFF
INDICATOR LIGHT — IF EQUIPPED
When the ignition is cycled to ON, the indicator light
illuminates, but should turn off as soon as the engine is
started.
The indicator light illuminates to indicate that some
active safety systems have been partially or totally
deactivated.
For further details about the active safety systems, refer
to “Active Safety Systems” in “Safety.” When the active
safety systems are reactivated, the indicator light turns
off.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
SAFETY
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.ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS......96
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS ....99
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS ............... .108
95
ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The vehicle may be equipped with the
following active safety devices:
Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) System
Drive Train Control (DTC) System
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
System
Traction Control System (TCS)
Panic Brake Assist (PBA) System
Hill Start Assist (HSA) System
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
System
Active Torque Vectoring (ATV)
System
For the operation of the systems, see
the following pages.
Anti-Lock Braking (ABS)
System
An integral part of the braking system,
the ABS prevents one or more wheels
from locking and slipping in all road
surface conditions, regardless of the
intensity of the braking action. The
system ensures that the vehicle can be
controlled even during emergency
braking, allowing the driver to optimize
stopping distances.
The system intervenes during braking
when the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions where 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, such as in a corner.
The Electronic Braking Force
Distribution (EBD) system works with
the ABS, 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
command given by pressing the brake
pedal is not transmitted hydraulically,
but electrically. Therefore, the light
pulsation that is felt on the pedal with
the traditional system is no longer
noticeable.
Warning!
The ABS contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be
susceptible to interference caused by
improperly installed or high output radio
transmitting equipment. This interference
can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment
should be performed by qualified
professionals.
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will
diminish their effectiveness and may lead to
a collision. Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on your
brake pedal when you need to slow down
or stop.
The ABS cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or
the traction afforded.
The ABS cannot prevent collisions,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle
too closely, or hydroplaning.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner that could
jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Drive Train Control
(DTC) System — If
Equipped
Some models of this vehicle are
equipped with an All-Wheel Drive
system (AWD), which offers an optimal
drive for countless driving conditions
and road surfaces. The system reduces
the slipping of the tires 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-wheel drive (RWD) when the road
and environmental conditions are such
that they wouldn't cause the tires to
slip. When the road and environmental
96
SAFETY
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.
Panic Brake Assist
(PBA) 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.
Warning!
The Panic Brake Assist (PBA) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. PBA cannot prevent collisions,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery
surfaces, or hydroplaning. The capabilities
of a PBA-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user's
safety or the safety of others.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
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 two seconds, allowing your right foot
to be moved easily from the brake
pedal to the accelerator.
When two seconds without starting
have elapsed, 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.
Warning!
There may be situations where the Hill
Start Assist (HSA) will not activate and
slight rolling may occur, such as on minor
hills or with a loaded vehicle, or while
pulling a trailer. HSA is not a substitute for
active driving involvement. It is always the
driver’s responsibility to be attentive to
distance to other vehicles, people, and
objects, and most importantly brake
operation to ensure safe operation of the
vehicle under all road conditions. Your
complete attention is always required while
driving to maintain safe control of your
vehicle. Failure to follow these warnings
can result in a collision or serious personal
injury.
98
SAFETY
Dynamic Steering
Torque (DST) System
The DST 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), the ESC
system controls the steering through
the DST function to implement an
additional torque contribution on the
steering wheel in order to suggest the
most correct maneuver to the driver.
The coordinated action of the brakes
and steering increases the sensation of
safety and control of the vehicle.
Note:
The DST feature is only meant to help
the driver realize the correct course of
action through small torques on the
steering wheel, which means the
effectiveness of the DST feature is
highly dependent on the drivers
sensitivity and overall reaction to the
applied torque. It is very important to
realize that this feature will not steer the
vehicle, meaning the driver is still
responsible for steering the vehicle.
Active Torque Vectoring
(ATV) System
The dynamic drive control is used to
optimize and balance the drive torque
between the wheels of the same axles.
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 an "understeer"
condition. Understeer occurs when the
vehicle is turning less than appropriate
for the steering wheel position.
AUXILIARY DRIVING
SYSTEMS
The vehicle can feature the following
auxiliary driving systems:
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
For the operation of the systems, see
the following pages.
Blind Spot Monitoring
(BSM) System
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM)
system uses two radar sensors, located
in the rear bumper (one for each side),
to detect the presence of vehicles
(vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, etc.) in
the rear side blind spots of your vehicle.
GUID-06016S0001EMRear Sensor Location
99
The system warns the driver about the
presence of vehicles in the detection
area by lighting up, on the relevant side,
the warning light located on the door
mirror.
When the engine is started the warning
light turns on to signal the driver that
the system is active.
Sensors
The sensors are activated when any
forward gear is engaged at a speed
higher than approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h) or when reverse is engaged.
The sensors are temporarily deactivated
when the vehicle is stationary and the
PARK (P) mode active.
The detection area of the system
covers approximately a lane on both
sides of the vehicle which is around 9 ft
(3 m).This area begins from the door mirror
and extends for approximately 19 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 alert needs to be sent to the
driver. The system can detect the
presence of a vehicle in one of these
three areas.
Note:
The system does not alert the driver
for 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.
The system does not alert the driver
about the presence of vehicles coming
from the opposite direction, in the
adjacent lanes.
Warning!
The Blind Spot Monitoring system is only
an aid to help detect objects in the blind
spot zones. The BSM system is not
designed to detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. Even if your vehicle is equipped
with the BSM system, always check your
vehicle’s mirrors, glance over your
shoulder, and use your turn signal before
changing lanes. Failure to do so can result
in serious injury or death.
Note:
If a trailer is hitched to the vehicle,
the system automatically deactivates.
For the system to operate correctly,
the rear bumper area where the radar
sensors 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 you wish to install the tow hook
after purchasing the vehicle, you need to
deactivate the system via the Connect
system. To access the function, select
the following items in sequence on the
main menu: "Settings", "Safety", and
"Blind Spot Alert".
GUID-06016S0002EMBSM Indicator Light
100
SAFETY
Forward Collision
Warning (FCW) System
This is a driving assistance system which
comprises a radar located behind the
front bumper and a camera located in
the central part of the windshield.
In the event of an imminent collision,
the system intervenes by automatically
braking the vehicle to prevent the crash
or reduce its effects.
The system provides the driver with
audible and visual signals through
specific messages on the instrument
cluster display.
The system may lightly brake to warn
the driver if a possible frontal accident is
detected (limited braking). Signals and
limited braking are intended to allow the
driver to react promptly, in order to
prevent or reduce the effects of a
potential accident.
In situations with the risk of collision, if
the system detects no intervention by
the driver, it provides automatic braking
to help slow the vehicle and mitigate
the potential frontal collision (automatic
braking). If intervention by the driver on
the brake pedal is detected, but not
deemed sufficient, the system may
intervene in order to improve the
reaction of the braking system,
therefore reducing vehicle speed further
(additional assistance in braking stage).
The system will intervene automatically
in case of imminent collision or impact
against a pedestrian crossing the road
(speed under 31 mph (50 km/h)).Note:
For safety reasons, when the
vehicle has stopped, the brake calipers
may remain blocked for about two
seconds. Make sure you press the
brake pedal if the vehicle moves slightly
forward.
Warning!
Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is not
intended to avoid a collision on its own, nor
can FCW detect every type of potential
collision. The driver has the responsibility to
avoid a collision by controlling the vehicle
via braking and steering. Failure to follow
this warning could lead to serious injury or
death.
Engagement/Disengagement
The following functions can be selected
in sequence using the Connect system:
“Settings”, “Safety”, “Forward Collision
Warning” and "Mode". Select from
among three operating modes:
Warning And Brake : the system
(if active), in addition to the visual and
audible warnings, provides limited
braking, automatic braking and
additional assistance in braking stage,
where the driver does not brake
sufficiently in the event of a potential
frontal impact.
GUID-06016S0003EMFront Bumper Radar Location
GUID-06016S0004EMWindshield Camera Location
102
SAFETY
Only Warning: the system, if active,
does not provide limited braking, but
guarantees automatic braking or
additional assistance in braking stage,
where the driver does not brake at all or
not sufficiently in the event of a potential
frontal impact. The visual and audible
warnings are deactivated, and will not
be provided.
Disable: the system does not
provide visual and audible warnings,
limited braking, automatic braking or
additional assistance in braking stage.
The system will therefore provide no
indication of a possible accident.
Activation/Deactivation
The Forward Collision Warning system
is activated whenever the engine is
started regardless of what is shown on
the Connect system.
Following a deactivation, the system will
not warn the driver about the possible
collision with the preceding vehicle,
regardless of the setting selected with
the Connect system.
Note: Each time the engine is started,
the system is activated regardless of
what setting was selected when it was
previously switched off.
This function is not active at a speed
lower than 4 mph (7 km/h) or higher
than 124 mph (200 km/h). The system is active when:
The engine is started.
Is active (on) in the Connect system.
The ignition is in the ON position.
The vehicle speed is between 4 mph
(7 km/h) and 124 mph (200 km/h).
The front seat belts are fastened.
The "Alfa DNA Pro" selector is not in
RACE position (where present).
Changing The System Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the system can be
changed through the Connect system
menu, choosing from one of the
following three options: "Near", "Med"
or "Far". Refer to the description in the
“Connect System Supplement” for how
to change the settings.
The pre-set option is "Med". With this
setting, the system warns the driver of a
possible collision with the vehicle in
front when that vehicle is at a standard
distance, between that of the other two
settings.
With the system sensitivity set to "Far",
the system will warn the driver of a
possible collision with the vehicle in
front when that vehicle is at a greater
distance, thus providing the possibility
of acting on the brakes more lightly and
gradually. This setting provides the
drivers with the maximum possible
reaction time to prevent a potential
accident. With the option set to "Near", the
system will alert the driver of a possible
collision with the vehicle in front when
that vehicle is close. This setting offers
the driver a lower reaction time
compared to the "Med" and "Far"
settings, in the event of a potential
collision, but permits more dynamic
driving of the vehicle.
The system sensitivity setting is kept in
the memory when the engine is
switched off.
System Limited Operation Signal
If the dedicated message is displayed,
a condition limiting the system
operation may have occurred. The
possible reasons of this limitation are
something blocking the camera view or
a fault.
If an obstruction is signaled, clean the
area of the windshield indicated in.
Although the vehicle can still be driven
in normal conditions, the system may
be not completely available.
When the conditions limiting the system
functions end, this will go back to
normal and complete operation. Should
the fault persist, contact an authorized
dealer.
System Failure Signaling
If the system switches off and a
dedicated message is shown on the
display, it means that there is a fault on
the system.
103