
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. Failure to activate in the
conditions described above is due to the
fact that they may not provide any
additional protection compared with seat
belts, so their activation would be
inappropriate. In these cases,
non-deployment does not indicate a
system malfunction.
FRONT AIRBAG DRIVER'S SIDE
This consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment in the centre of the
steering wheel fig. 57.
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating bag
contained in a special recess in the
dashboard fig. 58 which has a larger
volume than that of the driver.
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND
CHILD RESTRAINTSYSTEMS
Rearward facing child restraint systems
mustNEVERbe fitted on the front seat
with an active passenger airbag since in
the event of an impact the airbag
activation may cause fatal injuries to the
transported child.ALWAYScomply with
the instructions on the label on the
passenger side sun visor fig. 59.Deactivating passenger side airbags:
front airbag and side bag for pelvis,
chest protection (Side bag)
If a child must be carried on the front seat
in a rear facing child restraint system,
deactivate the passenger side front
airbag and side bag for pelvis, chest
protection (Side bag). To deactivate the
airbags use the Setup Menu (see the
instructions in the “Display” paragraph,
“Knowing the instrument panel” chapter).
With airbags deactivated, a warning light
lights up on the instrument panel in
the trim located above the internal
rearview mirror fig. 60.
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82
SAFETY

With front passenger airbag on, when the
ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light switches on constantly for several
seconds and then it should switch off.
If the warning light
flashes, this
indicates a fault in the warning light
.
Before proceeding, contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership to have the system
checked immediately.
Rotating the starting device to MAR, the
warning light
switches on for a few
seconds. If not, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership. During the first seconds, the
activation of the warning light
does
not actually show the passenger
protection status, but only tests its
correct operation. After a test of a few
seconds, the warning light will indicate
the status of the passenger airbag
protection.Passenger protection active: warning
light
off.
Passenger protection deactivated: the
warning light
switches on with a
steady light.
The warning light
may light up with
various intensity levels depending on the
vehicle conditions. The intensity may vary
during the same key cycle.
DRIVER SIDE KNEE BAG
This is located in a dedicated
compartment under the steering wheel
fig. 61. It provides additional protection
in the event of a frontal impact.
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83

WARNING
77)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.
78)Always drive keeping your hands on the steering wheel rim so 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.
79)When there is an active passenger airbag, DO NOT install rearward 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 side
airbag when a rearward 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 prevent 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.
80)To deactivate the airbags, see the “Knowing your car” section, “Menu items” paragraph.
81)A failure of the
warning light is indicated by thewarning light switching on. In addition, the airbag system automatically disables the
passenger side airbag (where provided). Before proceeding, contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have the system checked immediately.
85

SIDE AIRBAGS (SIDE BAG -
WINDOW BAG)
To increase protection of occupants in
case of side collision, the car is equipped
with front side bags for pelvis, chest
protection (side bags) for the driver and
the passenger and airbags protecting the
head of front and rear occupants (window
bags).
Non-activation of side bags in other
types of collisions (front collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.
FRONT SIDE AIRBAGS (SIDE BAGS)
These comprise two bags located in the
front seat backrests fig. 63 which
protect the pelvic and chest area of the
occupants in the event of a side impact of
medium-high severity.
SIDE AIRBAGS FOR HEAD PROTECTION
(WINDOW BAGS)
These consist of two “drop-down”
cushions, housed behind the side trim of
the roof and covered with finishing
elements fig. 64.
They are designed to protect the head of
front and rear occupants in the event of a
side collision, thanks to the wide cushion
inflation surface.
The deployment of side bags in the event
of side impacts of low severity is not
required.
The airbags are not deployed in the event
of impact of low severity (for which the
restraining action of the seat belts is
sufficient). It is therefore always
necessary to wear seat belts.
In the event of a side impact, the system
provides best protection if the passengersits on the seat in a correct position, thus
allowing correct window bag deployment.
IMPORTANT NOTES
82) 83) 84) 85) 86) 87) 88) 89) 90) 91) 92)
Do not wash the seats with water or
pressurised steam (wash by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).
The front and/or side bags may activate
in the event of sharp knocks to the
underbody of the car (e.g. impact with
steps, pavements, potholes or road
bumps etc.).
When the airbag deploys it emits a small
amount of dust: the dust is harmless and
does not indicate the beginning of a fire.
However, the dust may irritate the skin
and eyes: in this case, wash with neutral
soap and water.
Airbag checking, repair and replacement
must be carried out at an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
If the car is scrapped, have the airbag
system deactivated at an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed
according to different logic on the basis
of the type of collision. Failure to activate
one or more of the devices does not
indicate a system malfunction.
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SAFETY

WARNING
82)Do not affix rigid objects to the garment
hooks or support handles.
83)Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on
the door, windows or the area in which the
Window bag is located to avoid possible
injury during airbag inflation.
84)Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.
85)If the
warning light does not switch
on when the key is turned to MAR, or stays
on while driving (on some versions together
with a message on the display) there may be
a fault in the restraint systems. In this case,
airbags or pretensioners may not be
activated in the case of an accident or (in a
lesser number of cases) they may be
activated incorrectly. Before proceeding,
contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have
the system checked immediately.
86)Do not travel carrying objects on your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
87)If the car has been subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or flooding,
have the airbag system inspected at an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.88)The airbags may also be deployed when
the car is not moving, if the key is in the
ignition and turned to MAR-ON or when the
engine is off, if the car is hit by another
moving vehicle. Therefore, even if the vehicle
is stationary, when an active front
passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install
rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat. Deployment of the
airbag following an impact could cause fatal
injuries to the child. Therefore, always
deactivate the passenger side airbag when a
rearward 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
prevent 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. Also remember that, if
the key is turned to STOP, none of the safety
devices (airbags or pretensioners) will be
deployed in the event of collision.
Non-deployment in such cases does not
indicate a system malfunction.
89)When the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the
warning light switches for few
seconds, then if the passenger airbag is
active it should switch off.
90)The front airbag is designed to be
deployed for impacts of a greater intensity
than for the pretensioners. For impacts
whose intensity falls between the two levels,
normally, only the pretensioners will be
activated.91)The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency. Because front
airbags are not deployed for low-speed
crashes, side collisions, rear-end shunts or
rollovers, occupants are protected, in
addition to any side bags, only by their seat
belts, which must therefore always be
fastened.
92)On cars with side bags, do not cover the
front seat backrests with extra covers.
87

STARTING THE ENGINE
93) 94) 95)
17) 18) 19) 20)
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown on the
display.
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Except Turbo TwinAir versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gearbox lever in neutral;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
Turbo TwinAir versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral or fully press the
clutch pedal if a gear other than neutral is
engaged;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.Versions with LPG system
To properly perform the starting
procedure, refer to as previously
described.
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the mode previously
selected. There must therefore always be
some petrol in the tank to protect the
petrol pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from LPG to petrol operation, if
high performance is required.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Except Turbo TwinAir versions:Ifthe
engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before
repeating the procedure.
For Turbo TwinAir versions only:Ifthe
vehicle does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
and repeat the starting procedure placing
the gear lever in neutral and fully
pressing the clutch pedal.
If, with the ignition key turned to MAR,
the
symbol is shown on the display
together with the warning light
, turn
the key to STOP and then back to MAR. If
the symbol on the display is still shown,
try with the other keys provided with the
car. Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership if
the engine still does not start.
Never leave the ignition key in
MAR-ON position when the engine is
stopped.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
turn the ignition key to MAR position:
the
warning light will light up on
instrument panel;
wait for the warning light to switch off;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV; the
warning light switches off. Waiting
too long will waste the heating work
carried out by the glow plugs. Release the
key as soon as the engine starts.
WARNING
93)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in oxygen
and releases carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other toxic gases.
94)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to apply
much more force than usual to the brake
pedal.
95)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
90
STARTING AND DRIVING

INSTALLING A TOW HOOK
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to
install a tow hook.
WARNING
105)The ABS with which the car is equipped
will not control the braking system of the
trailer. Particular caution is therefore
required on slippery roads.
106)Do not, under any circumstances,
modify the vehicle's braking system to
control the trailer breaking system. The
towing braking system must be completely
independent of the vehicle's hydraulic
system.
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE
During refuelling procedure, switch off
the engine, engage handbrake, rotate the
ignition key to STOP and do not smoke.
PETROL ENGINES
Only use unleaded petrol. The petrol
octane rating (RON) must not be lower
than 95. In order to prevent damage to
the catalytic converter never introduce
even the smallest amount of leaded
petrol, even in the event of an emergency.
DIESEL ENGINES
Only use diesel fuel compliant with
European specification EN590. The use
of other products or mixtures may
damage the engine beyond repair and
consequently invalidate the warranty,
due to the damage caused.
When using or parking the vehicle for a
long time in the mountains or cold areas,
it is advisable to refuel using locally
available Diesel. In this case, it is also
advisable to keep the tank over 50% full.
FUEL TANK CAP
107)
Opening
Open flap 1 fig. 76 pulling it outwards,
hold cap 2 still, insert the ignition key in
the lock and turn it anticlockwise. Then,turn the cap anticlockwise and remove it.
The cap has a loss prevention device
3 which secures it to the flap so that it
cannot be lost. Attach the cap to device
4 during refuelling.
Closing
Fit the cap (complete with key) and turn it
clockwise until it clicks once or more.
Then, turn the key clockwise and extract
it, then close the flap.
The sealing may cause a slight pressure
increase in the tank. A little breathing off,
while slackening the cap is absolutely
normal.
ENGINES WITH LPGSYSTEM
The gas filler is located next to the petrol
filler cap. It has a "non return", located in
the filler body itself.
To access the filler 2 fig. 77 open the
access flap 1.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

WARNING
109)Modifications or repairs to the electric system that are not carried out properly or do not take the system technical specifications into
account can cause malfunctions leading to the risk of fire.
110)Halogen bulbs contain pressurised gas, in the case of breakage they may burst causing glass fragments to be projected outwards.
111)Due to the high power supply voltage, gas discharge bulbs (Bi-Xenon) should only be replaced by specialised personnel: danger of death!
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
107