WARNING!
•Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.
• Being too close to the Side Air Bags during
deployment could cause you to be severely in-
jured or killed.
• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could lead to
more severe injuries in a collision. The Side Air
Bags work with your seat belt to restrain you
properly. In some collisions, Side Air Bags won’t
deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt even
though you have Side Air Bags.
NOTE:
Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
Air Bag System Components
NOTE: The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) moni-
tors the internal circuits and interconnecting wiring
associated with electrical Air Bag System Components
listed below:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
•Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Supplemental Knee Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Track Position Sensors
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately
after deployment.
NOTE: Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the air bag system.
118 SAFETY
Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the air bag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or add aftermarket side steps or running
boards.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air
bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag
system.
• Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or
may not function properly if modifications are
made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat,
including your trim cover and cushion, needs to
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
be serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag
system for persons with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air
bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will
assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed. The EDR is designed to record data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period
of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts
were buckled/fastened;
122 SAFETY
WARNING!(Continued)
•NEVER place any objects under the floor mat
(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could
change the position of the floor mat and may
cause interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals.
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re-
installed, always properly attach carpet to the
floor and check the floor mat fasteners are secure
to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap and
water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning,
always check your floor mat has been properly
installed and is secured to your vehicle using the
floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights
and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check
turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the
instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, or brake fluid
leaks are suspected. The cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
5
SAFETY 135
STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust
both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat
belts.
WARNING!
•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. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec-
tor.
• 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.
Automatic Transmission
To start the engine, press the brake pedal. The system
engages NEUTRAL (N) automatically.
After the starting procedure, FIRST (1st) gear or RE-
VERSE (R) can be engaged.
Irrespective of the mode selected (AUTO/MANUAL),
to engage FIRST (1st) gear or REVERSE (R), it is
necessary to press the brake pedal and push the 1
button on the transmission control panel (or the +
steering wheel stalk) to engage FIRST (1st) gear or the R
button to engage REVERSE (R).
When FIRST (1st) gear is engaged, the system sets itself
to AUTO mode.
NEUTRAL (N) can be engaged again by pushing the N
button with the brake pedal pressed.
When the 1, N, or R buttons are pushed (or +steering
wheel stalk is operated) without pressing the brake
pedal, no gear change request is implemented by the
system.
NOTE: REVERSE (R) cannot be engaged by pushing the
- stalk on the steering wheel.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 139
The parking brake lever is located in the central tunnel.
To apply the parking brake, pull the parking brake lever
up as firmly as possible. To release the parking brake,
pull the parking brake lever up slightly, push the center
button, then lower the parking brake lever completely.
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position, the
Brake Warning Light in the instrument cluster display
will illuminate.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. The parking brakeshould always be applied whenever the driver is not in
the vehicle.
WARNING!
•
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.
• Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and a collision.
• Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also be certain to leave a manual
transmission in REVERSE or FIRST gear. Failure
to do so may allow the vehicle to roll and cause
damage or injury.
Parking Brake Lever
142 STARTING AND OPERATING
CAUTION!
If the Brake Warning Light remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system malfunction
is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately.
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.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Before exiting the vehicle, always come to a
complete stop, then apply the parking brake, shift
the transmission into FIRST gear or REVERSE,
turn the engine OFF, remove the key fob, and lock
the vehicle.
• 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.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 143
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.
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.
Transmission Gear Selector
144 STARTING AND OPERATING
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.
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
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 145