2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia maintenance

SymbolWhat It Means What To Do
LOW COOLANT LEVEL — IF EQUIPPED
This telltale will illuminate to indicate that the vehicle
coolant level is low.Top up, as described in "Servicing And Maintenance.”
SERVICE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM
This light will illuminate when the Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) is not operating and needs service.Contact an authorized dealer to have the system checked.
WEAR ON BRAKE PADS
This light will illuminate when the brake pads have
reached their wear limit.Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.Note:Always use genuine parts or similar because the
Integrated Brake System (IBS) system could detect
anomalies.
WEAR ON CCB BRAKE DISCS — IF EQUIPPED
This light will illuminate when the carbon ceramic brake
discs have reached their wear limit.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.Warning!It is recommended to use only OEM brake pads in order
to ensure the original performance of the braking
system.
Symbol
What It Means What To Do
DYNAMIC DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE
The telltale will illuminate to signal a failure in the
dynamic drive control system.
WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE
Signals a windshield wiper failure.Contact an authorized dealer.
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SymbolWhat It Means What To Do
GENERIC INDICATION
Signals information and failures.
The accompanying messages describe the failure.
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FAILURE
This telltale will illuminate to report a four wheel drive
system failure.Contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible to have
the failure eliminated.
AFS SYSTEM FAILURE
The telltale will illuminate to indicate the automatic
directional light system failure.
Go to an authorized dealer to have the system checked.
SOFT SUSPENSION CALIBRATION INSERTION — IF
EQUIPPED
The telltale will illuminate when the most comfortable
suspension setting is activated.
SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILURE (ADC) — IF EQUIPPED
While driving, if the telltale illuminates, it signals a failure
in the suspension system.Contact an authorized dealer to have the system checked.
WINDSHIELD WASHER LIQUID LEVEL
The telltale will illuminate to indicate that the level of the
windshield and headlight washing fluid (if any) is low.To refill the liquid, refer to “Engine Compartment” in
“Servicing And Maintenance.” Always use liquid with the
features indicated in the “Fluids And Lubricants” section
in “Technical Specifications.”
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC
SYSTEM
Operation
The OBD (Onboard Diagnostic system)
carries out a continuous diagnosis of the
components of the vehicle related to
emissions.
It also alerts the driver of when these
components are no longer in peak
condition by switching on the
warning
light on the instrument panel (see
“Warning Lights And Messages”
paragraph in this chapter).
The aim of the OBD system (Onboard
Diagnostic) is to:
Monitor the efficiency of the system
Indicate an increase in emissions
Indicate the need to replace damaged
components
The vehicle also has a connector, which
can interface with appropriate tools, that
makes it possible to read the error codes
stored in the electronic control units
together with a series of specific
parameters for engine operation and
diagnosis. This check can be carried out
by your authorized dealer.
Note: After eliminating a fault, to check
the system completely, your authorized
dealer is obliged to run tests and, if
necessary certain road tests.
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity
Your vehicle is required to have an
Onboard Diagnostic system (OBD II) and
a connection port to allow access to
information related to the performance
of your emissions controls. Authorized
service technicians may need to access
this information to assist with the
diagnosis and service of your vehicle and
emissions system.
Warning!
ONLY an authorized service technician
should connect equipment to the OBD II
connection port in order to read the VIN,
diagnose, or service your vehicle.
If unauthorized equipment is connected to
the OBD II connection port, such as a
driver-behavior tracking device, it may:
Be possible that vehicle systems,
including safety related systems, could be
impaired or a loss of vehicle control could
occur that may result in an accident
involving serious injury or death.
Access, or allow others to access,
information stored in your vehicle systems,
including personal information.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND
MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal
requirement to pass an inspection of your
vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle
registration.
For states that require
an Inspection and
Maintenance (I/M), this
check verifies the
“Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not on
when the engine is running, and that the
OBD II system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready.
The OBD II system may notbe ready if
your vehicle was recently serviced,
recently had a dead battery or a battery
replacement. If the OBD II system should
be determined not ready for the I/M test,
your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition
actuated test, which you can use prior to
going to the test station. To check if your
vehicle's OBD II system is ready, you
must do the following:
1. Cycle the ignition switch to the ON
position, but do not crank or start the
engine.
Note: If you crank or start the engine,
you will have to start this test over.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Oversteeroccurs 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.
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.
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 prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery
surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also cannot
prevent accidents resulting from loss of
vehicle control due to inappropriate driver
input for the conditions. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents. 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 negatively affect the performance
of the ESC system. Changes to the steering
system, suspension, braking system, tire
type and size or wheel size may adversely
affect ESC performance. Improperly
inflated and unevenly worn tires may also
degrade ESC performance. Any vehicle
modification 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.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The system automatically operates in the
event of slipping, loss of grip on wet
roads (hydroplaning), and acceleration on
one or both drive wheels on roads that
are slippery, snowy, icy, etc. Depending
on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
If the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the system intervenes, reducing
the power transmitted by the engine.
If the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, the Brake Limited
Differential (BLD) function is activated,
automatically braking the wheel which is
slipping (the behavior of a self-locking
differential is simulated). This will
increase the engine torque transferred to
the wheel which isn't slipping. 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.
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Warning!
The system has not been designed to
prevent impacts and cannot detect possible
conditions leading to an accident in
advance. Failure to take into account this
warning may lead to serious or fatal injuries.
The system may activate, assessing the
trajectory of the vehicle, for the presence of
reflecting metal objects different from
other vehicles, such as safety barriers, road
signs, barriers before parking lots, tollgates,
level crossings, gates, railways, objects near
road constructions sites or higher than the
vehicle (e.g. a fly-over). In the same way, the
system may intervene inside multi-story
parking lots or tunnels, or due to a glare on
the road surface. These possible activations
are a consequence of the real driving
scenario coverage by the system and must
not be regarded as faults.
The system has been designed for road
use only. If the vehicle is driven on a track,
the system must be deactivated to avoid
unnecessary warnings. Automatic
deactivation is signaled by the dedicated
warning light/symbol switching on in the
instrument panel (refer to the instructions in
the "Warning Lights And Messages On The
Instrument Panel" in "Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel" for further information).
General Information
The following regulatory statement
applies to all Radio Frequency (RF)
devices equipped in this vehicle:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules and with Industry Canada
license-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Note:
Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the
user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with a Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that
sends the inflation pressure information
of each tire to the control unit, and will
signal the driver in the event of
insufficient tire pressure.
Tire pressure will vary with temperature
by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) for every
12°F (6.5°C). This means that when the
outside temperature decreases, the tire
pressure will also decrease. Tire pressure
should always be set based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as
the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least three hours, or
driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after a
three hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum
inflation pressure molded into the tire
sidewall. Refer to “Tires” in “Servicing
And Maintenance” for information on
how to properly inflate the vehicle’s tires.
The tire pressure will also increase as the
vehicle is driven. This is normal, and there
should be no adjustment for this
increased pressure.
The TPMS will signal the driver if pressure
falls below the warning limit for any
reason, including the effects of low
temperature and normal loss of pressure
from the tire.
The TPMS will stop indicating insufficient
tire pressure when pressure is equal to or
greater than the prescribed cold inflation
level. Therefore, if insufficient tire
pressure is indicated by the (
) warning
light displaying in the instrument cluster,
increase the inflation pressure up to the
prescribed cold inflation value.
Thesystem will automatically update, and
the “Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light”
will turn off once the system receives the
updated tire pressures. The vehicle may
need to be driven for up to 20 minutes
above 15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the
TPMS to receive this information.
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TPMS Deactivation
The
TPMS can be deactivated by replacing
all four wheel and tire assemblies (road
tires) with wheel and tire assemblies that
do not have TPMS Sensors, such as when
installing winter wheel and tire assemblies
on your vehicle.
To deactivate the TPMS, first replace all
four wheel and tire assemblies (road
tires) with tires not equipped with Tire
Pressure Monitoring (TPM) Sensors.
Then, drive the vehicle for 20 minutes
above 15 mph (24 km/h). The TPMS will
chime, the "TPM Telltale Light" will flash
on and off for 75 seconds and then
remain on. The instrument cluster will
display the “SERVICE TPM SYSTEM”
message and then display dashes (--) in
place of the pressure values.
Beginning with the next ignition switch
cycle, the TPMS will no longer chime or
display the “SERVICE TPM SYSTEM”
message in the instrument cluster.
Instead, dashes (--) will remain in place of
the pressure values.
To reactivate the TPMS, replace all four
wheel and tire assemblies (road tires)
with tires equipped with TPM sensors.
Then, drive the vehicle for up to
20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h). The
TPMS will chime, the "TPM Telltale Light"
will flash on and off for 75 seconds and
then turn off. The instrument cluster will
display the “SERVICE TPM SYSTEM”
message and then display pressure
values in place of the dashes. On the next ignition switch cycle the "SERVICE TPM
SYSTEM" message will no longer be
displayed, as long as no system fault
exists.
Note:
The TPMS is not intended to replace
normal tire care and maintenance, or to
provide warning of a tire failure or
condition.
The TPMS should not be used as a
tire pressure gauge while adjusting your
tire pressure.
Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire will cause the tire to
overheat, and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
The TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure using an accurate
tire pressure gauge, even if
underinflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the “Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light”.
Seasonal temperature changes will
affect tire pressure, and the TPMS will
monitor the actual tire pressure in the
tire.
General Information
The following regulatory statement
applies to all radio frequency (RF)
devices equipped in this vehicle:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules and RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference.
(2) This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Note: Changes or modifications not
expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void
the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
101

How To Disengage The Automatic
Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder
belt and allow it to retract completely to
disengage the Automatic Locking Mode
and activate the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode.
Warning!
The seat belt assembly must be replaced
if the switchable Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR) feature or any other seat
belt function is not working properly when
checked according to the procedures in the
Service Manual.
Failure to replace the seat belt assembly
could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode to
restrain occupants who are wearing the seat
belt or children who are using booster seats.
The locked mode is only used to install
rear-facing or forward-facing child restraints
that have a harness for restraining the child.
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)
Some of the safety features described in
this section may be standard equipment
on some models, or may be optional
equipment on others. If you are not sure,
ask an authorized dealer.
The air bag system must be ready to
protect you in a collision. The Occupant
Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors the internal circuits and interconnecting
wiring associated with the electrical Air
Bag System Components. Your vehicle
may be equipped with the following Air
Bag System Components:
Air Bag System Components
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
Air Bag Warning Light
The ORC monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the air bag system
whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or ON/RUN position. If the ignition
switch is in the OFF position or in the ACC
position, the air bag system is not on and
the air bags will not inflate.The ORC contains a backup power supply
system that may deploy the air bag
system even if the battery loses power
or it becomes disconnected prior to
deployment.
The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for
approximately four to eight seconds for a
self-check when the ignition switch is
first in the ON/RUN position. After the
self-check, the Air Bag Warning Light will
turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunction
in any part of the system, it turns on the
Air Bag Warning Light, either
momentarily or continuously. A single
chime will sound to alert you if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
The ORC also includes diagnostics that
will illuminate the instrument panel Air
Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
detected that could affect the air bag
system. The diagnostics also record the
nature of the malfunction. While the air
bag system is designed to be
maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.
The Air Bag Warning Light does not
come on during the four to eight seconds
when the ignition switch is first in the
ON/RUN position.
The Air Bag Warning Light remains on
after the four to eight-second interval.
108
SAFETY

SUGGESTIONS FOR DRIVING
Saving Fuel
Below are some suggestions which may
help you save fuel and lower the amount
of harmful emissions released into the
atmosphere.
Vehicle Maintenance
Checks and operations should be carried
out in accordance with the Maintenance
Plan. Refer to "Scheduled Servicing" in
"Servicing And Maintenance" for further
information.
Tires
Check the tire pressures at least once
every four weeks: if the pressure is too
low, consumption levels increase as
resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary Loads
Do not travel with an overloaded trunk.
The weight of the vehicle and its
arrangement greatly affect fuel
consumption and stability.
Electric Devices
Use electrical systems only for the
amount of time needed. The rear window
defroster, additional headlights,
windshield wipers and heater blower fan
require a considerable amount of energy;
increasing the current uptake increases
fuel consumption (by up to +25% when
city driving).Climate Control System
Using the climate control system will
increase consumption: use standard
ventilation when the temperature
outside permits.
Devices for Aerodynamic Control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and consumption levels.
Driving Style
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high
revs when the vehicle is stationary; this
causes the engine to warm up more
slowly, thereby increasing fuel
consumption and emissions. It is
therefore advisable to drive off
immediately, slowly, avoiding high
speeds: by doing this the engine will
warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary Actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic
lights or before stopping the engine.
This action is unnecessary and causes
increased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear Selection
Use a high gear when traffic and road
conditions allow it. Using a low gear for
faster acceleration will increase fuel
consumption. Improper use of a high gear
increases consumption, emissions and
engine wear.Max. Speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
as speed increases. Maintain a constant
speed, avoiding unnecessary braking and
acceleration, which cost in terms of both
fuel consumption and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects
consumption and emissions: acceleration
should be gradual and should not exceed
the maximum torque.
Conditions Of Use
Cold Starting
Short trips and frequent cold starts will
not allow the engine to reach optimum
operating temperature. This results in a
significant increase in consumption
levels (from +15 to +30% in city driving)
and emissions.
Traffic And Road Conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by heavy
traffic, for instance when travelling in
traffic with frequent use of low gears or
in cities with many traffic lights. Winding
mountain roads and rough road surfaces
also adversely affect consumption.
Stops In Traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. railway
crossings) turn off the engine.
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STARTING AND OPERATING