
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 (including spare) for proper cold inflation pres-
sure.
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 133

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new ve-
hicle.
Driving your vehicle with a new transmission requires
no special techniques but, to reach optimal shifting
quality and help with engine Break-in, Dynamic and
Race Mode will be inhibited until the vehicle has
accumulated 155 miles (250 km).
Additionally, for the first 200 miles (300 km), following
these few simple guidelines is all that is necessary for a
good break-in.
•Avoid very aggressive driving.
• Avoid driving at a constant speed, either fast or slow,
for long periods.
• Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration while cruising within the posted
speed limits of local traffic laws.
• Use the proper gear for your speed range.
• Wait until the engine has reached normal operating
temperature before driving at the recommended
maximum break-in speed. •
Avoid excessive idling.
• Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave manual
transmission in REVERSE (R) or FIRST (1st) gear.
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.
Parking Brake Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 139

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 brake
should 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. Chil-
dren 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.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
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.
140 STARTING AND OPERATING

Race Mode
Activation
Starting in Dynamic mode, move the Alfa DNA system
lever upwards (to the letter “D”) and hold in this
position for five seconds, until the Race mode activation
indicator appears on the display.
When Race mode is activated, the longitudinal/lateral
accelerometer indicator screen (G-meter information) is
displayed automatically. This considers gravitational
acceleration (G).
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip
Regulation (ASR) systems:
These systems are deactivated in order to ensure the
fullest sensation of sport, leaving the driver in full
control of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in unstable
conditions, the ESC reactivates automatically when the
brake pedal is pressed until the ABS intervenes, thus
returning the vehicle to stable conditions. To deactivate
the ESC and ASR systems, reactivate Race mode.
Electronic Q2 system:
The system increases vehicle stability while accelerating
on bends, improving the agility of the vehicle.Engine And Gearbox/Transmission:
The system adjusts the transmission shift calibration for
sportier shifting.
NOTE:
In Race mode, the sensitivity of the accelerator
pedal increases considerably. Consequently, driving is
less fluid and comfortable.
In Race mode, the transmission only works in
MANUAL mode.
Deactivation
To deactivate Race mode and return to Dynamic mode,
move the Alfa DNA system lever downwards (to letter
“A”) and keep it in this position for half a second.
The LED corresponding to Dynamic mode will light up
and the Dynamic mode activation indication will ap-
pear on the display.
Natural Mode
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip
Regulation (ASR) systems:
ESC and ASR system thresholds are aimed at providing
comfort and safety in normal grip and driving condi-
tions.
148 STARTING AND OPERATING

If an obstacle is detected in the rear central area, the
instrument cluster display shows all the arcs in the rear
central area, up to the one that corresponds to the
position of the obstacle itself.
The signal is similar for obstacles in the rear left or right
area.
The arc that corresponds to the position of the obstacle
will flash.
The color on the instrument cluster display depends on
the distance from and position of the obstacle.
The vehicle is close to the obstacle when the instrument
cluster display shows a single constant arc and emits a
continuous sound.
If there are several obstacles, the closest one is indi-
cated.
Activation/Deactivation
The sensors are automatically activated when REVERSE
gear is engaged and a visual display will appear in the
instrument cluster display. As the obstacle behind the
vehicle gets closer, the acoustic signal becomes more
frequent.
Fault Indication
Parking sensor failures, if any, will be indicated when
REVERSE gear is engaged by the illumination of the
warning light in the instrument cluster display.
General Warnings
When parking, take the utmost care over obstacles that
may be above or under the sensor.
Under certain circumstances, objects close to the vehicle
are not detected by the system and could therefore
cause damage to the vehicle or be damaged themselves.
Some conditions may influence the performance of the
parking sensors:
• The presence of ice, snow, mud or multiple layers of
paint on the sensor surface may cause reduced
sensitivity of the sensor itself and therefore reduce
the system performance.
• Mechanical interference (e.g washing the vehicle,
rain, strong wind, hail) may cause the sensor to
detect a non-existent obstacle (“echo interference”).
• The presence of ultrasonic systems (e.g. pneumatic
brake systems of trucks or pneumatic drills) near the
vehicle could alter the signals sent by the sensor.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 155

note to “check entire surroundings.” After five seconds
this note will disappear. The ParkView camera is lo-
cated on the trunk lid below the brake light.
When the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE, the camera
image will continue to be displayed for up to 10 seconds
after shifting out of REVERSE.
Fixed guide lines are overlaid on the image to illustrate
the width of the vehicle.
Different colored zones indicate the distance to the rear
of the vehicle.
The following table shows the approximate distances
for each zone:
ZoneDistance To The Rear
Of The Vehicle
Red 0 - 1 ft (0 - 30 cm)
Yellow 1 ft - 3 ft (30 cm - 1 m)
Green 3 ft or greater (1 m or greater)
NOTE: If snow, ice, mud, or any foreign substance
builds up on the camera lens, clean the lens, rinse with
water, and dry with a soft cloth. Do not cover the lens.
WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using the ParkView Rear Back Up Camera.
Always check carefully behind your vehicle, and be
sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other ve-
hicles, obstructions, or blind spots before backing
up. You are responsible for the safety of your
surroundings and must continue to pay attention
while backing up. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
• To avoid vehicle damage, ParkView should only
be used as a parking aid. The ParkView camera is
unable to view every obstacle or object in your
drive path.
• To avoid vehicle damage, the vehicle must be
driven slowly when using ParkView to be able to
stop in time when an obstacle is seen. It is
recommended that the driver look frequently
over his/her shoulder when using ParkView.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 157

Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on or across a road or path where water
is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flow-
ing water can wear away the road or path’s surface
and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can carry
your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around
you.
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Cau-
tions and Warnings before doing so.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
CAUTION!
• Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
• Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles
in the way before driving through the standing
water.
• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.
(Continued)
162 STARTING AND OPERATING

Bulb Number
Dipped/Main Beam
Headlights (Versions
With Bi-Xenon Head-
lights) — If Equipped D5S (See Authorized
Dealer)
Dipped/Main Beam
Headlights (Versions
With Bi-Led Headlights)
— If Equipped LED (See Authorized
Dealer)
Front Direction Indica-
tors PY24W
Rear Direction Indicators P21W
Side Direction Indicators WY5W
Brake Lights LED (See Authorized
Dealer)Bulb Number
Third Brake Light LED (See Authorized
Dealer)
License Plate Lamps W5W
Reversing light W16W
NOTE: Numbers refer to commercial bulb types
that can be purchased from your authorized dealer.
If a bulb needs to be replaced, visit your authorized
dealer or refer to the applicable Service Manual.
Replacing Exterior Bulbs
NOTE: Lens fogging can occur under certain atmo-
spheric conditions. This will usually clear as atmo-
spheric conditions change to allow the condensation to
change back into a vapor. Turning the lamps on will
usually accelerate the clearing process.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 167