
SIDE AIRBAGS
To help increase occupants protection in
the event of side impact collisions, the
vehicle is equipped with front side bags
and window bags.
Side bag
These consist of two bags located in the
front seat backrests fig. 91 that protect
the occupants’ pelvis, chest and shoulder
area in the event of a side impact of
medium/high severity.
They are marked by the "AIRBAG" label
sewn on the outer side of the front seats.
Window bag
This consists of a "curtain" bag housed
behind the roof side trim and covered by
special trims fig. 92.
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.
In the event of a side impact, the system
provides best protection if the passenger
sits on the seat in a correct position,
allowing the window bag to inflate
correctly.
89) 90) 91) 92) 93) 94) 95) 96) 97) 98) 99) 100) 101) 102)
Important notes
Do not wash the seats with water or
pressurised steam (wash by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).
The front and/or side airbags may
activate in the event of sharp impacts to
the underbody of the vehicle (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.The dust may irritate the skin and eyes
however: 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
in different ways on the basis of the type
of collision. Failure to activate one or
more of the devices does not indicate a
system malfunction.
WARNING
89)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 side of the dashboard since they
could interfere with correct inflation of the
passenger airbag and also cause serious
injury to the passengers.
90)Always drive with your hands on the rim
of the steering wheel so that the airbag can
inflate freely if required. Do not drive with
your body bent forward. Keep your back
straight against the backrest.
91)The passenger airbag can be
deactivated on the Connect system by
selecting the following functions in sequence
on the main menu: “Settings”; “Safety”;
“Passenger airbag” and “Deactivation”.
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SAFETY

92)Do not affix rigid objects to the garment
hooks or support handles.
93)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.
94)Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.
95)If, when the ignition device is turned to
ON, the
warning light does not switch on
or stays on whilst driving, a fault may have
occurred in the restraint systems. In this
case the airbags or pretensioners may not
be deployed in an impact or, in a lower
number of cases, they may be deployed
accidentally. Before continuing, contact an
Alfa Romeo Dealership immediately to have
the system checked.
96)In case of a LED
OFFfailure (located
on the front courtesy light), thewarning
light appears on the instrument panel.
97)On cars with side bags, do not cover the
front seat backrests with extra covers.
98)Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
99)If the car has been subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or flooding,
have the airbag system inspected at an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.
100)Malfunction of the airbag failure
warning light is indicated by the activation
of an airbag failure icon and a dedicated
message on the instrument panel display.
The pyrotechnic charges are not disabled.
Before continuing, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership immediately to have the system
checked.101)The airbag deployment threshold is
higher than that of the pretensioners. For
collisions in the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only the
pretensioners to be activated.
102)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.
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Let’s get to the core of the vehicle: seeing how you can exploit all
of its potential to the full. We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome companion, with our comfort
and our wallets in mind.
STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE..........................110
PARKING THE VEHICLE..........................111
MANUAL GEARBOX............................114
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION . .....................114
"ALFA DNA™" SYSTEM..........................117
START&STOPEVO............................118
SPEED LIMITER..............................119
CRUISE CONTROL.............................120
ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL........................121
PARK SENSORS SYSTEM........................128
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING (LDW) SYSTEM............130
REAR BACK-UP CAMERA / DYNAMIC GRIDLINES . ........131
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE . . .....................132
AdBlue® (UREA) ADDITIVE FOR DIESEL EMISSIONS........136
SUGGESTIONS FOR DRIVING......................136
TOWING TRAILERS............................138

STARTING THE ENGINE
STARTING THE ENGINE
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.
103) 104) 105)
33) 34) 35)
Versions with manual gearbox
Proceed as follows:
engage the parking brake and set the
gear in neutral, on diesel versions turn the
ignition switch to ON, the
symbol will
appear on the instrument panel: wait until
it goes off;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
briefly press the ignition button;
if the engine doesn't start within a few
seconds, you need to repeat the
procedure.
if the problem persists, contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.Versions with automatic transmission
Proceed as follows:
engage the electric parking brake and
set the gear lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral),
fully depress the brake pedal without
touching the accelerator;
briefly press the ignition button;
if the engine doesn't start within a few
seconds, you need to repeat the
procedure.
if the problem persists, contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.
ENGINE STARTING FAILURE
Starting the engine with electronic key
battery (Keyless Start) run down or flat
If the ignition device does not respond
when the relevant button is pressed the
electronic key battery might be run down
or flat. Therefore, the system does not
detect the presence of the electronic key
on board the car and displays a dedicated
message.
In this case, follow the instructions in
paragraph "Starting with flat key battery"
in the "Knowing your car" chapter and
start the engine normally.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
36)
To stop the engine, proceed as follows:
park the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic;
engage a gear (versions with manual
gearbox) or activate P (Park) mode
(versions with automatic transmission);
with engine idling, press the start
button.
Cars with electronic key (Keyless Start)
If the car speed is above 5 mph (8 km/h),
it is still possible to stop the engine if a
gear operating mode other than P (Park)
is selected. To switch off the engine in
this situation, hold down the ignition
device button for a while or press it
3 times in a row within a few seconds.
WARNING
103)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.
104)The electro-hydraulic braking system
is not active until the engine starts running.
So, the brake pedal travel will be longer than
normal. This does not indicate a fault.
105)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

IMPORTANT
33)We recommend that during the initial
period, or during the first 1600 km
(1000 miles), you do not drive to full car
performance (e.g. excessive acceleration,
long journeys at top speed, sharp braking,
etc.).
34)When the engine stopped never leave
the ignition device in the ON position to
prevent useless current draw from draining
the battery.
35)Warning light
will flash after starting
or during prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault with the glow plug heating system. If
the engine starts, the vehicle can be regularly
used, but an Alfa Romeo Dealership must be
contacted as soon as possible.
36)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
damaging for the engine.
PARKING THE VEHICLE
106) 107) 108)
IMPORTANT In addition to parking the
vehicle with the parking brake always
engaged, the wheel steered, chocks or
stones positioned in front of the wheels
(when on a steep slope), you must always
engage:
Manual transmission:
Engage 1stgear if the car is parked
uphill or reverse gear if the car is parked
downhill.
Automatic transmission:
engage P (Park) mode;
always take the key with you when
leaving the vehicle.
IMPORTANT Always engage the electric
parking brake before leaving the vehicle.
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE
The car is equipped with electric parking
brake to guarantee better use and
optimal performance compared to a
manually operated parking brake.
The electric parking brake features a
switch, located on the central tunnel
fig. 93, a motor with caliper for each rear
wheel and an electronic control module.The electric parking brake can be
engaged in two ways:
manually, by pulling the switch on the
central tunnel;
automaticallyin "Safe Hold" or "Auto
Park Brake" conditions.
IMPORTANT Normally, the electric
parking brake is engaged automatically
when the engine is stopped. This function
can be deactivated/activated on the
Connect system by selecting the
following items in sequence on the main
menu: "Settings", "Driver assistance" and
"Automatic parking brake".
IMPORTANT Should the vehicle battery
be faulty, to unlock the electric parking
brake the battery must be replaced.
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Engaging the parking brake manually
Briefly pull the switch located on the
central tunnel to manually engage the
electric parking brake when the car is
stationary.
Noise may be heard from the rear part of
the car when engaging the electric
parking brake.
A slight movement of the brake pedal
may be detected when engaging the
electric parking brake with the brake
pedal pressed.
With the electric parking brake engaged,
the warning light
on the instrument
panel and the LED on the switch
fig. 93 turn on.
IMPORTANT With the Electronic Parking
Brake failure warning light on, some
functions of the electric parking brake
are deactivated. In this case the driver is
responsible for brake activation and
vehicle parking in complete safety
conditions.
If, under exceptional circumstances, the
use of the brake is required with the
vehicle in motion, keep the switch on the
central tunnel pulled as long as the brake
action is necessary.
The
warning light may switch on with
the hydraulic system temporarily
unavailable; in this case braking is
controlled by the motors.The brake lights (stop) will also
automatically switch on in the same way
as for normal braking with the use of the
brake pedal.
Release the switch on the central tunnel
to stop the braking action with the car in
motion.
If, through this procedure, the vehicle is
braked until a speed below 2 mph
(3 km/h) is reached and the switch is kept
pulled, the parking brake will definitively
engage.
IMPORTANT Driving the vehicle with the
electric parking brake engaged, or using
it several times to slow down the vehicle,
may cause severe damage to the braking
system.
Releasing the electric parking brake
manually
In order to manually release the parking
brake, the ignition device should be at ON
position. Moreover, you need to press the
brake pedal, then press the switch on the
central tunnel briefly.
Noise may be heard from the rear of the
vehicle and a slight movement of the
brake pedal may be detected during
disengagement.
After disengaging the electric parking
brake, the
warning light on the
instrument panel and the LED on the
fig. 93 switch turn off.If the
warning light on the instrument
panel remains on with the electric parking
brake disengaged, this indicates a fault:
in this case contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never use gear position P
(Park) instead of the electric parking
brake. Always engage the electric
parking brake when parking the vehicle to
prevent injury or damage caused by the
unexpected movement of the vehicle.
OPERATING THE ELECTRIC PARKING
BRAKE
The electric parking brake can operate in
the following ways:
"Dynamic driving way": this way is
activated by pulling the switch
continuously while driving;
"Static engagement and release
mode": with the car stationary, the
electric parking brake can be activated
by pulling the switch on the central tunnel
once. On the other hand, press the switch
and the brake pedal at the same time to
disengage the brake;
"Drive Away Release": (where
provided) the electric parking brake will
automatically disengage with the driver
side seat belt fastened and the detection
of an action performed by the driver to
move the car (forward gear or reverse
gear);
NOTE If the vehicle is equipped with
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STARTING AND DRIVING

carbon-ceramic discs, before using “Drive
Away Release” mode and moving the
vehicle, it is necessary to buckle the seat
belts or manually release the electric
handbrake to prevent damage to the
carbon-ceramic discs themselves.
"Safe Hold": if the vehicle speed is
lower than 2 mph (3 km/h), on vehicles
with automatic transmission, the gear
lever is not in P (Park) position and the
driver's intention of leaving the vehicle is
detected, the electric parking brake will
automatically engage to hold the vehicle
in safety conditions;
"Auto Park Brake": if the vehicle speed
is below 2 mph (3 km/h), the electric
parking break will automatically engage
when the gear lever is in P (Park) position.
The LED on the switch located on the
central tunnel fig. 93 switches on
together with the warning light
on
the instrument panel when the parking
brake is engaged and applied to the
wheels. Each automatic parking brake
engagement can be cancelled by pressing
the switch on the central tunnel and at
the same time moving the gear lever for
the transmission to position P (Park).
SAFE HOLD
It is a safety function that automatically
engages the electric parking brake in the
event of a dangerous condition for the
car.
If:
the car speed is below 2 mph (3 km/h);
on cars with automatic transmission, a
transmission operating mode different
from P (Park) is activated;
the driver's seat belt is not fastened;
the driver side door is open;
no attempts to apply pressure on the
brake pedal have been detected;
the car is parked on roads which
gradient higher than 4%;
the electric parking brake engages
automatically to prevent car movement.
The Safe Hold function can be
temporarily disabled by pressing the
switch located on the central tunnel and
the brake pedal at the same time, with
the vehicle stationary and the driver side
door open.
Once disabled, the function will activate
again when the vehicle speed reaches
18 mph (20 km/h) or the ignition device is
moved to STOP and then to ON.
WARNING
106)In the case of parking manoeuvres on
roads on a gradient, the front wheels must
be steered towards the pavement (when
parking downhill), or in the opposite
direction if the vehicle is parked uphill. Block
the wheels with a wedge or a stone if the car
is parked on a steep slope.
107)Never leave children alone in an
unattended vehicle; make sure that when
you move away from the vehicle, you have
the key with you.
108)The electric parking brake must
always be engaged when leaving the vehicle.
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MANUAL GEARBOX
109)
37)
To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear lever into the
required position (the diagram for gear
engagement is shown on the knob ).
To engage reverse gear R from the idle
position, press towards the left (until end
of stroke) to avoid mistakenly inserting
the 1
stgear.
To engage 6thgear, operate the lever by
pressing it towards the right in order to
avoid engaging 4
thgear by mistake. The
same applies to the shift from 6thto 5th
gear.
IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the vehicle is completely
stationary. With the engine running, waitfor at least 2 seconds with the clutch
pedal fully pressed before engaging
reverse to prevent damage to the gears
and grating.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should be
used only for gear changes. Do not drive
with your foot resting on the clutch pedal,
however lightly. In some circumstances,
the electronic clutch control could cut in
by interpreting the incorrect driving style
as a fault.
WARNING
109)Depress the clutch pedal fully to
change gear correctly. It is therefore
essential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying flat and
do not get in the way of the pedals.
IMPORTANT
37)Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever as the force exerted, even if
slight, could lead over time to premature
wear of the gearbox internal components.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The vehicle can be equipped with a
8-speed automatic transmission.
The gearbox/transmission can function in
two operating modes: "Automatic" or
"Sequential".
GEAR LEVER
110) 111) 112)
38) 39)
The gear functioning is controlled by the
gear lever control 1 fig. 95, which can
assume the following positions:
P= Park
R= Reverse
N= Neutral
D= Drive, (automatic forward speed)
AutoStick: + shifting to higher gear in
sequential driving mode; – shifting to
lower gear in sequential driving mode.
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STARTING AND DRIVING