the slot, to extract it press lightly on
the card.
Other two USB ports are present for
rear seat passengers, on the rear part
of the central console.
To access the USB port, open the
outside cover. These USB ports allow
charging the connected source.
When you turn the key in the ignition
switch in STOP (OFF) position, these
USB ports remain active for 10 minutes
to allow the charging of connected
devices.
iPod ®
ConnectionAn iPod ®
can be connected to the
system via USB and AUX ports by
means of a special cable (optional).
The MTC+ will then control the
following functions: play, pause, fast
forward, rewind, next track, previous
track, random or repeat mode, selection and navigation of
playlist/genre/singer/album/Podcast.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your USB device, iPod ®
or an external audio source in the
vehicle for extended period of time:
extreme temperatures and humidity
can occur in the vehicle.
NOTE:
V
isit www.maserati.com or an
Authorized Maserati Dealer for a list
of iPod ®
devices compatible with the
MTC+ and their level of compatibility.
Sun Visors Sun visors can be folded to the front
and to the side of the vehicle. To move
the visor laterally, lower and release it
from its catch as indicated. By lowering the visor you can access
the courtesy mirror with incorporated
light illuminating automatically (with
the key in the ignition switch in MAR
(ON) position) by raising the mirror
protective cover. Before raising the
visor, close the mirror cover.
A paper holder is fitted inside each
sun visor.Understanding the Vehicle
3
105
Smoking Kit The kit includes a lighter and a
removable ashtray with cover.
The cigarette lighter is located inside
the compartment under the armrest
between the front seat.
The removable ashtray can be insert
into the front or rear cupholder.
To access the cigarette lighter lift the
cover with the armrest function as
previously described.
Pressing the central button activates
the cigarette lighter. After about 20
seconds the button returns
automatically to the initial position
and stops the heating: now the
cigarette lighter is ready for use. CAUTION!
After use, always make sure that the
cigarette lighter is switched off.
WARNING!
The cigarette lighter reaches high
temperatures. Handle it carefully and
do not allow children to use to avoid
risk of fire and injury!
Cloth Hooks A cloth hook is located on the upper
part of the seatback of the front seats.
Mobile Phone Pocket
Central console on passenger's side is
fitted with a pocket for housing a
mobile phone or small objects. CAUTION!
Do not put heavy or sharp objects in
the pocket.Understanding the Vehicle
3
106
Cargo Area WARNING!
To help protect against personal
injury, passengers must not be seated
in the rear cargo area. The rear cargo
space is intended for load carrying
purposes only, not for passengers,
who should sit in seats and use seat
belts.
Vehicle Load Carrying Capacity The load carrying capacity of your
vehicle is shown on the “Tire and
Loading Information Label”
positioned on the rear driver door's
pillar.
The information indicated on the label
concerns passengers and luggage
loading operations. Do not exceed the specified Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for
either the front or rear axle.
The GVWR is the total allowable
weight of your vehicle. This includes
driver, passengers, and cargo.
The maximum load which may be
carried in the rear luggage
compartment is 66 lbs (30 kg).
WARNING!
Do not exceed the GVWR, or front or
rear GAWR. Exceeding these limits
may lead to poor handling, vehicle
instability or tire damage which could
cause a crash in which you or others
could be seriously injured or killed.
WARNING!
• Improper weight distribution can
have an adverse effect on the way
the vehicle steers, handles and the
way the brakes operate.
• Never drive with the trunk lid open.
Exhaust gases can enter the
passenger compartment. The trunk is the most suitable place to
load
bulky and heavy objects onboard
the vehicle.
To load your vehicle properly, store
heavier items below and be sure you
distribute their weight as evenly as
possible.
Stow all loose items securely before
start driving as they could move
during the trip.
Carrying Luggage on Rear
Seats Light luggage may be transported on
the rear seats only if they are securely
anchored on the seats using the
tethers provided (upon request).
Installation
• Fasten one end of the tether to the
"U" metal ring positioned in the
center of the seat, between the
cushion and the backrest.Understanding the Vehicle
3
107
• Lay provisionally the tether vertically
on the backrest and on the headrest.
• Place the suitcase on the cushion.
• Secure the suitcase with the tether,
which must be wound all around the
suitcase and passed through its
handles.
• Fasten the other end of the tether to
the "U" metal ring located
underneath the covering at the base
of the seat. • Using the buckle tension the tether
until the suitcase if firmly secured on
the seat.
HomeLink ®
(for
versions/markets, where
provided) HomeLink ®
replaces up to three
hand-held transmitters operating the
automatic devices that open garage
doors and gates, enable/disable the
lighting or security systems. The
HomeLink ®
unit is powered by your
vehicle's 12 Volt battery. The
HomeLink ®
buttons that are located in
the control panel behind the driver's
side sun visor designate the three
different HomeLink ®
channels.
The HomeLink ®
LED is located above
the central button.
HomeLink ®
is disabled when the
vehicle security alarm is active (see
“Vehicle security alarm” in section
“Before Starting”).Understanding the Vehicle
3
108
Sport Skyhook Suspension
(for versions/markets,
where provided) The electronic system controlling the
vehicle suspension uses the
sophisticated on board sensors and is
aimed at optimizing vehicle
performance.
The system is capable of constantly
monitoring suspension damping by
means of the actuator fitted on each
shock absorber (Skyhook type). This
way, the shock absorber setting is
suited to the road surface conditions
and vehicle dynamics, thus improving
passenger comfort and road-holding.
By pressing button “SPORT” on the
central console the driver can choose,
even while driving, a normal or
dynamic-type setting for the
suspension, depending on their own
driving style. This way, the system operates with a
shock absorber “softer” setting in
NORMAL drive mode, and a “harder”
setting if SPORT drive mode is selected
(see “Drive Mode” in section
“Driving”).
The strategy used by the system
controlling suspension damping is
aimed at reducing the vertical
oscillations of the vehicle (rolling and
pitching) to a minimum.
The activation of SPORT drive mode
sets the suspension for sports-style
driving and acts on the ASR and
gearbox systems as well, modifying
their setting for dynamic-style driving.
System Components
The system is controlled by an ECU
which manages the solenoid valves on
each shock absorber in response to the
sensor signals, thus adjusting
suspension damping and setting. The sensors which enable the ECU to
calculate the vehicle speed, vertical
and side acceleration, as well as the
instantaneous braking system pressure,
thereby controlling suspension
damping, are the following:
• front left-hand vertical acceleration
sensor;
• front right-hand vertical acceleration
sensor;
• rear vertical acceleration sensor;
• front left-hand wheel acceleration
sensor;
• front right-hand wheel acceleration
sensor;
• lateral acceleration sensor;
• driving speed sensor;
• brake pedal switch.
Self-diagnostics Whenever the engine is started, the
system performs a self-diagnostic cycle.
If a malfunction is found, the
amber
warning light is displayed
accompanied by the message “Check
suspensions” (see paragraph
"Malfunction Indicators" in this
chapter).Understanding the Vehicle
3
114
Calibration Selection The driver can select, in relation to
road surface conditions, vehicle speed,
driving style and comfort, one of the
two calibration levels provided by the
system: normal or sports-style.
• Normal calibration , active when
SPORT drive mode is disabled
("SPORT" button not pressed), favors
comfort and higher driving stability
with low and average grip
conditions.
• Sport-style calibration , active when
SPORT drive mode is enabled
("SPORT" button pressed) , favors
wheel drive and permits a
dynamic-style driving with optimal
road holding.
Whenever the engine is started, the
system automatically activates
NORMAL drive mode, even if SPORT
drive mode was selected before the
engine was last turned off.
The sport-style calibration can be
selected only with the key in the
ignition switch in MAR (ON) position
and it is enabled by pressing button
"SPORT", even while driving.
When SPORT drive mode is activated,
the word “SPORT” on the instrument
cluster display and the LED on the
button illuminate. WARNING!
SPORT drive mode should not be
activated if the road surface is rough
or slippery.
The electronic suspension control
system
works in combination with the
ESC system.
When the suspension is set to normal
calibration, stability is increased under
medium and low grip conditions,
while when it is set to sport-style
calibration, the ESC system optimizes a
sportier driving.
WARNING!
In low- and medium-grip conditions
(e.g., rain, snow, ice, sand, etc.) it is
advisable not to use SPORT drive
mode, even with the ESC system
enabled.
Malfunction Indicators If one or more electric components in
the system prove to be malfunctioning
while driving, the ECU illuminates the
amber warning light accompanied
by the message “Check suspensions”
on the display. In addition, the ECU
calibrates the shock absorbers to a preset value, thus ensuring a safe
vehicle set up.
Should the malfunction involve one
shock absorber only, this will no
longer be controlled by the ECU and
will therefore remain set as it was
when the fault occurred. It is
therefore possible for one of the four
shock absorbers to work with a fixed
calibration, different from that of the
other ones.
In any case, safe and secure vehicle
driving is always ensured at low
speeds.
CAUTION!
In the event of a malfunction in the
suspension control electronic system,
which will be indicated by the
illumination of the amber warning
light on the display while driving,
keep a moderate speed and have the
vehicle checked as soon as possible by
an Authorized Maserati Dealer .
If a malfunction occurs while driving,
and
this is signaled by the illumination
of the
amber warning light on the
display, it is advisable to stop the
vehicle as soon as possible, turn the
key in the ignition switch to STOP
(OFF) position and then restart the
engine.Understanding the Vehicle
3
115
If the malfunction is no longer present
and the
amber warning light on the
display does not illuminate again, the
electronic suspension system will
resume normal operation. On the
other hand, if the problem persists, the
amber warning light on the
instrument cluster display will turn on
again.
In both cases, the system must be
checked by the Authorized Maserati
Dealer .
The fault found is memorized by the
ECU and can be diagnosed at an
Authorized Maserati Dealer even if it
has disappeared spontaneously.Understanding the Vehicle
3
116
Instrument Cluster The instrument cluster is divided into
three main areas displaying
information, signs and text and/or icon
messages.
A Fuel level gage with low fuel
indicator and analog
speedometer showing the
vehicle speed.
B Analog tachometer and coolant
thermometer with high
temperature warning light.
C TFT display. In addition to other
information, in this area the
odometer display shows the
total distance covered by the
vehicle.
Speedometer and tachometer display
the main warning lights (see “Warning
and Indicator Lights on Analog
Instruments” in this chapter). The
other warning and indicator lights are
displayed on the TFT display together
with mode and drive function
indicators (see “TFT Display:
Warning/Indicator Lights" in this
chapter).
NOTE:
The image shows the instrument
cluster after the initial check cycle. Sport Version
MC VersionDashboard Instruments and Controls
4
118