2020 Alfa Romeo 4C brake

51
ESC SYSTEM
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of the
car in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the car’s
understeer and oversteer, distributing
the brake force on the appropriate
wheels. The torque supplied by the
engine can also be reduced in order to
maintain control of the vehicle.
25) 26) 27) 28) 29)
The ESC system comprises the active
safety systems such as: ABS, EBD, ASR,
HILL HOLDER, etc.
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is started
and cannot be switched off.
System intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument panel, to
inform the driver that the car is in critical
stability and grip conditions.
CBC
(Cornering Braking Control) SYSTEM
This system acts when braking on
corners, optimising the distribution of
brake pressure on the four wheels: the
system prevents the wheels on the
inside of the corner (less affected by the
weight of the car) from locking, ensuring
better stability and direction for the car.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC system
and facilitates starting on uphill or
downhill slopes by operating the brakes:
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is
not a parking brake, therefore do not
leave the car without activating the
handbrake, switched the engine off and
engaged first gear, so that the car is
parked in safety conditions (for further
information read paragraph
“When parked” in the chapter “Starting
and driving”).
IMPORTANT There may be situations on
small gradients (less than 8%), with car
laden, in which the Hill Holder system
may not activate thus causing a slight
reversing motion and increasing the risk
of collision with another vehicle or
object. The driver is, in any case,
responsible for safe driving.
“ELECTRONIC Q2” SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)
The DTC system prevents the drive
wheels from possibly locking, which
could happen, for example, if the
accelerator pedal is released suddenly or
in the case of a sudden downshifting in
conditions of poor grip.
In this conditions, the engine braking
effect could cause the drive wheels to
slip, resulting in a loss of vehicle stability.
In these situations, the DTC system
intervenes, restoring torque to the
engine in order to conserve vehicle
stability and increase vehicle safety.

SAFETY
52
“PRE-FILL” SYSTEM
(RAB - Ready Alert Brake)
(only with “Dynamic” mode engaged)
This function activates automatically if
the accelerator pedal is released rapidly,
reducing the brake pad travel (both at
front and back), with the aim of preparing
the braking system and enhancing its
responsiveness, thus reducing the
stopping distance in the event of
subsequent braking.
25)The ESC system cannot alter the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase grip, which depends on the
condition of the road.
26)The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners, driving on
low-grip surfaces or aquaplaning.
27)The capability of the ESC system
must never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the
safety of others.
28)For the correct operation of the ASR
system, the tyres must of necessity be
the same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and dimensions.
IMPORTANT
29)Do not take unnecessary risks, even if
your vehicle is fitted with the ESC and
ASR systems.
Your driving style must always be suited
to the road conditions, visibility and
traffic.
The driver is always responsible for road
safety.
30)When the ABS intervenes and you
notice the brake pedal pulsating, do not
reduce the pressure, but hold it firmly and
confidently; in doing so you will brake in
the shortest distance possible, depending
on the road conditions.
31)For maximum efficiency of the
braking system, a bedding-in period of
about 500 km is needed: during this
period it is better to avoid sharp,
repeated and prolonged braking.
32)If the ABS intervenes, this indicates
that the grip of the tyres on the road is
nearing its limit: you must slow down to a
speed compatible with the available grip.
33)The ABS cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase the
grip available according to the condition
of the road.
34)The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those due to excessive speed on
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.35) The capability of the ABS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously,
in such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
36)For the correct operation of the ABS,
the tyres must of necessity be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and dimensions.
37)The ASR cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase the
grip available according to the condition
of the road.
38)The ASR system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners, driving on
low-grip surfaces or aquaplaning.
39) The capability of the ASR must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously,
in such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
40)The HBA system can’t overrule the
natural laws of physics, and can’t increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
41)The HBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners, driving on
low-grip surfaces or aquaplaning.
42) The capability of the HBA system
must never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise the safety of the driver, the
other occupants of the vehicle or any
other road user.

STARTING AND DRIVING
68
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.
Procedure
73) 74) 75) 5)
The metal insert 1 fig. 2 operates:
❒ press the brake pedal;
❒ turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating the starting procedure.
❒ If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the
instrument panel warning light stays on
together with the warning light, turn the
key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning light stays on, try the other keys
provided with the vehicle. If it is still not
possible to start the engine, contact a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
❒ Do not leave the ignition key at MAR
when the engine is stopped.
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
Procedure
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.
6) 7)
73)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.
74)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to
apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
75)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
IMPORTANT
5)It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at maximum
rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.)
when it is first used.
6)When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR
position to prevent useless current
absorption from draining the battery.
7)A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
WARNING

69
PARKING THE VEHICLE
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
❒ engage the gear (on a slope, engage
first gear if the vehicle is facing uphill or
reverse if it is facing downhill) and leave
the wheels steered;
❒ stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the car is parked on a steep slope.
Wait until the indication of the gear
engaged disappears on the display
before releasing the brake pedal.
76)
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car with
the transmission in neutral.
HANDBRAKE
To engage the handbrake, pull lever
1 fig. 42 upwards until the car is secured.
When the handbrake is engaged and the
ignition key is at MAR, the xwarning
light will switch on in the instrument
panel.
To release the handbrake, raise the lever
1 slightly, hold down button 2 and lower
the lever.
The xwarning light on the instrument
panel turns off.
Four or five clicks are generally enough
when the car is on level ground, while ten
or eleven may be required if the car is on
a steep slope and laden.
77)
IMPORTANT Carry out these
manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
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76)Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle. Always remove the key from
the ignition device when leaving the
vehicle and take it with you.
77)The car must be braked after a few
clicks of the handbrake: if this is not so,
contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership to have it adjusted. Always
park the car safely as indicated by the
Highway Code and as described above.
IMPORTANT

STARTING AND DRIVING
70
TCT TWIN CLUTCH
TRANSMISSION
Alfa 4C features the TCT 6-speed twin
dry clutch transmission with steering
wheel controls. This is an advanced
technical solution which combines the
control of a manual gearbox, the
immediacy of a sequential system and
the convenience of being able to select an
automatic selection programme without
the slowdown of a conventional
automatic transmission.
With the key removed from the ignition,
the system will not implement any action
when the buttons on the transmission
control panel on the central tunnel fig. 43
are pressed, irrespective of the pressure
applied to the brake pedal.
43A0L0067
Therefore, the transmission will remain in
the condition that it was in when the
engine was switched off.
With car stationary and key at MAR
(ignition-operated electrical services
activated), the screen displays the gear
engaged and the active operating mode
(automatic = AUTO or manual = no
display).
OPERATING MODE
The transmission can operate in two
operating modes (except when the “Race”
mode is selected):
❒ the first manual type (MANUAL), in
which the driver decides directly when to
change gear;
❒ the second completely automatic
(AUTO), in which the system decides
when to change gear.
When the “Race” mode is selected, the
only allowed operating mode is MANUAL.
Manual operation (MANUAL)
In this operating mode, the driver is
responsible for choosing the best gear
ratio to engage, depending on the car
operating conditions.Use the “+” steering wheel stalk to
engage a higher gear, or the “–” stalk to
engage a lower gear (see the following
paragraph, “Steering wheel stalks”).
If the request is accepted by the system,
the display shows the new gear engaged.
If the request is not accepted by the
system, the display shows the gear
engaged before the request and emits an
acoustic signal.
If the gear change request may adversely
affect the correct operation of the engine
and the transmission, the system will not
allow it.
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71
The system will automatically downshift
should the engine reach the idling speed
(e.g. during deceleration).
Using the DNA system in “Normal” mode,
it will automatically upshift if the engine
speed requires it.
Automatic operation (AUTO)
To activate/deactivate automatic
operation (AUTO) press the A/M button
on the transmission control panel fig. 43;
activation is signalled by the word AUTO
on the display, next to the gear engaged
fig. 45.
45A0L0068
In AUTO mode the system changes gear
depending on the car speed, the engine
rpm and the intensity with which the
accelerator pedal is pressed.
To move the stationary car, 1st gear or
reverse (R) must always be engaged
(with brake pedal depressed).
“Kick Down” function
The system also has the
“Kick Down” function: if necessary
(e.g. when overtaking), the system
changes down one or more gears when
the accelerator pedal is depressed
beyond the point where it becomes stiff
(and if the rpm allow it) in order to
provide suitable power and torque for the
acceleration requested by the driver.
When implementing the “Kick Down”
function, the system ensures varying
transmission management in accordance
with the selected DNA mode.
SHIFT PADDLES
These enable sequential gear shifting
fig. 46.
❒ shift paddle “+” (pulling paddle
towards driver, see fig. 47): shift up;
❒ shift paddle “–” (pulling paddle
towards driver, see fig. 47): shift down.
46A0L0071
47A0L0072

STARTING AND DRIVING
72
The shifting up or down is only permitted
if the engine revs allow it.
STARTING THE ENGINE
To start the engine press the brake pedal:
the system engages neutral (N)
automatically.
After the starting procedure, 1st gear (1)
or reverse (R) can be engaged.
Irrespective of the mode selected
(AUTO/MANUAL), to engage 1st gear or
reverse (R), it is necessary to press the
brake pedal and press the 1 button on the
transmission control panel (or the “+”
steering wheel stalk) to engage 1st gear
or the R button to engage reverse.
When 1st gear is engaged, the system
sets itself to AUTO mode.
Neutral (N) can be engaged again by
pressing the N button with the brake
pedal pressed.
When the 1, N or R buttons are pressed
(or “+” steering wheel stalk is operated)
without pressing the brake pedal, no gear
change request is implemented by the
system.
IMPORTANT Reverse cannot be engaged
by pressing the “-” stalk on the steering
wheel.
Important notes
To start in presence of a gearbox fault
(see “Warning lights and messages”
paragraph in the “Knowing the instrument
panel” chapter), run the
“Delayed start-up” procedure:
turn the key to the AVV position for at
least 7 seconds with the brake depressed
and the engine will start.
The system will remain in “recovery”
condition.
If the engine does not start, contact a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
When the driver’s door is opened, the
system activates the hydraulic
components so that they are prepared
for the subsequent engine starting.
MOVING THE CAR
The car can set off both in 1st gear and
reverse (R).
The gears can only be engaged by
pressing the brake pedal. If the brake
pedal is not depressed, the display will
show a dedicated message.It is not possible to set off in a higher gear
than 1st: if this is attempted, the display
shows a dedicated message.
When setting off on a medium-steep
incline, it is advisable to engage the
handbrake.
Engaging 1st gear
Proceed as follows:
❒ press the brake pedal;
❒ press the 1 button on the
transmission control panel;
❒ release the brake pedal and press the
accelerator pedal.
Engaging reverse (R)
Reverse (R) can only be engaged with car
stationary and brake pedal pressed.
Proceed as follows:
❒ press the brake pedal (car completely
stationary);
❒ press button R on the
gearbox panel;
❒ release the brake pedal and press the
accelerator pedal.
When reverse is engaged on some
versions, the system emits an acoustic
signal.
If the brake pedal is not depressed (and
the vehicle is stationary), the display will
show a dedicated message and the
system will automatically engage neutral
(N).

73
IMPORTANT With the car running, the
request is accepted and executed if the
car speed drops below 3 km/h within 3
seconds from the request: if the request
is not executed, the system will maintain
the gear engaged or, if the speed of the
car drops below 10 km/h, will put the
transmission in neutral (N) and the
manoeuvre will have to be repeated.
ENGAGING NEUTRAL (N)
With car stationary and ignition key at
MAR (irrespective of the condition of the
engine), neutral (N) can only be engaged
with the brake pedal pressed.
If the car is in motion, neutral (N) can
always be engaged, irrespective of the
pressure applied to the brake and
accelerator pedals.
The display will show the letter N
together with the active operating mode.To engage a speed from the neutral (N)
position, press button 1 on the gearbox
panel (it is not necessary to press the
brake pedal):
the gearbox will immediately choose the
correct gear according to the vehicle’s
speed.
With car stationary and ignition key at
MAR (irrespective of the condition of the
engine), 1
stgear can only be engaged with
the brake pedal pressed.
LAUNCH CONTROL
The “Launch Control” strategy permits
high-performance starting.
This strategy can be activated with
vehicle at a standstill, “Race” mode
selected and 1st gear engaged.
The sequence of operations to perform is
as follows:
❒ press the brake pedal and hold it
down;
❒ press the accelerator pedal and hold it
down;
❒ press the “–” paddle behind the
steering wheel;The car will start off at maximum
acceleration when the brake pedal is
released.
Keeping the accelerator pressed, the
system will automatically upshift once
the best engine speed has been achieved
for shifting gears.
78)
To abandon the strategy, simply interrupt
the above sequence of operations or
release the accelerator pedal.
DISPLAYED INFORMATION
When the key is turned to MAR-ON, after
about 1 second, the display shows the
transmission in neutral indication (N).
When driving, the display shows the gear
engaged and the active mode (AUTO or
MANUAL). The indications on the display
have the following meanings:
N = neutral;
1 = first gear;
2 = second gear
3 = third gear;
4 = fourth gear;
5 = fifth gear;
6 = sixth gear;
R = reverse.