2020 Alfa Romeo 4C ESP

57
SEAT BELTS
All vehicle seats are equipped with seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.
The retractor mechanism operates
locking the belt in the event of sharp
braking or strong deceleration due to an
impact. This allows the belt strap to slide
freely and to adapt to the body of the
occupant. In the event of an accident, the
belt will lock reducing the risk of impact
inside the passenger compartment and
of being projected outside the vehicle.
The driver is responsible for respecting,
and ensuring that all the other occupants
of the vehicle also respect, the local laws
in force in relation to the use of the seat
belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before
setting off.
USING THE SEAT BELTS
The belt should be worn keeping the
torso straight and rested against the
backrest. To fasten the seat belts, hold
the tongue 1 fig. 33 and insert it into the
buckle 2, until it clicks into place.On removal of the belt, if it jams, let it
rewind for a short stretch, then pull it out
again without jerking.
To unfasten the seat belts, press button
3 and guide the seat belt with your hand
while it is rewinding, to prevent it from
twisting.
52))
The retractor may lock when the vehicle
is parked on a steep slope: this is
perfectly normal. Furthermore, the reel
mechanism locks the belt if it is pulled
sharply or in the event of sudden braking,
collisions and high-speed bends.
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
THE SEAT BELTS
Comply with (and make sure all car
passengers follow) the local laws in force
regarding the use of seat belts. Always
fasten the seat belts before setting off.
Seat belts must also be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury in the
event of an accident is reduced for them
and the unborn child if they are wearing a
seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the lower
part of the belt very low down so that it
passes over the pelvis and under the
abdomen fig. 34.
The belt must not be twisted.
The upper part must pass over the
shoulder and cross the chest diagonally.
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61
FITTING “UNIVERSAL” CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(with seat belts)
Only Group 1, 2 and 3 child restraint
systems, namely forward facing child
restraint systems, can be installed on
Alfa 4C.
This vehicle is NOT compliant for fitting
rear facing child restraint systems on the
passenger seat.
GROUP 1
Children of weight from 9 to 18 kg may
be carried in forward facing child
restraint systems fig. 37.
59)
37A0L0059
GROUP 2
Children from 15 to 36 kg may use the
car seat belts directly, fig. 38.
The child restraint system is used only to
position the child correctly with respect
to the belts so that the diagonal section
crosses the child’s chest and never the
neck, and the horizontal part is snug on
the pelvis not the abdomen.
59)
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58)The car passenger’s seat is not
suitable for carrying rear facing child
restraint systems (Group 0 and 0+).
Therefore, very small children (from 0 to
9 kg) must NOT be carried in this vehicle.
IMPORTANT

Front airbags may not activate in the
following situations:
❒ frontal impacts against highly
deformable objects not involving the
front surface of the car (e.g. wing collision
against guard rail);
❒ jamming of the car underneath other
vehicles or protective barriers
(e.g. underneath a truck or a guard rail); in
this case, the bags would offer no
additional protection with respect to the
seat belt and their deployment would be
inappropriate.
In these cases, non-deployment does not
indicate a system malfunction.
FRONT AIRBAG DRIVER’S SIDE
This is located in a dedicated
compartment in the centre of the
steering wheel fig. 39.
61)
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PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG
This is located in a dedicated
compartment in the dashboard fig. 40.
62)
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND
CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
It is ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN to install
on the vehicle a child restraint system
backwards the driving direction.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident
could cause fatal injuries to the baby.
ALWAYS comply with the instructions
on the label stuck on the passenger side
sun visor fig. 41.
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IMPORTANT NOTES
The front airbags may activate in the event of
sharp impacts to the underbody of the car
(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 a dedicated Alfa
Romeo Dealership. If the car is scrapped,
have the airbag system deactivated at a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed
according to different logic on the basis of
the type of collision. Failure to activate one or
more of the devices does not indicate a
system malfunction.
63) 64) 65) 66) 67) 68) 69) 70) 71) 72)
SAFETY
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41A0L0230

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

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.
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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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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).

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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.

75
❒ When necessary, with the engine
switched off, it is possible to engage the
1st speed, reverse (R) or neutral (N) with
key in MAR position and brake pressed.
In this case, gear shifts must be made
allowing at least 5 minutes to elapse
between one gear shift and the next to
safeguard the operation of the hydraulic
system and the pump in particular.
❒ For uphill departures, it is advisable to
accelerate gradually but fully
immediately after releasing the
handbrake or the brake pedal;
this allows the engine to temporarily
increase the number of revs and tackle
the steepest gradients with more torque
at the wheels.CRUISE CONTROL
(where provided)
This is an electronically controlled driving
assistance device that allows the desired
vehicle speed to be maintained, without
having to press the accelerator pedal.
This device can be used at a speed above
30 km/h on long stretches of dry, straight
roads with few variations
(e.g. motorways).
It is therefore not recommended to use
this device on extra-urban roads with
traffic. Do not use it in town.
ACTIVATING THE DEVICE
Turn ring 1 fig. 48 to .
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78)The Launch control function is only
available in Race mode. Regardless of
what is explicitly indicated in the
description of these modes, the ESC and
ASR systems are deactivated during
operation of the Launch Control function.
This means that vehicle dynamic control
is the sole responsibility of the driver.
Therefore pay the utmost attention when
using the Launch Control. Take into
account traffic and road surface
conditions and during manoeuvres make
sure there is enough room in the area
concerned.
IMPORTANT
The cruise control cannot be engaged in
1st or reverse gear: it is advisable to
engage it in 5th gear or higher.
When travelling downhill with the device
engaged, the car may slightly exceed the
stored speed.
When the device is activated, the
digital warning light switches on together
with the relevant message on the display.
SETTING THE DESIRED SPEED
Proceed as follows:
❒ turn ring nut 1 fig. 48 to and press
the accelerator to reach the desired
speed;
❒ move the stalk upwards (+) for at least
1 second, then release it: the car speed is
now stored and you can therefore release
the accelerator.
If needed (when overtaking for instance),
you can accelerate simply by pressing the
accelerator; when you release the pedal,
the car goes back to the speed stored
previously.