2021 Alfa Romeo 4C warning

SAFETY
60
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any changes
to its original conditions will invalidate
its efficiency. If, due to unusual natural
events (floods, sea storms, etc.), the
device has been affected by water
and/or mud, contact a dedicated Alfa
Romeo Dealership to have it replaced.
56) 57)
4)
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase protection, the seat belt
retractors contain a device which
controls the force acting on the chest and
shoulders during the belt restraining
action in the event of an accident.
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
Alfa 4C is a sporty car that can be driven
in town every day, provided its driver and
passengers fasten their seat belts.
Carrying a child on the passenger seat is
also allowed, provided the child weighs
more than 9 kg and a suitable child
restraint system is used.
Children must be suitably restrained
inside the vehicle according to their
weight. Several children restraint system
types are available; always choose the
one most suitable for the child:
58)
When over 1.50 m in height, from the
point of view of restraint systems,
children are considered as adults and
have to wear the standard seat belts.
All restraint devices must bear the
certification data, together with the
control mark, on a label solidly fixed to
the child restraint system which must
never be removed.
Child restraint systems are available
from Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo.
These products have been designed and
tested specifically for Alfa Romeo
vehicles.
56)The pretensioner may be used only
once. After its activation, contact a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership to have
it replaced.
57)Removing or otherwise tampering
with seat belt and pretensioner
components is strictly prohibited. Any
intervention on these components must
be performed by qualified and authorised
technicians. Always contact a dedicated
Alfa Romeo Dealership.
IMPORTANT
4)Operations which lead to knocks,
vibrations or localised heating (over
100°C for a maximum of 6 hours) in the
area around the pretensioners may cause
damage or trigger them.
Contact the dedicated
Alfa Romeo Dealership if there is the need
to operate on those components.
WARNING

SAFETY
66
61)Do not apply stickers or other objects
to the steering wheel or the passenger
side airbag cover. Do not place objects on
the passenger side of the dashboard
because these could interfere with the
correct opening of the passenger airbag
and cause injury to occupants.
62)Always drive keeping your hands on
the steering wheel rim so that the airbag
can inflate freely if necessary.
Do not drive with your body bent forward.
Keep your back straight against the
backrest.
63)Instructions for deactivating the
front passenger airbag can be found in
the “Menu Options” paragraph of the
“Knowing the instrument panel” chapter.
Please note that under these conditions
the airbag will NOT deploy when required
(accident).
64)Do not rest your head, arms or elbows
on the door to prevent injury during airbag
deployment.
65)Never lean head, arms or elbows out
of window.
IMPORTANT66)If the ¬warning light does not
switch on when the key is turned to MAR,
or stays on while driving (on some
versions, together with a message on the
display) there may be a fault in the
restraint systems. In this case, airbags or
pretensioners may not be activated in the
case of an accident or (in a lesser number
of cases) they may be activated
incorrectly. Before proceeding, contact a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership to have
the system checked immediately.
67)Do not travel carrying objects on your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
68) If the car has been subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or flooding,
have the airbag system inspected at a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
69)The airbags may also be deployed
when the car is not moving, if the key is
inserted and turned to MAR even when
the engine is off, if the car is hit by
another moving vehicle. Also remember
that no safety device (airbags or
pretensioners) will be deployed in the
event of impact when the key is at STOP.
Non-deployment of these devices under
these circumstances does not therefore
indicate a system malfunction.70)When the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the
“warning light comes on
constantly for the first 4 seconds.
Then, if the warning light remains on, this
means the passenger’s protection has
been deactivated; if the warning light
switches off, instead, the passenger’s
protection is enabled.
71)The front airbag is designed to be
deployed for impacts of a greater
intensity than for the pretensioners. For
impacts whose intensity falls between
the two levels, normally, only the
pretensioners will be activated.
72)The airbag does not replace seat
belts but increases their efficiency.
Because front airbags are not deployed
for low-speed frontal impacts, side
collisions, rear shunts or rollovers,
occupants are protected only by their
seat belts, which must always be
fastened.

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.
42A0L0066
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
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).

STARTING AND DRIVING
74
The car always starts in neutral. When
1st gear is requested, the system forces
the selection of AUTO mode.
IMPORTANT If 10 seconds elapse with
the ignition key in the MAR position and
the display does not show the gear
engaged, turn the key to the STOP
position, wait for the display to go out
and then repeat the manoeuvre.
If the fault persists, contact a dedicated
Alfa Romeo Dealership.
ACOUSTIC SIGNAL
For safety reasons, there is a buzzer
warning when parking the car with the
gearbox in neutral (N) (the warning is
heard when the ignition key is turned to
the STOP position).
With the vehicle stationary, the engine
started and (1st) or (R) engaged, the
system activates the buzzer and
automatically put the gearbox in neutral
(N) when:
❒ the accelerator and/or the brake
pedal are not operated for at least 3
minutes;
❒ the brake pedal is pressed for longer
than 10 minutes;❒ the driver’s door is opened and the
accelerator pedal or the brake pedal are
not operated for at least 1.5 seconds;
❒ a fault is detected in the gearbox.
PARKING 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.
IMPORTANT: NEVER leave the car with
the transmission in neutral.
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒ With car stationary and gear engaged,
always keep the brake pedal pressed
until you decide to set off, then release
the brake and accelerate gradually.
❒ During prolonged stops with the
engine running, it is advisable to keep the
gearbox in neutral (N).❒ In order to safeguard the efficiency of
the clutch, do not use the accelerator to
keep the car stationary (e.g. when
stopped on an incline). Clutch overheating
could damage it:
use the brake pedal instead or the
handbrake and only press the accelerator
pedal when you wish to set off.
❒ If, with reverse gear (R) engaged, you
have to engage 1st gear or vice versa,
only do this when the car is completely
stationary and with the brake pedal
pressed.
❒ Although it is strongly discouraged, if
you are going downhill and for unknown
reasons you let the car move forward
with the gearbox in neutral (N), when
there is a request to engage a gear the
system will automatically engage the
best gear in relation to the speed of the
actual to allow the correct transmission
of the drive torque to the wheels;.

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 .
48A0L0022
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.

STARTING AND DRIVING
78
IMPORTANT NOTES
81)
8)
During parking manoeuvres, pay the
utmost attention to any obstacles that
could be located above or below the
sensors.
Under certain circumstances, objects
close to the vehicle are not detected by
the system and could therefore cause
damage to the car or be damaged
themselves.
The following conditions may influence
the performance of the parking sensors:
❒ the presence of ice, snow, mud or
think paint on the sensor surface may
cause reduced sensitivity of the sensor
itself and therefore reduce the system
performance;
❒ the sensor may detect a non-existent
obstacle (“echo interference”) due to
mechanical interference, for example
when washing the vehicle, in rain (strong
wind), hail;
❒ the signals sent by the sensor can also
be altered by the presence of ultrasonic
systems (e.g. pneumatic brake systems
of trucks or pneumatic drills) near the
vehicle;
❒ the variation in sensor position,
caused by variation in ride (due to
suspension component wear), changing
tyres, overloaded car, or tuning that
lowers the car, for example, may affect
parking sensor system performance.
81)The responsibility for parking and
other dangerous manoeuvres always and
in every case lies with the driver.
While carrying out these manoeuvres,
always make sure that no people
(especially children) or animals are in the
area concerned. The parking sensors are
used to assist the driver, who must never
allow his attention to lapse during
potentially dangerous manoeuvres, even
those executed at low speeds.
IMPORTANT
8)The sensor must be clean of mud, dirt,
snow or ice in order for the system to
operate correctly. Be careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors while
cleaning them. Avoid using dry, rough or
hard cloths. The sensors must be washed
using clean water, with the addition of
vehicle shampoo if necessary. When using
special washing equipment such as high
pressure jets or steam cleaning, clean the
sensors very quickly keeping the jet more
than 10 cm away. Also, do not apply
stickers to the sensors.
WARNING