12
Exhaust System ...................................220
Engine Cooling System ........................ 220
Braking System ....................................222
Automatic Transmission ......................222
Replacing The Battery ......................... 223
FUSES ..................................................223
BULB REPLACEMENT ..........................228
TIRES ...................................................... 234
Tire Safety Information ....................... 234
Tires — General Information ...............241
Spare Tires — If Equipped .................. 246
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ...............246
Tire Types ............................................. 247
Snow Traction Devices ........................ 248
Tire Rotation Recommendations ........249
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES ........ 250
Treadwear ............................................ 250
Traction Grades ...................................250
Temperature Grades ...........................250
STORING THE VEHICLE ........................ 250
BODYWORK ........................................... 252
Protection Against Atmospheric
Agents ................................................... 252 Corrosion Warranty .............................. 252
Preserving The Bodywork ....................252
INTERIORS ............................................. 253
Seats And Fabric Parts ........................ 253
Leather Seats....................................... 254
Plastic And Coated Parts .....................254
Alcantara Parts — If Equipped.............254
Genuine Leather Surfaces —
If Equipped ...........................................254 Carbon Fiber Parts ............................... 254
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (VIN)........................................ 255
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Plate ..................................................... 255
ENGINE ................................................... 256
POWER SUPPLY ..................................... 257
TRANSMISSION...................................... 258 BRAKES .................................................. 258SUSPENSION.......................................... 259
STEERING SYSTEM ................................ 259
DIMENSIONS — 2.0L ENGINE ............... 260
DIMENSIONS — 2.9L Engine ................. 261
WEIGHTS — 2.0L ENGINE ...................... 262
WEIGHTS — 2.9L ENGINE ...................... 262
FUEL REQUIREMENTS ........................... 263
Reformulated Gasoline ...................... 263
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............... 263
CNG And LP Fuel System
Modifications ....................................... 263 Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl (MMT) In Gasoline ............ 263 Materials Added To Fuel ..................... 264
Fuel System Cautions ......................... 264
FLUID CAPACITIES.................................. 265
2.0L Engine.......................................... 265
2.9L V6 Engine .................................... 266
ENGINE FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ....... 267CHASSIS FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ..... 268
PERFORMANCE — 2.0L ENGINE ........... 269
PERFORMANCE — 2.9L ENGINE ........... 269 CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING SERVICE
FOR YOUR VEHICLE .............................. 270
Prepare For The Appointment ............ 270
Prepare A List ...................................... 270
Be Reasonable With Requests........... 270
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE ................... 270
Alfa Romeo Customer Center............. 270
Alfa Romeo Customer Care
(Canada) .............................................. 270 Customer Assistance For The Hearing
Or Speech Impaired (TDD/TTY) .......... 271 Service Contract ................................. 271
WARRANTY INFORMATION .................. 272
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS ............. 272
In The 50 United States And
Washington, D.C. ................................. 272 In Canada ............................................ 272
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS .............. 272General Information .............................. 273
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 12
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
76
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Warning Light
The warning light switches on and a
message is displayed to indicate
that the tire pressure is lower than
the recommended value and/or that
slow pressure loss is occurring. In these cases,
optimal tire duration and fuel consumption
may not be guaranteed.
Should one or more tires be in the condition
mentioned above, the display will show the
indications corresponding to each tire.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom -
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.
If your vehicle has tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should determine
the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires. As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a TPMS that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires is significantly underinflated. Accord
-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi -
nates, you should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will
continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups
as long as the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check
the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.
Rear Fog Lights
The indicator illuminates when the
rear fog light is activated.
CAUTION!
Do not continue driving with one or more
flat tires as handling may be compromised.
Stop the vehicle, avoiding sharp braking
and steering. If a tire puncture occurs,
repair immediately using the dedicated tire
repair kit and contact an authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
WARNING!
The TPMS has been optimized for the
original equipment tires and wheels. TPMS
pressures and warning have been
established for the tire size equipped on
your vehicle. Undesirable system operation
or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the
same size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket
wheels can cause sensor damage. Using
aftermarket tire sealants may cause the
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
sensor to become inoperable. After using
an aftermarket tire sealant it is
recommended that you take your vehicle to
an authorized dealership to have your
sensor function checked.
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 76
STARTING AND OPERATING
128
(Continued)
ParkSense System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
Some conditions may influence the perfor-
mance of the ParkSense system:
Reduced sensor sensitivity could be due to
the presence of ice, snow, mud, or thick
paint on the surface of the sensor.
The sensors may detect a false obstacle
(echo interference) due to mechanical inter -
ference, for example when washing the
vehicle or in extreme weather.
The signals sent by the sensors can be
altered by the presence of ultrasonic
systems (e.g. pneumatic brake systems of
trucks or pneumatic drills) near the vehicle.
System performance can be influenced by
the position of the sensors. For example,
due to a change in the ride setting (caused
by wear to the shock absorbers or suspen -
sion), by changing tires, overloading the
vehicle or operations that require the
vehicle to be lowered.
Be sure not to place bumper stickers or
other adhesives over the sensors as this will
affect system performance.
LANE DEPARTURE WARNING
(LDW) SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
Lane Departure Warning Operation
The Lane Departure Warning system uses a
forward looking camera located on the wind -
shield to detect lane markings and measure
vehicle position within the lane boundaries.
When one or both lane limits are detected and
the vehicle passes over one without an acti -
vated turn signal, the system emits a visual as
well as an audible signal.
If the vehicle continues to go beyond the line
of the lane without any intervention from the
driver, the surpassed line will light up on the
display (left or right) to urge the driver to bring
the vehicle back into the limits of the lane.
CAUTION!
Projecting loads on the roof of the vehicle
may interfere with the correct operation of
the camera. Before starting, make sure
the load is correctly positioned in order to
not cover the camera operating range.
Do not cover the operating range of the
camera with stickers or other objects.
Do not tamper with nor operate on the
camera. Do not close the openings in the
aesthetic cover located under the interior
rearview mirror. In the event of a failure of
the camera, contact an authorized dealer.
The camera may have limited or absent
operation due to weather conditions such
as: heavy rain, hail, thick fog, heavy snow,
formation of ice layers on the windshield.
Camera operation may also be compro -
mised by the presence of dust, condensa -
tion, dirt or ice on the windshield, by traffic
conditions (e.g. vehicles that are driving
not aligned with yours, vehicle driving in a
transverse or opposite way on the same
lane, bend with a small radius of curva -
ture), by road surface conditions and by
driving conditions (e.g. off-road driving).
Make sure the windshield is always clean.
Use specific detergents and clean cloths
to avoid scratching the windshield. The
camera operation may also be limited or
absent in some driving, traffic and road
surface conditions.
If the windshield must be replaced due to
scratches, chipping or breakage, contact
exclusively your authorized dealer. Do not
replace the windshield on your own. It is
advisable to replace the windshield if it is
damaged in the area of the camera.
CAUTION! (Continued)
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 128
137
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of
your vehicle including driver, passengers,
vehicle, options and cargo. The label also
specifies maximum capacities of front and
rear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be
limited so GVWR and front and rear GAWR are
not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the
allowable load weight a truck can carry,
including the weight of the driver, all passen-
gers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load
on the front and rear axles. The load must be
distributed in the cargo area so that the GAWR
of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the compo -
nents in the system with the lowest load
carrying capacity (axle, springs, tires or
wheels). Heavier axles or suspension compo -
nents sometimes specified by purchasers for
increased durability do not necessarily
increase the vehicle's GVWR.
Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label
represents the actual tire size on your vehicle.
Replacement tires must be equal to the load
capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the
tire size listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your
vehicle for all loading conditions up to full
GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the
total weight of the vehicle with all fluids,
including vehicle fuel, at full capacity condi -
tions, and with no occupants or cargo loaded
into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your
vehicle on a commercial scale before any
occupants or cargo are added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the
front and rear of your vehicle at the ground can
best be determined by weighing it when it is
loaded and ready for operation. The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a
commercial scale to ensure that the GVWR
has not been exceeded. The weight on the
front and rear of the vehicle should then be
determined separately to be sure that the load
is properly distributed over the front and rear
axle. Weighing the vehicle may show that the
GAWR of either the front or rear axles has
been exceeded but the total load is within the
specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appro
-
priate until the specified weight limitations are
met. Store the heavier items down low and be
sure that the weight is distributed equally.
Stow all loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an
adverse effect on the way your vehicle steers
and handles and the way the brakes operate.
CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the GVWR or the maximum front and rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the way your vehicle
handles. This could cause you to lose
control. Also overloading can shorten the
life of your vehicle.
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 137
STARTING AND OPERATING
138
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing is not recommended for this
vehicle.
SUGGESTIONS FOR DRIVING
Saving Fuel
Below are some suggestions which may help
you save fuel and lower the amount of harmful
emissions released into the atmosphere.
Vehicle Maintenance
Checks and operations should be carried out
in accordance with the Maintenance Plan
Ú
page 204.
Tires
Check the tire pressures at least once every
four weeks: if the pressure is too low,
consumption levels increase as resistance to
rolling is higher.
Unnecessary Loads
Do not travel with an overloaded trunk. The
weight of the vehicle and its arrangement
greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Electric Devices
Use electrical systems only for the amount of
time needed. The rear window defroster, addi -
tional headlights, windshield wipers and
heater blower fan require a considerable
amount of energy; increasing the current
uptake increases fuel consumption (by up to
+25% when city driving). Climate Control System
Using the climate control system will increase
consumption: use standard ventilation when
the temperature outside permits.
Devices for Aerodynamic Control
The use of non-certified devices for aerody
-
namic control may adversely affect air drag
and consumption levels.
Driving Style
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs
when the vehicle is stationary; this causes the
engine to warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It
is therefore advisable to drive off immediately,
slowly, avoiding high speeds: by doing this the
engine will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary Actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic lights
or before stopping the engine. This action is
unnecessary and causes increased fuel
consumption and pollution.
Gear Selection
Use a high gear when traffic and road condi -
tions allow it. Using a low gear for faster accel -
eration will increase fuel consumption.
Improper use of a high gear increases
consumption, emissions and engine wear. Max. Speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases as
speed increases. Maintain a constant speed,
avoiding unnecessary braking and accelera
-
tion, which cost in terms of both fuel consump -
tion and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects consump -
tion and emissions: acceleration should be
gradual and should not exceed the maximum
torque.
Conditions Of Use
Cold Starting
Short trips and frequent cold starts will not
allow the engine to reach optimum operating
temperature. This results in a significant
increase in consumption levels (from +15 to
+30% in city driving) and emissions.
Traffic And Road Conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by heavy
traffic, for instance when traveling in traffic
with frequent use of low gears or in cities with
many traffic lights. Winding mountain roads
and rough road surfaces also adversely affect
consumption.
Stops In Traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. railway cross -
ings), turn off the engine.
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 138
141
(Continued)
This very important section describes the
safety systems that your vehicle may be
equipped with, and provides instructions on
how to use them correctly.
ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS
The vehicle may be equipped with the
following active safety devices:
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Active Torque Vectoring (ATV)
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
Drive Train Control (DTC)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Panic Brake Assist (PBA)
Traction Control System (TCS)
For the operation of the systems, see the
following pages.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
An integral part of the braking system, the ABS
prevents one or more wheels from locking and
slipping in all road surface conditions, regard -
less of the intensity of the braking action. The
system ensures that the vehicle can be
controlled even during emergency braking,
allowing the driver to optimize stopping
distances. The system intervenes during braking when
the wheels are about to lock, typically in emer
-
gency braking or low-grip conditions where
locking may be more frequent.
The system also improves control and stability
of the vehicle when braking on a surface
where the grip of the left and right wheels
varies, such as in a corner.
The Electronic Braking Force Distribution
(EBD) system works with the ABS, allowing the
brake force to be distributed between the front
and rear wheels.
System Intervention
The ABS equipped on this vehicle is provided
with the "Brake-by-wire" (Integrated Brake
System — IBS) function. With this system, the
command given by pressing the brake pedal is
not transmitted hydraulically, but electrically.
Therefore, the light pulsation that is felt on the
pedal with the traditional system is no longer
noticeable.
WARNING!
The ABS contains sophisticated electronic
equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly
installed or high output radio transmitting
equipment. This interference can cause
possible loss of anti-lock braking capa -
bility. Installation of such equipment
should be performed by qualified profes -
sionals.
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will
diminish their effectiveness and may lead
to a collision. Pumping makes the stop -
ping distance longer. Just press firmly on
your brake pedal when you need to slow
down or stop.
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws
of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering effi -
ciency beyond that afforded by the condi -
tion of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
The ABS cannot prevent collisions,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle
too closely, or hydroplaning.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck -
less or dangerous manner that could jeop -
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
WARNING! (Continued)
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 141
SAFETY
142
Active Torque Vectoring (ATV) — If Equipped
The dynamic drive control is used to optimize
and balance the drive torque between the
wheels of the same axles. The ATV system
improves the grip in turns, sending more drive
torque to the external wheel.
Given that, in a turn, the external wheels of the
car travel more than the internal ones and
therefore turn faster, sending a higher thrust
to the external rear wheel allows for the car to
be more stable and to not suffer an "under-
steer" condition. Understeer occurs when the
vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the
steering wheel position.
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
DST uses the integration of the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system with the electric
power steering to increase the safety level of
the whole vehicle.
In critical situations (braking on surfaces with
different grip conditions), the ESC system
controls the steering through the DST function
to implement an additional torque contribu-
tion on the steering wheel in order to suggest
the most correct maneuver to the driver.
The coordinated action of the brakes and
steering increases the sensation of safety and
control of the vehicle.
NOTE:
The DST feature is only meant to help the driver
realize the correct course of action through small
torques on the steering wheel, which means the
effectiveness of the DST feature is highly depen
-
dent on the driver’s sensitivity and overall reac -
tion to the applied torque. It is very important to
realize that this feature will not steer the vehicle,
meaning the driver is still responsible for
steering the vehicle.
Drive Train Control (DTC) System — If
Equipped
Some models of this vehicle are equipped with
an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, which offers
an optimal drive for countless driving condi -
tions and road surfaces. The system reduces
the slipping of the tires to a minimum, auto -
matically redistributing the torque to the front
and rear wheels as needed.
To maximize fuel savings, the vehicle with
AWD automatically passes to Rear-Wheel
Drive (RWD) when the road and environmental
conditions are such that they wouldn't cause
the tires to slip. When the road and environ -
mental conditions require better traction, the
vehicle automatically goes to AWD mode.
NOTE:
If the system failure symbol switches on, after
starting the engine or while driving, it means
that the AWD system is not working properly. If
the warning message activates frequently, it is
recommended to carry out the maintenance
operations.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The ESC system improves the directional
control and stability of the vehicle in various
driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle’s under -
steer 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.
Oversteer occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according to the
angle of the steering wheel.
Understeer occurs when the vehicle is
turning less than it should according to the
angle of the steering wheel.
The ESC system uses sensors installed on the
vehicle to determine the path that the driver
intends to follow and compares it with the
vehicle’s effective path. When the real path
deviates from the desired path, the ESC
system intervenes to counteract the above
conditions.
System Intervention
The intervention of the system is indicated by
the flashing of the ESC warning light on the
instrument panel, to inform the driver that the
vehicle stability and grip are critical.
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 142
143
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This is an integral part of the ESC system and
facilitates starting on slopes, activating auto-
matically in the following cases:
Uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine running,
brake pressed and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N) or gear other than REVERSE
(R) engaged.
Downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine running,
brake pressed and REVERSE gear engaged.
When starting to move forward from a
complete stop, the ESC system control unit
maintains the braking pressure on the wheels
until the engine torque necessary for starting
is reached, or in any case for a maximum of
two seconds, allowing your right foot to be
moved easily from the brake pedal to the
accelerator.
The system will automatically deactivate after
two seconds without starting, gradually
releasing the braking pressure. During this
release stage, it is possible to hear a typical
mechanical brake release noise, indicating
the imminent movement of the vehicle.
Panic Brake Assist (PBA)
The PBA system is designed to improve the
vehicle’s braking capacity during emergency
braking.
The system detects emergency braking by
monitoring the speed and force with which the
brake pedal is pressed, and consequently
applies the optimal brake pressure. This can
reduce the braking distance: the PBA system
therefore complements the ABS.
WARNING!
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. ESC cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery
surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also
cannot prevent accidents resulting from
loss of vehicle control due to inappro -
priate driver input for the conditions. Only
a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESC equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
Vehicle modifications, or failure to prop -
erly maintain your vehicle, may change
the handling characteristics of your
vehicle, and may negatively affect the
performance of the ESC system. Changes
to the steering system, suspension,
braking system, tire type and size or wheel
size may adversely affect ESC perfor-
mance. Improperly inflated and unevenly
worn tires may also degrade ESC perfor -
mance. Any vehicle modification or poor
vehicle maintenance that reduces the
effectiveness of the ESC system can
increase the risk of loss of vehicle control,
vehicle rollover, personal injury and death.
WARNING!
There may be situations where the Hill Start
Assist (HSA) will not activate and slight
rolling may occur, such as on minor hills or
with a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a
trailer. HSA is not a substitute for active
driving involvement. It is always the driver’s
responsibility to be attentive to distance to
other vehicles, people, and objects, and
most importantly brake operation to ensure
safe operation of the vehicle under all road
conditions. Your complete attention is
always required while driving to maintain
safe control of your vehicle. Failure to follow
these warnings can result in a collision or
serious personal injury.
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 143