2021 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA traction control

11

SAFETY
ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS ..................... 141
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 141
Active Torque Vectoring (ATV) —
If Equipped ...........................................142 Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) .........142
Drive Train Control (DTC) System —
If Equipped ...........................................142 Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ........142
Hill Start Assist (HSA)...........................143
Panic Brake Assist (PBA) .....................143
Traction Control System (TCS) ............144
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS .............. 144
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System —
If Equipped ..........................................145 Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA) System —
If Equipped ..........................................147 Driver Attention Assist (DAA) System —
If Equipped ...........................................150 Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
System ..................................................151 Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) ..................................... 156
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ....... 159
Occupant Restraint Systems
Features ..............................................159 Important Safety Precautions .............159
Seat Belt Systems ............................... 159
Supplemental Restraint
Systems (SRS)...................................... 165 Child Restraints....................................174
SAFETY TIPS .......................................... 187
Transporting Passengers .................... 187
Transporting Pets ............................... 187
Safety Checks You Should Make
Inside The Vehicle .............................. 187 Periodic Safety Checks You Should
Make Outside The Vehicle .................. 188 Exhaust Gas ......................................... 189
Carbon Monoxide Warnings................ 189
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ............. 190SOS - EMERGENCY CALL ...................... 190
TIRE SERVICE KIT .................................. 194
Description ........................................... 194
Inflation Procedure .............................. 195
Checking And Restoring Tire
Pressure ............................................... 197 Sealant Cartridge Replacement ......... 197
JUMP STARTING .................................... 198
Remote Battery Connection Posts ..... 198
Jump Starting....................................... 199
Bump Starting...................................... 200
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............... 200
MANUAL PARK RELEASE ....................... 201
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ............. 201
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Models........ 202
All Wheel Drive (AWD) Models ............ 202
TOW EYES............................................... 202ENHANCED ACCIDENT
RESPONSE SYSTEM (EARS) .................. 203EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ............ 203 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING ....................... 204
Periodic Checks................................... 204
Heavy Usage Of The Vehicle............... 204
Maintenance Plan — 2.0L Engine ...... 205
Maintenance Plan — 2.9L Engine ...... 208
ENGINE COMPARTMENT....................... 211
Checking Levels — 2.0L Engine ......... 211
Checking Levels — 2.9L Engine ........ 212
Engine Oil............................................. 213
Engine Coolant .................................... 214
Washer Fluid For Windshield/
Headlights............................................ 214 Brake Fluid .......................................... 214
Automatic Transmission Activation
System Oil ............................................ 214 Useful Advice For Extending
The Life Of Your Battery ...................... 214 Battery ................................................. 215
Pressure Washing ............................... 215
BATTERY RECHARGING......................... 215
Important Notes .................................. 215
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ....................... 217
Engine Oil............................................. 217
Engine Oil Filter ................................... 217
Engine Air Cleaner............................... 217
Air Conditioning System
Maintenance ....................................... 217 Lubricating Moving Parts Of
The Bodywork ...................................... 218 Windshield Wiper ................................ 218
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

82

Low Coolant Level — If Equipped
This telltale will illuminate to indicate
that the vehicle coolant level is low.
Service Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
System
This light will illuminate when the
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is not
operating and needs service.
Contact an authorized dealer to have the
system checked.
Wear On Brake Pads
This light will illuminate when the
brake pads have reached their wear
limit.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.

NOTE:

Always use genuine parts or similar because
the Integrated Brake System (IBS) system
could detect anomalies.
Dynamic Drive Control System Failure
The telltale will illuminate to signal a
failure in the dynamic drive control
system.
Windshield Wiper Failure
Signals a windshield wiper failure.
Contact an authorized dealer.
Generic Indication
Signals information and failures.
The accompanying messages
describe the failure.
All Wheel Drive Failure
This telltale will illuminate along with
an accompanying message when
the AWD dynamic control system is
temporarily deactivated to prevent
damage. The traction system will work in RWD
mode in this instance.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible to have the failure eliminated.
Temporary All Wheel Drive Failure — If
Equipped
This telltale will illuminate to indicate
that the AWD dynamic control
system is temporarily deactivated to
prevent damage. The traction
system will work in RWD mode in this instance.
In the event that this telltale illuminates,
reduce the load to allow the system to cool
down. The AWD system will resume normal
operation when the symbol disappears from
the display.
ABS Activation
This telltale will illuminate to indicate
that the ABS system has activated.
Adaptive Front Lighting System Failure
The telltale will illuminate to indicate
the automatic directional light
system failure.
Go to an authorized dealer to have the system
checked.
Soft Suspension Calibration Insertion — If
Equipped
The telltale will illuminate when the
most comfortable suspension
setting is activated.
Shock Absorbers Failure
While driving, if the telltale illumi -
nates, it signals a failure in the
suspension system.
Contact an authorized dealer to have the
system checked.
Windshield Washer Liquid Level

The telltale will illuminate to indicate
that the level of the windshield and
headlight washing fluid (if any) is low.

Always use liquid with the features indicated in
the “Fluids And Lubricants”
Ú
page 214.
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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)
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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.
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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.
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SAFETY

144

Maximum assistance from the PBA system is
obtained by pressing the brake pedal very
quickly. In addition, the brake pedal should be
pressed continuously during braking, avoiding
intermittent presses, to get the most out of the
system. Do not reduce pressure on the brake
pedal until braking is no longer necessary.
The PBA system is deactivated when the brake
pedal is released.
Traction Control System (TCS)
The TCS automatically operates in the event of
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads (hydro-
planing), and acceleration on one or both drive
wheels on roads that are slippery, snowy, icy, etc. Depending on the slipping conditions, two
different control systems are activated:
If the slipping involves both drive wheels,
the system intervenes, reducing the power
transmitted by the engine.
If the slipping only involves one of the drive
wheels, the Brake Limited Differential (BLD)
function is activated, automatically braking
the wheel which is slipping (the behavior of
a self-locking differential is simulated). This
will increase the engine torque transferred
to the wheel which isn't slipping.
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.
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS
The following auxiliary driving systems are
available in this vehicle:
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driver Attention Assist (DAA) The vehicle may also be fitted with the
following driving assistance systems:
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) — If Equipped
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
Highway Assist System (HAS)
Traffic Jam Assist (TJA)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Intelligent Speed Control (ISC)
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
For the operation of the LDW, LKA, HAS, TJA,
ACC, ISC, or TSR systems, see
Ú
page 86.

NOTE:

When driving on two-way roads where there is
no lane dividing center line (e.g. on unpaved
roads), the use of the Active Blind Spot Assist
(ABSA), HAS, TJA, and LKA systems is strongly
discouraged as the system could detect the
entire road as single-lane dividing lines.

NOTE:

The driving assistance systems are designed
to aid in driving the car. The driver must always
maintain a sufficient level of attention to the
traffic and road conditions and control the
trajectory of the car.
WARNING!
The Panic Brake Assist (PBA) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded by prevailing road
conditions. PBA cannot prevent collisions,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery
surfaces, or hydroplaning. The capabilities
of a PBA-equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user's
safety or the safety of others.
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247

soap to wipe away promptly. Do not use harsh
chemicals or a stiff brush. They can damage
the wheel’s protective coating that helps keep
them from corroding and tarnishing.
When cleaning extremely dirty wheels
including excessive brake dust, care must be
taken in the selection of tire and wheel
cleaning chemicals and equipment to prevent
damage to the wheels. Select a non-abrasive,
non-acidic cleaner for aluminum or chrome
wheels.
NOTE:

If you intend parking or storing your vehicle for
an extended period after cleaning the wheels
with wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle and
apply the brakes to remove the water droplets
from the brake components. This activity will
remove the red rust on the brake rotors and
prevent vehicle vibration when braking.
Dark Or Low Gloss Wheels
Tire Types
All Season Tires — If Equipped
All Season tires provide traction for all seasons
(Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter). Trac
-
tion levels may vary between different all
season tires. All season tires can be identified
by the M+S, M&S, M/S or MS designation on
the tire sidewall. Use all season tires only in
sets of four; failure to do so may adversely
affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
Summer Or Three Season Tires — If
Equipped
Summer tires provide traction in both wet and
dry conditions, and are not intended to be
driven in snow or on ice. If your vehicle is
equipped with Summer tires, be aware these
tires are not designed for Winter or cold driving
conditions. Install Winter tires on your vehicle
when ambient temperatures are less than
40°F (5°C) or if roads are covered with ice or
snow. For more information, contact an autho -
rized dealer.
Summer tires do not contain the all season
designation or mountain/snowflake symbol on
the tire sidewall. Use Summer tires only in sets
of four; failure to do so may adversely affect
the safety and handling of your vehicle.
Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of
snow tires during the Winter. Snow tires can
be identified by a “mountain/snowflake”
symbol on the tire sidewall.
CAUTION!
Avoid products or automatic car washes
that use acidic solutions or strong alkaline
additives or harsh brushes. Many
aftermarket wheel cleaners and automatic
car washes may damage the wheel's
protective finish. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Only car wash soap is
recommended.
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a
bristle brush, metal polishes or oven
cleaner. These products may damage the
wheel's protective finish. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Only car wash soap is
recommended.
CAUTION!
If your vehicle is equipped with these
specialty wheels, DO NOT USE wheel
cleaners, abrasives, or polishing
compounds. They will permanently damage
this finish and such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. HAND
WASH ONLY USING MILD SOAP AND WATER
WITH A SOFT CLOTH. Used on a regular
basis; this is all that is required to maintain
this finish.
WARNING!
Do not use Summer tires in snow/ice
conditions. You could lose vehicle control,
resulting in severe injury or death. Driving
too fast for conditions also creates the
possibility of loss of vehicle control.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

250

DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories
were established by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The specific grade rating assigned by
the tire's manufacturer in each cate-
gory is shown on the sidewall of the
tires on your vehicle.
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal safety require -
ments in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative
rating, based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half times
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100. The relative perfor -
mance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These
grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement, as measured
under controlled conditions on speci -
fied government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat,
when tested under controlled condi -
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature
can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corre -
sponds to a level of performance, which all passenger vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance
on the laboratory test wheel, than the
minimum required by law.
STORING THE VEHICLE
If the vehicle is left inactive for longer than a
month, the following precautions should be
observed:
Park the vehicle in an area that is covered
and dry, and well-ventilated if possible.
Slightly open the windows.
Check that the Electric Park Brake is not
activated.
Carry out the procedure: “manual trunk
opening device” procedure described in this
paragraph.
Disconnect the negative battery terminal
and check the battery charge. Repeat this
check once every three months during
storage.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
WARNING!

The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed,
under-inflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.

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