
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
78
Red Symbols
Alfa Steering Torque (AST) Failure
The switching on of the telltale
signals a failure in the automatic
steering correction system.
Contact an authorized dealer to have the
system checked.
Alternator Failure
The switching on of the telltale with
engine on corresponds to an alter -
nator failure.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Automatic Transmission Failure
The telltale turns on, together with a
buzzer warning, to indicate that the
automatic transmission is faulty.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Driver Attention Assist (DAA) System
Activation
The symbol appears, together with a
message on the display, in case of
activation of the DAA system.
Stop to pause while driving, pulling the car
over in safe conditions.
Door Open
The telltale turns on when one or
more doors are not completely shut.
An acoustic signal is activated with
the doors open and the car moving.
Close the doors properly.
Power Steering Failure
If the telltale remains on, you may
not have steering assistance and the
effort required to operate the
steering wheel may be increased;
steering is, however, possible.
NOTE:
After the battery is disconnected, the steering
wheel must be initialized. The Power Steering
Failure light on the instrument panel will illumi -
nate to indicate this. To carry out this proce -
dure, simply turn the steering wheel all the way
from one end to the other, and then turn it
back to the central position.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning
Light
This warning light, along with the
related message, signals a failure in
the ETC.
If a failure is detected, the warning light turns
on while the engine is running.
Place the gear selector in the Park (P) position
and the ignition in the off position: the warning
light should switch off. If the warning light
stays on with engine running, the vehicle can
still be driven.
If the warning light flashes with the engine
running, immediate intervention is required. A
loss of performance, irregular/high idling
speed or engine stopping might take place
and the vehicle may need to be towed.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible to have the failure eliminated.
Engine Coolant Temperature Too High
The telltale lights up when the
engine has overheated.
In normal driving conditions : stop the car, turn
off the engine and check that the coolant level
in the reservoir is not below the MIN mark. In
this case, wait for the engine to cool down,
then slowly and carefully open the cap, fill with
coolant and check that the level is between
the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir itself.
CAUTION!
Driving the vehicle with this symbol on may
severely damage the gearbox, with resulting
breakage. The oil may also overheat:
contact with hot engine or with exhaust
components at high temperature could
cause fires.
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STARTING AND OPERATING
130
The system operates in the same way, but
mirrored, in the event of exiting the right lane
when only the right lane marking has been
detected.
Left Lane Departure — Both Lanes Detected
When the system is active, both lane lines on
the display illuminate in white to indicate that
both of the lane markings have been detected.
When lane markings are detected, the system
is ready to provide indications in case the
driver unintentionally leaves the lane (turn
signal not activated).
As the Lane Departure Warning system
detects the lane markings while the vehicle is
in motion, it will adjust the display accordingly
(from white to yellow and vice versa, and
increase their thickness).
If a lane line is crossed, the driver is alerted by
an audible signal as well as the visual indica-
tion in the instrument cluster. The signal is
emitted through the speakers on the side of
the lane marking which is being crossed (e.g.
if the vehicle is exceeding the left line of the
lane, the audible signal will come from the
speakers on the left of the vehicle).
Limited Operation Warning
If a message appears on the display, a condi -
tion limiting the Lane Departure Warning
system operation may have occurred. This
could be an obstruction of the camera view, or
a fault in the system. If an obstruction is detected, clean the area of
the windshield by the interior rearview mirror.
Although the vehicle can still be driven in
normal conditions, the system may not func
-
tion properly.
When the conditions limiting the system are
corrected, it will go back to normal operation.
Should a fault persist, contact an authorized
dealer.
System Failure Warning
If the system turns off and the warning light
appears on the display, it means that there is
a system fault.
In this case, it is still possible to drive the
vehicle, but you are advised to contact an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Changing Lane Departure Warning Status
The system's sensitivity can be set through the
radio system. Sensitivity “High” or “Low” can
be selected.
To access the function, from the main menu
select the following in order:
1. “Settings”
2. “Driver Assistance”
3. “Lane Departure Warning”
4. “Sensitivity”
LANE KEEPING ASSIST (LKA)
SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) system uses a
camera located on the windshield to detect
the lane markings and calculate the position
of the vehicle within such markings, in order to
make sure that the vehicle remains inside the
lane. This is an active system that will apply
torque to the steering wheel if it senses that
the vehicle is drifting out of the lane.
When one or both lane markings are detected
and the vehicle passes over one without a turn
signal being applied, the system will apply torque
to the steering wheel and a visual signal will be
displayed in the instrument cluster display. An
audible signal may also sound.
If the vehicle continues to go beyond the lane line
without any driver intervention, the surpassed
lane line (left or right) will light up on the instru -
ment cluster display to urge the driver to bring
the vehicle back inside the lane limits.
Lane Crossed
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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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147
(Continued)
“Blind Spot Alert” Function Deactivation
When the system is deactivated (“Blind Spot
Alert” mode off), the BSM or RCP systems will
not emit an audible or a visual warning.
The BSM system will store the operating mode
that was active when the engine was stopped.
Each time the engine is started, the operating
mode stored previously will be recalled and
used.
Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA) System — If
Equipped
The Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA) system
function is to help avoid/limit lateral collisions
with cars located in the blind spot zones, even
changing the vehicle’s trajectory in order to
keep it in the detected lane.
The system warns the driver about the pres-
ence of other vehicles in the detection area by
illuminating the warning light located within
the door mirror on the side in which the other
vehicle was detected and by means of an
acoustic signal and/or vibration on the
steering wheel and/or counter-steering torque
on the steering wheel (if the respective item on
the "Driver Assistance" menu is set up and
then selecting "Safety" on the radio system).
When the engine is started, the warning light
illuminates briefly to signal the driver that the
system is active (the warning light comes on
even if the system is activated through the
radio system menu). ABSA Indicator Light
Sensors
The system uses two radar sensors, located in
the rear fascia/bumper (one for each side) to
detect the presence of vehicles (cars, trucks,
motorbikes, etc.) in the rear side blind spots of
the car.
The sensors are activated when any forward
gear is engaged at a speed higher than about
6 mph (10 km/h), or when REVERSE (R) is
engaged.
The sensors are temporarily deactivated when
the car is stationary and in PARK (P).
The detection area of the system covers about
a lane on both sides of the car around 10 ft
(3 meters).
This area begins from the door mirror and
extends for about 20 ft (6 meters) towards the
rear part of the car. WARNING!
The accident risk persists despite the
application of torque to the steering wheel
by the ABSA system.
Applying a torque that corrects the steering
wheel alignment does not always prevent
an accident. It is always the driver's respon
-
sibility to steer, brake or accelerate, espe -
cially after the ABSA system warning or
after the steering wheel torque interven -
tion. The driver is responsible for ensuring
that there are no pedestrians, other vehi -
cles or objects along the direction of the
vehicle. Failure to comply with these
precautions may cause serious accidents
and injuries. The driver is fully responsible
for holding a safe distance from the vehicle
ahead respecting the highway code in force
in the respective country.
In some cases, the system could apply an
improper torque to the steering wheel.
This application can be interrupted at
anytime turning the steering wheel in the
opposite direction.
WARNING! (Continued)
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