
STARTING THE ENGINE
93) 94) 95)
17) 18) 19) 20)
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.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown on the
display.
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Except Turbo TwinAir versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gearbox lever in neutral;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
Turbo TwinAir versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral or fully press the
clutch pedal if a gear other than neutral is
engaged;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.Versions with LPG system
To properly perform the starting
procedure, refer to as previously
described.
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the mode previously
selected. There must therefore always be
some petrol in the tank to protect the
petrol pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from LPG to petrol operation, if
high performance is required.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Except Turbo TwinAir versions:Ifthe
engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before
repeating the procedure.
For Turbo TwinAir versions only:Ifthe
vehicle does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
and repeat the starting procedure placing
the gear lever in neutral and fully
pressing the clutch pedal.
If, with the ignition key turned to MAR,
the
symbol is shown on the display
together with the warning light
, turn
the key to STOP and then back to MAR. If
the symbol on the display is still shown,
try with the other keys provided with the
car. Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership if
the engine still does not start.
Never leave the ignition key in
MAR-ON position when the engine is
stopped.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
turn the ignition key to MAR position:
the
warning light will light up on
instrument panel;
wait for the warning light to switch off;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV; the
warning light switches off. Waiting
too long will waste the heating work
carried out by the glow plugs. Release the
key as soon as the engine starts.
WARNING
93)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.
94)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.
95)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
90
STARTING AND DRIVING

IMPORTANT
17)We recommend that during the initial
period, or during the first 1600 km
(1000 miles), you do not drive to full car
performance (e.g. excessive acceleration,
long journeys at top speed, sharp braking,
etc.).
18)When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR position
to prevent useless current absorption from
draining the battery.
19)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
damaging for the engine.
20)Warning light
will flash after starting
or during prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault with the glow plug heating system. If
the engine starts, the vehicle can be regularly
used, but an Alfa Romeo Dealership must be
contacted as soon as possible.
PARKING THE VEHICLE
96) 97)
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1stgear if facing uphill
or reverse if facing downhill) and leave
the wheels turned;
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.
On versions equipped with Alfa TCT
transmission, before releasing the brake
pedal, wait for letter P to be displayed.
IMPORTANTNEVERleave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with Alfa TCT transmission,
before placing the gear lever at P).
HANDBRAKE
To engage the handbrake, pull lever 1
fig. 65 upwards until the car is secured.
When the handbrake is engaged and the
ignition key is on MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
will
switch on.
To release it, raise lever 1 slightly, hold
down button 2 and lower the lever: the
warning light
on the instrument
panel switches off.
IMPORTANT Carry out these
manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
IMPORTANT For cars equipped with a
front armrest, lift it up to ensure that it
does not interfere with the action of the
handbrake.
WARNING
96)Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the car and take it with you.
97)The car should be braked after a few
clicks of the parking brake: if this is not so,
contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have it
adjusted. Always park the car safely as
indicated by the Highway Code and as
described above.
65A0J0110C
91

USING ALFA TCT
TRANSMISSION
(where provided)
SELECTOR LEVER
The fig. 69 lever has the following
positions:
The fig. 70 lever has the following
positions:
P= Park
R= Reverse
N= Neutral
D= Drive, (automatic forward speed)
+= Sequential upshifting
−= Sequential downshiftingIf the lever is used in sequential mode,
moving the latter from D to the left, the
positions towards + or – are unstable.
The lever has a button 1 (on the front
side, see figure), which must be pressed
to move the lever to P or R.
Shifting from D to "Sequential mode" and
vice versa is free.
Shifting from D to N is free.
Shifting from N to R and from R to P is
possible only with button on gear lever
pressed.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting is only permitted with gear lever
in position P or N (with or without brake
pedal pressed).
On starting, the system is at N or P (the
latter means neutral, but with the car’s
wheels locked mechanically).
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
Engine can be switched off in any
position of the gear lever.
Versions with Start&Stop system
To switch the engine off, you need to stop
the car by pressing the brake pedal
properly; if the pressure is not enough,
the engine will not be switched off. This
feature can be exploited so that the
engine does not switch off in particular
traffic conditions.
REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY
99)
The ignition key can be removed only with
gear lever in P position. For removal
procedure, see as described on
paragraph “ALFA TCT Transmission - Key
removal” in the chapter “In an
emergency”.
MOVING THE CAR
23)
To move the car, from P press the brake
pedal and, using the button on the gear
lever, move the lever to the desired
position (D, R or "Sequential mode").
The display will show the gear engaged.
When the brake pedal is released, the car
starts moving forwards or backwards, as
soon as the manoeuvre is activated
("creeping" effect). The accelerator
should not be pressed in this case.
69A0J0360C
70A0J0367C
93

The upshifting/downshifting is only
permitted if the engine revs allow it
If the car is stopped with a higher gear
than 1st speed engaged, the
transmission will automatically engage
1st gear.
IMPORTANT
22)If the car is on a gradient, always engage
the handbrake BEFORE placing the gear
lever in P.
23)Engage reverse only with the car
stationary, engine at idling speed and
accelerator pedal fully released.
24)Using the paddles incorrectly (paddles
pushed towards the dashboard ) could break
them.
WARNING
99)Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car and take the key with you.
START&STOP SYSTEM
(where provided)
The Start&Stop system automatically
stops the engine each time the vehicle is
stationary and starts it again when the
driver wants to move off. In this way, the
vehicle efficiency is increased, by
reducing consumption, dangerous gas
emissions and sound pollution.
OPERATING MODE
Stopping the engine
With the vehicle stopped, the engine
stops with gearbox in neutral and clutch
pedal released.
NOTE The engine can only be stopped
automatically after exceeding about
10 km/h, to prevent the engine from
being repeatedly stopped when driving at
walking pace.
The symbol
appears on the display
when the engine stops.
Restarting the engine
To restart the engine, press the clutch
pedal.
72A0J0376C
95

SYSTEM MANUAL ACTIVATION /
DEACTIVATION
To activate/deactivate manually the
system, press the fig. 73 button on the
trim next to the steering wheel.
Start&Stop system activation:A
message will appear on the display when
the Start&Stop system is activated.
Start&Stop system deactivation: The
symbol and a message will appear on
the display. When the system is
deactivated, the
warning light on the
instrument panel switches on.
MISSED ENGINE STOPPING
CONDITIONS
25)
When the system is active, for a higher
comfort and safety, and to reduce
emissions, the engine does not stop in
certain ambient conditions, engineconditions, with the driver door not
closed and driver seat belt unfastened.
SAFETY FUNCTIONS
When the engine is stopped by the
Start&Stop system, if the driver releases
his/her seat belt and opens the driver's or
passenger's door, the engine can be
restarted only by the ignition key.
The driver is informed by a buzzer and by
the flashing of the symbol
on the
display (on some versions, a message is
displayed as well).
"ENERGY SAVING" FUNCTION(where provided)
If, following the automatic engine
restarting, the driver does not carry out
any action on the vehicle for over
3 minutes, the Start&Stop system stops
the engine definitely, to prevent fuel
consumption. In these cases, the engine
can be restarted only using the ignition
key.
NOTE In any case, it is possible to keep
the engine running by deactivating the
Start&Stop system.
IRREGULAR OPERATION
In the event of malfunction, the
Start&Stop system is deactivated.
The fault is indicated by the
symbol
switching on (on some version a specific
message is also shown) on the display.In this case, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
VEHICLE INACTIVITY
100)
In the event of vehicle inactivity (or if the
battery is replaced), special attention
must be paid to the disconnection of the
battery power supply.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP, wait at least 1 minute
before disconnecting the electrical
supply to the battery.
IMPORTANT
25)If climate comfort is to be favoured, the
Stop/Start system can be deactivated, for a
continuous operation of the climate control
system.
WARNING
100)When replacing the battery, always
contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership. Replace
the battery with one of the same type
(HEAVY DUTY) and with the same
specifications.
73A0J0307C
96
STARTING AND DRIVING

INSTALLING A TOW HOOK
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to
install a tow hook.
WARNING
105)The ABS with which the car is equipped
will not control the braking system of the
trailer. Particular caution is therefore
required on slippery roads.
106)Do not, under any circumstances,
modify the vehicle's braking system to
control the trailer breaking system. The
towing braking system must be completely
independent of the vehicle's hydraulic
system.
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE
During refuelling procedure, switch off
the engine, engage handbrake, rotate the
ignition key to STOP and do not smoke.
PETROL ENGINES
Only use unleaded petrol. The petrol
octane rating (RON) must not be lower
than 95. In order to prevent damage to
the catalytic converter never introduce
even the smallest amount of leaded
petrol, even in the event of an emergency.
DIESEL ENGINES
Only use diesel fuel compliant with
European specification EN590. The use
of other products or mixtures may
damage the engine beyond repair and
consequently invalidate the warranty,
due to the damage caused.
When using or parking the vehicle for a
long time in the mountains or cold areas,
it is advisable to refuel using locally
available Diesel. In this case, it is also
advisable to keep the tank over 50% full.
FUEL TANK CAP
107)
Opening
Open flap 1 fig. 76 pulling it outwards,
hold cap 2 still, insert the ignition key in
the lock and turn it anticlockwise. Then,turn the cap anticlockwise and remove it.
The cap has a loss prevention device
3 which secures it to the flap so that it
cannot be lost. Attach the cap to device
4 during refuelling.
Closing
Fit the cap (complete with key) and turn it
clockwise until it clicks once or more.
Then, turn the key clockwise and extract
it, then close the flap.
The sealing may cause a slight pressure
increase in the tank. A little breathing off,
while slackening the cap is absolutely
normal.
ENGINES WITH LPGSYSTEM
The gas filler is located next to the petrol
filler cap. It has a "non return", located in
the filler body itself.
To access the filler 2 fig. 77 open the
access flap 1.
76A0J0327C
100
STARTING AND DRIVING

Observe the following precautions during
the refuelling operation:
switch off the engine;
apply the handbrake;
ignition key turned to the OFF
position;
do not smoke;
hand the special adapter over to the
qualified LPG refuelling personnel.
IMPORTANT Depending on the country,
there are various types of adapters for
the refuelling pump. Adapter 3 fig. 78,
supplied with the car and located in a
special case, is specifically designed for
the country in which the car is sold. If you
are in a different country, find out what
type of adapter is used there.
WARNING
107)Do not bring naked flames or lit
cigarettes near to the fuel tank opening: fire
risk. Keep your face away from the fuel filler
to prevent breathing in harmful vapours.
77A0J0315C78A0J0320C
101

Engine compartment junction boxfig. 91
DEVICE PROTECTEDFUSE AMPERE
Ignition deviceF03 20
Passenger compartment fanF08 40
Additional heater (Turbo TwinAir and 1.3 JTD
M-2versions)F09 5
Two-tone hornF10 15
Main beam headlightsF14 15
Additional heater (PTC 1)F15 30
Air conditioning compressorF19 7.5
Heated rear windscreen, demisting system F20 30
Electric fuel pump in tankF21 15
Front fog lightsF30 15
Additional heater (PTC2)F81 60
Additional heater (PTC1)F82 50
Additional heater (PTC2)F82 40
FreeF83 –
HI-FI sound system (control units, Bassbox speaker) mechanical gearbox setup F84 20
Power socket on tunnelF85 15
Electric door mirror demisters / Demisters on windscreen jets / Relay switch coil for heated
windscreenF87 7.5
113