2021 ALFA ROMEO STELVIO automatic transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING

88

After Starting — Warming Up The Engine
Proceed as follows:
Travel slowly, letting the engine run at a
reduced RPM, without accelerating
suddenly.
It is recommended to wait until the digital
engine coolant temperature indicator starts
to rise for maximum performance.
Stopping The Engine
To stop the engine, proceed as follows:
1. Park the vehicle in a position that is notdangerous for oncoming traffic.
2. Engage the PARK (P) mode.
3. With engine idling, push the ENGINE START/STOP button on the steering wheel
to STOP the engine.

NOTE:

Do not leave the ignition in ACC mode when
the engine is off.
To shut off the engine with vehicle speed
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), you must push
and hold the ignition or push the ENGINE
START/STOP button three times consecutively
within a few seconds. The engine will shut
down, and the ignition will be placed in the
ACC mode With the keyless ignition system, it is possible
to exit the vehicle taking the key fob with you,
without the engine switching off. The vehicle
will inform about the absence of the key on
board, when the doors are closed.
After the engine has stopped (cycling from the
ACC to the OFF position) the accessories are
still powered for about three minutes, or until
a door is opened.
When the ignition is in the OFF mode, the
window switches remain active for three
minutes. Opening a front door will cancel this
function.
After severe driving, idle the engine to allow
the temperature inside the engine compart
-
ment to cool before shutting off the engine.
Turbocharger Cool Down
It is recommended before switching the
vehicle off, to keep the engine idling for a few
minutes so that the turbocharger can be suit -
ably lubricated. This procedure is particularly
recommended after severe driving.
After a full load operation, keep the engine
idling for three to five minutes before
switching it off.
This time allows the lubricating oil and the
engine coolant to eliminate the excessive heat
from combustion chamber, bearings, inner
components and turbocharger.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid
into the throttle body air inlet opening in
an attempt to start the vehicle. This could
result in flash fire causing serious
personal injury.
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle
to get it started. Vehicles equipped with an
automatic transmission cannot be started
this way. Unburned fuel could enter the
catalytic converter and once the engine
has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a
start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can
be dangerous if done improperly

Ú
page 201.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
continuously crank the engine for more than
25 seconds at a time. Wait 60 seconds
before trying again.
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91

(Continued)
Disengaging The EPB Manually
In order to manually release the parking brake,
the ignition should be in the ACC mode. Press
the brake pedal, and then push the switch on
the center console briefly.
Noise may be heard from the rear of the
vehicle, and a slight movement of the brake
pedal may be detected during disengagement.
After disengaging the EPB, the BRAKE warning
light on the instrument cluster display and the
light on the switch will turn off.
If the BRAKE warning light on the instrument
cluster display remains on with the EPB disen-
gaged, this indicates a fault: in this case,
contact an authorized dealer.
NOTE:

Always engage the EPB when parking the
vehicle to prevent injury or damage caused
by the unexpected movement of the vehicle.
Never use gear position PARK (P) instead of
the EPB.
Electric Park Brake (EPB) Operating Modes
The EPB may operate as follows:
“Dynamic Operating Mode”: this mode is
activated by pulling the switch repeatedly
while driving.
“Static Engagement and Release Mode”:
with the vehicle stationary, the EPB can be
activated by pulling the switch on the center
console once. Push the switch and the
brake pedal at the same time to disengage
the brake.
“Drive Away Release” — if equipped: the
EPB will automatically disengage with the
driver side seat belt fastened and the detec
-
tion of an action performed by the driver to move the vehicle (DRIVE [D] or REVERSE
[R]). This feature can be turned on or off in
the Information and Entertainment System.

NOTE:

If the car is equipped with carbon-ceramic
brake discs, it is necessary to fasten the seat
belts or turn off the EPB before starting to
avoid damages to the ceramic brake discs.
“Safe Hold”: if the vehicle speed is lower
than 1.9 mph (3 km/h), the gear selector is
not in PARK (P) position and the driver's
intention of leaving the vehicle is detected,
the EPB will automatically engage to hold
the vehicle in safety conditions.
“Auto Park Brake”: if the vehicle speed is
below 1.9 mph (3 km/h), the EPB will auto -
matically engage when the gear selector is
in PARK (P) position. The light on the switch
located on the center console switches on
together with the BRAKE warning light on
the instrument cluster display when the
parking brake is engaged and applied to the
wheels. Each automatic parking brake
engagement can be canceled by pushing
the switch on the center console and at the
same time moving the gear selector for the
transmission to position PARK (P).
Safe Hold
Safe Hold is a safety function that automati -
cally engages the EPB in the event of a
dangerous condition for the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat -
tended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri -
ously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle or in a location accessible to chil -
dren. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is fully disen -
gaged before driving; failure to do so can
lead to brake failure and a collision.
Always fully apply the parking brake when
leaving your vehicle, or it may roll and
cause damage or injury.
WARNING! (Continued)
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92

(Continued)
The EPB engages automatically to prevent
vehicle movement if:
The vehicle speed is below 2 mph (3 km/h).
A transmission operating mode different
from PARK (P) is activated.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
The driver side door is open.
No attempts to apply pressure on the brake
pedal have been detected.
The vehicle is parked on roads with a slope
of more than 4%.
The “Safe Hold” function can be temporarily
disabled by pushing the EPB switch located on
the center console and the brake pedal at the
same time, with the vehicle stationary and the
driver side door open.
Once disabled, the function will activate again
when the vehicle speed reaches 12 mph
(20 km/h) or the ignition is cycled to OFF and
then to ACC.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically
controlled 8-speed automatic transmission
where gear shifting automatically takes place,
depending on the vehicle usage instanta -
neous parameters (vehicle speed, grade, and
accelerator pedal position).
Manual gear shifting can still occur thanks to
the “Sequential” mode position for the gear
selector.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with
all vehicles, you should never exit a
vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
and turn the ignition OFF. When the igni -
tion is in the OFF mode, the transmission
is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat -
tended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri -
ously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil -
dren), and do not leave the ignition in the
ON/RUN or ACC mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not observed:
Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only
after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
WARNING! (Continued)
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95

REVERSE (R)
Select this mode only with the vehicle at a
standstill.NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running.
The engine may be started in this range. Apply
the EPB and shift the transmission into PARK
(P) if you must leave the vehicle.
DRIVE (D)
Use this mode in normal driving conditions.

Shifting from DRIVE (D) to PARK (P) or REVERSE
(R) modes must take place only after releasing the
accelerator pedal, with vehicle at a standstill and
brake pedal pressed.
This mode ensures automatic engagement of the
most suitable gears for driving needs and
maximum fuel economy in terms of consumption.

In this position, the transmission shifts the gears
automatically, selecting the most suitable for
forward driving among those available as you go.
In this way the vehicle's optimal driving charac
-
teristics are provided for all conditions.
AutoStick

In the case of frequent shifting (e.g. for sport
driving, when the vehicle is driven with a heavy
load, on slopes, when towing heavy trailers), it is
recommended to use the AutoStick (sequential
shifting) mode to select and keep a lower fixed
ratio.
In these conditions, the use of a lower gear
improves vehicle performance and prevents over
-
heating.
It is possible to shift from DRIVE (D) mode to Auto -
Stick mode regardless of vehicle speed.
Activation
Starting from DRIVE (D) mode, to activate the
sequential drive mode, move the gear selector to
the left (– and + indication of the trim). The gear
engaged will be shown on the display.
Shifting is made by moving the gear selector
forward, toward symbol – or backward, toward
symbol +.

Steering Column Mounted Shift Paddles — If
Equipped
The gear can be manually shifted also by using
the paddles behind the steering wheel, pull
the right paddle (+) toward the steering wheel
and release it to engage a higher gear,
perform the same operation with the left
paddle (-) to engage a lower gear.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat -
tended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri -
ously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the park brake, brake
pedal or the transmission gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil -
dren), and do not leave the ignition in the
ACC mode. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
Before moving the transmission gear
selector out of PARK, you must push the
ignition button to cycle from OFF mode to
the ACC mode, and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear
selector could result.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear
range, as this can damage the drivetrain.
WARNING! (Continued)
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off
the ignition to coast down a hill. These are
unsafe practices that limit your response to
changing traffic or road conditions. You
might lose control of the vehicle and have a
collision.
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STARTING AND OPERATING

96

Steering Column Mounted Shift Paddles

NOTE:

If only one manual shift is necessary, the letter
(D) will remain on the display with the engaged
gear next to it.
Deactivation
To deactivate the sequential driving mode,
bring the gear selector back in position DRIVE
(D) ("automatic" driving mode).

NOTE:

To select the correct gear for maximum
deceleration (engine brake), keep the gear
paddle pulled (–): the transmission goes to an operating mode in which the vehicle can
slow down easily.
The vehicle will keep the gear selected by
the driver until the safety conditions allow it.
This means, for example, that the system
will try to prevent the engine from switching
off, automatically downshifting if the engine
speed is too low.
Automatic Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electroni
-
cally for abnormal conditions. If a condition is
detected that could result in transmission
damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is
activated.
In this condition, the transmission stays in
FOURTH gear, regardless of the selected gear.
Positions PARK (P), REVERSE (R) and
NEUTRAL (N) still work.
The symbol might light up in the instrument
cluster.
Temporary failure
In the event of a momentary problem, the
transmission can be reset to regain all forward
gears by performing the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK (P), if possible. If not, shift the transmission to
NEUTRAL (N). 3. Push and hold the ignition until the engine
turns off.
4. Wait for about 10 seconds, then restart the engine.
5. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the trans -
mission will return to normal operation.

NOTE:

Even if the transmission can be reset, we
recommend that you visit an authorized dealer
at your earliest possible convenience. An
authorized dealer has diagnostic equipment to
determine if the problem could reoccur. If the
transmission cannot be reset, service is
required at an authorized dealer.
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI)
System
This vehicle is equipped with a BTSI that holds
the gear selector in PARK (P) unless the
brakes are applied.
This system prevents you from moving the
gear selector from position PARK (P) unless
the brakes are applied.
To shift the transmission out of PARK (P), the
ignition must be cycled to the ON/RUN posi -
tion (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a slippery surface. The drive
wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle
could skid, causing a collision or personal
injury.
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97

(Continued)
Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Disabling
Only if strictly necessary (e.g. pushing the
vehicle, conveyor vehicle washing systems),
inhibit the automatic activation of PARK (P)
mode when stopping the engine. To do so,
follow the directions below:
1. Bring the vehicle to a standstill.
2. Place the transmission in the NEUTRAL (N)position.
3. Push the ignition button for at least three seconds.
The automatic activation of PARK (P) when the
engine is stopped can also be deactivated on
the Information and Entertainment system by
selecting the following functions on the main
menu: "Settings", "Driver Assistance" and
"Automatic Parking Brake".
Important Notes
Failure to comply with what is reported below
may damage the transmission:
Shift into PARK (P) mode only with the
vehicle at a standstill.
Select REVERSE (R) mode, or pass from
REVERSE to another mode only with the
vehicle at a standstill and engine idling.
Do not change between PARK (P), REVERSE
(R), NEUTRAL (N) or DRIVE (D) modes with
engine running at a speed above idling.
Before activating any transmission oper -
ating mode, fully press the brake pedal.

NOTE:

The unexpected movement of the vehicle can
injure the occupants or people nearby. Do not
leave the vehicle with engine running: before
getting out of the passenger compartment
always engage the EPB, select the PARK (P)
mode, stop the engine.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with
all vehicles, you should never exit a
vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
and turn the ignition OFF. When the igni -
tion is in the OFF mode, the transmission
is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle unat -
tended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri -
ously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil -
dren), and do not leave the ignition in the
ON/RUN or ACC mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
WARNING! (Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING

98

ALFA DNA SELECTOR
Alfa DNA System
This vehicle is equipped with an Alfa DNA
system selector (located on the center
console). There are up to four modes of opera-
tion to be selected according to driving style
and road conditions: Alfa DNA Pro System Selector
d = Dynamic (sports driving mode).
n = Natural (mode for driving in normal
conditions).
a = Advanced Efficiency (ECO driving mode
for maximum fuel savings).
RACE = track race driving mode (if
equipped).
 = Adjusts the calibration of the active
suspension (if equipped).
Unlike the other modes, the RACE position
does not latch; therefore, by rotating the
selector to RACE, it will return to its initial posi -
tion "d". On the instrument cluster display, the different
modes are characterized by different colors:
Natural - Blue
Dynamic - Red
Advanced Efficiency - Green
RACE - Yellow
Mode Display
Each driving mode is graphically different in
frame color and contents of each individual
"performance" screen.
Driving Modes
"Natural" Mode
“Natural” Mode is characterized by reduced
engine performance and ECO shifting strategy
for the automatic transmission.
CAUTION!
Only engage the gear with engine at idling
while fully pressing the brake pedal. If the
transmission temperature exceeds the
normal operating limits, the transmission
control unit may change the gear engage -
ment order and reduce the drive torque. If
the transmission overheats, it could
operate incorrectly until it cools down.
When using the vehicle with extremely low
external temperatures, the transmission
operation may change depending on the
engine and transmission temperature, as
well as vehicle speed. Activation of the
torque converter clutch and of the EIGHTH
gear is inhibited until the transmission oil
is correctly warmed up. Complete opera -
tion of the transmission will be enabled as
soon as the fluid temperature reaches the
predefined value.
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101

"Natural" mode, depending on which mode
was selected before the engine was
stopped.
When the engine is started again, the
"RACE" mode selected previously is not
retained. The system will reactivate in
"Dynamic" mode.
ALFA ACTIVE SUSPENSION
(AAS) — IF EQUIPPED
The vehicle's electronic suspension manage-
ment system is aimed at optimizing the
vehicle's performance.
The system continuously monitors the
damping of the suspensions through the actu -
ator installed on each shock absorber. This
way, the calibration of the shock absorbers
can be adjusted to the conditions of the road
surface and to the dynamic conditions of the
vehicle, improving its comfort and road
holding.
The driver can choose, even while driving,
(only in “Dynamic” mode), between two types
of suspension calibration: a more sporty or a
more comfortable one.
By pushing the button, the system changes
the shock absorber calibration. Alfa Active Suspension Button
In case of a system failure, the symbol and
a dedicated message will be shown on the
instrument cluster display.
STOP/START SYSTEM
The Stop/Start system automatically shuts off
the engine during a vehicle stop if the required
conditions are met. Releasing the brake pedal
or accelerator pedal will automatically restart
the engine.
The function was developed to increase
vehicle efficiency by reducing fuel consump -
tion, gas emissions, and sound pollution.

NOTE:

When the Stop/Start system stops the engine,
the power steering is also disabled.
Operating Mode
Stopping The Engine

With the vehicle at a standstill and brake pedal
pressed, the engine switches off if the gear selector
is in a position other than REVERSE (R).
The system does not operate when the gear
selector is in REVERSE (R), in order to make
parking maneuvers easier.
In the event of stops uphill, engine switching off is
disabled to make the “Hill Start Assist” function
available (works only with running engine).

NOTE:
The engine can only be automatically stopped
after having run at about 6 mph (10 km/h). After
an automatic restart, the vehicle only needs to
exceed a speed of 0.3 mph (0.5 km/h) to stop
the engine.

Engine stopping is signaled by the symbol
lighting up on the instrument cluster display.
Restarting The Engine
To restart the engine, release the brake pedal
or, turn the steering wheel slightly (if
equipped).
With the brake pressed and the transmission
in automatic mode DRIVE (D), the engine will
restart by shifting to REVERSE (R), to PARK (P)
or to “AutoStick”
Ú
page 94.
With brake pressed if the gear selector is in
“AutoStick” mode, the engine will restart by
shifting to PARK (P) or by moving the selector
to + or -
Ú
page 94.
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