2021 ALFA ROMEO STELVIO ECU

86

(Continued)
STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting the engine, be sure to adjust
the seat, the interior rear view mirror, door
mirrors, and fasten the seat belt correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal before
starting the engine.
If necessary, messages indicating the starting
procedure will be shown in the display.
Starting Procedure
Proceed as follows:
1. Apply the Electric Park Brake (EPB) andplace the gear selector in PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Fully press the brake pedal without touching the accelerator.
3. Briefly push the ignition button.
4. If the engine doesn't start within a few seconds, you need to repeat the proce -
dure.
If the problem persists, contact an authorized
dealer.
Remote Starting System
This system uses the key fob to start the
engine conveniently from outside the vehicle
while still maintaining security. The system
has a range of at least 300 feet (91 meters).
The remote starting system also activates the
climate control, the heated seats (if
equipped), and the heated steering wheel (if
equipped), depending on temperatures
outside and inside of the vehicle.

NOTE:

Obstructions between the vehicle and key fob
may reduce this range.
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the vehicle and lock your
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. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury or
death.
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.
WARNING! (Continued)
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87

How To Use Remote Start
All of the following conditions must be met
before the engine will remote start:
Gear selector in PARK (P).
Doors closed.
Hood closed.
Liftgate closed.
Hazard switch off.
Brake switch inactive (brake pedal not
pressed).
Battery at an acceptable charge level.
PANIC button not pushed.
System not disabled from previous remote
start event.
Vehicle Security System indicator flashing.
Ignition in the OFF mode (if equipped with
keyless ignition system).
Fuel level meets minimum requirement.
Remote Start Comfort Systems — If Equipped
When Remote Start is activated, the heated
steering wheel and driver heated seat features
will automatically turn on in cold weather.
These features will stay on through the dura -
tion of remote start until the ignition is placed
in the ON/RUN mode. Remote Start Windshield Wiper De–Icer Acti
-
vation — If Equipped

When remote start is active and the outside ambient
temperature is less than 39°F (4°C), the Windshield
Wiper De-Icer will be enabled. Exiting remote start will
resume previous operation, except if the Windshield
Wiper De-Icer is active.

The Windshield Wiper De-Icer timer and oper -
ation will continue.
Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while
starting at low temperatures, this vehicle will
inhibit engine cranking when the ambient
temperature is less than –22°F (–30°C) and
the oil temperature sensor reading indicates
an engine block heater has not been used. An
externally-powered electric engine block
heater is available as optional equipment or
from an authorized dealer.

The message “plug in engine heater” will be
displayed in the instrument cluster when the
ambient temperature is below 5°F (–15°C) at the
time the engine is shut off as a reminder to avoid
possible crank delays at the next cold start.

Extended Park Starting
If the vehicle has not been started or driven for
at least 30 days, it is advisable to follow the
indications below.
To start the engine, proceed as follows:
1. Briefly push the ignition button
2. If the engine does not start, wait five seconds and let the starter cool down and
then repeat the starting procedure
3. If the engine does not start after eight attempts, let the starter cool down for at
least 10 seconds, and then repeat the
starting procedure
If the problem persists, contact an authorized
dealer.

NOTE:

After prolonged vehicle inactivity, very difficult
starting, that can be noticed through rapid
fatigue of the starter, might also be due to a
partially drained battery
Ú
page 201.
If Engine Fails To Start
Starting the Engine with Key Fob Battery Run
Down or Drained
If the ignition does not respond when the
button is pushed, the key fob battery might be
run down or drained. Therefore, the system
does not detect the presence of the key fob in
the vehicle, and will display a dedicated
message
Ú
page 20. CAUTION!
Use of the recommended oil and adhering
to the prescribed oil change intervals is
important to prevent engine damage and
ensure satisfactory starting in cold
conditions.
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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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STARTING AND OPERATING

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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STARTING AND OPERATING

94

(Continued)
(Continued)
To transition the vehicle into REVERSE (R)
mode from DRIVE (D) mode, or into DRIVE (D)
mode from REVERSE (R) mode, it is necessary
to move the gear selector by pushing the gear
selector button.
AutoStick can be activated by moving the gear
selector from DRIVE (D) to the left and then
forward toward the - symbol (or backward
toward the + symbol) changing the gear.
To shift out of PARK (P), or to pass from posi -
tion NEUTRAL (N) to position DRIVE (D) or
REVERSE (R), the vehicle must be moving at a
low speed or stopped, and the brake pedal
must also be pressed.

NOTE:

DO NOT accelerate while shifting from posi -
tion PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to another
position.
After selecting a gear, wait a few seconds
before accelerating. This precaution is
particularly important with engine cold.
It is not possible to select NEUTRAL (N)
mode from PARK (P) mode.
Transmission Operating Modes
PARK (P)
The transmission is locked in this mode. The
engine can be started in this mode.
NOTE:

Never try to engage PARK (P) mode when the
vehicle is moving. Before leaving the vehicle,
make sure this mode is engaged (letter P
shown on the display and gear selector) and
that the parking brake is engaged.
When parking on a flat surface, first engage
the PARK (P) mode and then engage the EPB.
When parking uphill, before activating the
PARK (P) mode, engage the EPB. Otherwise, it
could be difficult to engage the (P) mode.
To check that the PARK (P) mode is actually
engaged, make sure (P) is illuminated on the
display and on the gear selector.
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substi
-
tute for the parking brake. Always apply
the parking brake fully when parked to
guard against vehicle movement and
possible injury or damage.
Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not in PARK. Check by
trying to move the gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
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.
WARNING! (Continued)
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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

136

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.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and
information on limits to the type of towing you
can reasonably do with your vehicle. Before
towing a trailer, carefully review this informa -
tion to tow your load as efficiently and safely
as possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
coverage, follow the requirements and recom -
mendations in this manual concerning vehi -
cles used for trailer towing.
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.
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139
(Continued)
Consider the following items when computing
the weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
The tongue weight of the trailer.
The weight of any other type of cargo or
equipment put in or on your vehicle.
The weight of the driver and all passengers.

NOTE:

Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also,
additional factory-installed options or
dealer-installed options must be considered
as part of the total load on your vehicle. Refer
to the “Tire And Loading Information” placard
for the maximum combined weight of occu -
pants and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new
vehicle drivetrain components, the following
guidelines are recommended:
Towing Requirements — Tires
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire.
Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h)
when towing while using a full size spare
tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential
to the safe and satisfactory operation of
your vehicle.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire infla -
tion pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire
damage before towing a trailer.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying
capacity will not increase the vehicle's
GVWR and GAWR limits.
For proper tire inflation procedures

Ú
page 233.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer
towing as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in
the trailer and that it will not shift during
travel. When trailering cargo that is not
fully secured, dynamic load shifts can
occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your
vehicle and have a collision.
When hauling cargo, or towing a trailer, do
not overload your vehicle or trailer. Over -
loading can cause a loss of control, poor
performance, or damage to brakes, axle,
engine, transmission, steering, suspen -
sion, chassis structure, or tires.
Safety chains must always be used
between your vehicle and trailer. Always
connect the chains to the frame or hook
retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow
enough slack for turning corners.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked
on a grade. When parking, apply the
parking brake on the tow vehicle. Put the
tow vehicle transmission in PARK. Always
block or "chock" the trailer wheels.
GCWR must not be exceeded.
Total weight must be distributed between
the tow vehicle and the trailer such that
the following four ratings are not
exceeded:
• GVWR
• GTW
• GAWR
• Tongue weight rating for the trailer
hitch utilized.
WARNING! (Continued) CAUTION!
Do not tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (805 km) the new vehicle is
driven. The engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km)
that a trailer is towed, do not drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the engine
and other parts of the vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 139