2021 ALFA ROMEO STELVIO traction control

11

LANE KEEPING ASSIST (LKA)
SYSTEM —IF EQUIPPED......................... 128
Turning Lane Keeping Assist On Or
Off ......................................................... 129 Lane Keeping Assist Warning
Message ...............................................129
REAR BACK UP CAMERA / DYNAMIC
GRIDLINES ............................................. 132 REFUELING THE VEHICLE ..................... 133
Refueling The Vehicle ..........................133
Refueling Capacity ............................... 133
Refueling Procedure ...........................133
VEHICLE LOADING ................................. 135
Certification Label................................ 135
TRAILER TOWING................................... 136
Common Towing Definitions ...............137
Trailer Hitch Classification .................. 137
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings) .....................138 Trailer And Tongue Weight ................. 138
Towing Requirements..........................139
Towing Tips ..........................................141
Installing The Receiver ........................ 141
Connecting The Electrical System ......141
Removing The Receiver ....................... 142
SUGGESTIONS FOR DRIVING................ 142
Saving Fuel ...........................................142
Driving Style .........................................142
Conditions Of Use ................................ 142
Performance — Quadrifoglio ...............143
SAFETY
ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS...................... 145
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 145
Active Torque Vectoring (ATV)
System — If Equipped .......................... 145 Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
System ................................................. 146 Drive Train Control (DTC) System ....... 146
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
System ................................................. 146 Hill Descent Control (HDC) System —
If Equipped ........................................... 147 Hill Start Assist (HSA) System ............. 148
Panic Brake Assist (PBA) System ....... 149
Traction Control System (TCS) ............ 149
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS .............. 149
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) System —
If Equipped ......................................... 150 Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA)
System — If Equipped ......................... 152 Driver Attention Assist (DAA)
System — If Equipped .......................... 155 Forward Collision Warning Plus (FCW+)
System — If Equipped ......................... 156 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) .................................................. 161
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ........ 163
Occupant Restraint Systems
Features .............................................. 163 Important Safety Precautions ............ 163
Seat Belt Systems .............................. 164
Supplemental Restraint Systems
(SRS) .................................................... 169 Child Restraints ................................. 178
SAFETY TIPS .......................................... 188
Transporting Passengers .................... 188
Transporting Pets ............................. 189
Safety Checks You Should Make
Inside The Vehicle .............................. 189 Periodic Safety Checks You Should
Make Outside The Vehicle .................. 190 Exhaust Gas ..................................... 190
Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............. 191
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ............. 192
SOS — EMERGENCY CALL ..................... 192
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING............. 195
General Instructions ........................... 195
Jack Information And Usage
Precautions ......................................... 195 Changing Procedure ........................... 196
TIRE SERVICE KIT — IF EQUIPPED ........ 198
Description .......................................... 198
Inflation Procedure ............................. 199
Checking And Restoring Tire
Pressure............................................... 201
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83

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 217.
WEAR ON Carbon Ceramic Material (CCM)
Brake Discs — If Equipped
This light will illuminate when the
carbon ceramic material brake discs
have reached their wear limit.
Contact an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
Driver Attention Assist (DAA) System Failure
The symbol comes on in the event of
a DAA system failure.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as
possible to have the failure eliminated.
Highway Assist System (HAS)/Traffic Jam
Assist (TJA) System Failure
The symbol lights up in case of HAS
or TJA system failure.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as
possible to have the failure eliminated.
WARNING!
It is recommended to use only OEM brake
pads to ensure the original performance of
the braking system.
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145
(Continued)
SAFETY
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) System
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) System
Drive Train Control (DTC) System
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) System
Hill Descent Control (HDC) System
Hill Start Assist (HSA) System
Panic Brake Assist (PBA) System
Traction Control System (TCS)
For system operation, 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.Active Torque Vectoring (ATV) System — 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.
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

146

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) System
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 (e.g. braking on surfaces
with different grip conditions), the ESC system
influences the steering through the DST func -
tion to implement an additional torque contri -
bution 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 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 dependent on the driver’s
sensitivity and overall reaction 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
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
tire slipping to a minimum, automatically
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 switches to AWD mode.

NOTE:

There may be a brief delay in shifting to
AWD mode after a tire slipping event occurs.
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) System
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.
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 counter the vehicle’s
oversteer or understeer.
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.
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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147

Hill Descent Control (HDC) System — If
Equipped
The HDC function is an integral part of the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system,
keeping the vehicle at a constant speed while
descending a hill by actively controlling the
brakes.
HDC aims to create vehicle stability and safer
driving in various situations, including poor
grip conditions and steep descents.
The system has three different modes:
Off: the system is deactivated
Enabled: the system is enabled and ready to
intervene when the activation conditions
are met
Active: the system actively controls the
vehicle speed
Enabling The System
To enable the system, push the HDC switch
located on the steering wheel.
HDC Switch The system is enabled if the car speed is below
20 mph (30 km/h). The system stays enabled
until the car speed reaches 37 mph (60 km/h),
the system is disabled at speeds above 37 mph
(60 km/h).
Activation of the HDC system is indicated by
the white icon appearing in the instrument
cluster display.
HDC Symbol
Activation Of The System
Once enabled, the HDC system will activate
automatically if the vehicle is driven on a
downhill slope with sufficient gradient, greater
than 8%.
The speed set for the HDC system can be
adjusted using the SET switch located on the
steering wheel.
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.
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149

Panic Brake Assist (PBA) System
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.
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 thesystem. 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:
Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) — if equipped
Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA) — if
equipped
Forward Collision Warning Plus (FCW+)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The vehicle may also be fitted with the
following driving assistance systems:
Driver Attention Assist (DAA)
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)
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.
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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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

246

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.
If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the
original equipment tires. Use snow
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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247

(Continued)
tires only in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling of
your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings
than what was originally equipped with your
vehicle and should not be operated at
sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to
original equipment or an authorized tire dealer
for recommended safe operating speeds,
loading and cold tire inflation pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on
ice, skid and traction capability on wet or dry
surfaces may be poorer than that of
non-studded tires. Some states prohibit
studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
Tire Chains and Traction Devices
It is possible to fit 13 mm chains on all the
tires except for R20.
Use of traction devices require sufficient
tire-to-body clearance. Follow these recom-
mendations to guard against damage.

NOTE:

Traction device must be of proper size for
the tire, as recommended by the traction
device manufacturer.
Use on rear tires only.
Check the tension of the snow chains after
the first few meters have been driven.
Using snow chains with tires with non-orig -
inal dimensions may damage the vehicle.
Using different tires sizes or types (M+S,
snow, etc.) between the front and rear axles
may adversely affect vehicle driveability,
with the risk of losing control of the vehicle
and resulting accidents.
Tire Rotation Recommendations
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles
operate at different loads and perform
different steering, driving, and braking func -
tions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal
rates. These effects can be reduced by timely
rotation of tires. Rotation will increase tread
life, maintain traction levels and contribute to
a smooth, quiet ride.
To resolve this problem, tires should be
rotated at each service interval (approximately
every 10,000 miles [16,000 km]). More
frequent rotation is permissible if desired. The
reasons for any rapid or unusual wear should
be corrected prior to rotation being performed.
Tire Rotations Not Recommended — If
Equipped
Due to different size tires and wheels on front
and rear axles tire rotation is not possible for:
2.0T GME Engine equipped with a different
front and rear tire size.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires,
observe the following precautions:
Because of restricted traction device
clearance between tires and other
suspension components, it is important
that only traction devices in good condi -
tion are used. Broken devices can cause
serious damage. Stop the vehicle immedi -
ately if noise occurs that could indicate
device breakage. Remove the damaged
parts of the device before further use.
Install device as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about ½ mile
(0.8 km).
Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns
and large bumps, especially with a loaded
vehicle.
Do not drive for a prolonged period on dry
pavement.
Observe the traction device manufac -
turer’s instructions on the method of
installation, operating speed, and condi -
tions for use. Always use the suggested
operating speed of the device manufac -
turer’s if it is less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
Do not use traction devices on a compact
spare tire.
CAUTION! (Continued)
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