
STARTING AND OPERATING
128
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 yellow to white, 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 limit 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   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  instrument  cluster  display  to  urge  the
driver to bring the vehicle back inside the lane
markings.
Lane Crossed
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 128   

143
Traffic And Road Conditions
High  fuel  consumption  is  caused  by  heavy
traffic,  for  instance  when  traveling  in  traffic
with frequent use of low gears or in cities with
many  traffic  lights.  Winding  mountain  roads
and rough road surfaces also adversely affect
consumption.
Stops In Traffic
During  prolonged  stops  (e.g.  railway  cross-
ings), turn off the engine.
Performance — Quadrifoglio
This  vehicle  is  equipped  with  an  engine
capable  of  delivering exceptionally  fast  accel -
eration and speed:
Peak power: 505 HP at 6,500 RPM.
Peak torque: 443 ft-lbs at 2,500–5,000 RPM.
Top speed: 176 mph (283 km/h).
Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h):
3.6 seconds.
For  safe  driving,  it  is  essential,  particularly
during the first days of use, to get to know the
car  by  driving  carefully  and  gradually  discov -
ering its performance.
Brakes
The car braking system may be available with
four carbon-ceramic material brake discs, one
on each wheel. In  order  to  guarantee  the  maximum  braking
capacity for the first use, Alfa Romeo performs
a "run-in" procedure for discs and pads directly
at the factory.
The  use  of  carbon-ceramic  material  brake
discs  guarantees  braking  features  (better
deceleration/pedal  load  ratio,  braking
distances,  fading  resistance)  proportional  to
the  dynamic features of  the car  in addition to
considerably decreasing the unsprung compo
-
nent weight.
The materials used and the structural features
of  the  system  could  generate  unusual  noises
which  have  absolutely  no  adverse  effect  on
correct operation and reliability of the braking
system.
Greater  pressure  may  need  to  be  applied  to
the brake pedal the first time to keep the same
braking  capacities  in  presence  of  condensa -
tion  or  salt  on  the  braking  surfaces,  for
example after washing or if the car is not used
for a long time.
NOTE:
Given  the  high  technological  level  of  this
system, any servicing on it must be performed
by an authorized dealer which exclusively has
the  skills  needed  for  the  repair  and  mainte -
nance operations.  In  case  of  intensive,  high-performance  use  of
the  car,  have  the  efficiency  of  the
carbon-ceramic  material  braking  system
inspected as shown on the Maintenance Plan
at an authorized dealer.
Driving On Race Tracks
Before driving on a track using a racing style, it
is necessary to:
Attend a race track driving course.
Check  the  liquid  levels  in  the  engine
compartment  
Ú
page 208.
Have  the  car  inspected  at  an  authorized
dealer.
Remember that the car was not designed to be
driven  exclusively  on  the  race  track  and  that
this  use  increases  stress  and  component
wear.
NOTE:
Quadrifoglio  front  brakes  are  equipped  with
Non-Asbestos Organic (NAO) type pads. These
pads  are  NOT  suitable  for  high  thermal  loads
(for  example  track  use).  If  you  want  to  use
vehicle  on  a  track  it  is  recommended  to  use
the  optional  CCM  Brakes  (Carbon  Ceramic
Brake disc).
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 143   

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)
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 145   

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.
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 146   

SAFETY
148
HDC Speed SET Switch
Once  the  desired  speed  has  been  reached,
release  the  SET  switch  and  the  HDC  system
will maintain the set speed. After set speed is
established, the HDC system will automatically
brake  to  keep  the  vehicle  at  the  set  speed  if
the  accelerator  pedal  is  released  and  the
vehicle gets close to the set speed.
It is possible to reduce the set speed with the
brake  pedal.  When  the  pedal  is  released,  the
system  will  adjust  the  set  speed  to  the  new
current speed.
NOTE:
If the vehicle’s speed exceeds 6 mph (10 km/h),
but  remains  below  37 mph  (60 km/h)  and  the
accelerator  pedal  is  released,  as  soon  as  the
vehicle  gets  close  to  the  set  speed  the  HDC
system  will  automatically  brake  to  keep  the
vehicle at the set speed.
The driver can cancel HDC system intervention
at any time by pressing the accelerator pedal. System Deactivation
The  HDC  system  will  be  deactivated,  but
remain available, if any of the following condi
-
tions are met:
The  vehicle  is  traveling  on  a downhill slope
with  a  gradient  less  than  8%,  on  a  level
surface, or on an uphill grade.
PARK (P) mode is engaged.
Disabling The System
The  system  is  disabled  if  any  of  the  following
conditions are met:
The HDC switch is pressed.
Cruise  Control/Adaptive  Cruise  Control  is
activated.
A  vehicle  speed  of  37 mph  (60 km/h)  is
exceeded.
System  deactivation  is  shown  by  the  icon 
on the display turning off.
Hill Start Assist (HSA) System
HSA  is  an  integral  part  of  the  Electronic
Stability  Control  (ESC)  system  that  facilitates
starting  on  slopes,  activating  automatically  in
the following cases:
Uphill:  the  vehicle  is  stationary  on  a  road
with  a  gradient  higher  than  5%,  the  engine
is  running,  the  brake  is  pressed,  and  the
transmission  is  in  NEUTRAL  (N)  or  a  gear
other than REVERSE (R) is engaged.
Downhill: the vehicle is stationary on a road
with  a  gradient  higher  than  5%,  the  engine
is  running,  the  brake  is  pressed,  and  the
transmission is in REVERSE.
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.
 WARNING!
HDC  is  only  intended  to  assist  the  driver  in
controlling  vehicle  speed  when  descending
hills.  The  driver  must  remain  attentive  to
the driving conditions and is responsible for
maintaining a safe vehicle speed.
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 148   

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.
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 149   

SAFETY
152
Operating Mode
The system may be activated/deactivated  via
the  radio  system.  To  access  the  function,
select the following items on the main menu in
sequence:
1. “Driving Assistance”
2. “Blind Spot Alert”
“Blind Spot Alert”, “Visual” Mode
When the system is enabled, the warning light
within  the  door  mirror  on  the  side  of  the
detected object illuminates.
The visual warning on the mirror will blink if the
driver  activates  the  turn  signals,  indicating  a
lane change.
The warning light will be constant if the driver
stays in the same lane.
“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  
Ú
page 268.
Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA) System — If 
Equipped 
The ABSA system is to help avoid/limit lateral
collisions  with  cars  coming  from  adjacent lanes changing the vehicle’s trajectory in order
to try 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 “Safety” is selected 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 radar sensors, located in the
rear fascia/bumper, to detect the presence of
vehicles (cars, trucks, motorbikes,  etc.) in the
rear side blind spots 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  responsibility  to  steer,  brake  or
accelerate,  especially  after  the  ABSA
system warning or after the steering wheel
torque  intervention.  The  driver  is  respon
-
sible for ensuring that there are no pedes -
trians, other vehicles 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 any
time  turning  the  steering  wheel  in  the
opposite direction.
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 152   

153
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.
When the sensors are active the system moni-
tors  the  detection  areas  on  both  sides  of  the
car  and  warns  the  driver  about  the  possible
presence of cars in these areas.
Rear Sensor Location While  driving,  the  system  monitors  the  detec
-
tion zone in three different situations:
when you are being overtaken by a vehicle;
when you are overtaking a vehicle;
when a vehicle approaches from the side;
to check if it is necessary to intervene in order
to  keep  the  vehicle  inside  the  lane  on  both
sides.
NOTE:
The  system  does  not  signal  the  presence  of
fixed  object  (e.g.  safety  barriers,  poles,  walls,
etc.).  However,  in  some  circumstances,  the
system may activate  in the presence of these
objects.This is normal and does not indicate a
system malfunction. 
The system does not warn the driver about the
presence  of  cars  coming  from  the  opposite
direction, in the adjacent lanes.
Activation/deactivation
The  system  can  be  activated/deactivated
using  the  “Driver  Assistance”  menu  in  the
radio  system.  Select  signal  type,  strength
levels and sensitivity.
NOTE:
Vehicles with an active system will display the
following screen, on the radio system. System intervention
The  system  intervenes  in  the  following  condi
-
tions:
the  direction  indicators  have  been  turned
on;
there is a vehicle in the adjacent lane on the
same  side  of  the  direction  indicator  (blind
spot area);
lane lines are not correctly detected;
the  driver  tries  to  change  lanes  intention -
ally.
If the system detects the presence of a vehicle
in the rear side blind spots of the car, it applies
a torque on  the  steering  wheel (if it  has  been
set  through  the  “Settings”  menu  of  the  radio
system), in order to warn the driver of the need
to keep the car inside the lane and thus avoid
collisions with other vehicles.
The  application  of  torque  and  vibration  is
however  only  available  with  car  speed
between  37 mph  (60 km/h)  and  110 mph
(180 km/h).
21_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book  Page 153