STARTING AND OPERATING
130
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 inflation
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 216.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake
system or vacuum system of your vehicle with
that of the trailer. This could cause inadequate
braking and possible personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake
controller is required when towing a trailer with
electronically actuated brakes. When towing a
trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge
actuated brake system, an electronic brake
controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lb (453 kg) and required for trailers
in excess of 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights
And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the
trailer size, stoplights and turn signals on the
trailer are required for motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and
seven-pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved
trailer harness and connector.
NOTE:
Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicle’s wiring
harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the
vehicle but you must mate the harness to a trailer
connector. Refer to the following illustrations.
NOTE:
Disconnect trailer wiring connector from the
vehicle before launching a boat (or any other
device plugged into vehicle’s electrical
connect) into water.
Be sure to reconnect once clear from water
area.
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.
CAUTION!
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic brake lines. It can
overload your brake system and cause it to
fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for
additional space between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you. Failure to do so
could result in an accident.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lb (453 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do
this could lead to accelerated brake lining wear,
higher brake pedal effort, and longer stopping
distances.
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 130
131
Four-Pin Connector
Seven-Pin Connector
TOWING TIPS
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning,
stopping, and backing up the trailer in an area
located away from heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
Select the DRIVE range when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to
avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if
frequent shifting does occur while in DRIVE, you
can use the AutoStick shift control to manually
select a lower gear.
NOTE:
Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. This
action will also provide better engine braking.
Cruise Control — If Equipped
Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the Cruise Control, if you
experience speed drops greater than 10 mph
(16 km/h), disengage until you can get back to
cruising speed.
Use Cruise Control in flat terrain and with light
loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
INSTALLING THE RECEIVER
To properly install the receiver, see the following
directions:
1. Retrieve the receiver from the luggage compartment.
2. Push the receiver into the trailer hitch, and secure by inserting the locking pin into the
trailer hitch.
3. Insert the safety split ring into the hole on the locking pin.
NOTE:
Ensure that the locking pin is removed from the
trailer hitch before installing the receiver.
Trailer Hitch And Receiver
1 — Ground
2 — Park
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Right Stop/Turn
1 — Backup Lamps
2 — Running Lamps
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Ground
5 — Battery
6 — Right Stop/Turn
7 — Electric Brakes
1 – Receiver
2 – Locking Pin
3 – Safety Split Ring
A – Trailer Hitch
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 131
STARTING AND OPERATING
132
CONNECTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
To connect the trailer’s electrical system, see the
following directions:
1. Remove the socket protective cover.
2. Completely insert the plug into the socket.Electrical Tow Connector
REMOVING THE RECEIVER
When the receiver is no longer needed,
disconnect the electrical connections and
remove it from its position using the following
directions:
1. Remove the safety split ring from the locking pin.
2. Pull the locking pin out of the trailer hitch.
3. Remove the receiver from the trailer hitch.
SUGGESTIONS FOR
DRIVING
SAVING FUEL
The following suggestions may help you save fuel
and lower the amount of harmful emissions
released into the atmosphere.
Vehicle Maintenance
Checks and operations should be carried out in
accordance with the Maintenance Plan
Ú
page 191.
Tires
Check the tire pressures at least once every four
weeks: if the pressure is too low, consumption
levels increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
NOTE:
Tire pressure that is too high can cause prema -
ture tire wear, reduced control, etc. Unnecessary Loads
Do not travel with an overloaded liftgate. The
weight of the vehicle and its arrangement greatly
affect fuel consumption and stability.
Electric Devices
Use electrical systems only for the amount of
time needed. The rear window defroster,
additional headlights, windshield wipers and
heater blower fan require a considerable amount
of energy; increasing the current uptake
increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% when
city driving).
Climate Control System
Using the climate control system will increase
consumption: use standard ventilation when the
temperature outside permits.
Devices For Aerodynamic Control
The use of non-certified devices for aerodynamic
control may adversely affect air drag and
consumption levels.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs
when the vehicle is stationary; this causes the
engine to warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It is
therefore advisable to drive off immediately,
slowly, avoiding high speeds: by doing this the
engine will warm up more quickly.
Pin
NumberFunction
1 Lights ground (Lights GND)
2 Position light, side marker
lights, and license plate light
3 Left turn signal and stop light
4 Right turn signal and stop light
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 132
133
Unnecessary Actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic lights or
before stopping the engine. This action is
unnecessary and causes increased fuel
consumption and pollution.
Gear Selection
Use a high gear when traffic and road conditions
allow it. Using a low gear for faster acceleration
will increase fuel consumption. Improper use of a
high gear increases consumption, emissions and
engine wear.
Maximum Speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases as
speed increases. Maintain a constant speed,
avoiding unnecessary braking and acceleration,
which cost in terms of both fuel consumption and
emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects consumption
and emissions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold Starting
Short trips and frequent cold starts will not allow
the engine to reach optimum operating
temperature. This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (from +15 to +30% in city
driving) and emissions.
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 crossings),
turn off the engine.
PERFORMANCE — QUADRIFOGLIO
This vehicle is equipped with an engine capable
of delivering exceptionally fast acceleration and
speed:
Peak power: 505 HP at 6,500 RPM.
Peak torque: 443 ft-lb 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 discovering 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 component 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 condensation
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 maintenance opera
-
tions.
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 191.
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 plan to use vehicle on
a track it is recommended to use the optional
CCM Brakes (Carbon Ceramic Brake disc).
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 133
136
(Continued)
DYNAMIC STEERING TORQUE (DST)
S
YSTEM
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 function
to implement an additional torque contribution
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 depen -
dent on the driver’s sensitivity and overall reac -
tion 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 conditions 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 environmental 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)
S
YSTEM
The ESC system improves the directional control
and stability of the vehicle in various driving
conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle’s understeer
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.
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 inappropriate 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.
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 136
SAFETY
SAFETY
138
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 conditions 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.
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 the
system. Do not reduce pressure on the brake
pedal until braking is no longer necessary.
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 main -
taining a safe vehicle speed.
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 oper -
ation 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.
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 138
139
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 (hydroplaning),
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 may be
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)
For the operation of the DAA, LDW, LKA, HAS, TJA,
ACC, ISC, or TSR systems, see
Ú
page 81.
NOTE:
When driving on two-way roads where there is no
lane dividing center line (e.g. on unpaved roads),
the use of the ABSA, HAS, TJA, and LKA systems
is strongly discouraged as the system could
detect the entire road as single-lane dividing
lines.
NOTE:
The driving assistance systems are designed to
aid in driving the car. The driver must always
maintain a sufficient level of attention to the
traffic and road conditions and control the trajec -
tory of the car.
BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM)
S
YSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The BSM system uses radar sensors, located in
the rear fascia/bumper, to detect the presence of
other vehicles in the rear side blind spots of your
vehicle.
Rear Sensor Location
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, driv -
ing on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning.
The capabilities of a PBA-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan -
gerous manner, which could jeopardize the
user's safety or the safety of others.
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 139
SAFETY
140
The system warns the driver about the presence
of other vehicles in the detection area by illumi-
nating the warning light located within the door
mirror on the side in which the other vehicle was
detected. If equipped, an audible chime will also
be heard to alert the driver (if option is selected
within the radio system).
BSM Indicator Light
When the engine is started, the warning light
illuminates briefly to signal the driver that the
system is active.
Sensors
The sensors are activated when any forward gear
is engaged at a speed higher than approximately
6 mph (10 km/h). The sensors are temporarily deactivated when
the vehicle is stationary or the vehicle is in PARK.
The detection area of the system covers approxi -
mately one lane on both sides of the vehicle,
which is around 9 ft (3 m).
This area begins from the door mirror and
extends for approximately 19 ft (6 m) towards the
rear part of the vehicle. When the sensors are active, the system
monitors the detection areas on both sides of the
vehicle and warns the driver about the possible
presence of vehicles in these areas.
While driving, the system monitors the detection
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 whether it is necessary to send a signal
to the driver on both sides.
NOTE:
The system does not alert the driver of the
presence of fixed objects (e.g. safety barriers,
poles, walls, etc.). However, in some circum -
stances, the system may activate in the
presence of these objects. This is normal and
does not indicate a system malfunction.
The system does not alert the driver about the
presence of vehicles coming from the opposite
direction, in the adjacent lanes.
If a trailer is hitched to the car, the system
automatically deactivates.
NOTE:
For the system to operate properly, the rear
fascia/bumper area where the radar sensors
are located must stay free from snow, ice and
dirt gathered from the road surface.
Do not cover the rear fascia/bumper area
where the radar sensors are located with any
object (e.g. adhesives, bike rack, etc.).
If you wish to install a rear tow eye after
purchasing the vehicle, you will need to
deactivate the system via the radio system. To
access the function, select the following items
in sequence on the main menu:
a. “Driver Assistance”
b. “Blind Spot Alert”
Rear View
The system detects vehicles coming from the rear
part of your vehicle on both sides and entering
the rear detection area with a difference in speed
of less than 25 mph (40 km/h) in relation to your
vehicle.
Overtaking Vehicles
If another vehicle is overtaken slowly, with a
difference in speed of less than approximately
15 mph (25 km/h) and the vehicle stays in the
blind spot for approximately 1.5 seconds, the
warning light on the door mirror of the
corresponding side illuminates.
If the difference in speed between the two
vehicles is greater than approximately 15 mph
(25 km/h), the warning light does not illuminate.
WARNING!
The Blind Spot Monitoring system is only an
aid to help detect objects in the blind spot
zones. The BSM system is not designed to
detect pedestrians, bicyclists, or animals. Even
if your vehicle is equipped with the BSM
system, always check your vehicle’s mirrors,
glance over your shoulder, and use your turn
signal before changing lanes. Failure to do so
can result in serious injury or death.
22_GU_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 140