
STARTING AND OPERATING
94
“RACE” Mode (Quadrifoglio Only)
Activation
It is activated by rotating the selector to position
“RACE”; the displays light up in yellow.RACE Mode
Engine and transmission: adoption of sports
mapping.
The “Performance” screen displays parameters
related to vehicle stability, the graphs illustrate
the trend of the longitudinal/lateral accelerations
(G-meter information), considering gravity
acceleration as a reference unit.
The screen displays the lateral and longitudinal
acceleration peaks. RACE Mode Performance Display
NOTE:
If the brake system overheats, this is communi
-
cated by the Information and Entertainment
system. In this case, allow the system to cool for
a few minutes by driving the vehicle normally
without operating the brakes.
Deactivation
To deactivate the RACE mode, rotate the selector
to the RACE position again and the system will be
set to “d” Dynamic mode.
ALFA ACTIVE SUSPENSION
(AAS) — IF EQUIPPED
The system continuously monitors the damping
of the suspension through the actuator installed
on each shock absorber. The calibration of the
shock absorbers can be adjusted to the
conditions of the road surface and to the dynamic
conditions of the vehicle, improving its comfort
and road handling. The driver can choose, while driving (only in “d” or
“RACE” mode), between two types of suspension
calibration: a more sportier or a more
comfortable type.
By pushing the button, the system prepares the
shock absorber calibration in order to favor
driving comfort.
“Alfa DNA” System Selector
In case of a system failure, the symbol and a
dedicated message will be shown on the
instrument cluster display.
STOP/START SYSTEM
The Stop/Start system automatically shuts off
the engine during a vehicle stop if the required
conditions are met. Releasing the brake pedal or
pressing the accelerator pedal will automatically
restart the engine.
The function was designed to increase vehicle
efficiency by reducing fuel consumption, gas
emissions, and sound pollution.
NOTE:
When the Stop/Start system stops the engine,
the power steering is also disabled.
WARNING!
Only activate the RACE mode at the track.
In “RACE”, the sensitivity of the accelerator
pedal increases considerably. Consequently,
driving is less fluid and comfortable. The
driver must ensure full control of the vehicle
at all times to avoid a collision.
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95
OPERATING MODE
Stopping the Engine
With the vehicle at a standstill and brake pedal
pressed, the Stop/Start system shuts off the
engine if the gear selector is in a position other
than REVERSE (R).
The system does not operate when the gear
selector is in REVERSE (R), in order to make
parking maneuvers easier.
In the event of uphill stops, the Stop/Start system
is disabled to make the “Hill Start Assist” function
available (works only with running engine).
NOTE:
The engine can only be automatically stopped
after having run at about 6 mph (10 km/h). After
an automatic restart, the vehicle only needs to
exceed a speed of 0.3 mph (0.5 km/h) to stop the
engine.
Engine stopping is signaled by the symbol
lighting up on the instrument cluster display.
Restarting the Engine
To restart the engine, release the brake pedal or
turn the steering wheel slightly (if equipped).
With the brake pressed and the transmission in
automatic mode DRIVE (D), the engine will restart
by shifting to REVERSE (R), to PARK (P) or to
“AutoStick”.
With the brake pressed while the gear selector is
in “AutoStick” mode, the engine will restart by
shifting to PARK (P) or by moving the selector
to + or -.
SYSTEM MANUAL ACTIVATION/
D
EACTIVATION
To manually activate/deactivate the system,
push the button located in the control panel on
the left of the steering wheel.
Stop/Start Button
System Activation
The activation of the system is indicated by the symbol lighting up on the display. In this
condition, the light on the button is off.
System Deactivation
A message will appear on the display when the
system is deactivated. In this condition, the light
on the button is on.
NOTE:
Each time the engine is started, the system is
activated regardless of where it was when it was
previously switched off.
POSSIBLE REASONS THE ENGINE DOES
N
OT AUTOSTOP
For higher comfort and increased safety, and to
reduce emissions, there are certain conditions
where the engine will not autostop despite the
system being active, such as:
Engine still cold.
Especially cold outside temperature.
Battery not sufficiently charged.
Driver's door not shut.
Driver's seat belt not fastened.
Reverse gear engaged (e.g. for parking
maneuvers).
With the automatic climate control active, an
adequate cabin heating or cooling comfort has
not been reached or with MAX-DEF function
active.
During the first period of use, to initialize the
system.
Steering angle beyond threshold.
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STARTING AND OPERATING
102
When the system is enabled and ready to
operate, the display shows the white ACC icon
above dashes in place of the speed.Enabled Icons
Setting a speed activates the system. The display
shows the icon in green with the set speed.
To Pause/Deactivate
With the feature enabled (speed not set), push
the on/off button to disable.
With the feature active (speed set), push the on/
off button to pause. The display will show the icon
in white with the speed in brackets. To deactivate
the feature, push the on/off button a second
time.To Set A Desired Speed
When the vehicle reaches the desired speed,
push the RES/SET switch downward and release
it to activate the system. When the accelerator is
released, the vehicle will maintain the set speed
automatically.
SET Switch
While the accelerator pedal is pressed, the
system will not be able to control the distance
between the vehicle and the one ahead. In this
case, the speed will be determined only by the
position of the accelerator pedal.
The system will return to normal operation as
soon as the accelerator pedal is released.
To Vary The Speed Setting
To Increase Or Decrease The Set Speed
Once the system has been activated, you can
increase the speed by pushing the RES/SET
switch upward or decrease the speed by pushing
the RES/SET switch downward. Each time the
switch is pushed, the speed is adjusted by 1 mph.
Pushing and holding the switch upward or
downward will cause the set speed to adjust in
5 mph increments until the button is released. The new set speed is reflected in the instrument
cluster display.
NOTE:
Moving the RES/SET switch downward allows
you to adjust the speed according to the
selected unit of measurement ("U.S." or
"Metric") set on the radio system. Refer to the
Information and Entertainment System
Owner’s Manual Supplement for further
information.
When the unit of measurement is set to Metric,
pushing and holding the RES/SET switch will
adjust the speed in 10 km/h increments.
By keeping the accelerator pedal pressed, the
vehicle can continue to accelerate beyond the
set speed. In this case, use the RES/SET
switch to set the speed to the vehicle’s current
speed.
When you push the RES/SET button to reduce
the speed, the braking system intervenes
automatically if the engine brake does not
slow the vehicle down sufficiently to reach the
set speed. The device holds the set speed
uphill and downhill; however a slight variation
is entirely normal, particularly on slight
inclines.
The transmission could shift to a lower gear
when driving downhill, or when accelerating.
This is normal and necessary to maintain the
set speed.
The system will disable while driving if the
brakes overheat.
WARNING!
Leaving the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
system on when not in use is dangerous. You
could accidentally set the system or cause it to
go faster than you want. You could lose control
and have a collision. Always leave the system
off when you are not using it.
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131
HILL START ASSIST (HSA)
This is an integral part of the ESC system and
facilitates starting on slopes, activating automat-
ically in the following cases:
Uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine running,
brake pressed and transmission in NEUTRAL
(N) or gear other than REVERSE (R) engaged.
Downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine running,
brake pressed and REVERSE gear engaged.
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)
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. 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.
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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155
Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
Seat Belt Buckle Switch
Supplemental Side Air Bags
Supplemental Knee Air Bags
Front and Side Impact Sensors
Seat Belt Pretensioners
Seat Track Position Sensors
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment.
NOTE:
Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is
wrong with the air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air
bags, any or all of the following may occur:
The air bag material may sometimes cause
abrasions and/or skin reddening to the
occupants as the air bags deploy and unfold.
The abrasions are similar to friction rope burns
or those you might get sliding along a carpet or
gymnasium floor. They are not caused by
contact with chemicals. They are not
permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly
within a few days, or if you have any blistering,
see your doctor immediately.
As the air bags deflate, you may see some
smoke-like particles. The particles are a normal
by-product of the process that generates the
non-toxic gas used for air bag inflation. These
airborne particles may irritate the skin, eyes,
nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues, see your doctor. If these particles
settle on your clothing, follow the garment
manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have
deployed. If you are involved in another collision,
the air bags will not be in place to protect you.
NOTE:
Air bag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim, but they will open during air bag
deployment.
After any collision, the vehicle should be taken
to an authorized dealer immediately.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact, if the communication
network remains intact, and the power remains
intact, depending on the nature of the event, the
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) will
determine whether to have the Enhanced
Accident Response System perform the following
functions:
Cut off fuel to the engine (if equipped)
Cut off battery power to the electric motor (if
equipped)
Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has
power
Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as
long as the battery has power or for
15 minutes from the intervention of the
Enhanced Accident Response System
Unlock the power door locks
Your vehicle may also be designed to perform any
of these other functions in response to the
Enhanced Accident Response System:
Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the
HVAC Blower Motor, Close the HVAC
Circulation Door
Cut off battery power to the: • Engine
• Electric Motor (if equipped)
• Electric power steering
• Brake booster
• Electric park brake
• Automatic transmission gear selector
• Horn
• Front wiper
• Headlamp washer pump (if equipped)
NOTE:
After an accident, remember to cycle the ignition
to the OFF position and remove the key from the
ignition switch to avoid draining the battery. Care -
fully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine
compartment and on the ground near the engine
compartment and fuel tank before resetting the
system and starting the engine. If there are no
fuel leaks or damage to the vehicle electrical
devices (e.g. headlights) after an accident, reset
the system by following the procedure described
below. If you have any doubt, contact an autho -
rized dealer.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners
cannot protect you in another collision. Have
the air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and the
seat belt retractor assemblies replaced by an
authorized dealer immediately. Also, have the
Occupant Restraint Controller System serviced
as well.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
178
If frequent jump starting is required to start your
vehicle, you should have the battery and charging
system inspected at an authorized dealer.
BUMP STARTING
Never jump start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill.
NOTE:
You cannot start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
IF YOUR ENGINE
OVERHEATS
Engine overheating may occur in situations of
extreme environmental temperatures, frequent
engine stops/starts, or driving in heavy traffic. If
the engine becomes overheated, the Engine
Temperature Warning Light in the instrument
cluster will illuminate along with a dedicated
message
Ú
page 70.If the vehicle is overheating, it will need to be
serviced by an authorized dealer.
In any of the following situations, you can reduce
the potential for overheating by taking the
appropriate action.
On the highways — slow down.
In city traffic — while stopped, place the
transmission in NEUTRAL, but do not increase
engine idle speed.
NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
If your Air Conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off.
The A/C system adds heat to the engine
cooling system and turning the A/C off can
help remove this heat.
You can also turn the temperature control to
maximum heat, the mode control to floor and
the blower control to high. This allows the
heater core to act as a supplement to the
radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
Do not go near the front of the vehicle. Stop the
engine. Wait until the steam dissipates. Then,
open the hood and start the engine.
If Neither Coolant Nor Steam Is Escaping
Open the hood and idle the engine until it cools.
NOTE:
If the cooling fan does not operate while the
engine is running, the engine temperature will
increase. Stop the engine and contact an
authorized dealer.
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling system
inspected. The engine could be seriously
damaged unless repairs are made. Contact an
authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones,
etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long enough
without engine operation, the vehicle’s battery
will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from
under the hood, do not open the hood until
the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the
radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge
reads “H”, pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off
until the pointer drops back into the normal
range. If the pointer remains on the “H”, turn
the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
190
NOTE:
The headlight washing system will not work if the
liquid level is low (as indicated by the symbol on
the instrument cluster display). On vehicles
equipped with headlight washers, there is a refer-
ence notch on the dipstick: ONLY the windshield/
rear window washer operates with the level below
this reference.
BRAKE FLUID
Check that the fluid is at the maximum level. If
the fluid level in the tank is low, contact an
authorized dealer to have the system checked.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ACTIVATION
S
YSTEM OIL
The transmission control oil level should only be
checked at an authorized dealer.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
L
IFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make it last
longer, observe the following instructions:
When you park the car, ensure that the doors
and trunk are closed properly to prevent any
lights from remaining on inside the
passenger's compartment.
Do not keep accessories (e.g. radio, hazard
warning lights, etc.) switched on for a long time
when the engine is not running.
Before performing any operation on the
electrical system, disconnect the negative
battery cable. If you wish to install electrical accessories after
purchasing the car that require permanent
electrical supply (e.g. alarm, etc.), or accessories
which influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact an authorized dealer,
whose qualified staff will evaluate the overall
electrical consumption.
NOTE:
After the battery is disconnected, the steering
must be initialized. The warning light on the
instrument panel switches on to indicate this. To
carry out this procedure, simply turn the steering
wheel all the way from one end to the other, and
then turn it back to the central position.
BATTERY
The battery does not require the electrolyte to be
topped up with distilled water. A periodic check
carried out at an authorized dealer, however, is
necessary to check efficiency.
Follow the battery manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
Replacing The Battery
If necessary, replace the battery with another
original battery with the same specifications.
Follow the battery manufacturer’s instructions for
maintenance.
NOTE:
It will not be possible to open the trunk with a key
or by pushing the button in the passenger
compartment when the battery is disconnected.
So, always position the manual trunk opening
strap on the trunk lock before disconnecting the
battery
Ú
page 220.
CAUTION!
If the charge level remains under 50% for a
long time, the battery may be damaged by
sulphation, reducing its capacity and
efficiency during a vehicle start. The battery is
also more prone to the risk of freezing (at
temperatures as high as 14°F (-10°C).
WARNING!
Battery acid is a corrosive solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery
acid to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing.
Do not lean over a battery when attaching
clamps
Ú
page 177. If acid splashes in eyes
or on skin, flush the area immediately with
large amounts of water.
Battery gas is flammable and explosive.
Keep flame or sparks away from the battery.
Do not use a booster battery or any other
booster source with an output greater than
12 Volts. Do not allow cable clamps to touch
each other.
Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after handling.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
196
Disposal Of Used Coolant
Disposal of engine/intercooler coolant is subject
to legal requirements: consult the appropriate
local regulations.
NOTE:
To prevent the fluid from being ingested by
children or animals, do not keep it in open
containers or pour it on the ground. If ingested,
contact a doctor immediately. Eliminate any
traces of fluid from the ground immediately.
When the vehicle stops after a short trip,
steam may be seen coming out from front of
the hood. This is a normal phenomenon which
is due to the presence of rain, snow or a lot of
moisture on the surface of the radiator.
With engine and system cold, do not top up
with coolant beyond the maximum level
indicated on the reservoir in the engine
compartment.
BRAKING SYSTEM
In order to guarantee the efficiency of the braking
system, periodically check its components; for
this operation, contact an authorized dealer.
For the correct servicing intervals
Ú
page 182.
NOTE:
Driving with your foot resting on the brake pedal
may compromise its efficiency, increasing the
risk of accidents. When driving, never keep your
foot on the brake pedal and don’t put unneces-
sary strain on it to prevent the brakes from over -
heating: excess pad wear may cause damage to
the braking system.
When an insufficient oil level is detected,
contact an authorized dealer to have the
system checked.
Always keep the cap of the brake fluid
reservoir (in the engine compartment)
completely closed.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Use only a transmission oil with the same charac -
teristics as those indicated on
Ú
page 234.
Special Additives
Do not use any type of additive with the
automatic transmission oil. The automatic
transmission oil is a product designed especially
for this vehicle and its performance may be
compromised through the use of further
additives.
Frequency Of Oil Changes
In normal vehicle operating conditions, it is not
necessary to change the transmission oil.
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If necessary, replace the battery with another
battery with the same specifications. It is advised
to contact an authorized dealer for replacement.
WARNING!
Use only the manufacturer recommended
brake fluid
Ú
page 234. Using the wrong
type of brake fluid can severely damage your
brake system and/or impair its performance.
The proper type of brake fluid for your vehicle
is also identified on the original factory
installed hydraulic master cylinder reservoir.
To avoid contamination from foreign matter
or moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid
that has been in a tightly closed container.
Keep the master cylinder reservoir cap
secured at all times. Brake fluid in an open
container absorbs moisture from the air
resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or
prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result
in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts,
causing the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake
fluid can also damage painted and vinyl
surfaces, care should be taken to avoid its
contact with these surfaces.
Do not allow petroleum-based fluid to
contaminate the brake fluid. Brake seal
components could be damaged, causing
partial or complete brake failure. This could
result in a collision.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can damage
your transmission components. Such damage
is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit an
authorized dealer immediately. Severe
transmission damage may occur. An
authorized dealer has the proper tools to
adjust the fluid level accurately.
23_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 196