check engine light Alfa Romeo 4C 2016 Owner handbook (in English)

READ THIS CAREFULLY
REFUELLING
Only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95, in compliance with the European specification EN228. In particular,
the 4C’s engine has been designed to comply with all emission limits while simultaneously guaranteeing minimal consumption and maximum
performance, using premium-quality unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) of 98 or higher. The use of petrol that does not conform to the
specification indicated may cause the
warning light to switch on and the irregular operation of the engine.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Make sure that the handbrake is engaged. Press the brake pedal and, without pressing the accelerator, turn the ignition key to AVV; release it
as soon as the engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperatures during operation. Do not park the car on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or other flammable
material: fire hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The car is fitted with a system that carries out a continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components in order to help protect the
environment.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after purchasing the car, you want to install accessories that require an electrical supply (with the risk of gradually draining the battery),
contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership which will calculate the overall electrical consumption and check that the car’s electrical system
can support the required load.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring that it maintains its performance and its safety features, its environmental friendliness
and low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER HANDBOOK CONTAINS…
... important information, advice and warnings for correct use, driving safety and maintenance of your car over time. Special attention must be
paid to the symbols provided(personal safety)(environmental protection)(car integrity).

REAR LIGHTSTypes of bulbs................. 114Bulb replacement.............. 112
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT /
BONNET
Opening/closing................. 38
ENGINEChecking levels................ 132Technical data................. 149
FUEL CAPOpening/closing................. 54
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GRAPHICAL INDEX

IGNITION SWITCH
Operation
The key can be turned to three different
positions fig. 9:
STOP: engine off, key can be
removed, steering column locked.
Some electrical devices (e.g. radio,
central door locking system, alarm, etc.)
are still available;
MAR-ON: driving position. All
electrical devices are available;
AVV: engine starting.
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
system that requires the ignition key to
be turned back to STOP if the engine
does not start, before the starting
operation can be repeated.
...... 03)
STEERING LOCK
Activation
When the key is at STOP, remove the
key and turn the steering wheel until it
locks.
Deactivation
Move the steering wheel slightly and
turn the ignition key to MAR-ON.
4) 5)
WARNING
2)If the ignition device has been tampered
with (e.g. an attempted theft), have it
checked over by the Alfa Romeo
Dealership before driving again.
3)Always take the key with you when you
leave your vehicle to prevent someone
from accidentally operating the controls.
Remember to engage the electric parking
brake. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
4)It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any
after-market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of anti-theft device) that
could adversely affect performance,
invalidate the warranty, cause serious
safety problems and also result in the car
not meeting type-approval requirements.
5)Never extract the mechanical key while
the vehicle is moving. The steering wheel
will automatically lock as soon as it is
turned. This holds true for cars being
towed as well.
SEATS
ADJUSTMENTS
Lengthwise adjustment
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Lift lever A fig. 10 and push the seat
forwards or backwards: in the driving
position your arms should rest on the
rim of the steering wheel.
6) 7)
Alfa Romeo’s advice: the seat must be
adjusted so that the entire sole of the
foot presses on the brake pedal when it
is fully depressed; at the same time,
your right leg must be bent slightly. In
this way, in the event of emergency, the
driver can generate sufficient force to
achieve adequate pressure on the
brake pedal. Moreover, this reduces the
risk of leg injuries in the event of an
accident.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

Locking takes place irrespective of the
position of the ignition key.
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM
Operation
This intervenes in the event of impact,
causing:
fuel supply cut-off with the engine
consequently switching off;
the automatic unlocking of the doors;
the switching on of the interior lights;
the switching on of the hazard
warning lights.
The digital
warning light and the
dedicated message on the display
indicate the intervention of the system.
Carefully check the car for fuel leaks, for
instance in the engine compartment,
under the car or near the tank area.
17)
After a collision, turn the ignition key to
STOP to prevent the battery from
running down.
To restore the correct operation of the
car, proceed as follows:
bring the left exterior light control
stalk to central position (neutral);
turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON
position;
activate the right direction indicator;
deactivate the right direction
indicator;
activate the left direction indicator;
deactivate the left direction indicator;
activate the right direction indicator;
deactivate the right direction
indicator;
activate the left direction indicator;
deactivate the left direction indicator;
turn the ignition key to the STOP
position;
turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON
position.
WARNING
16)The use of hazard warning lights is
governed by the Highway Code of the
country you are driving in: comply with
legal requirements.
17)If, after an impact, you smell fuel or
notice leaks from the fuel system, do not
reactivate the system to avoid the risk of
fire.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
STORAGE
COMPARTMENTS
Front
For versions/markets, where provided,
the car features a storage compartment
A fig. 29 on the dashboard.
Rear
This is located at the centre of the rear
partition, easily accessible from the 2
seats. To access it, press button A
fig. 30 and release clasp B. There is a
lock in button A, permitting the storage
compartment to be locked using a
specific key.
On some versions, the storage
compartment is replaced with a mesh
pocket fig. 31.
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33

the tailgate when raising, in order to
prevent any external occurrence (e.g. a
gust of wind) from suddenly opening
the tailgate to end of travel. Additionally,
in order to prevent any damage to the
car or broken windows, do not force
the tailgate beyond the opening
position necessary to secure the
supporting rod B in the hole of the
retaining clip.
CLOSING
Procedure25)
hold the tailgate up with one hand
and use the other to remove rod B
fig. 42 from housing D fig. 43 and
reinsert it in its locking device C fig. 42;
lower the engine cover to
approximately 20 centimetres from the
engine compartment and let it drop.
Make sure that the engine cover is
completely closed and not only
fastened in safety position by trying to
open it. If it is not completely closed, do
not press the engine cover down, but
raise it and repeat the procedure.
IMPORTANT Always check that the
tailgate is closed correctly to prevent it
from opening while the car is travelling.
WARNING
21)The maximum permitted load in the
luggage compartment, in addition to the
kits provided, is 15 kg.
22)When accessing the rear luggage
compartment, take care with parts that
may be hot, owing to the adjacent engine
compartment. Danger of serious burns.
23)Perform these operations only when
the car is stationary.
24)The tailgate may drop suddenly if the
supporting rod is not positioned correctly.
25)For safety reasons, the tailgate must
always be closed properly while the car is
travelling. Therefore, always make sure that
the tailgate is closed properly and that the
lock is engaged. If you realise during travel
that the lock is not fully engaged, stop
immediately and close the tailgate in the
correct manner.
HEADLIGHTS
LIGHT BEAM DIRECTION
The correct orientation of the headlights
is important for the driver's comfort and
safety as well as for all other road users.
This is also covered by a specific rule of
the highway code.
The headlights must be correctly
directed to ensure the best visibility
conditions for all drivers. Contact a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership to
have the headlights checked and
adjusted.
ADJUSTING THE
HEADLIGHTS ABROAD
The dipped beam headlights are
aligned to comply with the regulations
of the country of purchase. When in
countries where you drive on the other
side of the road, you need to alter the
beam direction in order not to dazzle
the vehicles travelling in the opposite
direction, proceeding as follows:
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IMPORTANT Maintain a tight grip on

safety in low-grip driving conditions. It is
advisable to select "All Weather" mode
in the presence of low-grip road
surfaces.
"ELECTRONIC Q2" SYSTEM: the
system is deactivated.
Engine and gearbox/transmission:
standard response.
Deactivation
To deactivate “All Weather” mode and
return to “Natural”, move lever A
fig. 47 upwards (to letter “d”) and keep
it in this position for half a second.
IMPORTANT
During the first 250 km of usage of
the car, the Dynamic and Race modes
are inhibited. Within this first interval of
start-up mileage it is advisable to refrain
from an aggressive driving style, so that
the best gear shifting quality can be
achieved over time.
When the engine is next started, the
"All Weather" or "Dynamic" mode
selected previously is retained. The
system will reactivate in "All Weather" or
"Dynamic" mode, depending on which
mode was selected before the engine
was switched off.
When the engine is next started, the
"Race" mode selected previously is not
retained. The system will reactivate in
"Dynamic" mode.
It is not possible to go directly from
“Dynamic” mode to “All Weather” modeand vice versa. You must always first go
back to “Natural” mode and then select
the other mode.
System failure
In the event of system failure or a fault
with lever A fig. 47, no driving modes
can be selected.
The display will become grey (same
screen as "Natural" mode) but without
an indication of the Alfa DNA setting.
The display will also show a warning
message.
EOBD SYSTEM
(European On
Board Diagnosis)
Operation
The EOBD system (European On Board
Diagnosis) carries out a continuous
diagnosis of the components of the car
related to emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by switching on
the
warning light on the instrument
panel, together with a message on the
display, when these components are no
longer in peak condition (see “Warning
lights and messages” paragraph in the
"Knowing the instrument panel"
chapter).
The aim of the EOBD system (European
On Board Diagnosis) is to:
monitor the efficiency of the system;
indicate an increase in emissions;
indicate the need to replace
deteriorated components.
The car also has a connector, which
can interface with appropriate tools,
that makes it possible to read the error
codes stored in the electronic control
units together with a series of specific
parameters for engine operation and
diagnosis. This check can also be
carried out by the traffic control
authorities.
IMPORTANT After eliminating a fault, to
check the system completely, the
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership is
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
red
amber
EBD FAILURE
The simultaneous switching on of the
(red) and
(amber) warning lights with the engine on, indicates
either a failure of the EBD system or that the system is
not available. In this case, the rear wheels may suddenly
lock and the vehicle may swerve when braking sharply.
The display shows the dedicated message.Drive very carefully to the nearest dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership to have the system inspected immediately.
redAIRBAG FAILURE
When the key is turned to MAR-ON, the warning light
switches on but should switch off after a few seconds.
The warning light stays on constantly if there is a fault in
the airbag system.
The display shows the dedicated message.
redSEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light switches on constantly with the car
stationary if the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
The warning light flashes and a buzzer will sound if the
car is in motion and the driver’s seat belt is not correctly
fastened.For permanent deactivation of the SBR (Seat Belt
Reminder) system buzzer, contact the dedicated Alfa
Romeo Dealership. The system can be reactivated
using the Setup Menu.
WARNING
59)If thewarning light does not switch on when the key is turned to MAR or if it stays on when driving (together with the message on the
display), there may be a fault in the restraint systems; in this case, the airbags or pretensioners may not deploy in the event of an accident or,
in a lower number of cases, they could deploy erroneously. Before proceeding, contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership to have the
system checked immediately.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
59)60)

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
amberINJECTION/EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE
In normal conditions, when the ignition key is turned to MAR-ON
the warning light switches on, but should switch off as soon as
the engine is started.
The operation of the
warning light may be checked by the traffic police using specific
devices. Comply with the laws and regulations of the country
where you are driving.
If the warning light stays on or switches on when driving, it means
that the injection system is not working properly; in particular, if
the warning light comes on constantly, this indicates a
malfunction in the supply/ignition system that could cause
excessive exhaust emissions, a possible loss of performance,
poor driveability and high fuel consumption.
On some versions, the display shows the dedicated
message.
The warning light switches off if the malfunction
disappears, but it is still stored by the system.
Under these conditions, you may continue
travelling at a moderate speed without
demanding excessive effort from the engine.
Prolonged use of the car with the warning light
on constantly may cause damage.
Contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership
as soon as possible.
If the warning light flashes, it means that the catalytic converter
may be damaged.In this case, it is necessary to release the
accelerator pedal to lower the speed of the
engine until the warning light stops flashing.
Continue the journey at moderate speed, trying
to avoid driving conditions that may cause
further flashing and contact the dedicated Alfa
Romeo Dealership as soon as possible.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
5)

Warning lights on
displayWhat it means What to do
redENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH
The digital warning light switches on when the
key is turned to MAR-ON, but it should switch off
after a few seconds. The warning light turns on
when the engine is overheated.
The display shows the dedicated message.In normal driving conditions: stop the car, switch off the engine
and check that the water level in the reservoir is not below the
MIN mark. In this case, wait for the engine to cool down, then
slowly and carefully open the cap, top up with coolant and
check that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on
the reservoir itself. Also check visually for any fluid leaks.
Should the warning light turn on again at the next start-up,
contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
If the car is used under demanding conditions (e.g. in
high-performance driving): slow down and, if the warning light
stays on, stop the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes with the engine
running and slightly accelerated to further favour the coolant
circulation. Then stop the engine. Check that the coolant level
is correct as described above.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is advisable to keep
the engine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes before
switching it off.
Warning lights on
displayWhat it means What to do
redALTERNATOR FAILURE
The digital warning light switches on, only with engine
started, when an alternator fault is detected.Contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as
possible.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING
72)Do not apply stickers or other objects
to the steering wheel or the passenger side
airbag cover. Do not place objects on the
passenger side of the dashboard because
these could interfere with the correct
opening of the passenger airbag and
cause injury to occupants.
73)Always drive keeping your hands on
the steering wheel rim so the airbag can
inflate freely if necessary. Do not drive with
your body bent forward. Keep your back
straight against the backrest.
74)Instructions for deactivating the front
passenger airbag can be found in the
"Menu Options" paragraph of the
"Knowing the instrument panel" chapter.
Please note that under these conditions
the airbag will NOT deploy when required
(accident).
75)Do not rest your head, arms or elbows
on the door to prevent injury during airbag
deployment.
76)Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.
77)If the
warning light does not switch
on when the key is turned to MAR, or stays
on while driving (on some versions together
with a message on the display) there may
be a fault in the restraint systems. In this
case, airbags or pretensioners may not be
activated in the case of an accident or (in a
lesser number of cases) they may be
activated incorrectly. Before proceeding,
contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership
to have the system checked immediately.78)Do not travel carrying objects on your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
79)If the car has been subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or flooding,
have the airbag system inspected at a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
80)The airbags may also be deployed
when the car is not moving, if the key is
inserted and turned to MAR even when the
engine is off, if the car is hit by another
moving vehicle. Also remember that no
safety device (airbags or pretensioners) will
activate in the event of impact when the
key is at STOP. Non-deployment of these
devices under these circumstances does
not therefore indicate a system
malfunction.
81)When the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the
warning light comes on
constantly for the first 4 seconds. Then, if
the warning light remains on, this means
the passenger's protection has been
deactivated; if the warning light switches
off, instead, the passenger's protection is
enabled.
82)The front airbag is designed to be
deployed for impacts of a greater intensity
than for the pretensioners. For impacts
whose intensity falls between the two
levels, normally, only the pretensioners will
be activated.
83)The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency. Because front
airbags are not deployed for low-speed
frontal impacts, side collisions, rear shunts
or rollovers, occupants are protected only
by their seat belts, which must always be
fastened.
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