stop start Alfa Romeo 4C 2016 Owner handbook (in English)

SYMBOLS
Some car components have coloured
labels whose symbols indicate
precautions to be observed when using
this component. Under the bonnet
there is also a label that summarises all
the symbols.
ALFA ROMEO CODE
SYSTEM
This is an electronic engine locking
system which increases protection
against attempted thefts of the car. It is
automatically activated when the
ignition key is removed.
There is an electronic device in each
key which can identify the signal
emitted, when the engine is started,
from an aerial built into the ignition
switch. The signal, which changes each
time the engine is started, is the
“password” by means of which the
control unit recognises the key and
enables starting.
1)
Operation
Each time the car is started by turning
the ignition key to MAR, the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit sends an
acknowledgement code to the
Powertrain Control Module to
deactivate the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit has
recognised the code transmitted by the
key.
Each time the ignition key is turned to
STOP, the Alfa Romeo CODE system
deactivates the functions of the
Powertrain Control Module.
Irregular operation
If, during starting, the code is not
correctly recognised, the
digitalwarning light switches on in the display.
In this case, turn the key to STOP and
then to MAR-ON; if it is still locked, try
again with the other keys that come
with the car. If it is still not possible to
start the engine, contact a dedicated
Alfa Romeo Dealership.
Activation of warning light while
driving
If thedigital warning light on the
display switches on, this means that the
system is running a self-diagnosis (for
example due to a voltage drop).
If thedigital warning light
remains on, contact the dedicated Alfa
Romeo Dealership.
IMPORTANT
1)The electronic components inside the
key may be damaged if the key is subjected
to strong shocks. In order to ensure
complete efficiency of the electronic
devices inside the key, it should never be
exposed to direct sunlight.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

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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10A0L0011
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

screen wiper will be stopped
automatically.
With ring nut A fig. 23 in
position,
the screen wiper will automatically
adapt its operating speed to the speed
of the car.
"Smart washing" function
Pull the stalk towards the steering
wheel (unstable position) to operate the
screen washer. Keeping the stalk pulled
for more than half a second, with just
one movement it is possible to operate
the screen washer jet and the wiper at
the same time.
The wiper stops working three strokes
after the stalk is released. A further
stroke after approximately 6 seconds
completes the cycle.
WARNING
12)Never use the windscreen wipers to
remove layers of snow or ice from the
windscreen. In such conditions, the
windscreen wiper may be subjected to
excessive stress and the motor cut-out
switch, which prevents operation for a few
seconds, may intervene. If operation is not
restored (even after restarting that car with
the key), contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
13)Do not operate the screen wiper with
the blades lifted from the windscreen.
CRUISE CONTROL
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This is an electronically controlled
driving assistance device that allows the
desired car speed to be maintained,
without having to press the accelerator
pedal. This device can be used at a
speed above 30 km/h on long stretches
of dry, straight roads with few variations
(e.g. motorways).
It is therefore not recommended to use
this device on extra-urban roads with
traffic. Do not use it in town.
Activation
Turn ring nut A fig. 24 to.
The device cannot be engaged in 1st or
reverse gear: it is advisable to engage it
in 5th gear or higher.
When travelling downhill with the device
engaged, the car may slightly exceed
the stored speed.When the device is activated, the
digital warning light switches on
together with the relevant message on
the display.
Storing speed
Proceed as follows:turn ring nut A fig. 24 toand
press the accelerator to reach the
desired speed;
move the stalk upwards (+) for at
least 1 second, then release it: the car
speed is now stored and you can
therefore release the accelerator.
If needed (when overtaking for
instance), you can accelerate simply by
pressing the accelerator; when you
release the pedal, the car goes back to
the speed stored previously.
Restoring speed
If the device has been deactivated, for
example by pressing the brake pedal,
the stored speed can be restored as
follows:
accelerate gradually until a speed
approaching the one stored is reached;
engage the gear selected at the time
that the speed was stored;
press the CANCEL/RESUME button
(B fig. 24 ).24A0L0022
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

on the car to determine the trajectory
that the driver intends to follow and
compares it with the car’s effective
trajectory. When the real trajectory
deviates from the desired trajectory, the
ESC system intervenes to counter the
car’s understeer or oversteer.
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
The ESC system also includes the
following systems:
ABS
EBD
CBC
DTC
ASR
HILL HOLDER
HBA
“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
"PRE-FILL" (RAB - Ready Alert
Brake)
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system activates automatically
when the engine is started and can only
be deactivated by selecting "Race"
mode. For more details, refer to the
"Alfa DNA system" paragraph in this
chapter.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is indicated by the flashing of thewarning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
ABS
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The system intervenes when braking
and the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent.
The system also improves control and
stability of the car when braking on a
surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37)
System intervention
A slight pulsing of the brake pedal and
noise indicates the intervention of the
ABS: this is completely normal when
the system intervenes.
EBD SYSTEM
The EBD system is an integral part of
the ABS system and intervenes during
braking, distributing the brake force
optimally between front and rear
wheels.
This guarantees greater braking stability
for the vehicle, preventing sudden
locking of the rear wheels and the
consequent instability of the vehicle.
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control) SYSTEM
The system acts when braking on
corners, optimising the distribution of
brake pressure on the four wheels: the
system prevents the wheels on the
inside of the corner (less affected by the
weight of the car) from locking, ensuring
better stability and direction for the car.
DTC (Drag Torque
Control) SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ABS
system and intervenes in the case of
sudden downshifting, or during braking
when the ABS intervenes, restoring
torque to the engine and thus
preventing excessive drag at the drive
wheels, which may lead the wheels to
lock and a loss of car stability, above all
in low-grip conditions.
41

SPEEDOMETER (SPEED
INDICATOR)
Indicator J shows the speed of the car.
REV COUNTER
Light C shows the engine revs.
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE
Gauge G shows the amount of fuel in
the tank.
The switching on of the
digital
warning light indicates that 4–5 litres of
fuel are left in the tank; in this situation,
refuel as soon as possible.
Do not travel with the fuel tank almost
empty: any gaps in fuel delivery could
damage the catalytic converter.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE
INDICATOR
Indicator A shows the temperature of
the engine coolant and starts supplying
indications when the fluid temperature
exceeds approximately 50°C.
The
digital warning light may switch
on (together with a message on the
display) to indicate that the coolant
temperature is too high; in this case,
stop the engine and contact a
dedicated Alfa Romeo Dealership.
GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR
The GSI (Gear Shift Indicator) system
advises the driver to change gear
through a specific indication E fig. 59 on
the instrument panel.Through the GSI, the driver is notified
that changing gear will allow a reduction
in fuel consumption.
Therefore, for driving oriented towards
reducing fuel consumption, it is
advisable to stick to “Natural” or “All
Weather” mode and to follow the
suggestions of the Gear Shift Indicator,
where traffic conditions permit.
When the (
) icon is displayed on the
instrument panel, the GSI suggests
switching to a higher gear, while when
the (
) icon is displayed, the GSI
suggests changing to a lower gear.
IMPORTANT The GSI is not active
when the transmission is operating in
AUTO mode.
IMPORTANT The indication in the
instrument panel remains on until the
driver shifts gear or the driving
conditions go back to a situation where
gearshifting is not required to improve
consumption.
SETUP MENU
CONTROL BUTTONS
SET/: press briefly to access the
menu and/or go to next screen or
confirm the selection. Hold down to
return to the standard screen fig. 61.
: to scroll up through the displayed
screen and the related options or to
increase the displayed value.
: to scroll down through the
displayed menu and the related options
or to decrease the value displayed.
IMPORTANT The
andbuttons
activate different functions according to
the following situations:
within the menu, they allow you to
scroll up and down through the options;
during setting operations, they
increase or decrease the displayed
value;
outside of the menu, they permit the
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

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

sitting on the passenger's lap and a
single belt to protect them both fig. 68.
In general, do not place any objects
between the person and the belt.
66)
67)
SEAT BELTS
MAINTENANCE
Always use the seat belts well
stretched and never twisted; make sure
that they are free to run without
obstructions;
replace the belt after an accident of a
certain severity even if it does not
appear to be damaged. Always replace
the belt if the pretensioners were
deployed;
hand wash the seat belts with water
and neutral soap, rinse and leave to dry
in the shade. Never use strong
detergents, bleach, paints or any other
substance which could damage the belt
fibres;
prevent the retractors from getting
wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get inside;
replace the seat belt when there is
wear or cuts.
WARNING
64)Never press button C fig. 0 when
travelling.
65)For maximum safety, keep the backrest
upright, lean back into it and make sure the
seat belt fits closely across your chest and
pelvis. Always fasten the seat belts!
Travelling without wearing seat belts will
increase the risk of serious injury and even
death in the event of an accident.
66)Removing or tampering with seat belt
and pretensioner components is strictly
prohibited. Any intervention on these
components must be performed by
qualified and authorised technicians.
Always contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
67)If the belt has been subjected to a high
level of stress, for example after an
accident, it must be completely replaced
together with the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the pretensioner. In fact,
even if the belt has no visible defects, it
could have lost its resilience.
SBR SYSTEM (Seat
Belt Reminder)
This system comprises an acoustic
warning which, in conjunction with the
warning light flashing on the
instrument panel, advises the driver if
their seat belt has not been fastened.
Contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership to deactivate this acoustic
warning permanently.
The acoustic warning can be
reactivated at any time through the
Setup Menu (see "Menu Options"
paragraph in “Knowing the instrument
panel” section).
If the driver side seat belt is not
fastened, when 20 km/h is exceeded or
when travelling at a speed from 10 to
20 km/h for longer than 5 seconds, an
acoustic signal sequence will be started
(continuous acoustic signal for the first
6 seconds followed by 90 seconds of
intermittent beeping) and the
warning light will flash.
The warning light will stay on constantly
at the end of the cycle until the engine
is stopped. The acoustic signal is
interrupted immediately when the seat
belt is fastened.
If the seat belt is unfastened again
when driving the car, the acoustic signal
and the flashing warning light resume
as described previously.
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85

STARTING THE
ENGINE
Procedure84) 85) 86)
press the brake pedal;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
9)
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating the procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at
MAR-ON, the
instrument panel
warning light stays on together with the
warning light, turn the key to STOP
and then back to MAR-ON; if the
warning light stays on, try the other
keys provided with the vehicle. If it is
still not possible to start the engine,
contact a dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MAR-ON when the engine is stopped.
WARMING UP THE
ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceduredrive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
do not demand full performance at
first. It is advisable to wait until the
digital engine coolant temperatureindicator starts moving.
SWITCHING OFF THE
ENGINE
Procedure
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive,
keep the engine idling for at least a
couple of minutes before stopping it, in
order to permit the temperature inside
the engine compartment to lower.
WARNING
84)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
85)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to
apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
86)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
IMPORTANT
8)It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at maximum
rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.)
when it is first used.9)When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR
position to prevent useless current
absorption from draining the battery.
10)A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
95
8)10)

PARKING
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (first gear if parked
uphill or reverse if facing downhill) and
leave the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
Wait until the indication of the gear
engaged disappears on the display
before releasing the brake pedal.
87)
IMPORTANT:NEVERleave the car with
the gearbox in neutral.
HANDBRAKE
To engage it, pull lever A
fig. 75 upwards until the car is secured.
When the handbrake is engaged and
the ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
warning light will switch on in the
instrument panel.
To release the handbrake, raise lever A
slightly, hold down button B and lower
the lever. The
warning light in the
instrument panel will switch off.
Four or five clicks are generally enough
when the car is on level ground, while
ten or eleven may be required if the car
is on a steep slope and laden.
88)
IMPORTANT Carry out these
manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
WARNING
87)Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the car and take it
with you.
88)The car must be locked after a few
clicks of the parking brake: if this is not so,
contact the dedicated Alfa Romeo
Dealership to have it adjusted. Always park
the vehicle safely as indicated by the
Highway Code and as described above.
USING THE
TRANSMISSION
The 4C features the TCT 6-speed twin
dry clutch transmission with steering
wheel controls. This is an advanced
technical solution which combines the
control of a manual gearbox, the
immediacy of a sequential system and
the convenience of being able to select
an automatic selection programme
without the slowdown of a conventional
automatic transmission.
With the key removed from the ignition,
the system will not implement any
action when the buttons on the
transmission control panel on the
central tunnel fig. 76 are pressed,
irrespective of the pressure applied to
the brake pedal. Therefore, the
transmission will remain in the condition
that it was in when the engine was
switched off.
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STARTING AND DRIVING