Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 2016 Owner's Manual

WARNING!(Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always shift the vehicle
into FIRST gear or REVERSE, apply the parking
brake, turn the vehicle OFF, remove the key fob
from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children). A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
Using The Transmission
This vehicle is equipped with a Six-Speed Alfa Twin
Clutch transmission with steering wheel mounted shift
paddles.
When the ignition is in the OFF position, the transmission
controls (shift paddles on the steering wheel, and gear
selector buttons on the center console) are disabled.
When the key is turned to the ON position, the current
transmission gear will be displayed in the instrument
cluster, along with the AUTOindicator. This indicates
the transmission is in Automatic mode.5
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Operating Modes
The transmission has two normal operating modes (ex-
cept when the “Race” mode is selected on the DNA
switch):
•MANUAL mode: The driver must shift gears manu-
ally (using the steering wheel mounted shift paddles). •
Automatic (AUTO) mode: The system shifts between
all forward gears automatically.
When the “Race” mode is selected via the DNA selector,
the only allowed transmission operating mode is
MANUAL.
MANUAL Mode
In this operating mode, the driver is responsible for
choosing the best gear to engage, depending on the
vehicles operating conditions. The current gear is dis-
played in the instrument cluster.
To activate/deactivate MANUAL mode, push the A/M
button on the center console when the transmission is in
any forward gear.
Use the “+” shift paddle to engage a higher gear, or the
“–” paddle to engage a lower gear.
Transmission Gear Selector
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If a requested gear shift is not allowed (typically, because
it would cause engine overspeed or lugging), an acoustic
signal will sound and the transmission will remain in the
existing gear.
The transmission will automatically downshift during
closed-throttle decelerations, to prevent engine lugging.
When coming to a stop, the transmission will automati-
cally select FIRST (1st) gear. The driver must manually
upshift the transmission (by tapping the + shift paddle)
as the vehicle accelerates.
NOTE:To provide better comfort, the transmission will
up-shift to the next available gear if the engine speed
limit is reached. This feature is only available in NATU-
RAL and ALL WEATHER Modes. AUTO Mode
In AUTO mode the transmission shifts gears automati-
cally depending on vehicle speed, engine RPM, and
accelerator pedal position.
AUTO is the default operating mode at startup. When in
AUTO mode,
AUTOappears in the instrument cluster,
adjacent to the current gear display.
To toggle between AUTO and MANUAL modes, push
the A/M button on the center console.
Accelerating From A Stop
FIRST (1st) and REVERSE (R) can only be engaged (at a
stop) by pushing “1” or “R” when the brake pedal is
pressed.
To drive, press the brake pedal, and select 1 (1st) or R
(REVERSE) by pushing “1” or “R” using the transmission
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STARTING AND OPERATING 181

gear selector buttons on the center console. Then release
the brake pedal and smoothly press the accelerator pedal.
NOTE:
•The vehicle will not “creep” when the brake pedal is
released, and may in fact roll down on an incline.
Leaving from a stop, the accelerator pedal must be
pressed to transmit driving torque to the wheels.
• When starting on a fairly steep incline, it may be
helpful to engage the parking brake.
• The vehicle can only be launched (from a stop) in
FIRST (1st) or REVERSE (R). SECOND (2nd) gear (or
higher) cannot be engaged when the vehicle is station-
ary.
• If the brake pedal is not depressed (and the vehicle is
stationary for a period of time), the transmission will
automatically engage NEUTRAL (N). •
FIRST (1st) and REVERSE (R) gears can only be
engaged at vehicle speeds below 2 mph (3 km/h). At
speeds below 6 mph (10 km/h), attempts to shift from
1st to R (or R to 1st) will only be allowed if the vehicle
speed drops below the 2 mph (3 km/h) threshold
within three seconds of the request; otherwise, the
transmission will shift to NEUTRAL (N). The driver
should then repeat the request for 1st or R once the
vehicle has come to a stop.
Shift Paddles
In MANUAL mode, the steering wheel mounted shift
paddles (labeled + and -) control the transmission shift-
ing.
Tapping the (+) paddle will upshift the transmission to
the next higher gear, while tapping the (-) paddle will
downshift to the next lower gear. The current gear is
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

displayed in the instrument cluster. If a requested shift
would cause engine lugging or overspeed, that request
will be ignored.
In AUTO mode, tapping a shift paddle will temporarily
place the transmission in MANUAL mode, and execute
the requested upshift or downshift (if allowable). The
transmission will then return to AUTO mode after a brief
interval.
Pressing a shift paddle will only shift the transmission
one gear at a time. Holding a paddle depressed will not
command multiple shifts; the paddle must be pressed
multiple times in succession to generate multiple shifts.
Neutral (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Always apply the
parking brake if you must leave the vehicle.At engine startup, the transmission will automatically
select NEUTRAL (N) and AUTO mode. The brake pedal
must be pressed when starting the engine.
To select NEUTRAL (N) when the vehicle is stationary,
turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON position (engine
running or not), press the brake pedal, and push the N
button on the transmission gear selector.
When the vehicle is moving (with ignition ON), pushing
the NEUTRAL (N) button will engage N, regardless of
whether the brake pedal is pressed.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. Coasting in NEUTRAL
and turning off the ignition while coasting severely
limit your ability to respond to changing traffic or
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 183

WARNING!(Continued)
road conditions. Failure to follow this WARNING
may result in your loss of vehicle control, collision
and serious injury or death.
With the vehicle in motion, to engage a gear from the
NEUTRAL (N) position, push the 1 button on the trans-
mission control panel (it is not necessary to press the
brake pedal). The transmission will engage the correct
gear according to the vehicles speed.
Acoustic Signal
If the vehicle is stationary with the engine running and
FIRST (1st) gear or REVERSE (R) engaged, the system
activates an acoustic signal and automatically places the
transmission in NEUTRAL (N) when:
• The accelerator and/or brake pedal are not operated
for at least three minutes. •
The brake pedal is pressed for longer than 10 minutes.
• The driver ’s door is opened and the accelerator pedal
or the brake pedal are not operated for at least one and
a half seconds.
• A fault has been detected in the transmission.
Parking The Vehicle
When parking and leaving the vehicle, proceed as fol-
lows:
1. Make sure that the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, put the vehicle into either a forward or reverse gear by pressing 1 or R.
(The vehicle may already be in 1 or R if you were just
driving.)
3. Engage the parking brake.
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4. Turn off and remove the key.
5. Release the brake.
When parking on an incline, turn the front wheels toward
the curb on a downhill slope and away from the curb on
an uphill slope. Always chock the wheels when parking
on steep grades.
General Notes
When the vehicle is stopped and in gear, always keep the
brake pedal pressed until you decide to set off, then
release the brake and accelerate gradually.
During prolonged stops with the engine running, it is
advisable to keep the transmission in NEUTRAL (N).
When stopped on an incline, always hold the vehicle in
place using the brakes. On steep inclines, Hill Start Assist
(HSA) will temporarily hold the vehicle in position when
the brake pedal is released. If the accelerator pedal is notapplied after a short time, the vehicle will roll back.
Either reapply the brake (to hold the vehicle) or press the
accelerator to climb the hill.
Only shift between FIRST (1st) and REVERSE (R) when
completely stopped, with the brake pedal pressed.
When necessary, it is possible to engage FIRST (1st),
REVERSE (R) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine off, the
key at MAR-ON and the brake pressed. In this case, wait
at least five seconds between one gear change and the
next, in order to safeguard the operation of the hydraulic
system, and the pump in particular.
For uphill departures, accelerate gradually but fully,
immediately after releasing the parking brake or the
brake pedal; this allows the engine speed to increase to
provide more torque at the wheels.
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ALFA DNA SYSTEM (DYNAMIC VEHICLE
CONTROL SYSTEM)
This vehicle is equipped with a “Alfa DNA” system lever
(located on the center console). There are four modes of
operation to be selected according to driving style and
road conditions:
•Dynamic (This mode alters the transmission’s auto-
matic shift schedule for sportier driving [D]).
• Natural (mode for driving in normal conditions [N]).
• All Weather (mode for driving in poor grip conditions,
such as rain and snow [A]).
• Race (sports driving mode [D]).
This also acts on the dynamic vehicle control systems
(engine, gearbox/transmission, ESC system).
Driving Modes
The Alfa DNA system lever will always return to the
center position after use.
The selected driving mode is indicated by the corre-
sponding LED switching in the panel and by an indica-
tion on the display.
Alfa DNA Mode Selector
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Dynamic Mode
Activation
Move the Alfa DNA system lever upwards (to the letter
“D”) and hold in this position for half a second, until the
corresponding LED lights up and the Dynamic mode
activation indicator appears on the display.
When Dynamic mode is activated, the turbocharger
pressure and engine oil temperature screen is displayed
automatically. When released, the Alfa DNA system lever
will return to the central position.
NOTE:Dynamic Mode will be inhibited until the vehicle
has accumulated 155 miles (250 km). Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip Regu-
lation (ASR) systems:
The ESC and ASR system ensures more enjoyable,
sportier driving while guaranteeing the stability of the
vehicle.
Electronic Q2 system:
The system increases vehicle stability while accelerating
on bends, improving the agility of the vehicle.
Engine And Gearbox/Transmission:
The system adjusts the transmission shift calibration for
sportier shifting.
NOTE:
In Dynamic mode, the engine response to the
accelerator pedal position increases considerably. Conse-
quently, driving is less fluid and comfortable.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 187

Deactivation
To deactivate Dynamic mode and return to Natural,
move lever downwards (to letter “A”) and keep it in this
position for half a second.
The LED corresponding to Natural mode will light up
and the Natural mode activation indication will appear
on the display.
Race Mode
Activation
Starting in Dynamic mode, move the Alfa DNA system
lever upwards (to the letter “D”) and hold in this position
for five seconds, until the Race mode activation indicator
appears on the display.When Race mode is activated, the longitudinal/lateral
accelerometer indicator screen (G-meter information) is
displayed automatically. This considers gravitational ac-
celeration (G).
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Anti-Slip Regu-
lation (ASR) systems:
These systems are deactivated in order to ensure the
fullest sensation of sport, leaving the driver in full control
of the vehicle. When the vehicle is in unstable conditions,
the ESC reactivates automatically when the brake pedal
is pressed until the ABS intervenes, thus returning the
vehicle to stable conditions. To deactivate the ESC and
ASR systems reactivate Race mode.
Electronic Q2 system:
The system increases vehicle stability while accelerating
on bends, improving the agility of the vehicle.
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