wheel torque Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 2016 Owner's Manual

▫Shallow Standing Water .................193
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .195
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .197
 ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL)
SYSTEM ............................ .197
▫ System Activation .....................199
▫ System Intervention ...................199
▫ Electronic Brake Distribution System (EBD) . . .199
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .199
▫ Cornering Brake Control System (CBC) ......201
▫ Drag Torque Control System (DTC) ........201
▫ AntiSlip Regulation System (ASR) .........202
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ..................203 ▫
Hydraulic Brake Assistant System (HBA) . . . .204
▫ Electronic Q2 System (E-Q2) .............205
▫ Ready Alert Brake System (RAB) ..........205
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............206
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .206
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........209
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........211
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........212
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........217
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .217
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................218
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .220
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .220
174 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 185

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic brake
systems. If either of the two hydraulic systems loses
normal capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion. However, there will be some loss of overall braking
effectiveness. You may notice increased pedal travel
during application, greater pedal force required to slow
or stop, and potential activation of the “Brake System
Warning Light”.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL)
SYSTEM
The ESC system improves the directional control and
stability of the vehicle in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle 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.
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 all
collisions, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 197

•Understeer: occurs when the vehicle is turning less
than it should according to the angle of the steering
wheel.
This vehicle’s advanced electronic brake control system
also includes: Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Anti-
Lock Brake System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control Sys-
tem (CBC), Drag Torque Control System (DTC), AntiSlip
Regulation System (ASR), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hy-
draulic Brake Assistant System (HBA), ELECTRONIC Q2
system (E-Q2) and Ready Alert Brake (RAB). All of the
systems work together to enhance vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions, and are commonly
referred to as ESC.
System Activation
The ESC system activates automatically when the engine
is started and can only be deactivated by selecting Race
mode. Refer to the Six-Speed Alfa Twin Clutch Trans-
mission in this section for further information.
System Intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the warning light on
the instrument panel, to inform the driver that the vehicle
is in critical stability and grip conditions.
Electronic Brake Distribution System (EBD)
The EBD system is an integral part of the ESC 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.
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Four-Wheel ABS is designed to aid the driver in
maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking con-
ditions. The system operates with a separate computer to
modulate hydraulic pressure, to prevent wheel lock-up
and to help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 199

WARNING!(Continued)
compromise personal safety and the safety of oth-
ers.
• For the correct operation of the ABS, the tires must
of necessity be the same make and type on all
wheels, in perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and dimensions.
When you are in a severe braking condition involving the
use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop as
the vehicle comes to a stop. This is the result of the
system reverting to the base brake system.
Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal and indicate that the
system is functioning properly.
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.
Cornering Brake Control System (CBC)
The system acts when braking on corners, optimizing 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 vehicle) from locking,
ensuring better stability and direction for the vehicle.
Drag Torque Control System (DTC)
This is an integral part of the ESC system and intervenes
in the event 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 vehicle
stability, above all in low-grip conditions.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 201

Depending on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
•If the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR
system intervenes, reducing the power transmitted by
the engine.
• If the slipping only involves one of the drive wheels, it
also intervenes automatically, braking the wheel that is
slipping.
System Intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the warning light on
the instrument panel, to inform the driver that the vehicle
is in critical stability and grip conditions.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This is an integral part of the ESC system and facilitates
starting on slopes, activating automatically in the follow-
ing 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
engaged.
• Downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pressed and
reverse (R) gear engaged.
When setting off, 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.
When the two seconds have elapsed, without starting,
the system is automatically deactivated, gradually releas-
ing the braking pressure. During this release stage, the
typical brake disengagement noise, indicating that the
vehicle is going to move imminently, can be heard.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 203

The HBA system is designed to improve the vehicles
braking capacity during emergency braking. The system
detects emergency braking by monitoring the speed and
force with which the brake pedal is pressed, and conse-
quently applies the optimal brake pressure. This can
reduce the braking distance, the HBA system therefore
completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the HBA system is obtained
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 HBA system is deactivated when the brake pedal is
released.Electronic Q2 System (E-Q2)
TheElectronic Q2 system intervenes during accelera-
tion on corners, braking the inner drive wheel and thus
increasing the traction of the outer wheel (which bears
more of the vehicles weight): the torque is thus distrib-
uted optimally between the drive wheels in accordance
with the driving conditions and road surface, permitting
particularly effective, sporty driving.
Ready Alert Brake System (RAB)
This function activates automatically if the accelerator
pedal is released rapidly, reducing the brake pad travel
(both at front and back), with the aim of preparing the
braking system and enhancing its responsiveness, thus
reducing the stopping distance in the event of subse-
quent braking.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 205

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER ...........246
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............246
 WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS ..................... .247
▫ Torque Specifications ...................248
 TIRE SERVICE KIT ..................... .249
 JUMP-STARTING ..................... .254
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ..............254▫
Jump-Starting Procedure ................256
 FRONT TOW EYE USAGE ................258
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER — IF EQUIPPED .......261
 ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) ............................. .262
 EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ...........262
6

supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads 240°F
(116°C) or greater pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the coolant temperature drops back into the normal
range 200–230°F (93–110°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 call for
service.
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.
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure
that the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any
time a wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the
vehicle the lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a
properly calibrated torque wrench.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 247