ECU Alfa Romeo Giulia 2018 Owner's Guide

If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor mat
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet.
Fully depress each pedal to check for
interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat has
been properly installed and is secured to
your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should
Make Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear
and uneven wear patterns. Check for
stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect
the tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect
sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges.
Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for
proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of
brake lights and exterior lights while you
work the controls. Check turn signal and
high beam indicator lights on the
instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and
locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after
overnight parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or
other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes
are detected or if fuel, or brake fluid
leaks are suspected. The cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
Warning!
To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH when
using “Track-Use” parts and equipment:
NEVER use any “Track-Use” equipment on
public roads. FCA US LLC does not authorize
the use of “Track-Use” equipment on public
roads.
The intended use of “Track-Use” parts is
for race vehicles on race tracks. To help
ensure the safety of the race driver,
engineers should supervise the installation
of “Track-Use” parts.
FCA US LLC does not authorize the
installation or use of any part noted as
“Track-Use” on any new vehicle prior to its
first retail sale.
Warning!
To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:ALWAYS remove any “Track-Use”
equipment before driving on public roads.
ALWAYS properly use your three-point
seat belts when driving on public roads.
In a collision, you and your passengers can
suffer much greater injuries if you are not
properly buckled up. You can strike the
interior of your vehicle or other passengers,
or you can be thrown out of the vehicle.
129

STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting the engine, be sure to
adjust the seat, the interior rear view
mirrors, and the door mirrors, and fasten
the seat belt correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal before
starting the engine.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown in the
display.
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the vehicle 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.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat
build-up may cause serious injury or death.
Starting Procedure
Proceed as follows:
1. Apply the electric park brake and set
the gear selector to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Fully depress the brake pedal without
touching the accelerator.
3. Briefly push the ignition button.
4. If the engine doesn't start within a
few seconds, you need to repeat the
procedure.
If the problem persists, contact an
authorized dealer.
Warning!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid
into the throttle body air inlet opening in an
attempt to start the vehicle. This could
result in flash fire causing serious personal
injury.
Do not attempt to push or tow your
vehicle to get it started. Vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission cannot be
started this way. Unburned fuel could enter
the catalytic converter and once the engine
has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a
start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly. Refer to
“Jump Starting” in “In Case Of Emergency”
for further information.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
continuously crank the engine for more than
25 seconds at a time. Wait 60 seconds
before trying again.
Remote Starting System
This system uses the key fob to start the
engine conveniently from outside the
vehicle while still maintaining security.
The system has a range of at least
300 feet (91 meters).
The remote starting system also
activates the climate control
(if equipped), the heated seats
(if equipped), and the heated steering
wheel (if equipped), depending on
temperatures outside and inside of
the vehicle.
Note:
Obstructions between the vehicle
and key fob may reduce this range.
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STARTING AND OPERATING

If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a
start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly. Refer to
“Jump Starting” in “In Case Of Emergency”
for further information.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
continuously crank the engine for more than
25 seconds at a time. Wait 60 seconds
before trying again.
After Starting — Warming Up The
Engine
Proceed as follows:
Travel slowly, letting the engine run at
a reduced RPM, without accelerating
suddenly.
It is recommended to wait until the
digital engine coolant temperature
indicator starts to rise for maximum
performance.
Stopping The Engine
To stop the engine, proceed as follows:
1. Park the vehicle in a position that is
not dangerous for oncoming traffic.
2. Engage the PARK (P) mode.
3. With engine idling, push the
START/STOP button on the steering
wheel to STOP the engine.
Note: Do not leave the ignition in ON
mode when the engine is off.
To shut off the engine with vehicle speed
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), you must
push and hold the ignition or push the
START/STOP button three times
consecutively within a few seconds. The
engine will shut down, and the ignition will
be placed in the ON mode
With the keyless ignition system, it is
possible to go away from the vehicle
taking the key fob with you, without the
engine switching off. The vehicle will
inform about the absence of the key on
board, only if the doors are closed.
Stopping the engine (cycling from the ON
to the STOP position) the accessories are
still powered for about three minutes, or
until a door is opened. When the ignition is in the STOP/OFF
mode, the window switches remain active
for three minutes. Opening a front door
will cancel this function.
After severe driving, idle the engine to
allow the temperature inside the engine
compartment to cool before shutting off
the engine.
Turbocharger Cool Down
It is recommended before switching the
vehicle off, to keep the engine idling for a
few minutes so that the turbocharger can
be suitably lubricated. This procedure is
particularly recommended after severe
driving.
After a full load operation, keep the
engine idling for three to five minutes
before switching it off.
This time allows the lubricating oil and
the engine coolant to eliminate the
excessive heat from combustion
chamber, bearings, inner components and
turbocharger.
134
STARTING AND OPERATING

Safe Hold
Safe Hold is a safety function that
automatically engages the electric park
brake in the event of a dangerous
condition for the vehicle.
The electric park brake engages
automatically to prevent vehicle
movement if:
The vehicle speed is below 2 mph
(3 km/h).
A transmission operating mode
different from PARK (P) is activated.
The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
The driver side door is open.
No attempts to apply pressure on the
brake pedal have been detected.
The “Safe Hold” function can be
temporarily disabled by pressing the
switch located on the center console and
the brake pedal at the same time, with
the vehicle stationary and the driver side
door open.
Once disabled, the function will activate
again when the vehicle speed reaches
12 mph (20 km/h) or the ignition is cycled
to STOP and then to ON.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The vehicle can be equipped with an
electronically controlled 8-speed
automatic transmission where gear
shifting automatically takes place,
depending on the vehicle usage
instantaneous parameters (vehicle
speed, grade, and accelerator pedal
position).
The new transmission is an absolute
innovation, as it can match the
Stop/Start system with the traditional
automatic transmissions with built-in
torque converter. For further
information, refer to the “Stop/Start”
section within this chapter.
Manual gear shifting can still occur
thanks to the "sequential mode" position
for the gear selector.
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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 apply the park brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and turn the
ignition STOP/OFF. When the ignition is in
the STOP/OFF mode, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against
unwanted movement.
When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the STOP/OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the 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.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition in the
AVV or ON mode. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Caution!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not observed:
Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
137

To shift out of PARK (P), or to pass from
position NEUTRAL (N) to position DRIVE
(D) or REVERSE (R), the vehicle must be
moving at a low speed or stopped, and
the brake pedal must also be pressed.
Note:
DO NOT accelerate while shifting
from position PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
to another position.
After selecting a gear, wait a few
seconds before accelerating. This
precaution is particularly important with
engine cold.
Transmission Operating Modes
PARK (P)
The transmission is locked in this mode.
The engine can be started in this mode.
Note: Never try to engage PARK (P)
mode when the vehicle is moving. Before
leaving the vehicle, make sure this mode
is engaged (letter P shown on the display
and gear selector) and that the park
brake is engaged.
When parking on a flat surface, first
engage the PARK (P) mode and then
engage the electric park brake.
When parking uphill, before activating
the PARK (P) mode, engage the electric
park brake. Otherwise, it could be
difficult to engage the (P) mode. To check that the PARK (P) mode is
actually engaged, make sure (P) is
illuminated on the display and on the gear
selector.
Warning!
Never use the PARK position as a
substitute for the park brake. Always apply
the park brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
Your vehicle could move and injure you
and others if it is not in PARK. Check by
trying to move the gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released. Make
sure the transmission is in PARK before
leaving the vehicle.
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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 apply the park brake, shift
the transmission into PARK, and turn the
ignition STOP/OFF. When the ignition is in
the STOP/OFF mode, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against
unwanted movement.
When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the STOP/OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the 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 park brake, brake pedal or the
transmission gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition in the
ON mode. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Caution!
Before moving the transmission gear
selector out of PARK, you must push the
ignition button to cycle from STOP/OFF
mode to the ON mode, and also press the
brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear
selector could result.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear
range, as this can damage the drivetrain.
REVERSE (R)
Select this mode only with the vehicle at
a standstill.
139

Important Notes
Failure to comply with what is reported
below may damage the transmission:
Shift into PARK (P) mode only with the
vehicle at a standstill.
Select REVERSE (R) mode, or pass
from REVERSE to another mode only
with the vehicle at a standstill and engine
idling.
Do not change between PARK (P),
REVERSE (R), NEUTRAL (N) or DRIVE (D)
modes with engine running at a speed
above idling.
Before activating any transmission
operating mode, fully depress the brake
pedal.
Note: The unexpected movement of the
vehicle can injure the occupants or
people nearby. Do not leave the vehicle
with engine running: before getting out of
the passenger compartment always
engage the electric park brake, select the
PARK (P) mode, stop the engine.
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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 apply the park brake, shift
the transmission into PARK, and turn the
ignition STOP/OFF. When the ignition is in
the STOP/OFF mode, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against
unwanted movement.
When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the STOP/OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the 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.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition in the
AVV or ON mode. A child could operate
power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Caution!
Only engage the gear with engine at idling
while fully depressing the brake pedal. If the
transmission temperature exceeds the
normal operating limits, the transmission
control unit may change the gear
engagement order and reduce the drive
torque. If the transmission overheats, it
could operate incorrectly until it cools down.
When using the vehicle with extremely
low external temperatures, the
transmission operation may change
depending on the engine and transmission
temperature, as well as vehicle speed.
Activation of the torque converter clutch
and of the eighth gear is inhibited until the
transmission oil is correctly warmed up.
Complete operation of the transmission will
be enabled as soon as the fluid temperature
reaches the predefined value.
142
STARTING AND OPERATING

Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as
the total weight of the vehicle with all
fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no
occupants or cargo loaded into the
vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your
vehicle on a commercial scale before any
occupants or cargo are added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of
the front and rear of your vehicle at the
ground can best be determined by
weighing it when it is loaded and ready
for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed
on a commercial scale to insure that the
GVWR has not been exceeded. The
weight on the front and rear of the
vehicle should then be determined
separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over the front and
rear axle. Weighing the vehicle may show
that the GAWR of either the front or rear
axles has been exceeded but the total
load is within the specified GVWR.If so, weight must be shifted from front
to rear or rear to front as appropriate
until the specified weight limitations are
met. Store the heavier items down low
and be sure that the weight is distributed
equally. Stow all loose items securely
before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have
an adverse effect on the way your vehicle
steers and handles and the way the
brakes operate.Caution!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR or the maximum front and rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the way your vehicle
handles. This could cause you to lose control.
Also overloading can shorten the life of your
vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing is not recommended for
this vehicle.
167

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for
towing a disabled vehicle using a
commercial towing service.
Caution!
The vehicle should be transported with all
four wheels OFF the ground on the flatbed
of a roadside assistance vehicle. Avoid
towing with only the front (or rear) wheels
lifted. When towing with only the front (or
rear) wheels lifted, in addition to damaging
the body, it could damage the transmission.
Do not use sling-type equipment when
towing. Vehicle damage may occur.
When securing the vehicle to a flatbed
truck, do not attach to front or rear
suspension components. Damage to your
vehicle may result from improper towing.
Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is
released, and remain released, while being
towed.
Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
The operators of the assistance vehicle
must be informed of your vehicle's
minimum required height from the
ground, in order to avoid contact
between the ends of the bumpers and the
equipment of the breakdown truck.
The following image illustrates the front
and rear attachment corners of the
vehicle, which are to be taken into
consideration when loading your vehicle
onto the assistance vehicle.
Loading Angles
A — Front Loading
Angle 12.045°
B

— Rear Loading
Angle 11.830°
Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Models
It is recommended to tow the vehicle
with all four wheels OFF the ground on
the flatbed of a roadside assistance
vehicle.
Caution!
Do not use sling type equipment when
towing. Vehicle damage may occur.
When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear
suspension components. Damage to your
vehicle may result from improper towing.
Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is
released, and remains released, while being
towed.
If an assistance vehicle with a flatbed is
not available, the vehicle must be towed
with the rear wheels lifted from the
ground using a trailer or special
equipment allowing lifting of the rear
wheels.
08126S0001EMFront And Rear Loading Angles
190
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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.
See the "Maintenance Plan" for the
correct servicing intervals.
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
unnecessary strain on it to prevent the brakes from overheating: 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.
Warning!
Use only manufacturer's recommended
brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants”
in “Technical Specifications” for further
information. 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 a 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.
Automatic Transmission
Use only a transmission oil with the same
characteristics as those indicated in the
"Fluids and Lubricants" table (see
"Technical Specifications" chapter).
Special Additives
Do not use any type of additive with the
automatic transmission oil. The
automatic transmission oil is a product
designed specially for this vehicle and its
performance may be compromised
through the use of further additives.
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.
207

2. Make sure the free end of the cord
remains outside the trunk when closing
the trunk lid.
3. The trunk can now be opened
manually by pulling the cord.
4. After releasing the trunk, rewind the
strap around the plug, put it back into its
housing and turn it clockwise.
Caution!
The Manual Trunk Opening Device allows the
trunk to be opened without a key, even if the
vehicle is locked. Do not use this Device
unless the vehicle is parked in a secure area.
BODYWORK
Protection Against Atmospheric
Agents
The vehicle is equipped with the best
available technological solutions to
protect the bodywork against corrosion.
These include:
Painting products and systems which
give the vehicle resistance to corrosion
and abrasion.
Use of galvanized (or pre-treated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to
corrosion.
Spraying of plastic parts, with a
protective function in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner wing, edges, etc.
Use of “open” boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets of
moisture which could favor the formation
of rust inside.
Use of special films to protect against
abrasion in exposed areas (e.g. rear wing,
doors, etc.).
Corrosion Warranty
Your vehicle is covered by Corrosion
Warranty against perforation due to rust
of any original element of the structure
or bodywork. For the general terms of
this warranty, refer to the Warranty
Booklet.
Preserving The Bodywork
Paint
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent the formation of
rust.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of
washing the car: the frequency depends
on the conditions and environment where
the car is used. For example, it is
advisable to wash the vehicle more often
in areas with high levels of atmospheric
pollution or salted roads.
Some parts of the vehicle may be
covered with a matte paint which, in
order to be maintained intact, requires
special care.
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow
these instructions:
If high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the vehicle, keep a distance
of at least 15 inches (40 cm) from the
bodywork to avoid damage or alteration.
Build up of water could cause damage to
the vehicle in the long term.
To make it easier to remove any dirt
deposits in the area where the blades are
normally located it is recommended to
position the windshield wipers vertically
(service position), for more information,
refer to “Dealer Service” in this chapter.
0318135355USManual Release Cord Shown With Trunk Closed
226
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE