brake sensor ALFA ROMEO GIULIA 2021 User Guide

SAFETY

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Active Torque Vectoring (ATV) — If Equipped
The dynamic drive control is used to optimize
and balance the drive torque between the
wheels of the same axles. The ATV system
improves the grip in turns, sending more drive
torque to the external wheel.
Given that, in a turn, the external wheels of the
car travel more than the internal ones and
therefore turn faster, sending a higher thrust
to the external rear wheel allows for the car to
be more stable and to not suffer an "under-
steer" condition. Understeer occurs when the
vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the
steering wheel position.
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
DST uses the integration of the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system with the electric
power steering to increase the safety level of
the whole vehicle.
In critical situations (braking on surfaces with
different grip conditions), the ESC system
controls the steering through the DST function
to implement an additional torque contribu-
tion on the steering wheel in order to suggest
the most correct maneuver to the driver.
The coordinated action of the brakes and
steering increases the sensation of safety and
control of the vehicle.
NOTE:

The DST feature is only meant to help the driver
realize the correct course of action through small
torques on the steering wheel, which means the
effectiveness of the DST feature is highly depen
-
dent on the driver’s sensitivity and overall reac -
tion to the applied torque. It is very important to
realize that this feature will not steer the vehicle,
meaning the driver is still responsible for
steering the vehicle.

Drive Train Control (DTC) System — If
Equipped
Some models of this vehicle are equipped with
an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, which offers
an optimal drive for countless driving condi -
tions and road surfaces. The system reduces
the slipping of the tires to a minimum, auto -
matically redistributing the torque to the front
and rear wheels as needed.
To maximize fuel savings, the vehicle with
AWD automatically passes to Rear-Wheel
Drive (RWD) when the road and environmental
conditions are such that they wouldn't cause
the tires to slip. When the road and environ -
mental conditions require better traction, the
vehicle automatically goes to AWD mode.

NOTE:

If the system failure symbol switches on, after
starting the engine or while driving, it means
that the AWD system is not working properly. If
the warning message activates frequently, it is
recommended to carry out the maintenance
operations.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The ESC system improves the directional
control and stability of the vehicle in various
driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle’s under -
steer 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.
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 uses sensors installed on the
vehicle to determine the path that the driver
intends to follow and compares it with the
vehicle’s effective path. When the real path
deviates from the desired path, the ESC
system intervenes to counteract the above
conditions.
System Intervention
The intervention of the system is indicated by
the flashing of the ESC warning light on the
instrument panel, to inform the driver that the
vehicle stability and grip are critical.
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(Continued)
“Blind Spot Alert” Function Deactivation
When the system is deactivated (“Blind Spot
Alert” mode off), the BSM or RCP systems will
not emit an audible or a visual warning.
The BSM system will store the operating mode
that was active when the engine was stopped.
Each time the engine is started, the operating
mode stored previously will be recalled and
used.
Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA) System — If
Equipped
The Active Blind Spot Assist (ABSA) system
function is to help avoid/limit lateral collisions
with cars located in the blind spot zones, even
changing the vehicle’s trajectory in order to
keep it in the detected lane.
The system warns the driver about the pres-
ence of other vehicles in the detection area by
illuminating the warning light located within
the door mirror on the side in which the other
vehicle was detected and by means of an
acoustic signal and/or vibration on the
steering wheel and/or counter-steering torque
on the steering wheel (if the respective item on
the "Driver Assistance" menu is set up and
then selecting "Safety" on the radio system).
When the engine is started, the warning light
illuminates briefly to signal the driver that the
system is active (the warning light comes on
even if the system is activated through the
radio system menu). ABSA Indicator Light
Sensors
The system uses two radar sensors, located in
the rear fascia/bumper (one for each side) to
detect the presence of vehicles (cars, trucks,
motorbikes, etc.) in the rear side blind spots of
the car.
The sensors are activated when any forward
gear is engaged at a speed higher than about
6 mph (10 km/h), or when REVERSE (R) is
engaged.
The sensors are temporarily deactivated when
the car is stationary and in PARK (P).
The detection area of the system covers about
a lane on both sides of the car around 10 ft
(3 meters).
This area begins from the door mirror and
extends for about 20 ft (6 meters) towards the
rear part of the car. WARNING!
The accident risk persists despite the
application of torque to the steering wheel
by the ABSA system.

Applying a torque that corrects the steering
wheel alignment does not always prevent
an accident. It is always the driver's respon
-
sibility to steer, brake or accelerate, espe -
cially after the ABSA system warning or
after the steering wheel torque interven -
tion. The driver is responsible for ensuring
that there are no pedestrians, other vehi -
cles or objects along the direction of the
vehicle. Failure to comply with these
precautions may cause serious accidents
and injuries. The driver is fully responsible
for holding a safe distance from the vehicle
ahead respecting the highway code in force
in the respective country.

In some cases, the system could apply an
improper torque to the steering wheel.
This application can be interrupted at
anytime turning the steering wheel in the
opposite direction.
WARNING! (Continued)
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153

NOTE:

If the safety belts of the front seats are not
correctly fastened, the system will not inter-
vene on the braking system (only audible and
visual signals will be provided).
Changing The System Sensitivity
The sensitivity of the system can be changed
through the radio system menu, choosing from
one of the following three options: "Near",
"Medium" or "Far". Refer to the description in
the Information and Entertainment System
Owner’s Manual Supplement for how to
change the settings.
The default setting is "Medium". With this
setting, the system warns the driver of a
possible collision with the vehicle in front
when that vehicle is at a standard distance,
between that of the other two settings.
With the system sensitivity set to "Far", the
system will warn the driver of a possible colli -
sion with the vehicle in front when that vehicle
is at a greater distance, thus providing the
possibility of acting on the brakes more lightly
and gradually. This setting provides the driver
with the maximum possible reaction time to
prevent a potential collision.
With the option set to "Near", the system will
alert the driver of a possible collision with the
vehicle in front when that vehicle is close. This
setting offers the driver a lower reaction time
compared to the "Medium" and "Far" settings,
in the event of a potential collision, but
permits more dynamic driving of the vehicle. The system sensitivity setting is kept in the
memory when the engine is turned off.
System Limited Operation Warning
If a dedicated message is displayed, a condi
-
tion limiting the system operation may have
occurred. The possible reasons of this limita -
tion are if something is blocking the camera
view, or a fault is present.
If an obstruction is signaled, clean the area of
the windshield.
Although the vehicle can still be driven in
normal conditions, the system may be not
completely available.
When the conditions limiting the system func -
tions end, this will go back to normal and
complete operation. Should the fault persist,
contact an authorized dealer.
System Failure Signaling
If the system turns off and a dedicated
message is shown on the display, it means
that there is a fault with the system.
In this case, it is still possible to drive the
vehicle, but you are advised to contact an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Radar Indication Not Available
If conditions are such that the radar cannot
detect obstacles correctly, the system is deac -
tivated and a dedicated message appears on
the display. This generally occurs in the event
of poor visibility, such as when it is snowing or
raining heavily. The function of this system can also be tempo
-
rarily reduced due to obstructions such as
mud, dirt or ice on the fascia/bumper. In such
cases, a dedicated message will be shown on
the display and the system will be deactivated.
This message can sometimes appear in condi -
tions of high reflectivity (e.g. tunnels with
reflective tiles or ice or snow). When the condi -
tions limiting the system functions end, it will
go back to normal and complete operation.
In certain cases, this dedicated message
could be displayed when the radar is not
detecting any vehicles or objects within its
view range.
If atmospheric conditions are not the reason
behind this message, check if the sensor is
dirty. It could be necessary to clean or remove
any obstructions in the area.

If the message appears frequently, even in the
absence of atmospheric conditions such as
snow, rain, mud or other obstructions, contact an
authorized dealer for a sensor alignment check.

In the absence of visible obstructions, manu -
ally removing the decorative cover trim and
cleaning the radar surface could be required.
Have this operation performed at an autho -
rized dealer.

NOTE:

It is recommended that you do not install
devices, accessories, or aerodynamic attach -
ments in front of the sensor or darken it in any
way, as this can compromise the correct func -
tioning of the system.
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