key Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

141
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR CHILD SEAT USE
The car complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC which governs the arrangement possibilities for child seats on the var-
ious seats of the car as shown in the following table:
Key:
U = suitable for restraint systems in the “Universal” category, according to European Standard ECE-R44 for the specified “Groups”.
(*) With seat adjustable in height, position the backrest upright.
Front Rear side and middle
Group Weight range passenger passenger
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kg U (*) U
Group 1 9-18 kg U (*) U
Group 2 15-25 kg U (*) U
Group 3 22-36 kg U (*) U

150
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
If the warning light ¬does not turn on when the key
is turned to MAR, or if it stays on when travelling (to-
gether with the message on the display on some ver-
sions), there could be a failure in the restraint systems. If
this is the case, the air bags or pretensioners may not be de-
ployed in the event of an accident or, less likely, they may
be deployed accidentally. Do not drive the car and contact
a Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider to have the sys-
tem checked immediately.
The expiry dates of the pyrotechnic charge and
clock contact are shown in the plate installed in-
side the glove compartment. Go to an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service Provider when the time to have them
replaced approaches.
Do not travel with objects on your lap, in front of
your chest, or between your lips (e.g. pipes, pen-
cils, etc.): you may be seriously injured in the event
of a crash with air bag deployment.
If someone tries to steal or damage your car, and
in the event of floods, have the air bag system
checked by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
Provider.
With the ignition key inserted and turned to MAR,
the air bags can be deployed also with the car at
a standstill, if it is hit by another vehicle even if the
engine is off. For this reason, children must never sit on
the front seat, even if the car is not moving. Remember
that no safety device (airbag or pretensioner) will be de-
ployed in a crash if the key is inserted and turned to the
STOP position. Failure to deploy in such cases must not
be considered a sign of malfunction.
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the “
warning light turns on (front airbag on passenger’s
side enabled) and will blinks for a few seconds as
a reminder that the passenger airbag will be deployed
in the event of a crash and then go off.
The front air bags are deployed in the event of
more severe collisions than those required for de-
ploying the pretensioners.
For collisions in the range between the two thresholds, it
is normal for only the pretensioners to be activated.

151
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍turn the ignition key to the MAR position: warning lights m
andYon the instrument panel will light up;
❍wait for the warning lights to go out;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as warning light mgoes
out. Waiting too long will waste the heating work carried out
by the glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If warning light mblinks for approximately 1
minute after starting or during prolonged crank-
ing, this indicates a fault in the glow plug pre-heat-
ing system. Use the car normally if the engine starts and
go to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon as possible.
It is dangerous to have the engine running indoors.
The engine takes in oxygen and discharges carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
STARTING THE ENGINE
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the moment the en-
gine starts.
IMPORTANT
❍If the engine does not start on the first attempt, turn the igni-
tion key to STOP before repeating the operation.
❍If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel warn-
ing light
Yremains on together with warning light U, turn
the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the warning light
remains on, try with the other keys provided with the car. If
you are still unable to start the engine contact Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services.
❍Never leave the ignition key on MAR when the engine is off.

152
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
It is advisable not to demand maximum perfor-
mance from your car (e.g. excessive acceleration,
long distances at top rpm, excessively intense brak-
ing, etc.) when it is first used.
Remember that the brake servo and electro-
mechanical power steering are not operational un-
til the engine has been started, therefore much
more effort than usual is required on the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
Never jump start the engine by pushing, towing or
driving downhill. These manoeuvres may damage
the catalytic converter.
When the engine is switched off never leave the
key in the MAR position to prevent useless cur-
rent absorption from draining the battery.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE
AFTER IT HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❍drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium speed. Do
not accelerate abruptly;
❍do not demand maximum performance for the first few kilo-
metres. Wait until the engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, before turning the engine off you
should allow it to idle to allow the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before turning off
the engine serves absolutely no practical purpose;
it wastes fuel and is especially damaging to tur-
bocharged engines.

153
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT Carry out these manoeuvres with the brake pedal pressed.
IMPORTANT For cars equipped with a front armrest, lift this up to
ensure that it does not interfere with the action of the handbrake.
fig. 110A0K0073m
The car should be locked after a few notches: if this
is not so, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to
have the handbrake adjusted.
PARKING THE CAR
Switch off the engine and pull up the handbrake. Engage a gear
(1stif the car is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing downhill) and
leave the wheels steered to one side.
If the car is parked on a steep slope block the wheels with a wedge
or stone. Always remove the ignition key when leaving the car.
HANDBRAKE fig. 110
To engage the handbrake pull lever A upwards until the car is se-
cured. To disengage slightly raise lever A, press and hold down but-
ton B and lower the lever.

187
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services should the
fuse blow again.
Never replace a blown fuse with metallic wires or
other material.
Never replace a fuse with another of higher am-
perage: FIRE RISK.
If a general protection fuse (MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-
FUSE, MAXI-FUSE) blows, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.
Remove the key from the ignition switch and switch
off all loads before replacing a fuse.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services if a safe-
ty system (air bags, brakes), engine system (en-
gine, gearbox) or steering system general pro-
tection fuse blows.

196
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
LIFTING THE CAR
If you need to lift the car contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services,
who will be equipped with a workshop lift.
IMPORTANT Be careful when positioning the lift for versions with
side spoilers.
TOWING THE CAR
The tow ring provided with the car is housed in the tool box in
the boot.
ATTACHING THE TOW HOOK
Manually release the plug A pressing in the lower part, take the
tow hook from its seat in the tool support and tighten it securely
on the front threaded pin (fig. 159) or on the rear threaded pin
(fig. 160).
Before beginning to tow, turn the ignition key to
MAR and then to STOP, without extracting it When
the key is removed, the steering wheel lock auto-
matically activates, making it impossible to turn the
wheels.
fig. 159A0K0136mfig. 160A0K0137m

218
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
❍lift the windscreen wiper arm, press the tab A-fig. 166 of the
fastening clip and extract the blade from the arm;
❍fit the new blade, inserting the tab into the dedicated housing
in the arm. Make sure that the new blade is secured in posi-
tion.
❍lower the windscreen wiper arm on the windscreen.
Lifting the wiper blades
When the wiper blades have to be lifted from the windscreen (i.e.
in the event of snow), proceed as follows:
❍turn the ignition key to the MAR position;
❍operate the lever to the right of the steering wheel to activate
a windscreen wiper stroke (see paragraph "Window wash-
ing" in chapter "Getting to know your car");
❍turn the ignition key to the STOP position when the driver's
side wiper blade reaches the windscreen side pillar and lift the
windscreen wiper to the rest position;
❍bring the wiper blades back into contact with the windscreen
before activating the windscreen wiper.
fig. 166A0K0144m
Do not operate the windscreen wiper with the
blades lifted from the windscreen.

222
GETTING
TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT
Avoid parking under trees; the resin dropped by trees makes the
paintwork go opaque and increasing the possibility of corrosion.
Bird droppings must be washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly aggressive.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths to prevent scratching.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window gently with a cloth in the di-
rection of the filaments to avoid damaging the heating device.
Front headlights
Use a soft, damp cloth soaked in water and detergent for wash-
ing cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic substances (e.g. petrol) or ketenes
(e.g. acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses of the front head-
lights.
IMPORTANT When cleaning the car with a pressure washer, keep
the water jet at least 2 cm away from the headlights.
Engine compartment
At the end of every winter, wash the engine compartment thor-
oughly, taking care not to aim the jet of water directly at the elec-
tronic control units or at the windscreen wiper motors. Have this
operation performed at a specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take place with the engine cold
and the ignition key in the STOP position. After the wash, make
sure that the various protective devices (e.g. rubber caps and
guards) have not been removed or damaged.
Detergents cause water pollution. Only wash the
car in areas equipped for the collection and pu-
rification of the fluids used in the actual washing
process.
When drying take care to dry the least visible parts where the
water could collect most easily. Do not wash the car after it has
been left in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine
of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same way as the rest
of the car.
In order to preserve the aesthetic appearance of
the paintwork abrasive products and/or polishes
should not be used for cleaning the car.

F F
U U
N N
C C
T T
I I
O O
N N
S S
A A
N N
D D
A A
D D
J J
U U
S S
T T
M M
E E
N N
T T
S S
SELECTING THE
RADIO FUNCTIONS
By pressing the FMASbutton quickly and re-
peatedly, the following audio sources can be
selected cyclically:
❍TUNER (“FM1”, “FM2”, “FMA”);
By pressing the AM button quickly and re-
peatedly, the following audio sources can be
selected cyclically:
❍TUNER (“MW1”, “MW2”).
SELECTING CD FUNCTION
Press the MEDIA button briefly to select the
CD function.
AUDIO SOURCE MEMORY
FUNCTION
If another function (e.g. the radio) is select-
ed whilst listening to a CD, playing is inter-
rupted and is resumed from the same point
when returning to the CD source.
If another function is selected whilst listening
to the radio, the last station selected is tuned
into when returning to the Radio source.
VOLUME ADJUSTMENT
To adjust the volume, turn the left knob A
(fig. 1).
If the volume level is changed during the
transmission of traffic news, the new setting
will only be maintained until the update is
finished.
SWITCHING ON THE
SOUND SYSTEM
The car radio is switched on by briefly press-
ing button
g.
When the car radio is turned on, the volume
is limited to value 20 if it was set to a high-
er value when previously used or to value 5
if it was previously set to value 0 or to
Mute/Pause. The previously set value is
maintained in all other cases.
When the radio is turned on with the key
extracted from the ignition, it switches off
automatically after about 20 minutes. After
it turns off automatically, it can be switched
on again for an additional 20 minutes by
pressing button
g.
SWITCHING OFF THE
SOUND SYSTEM
Briefly press the button g.
SOUND SYSTEM
257