pressure Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

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ON CONSTANTLY:Low engine oil pressure(red)
FLASHING:Exhausted engine oil
(for versions/markets, where provided - red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light
switches on, but it should go out as soon as the engine is started.
1. Low engine oil pressure
The warning light turns on constantly along with a message on the
display (for versions/markets where provided) when the system
detects that engine oil pressure is low.
v
If the warning light vturns on when the car is
travelling (on some versions, together with the
message on the display), stop the car immediate-
ly and contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
2. Exhausted engine oil
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light comes on flashing and a specific message will
appear on the display (for versions/markets where provided). The
warning light may flash in the following ways, depending on the
versions:
❍for 1 minute every two hours;
❍for three minute cycles with the warning light off for intervals
of five seconds until oil is changed.After the initial warning, each time the engine is started up, the
warning light will continue to flash in the same ways as described
above, until the oil is changed. A specific message will appear on
the display (for versions/markets where provided) in addition to
the warning light.
Flashing of the warning light is not a fault but indicates that the
oil needs to be changed as a consequence of normal use.
Note that engine oil degrades faster under the following circum-
stances:
❍mainly urban use of the car , requiring more frequent regen-
eration of the DPF;
❍use of the car for short drives, in which the engine does not
have time to reach its regular operating temperature
❍repeated interruptions to the regeneration process signalled by
the DPF warning light coming on.
Exhausted engine oil should be replaced as soon
as possible after the warning light comes on, and
never more than 500 km after it first comes on.
Failure to comply with the instructions above may result
in severe damage to the engine and invalidate the war-
ranty. Remember that the operation of this warning light
is not related to the amount of oil in the engine. There-
fore, do not simply top up when the light starts flashing.

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Parking sensor fault
(for versions/markets where provided)
See the section on warning light
t.
Rain sensor fault
(for versions/markets where provided)
This warning light comes on when a dusk sensor fault is detected.
AFS adaptive lights fault
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light comes on when an AFS adaptive light fault is de-
tected (see “AFS adaptive lights” in this chapter). A specific mes-
sage will be shown on the display.
Anti-pinch system fault
The warning light will come on when an anti-pinch system fault
is detected. A specific message will be shown on the display.
Engine oil pressure sensor fault
The warning light turns on when an engine oil pressure sensor fault
is detected. A specific message will be shown on the display.
Rear fog lights (amber)
The warning light comes on when the rear fog lights
are on. The LED over 4 button will also light up.4
Fog lights (green)
The warning light comes on when the fog lights are
on. The LED over 5 button
5will also light up.5
Side lights (green)
This warning light comes on when the side lights are
turned on.
Follow me home (green)
The warning light comes on (in combination with a message on
the display) when this device is used (see “Follow me home de-
vice” in this chapter).
3

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RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTION
“STANDARD” DISPLAY fig. 7
The following information is shown on the display:
A. Time
B. Trip meter (km or miles)
C. Odometer (display of distance travelled in kilometres/miles)
D. State indicator (e.g. doors open, ice on road, etc.)/Start&Stop
function indicator (for versions/markets, where provided)/
Gear Shift Indicator (for versions/markets, where provided)
E. Headlamp alignment position (only with dipped headlamps
on).
F. Outside temperatureThe turbocharger pressure will appear on some versions when
“DYNAMIC” driving mode is selected (see “Alfa DNA system” in
this chapter), fig. 8.
fig. 7A0K0005mfig. 8A0K0006m

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VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
This is an electronic system that controls vehicle stability in the
event of tyre grip loss, helping maintain directional control. The sys-
tem is capable of recognising potentially dangerous situations in
terms of the stability and intervenes automatically on the brakes
in a differentiated manner for the four wheels in order to provide
a stabilizing torque.
The VDC, in turn, includes the following systems:
❍Hill Holder
❍ASR
❍Brake Assist
❍MSR
❍CBC
❍“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❍DST
❍RAB
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is signalled by warning light áblinking on the instrument
panel to inform the driver that stability and grip conditions are
critical.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The VDC system switches on automatically each time the engine
is started and cannot be switched off.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the VDC system and it is provided
to facilitate starting on slopes.
It is activated automatically in the following instances:
❍uphill: car standing on a road with a gradient of more than 5%,
engine on, brake pedals pressed and gearbox in neutral or gear
(other than reverse) engaged;
❍downhill: car at a standstill on a road with a gradient higher
than 5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and reverse gear
engaged.
When setting off the VDC system control unit maintains the brak-
ing pressure at the wheels until the engine torque required for de-
parture is reached or for approximately 2 seconds, allowing your
right foot to be moved easily from the brake pedal to the acceler-
ator.
If the car does not start off after this time, the system will deacti-
vate automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A noise
may be heard: this means that the car is about to start moving.
IMPORTANT the Hill Holder system should not be used as a hand-
brake. Do not leave the vehicle without having engaged the hand-
brake, switched off the engine and engaged a gear.

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“ELECTRONIC Q2” SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)
The “Electronic Q2” system uses the braking system to create an
effect similar to a limited slip differential.
The front braking circuit, when accelerating around a corner, acts
on the inside wheel to increase the drive to the outside wheel (in-
creased load), dynamically and continuously distributing the torque
between the front drive wheels according to driving and road con-
ditions.
The system, combined with Mc Pherson front suspension, allows
particularly effective, sporty driving.
DST SYSTEM (Dynamic Steering Torque)
This function integrates Dual Pinion active steering into the opera-
tion of VDC. For particular manoeuvres, VDC controls the steering
to actuate a steering torque and assist the driver in the best pos-
sible way. The system operates the brakes and steering in a coor-
dinated manner to increase the suspension and safety level of the
car as a whole. The steering provides addition torque on the steer-
ing wheel.
RAB SYSTEM (Ready Alert Brake)
(“Dynamic” mode only)
By pre-approaching the brake pads (front and rear) after rapid ac-
celerator release, this function provides prompter braking and re-
duces stopping distance.
BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance)
The system, which cannot be turned off, recognises emergency
braking (on the basis of the brake pedal operating speed) and
speeding up the response of the braking system. The Brake
Assist function is deactivated in the event of VDC system fault.
MSR SYSTEM
(Motor Schleppmoment Regelung)
This system is an integral part of the ABS, that intervenes, if there
is a sudden change to a lower gear, restoring torque to the engine,
thereby preventing excessive drive at the drive wheels which, es-
pecially in poor grip conditions, could lead to a loss in stability.
CBC SYSTEM (Cornering Braking Control)
This system improves the distribution of the braking pressure at the
four wheels (to fully exploit the grip available on the ground) when
braking round bends when the ABS intervenes. This improves stop-
ping distances and above all vehicle stability when cornering.

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DISPLAY INDICATIONS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
When the sensor is activated, the "Reconfigurable multifunctional
display" (for versions/markets where provided) shows the screen
illustrated in fig. 88a; the information about the presence of and
distance from the obstacle is given by the buzzer and also by a
visual indication on the instrument panel display. If there are se-
veral obstacles, the closest one is indicated.
BUZZER WARNINGS
When reverse gear is engaged a buzzer warning is automatically
activated if there is an obstacle within the range of operation.
The acoustic signal:
❍increases as the distance between the car and the obstacle de-
creases;
❍becomes continuous when the distance between the car and
the obstacle is less that 30 cm and stops immediately if the
distance increases;
❍remains constant if the distance between the vehicle and the
obstacle remains unchanged, whilst if this situation occurs for
the side sensors, the signal is interrupted after about 3 seconds,
for example, to prevent signals in the case of manoeuvres along-
side walls.
IMPORTANT The volume of the audible signal can be adjusted th-
rough the option "Warnings volume" of the "Set-Up menu".
OPERATION WITH TRAILER
Parking sensor operation is automatically turned off when the trail-
er electric cable plug is fitted into the car tow hook socket. The sen-
sors are automatically enabled again when the trailer cable plug
is removed.
The sensor must be free of mud, dirt, snow or ice
in order for the system to work. Be careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors while cleaning them.
Avoid using dry, rough or hard cloths. The sensors should
be washed using clean water with the addition of car sham-
poo if necessary. In washing stations, clean sensors quick-
ly keeping the vapour jet/high pressure washing noz-
zles at a distance of at least 10 cm from the sensors.
fig. 88aA0K0059m

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fig. 89A0K0115mfig. 90A0K0222m
FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel cap is unlocked when the central locking system is released
and automatically locked when the central locking system is ap-
plied.
To open
Press the flap A-fig. 89 to release it and reach the fuel filler cap
B. Then press the cap B and turn it anticlockwise.
The cap has a loss prevention device C which secures it to the flap
so that it cannot be lost. Attach the cap to device D during refu-
elling.
How to open the flap in an emergency
In case of emergency, pull the cord A-fig. 90 on the right-hand side
of the boot to open the fuel flap.
Pull the cord to release the lock. Then press the flap to open it.
Closing
Release the cap B from the device D and insert it in its housing.
Tighten the cap in a clockwise direction until one or more clicks are
heard. Finally, close the flap A and check that is it correctly locked.
The hermetic seal may cause a slight increase in pressure in the
tank. A suction noise when you release the cap is therefore entirely
normal.
Do not place naked flames or lit cigarettes near
to the fuel filler: fire risk. Keep your face away
from the fuel tank opening to avoid breathing in
harmful vapours.

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USING THE GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal down fully and shift
the gear lever into the required position (a diagram is shown
on the knob fig. 111).
To engage 6th gear, operate the lever by pressing it towards the
right in order to avoid engaging 4th gear by mistake. Similar ac-
tion to pass from sixth to fifth gear.
To engage reverse gear (R) from the neutral position, lift up ring
A-fig. 111 and simultaneously move the lever to the left and then
forwards.
IMPORTANT Reverse may be engaged only when the car is at a
standstill.
fig. 111A0K0082m
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears cor-
rectly. Therefore, the floor area under the pedals
must be clear: ensure that any rubber mats are flat
and do not interfere with the pedals.
Do not drive with your hand resting on the gear
lever, because this pressure, even if light, can wear
out the inner components of the gearbox over
time.

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SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may help you to save fuel and
lower the amount of harmful emissions released into the atmos-
phere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan” (see chapter “Servicing and mainte-
nance”).
Tyres
Check the tyre pressure at least once every 4 weeks: if the pres-
sure is too low, consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling
is higher.
Unnecessar y loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of the car and
its arrangement greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration and have a nega-
tive effect on fuel consumption. It is better to use a trailer to trans-
port particularly bulky objects.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount of time needed. The heat-
ed rear windscreen, additional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan require a considerable amount of energy; increasing the
current uptake increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% in an
urban cycle).
Climate control system
Using the climate control system will increase consumption: use
the air vents when the external temperature so allows.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect aerodynam-
ics and fuel consumption.

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SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the normal tyres provided
with the car. Alfa Romeo Authorized Services will advise you on the
most appropriate tyre for use.
Only use these tyres in the event of ice or snow on the roads.
For the type, pressures and specifications of the snow tyre to be
used, follow carefully the instructions given in the “Wheels” para-
graph of the “Technical specifications” chapter.
The performance of these tyres is considerably reduced when the
tread depth is less than 4 mm. If this is the case, replace them.
Due to their specific features, the performance of snow tyres is
much lower than that of standard tyres in normal conditions or on
long motorway stretches. You should therefore use them only in
the conditions for which they were designed. All four tyres should be the same (brand and track) to ensure greater
safety when driving, during braking and better driveability. Re-
member that it is inappropriate to change the direction of rotation
of tyres.
The maximum speed for snow tyres marked “Q”
is 160 km/h, while it is 190 km/h for “T” tyres
and 210 km/h for “H” tyres. You should, howev-
er, always stick to the speed limits of the highway code.