towing Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2014 Owner's Manual

OPERATING CONDITIONS
50) 51) 52) 53) 54) 55)
The system is active for speeds above
15 km/h.
In a few situations (such as sporty
driving, winter climate or unmade
roads) the signalling may be delayed.
Under special conditions (e.g. car
loaded asymmetrically on one side,
towing a trailer, damaged or worn tyre,
fitting the space-saver wheel, fitting
snow chains, fitting different tyres on
the axles) the system may give false
indications or be temporarily
deactivated.
If the system is temporarily deactivated,
warning light flashes for about 75
seconds and then is continuously on; at
the same time, the display shows the
message "TYRE PRESSURE
MONITORING NOT AVAILABLE".
This indication is displayed also after
the engine has been switched off and
then on again if the correct operating
conditions are not restored.IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
WARNING
50) If the system signals a pressure
decrease on a specific tyre, it is
recommended to check the
pressure on all four tyres.
51) iTPMS does not relieve the
driver from the obligation to check
the tyre pressure every month; it
is not even to be considered a
replacing system for maintenance
or a safety system.
52) Tyre pressure must be checked
with tyres cold. Should it become
necessary for whatever reason
to check pressure with warm
tyres, do not reduce pressure
even though it is higher than the
prescribed value, but repeat the
check when tyres are cold.
53) The iTPMS cannot indicate
sudden tyre pressure drops (for
example when a tyre bursts).
In this case, stop the car, braking
with caution and avoiding abrupt
steering.54) The system only warns that the
tyre pressure is low: it is not able
to inflate them.
55) An insufficient tyre inflation
increases fuel consumption,
reduces the tread duration and
may affect the capacity of driving
safely.
78
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

STARTING AND DRIVING
Let’s get to the "heart" of the car:
seeing how you can exploit all of its
potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome
companion, with our comfort and
our wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE ................15
PARKING ........................................155
USING THE GEARBOX ...................15
ALFA TCT .......................................157
SAVING FUEL .................................164
TOWING TRAILERS ........................16
SNOW TYRES ................................167
SNOW CHAINS...............................167
STORING THE CAR ........................168
153
6
6 4

STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive,
before turning the engine off you should
let it idle so that the temperature in the
engine compartment decreases.
WARNING
100) It is dangerous to run the
engine in enclosed areas. The
engine takes in oxygen and
releases carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other toxic gases.
101) The brake servo is not active
until the engine is started, so
you would need to apply much
more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
102) Do not start the engine by
pushing, towing or driving
downhill. These manoeuvres may
damage the catalytic converter.
IMPORTANT
16) In the first period of use, we
recommend not to demand
maximum performance from the
car (for instance excessive
accelerations, extended travel at
maximum speed, sudden braking,
etc.).
17) With the engine off, do not leave
the key in the ignition switch on
MAR-ON to prevent draining
the battery.
18) A quick burst on the accelerator
before turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
19) If the
warning light flashes
for about 1 minute after starting
or during prolonged cranking, this
indicates a fault in the glow plug
preheating system. If the engine
starts, you may use the car
normally, but should contact an
Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as
possible.
PARKINGAlways remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
❒engage a gear (1st gear if parked
uphill or reverse if facing downhill)
and leave the wheels turned;
❒stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
On versions equipped with Alfa TCT
transmission, before releasing the brake
pedal, wait for letter P to be displayed.
IMPORTANTNEVERleave the car
with the gearbox in neutral (or, on
versions equipped with Alfa TCT
transmission, before placing the gear
lever at P).
155

When the brake pedal is released, the
car will start with maximum
acceleration. Despite the "Sequential
mode", the car will autonomously shift
the gear to guarantee max.
acceleration, once the correct shifting
speed has been reached.
To abandon the strategy, simply
interrupt the above sequence
of operations or release the accelerator
pedal.
ACOUSTIC SIGNAL
For safety reasons, an acoustic signal is
heard when:
❒the driver's side door is opened with
engine running and the gear lever is
in a position other than P;
❒engine is switched off with gear lever
in a position other than P.
With the car stationary, the engine
started and (1st), (D) or (R) gear
engaged, the system activates the
acoustic signal and automatically
places the transmission in neutral (N)
when:
❒the accelerator and/or brake pedals
are not pressed for at least 3 minutes
with creeping deactivated (for
example with handbrake engaged);❒the brake pedal is pressed for longer
than 10 minutes;
❒the driver's door is opened with
creeping deactivated (for example
with handbrake engaged) without
pressing brake and/or accelerator
pedals;
❒a fault has been detected in the
transmission.
IMPORTANT Shifting to neutral (N) -
operated by the system - involves
a situation of inconsistency between
gear lever position and gear engaged.
The manoeuvre is accompanied by
an acoustic inconsistency signal. This
acoustic signal continues until the gear
lever is placed in P or N, to restore
the correct transmission operation
conditions.
PARKING THE CAR
To park safely, with the brake pedal
pressed, P must be engaged and, in
case of parking uphills/downhills, the
handbrake must be engaged.
Before releasing the brake pedal, wait
until P appears on the display.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car
before having positioned the lever in P.TOWING THE CAR
Make sure that the transmission is in
neutral (N), checking that the car moves
when pushed, and proceed in the
same way as for towing a normal car
with a manual gearbox.
IMPORTANT If the transmission cannot
be put in neutral (N), do not tow the
car and contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership. Should the lever be in P,
release it before towing (see paragraph
"Positions of the lever").
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
With car stationary and gear engaged,
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).
To protect the clutch, never use the
accelerator to keep the car stationary
(for example when stopped uphills/
downhills): clutch overheating could
damage it. Use the brake pedal instead
or the handbrake and only press the
accelerator pedal when you wish to set
off.
163

CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold
start-ups will prevent the engine from
reaching optimal running temperature.
This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (from +15 to
+30% on the urban cycle) and
emissions.
Traffic and road
conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in a queue with frequent use
of low gears or in large towns with
many traffic lights. Winding mountain
roads and rough road surfaces also
adversely affect consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level
crossings) switch off the engine.
TOWING TRAILERSIMPORTANT
The vehicle must be provided with a
type-approved tow hook and adequate
electrical system to tow caravans or
trailers. Installation must be carried out
by a specialist.
Fit any specific and/or additional rear
view mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, the
braking spaces increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly using
the brake.
The weight of the trailer reduces the
load capacity of the car by the same
amount. Consider the weight at full
load, including accessories and
luggage, to make sure you do not
exceed the maximum towable weight
(shown in the registration document).
Do not exceed the speed limits specific
to each country you are driving in, in
the case of vehicles towing trailers.
In any case do not exceed 100 km/h.INSTALLING A TOW
HOOK
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to
install a tow hook.
108) 109)
WARNING
108) The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the
braking system of the trailer.
Particular caution is therefore
required when travelling on
slippery roads.
109) Never modify the braking
system of the car to control the
trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
from the hydraulic system of the
car.
166
STARTING AND DRIVING

IN AN EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere
with our journey.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency we recommend that
you call the freephone number found in
the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the 00 800
2532 4200 freephone number to
search the nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Network.STARTING THE ENGINE .................1
REPLACING A WHEEL ...................171
"FIX&GO AUTOMATIC" KIT .............17
CHANGING A BULB .......................179
REPLACING EXTERIOR BULBS......183
INTERIOR BULB REPLACEMENT ...186
REPLACING FUSES........................187
BATTERY RECHARGING ................196
RAISING THE CAR..........................197
TOWING THE CAR .........................19
169
70
6
7

STARTING THE
ENGINEContact the Alfa Romeo Dealership
immediately if the warning light
stays on constantly on the
instrument panel.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, start the engine
using an auxiliary battery with the same
capacity or a little higher than the flat
one.
24) 25)
111)
Proceed as follows to start the car:
❒connect the positive terminal (+) fig.
138 of the auxiliary battery only to
the point indicated on the car battery
(writing OK) and nowhere else;
❒with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal(−)oftheauxiliary
battery to an earthing point
on
the engine or the gearbox/
transmission of the car to be started;
❒start the engine; when the engine has
been started, remove the leads
reversing the order above.
For versions with Start&Stop system, in
case of starting by auxiliary battery,
refer to the paragraph “Start&Stop
system” in the chapter “Getting to know
your car”.If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, contact the Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
BUMP STARTING
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.
IMPORTANT
24) Do not connect the negative
terminals of the two batteries
directly! If the auxiliary battery is
installed on another car, prevent
accidental contact between
metallic parts of the two cars.
25) Never use a fast battery charger
to start the engine as this could
damage the electronic systems
and the ignition and engine fuel
supply control units.
WARNING
111) This procedure must be
performed by qualified personnel
as incorrect actions may cause
high-intensity electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames away from the
battery. No smoking. Do not cause
sparks.
138
A0K0247
170
IN AN EMERGENCY

RAISING THE CARIf the car needs to be jacked up, go to
an Alfa Romeo Dealership which is
equipped with shop jacks and jack
arms.
IMPORTANT Be careful when
positioning the arm of the lift for
versions with side skirts.
TOWING THE CARThe tow ring provided with the car is
housed in the tool box in the boot.
ATTACHING THE TOW
HOOK
Release plug A by pressing the lower
part, take tow hook B from its housing
in the tool support and tighten it
securely on the front threaded pin (fig.
183) or on the rear threaded pin (fig.
184).
134) 135) 136)
WARNING
134) Before towing, turn the ignition
key to MAR-ON and then to STOP
without removing it. The steering
column will automatically lock
when the key is removed and the
wheels cannot be steered. Also
check that the gearbox is in
neutral (on versions equipped with
Alfa TCT automatic transmission,
check that the gear lever is inN
position)
183
A0K0623
184
A0K0704
197

135) Remember that the brake servo
and the electromechanical power
steering will not work while
towing the car. You will therefore
need to apply more force on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
Do not use wires for towing. Do
not jerk. During towing, make sure
that the trailer hitch does not
damage any components it
is touching. When towing the car,
you must comply with all specific
traffic regulations and adopt an
appropriate driving behaviour. Do
not start the engine while towing
the car. Before tightening the
ring, clean the threaded housing
thoroughly. Make sure that the
ring is fully fastened in the
housing before towing the car.136) The front and rear tow hooks
should be used only for
emergencies on the road. You are
allowed to tow the vehicle for
short distances using an
appropriate device in accordance
with the highway code (a rigid
bar), to move the vehicle on the
road in readiness for towing or
transport via a tow truck. Tow
hooks MUST NOT be used to tow
vehicles off the road or where
there are obstacles and/or for
towing operations using cables or
other non-rigid devices.
Respecting the above conditions,
towing must take place with two
vehicles (one towing, the other
towed) aligned as much as
possible along the same centre
line.
198
IN AN EMERGENCY

SCHEDULED
SERVICINGCorrect servicing is essential in
guaranteeing a long life for the car
under the best conditions.
For this reason, Alfa Romeo has
prepared a series of checks and service
operations to be carried out every
30,000 kilometres (for 1.4 petrol
versions) or every 35,000 kilometres (for
1750 Turbo Petrol and diesel versions).
Check the items on the Scheduled
Servicing Plan (e.g. periodically check
level of liquids, tyre pressure, etc.)
before 30,000/35,000 km and between
these services deadlines.
Scheduled Servicing is offered by an
Alfa Romeo Dealership according to a
set time schedule. If, during each
operation, in addition to the ones
scheduled, the need arises for further
replacements or repairs, these may
be carried out only with your explicit
agreement. If your car is used
frequently for towing, the interval
between one service operation and the
next should be reduced.WARNING
At 2,000 km from the next service
operation the display will show a
message.
The Scheduled Services intervals are
set out by the Manufacturer. Failure
to comply with the schedule may
invalidate the warranty.
It is advisable to inform the Alfa Romeo
Dealership of any small operating
irregularities without waiting for the next
service.
200
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE