wheel torque Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2015 Owner's Manual

ESC SYSTEM
IN BRIEF
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of the
car in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the car’s
understeer 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 car.
30) 31) 32) 33) 34)
The ESC system uses sensors installed
on the car to determine the trajectory
that the driver intends to follow and
compares it with the car’s effective
trajectory. When the real trajectory
deviates from the desired trajectory, the
ESC system intervenes to counter the
car’s understeer or oversteer.
❒Oversteer: occurs when the car is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
❒Understeer: occurs when the car is
turning less than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.The ESC system also includes the
following systems:
❒EBD
❒ABS
❒CBC
❒ASR
❒HILL HOLDER
❒HBA
❒MSR
❒DST
❒“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❒"PRE-FILL" (RAB - Ready Alert
Brake)
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.EBD SYSTEM
The EBD system is an integral part of
the ESC system and intervenes during
braking, distributing the brake force
optimally between front and rear
wheels.
This guarantees greater braking stability
for the car, preventing sudden locking
of the rear wheels and the consequent
instability of the car.
ABS
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The system intervenes when braking
and the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent.
The system also improves control and
stability of the car when braking on a
surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

System intervention
A slight pulsing of the brake pedal and
noise indicates the intervention of the
ABS: this is completely normal when
the system intervenes.
35) 36) 37) 38) 39) 40) 41)
CBC (Cornering Brake
Control) SYSTEM
The system acts when braking on
corners, optimising the distribution of
brake pressure on the four wheels: the
system prevents the wheels on the
inside of the corner (less affected by the
weight of the car) from locking,
ensuring better stability and direction
for the car.
ASR (Anti-Slip
Regulation) SYSTEM
42) 43) 44)
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and automatically operates in
the event of one or both drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(aquaplaning) and acceleration
on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc.
Depending on the slipping conditions,
two different control systems are
activated:❒if the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the ASR system intervenes,
reducing the power transmitted by
the engine;
❒if the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, it also intervenes
automatically, braking the wheel that
is slipping.
System intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and facilitates starting on
slopes, activating automatically in the
following cases:
❒uphill: car stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and gearbox
in neutral or gear (other than reverse)
engaged;
❒downhill: car stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.When setting off, the ESC system
control unit maintains the braking
pressure on the wheels until the engine
torque necessary for starting is
reached, or in any case for a maximum
of 2 seconds, allowing your right foot
to be moved easily from the brake
pedal to the accelerator.
When two seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure. During
this release stage it is possible to hear a
typical mechanical brake release noise,
indicating the imminent movement of
the car.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is
not a parking brake; therefore, never
leave the car without having engaged
the handbrake, turned the engine
off and engaged first gear, so that it is
parked in safe conditions (for further
information read the "Parking"
paragraph in the "Starting and driving"
chapter).
63

IMPORTANT There may be situations
on small gradients (less than 8%),
with car laden, in which the Hill Holder
system may not activate, causing a
slight reversing motion and increasing
the risk of collision with another vehicle
or object. The driver is, in any case,
responsible for safe driving.
HBA (Hydraulic Brake
Assist) SYSTEM
45) 46) 47)
The HBA system is designed to
improve the car's braking capacity
during emergency braking. The system
detects emergency braking by
monitoring the speed and force with
which the brake pedal is pressed, and
consequently applies the optimal brake
pressure. This can reduce the braking
distance: the HBA system therefore
completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the HBA
system is obtained by pressing the
brake pedal very quickly. In addition,
the brake pedal should be pressed
continuously during braking, avoiding
intermittent presses, to get the most
out of the system.
Do not reduce pressure on the brake
pedal until braking is not necessary
anymore.The HBA system is deactivated when
the brake pedal is released.
MSR (Motor
Schleppmoment
Regelung) SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the
ABS, that intervenes, if there is a
sudden downshifting, restoring torque
to the engine, thereby preventing
excessive drive at the drive wheels
which, especially in poor grip
conditions, could lead to a loss in
stability of the car.
DST SYSTEM (Dynamic
Steering Torque)
This function integrates Dual Pinion
active steering into the operation of
ESC. For particular manoeuvres, the
ESC system controls the steering
to actuate a steering torque and assist
the driver in the best possible way.
The system operates the brakes and
steering in a coordinated manner to
increase the suspension and safety
level of the car as a whole. The steering
provides additional torque on the
steering wheel.“ELECTRONIC Q2”
SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)
The "Electronic Q2" system intervenes
during acceleration on corners, braking
the inner drive wheel and thus
increasing the traction of the outer
wheel (which bears more of the car’s
weight): the torque is thus distributed
optimally between the drive wheels
in accordance with the driving
conditions and road surface, permitting
particularly effective, sporty driving.
"PRE-FILL" SYSTEM
(RAB - Ready Alert
Brake)
(only with 'Dynamic" mode activated)
This function activates automatically
if the accelerator pedal is released
rapidly, reducing the brake pad travel
(both at front and back), with the aim of
preparing the braking system and
enhancing its responsiveness, thus
reducing the stopping distance in the
event of subsequent braking.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

“Natural” mode
When “Natural” mode is selected, no
messages or symbols are shown on the
display.
ESC and ASR systems:intervention
thresholds aimed at comfort and safety
in normal grip and driving conditions.
"ELECTRONIC Q2" system:the
system is calibrated to ensure the best
driving comfort.
Steering wheel tuning:functions
aimed at comfort in normal conditions
of use.
DST:braking standard control
coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration.
Oversteer compensation: a slight pulse
on the steering wheel encourages the
driver to carry out the most appropriate
manoeuvre.
Engine:standard response.ENGAGEMENT/
DISENGAGEMENT OF
“Dynamic” MODE
Engagement
Move lever A fig. 75 upwards (next to
the letter “d”) and hold in this position
for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding
LED lights up or the word “Dynamic”
appears on the display (see fig. 78).Upon release, lever A returns to the
central position.
ESC and ASR:intervention thresholds
that allow more enjoyable, sportier
driving whilst guaranteeing stability of
the vehicle.
"ELECTRONIC Q2" system:the
system is calibrated to increase traction
whilst accelerating on bends,
improving the vehicle agility
Steering wheel tuning:uses the
sports mode function.
DST:braking standard control
coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration.
Oversteering compensation depending
on the ESC/ASR intervention
thresholds: a slight movement on the
steering wheel encourages the driver to
carry out the most appropriate
manoeuvre.
Engine:prompter response +
Overboost to maximise torque (for
versions/markets, where provided).
RAB:by pre-positioning of the brake
pads (front and rear) following a rapid
release of the accelerator pedal to
reduce braking times, shorten stopping
distances and improve the brake pedal
feeling.
77A0K0592
78A0K1510
67
IMPORTANT For versions/markets,
where provided, switching to "Dynamic"
mode is automatically disabled in the
first kilometres in order to guarantee
correct settling of the mechanical
components. If an attempt to activate
the system is made before this limit, the
display will show a dedicated message
to remind the driver that this request
cannot be fulfilled.

❒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.If reverse (R) is engaged, only engage
the 1stgear (or vice versa) when the car
is completely stopped.
Although it is highly inadvisable, if you
are driving downhill and, for unexpected
reasons, you let the car move forward
with the transmission in neutral (N),
when there is a request to engage
a gear, depending on the speed of the
car, the system will automatically
engage the best gear for the correct
transmission of drive torque to the
wheels.
107)
IMPORTANT
21) If the car is on a gradient, always
pull the handbrake BEFORE
placing the gear lever in P.
22) Engage reverse only with the car
stationary, engine at idling speed
and accelerator fully released.
157