Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2016 Owner's Manual

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 ................148
PARKING ........................................149
USING THE GEARBOX ...................150
ALFA TCT .......................................151
SAVING FUEL .................................158
TOWING TRAILERS ........................160
SNOW TYRES ................................160
SNOW CHAINS...............................161
STORING THE CAR ........................162
147

STARTING THE
ENGINE
PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal,
without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine
starts.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
100) 101)
102)
16) 17) 18)
❒If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to
STOP before repeating the starting
procedure.
❒If, when the ignition key is at
MAR-ON, the
instrument panel
warning light (or the symbol on the
display) stays on together with the
warning light, turn the key to
STOP and then back to MAR-ON. If
the warning light (or the symbol on
the display) remains on, try with
the other keys provided with the car.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership
if the engine still does not start.❒Never leave the ignition key at MAR
when the engine is stopped.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
19)
❒engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR-ON: the
warning lights
andon the
instrument panel will turn on (for
versions/markets, where provided);
❒wait for the warning lights to switch
off;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal,
without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV as soon
as warning light
switches off.
Waiting too long will waste the
heating work carried out by the glow
plugs. Release the key as soon as
the engine starts.
WARMING UP THE
ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium speed without
accelerating abruptly;❒do not demand full performance at
first. It is advisable to 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 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.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

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.
PARKING
Always 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).
HANDBRAKE
To engage it, pull lever A fig. 126
upwards until the car is secured.
When the handbrake is engaged and
the ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
warning light will switch on in the
instrument panel.To release it, raise lever A slightly, hold
down button B and lower the lever:
the
warning light on the instrument
panel switches off.
103) 104)
IMPORTANT Carry out these
manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
IMPORTANT For cars equipped with a
front armrest, lift it up to ensure that
it does not interfere with the action of
the handbrake.
126A0K0615
149

WARNING
103) Never leave children
unattended in the car. Always
remove the key from the ignition
device when leaving the car and
take it with you.
104) The car must be locked after a
few clicks of the parking brake: if
this is not so, contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership to have it
adjusted. Always park the car
safely as indicated by the
Highway Code and as described
above.
USING THE
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and shift the gear lever
into one of the required positions (the
diagram for gear engagement is shown
on the knob of the lever
105)).
To engage the 6thgear, operate the
lever by pressing it towards the right in
order to avoid engaging the 4th gear
by mistake. The same applies to the
shift from 6
thto 5thgear.20)
To engage reverse gear (R) from the
neutral position, lift up ring A fig. 127
and simultaneously move the lever
to the left and then forwards.
IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the car is completely
stationary.
WARNING
105) Press the clutch pedal fully to
change gears correctly. It is
therefore essential that there is
nothing under the pedals: make
sure the mats are lying flat and do
not get in the way of the pedals.
IMPORTANT
20) Do not drive with your hand
resting on the gear lever as the
force exerted, even if slight, could
lead over time to premature wear
of the gearbox internal
components.
127A0K0616
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STARTING AND DRIVING

ALFA TCT
(for versions/markets, where provided)
IN BRIEF
The car can be equipped with an
electronically managed Alfa TCT
6-speed automatic transmission
where gearshifting takes place
automatically according to the
instantaneous car usage parameters
(car speed, road gradient and
accelerator pedal position).
The new transmission is an absolute
innovation as it matches the
Start&Stop system with the most
recent alternative to traditional
automatic transmissions with built-in
torque converter.
Manual gearshifting can still occur
thanks to the sequential mode
position of the gear lever.
SELECTOR LEVER
The lever fig. 128 (left hand drive
versions) or fig. 129 (right hand drive
versions), can be placed in the following
positions:
❒P= Park
❒R= Reverse❒N= Neutral
❒D= Drive, (automatic forward speed)
❒+= Sequential upshifting
❒−= Sequential downshifting
If the lever is used in sequential mode,
moving the latter from D to the left,
the positions towards + or – are
unstable.
The lever has a button A, which must
be pressed to move the lever to P or R.DISPLAY
The display can show the following:
❒in automatic driving mode, the
gear selected (P, R, N, D). With
lever in position D (Drive), the display
will show D and the gear engaged
(e.g. D3 - see fig. 130).
❒in sequential driving mode, the
manual engagement of a (higher
or lower) gear, with the relevant
number fig. 131;
128 - Left hand drive versionsA0K0617
129 - Right hand drive versionsA0K0618
130A0K1540
131A0K1541
151

POSITIONS OF THE
LEVER
Park (P)
Position P corresponds to the neutral
position of the transmission and locks
drive wheels mechanically.
It should only be engaged with the car
stationary and the handbrake should be
applied, if necessary.
With the ignition key at MAR-ON or with
engine running, or when the engine
switches off, if the gear lever is not
correctly positioned in P, letter P starts
flashing on the gear lever trim.
In this case, move the lever correctly to
position P.
21)
The ignition key can be removed only
when the lever is in position P. Moving
the lever from P to D must be
performed only when the car is
stationary and the engine at idling
speed.
Shifting from P to any other position of
the selector lever, with ignition key in
MAR-ON position, must be made
pressing the brake pedal and using the
button on the gear lever (see paragraph
"Selector lever").
If the battery is flat, to release the lever
you need to remove the gaiter and
operate the lever A fig. 132.IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car
before having positioned the selector
lever in P.
Reverse (R)
The engine cannot be started with the
lever in position R.
Shifting from R to N or D is free, while
shifting from R to P can be made by the
button on the gear lever, with engine
at idling speed.
22)
Neutral (N)
It corresponds to neutral for a standard
manual gearbox. The engine can be
started with the lever in position N.
Engage N in case of prolonged stops.
To move the lever from position N,
release the accelerator and make sure
the engine is stable at idling speed.Shifting from N to D is free, while
shifting from N to R or P can only be
made by the button on the gear lever.
Drive (D) - Automatic
forward gear
It is the lever position in standard
running conditions.
Shifting from D to N is free, while
shifting from D to R or P can only be
made by the button on the gear lever.
Sequential mode (+ / –)
Shifting the lever from position D on
side in stable position, the transmission
is used in sequential mode.
Shifting the lever in unstable position (+
or −) gears are changed.
Important information
IMPORTANT All movements of the gear
lever must be performed with car
stationary and engine idling only.
The drive wheels are mechanically
locked in position P.
Shifting from P to R is possible with
brake pedal pressed and button on
gear lever pressed.
Shifting from R to N and from N to D is
free.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

Shifting from D to "Sequential mode" is
free.
Shifting from "Sequential mode" to D is
free.
Shifting from D to N is free.
Shifting from N to R is possible only
with button on gear lever pressed.
Shifting from R to P is possible only
with button on gear lever pressed.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting is only permitted with gear
lever in position P or N (with or without
brake pedal pressed).
On starting, the system is at N or P (the
latter means neutral, but with the car’s
wheels locked mechanically).
Start&Stop system
With car at a standstill and Start&Stop
system activated, the engine switches
off if the gear lever is in a position
other than R.
The Start&Stop system does not
operate when the gear lever is in R, for
making parking manoeuvres easier.
In the event of stops uphill, the engine
switching off is disabled to activate
the "Hill Holder" function (works only
with running engine).The engine restarts automatically if:
❒the brake pedal is released (and the
lever is not at N or P)
❒the lever is shifted to an unstable
position: +, − or R
❒the lever is shifted from D to the left
in "Sequential mode"
❒by the "+" or "–" paddles on the
steering wheel (for versions/markets,
where provided)
During the engine stop and start
sequence, the system passes through
the automatic engagement of neutral:
the display shows N.
IMPORTANT In some conditions (for
example with small gradients and brake
pedal not fully depressed), engine
switching off is not deactivated. In this
case, fully depress the brake pedal
to make the "Hill Holder" function
available and restart the engine, using
the gear lever or the paddles on the
steering wheel (for versions/markets,
where provided) as described
previously.ENGINE SWITCHING OFF
Engine can be switched off in any
position of the gear lever.
Versions with
Start&Stop system
To switch the engine off, you need to
stop the car by pressing the brake
pedal properly; if the pressure is not
enough, the engine will not be switched
off.
This feature can be exploited so that
the engine does not switch off in
particular traffic conditions.
Ignition key removal
The ignition key can be removed only if
the gear lever is in position P:
❒if the engine is switched off with the
gear lever in position P: the ignition
key can be removed within 30
seconds;
❒if the engine is switched off with the
gear lever in a position other than P:
the P letter on the display and on
the gear lever trim flashes for 5
seconds and an acoustic signal will
be emitted at the same time. Move
the lever to P within 5 seconds; then
it will be possible to remove the
ignition key for about 30 seconds.
153

In both cases, if the described
conditions and times are not respected,
the ignition key will be automatically
locked.
To remove the key, turn it to MAR-ON
and then to STOP.
IMPORTANT If the battery is flat and the
ignition key is engaged, the latter is
locked in position. To remove the key
manually, pull up the handbrake and
insert the screwdriver supplied in the
hole under the dashboard fig. 133
pressing slightly, until the key is
removed.MOVING THE CAR
To move the car, from P press the
brake pedal and, using the button on
the gear lever, move the lever to the
desired position (D, R or "Sequential
mode").
The display will show the gear
engaged.
When the brake pedal is released, the
car starts moving forwards or
backwards, as soon as the manoeuvre
is activated ("creeping" effect). The
accelerator should not be pressed in
this case.
IMPORTANT The inconsistency
between the speed actually engaged
(shown on the display) and the position
of the gear lever is indicated by the
letter corresponding to the position of
the lever flashing on the trim (also
accompanied by an acoustic signal).
This condition should not be interpreted
as an operational fault, but simply as a
request by the system to repeat the
manoeuvre.
IMPORTANT With engine running and
car stationary, in "Sequential mode",
the request for engaging 2
ndgear is not
accepted by the system (whether the
brake pedal is pressed or not).If, with 1
stgear or reverse (R) engaged,
the following conditions occur:
❒road slope over 5%;
❒clutch overheated;
❒engine torque constant for a given
period (e.g. if the car hits the
pavement or is parked downhill/
uphill);
car movement is achieved by pressing
the accelerator pedal.
IMPORTANT With handbrake released
and brake pedal released, engine at
idling speed and gear lever in position
D, R or sequential, pay the utmost care
because the car can move even
without the operation of the accelerator
pedal. This condition can be used
with the car on a level surface during
tight parking manoeuvres using the
brake pedal only.
AUTOMATIC DRIVING
MODE
D can be selected from sequential
operation in any driving conditions.
In automatic driving mode, the best
ratio is selected by the electronic
transmission control unit depending on
speed, engine load (accelerator pedal
position) and gradient of the road.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

“Kick-Down” function
To resume speed quickly, when the
accelerator pedal is pressed fully, the
transmission control system downshifts
("Kick-down" function).
IMPORTANT When driving on roads
with poor grip conditions (snow, ice,
etc.) avoid activating the kick-down
function.
Integration with "Alfa
DNA" system
Operating the “Alfa DNA” system fig.
134, three different driving modes can
be selected:
❒“Dynamic”: gear changes at higher
engine speeds. It enhances sporty
driving;❒“Natural”: gear changes at low
engine speeds. It enhances comfort
and reduces consumption;
❒“All Weather”: driving programme on
roads with poor grip (e.g. snow, ice,
mud, etc.).
Gearshifting suggestion
With the transmission in automatic
mode (selector lever in position D),
when gearshifting is required by the
paddles on the steering wheel (for
versions/markets, where provided), the
system shifts to "Sequential mode",
with relevant displaying of the gear
engaged, for about 5 second.
When this time has elapsed, if the
paddles are not operated anymore, the
system goes back to the automatic
mode (D), with following displaying.
SEQUENTIAL DRIVING
MODE
In sequential driving mode, the
transmission works like a manual
gearbox.Gearshifting through
gear lever
Move the lever sideways (to the left)
from position D to the sequential
position:
❒lever towards "+": engage higher
gear;
❒lever towards "−": engage lower gear.
The lever correct position in "Sequential
mode" is signalled when the symbols
"+" and "−" switch on and the symbol D
switches off on the display (the gear
engaged only is shown on the display).
Gearshifting through
steering wheel paddles
(for versions/markets, where provided)
On some versions, the steering wheel
paddles can be used to change gear
fig. 135.
106)
134A0K0612
135A0K0266
155

To use the paddles on the steering
wheel, the gear lever must be in
"Sequential mode" or in D:
❒steering wheel paddle "+" (pulling
paddle towards driver fig. 136):
engage higher gear;
❒steering wheel paddle "-" (pulling
paddle towards driver fig. 136):
engage lower gear.The engagement of a lower or higher
gear is only permitted if the engine revs
allow it.
If the car is stopped with a higher gear
than 1
stengaged, the transmission
will automatically engage 1stgear.
"Launch Control"
Function
The "Launch Control" strategy permits
high-performance starting.
With the car stationary, proceed as
follows to activate this function:
❒operate the “Alfa DNA” system and
activate the "Dynamic" driving mode;
❒depress the brake pedal with your left
foot and, simultaneously, fully
depress the accelerator pedal with
your right foot;
❒release the brake pedal: in this way a
more "lively" start is achieved.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.
108)
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);
136A0K0269
137A0K0271
156
STARTING AND DRIVING
❒shift gear using the gear lever or the
steering wheel paddle "−" (pulling
the paddle towards the driver as
previously described): rpm are thus
increased from 2750 to 4500; (1.4
Petrol versions) and from 1700 to
2700 (2.0 JTD
Mversions);