display Alfa Romeo GT 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
111
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
IMPORTANTOpening the driver’s door,
the Selespeed starts the hydraulic part of
the system to prepare it for the engine to be
started.
Turning the ignition key to MAR, all the
segments of the display (fig. 119), the
gearbox warning light (fig. 120) and the
wordCITYturn on. After about one second,
the display indicates the gear engaged (N,
1,2,3,4,5,R).
IMPORTANTIf after 10 seconds the dis-
play segment do not display the gear en-
gaged or the warning light stays on, turn the
ignition key to STOPand wait for the dis-
play to go off, then repeat the system acti-
vation procedure. If the fault persists, con-
tact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services. With gearshift to CITYgears can be shift-
ed manually using both the gearshift lever
or the steering wheel controls. Gearshift
stays in CITY.
The gear selected (fig. 119) is always
displayed regardless of the mode being se-
lected selected .
N= neutral;
1= first gear;
2= second gear;
3= third gear;
4= fourth gear;
5= fifth gear;
R= reverse. InCITYorSPORT, the selected mode is
also displayed.
IMPORTANT SPORTmode can only
be activated after deactivating the CITY
mode.
A warning light, a message (fig. 120)
and a buzzer draw the attention of the dri-
ver in the event of a fault at Selespeed trans-
mission.
The Selespeed considerably simplifies use
of the car, reducing the fatigue of city dri-
ving or when frequent gearshifting is re-
quired, at the same time offering brilliant
performance.
fig. 120
A0A9081g

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
112
If the car is on the move, the request is
not accepted; wait for the car to stop and
then request reverse gear engagement
again.
IMPORTANTOnce a gear has been
changed it is necessary to immediately re-
lease the gearshift control lever after mak-
ing the request. A manoeuvre prolonged
(over 10 seconds) makes the system au-
tomatically switch to CITYmode; every-
thing stops releasing the gearshift lever.
IMPORTANTIf wanting to leave the car
parked on a sloping road with a gear en-
gaged to keep it braked, it is necessary to
check that the display shows the new gear
engaged and then wait for 1 to 2 seconds
before releasing the brake pedal to allow
complete clutch engagement.
fig. 123
A0A0700b
OPERATION WITH ENGINE OFF
IMPORTANTBefore using the gearshift
control lever, always check the gear en-
gaged on the display (N,1,2,3,4,5,
R).
With the engine off and the car station-
ary it is possible to engage all the gears.
With the car stationary and with the brake
pedal pressed, requests to shift gears are
both accepted through the control lever on
the central console or through the steering
wheel levers.
To request gearshifting, in addition to keep-
ing the brake pedal pressed:
– to shift upwards (+) (fig. 121) push
the lever “forwards” (if the car is in first gear
it shifts to second, if in second it shifts to
third and so on up to fifth). If the system
is in neutral (N) or reverse (R) moving thelever forwards causes the engagement of
first gear (1).
– to shift downwards (–) (fig. 121)
push the lever backwards (if the car is in
fifth gear it shifts to fourth, if in fourth it
shifts to third and so on down to first gear).
To allow setting the transmission to neu-
tral (N), starting from the condition with
the car stationary and brake pedal pressed,
move the gearshift lever to the right (fig.
122).
From any gear (N,1,2,3,4,5) and
with the car practically at a standstill, it is
possible to request engagement of reverse
gear, pushing the lever to the right and then
backwards (fig. 123).
fig. 121
A0A0698b
fig. 122
A0A0699b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
113
Never remove the ignition
key when the car is mov-
ing. In addition to the fact
that the Selespeed system would
not work properly up to stopping
the car, the steering wheel would
lock automatically the first time it
is turned.
STARTING THE ENGINE
The engine can be started with the gear
engaged or in neutral (N), provided that the
brake pedal is pressed down.
IMPORTANTKeep the pedal fully de-
pressed during starting. Since the brake ped-
al becomes hard if it is pressed repeatedly
with the engine off, in this situation it is nec-
essary to increase the pressure on the ped-
al itself to start the engine.
After starting, the gearbox sets to neutral
automatically, the display shows the letter
(N) and the system selects the operating
mode memorised before switching off.
If the engine fails to start
with the gear engaged, the
driver is alerted of the po-
tentially dangerous situation due
to the fact that the gearbox has
automatically set to neutral by the
buzzer and the display.
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
AND SYSTEM DEACTIVATION
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe en-
gine switches off: the gear selected before
turning the engine off remains engaged.
If the engine stops with the gearbox in
neutral (N), the buzzer and the blinking
of (N) draw the attention of the driver so
that the car can be put in safety conditions
engaging the first gear (1) or reverse (R).
In this case, it is necessary to turn the igni-
tion key to MARand with the brake ped-
al pressed, engage first gear (1) or reverse
(R).
NEVER leave the car with
the gears in neutral (N).
It is absolutely necessary
to turn off the engine con-
sequently deactivating the
Selespeed system keeping the brake
pedal pressed: release the pedal
ONLY when the display goes off.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
114
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the intermittent sound
of the buzzer as well as by the display.
IMPORTANTIf while shifting from re-
verse (R)/first gear (1) or neutral (N)/
first gear (1) sticking occurs on the first
gear, the system automatically engages sec-
ond gear (2).
This should not be considered a failure be-
cause it is part of the operating logic. For
the same reason, if sticking occurs on re-
verse gear, the system controls partial clutch
closing so that the gear can be engaged;
in this case the engagement of reverse gear
(R) will not be as smooth as usual. After a request to shift
gear with the car station-
ary, before pressing the ac-
celerator pedal to make the car
start, the driver must always check
that the gear engaged shown on
the display is the one required. MOVING OFF THE CAR
With the engine running and the car sta-
tionary, the gears that can be engaged for
moving off are only first (1), second (2) or
reverse (R).
To engage them it is possible to use the
control lever on the centre console, with the
brake pedal pressed, as the steering wheel
levers allow gear engagement only over 0.5
km/h.
IMPORTANTReverse gear (R) can be
engaged from each of the following other
ratios: neutral (N), first gear (1) or second
gear (2). If the car is on the move, the re-
quest is not accepted; it is necessary to wait
for the car to be completely stopped and
then request reverse (R) again. Moving off the car is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually pressing the accelerator ped-
al.
The more the accelerator pedal is pressed
the higher the car pick-up torque will be.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
116
STOPPING THE CAR
To stop the car, simply release the accel-
erator pedal and, if necessary, press the
brake pedal.
Regardless of the gear engaged and the
operating mode activated (MANUALor
CITY) the system automatically disengages
the clutch and shifts to a lower gear.
If deciding to move off again without hav-
ing stopped the car completely, the most
suitable ratio will be available for accelera-
tor again.
Stopping the car the system automatical-
ly engages first gear (1).
OPERATION
The gearbox can work according to two op-
erating modes:
– the first one is semi-automatic (MAN-
UAL): the decision to change gear is left to
the driver who decides the most appropriate
moment; this mode features the two fol-
lowing logics:
1) normal: for comfort driving;
2) sport: (to be activated by button B-
fig. 124): for sporty driving.
Sport operating mode is selected by press-
ing button SPORT(B-fig. 124) set on
the gearshift lever; when selecting this
mode, the display will show SPORT.– the second one is fully automatic
(CITY), in which the system decides di-
rectly when to shift gear according to driving
conditions.
To select the CITYmode, press button
CITYset on the gearshift lever; when se-
lecting this mode, the display will show
CITY.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
118
With the accelerator pedal pressed to over
60% of its stroke and an engine speed
above 5000 rpm, gearshifting becomes
quicker. In the MANUALoperating mode
there are certain automatic/security devices
which simplify driving:
– when slowing down, the clutch is dis-
engaged and the gear ratio is reduced au-
tomatically to be ready for possibly picking
up speed again; if not, stopping the car, first
gear (1) will be engaged automatically;
– request to change gear that could take
the engine above the maximum rpm or be-
low the minimum permissible rpm are not
accepted;AUTOMATIC OPERATION (CITY)
TheCITYautomatic operating mode is se-
lected pressing the button (A-fig. 126)
at the base of the gearshift lever.
In addition to the gear, the display will
show the word CITY.
The system decides directly when to shift
gears in relation to the engine rpm and dri-
ving conditions.
Releasing the accelerator pedal quickly, the
system does not engage a higher gear in or-
der to maintain an adequate level of engine
brake.
fig. 126
A0A0701b
– if sticking occurs during the engagement
of a gear, the system firstly tries to engage
the required gear again and, if it is still not
possible, it automatically engages the im-
mediately higher one to avoid leaving the
car in neutral .
IMPORTANTIt is advisable to wait for
the end of a gear shifting operation before
requesting another one, to avoid multiple
requests in rapid succession.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
119
In the event of whatever
transmission fault, contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Ser-
vices as soon as possible to have
the system checked. In the event of a fault to the gearshift lever,
the system automatically activates the au-
tomaticCITYmode to allow the car to
reach the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have the fault detected elimi-
nated.
In the event of a fault to the other gear-
box components, the system only allows the
engagement of certain gears: first gear (1),
second gear (2) and reverse (R).
FAILURE INDICATIONS
Failures to the Selespeed gearbox are in-
dicated on the display by warning light
t
(fig. 127), dedicated message and
buzzer. If the warning light
t
and the message are dis-
played, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services as soon as
possible to have the fault elimi-
nated.
fig. 127
A0A9081g

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
120
PARKING THE CAR
To park the car safely it is absolutely nec-
essary to engage first gear (1) or reverse
(R) and also the handbrake if the road is
on a slope.
Turning the engine off with the car facing
uphill and a gear engaged, it is absolutely
necessary to wait for the gear display to go
off before releasing the brake pedal, so that
the clutch is fully disengaged.
If the gearbox is in neutral (N) and want-
ing to engage a parking gear, the system
should be activated and with the foot on the
brake pedal it is necessary to engage (1)
or (R).
TOWING THE CAR
IMPORTANTFor towing the car, adhere
to local regulations. Make sure that the gear-
box is in neutral (N) (checking that the car
moves when pushed) and proceed as for
towing a normal car with mechanical gear-
box following the instructions given in sec-
tion “In an emergency”.
If setting to neutral is not possible, do not
tow the car and contact Alfa Romeo Autho-
rized Services.
While towing the car do
not start the engine.
BUZZER WARNINGS
The buzzer is activated when:
– reverse gear is engaged (R);
– the car is parked with the gearbox in
neutral (N); signal that can be noted turn-
ing the ignition key to STOP;
– clutch overheating occurs when moving
off;
– the system has shifted automatically
to neutral (N) when:
there is no action on the accelerator
and/or brake pedal for at least 3 minutes;
or the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;
or the driver’s door is opened and no ac-
tion is made on the accelerator and brake
for at least 1.5 seconds;
or detection of a gearbox fault;
– gearbox fault.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
128
OPENING FROM INSIDE
(fig. 141)
Tailgate is released electrically and this can
be performed only when the ignition key
is in position MARwith car at a standstill
or in STOPorPARKposition for 3 min-
utes without unlocking/locking one of the
doors.
To unlock the tailgate, press button (A)
on the centre console panel.
Tailgate raising is facilitated by the gas
shock springs.
OPENING WITH REMOTE
CONTROL
(fig. 142)
The tailgate can be opened by remote con-
trol from outside pressing the button (A),
also when the electronic alarm is engaged.
Opening of the tailgate is accompanied by
a double flash of the direction indicators;
closing is accompanied by a single flash.
If an electronic alarm is fitted, with the
opening of the tailgate, the alarm system
switches off volumetric protection and the
tailgate control sensor, the system “beeps”
twice (with the exception of certain mar-
kets).
fig. 141
A0A0129b
BOOT
The tailgate can be opened:
from the outside of the car- by a
remote control impulse;
from the inside of the door- by de-
pressing the button (A-fig. 141).
IMPORTANTIf the boot is not proper-
ly shut, the
´warning light will come on
(on certain versions accompanied by the
message on the reconfigurable multifunction
display).
The gas springs are cali-
brated to ensure correct
tailgate raising with the
weights foreseen by the manufac-
turer. The arbitrary addition of
items (such spoilers, etc.) may
compromise the correct operation
and safety of the actual tailgate.
fig. 142
A0A0636b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
132
HEADLIGHTS
The adjustment of the headlights is vital to
your safety and comfort and to that of oth-
er road users.
The adjustment of the headlights is also
governed by precise regulations.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to
have the headlights correctly adjusted.
IMPORTANTThe headlight inner sur-
face may get slightly misted: this does not
mean it is faulty; it is a natural phenome-
non due to low temperature and the air hu-
midity level. Misting will disappear as soon
as the headlights are turned on. The pres-
ence of water drops inside the headlight in-
dicates water infiltration: contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
COMPENSATION FOR TILT
(fig. 148)
When the car is loaded, the beam from the
headlights is raised due to the backwards
tilt of the car.
In this case the headlights must be ad-
justed correctly. For the required adjustment (only with low
beams on), use buttons ▲/▼:
– press button
▲, to increase by one po-
sition (e.g.: 0
➟1➟ 2➟3);
– press button
▼, to decrease by one po-
sition (e.g.: 3
➟2➟1➟0);
The display (A), in the tachometer shows
positions during adjustment.
fig. 148
A0A1106b