Alfa Romeo GT 2010 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
109
To release the hand brake:
– slightly lift the lever (A) and press the
release button (B);
– keeping the button pressed lower the
lever, the warning light
xon the instru-
ment cluster will go out.
To prevent the car from moving acciden-
tally, keep the brake pedal pressed when
engaging the hand brake.
IMPORTANTThe hand brake lever (A)
is fitted with a safety device which prevents
the brake from being released when, with
the lever pulled, button (B) is pressed.
Therefore, to release the brake, in addition
to pressing button (B), it is also necessary
to pull lever (A) further upwards to release
the safety device, then lower the lever com-
pletely.
IMPORTANTOn certain versions a
buzzer sounds to alert the driver if the car
is moved with the hand brake engaged.
GEARSHIFT LEVER (fig. 116)
The position of the single gears is shown
by the pictogram on the gearshift lever knob.
When shifting gear, always fully depress
the clutch pedal. Before engaging reverse
gear (R) wait for the car to be stationary.
Certain versions are equipped with 6-speed
gearbox. For the versions with 6 gears, to
engage reverse (R) lift (with the fingers
of the same hand holding the lever) the ring
(A-fig. 116) positioned under the lever.
After engaging the reverse, release the ring.
To change from reverse to another gear, it
is not necessary to lift the ring on the lever.
IMPORTANTReverse gear may only be
engaged with the car completely at a stand-
still. With the engine running, before en-
gaging reverse gear it is necessary to wait
for at least 3 seconds with the clutch pedal
fully depressed to prevent clashing and the
possibility of damaging the gears. To change gear smoothly,
the clutch pedal must be
fully depressed. Therefore,
there should be no obstacles on the
floor under the pedal unit: make
sure that any mats are well laid and
do not interfere with the pedals.
fig. 116
A0A0684b

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
110fig. 119
A0A9017i
The gearbox can work according to two op-
erating modes:
– the first is semi-automatic (hereinafter
calledMANUAL), in which the driver shifts
gear directly using the lever on the central
console or the levers on the steering wheel
spokes;
– the second is automatic, called CITY
(when selecting CITYwith button B-fig.
117, the word CITYwill be displayed fig.
119). In this mode the system decides di-
rectly when to shift gear. SELESPEED
TRANSMISSION
(on request for versions/markets
where applicable)
IMPORTANTTo be able to use the Se-
lespeed correctly, this chapter should be read
in full to understand the correct, permissible
operations to be carried out right from the
start.
This device comprises a conventional me-
chanical transmission, to which an elec-
tronically-controlled electrohydraulic device
has been added, which automatically con-
trols the clutch and gear engagement.
The clutch pedal has been eliminated and
the car moves off using only the accelerator
pedal.Gearshifting takes place through a floating
control lever (A-fig. 117) with “only one
stable central position”. Using this lever it is
possible to request increase/decrease of the
ratio of the gear engaged and/or engage-
ment of reverse gear (R) or neutral (N).
There are also two levers on the steering
wheel spokes (fig. 118) through which,
only with the car on the move (with speed
above 0,5 km/h), it is possible to in-
crease/decrease the gear engaged.
fig. 117
A0A0697b
fig. 118
A0A0669b

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
115
Though strongly inadvisable, if due to un-
foreseen circumstances when driving down-
hill the car is allowed to travel with the gear-
box in neutral (N), when the engagement
of a gear is requested, the system auto-
matically engages the best gear to allow
transmission of the torque to the wheels in
relation to the speed of the car.
When travelling downhill with a gear en-
gaged and the accelerator released (if the
car is moving), beyond a pre-established
speed, the system engages the clutch au-
tomatically to give the car adequate engine
braking.
For safety reasons the Selespeed system
activates the buzzer when: clutch over-
heating occurs during car starting; in this
case, it is necessary to “force” moving off
avoiding hesitations or to release the accel-
erator and use the brake pedal to park the
car if the car is on a slope.Still due to safety reasons, with the car sta-
tionary, the engine running and gear (1),
(2) or (R) engaged, the system activates
the buzzer and automatically shifts to neu-
tral (N) when:
– no action is made on the accelerator
and/or brake pedals for at least 3 minutes;
– the brake is pressed for over 10 min-
utes;
– the driver’s door is opened and the ac-
celerator and brake pedal are not pressed
for at least 1.5 seconds. IMPORTANT NOTES
– With the car stopped and a gear en-
gaged always keep the brake pedal pressed
until deciding to move off;
– during prolonged halts with the engine
running it is advisable to keep the gearbox
in neutral;
– when the car is parked facing uphill, do
not use the moving off manoeuvre to keep
the car still; use the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal only when deciding to
move off;
– use second gear only when more con-
trol is needed for moving off manoeuvres at
low speed;
– if, with reverse gear engaged, you need
to engage first gear or vice versa, shift gear
only when the car is completely stationary
and with the brake pedal pressed.

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
117
SEMIAUTOMATIC OPERATION
(MANUAL)
In the MANUALoperating mode the dis-
play shows the gear engaged.
In this operating mode, the decision to
change gear is left to the driver who decides
the most appropriate moment. The requests to change gear may take
place through:
– the control lever on the centre console
(A-fig. 124);
– the buttons on the steering wheel (fig.
125), which can be operated only when
the car speed exceeds 0.5 km/h.
TheMANUALoperating mode is set
when, with the CITYmode selected, the
CITYbutton (A-fig. 126) is pressed
again, thereby cutting out the previously se-
lected mode. When changing gear it is not necessary
to release the accelerator pedal because the
Selespeed system directly controls the en-
gine in such a way as to:
– reduce and then increase engine torque;
– adapt the engine speed to the new gear
ratio engaged.
When downshifting, the engine is accel-
erated automatically to bring it to the speed
necessary with the new gear ratio.
Neutral (N) is accepted until the car speed
exceeds 40 km/h.
The reverse gear engagement command
(R) is accepted only if the car is station-
ary.
fig. 125
A0A0669b
fig. 124
A0A0702b

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.