towing ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 2023 User Guide

STARTING AND OPERATING

134

TRAILER HITCH CLASSIFICATION
The following chart provides the industry standard for the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can tow and should be used to assist you in
selecting the correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS (MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS)
Trailer towing is not permissible with the 2.9L engine.
Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
ClassMax. Trailer Hitch Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lb (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lb (1,587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 6,000 lb (2,722 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy Duty 10,000 lb (4,535 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your
given drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on your vehicle.
Engine/TransmissionMaximum GTWMaximum Trailer TW (See Note)
2.0L Engine 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) 300 lb (136 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.

NOTE:
The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and should never exceed the weight referenced on
the Tire and Loading Information placard.
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(Continued)
(Continued)
TRAILER AND TONGUE WEIGHT
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight
stamped on your fascia/bumper or trailer hitch.
Weight Distribution
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
The tongue weight of the trailer.
The weight of any other type of cargo or
equipment put in or on your vehicle.
The weight of the driver and all passengers.

NOTE:
Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, addi -
tional factory-installed options or dealer-installed
options must be considered as part of the total
load on your vehicle. Refer to the “Tire And
Loading Information” placard for the maximum
combined weight of occupants and cargo for
your vehicle.
TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle
drivetrain components, the following guidelines
are recommended:
WARNING!
Always load a trailer with 60% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% of the
GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle. Loads
balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to sway severely side
to side which will cause loss of control of the
vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers
heavier in front is the cause of many
trailer collisions.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow
these guidelines to make your trailer towing as
safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the
trailer and that it will not shift during travel.
When trailering cargo that is not fully
secured, dynamic load shifts can occur that
may be difficult for the driver to control. You
could lose control of your vehicle and have a
collision.
When hauling cargo, or towing a trailer, do
not overload your vehicle or trailer.
Overloading can cause a loss of control, poor
performance, or damage to brakes, axle,
engine, transmission, steering, suspension,
chassis structure, or tires.
Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the frame or hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the
trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked
on a grade. When parking, apply the parking
brake on the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle
transmission in PARK. Always block or
"chock" the trailer wheels.
GCWR must not be exceeded.
Total weight must be distributed between
the tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded:
• GVWR
• GTW
• GAWR
• Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized.
CAUTION!
Do not tow a trailer at all during the first
500 miles (805 km) the new vehicle is
driven. The engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
WARNING!
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STARTING AND OPERATING

136

Towing Requirements — Tires
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire.
Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h)
when towing while using a full size spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to
the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire
damage before towing a trailer.
Replacing tires with a higher load carrying
capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR
and GAWR limits.
For proper tire inflation procedures
Ú
page 224.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake
system or vacuum system of your vehicle with
that of the trailer. This could cause inadequate
braking and possible personal injury.
An electronically actuated trailer brake
controller is required when towing a trailer with
electronically actuated brakes. When towing a
trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge
actuated brake system, an electronic brake
controller is not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lb (453 kg) and required for trailers
in excess of 2,000 lb (907 kg).
Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights
And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the
trailer size, stoplights and turn signals on the
trailer are required for motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and
seven-pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved
trailer harness and connector.

NOTE:
Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicle’s wiring
harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the
vehicle but you must mate the harness to a trailer
connector. Refer to the following illustrations.

NOTE:

Disconnect trailer wiring connector from the
vehicle before launching a boat (or any other
device plugged into vehicle’s electrical
connect) into water.
Be sure to reconnect once clear from
water area.
Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km)
that a trailer is towed, do not drive over
50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts
at full throttle. This helps the engine and
other parts of the vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
CAUTION!
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic brake lines. It can
overload your brake system and cause it to
fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for
additional space between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you. Failure to do so
could result in an accident.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lb
(453 kg) loaded, it should have its own brakes
and they should be of adequate capacity.
Failure to do this could lead to accelerated
brake lining wear, higher brake pedal effort,
and longer stopping distances.
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137

Four-Pin Connector
Seven-Pin Connector
TOWING TIPS
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning,
stopping, and backing up the trailer in an area
located away from heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
Select the DRIVE range when towing. The
transmission controls include a drive strategy to
avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if
frequent shifting does occur while in DRIVE, you
can use the AutoStick shift control to manually
select a lower gear.

NOTE:
Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. This
action will also provide better engine braking.
Cruise Control — If Equipped
Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the Cruise Control, if you
experience speed drops greater than 10 mph
(16 km/h), disengage until you can get back to
cruising speed.
Use Cruise Control in flat terrain and with light
loads to maximize fuel efficiency.
INSTALLING THE RECEIVER
To properly install the receiver, see the following
directions:
1. Retrieve the receiver from the luggage compartment.
2. Push the receiver into the trailer hitch, and secure by inserting the locking pin into the
trailer hitch.
3. Insert the safety split ring into the hole on the locking pin.

NOTE:
Ensure that the locking pin is removed from the
trailer hitch before installing the receiver.
Trailer Hitch And Receiver
1 — Ground
2 — Park
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Right Stop/Turn
1 — Backup Lamps
2 — Running Lamps
3 — Left Stop/Turn
4 — Ground
5 — Battery
6 — Right Stop/Turn
7 — Electric Brakes
1 – Receiver
2 – Locking Pin
3 – Safety Split Ring
A – Trailer Hitch
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195

Cable Disconnection
1. Disconnect the negative (-) end of the jumper
cable from the remote negative (-) post of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.
2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative (-) jumper cable from the negative (-) post of
the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the positive (+) end of the jumper
cable from the positive (+) post of the booster
battery.

4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+)
jumper cable from the remote positive (+) post
of the vehicle with the discharged battery, and
reinstall the protective cap.

If frequent jump starting is required to start your
vehicle, you should have the battery and charging
system inspected at an authorized dealer.
BUMP STARTING
Never jump start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill.

NOTE:
You cannot start a vehicle with an automatic
transmission by pushing it.
ENGINE OVERHEATING
If your vehicle is overheating, it will need to be
serviced at an authorized dealer.
Engine overheating may occur in situations such
as (but not limited to) extreme environmental
temperatures or frequent engine stops/starts.
If the engine becomes overheated, the Engine
Temperature Warning Light in the instrument
cluster will illuminate along with a dedicated
message

Ú
page 80.
In any of the following situations, you can reduce
the potential for overheating by taking the
appropriate action.
On the highways — slow down.
In city traffic — while stopped, place the
transmission in NEUTRAL, but do not increase
engine idle speed.

NOTE:
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition:
If your Air Conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off.
The A/C system adds heat to the engine
cooling system and turning the A/C off can
help remove this heat.
You can also turn the temperature control to
maximum heat, the mode control to floor and
the blower control to high. This allows the
heater core to act as a supplement to the
radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.

NOTE:

If the cooling fan does not operate while the
engine is running, the engine temperature will
increase. Stop the engine and contact an
authorized dealer.
If the engine continues to overheat or
frequently overheats, have the cooling system
inspected. The engine could be seriously
damaged unless repairs are made. Contact an
authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power
outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones,
etc.). Eventually, if plugged in long enough
without engine operation, the vehicle’s battery
will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from
under the hood, do not open the hood until
the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the
radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge
reads “H”, pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off
until the pointer drops back into the normal
range. If the pointer remains on the “H”, turn
the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

196
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MANUAL PARK RELEASE
See an authorized dealer to disengage the
manual park release lever.
TOWING A DISABLED
VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a
disabled vehicle using a commercial towing
service.

NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a Anti-Lift Protec-
tion system, you will need to disable the system
prior to towing by pushing the button located on
the overhead console

Ú
page 24.
The operators of the assistance vehicle must be
informed with regard to the vehicle's minimum
height from ground in order to avoid contact
between the ends of the bumpers with the
equipment of the breakdown truck.
The following image illustrates the front and rear
attachment corners of the vehicle, to be taken
into consideration when loading the vehicle on
the commercial towing vehicle.
Front And Rear Loading Angles Front And Rear Loading Angles
WARNING!

A special tool is required to perform this
procedure. Damage to the vehicle or serious
injury or death may occur if the procedure is
performed improperly. Please contact an
authorized dealer to have this procedure
performed.

CAUTION!
The vehicle should be transported with all
four wheels OFF the ground on the flatbed of
a roadside assistance vehicle. Avoid towing
with only the front (or rear) wheels lifted.
When towing with only the front (or rear)
wheels lifted, in addition to damaging the
body, it could damage the transmission.
Do not use sling-type equipment when
towing. Vehicle damage may occur.
When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck,
do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may
result from improper towing.
Ensure that the Electric Park Brake is
released, and remain released, while
being towed.
Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
CAUTION!
AWD Models
A — Front Loading Angle 21.7°
B — Rear Loading Angle 18.3°
AWD
ModelsQuadri -
foglio
Models
A — Front Loading Angle 21.7° 20.8°
B — Rear Loading Angle 18.3° 21.0°
Quadrifoglio
Models
A — Front Loading Angle 20.8°
B — Rear Loading Angle 21.0°
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FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) MODELS
It is recommended to tow the vehicle with all
four wheels OFF the ground on the flatbed of a
commercial towing vehicle.
TOW EYES
If the vehicle has been in an accident or has
broken down, a tow eye is provided in the tools
container located inside the luggage
compartment for vehicle towing. Towing is meant
only for short distances on a paved road surface.
Proceed as follows to use the tow eye:
1. Unhook the cap on the front grille orrear bumper (if equipped), pushing on the
upper part. Front Tow Eye Cap
Rear Tow Eye Cap
2. Remove the tow eye from its housing in the luggage compartment and carefully clean
the threaded housing on the vehicle before
using it.
3. Tighten the vehicle's tow eye in place (about 11 turns).

NOTE:
The largest work angle of a tow cable to fix on the
tow eye must not exceed 15°.
Work Angle Of Tow Cable
CAUTION!
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the
drivetrain will result.
DO NOT dolly tow this vehicle. Use of a towing
dolly can cause significant damage to your
vehicle.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
WARNING!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with
tow eyes.
Do not use a chain with a tow eye. Chains
may break, causing serious injury or death.
Do not use a tow strap with a tow eye. Tow
straps may break or become disengaged,
causing serious injury or death.
Failure to follow proper tow eye usage may
cause components to break resulting in
serious injury or death.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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(Continued)
ENHANCED ACCIDENT
RESPONSE SYSTEM (EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced
Accident Response System.
This feature is a communication network that
takes effect in the event of an impact

Ú
page 168.
EVENT DATA RECORDER
(EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data
recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to
record data that will assist in understanding how
a vehicle’s systems performed under certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an
air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle

Ú
page 170.
CAUTION!
The tow eye must be used exclusively for
roadside assistance operations. Only use
the tow eye with an appropriate device in
accordance with the highway code (a rigid
bar or rope) to flat tow the vehicle for a short
distance to the nearest service location.
Tow eyes MUST NOT be used to tow vehicles
off the road or where there are obstacles.
In compliance with the above conditions,
towing with a tow eye must take place with
two vehicles (one towing, the other towed)
aligned as much as possible along the same
center line. Damage to your vehicle may
occur if these guidelines are not followed.
When towing, only use a facility that can
tow vehicles with low ground clearances as
extensive damage can result by using a
standard tow truck platform.
CAUTION!
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

228

Tire And Loading Information PlacardTire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information
about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not
exceed the load carrying capacity of the tire on
your vehicle. You will not exceed the tire's load
carrying capacity if you adhere to the loading
conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard

Ú
page 132.

NOTE:
Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front
and rear axles must not be exceeded. For further
information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and
trailer towing

Ú
page 132. To determine the maximum loading conditions of
your vehicle, locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading
Information placard. The combined weight of
occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer tongue
weight (if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load
Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of
the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kg or
XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5x150) = 650 lbs.).
(5) Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to
determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg and
there will be five 68 kg passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 295 kg
(635-340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.

NOTE:

If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle.
The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage, and
towing capacities of your vehicle with varying
seating configurations and number and size of
occupants. This table is for illustration
purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
For the following example, the combined
weight of occupants and cargo should never
exceed 865 lbs (392 kg).
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

248

WEIGHTS
Weights2.0L Engine AWD2.0L Engine RWD
Unladen weight (with all fluids, fuel tank filled to
90% and without optional equipment) 4,006 lb
3,896 lb
Payload including the driver
1
1. If special equipment is fitted (trailer towing equipment, etc.) the empty weight will increase and consequently the payload will decrease in relation to the maximum permitted loads.
992 lb 992 lb
Maximum permitted loads
2
2. Loads not to be exceeded. The user is responsible for arranging goods in the luggage compartment and/or on the load platform within the maximum permitted loads.
242 lb 242 lb
Front axle 2,491 lb2,403 lb
Rear axle 2,976 lb2,932 lb
Total 5,247 lb5,115 lb
Towable loads --
Braked trailer 3,000 lb (1,360 kg)3,000 lb (1,360 kg)
Unbraked trailer 1,000 lb (454 kg)1,000 lb (454 kg)
Maximum load on roof 165 lb (75 kg)165 lb (75 kg)
Maximum load on tow hitch (braked trailer) 300 lb (136 kg)300 lb (136 kg)
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