steering Alfa Romeo 147 2005 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
51
MILEAGE RECORDER
Display with double meter (total and trip)
and headlamp position display.
The display shows:
– the mileage on the first line (6 figures)
– the trip meter on the second line (4 fig-
ures)
– the position relating to the headlamp
aiming device.
To reset the trip meter, keep the button
(A-fig. 68) on the plate at the side of the
steering column pressed for a few seconds.IMPORTANTIf the battery is discon-
nected the trip meter reading is not stored. A. Fuel level gauge with reserve warning
light - B. Engine coolant fluid temperature
gauge with maximum temperature warning
light - C. Speedometer - D. Display (mileage
recorder, trip meter and headlamp position
display) - E. Reconfigurable multifunction
display - F. Rev counter
REV COUNTER
The rev. counter shows engine rpm. The nee-
dle pointed to the danger area (red) indicates
excessive high engine speed. Do not drive for
long periods with the needle in this area.
IMPORTANTThe electronic injection con-
trol system gradually shuts off the flow of fu-
el when the engine is “over-revving” resulting
in a gradual loss of engine power.
When the engine is idling, the rev counter
may indicate a gradual or sudden highering of
the speed, this is normal as it takes place dur-
ing normal operation, for example when en-
gaging the climatecontrol system or the fan.
In particular a slow change in the speed pre-
serves the battery charge.
fig. 67
A0A0427m
INSTRUMENT PANEL
fig. 68
A0A0466m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
54
CONTROL BUTTONS (fig. 69-70)
To use the information the reconfigurable multifunction display is able to give (with the ignition key at MAR) you should firstly familiarise
with the control buttons (on the plate at the side of the steering column and on the top of the right lever) using them as described below. Be-
fore doing anything you are also advised to read this chapter in full.
fig. 69
fig. 70
Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated withTin the following dia-
grams to move to the next screen
Press for more than 4 seconds indicated with
Uin the following diagrams, to
reset and then start a new journey
To scroll the display and the related options, upwards or to increase the value
displayed depending on the case
To scroll the display and the related options, down wards or decrease the value
displayed according to the case Press for less than 1 second (pulse) indicated with
Qin the following dia-
grams, to confirm the choice required and/or move to the next screen or ac-
cess the Menu
Press for more than 2 seconds indicated with
Rin the following diagrams,
to confirm the choice required and return to the standard screen
A0A0022m
A0A0021m
IMPORTANTButtonsâandãactivate different functions depending on the following
situations:
- When the standard screen is activated, they allow adjustment of the inner lighting
- Within the menu they allow scrolling up or down
- They make it possible to increase or decrease during setting operations.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
75
DIMMER
With this function it is possible to adjust the lighting (dimming/brightening) of the instrument cluster, mileage recorder (total, trip meter),
headlamp aiming display, radio display, radio navigator display and two-zone climate control.
Partial lighting
Keeping the
ãbutton pressed (on the plate at the side of the steering column) for more than 4 seconds the instrument cluster lighting is
turned off with the exception of the speedometer.
Keeping the
âbutton pressed (on the plate at the side of the steering column) for more than 4 seconds the complete instrument cluster
lighting is turned on again.
Standard screen
Return
to standard screen
WARNING
When the outer lights are switched on dimming of the brightness can
be perceived. In the event of any faults, lighting adjustment (rheostat)
is not possible and the display is shown at its maximum brightness.
QR
â
ãâ
ãSee
INITIAL CHECK

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
108
HAND BRAKE (fig. 94)
The hand brake lever is located between
the two front seats.
To operate the brake when the vehicle is
stationary, pull lever (A) upwards, until the
required braking action is obtained.
When the ignition key is at MARthe
warning light on the instrument cluster
x
will come on.
fig. 94
A0A0490m
The display (B), in the tachometer shows
the positions during adjustment.
For correct adjustment, bear in mind the
following conditions:
– position 0: one or two people occupy-
ing the front seats
– position 1: five people;
– position 2: five people + load in the
boot;
– position 3: driver + maximum permis-
sible load all stowed in lug-
gage compartment
fig. 93
A0A0467m
HEADLIGHT AIMING DEVICE
(fig. 93)(excluding versions
with Xenon headlights)
The headlights should be aimed correctly
depending on the vehicle load.
To do this, use the rocker button (A), on
the plate at the side of the steering column:
– press the arrow on the button (
A), to
increase by one position (eg.: 0
➟1➟ 2
➟3);
– press the arrow on the button (
S), to
lower by one position (eg.: 3
➟2➟1
➟0).
Adjust the beams every time
the load carried changes.
WARNING
The wheels should be
locked after a few clicks of
the hand brake. If this does not oc-
cur contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
services to have the hand brake
adjusted.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
110
SELESPEED
TRANSMISSION
The car may be fitted with a mechanical
transmission with electronic control called
“Selespeed”.
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.
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 gearbox to which an electronical-
ly-operated electrohydraulic device has been
added which automatically controls the
clutch and gear engagement.
The clutch pedal has been eliminated and
the vehicle moves off using only the accel-
erator pedal.
Gearshifting takes place through the con-
trol lever (A-fig. 96) which is of the float-
ing type with a “single central stable posi-
tion”.
Using the lever it is possible to request an
increase/decrease of the gear ratio engaged
and/or reverse gear engagement (R) or
neutral (N).There are also two stalks on the steering
wheel spokes (fig. 97) through which, on-
ly with the car on the move (with speed
above 2 km/h), it is possible to shift gear
up or down.
The gearbox can work in two operating
modes:
– the first is semiautomatic (MANUAL),
in which the driver directly requests gearshift-
ing through the lever on the centre console
or pressing the buttons at the steering
wheel;
– the second is automatic, called CITY,
in which the system decides directly when
to shift gear (mode selectable with the spe-
cific button A-fig. 98).
fig. 97
A0A0098m
fig. 98
A0A0096m
fig. 96
A0A0097m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
113
STARTING THE ENGINE
The engine can be started either with a
gear engaged or in neutral (N) provided
that the brake pedal is fully depressed.
IMPORTANTIf the brake pedal is not
depressed, the starter motor will not turn,
thus preventing the engine from being start-
ed.
After starting, the gearbox sets to neutral
automatically, the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display shows the letter (N) and the
system selects the semiautomatic operating
mode (manual).
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
AND SYSTEM DEACTIVATION
Turning the ignition key to STOPthe en-
gine turns off but the Selespeed system is
still active waiting for the car to stop com-
pletely. After about 2 - 4 seconds from when
the key has been moved to STOP, the hy-
draulic part is deactivated and the reconfig-
urable multifunction display is turned off im-
mediately afterwards; at this point is the Se-
lespeed system deactivated.
The gear selected before switching off the
engine remains engaged.
If the engine is stopped with the gearbox
in neutral (N), the buzzer calls the driver’s
attention so that the car can be put in safe-
ty conditions engaging first gear (1) or re-
verse (R). In this case, the ignition key
should be turned to MARand with the
brake pedal pressed, engage first gear (1)
or reverse (R).
IMPORTANTIf the engine is stopped
with the CITYmode engaged, this will be
stored by the system. Indeed, the next time
the engine is started, this condition will still
be active.IMPORTANTShould the engine go off
with the car on the move, the next time it
is started the Alfa Romeo CODE warning
light (Y) may come on. In this case check
that the warning light goes off turning the
engine off and on again with the vehicle sta-
tionary. If not contact Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
NEVER leave the car with
the gears in neutral (N).
WARNING
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 auto-
matically the first time it is turned.
WARNING
If the engine fails to start
with the gear engaged, the
driver is informed of the potential-
ly dangerous situation due to the
fact that the gearbox is in neutral
by the buzzer and by the reconfig-
urable multifunction display.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
114
MOVING THE CAR
With the engine on and the car stationary,
the gears that can be engaged for moving
off are only first (1), second (2) and/or
reverse (R).
To shift gears, keep the brake pedal
pressed and use only the lever on the cen-
tre console since the stalks on the steering
wheel can be only operated if the car speed
exceeds 10 km/h.IMPORTANTReverse gear (R) can be
engaged from any of the following other ra-
tios: neutral (N), first (1) or second (2).
If the car is moving, the request is not ac-
cepted, it is necessary to wait for the car
to stop completely and request the en-
gagement of reverse again (R).
The driver is informed of the reverse gear
engaged condition by the reconfigurable
multifunction display on the instrument clus-
ter and by the intermittent sound of a
buzzer.
IMPORTANTIf when shifting from re-
verse (R)➞first (1) or neutral (N)➞first
(1) sticking occurs on first gear, the system
automatically engages second gear (2).
This is not to be considered as a fault as it
is part of the operating logic. For the same
reason, in the case of sticking on reverse
gear, the system partially closes the clutch
to allowgear engagement; in this case the
engagement of reverse gear (R) will not be
as smooth as usual.Moving off of the car is obtained:
1) releasing the brake pedal;
2) gradually pressing the accelerator pedal.
The more the accelerator is pressed the
higher the pickup torque.
When the ASR system is off (through the
relevant ASR OFF button) max pickup is ob-
tained (“sprint" starting)
It is absolutely necessary
to turn off the engine and
then turn off the Selespeed system
keeping the brake pedal pressed:
ONLY release the pedal when the
reconfigurable multifunction display
on the cluster has gone out.
WARNING
After a request to shift
gear with the car station-
ary, before pressing the accelera-
tor pedal to make the car move,
the driver must always check the
display to see that the gear en-
gaged is the one required.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
116fig. 105
A0A0098m
fig. 104
A0A0097m
fig. 106
A0A0096m
OPERATION
The gearbox can work in two operating
modes:
– the first is semiautomatic (MANUAL),
in which the driver directly decides when to
shift gear.
– the second is completely automatic
(CITY), in which the system decides di-
rectly when to shift gear according to the
type of driving.
TheCITYmode can be selected by press-
ing the specific button CITYon the gearbox
lever knob; when this mode is selected, the
CITY sign appears on the display.
SEMIAUTOMATIC OPERATION
(MANUAL)
In the operating mode, the reconfigurable
multifunction display on the cluster 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. 104);
– steering wheel stalks (fig. 105),
which can be operated only when the car
speed exceeds 2 km/h.TheMANUALoperating mode is set
when, with the CITYmode selected, the
CITYbutton(A-fig. 106) is pressed
again, excluding the previously selected
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 latest
gear engaged.
When downshifting, the engine is accel-
erated automatically to bring it to the speed
necessary with the new gear ratio.
The neutral command (N) is accepted un-
til the vehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h. The
reverse gear engagement command (R) is
accepted only if the vehicle is stationary.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
132fig. 135
A0A0199m
For correct adjustment, bear in mind the
following conditions:
– position 0: one or two people occupy-
ing the front seats
– position 1: five people;
– position 2: five people + load in the
boot;
– position 3: driver + maximum permis-
sible load all stowed in lug-
gage compartmentCOMPENSATION FOR TILT
(fig. 134)(excluding versions
with Xenon headlights)
When the vehicle is loaded, the beam from
the headlights is raised due to the back-
wards tilt of the vehicle.
In this case the headlights must be ad-
justed correctly.
To do this, use the rocker button (A), on
the plate at the side of the steering column:
– press the arrow on the button (
A), this
will increase by one position (eg.: 0
➟1
➟ 2➟3);
– press the arrow on the button (
S), this
will lower by one position (eg.: 3
➟2➟
1➟0);
The display (B), in the tachometer shows
the positions while adjustment is being
made.
fig. 134
A0A0467m
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.
IMPORTANTOn the inside surface of
the headlight there could appear a slight
coat of fogging; this does not show a defect,
since it is a natural occurrence due to low
temperature and to the degree of humidity
in the air; it will soon disappear as soon as
the lights are turned on. The presence of
drops inside the headlight shows water seep-
age, refer to the Alfa Romeo Dealership.
Check beam aiming every
time the load carried
changes.
WARNING

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
136
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
The VDC is an electronic system that con-
trols vehicle stability, intervening on the dri-
ving torque and braking the wheels in a dif-
ferentiated manner, in the lack of grip, it
helps to bring the car back to the correct
direction.
When travelling the car is subjected to lat-
eral and longitudinal forces which can be
controlled by the driver as long as the tyres
offer adequate roadholding; when this falls
below the minimum level, the car begins
to divert from the course required by the dri-
ver.
Especially when travelling on an uneven
surface (such as paving, or due to the pres-
ence of water, ice or soil), changes in speed
(acceleration or braking) and/or course
(bends or the need to avoid obstacles) may
cause the tyres to lose grip.
When the sensors detect the conditions
that would lead to skidding, the VDC system
intervenes on the engine and on the brakes
producing a stabilising torque.
HOW THE VDC
SYSTEM WORKS
The VDC system is engaged automatical-
ly when the car is started and cannot be
switched off.
The basic components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit that process-
es the signals received from the various sen-
sors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheel;
– four sensors that detect the turning
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around its vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit, which with the data supplied
by the sensors installed on the car calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor, which
originates from the aeronautical industry, de-
tects the rotations of the car around its own
vertical axis. The centrifugal forces gener-
ated when the car is cornering are detect-
ed by a highly sensitive lateral acceleration
sensor. The VDC system helps the driver to keep
the car under control in the event of a loss
of tyre grip.
The forced induced by the VDC system to
control the loss of vehicle stability always
depend on the grip between the tyre and
the road surface.
The performance of the
system, in terms of active
safety should not induce the driver
to take pointless and unnecessary
risks. The style of driving must in
any case always be adapted to the
conditions of the road surface, vis-
ibility and traffic. The responsibil-
ity for road safety is always and
in any case the driver’s.
WARNING