Alfa Romeo 4C (2018 year). Manual

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of

an air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag
can cause death or serious injury to a child 12
years or younger, including a child in a rear-
facing child restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

Older Children And Child Restraints
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown

their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward-

facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and

convertible child seats used in the forward-facing direc-

tion are for children who are over two years old or who

have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of

their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children should

remain in a forward-facing child seat with a harness for

as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height

allowed by the child seat.
All children whose weight or height is above the

forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a

belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat

belts fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent

over the vehicle’s seat cushion while the child’s back is

against the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning

booster seat. The child and belt-positioning booster seat

are held in the vehicle by the seat belt.

WARNING!

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an infant or
child restraint.

• After a child restraint is installed in the vehicle, do

not move the vehicle seat forward or rearward
because it can loosen the child restraint attach-
ments. Remove the child restraint before adjusting
the vehicle seat position. When the vehicle seat has
been adjusted, reinstall the child restraint.

• When your child restraint is not in use, secure it

in the vehicle with the seat belt or LATCH anchor-
ages, or remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave
it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
accident, it could strike the occupants or seat-
backs and cause serious personal injury.

SAFETY

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Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder

belt comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to

bend over the front of the seat when their back is

against the seatback, should use the seat belt in a rear

seat. Use this simple 5-step test to decide whether the

child can use the vehicle’s seat belt alone:
1. Can the child sit all the way back against the back of

the vehicle seat?

2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the front

of the vehicle seat – while the child is still sitting all

the way back?

3. Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s shoulder

between their neck and arm?

4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching

the child’s thighs and not the stomach?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If the answer to any of these questions was “no,” then

the child still needs to use a booster seat in this vehicle.

If the child is using the lap/shoulder belt, check seat

belt fit periodically and make sure the seat belt buckle is

latched. A child’s squirming or slouching can move the

belt out of position. If the shoulder belt contacts the face

or neck, move the child closer to the center of the

vehicle, or use a booster seat to position the seat belt on

the child correctly.

WARNING!

Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt under
an arm or behind their back. In a crash, the shoulder
belt will not protect a child properly, which may
result in serious injury or death. A child must
always wear both the lap and shoulder portions of
the seat belt correctly.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle
Seat Belt
Child restraint systems are designed to be secured in

vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a

lap/shoulder belt.

WARNING!

• Improper installation or failure to properly secure

a child restraint can lead to failure of the restraint.
The child could be badly injured or killed.

(Continued)

118 SAFETY

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WARNING! (Continued)

• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s direc-

tions exactly when installing an infant or child
restraint.

The seat belt in the passenger seating position is

equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retrac-

tor (ALR) that is designed to keep the lap portion of the

seat belt tight around the child restraint so that it is not

necessary to use a locking clip. The ALR retractor can be

“switched” into a locked mode by pulling all of the

webbing out of the retractor and then letting the web-

bing retract back into the retractor. If it is locked, the

ALR will make a clicking noise while the webbing is

pulled back into the retractor. Refer to the “Automatic

Locking Mode” description in “Switchable Automatic

Locking Retractors (ALR)” under “Occupant Restraint

Systems” for additional information on ALR.

Please see the table below and the following sections for

more information.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing Child
Restraints In This Vehicle

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Location

• ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
•

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

SAFETY

119

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Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts

What is the weight limit (child’s

weight + weight of the child re-

straint) for using the Tether Anchor

with the seat belt to attach a for-

ward facing child restraint?

Weight limit of the Child Restraint

Always use the tether anchor when

using the seat belt to install a for-

ward facing child restraint, up to

the recommended weight limit of

the child restraint.

Can the head restraints be re-

moved?

Can the buckle stalk be twisted to

tighten the seat belt against the belt

path of the child restraint?

Do not twist the buckle stalk in a

seating position with an ALR re-

tractor.

Installing A Child Restraint With A Switchable
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
Child restraint systems are designed to be secured in

vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a

lap/shoulder belt.

WARNING!

• Improper installation or failure to properly secure

a child restraint can lead to failure of the restraint.
The child could be badly injured or killed.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s direc-

tions exactly when installing an infant or child
restraint.

1. Place the child seat in the center of the seating

position. Move the vehicle seat as far rearward as

possible to keep the child as far from the advanced

passenger air bag as possible.

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2. Pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the

retractor to pass it through the belt path of the child

restraint. Do not twist the belt webbing in the belt

path.

3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a

“click.”

4. Pull on the webbing to make the lap portion tight

against the child seat.

5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the shoulder part

of the belt until you have pulled all the seat belt

webbing out of the retractor. Then, allow the web-

bing to retract back into the retractor. As the webbing

retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This means

the seat belt is now in the Automatic Locking mode.

6. Try to pull the webbing out of the retractor. If it is

locked, you should not be able to pull out any

webbing. If the retractor is not locked, repeat step 5.

7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to tighten the

lap portion around the child restraint while you push

the child restraint rearward and downward into the

vehicle seat.

8. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and the

seating position has a top tether anchorage, connect

the tether strap to the anchorage and tighten the

tether strap. See the section “Installing Child Re-

straints Using the Top Tether Anchorage” for direc-

tions to attach a tether anchor.

9. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by

pulling back and forth on the child seat at the belt

path. It should not move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm)

in any direction.

Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the

belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

SAFETY

121

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Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether
Anchorage:
Always use the tether anchor when using the seat belt

to install a forward facing child restraint, up to the

recommended weight limit of the child restraint. This

vehicle is equipped with a tether anchorage, located

behind the front passenger seat, near the floor.

1. Look behind the seating position where you plan to

install the child restraint to find the tether anchorage.

You may need to move the seat forward to provide

better access to the tether anchorage. If there is no

top tether anchorage for that seating position, move

the child restraint to another position in the vehicle if

one is available.

2. Route the tether strap around the outboard side of

the head restraint to the tether anchorage.

3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to

the top tether anchorage as shown in the diagram.

4. Remove slack in the tether strap according to the

child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

WARNING!

An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchorage position directly
behind the child seat to secure a child restraint top
tether strap.

Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your

pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and

possibly injured, or injure a passenger during panic

braking or in a collision.

Upper Tether Anchorage

122 SAFETY

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Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet har-

nesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

SAFETY TIPS

Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO

AREA.

WARNING!

• Do not leave children or animals inside parked

vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up
may cause serious injury or death.

• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.

• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and

using a seat belt properly.

Exhaust Gas

WARNING!

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odor-
less. Breathing it can make you unconscious and
can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
(CO), follow these safety tips:
• Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in

confined areas any longer than needed to move
your vehicle in or out of the area.

• If you are required to drive with the trunk/

liftgate/rear doors open, make sure that all win-
dows are closed and the climate control BLOWER
switch is set at high speed. DO NOT use the
recirculation mode.

• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the

engine running, adjust your heating or cooling
controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set
the blower at high speed.

The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into

the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine ex-

haust system.

SAFETY

123

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Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the

exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can be detected

inside the vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the

vehicle is damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect

the complete exhaust system and adjacent body areas

for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned

parts. Open seams or loose connections could permit

exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger compartment.

In addition, inspect the exhaust system each time the

vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as

required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle

Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for

cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be

replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify

the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a

collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced

after a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent

retractor, torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question

regarding seat belt or retractor condition, replace the

seat belt.

Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning light

will turn on for four to

eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition

switch is first turned to ON/RUN. If the light is

either not on during starting, stays on, or turns on

while driving, have the system inspected at your

authorized dealer as soon as possible. After the bulb

check, this light will illuminate with a single chime

when a fault with the Air Bag System has been

detected. It will stay on until the fault is removed. If

the light comes on intermittently or remains on while

driving, have your authorized dealer service the

vehicle immediately. Refer to “Occupant Restraint

Systems” in “Safety” for further information.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and

place the blower control on high speed. You should be

able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See

your authorized dealer for service if your defroster is

inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your vehicle.

Only use a floor mat that does not interfere with the

124 SAFETY

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operation of the accelerator, brake or clutch pedals.

Only use a floor mat that is securely attached using the

floor mat fasteners so it cannot slip out of position and

interfere with the accelerator, brake or clutch pedals or

impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.

WARNING!

An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or
stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners
may cause your floor mat to interfere with the
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and cause a loss
of vehicle control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH:
• ALWAYS securely attach

your floor mat using

the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your
floor mat upside down or turn your floor mat
over. Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured using
the floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.

• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR

MAT FROM THE VEHICLE

before installing

any other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an
additional floor mat on top of an existing floor
mat.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your

vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that cannot be
properly attached and secured to your vehicle. If a
floor mat needs to be replaced, only use a FCA
approved floor mat for the specific make, model,
and year of your vehicle.

• ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the

driver’s side floor area. To check for interference,
with the vehicle properly parked with the engine
off, fully depress the accelerator, the brake, and
the clutch pedal (if present) to check for interfer-
ence. If your floor mat interferes with the opera-
tion of any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and place
the floor mat in your trunk.

• ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on the

passenger’s side floor area.

• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide

into the driver’s side floor area when the vehicle
is moving. Objects can become trapped under
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and could
cause a loss of vehicle control.

(Continued)

SAFETY

125

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WARNING! (Continued)

• NEVER place any objects under the floor mat

(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could
change the position of the floor mat and may
cause interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals.

• If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re-

installed, always properly attach carpet to the
floor and check the floor mat fasteners are secure
to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.

• It is recommended to only use mild soap and

water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning,
always check your floor mat has been properly
installed and is secured to your vehicle using the
floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle

Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear

patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects

lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for

cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and

bulges. Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the

tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation pres-

sure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights

and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check

turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the

instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight parking

for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if

gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, or brake fluid

leaks are suspected. The cause should be located and

corrected immediately.

126 SAFETY

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STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust

both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat

belts.

WARNING!

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with

access to an unlocked vehicle.

• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is

dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec-
tor.

• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or

in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.

Automatic Transmission
To start the engine, press the brake pedal. The system

engages NEUTRAL (N) automatically.
After the starting procedure, FIRST (1st) gear or RE-

VERSE (R) can be engaged.

Irrespective of the mode selected (AUTO/MANUAL),

to engage FIRST (1st) gear or REVERSE (R), it is

necessary to press the brake pedal and push the 1

button on the transmission control panel (or the

⬙+⬙

steering wheel stalk) to engage FIRST (1st) gear or the R

button to engage REVERSE (R).
When FIRST (1st) gear is engaged, the system sets itself

to AUTO mode.
NEUTRAL (N) can be engaged again by pushing the N

button with the brake pedal pressed.
When the 1, N, or R buttons are pushed (or

⬙+⬙ steering

wheel stalk is operated) without pressing the brake

pedal, no gear change request is implemented by the

system.
NOTE:

REVERSE (R) cannot be engaged by pushing the

⬙-⬙ stalk on the steering wheel.
Normal Starting

NOTE:

Normal starting of either a cold or a warm

engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the

accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV (START) position

and release it when the engine starts. If the engine fails

STARTING AND OPERATING 129

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to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to

the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15 seconds,

then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
Your engine is designed to operate at temperatures as

low as 0°F (-18°C).

CAUTION!

Use of the recommended oil and adhering to the
prescribed oil change intervals is important to pre-
vent engine damage and ensure satisfactory starting
in cold conditions.

If Engine Fails To Start

WARNING!

Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.

CAUTION!

• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get

it started. Vehicles equipped with a Alfa Twin
Clutch Transmission cannot be started this way.
Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic converter
and once the engine has started, ignite and dam-
age the converter and vehicle.

• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-

ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds
at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying
again.

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will

decrease as the engine warms up.
Turbo Charger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool

the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending

on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the

pump will run for up to five minutes after the engine

has been shut off to circulate coolant through the

turbocharger.

130 STARTING AND OPERATING

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Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-

tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain

(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new ve-

hicle.
Driving your vehicle with a new transmission requires

no special techniques but, to reach optimal shifting

quality and help with engine Break-in, Dynamic and

Race Mode will be inhibited until the vehicle has

accumulated 155 miles (250 km).
Additionally, for the first 200 miles (300 km), following

these few simple guidelines is all that is necessary for a

good break-in.
• Avoid very aggressive driving.
• Avoid driving at a constant speed, either fast or slow,

for long periods.

• Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full

throttle acceleration while cruising within the posted

speed limits of local traffic laws.

• Use the proper gear for your speed range.
• Wait until the engine has reached normal operating

temperature before driving at the recommended

maximum break-in speed.

• Avoid excessive idling.
• Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.

PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking

brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave manual

transmission in REVERSE (R) or FIRST (1st) gear.

STARTING AND OPERATING 131

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The parking brake lever is located in the central tunnel.

To apply the parking brake, pull the parking brake lever

up as firmly as possible. To release the parking brake,

pull the parking brake lever up slightly, push the center

button, then lower the parking brake lever completely.

When the parking brake is applied with the ignition

switch in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position, the

Brake Warning Light in the instrument cluster display

will illuminate.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front

wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away

from the curb on an uphill grade. The parking brake

should always be applied whenever the driver is not in

the vehicle.

WARNING!

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with

access to an unlocked vehicle.

• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is

dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be seriously or fatally injured. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.

• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle or

in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.

• Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged

before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and a collision.

• Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-

ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also be certain to leave a manual
transmission in REVERSE or FIRST gear. Failure
to do so may allow the vehicle to roll and cause
damage or injury.

Parking Brake Lever

132 STARTING AND OPERATING

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Alfa Romeo 4C (2018 year). Manual - part 8