Alfa Romeo 4C (2018 year). Manual — part 7

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
The seat belt in the passenger seating position is

equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retrac-

tor (ALR) which is used to secure a child restraint

system. For additional information, refer to “Installing

Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt” under the

“Child Restraints” section of this manual. The figure

below illustrates the locking feature for each seating

position.

If the passenger seating position is equipped with an

ALR and is being used for normal usage, only pull the

seat belt webbing out far enough to comfortably wrap

around the occupant’s mid-section so as to not activate

the ALR. If the ALR is activated, you will hear a clicking

sound as the seat belt retracts. Allow the webbing to

retract completely in this case and then carefully pull

out only the amount of webbing necessary to comfort-

ably wrap around the occupant’s mid-section. Slide the

latch plate into the buckle until you hear a

⬙click.⬙

In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt is auto-

matically pre-locked. The seat belt will still retract to

remove any slack in the shoulder belt. Use the Auto-

matic Locking Mode anytime a child restraint is in-

stalled in a seating position that has a seat belt with this

feature. Children 12 years old and under should always

be properly restrained in a vehicle with a rear seat.

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.

ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

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101

How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until

the entire seat belt is extracted.

3. Allow the seat belt to retract. As the seat belt retracts,

you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates the seat

belt is now in the Automatic Locking Mode.

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode

Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow

it to retract completely to disengage the Automatic

Locking Mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emer-

gency) locking mode.

WARNING!

• The seat belt assembly must be replaced if the

switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
feature or any other seat belt function is not
working properly when checked according to the
procedures in the Service Manual.

• Failure to replace the seat belt assembly could

increase the risk of injury in collisions.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode to re-

strain occupants who are wearing the seat belt or
children who are using booster seats. The locked
mode is only used to install rear-facing or
forward-facing child restraints that have a har-
ness for restraining the child.

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)
Some of the safety features described in this section

may be standard equipment on some models, or may be

optional equipment on others. If you are not sure, ask

your authorized dealer.
The air bag system must be ready to protect you in a

collision. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

monitors the internal circuits and interconnecting wir-

ing associated with the electrical Air Bag System Com-

ponents. Your vehicle may be equipped with the fol-

lowing Air Bag System Components:
Air Bag System Components
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light

102 SAFETY

• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Supplemental Knee Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Track Position Sensors
Air Bag Warning Light

The ORC monitors the readiness of the elec-

tronic parts of the air bag system whenever

the ignition switch is in the AVV/START or

MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position. If the igni-

tion switch is in the STOP/OFF/LOCK position the air

bag system is not on and the air bags will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that

may deploy the air bag system even if the battery loses

power or it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.

The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light in the

instrument panel for approximately four to eight sec-

onds for a self-check when the ignition switch is in the

MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position. After the self-check,

the Air Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC

detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns

on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily or

continuously. A single chime will sound to alert you if

the light comes on again after initial startup.
The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate

the instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a mal-

function is detected that could affect the air bag system.

The diagnostics also record the nature of the malfunc-

tion. While the air bag system is designed to be main-

tenance free, if any of the following occurs, have an

authorized dealer service the air bag system

immediately.
• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during

the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is

first in the MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position.

• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four

to eight-second interval.

• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently

or remains on while driving.

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NOTE:

If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine

related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint

Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. In this condi-

tion the air bags may not be ready to inflate for your

protection. Have an authorized dealer service the air

bag system immediately.

WARNING!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bag
system to protect you in a collision. If the light does
not come on as a bulb check when the ignition is
first turned on, stays on after you start the vehicle,
or if it comes on as you drive, have an authorized
dealer service the air bag system immediately.

Front Air Bags
This vehicle has front air bags and lap/shoulder belts

for both the driver and front passenger. The front air

bags are a supplement to the seat belt restraint systems.

The driver front air bag is mounted in the center of the

steering wheel. The passenger front air bag is mounted

in the instrument panel, above the glove compartment.

The words “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG” are embossed

on the air bag covers.

WARNING!

• Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-

ment panel during front air bag deployment
could cause serious injury, including death. Air
bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably

(Continued)

Front Air Bag/Knee Bolster Locations

1 — Driver And Passenger Front Air Bags
2 — Passenger Knee Impact Bolster
3 — Driver Knee Impact Bolster/Supplemental Driver Knee Air
Bag

104 SAFETY

WARNING! (Continued)

extending your arms to reach the steering wheel
or instrument panel.

• 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.

Driver And Passenger Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage

driver and front passenger air bags. This system pro-

vides output appropriate to the severity and type of

collision as determined by the Occupant Restraint Con-

troller (ORC), which may receive information from the

front impact sensors (if equipped) or other system

components.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during

an impact that requires air bag deployment. A low

energy output is used in less severe collisions. A higher

energy output is used for more severe collisions.

This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or

front passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects

whether the driver or front passenger seat belt is

buckled. The seat belt buckle switch may adjust the

inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags.
This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front

passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust

the inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based

upon seat position.

WARNING!

• No objects should be placed over or near the air

bag on the instrument panel or steering wheel
because any such objects could cause harm if the
vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the
air bag to inflate.

• Do not put anything on or around the air bag

covers or attempt to open them manually. You
may damage the air bags and you could be
injured because the air bags may no longer be
functional. The protective covers for the air bag
cushions are designed to open only when the air
bags are inflating.

(Continued)

5

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105

WARNING! (Continued)

• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more

severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have air bags.

Front Air Bag Operation
Front Air Bags are designed to provide additional

protection by supplementing the seat belts. Front air

bags are not expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear,

side, or rollover collisions. The front air bags will not

deploy in all frontal collisions, including some that may

produce substantial vehicle damage — for example,

some pole collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset

collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and location

of impact, front air bags may deploy in crashes with

little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a

severe initial deceleration.

Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration

over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are

not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should

have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all

collisions, and also are needed to help keep you in

position, away from an inflating air bag.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the front air

bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of

non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the front air bags.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right

side of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the

way as the air bags inflate to their full size. The front air

bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to blink your

eyes. The front air bags then quickly deflate while

helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the

driver and front passenger, and position the front

occupants for improved interaction with the front air

bags.

106 SAFETY

WARNING!

• Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact

bolsters in any way.

• Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact

bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc.

Supplemental Driver Knee Air Bag
This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Driver

Knee Air Bag mounted in the instrument panel below

the steering column. The Supplemental Driver Knee Air

Bag provides enhanced protection during a frontal

impact by working together with the seat belts, preten-

sioners, and front air bags.
Supplemental Side Air Bags
Supplemental Door-Integrated Side Air Bag Inflat-
able Curtains (SABICs)

This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Door-

Integrated Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABICs).

SABICs may help reduce the risk of head and other

injuries to front seat outboard occupants in certain side

impacts, in addition to the injury reduction potential

provided by the seat belts and body structure.
The SABICs are located in the door trim below the side

windows. The trim covering the SABICs is labeled “SRS

AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG.”
The SABICs deploy upward, covering the side win-

dows. An inflating SABIC pushes the outside edge of

the trim out of the way and covers the window. The

SABICs inflate with enough force to injure occupants if

they are not belted and seated properly, or if items are

positioned in the area where the SABICs inflate. Chil-

dren are at an even greater risk of injury from a

deploying air bag.

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107

The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or

complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side

windows in certain side impact events.

WARNING!

Do not mount equipment, or stack luggage or other
cargo up high enough to block the deployment of
the SABICs. The door trim below the side windows
where the SABIC and its deployment path are
located should remain free from any obstructions.

Side Impacts

The Side Air Bags are designed to activate in certain

side impacts. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

determines whether the deployment of the Side Air

Bags in a particular impact event is appropriate, based

on the severity and type of collision. The side impact

sensors aid the ORC in determining the appropriate

response to impact events. The system is calibrated to

deploy the Side Air Bags on the impact side of the

vehicle during impacts that require Side Air Bag occu-

pant protection. In side impacts, the Side Air Bags

deploy independently; a left side impact deploys the

left Side Air Bags only and a right-side impact deploys

the right Side Air Bags only. Vehicle damage by itself is

not a good indicator of whether or not Side Air Bags

should have deployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side collisions,

including some collisions at certain angles, or some side

collisions that do not impact the area of the passenger

compartment. The Side Air Bags may deploy during

angled or offset frontal collisions where the front air

bags deploy.

Supplemental Door-Integrated Side Air Bag Inflatable

Curtains (SABICs) Location

108 SAFETY

Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat belt restraint

system. Side Air Bags deploy in less time than it takes to

blink your eyes.

WARNING!

• Occupants, including children, who are up

against or very close to Side Air Bags can be
seriously injured or killed. Occupants, including
children, should never lean on or sleep against
the door, side windows, or area where the side air
bags inflate, even if they are in an infant or child
restraint.

• Seat belts (and child restraints where appropriate)

are necessary for your protection in all collisions.
They also help keep you in position, away from
an inflating Side Air Bag. To get the best protec-
tion from the Side Air Bags, occupants must wear
their seat belts properly and sit upright with their
backs against the seats. Children must be prop-
erly restrained in a child restraint or booster seat
that is appropriate for the size of the child.

WARNING!

• Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not lean

against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.

• Being too close to the Side Air Bags during

deployment could cause you to be severely in-
jured or killed.

• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could lead to

more severe injuries in a collision. The Side Air
Bags work with your seat belt to restrain you
properly. In some collisions, Side Air Bags won’t
deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt even
though you have Side Air Bags.

NOTE:

Air bag covers may not be obvious in the

interior trim, but they will open during air bag deploy-

ment.
Air Bag System Components

NOTE:

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) moni-

tors the internal circuits and interconnecting wiring

associated with electrical Air Bag System Components

listed below:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

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• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Supplemental Knee Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Track Position Sensors
If A Deployment Occurs
The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately

after deployment.
NOTE:

Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all

collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with

the air bag system.

If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags,

any or all of the following may occur:
• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions

and/or skin reddening to the occupants as the air

bags deploy and unfold. The abrasions are similar to

friction rope burns or those you might get sliding

along a carpet or gymnasium floor. They are not

caused by contact with chemicals. They are not

permanent and normally heal quickly. However, if

you haven’t healed significantly within a few days,

or if you have any blistering, see your doctor imme-

diately.

• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like

particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the

process that generates the non-toxic gas used for air

bag inflation. These airborne particles may irritate

the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye

irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or

throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation

continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle on

your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s

instructions for cleaning.

110 SAFETY

Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have

deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the

air bags will not be in place to protect you.

WARNING!

Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners can-

not protect you in another collision. Have the air

bags, seat belt pretensioners, and the seat belt

retractor assemblies replaced by an authorized

dealer immediately. Also, have the Occupant Re-

straint Controller System serviced as well.

NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior

trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.

• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an

authorized dealer immediately.

Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact, if the communication net-

work remains intact, and the power remains intact,

depending on the nature of the event, the ORC will

determine whether to have the Enhanced Accident

Response System perform the following functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine.

• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power

or until the hazard light button is pressed. The

hazard lights can be deactivated by pressing the

hazard light button.

• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long

as the battery has power or for 15 minutes from the

intervention of the Enhanced Accident Response

System.

• Unlock the power door locks.
Enhanced Accident Response System Reset
Procedure
After the event occurs, when the system is active, a

message regarding fuel cutoff is displayed. Turn the

ignition switch from ignition AVV/START or MAR/

ACC/ON/RUN to ignition STOP/OFF/LOCK. Care-

fully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine

compartment and on the ground near the engine com-

partment and fuel tank before resetting the system and

starting the engine.
Depending on the nature of the event the left and right

turn signal lights, located in the instrument panel, may

both be blinking and will continue to blink. In order to

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111

move your vehicle to the side of the road, you must

follow the system reset procedure.

Customer Action

Customer Will See

NOTE:

Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds
1. Turn ignition STOP/

OFF/LOCK. (Turn Sig-

nal Must be placed in

Neutral State).
2. Turn ignition MAR/

ACC/ON/RUN.

Right turn light BLINKS.

Left turn light is OFF.

3. Turn right turn signal

switch ON.

Right turn light is ON

SOLID.

Left turn light BLINKS.

4. Place turn signal in

neutral state.

Right turn light is OFF.

Left turn light BLINKS.

5. Turn left turn signal

switch ON.

Right turn light BLINKS.

Left turn light is ON

SOLID.

6. Place turn signal in

neutral state.

Right turn light BLINKS.

Left turn light is OFF.

7. Turn right turn signal

Right turn light is ON

Customer Action

Customer Will See

NOTE:

Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds
switch ON.

SOLID.

Left turn light BLINKS.

8. Place turn signal in

neutral state.

Right turn light is OFF.

Left turn light BLINKS.

9. Turn left turn signal

switch ON.

Right turn light is ON

SOLID.

Left turn light is ON

SOLID.

10. Turn left turn signal

switch OFF. (Turn Signal

Switch Must be placed

in Neutral State).

Right turn light is OFF.

Left turn light is OFF.

11. Turn ignition STOP/

OFF/LOCK.
12. Turn ignition MAR/

ACC/ON/RUN. (Entire

sequence needs to be

completed within one

minute or sequence will

need to be repeated).

System is now reset and

the engine may be

started.

112 SAFETY

Customer Action

Customer Will See

NOTE:

Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds
Turn hazard flashers

OFF (Manually).

If a reset procedure step is not completed within 60

seconds, then the turn signal lights will blink and the

reset procedure must be performed again in order to be

successful.
Maintaining Your Air Bag System

WARNING!

• Modifications to any part of the air bag system

could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running boards.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air

bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag
system.

• Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag

system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or
may not function properly if modifications are
made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat,
including your trim cover and cushion, needs to
be serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag
system for persons with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.

Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder

(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in

certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air

bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will

5

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113

assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-

formed. The EDR is designed to record data related to

vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period

of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this

vehicle is designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts

were buckled/fastened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the

accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of

the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE:

EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a

non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded

by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no

personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash loca-

tion) are recorded. However, other parties, such as law

enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type

of personally identifying data routinely acquired dur-

ing a crash investigation.

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is

required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed.

In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties,

such as law enforcement, that have the special equip-

ment, can read the information if they have access to the

vehicle or the EDR.
Child Restraints
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all

times, including babies and children. Every state in the

United States, and every Canadian province, requires

that small children ride in proper restraint systems. This

is the law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years or younger should ride properly

buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to

crash statistics, children are safer when properly re-

strained in the rear seats rather than in the front.

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child can become a
projectile inside the vehicle. The force required to
hold even an infant on your lap could become so
great that you could not hold the child, no matter

(Continued)

114 SAFETY

WARNING! (Continued)

how strong you are. The child and others could be
badly injured or killed. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the
child’s size.

There are different sizes and types of restraints for

children from newborn size to the child almost large

enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child

seat Owner’s Manual to make sure you have the correct

seat for your child. Carefully read and follow all the

instructions and warnings in the child restraint Own-

er’s Manual and on all the labels attached to the child

restraint.

Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it

has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety

Standards. You should also make sure that you can

install it in the vehicle where you will use it.
NOTE:
• For additional information, refer to www.safercar.gov/

parents/index.htm or call: 1–888–327–4236

• Canadian residents should refer to Transport Cana-

da’s website for additional information: http://

www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safedrivers-

childsafety-index-53.htm

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

Child Size, Height, Weight Or

Age

Recommended Type Of Child Re-

straint

Infants and Toddlers

Children who are two years old or

younger and who have not

reached the height or weight limits

of their child restraint

Either an Infant Carrier or a Con-

vertible Child Restraint, facing

rearward in the rear seat of the ve-

hicle

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115

Child Size, Height, Weight Or

Age

Recommended Type Of Child Re-

straint

Small Children

Children who are at least two

years old or who have outgrown

the height or weight limit of their

rear-facing child restraint

Forward-Facing Child Restraint

with a five-point Harness, facing

forward in the rear seat of the ve-

hicle

Larger Children

Children who have outgrown their

forward-facing child restraint, but

are too small to properly fit the

vehicle’s seat belt

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and

the vehicle seat belt, seated in the

rear seat of the vehicle

Children Too Large for Child Re-

straints

Children 12 years old or younger,

who have outgrown the height or

weight limit of their booster seat

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear

seat of the vehicle

Infant And Child Restraints
Safety experts recommend that children ride rear-facing

in the vehicle until they are two years old or until they

reach either the height or weight limit of their rear-

facing child restraint. Two types of child restraints can

be used rear-facing: infant carriers and convertible child

seats.
The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the vehicle.

It is recommended for children from birth until they

reach the weight or height limit of the infant carrier.

Convertible child seats can be used either rear-facing or

forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child seats

often have a higher weight limit in the rear-facing

direction than infant carriers do, so they can be used

rear-facing by children who have outgrown their infant

carrier but are still less than at least two years old.

Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the

highest weight or height allowed by their convertible

child seat.

116 SAFETY