Alfa Romeo Selespeed system
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SYSTEM OPERATION - SEMIAUTOMATIC "MAN" OPERATION
  In "manual" mode, which is available every time the car is started, the display on the panel indicates the gear engaged. In this operating mode the decision to change the gear ratio depends on the driver who decides when it is the best moment to engage it (unless in conditions of engine over speed/under speed .

The requests to change gear take place through:
• the control lever on the tunnel.
• or when the car is moving at more than 10 Km/h, through the buttons on the steering wheel.

The "manual" operating mode is set:
• automatically at each car start up
• when the driver, with "CITY" mode selected:
• acts on the control lever on the tunnel or on the buttons on the steering wheel
• presses the "CITY" button again, thus switching off the mode previously selected
   
   

Control lever and City button

 
   
  During the gear change it is not necessary to release the accelerator pedal because the Sele-speed system, through the engine control unit, asks to:
• reduce then increase the engine torque
• adjust the engine rotation speed to the new ratio engaged in the gearbox.

When shifting down the gear, the so-called "double clutching" is executed automatically ( acceleration of the engine to bring it to the required speed) with the new gear ratio. The command to set to idling (N) is accepted so long as the car does not exceed 40 Km/h, with the foot on the brake. With the accelerator pedal pressed down over 60% of its stroke, and engine speed over 5500 RPM, the gear change is faster.

In the "manual" mode there are some automatisms/ safety devices that facilitate the driving .
• When slowing down the clutch is opened and the gear ratio is automatically reduced so as to be ready for a possible return to the gear.
• Gear change requests are not accepted that would bring the engine over the maximum speed or below the minimum speed allowed.
• If the engine reaches the maximum speed allowed and the driver continues to accelerate, the system will automatically engage a higher gear.
• If, when engaging the gear there is crawling at the gearbox, first of all the system tries again to engage the requested gear, and if this still is not possible, automatically engages the next one up so that the car does not remain in idle gear.

NOTE: It is best to wait until a gear shift has terminated before asking for another, to avoid multiple requests in quick succession.