2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia Transmission Guide
The 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia stood out among high-performance cars not only because it was Italian, but also because it had a transmission system that was well-made and new. The Giulia’s transmission was more than just a gearbox; it was a carefully tuned orchestration of power delivery and efficiency that improved the driving experience and showed the brand’s commitment to performance and precision. This thorough guide goes into detail about the 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia’s transmission, explaining its different configurations, driving modes, and maintenance needs. This gives drivers a deep understanding of how this important part contributed to the car’s lively personality and responsive performance on the road.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled 8-speed automatic transmission where gear shifting automatically takes place, depending on the vehicle usage instantaneous parameters (vehicle speed, grade, and accelerator pedal position).
Manual gear shifting can still occur thanks to the “sequential mode” position for the gear selector.
WARNING
- It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than the idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
- Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and turn the ignition OFF. When the ignition is in the OFF mode, the transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
- When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
- 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 transmission gear selector.
- Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to children), and do not leave the ignition in the ON/RUN or ACC mode. A child could operate power windows, and other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION: Damage to the transmission may occur if the following precautions are not observed:
- Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
- Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.
- Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
DISPLAY
The following information is shown in the dedicated area of the display:
- In Automatic Mode: the active mode (P, R, N, D) and with “D” the current gear number.
- In Manual Drive Mode (Sequential): the mode (M), the current gear, and the double or single gear shift request, both up and down (single or double arrow).
GEAR SELECTOR
The gear functioning is controlled by the gear selector, which can assume the following positions:
- P = PARK
- R = REVERSE
- N = NEUTRAL
- D = DRIVE, (automatic forward speed)
- AutoStick: + manually shift to higher gear; – manually shift to the lower gear
The position diagram is illustrated on the top of the gear selector.
Gear Selector Center Console
- Gear Selector
- PARK (P) Button
The letter corresponding to the mode selected on the gear selector lights up and appears on the instrument cluster display. To select a mode, move the gear selector forward or backward, together with pressing the brake pedal and button to engage REVERSE (R).
The gear selector is a joystick-style shifting mechanism that returns to the center position automatically. It can be pushed forward twice and rearward twice, based on the starting condition. The PARK (P) mode can be enabled/disabled by pushing the PARK (P) button.
To transition the vehicle into REVERSE (R) mode from DRIVE (D) mode, or into DRIVE (D) mode from REVERSE (R) mode, it is necessary to move the gear selector by pushing the gear selector button. When using AutoStick, activate it by moving the gear selector from DRIVE (D) to the left and then forward toward the – symbol or backward toward the + symbol, and the gear is changed. To shift out of PARK (P), or to pass from position NEUTRAL (N) to position DRIVE (D) or REVERSE (R), the vehicle must be moving at a low speed or stopped, and the brake pedal must also be pressed.
NOTE
- DO NOT accelerate while shifting from position PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) to another position.
- After selecting a gear, wait a few seconds before accelerating. This precaution is partic-ularly important with the engine cold.
TRANSMISSION OPERATING MODES
PARK (P)
The transmission is locked in this mode. The engine can be started in this mode.
NOTE: Never try to engage PARK (P) mode when the vehicle is moving. Before leaving the vehicle, make sure this mode is engaged (the letter P is shown on the display and gear selector) and that the parking brake is engaged.
When parking on a flat surface, first engage the PARK (P) mode and then engage the electric park brake. When parking uphill, before activating the PARK (P) mode, engage the electric park brake. Otherwise, it could be difficult to engage in the (P) mode. To check that the PARK (P) mode is actually engaged, make sure (P) is illuminated on the display and on the gear selector.
WARNING
- Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
- Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the gear selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released. Make sure the transmission is in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
- It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than the idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
- Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and turn the ignition STOP/OFF. When the ignition is in the STOP/OFF mode, the transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
- When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the ignition is in the STOP/OFF mode, remove the key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
- 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 park brake, brake pedal, or transmission gear selector.
- Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to children), and do not leave the ignition in the ON mode. A child could operate power windows, and other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION
- Before moving the transmission gear selector out of PARK, you must push the ignition button to cycle from STOP/OFF mode to the ON mode and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector could result.
- DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage the drivetrain.
REVERSE (R)
Select this mode only with the vehicle at a standstill.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Apply the electric park brake and shift the transmission into PARK (P) if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING: Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices that limit your response to changing traffic or road conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and have a collision.
DRIVE (D)
Use this mode in normal driving conditions. Shifting from DRIVE (D) to PARK (P) or REVERSE (R) modes must take place only after releasing the accelerator pedal, with the vehicle at a standstill and the brake pedal pressed. This mode ensures the automatic engagement of the most suitable gears for driving needs and maximum fuel economy in terms of consumption. In this position, the transmission shifts the gears automatically, selecting the most suitable for forward driving among those available as you go. In this way, the vehicle’s optimal driving characteristics are provided for all conditions.
AutoStick
In the case of frequent shifting (e.g. for sport driving, when the vehicle is driven with a heavy load or on slopes), it is recommended to use the Autostick (sequential shifting) mode to select and keep a lower fixed ratio. In these conditions, the use of a lower gear improves vehicle performance, preventing overheating. It is possible to shift from DRIVE (D) mode to sequential mode regardless of vehicle speed.
Activation
Starting from DRIVE (D), move the selector to the left (– and + indication of the trim) to activate the sequential drive mode. The gear engaged will be shown on the display. Shifting is made by moving the gear selector forwards, towards symbol – or backward, towards symbol +.
Steering Wheel Shift Paddles — If Equipped
The gear can also be manually shifted by using the paddles behind the steering wheel. Pull the right paddle (+) toward the steering wheel and release it to engage a higher gear, and perform the same operation with the left paddle (-) to engage a lower gear.
NOTE: If only one manual shift is necessary, the letter (D) will remain on the display with the engaged gear next to it.
Deactivation
To deactivate the sequential driving mode, bring the gear selector back in position DRIVE (D) (“automatic” driving mode).
WARNING: Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or personal injury.
NOTE
- To select the correct gear for maximum deceleration (engine brake), just keep the gear paddle pulled (–): the transmission goes to an operating mode in which the vehicle can slow down easily.
- The vehicle will keep the gear selected by the driver until the safety conditions allow it.
- This means, for example, that the system will try to prevent the engine from switching off, automatically downshifting if the engine speed is too low.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LIMP HOME MODE
Transmission function is monitored electronically for abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this condition, the transmission stays in fourth gear, regardless of the selected gear. Positions PARK (P), REVERSE (R) and NEUTRAL (N) still work. The symbol might light up in the instrument cluster.
Temporary Failure
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the following steps:
- Stop the vehicle.
- Shift the transmission into PARK (P), if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL (N).
- Push and hold the ignition until the engine turns OFF.
- Wait for about 10 seconds, then restart the engine.
- Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal operation.
NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we recommend that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. An authorized dealer has diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could reoccur. If the transmission cannot be reset, service is required at an authorized dealer.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) system that holds the gear selector in PARK (P) unless the brakes are applied. This system prevents you from moving the gear selector from position PARK (P) unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission out of PARK (P), the ignition must be cycled to the ON/RUN mode (engine running or not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock Disabling
Only if strictly necessary (e.g. pushing the vehicle, conveyor vehicle washing systems) inhibit the automatic activation of PARK (P) mode when stopping the engine, or proceed as follows:
- Vehicle at a standstill.
- NEUTRAL (N) mode activated.
- Push the ignition button for at least three seconds.
The automatic park brake engagement function when the engine is stopped can also be deactivated on the Information and Entertainment system by selecting the following functions on the main menu: “Settings”, “Driver Assistance” and “Automatic Parking Brake”.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Failure to comply with the following may damage the transmission:
- Shift into PARK (P) mode only with the vehicle at a standstill.
- Select REVERSE (R) mode, or pass from REVERSE to another mode only with the vehicle at a standstill and engine idling.
- Do not change between PARK (P), REVERSE (R), NEUTRAL (N), or DRIVE (D) modes with the engine running at a speed above idling.
- Before activating any transmission operating mode, fully depress the brake pedal.
NOTE: The unexpected movement of the vehicle can injure the occupants or people nearby. Do not leave the vehicle with engine running: before getting out of the passenger compartment always engage the electric park brake, select the PARK (P) mode, stop the engine.
FAQ’s
A: The 2020 Giulia typically offered an eight-speed automatic transmission as the standard option.
A: In most cases, the Giulia did not come with a manual transmission option in 2020.
A: To shift gears in an automatic Giulia, simply move the gear selector to “D” (Drive) for normal driving. You can also use paddle shifters behind the steering wheel for manual gear control in certain models.
A: Yes, the Giulia typically offers different driving modes such as Normal, Dynamic, and Race, which adjust transmission behavior and other vehicle settings.
A: Use the driving mode selector located on the center console to choose between different driving modes. Refer to the owner’s manual for details on the specific modes and their effects.
A: Yes, you can manually shift gears using the paddle shifters or by moving the gear selector to the manual (M) mode.
A: The “P” position is used to engage the parking brake and lock the transmission in place when the vehicle is parked.
A: Move the gear selector to the “R” (Reverse) position to engage the reverse gear. Ensure the vehicle is fully stopped before shifting to reverse.
A: Some Giulia models offer a launch control feature for optimized acceleration. Refer to the owner’s manual for instructions on how to use it.
A: Regular transmission maintenance, such as fluid changes and inspections, is essential for long-term performance. Consult the owner’s manual for recommended service intervals.
A: If you encounter rough shifting or transmission problems, have the vehicle inspected by a qualified technician to diagnose and address the issue.
A: Some Giulia models may be capable of towing trailers within specified limits. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s towing guidelines and consider the added load on the transmission.
A: The Giulia may have a transmission temperature warning light that alerts you if the transmission is overheating. If this light comes on, pull over and let the transmission cool down.
A: Warranty coverage for the transmission varies by region and specific model, so refer to the warranty information in your owner’s manual or contact your Alfa Romeo dealership for details.
A: To engage the parking brake, simply press the brake pedal and then pull up on the parking brake lever or engage the electronic parking brake button, depending on the model.