Alfa Romeo introduced a new model in 2023 and with it came a new back up start spot, necessary if and when the battery in the key fob dies. The Tonale back up start start spot is inside the front cup holder (below right). In fact, its a match to the 2023 Dodge Hornet. In addition, both of these Stellantis models went hybrid in 2024.
Push button or keyless start cars and trucks need a location to touch or drop the key fob in the event the battery in the fob becomes depleted. This can happen as quickly as eight months, depending on use.
Since the introduction of the Giulia and Stelvio models, the only thing a driver of a keyless start Alfa Romeo had to do if their key fob died was to drop the fob in the bottom of the center console (right), a spot clearly marked by the outline of the fob itself. Time will tell if the new method in the Tonale will spread to additional models, old or new.
You can see the Alfa Romeo dead key fob back up start page here
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Given that the company has only two models, the Hornet and the Durango, it is a huge surprise to find that the 2024 Dodge dashboard symbols update will add 44 new symbols to the page, nearly doubling the total count. At this writing we’re only about half way through!
Primarily, we find the addition of a whole lot of technology, including new hybrid technology in the Hornet. In addition, that tech appears to come straight from Alfa Romeo! Both are in the Stellantis family after all.
The giveaway are these three lights related to the use of a 48 volt hybrid battery. The lights are part of what Alfa Romeo call E-Boost and what Dodge calls PowerShot! The symbols are very, very unique.
E-Boost and PowerShot are a belt-driven 48V hybrid system. This system helps in stop-and-go situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.
Plus, there are now four different Sport Mode Indicators!
There’s a whole lot more, more than 90 in fact, that can be seen on the Dodge symbols page here.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
We updated our Alfa Romeo dashboard symbols page. In the process we added nearly a dozen new symbols.
This was due to the addition of a hybrid system in the 2024 Tonale. Most of the symbols we already featured from other manufacturers, but as is too often the case, the company added a new E-Boost system that required three brand new lights.
E-Boost is a belt-driven 48V hybrid system. This system helps in stop-and-go (see this link) situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the E-Boost system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.
The indicators are seen as a lightning bolt in a cloud-like circle. As noted, the colors alert the driver to the status of the E-Boost system.
The Alfa Romeo symbols page is here and the E-Boost system got its own page here.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
So, what is that light on your dashboard? What follows is easily the most complete list available of symbols and warnings that may appear in and on your car’s dashboard or instrument cluster.
The following are warning lights and indicators found in vehicles built by Alfa Romeo. Click the link to the right of each one to learn more.
How They Are Presented
They are roughly ordered by importance, which tends to be by color (red, amber, yellow, orange, green, blue, gray). There are over 90 of them, so search carefully!
Models examined include 4C, Giulia, Stelvio and Tonale.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
How to Open, Start and Replace Fob Batteries in Alfa Romeo Vehicles
We have two videos thus far for Alfa Romeo owners
The video will help Alfa Romeo owners get in and start keyless start their Giulia, Stelvio and Tonale models .
——————————————————————-
Alfa Romeo key fob battery replacement.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
We recently took our first look at an Alfa Romeo. In the last two years they have new, more mainstream models, the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV, which boosted overall sales and begged for coverage.
First up we created our usual back-up open and start pages for push button start, since these new models are the first in the line up with the feature. We’ll find one for a video soon. We then took a look at their owner’s manuals in case there were any new tell tales to add. And that becomes the subject today.
We found no less than 12 new symbols or modifications of existing symbols in the cars and a new use for an existing symbol. That last one at least uses a pre-existing symbol as is.
Are These Necessary?
This continues to pointlessly swell the already absurd number of tell tales that drivers face on a day to day basis. And make no mistake, the industry from the manufacturer on down to retail employees expects drivers to be fully versed on these things. Here are some examples.
This is a dusk sensor failure indicator. In Alpha’s defense, it is at least a new system. But does the image of a light bulb really help here? The symbol points out that the vehicle’s automatic headlight system is inoperable despite being activated. However, these cars, as well as pretty much all others manufactured today, are fully capable of providing a clear text message such as this in the instrument panel instead. Why not?
This one is a rain sensor failure. We’ve seen this represented as a windshield with the wiper and a drop of water or as a similar symbol with the word AUTO (right). Any of these are meant to represent an automatic wiper system. But this new one could easily be mistaken for a weather forecast.
After all, there is this symbol (left), which warns of possible icy road conditions! This is, by the way, a modification of a preexisting tell tale (right) that leaves out the lane lines. Again, in both cases a message could be displayed in the instrument panel in plain language.
This one indicates a speed limiter failure. Now, lets consider that tell tales in general are meant to illustrate an automotive system in a way that can be easily understood by the general population. However, the incomplete circle with a dashed line inside is completely meaningless. This is a true warning light fail.
I won’t cover each one, but this one deserves mention because of its near complete lack of utility. It is the standard gas pump used as a low fuel warning for years, now with a line running through it. It is meant to indicate that the fuel has been shut off due to an accident. I can’t help but believe that if a driver has been in an accident severe enough for the car to shut off the fuel supply, it will be the last thing he or she will be concerned about. Plus it will only be illuminated if the key is left on!
And finally, since it was mentioned at the start, Alpha has given the image of the padlock straddling a car a new use. It will tell you that there was a failed attempt at a break in. If the break in was successful, I suppose it would be obvious. In any case, this one has some utility and at least went unmodified.
We are now approaching 300 distinct symbols or variations of symbols hosted at DashboardSymbols.com. We’ve argued much of this already but bears repeating: the entire system is all but useless. First, there are too many variations for drivers to be fully versed on period. Second, as already noted, today’s vehicles can point out a problem in plain, easily understood language. And fourth, since eyes belong on the road and not looking at symbols or text, the computing power exists for today’s cars to speak the problem and verbally even offer up additional information or solutions.
As far as we are concerned, if you can order a pizza from your car by voice, you should damn well be able to get real information about an ongoing problem. The car knows and the symbols are a futile attempt to communicate what it knows to its driver.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
This is the Alfa Steering Torque (AST) Failure Indicatorsymbol. It will be found exclusively in models made by Alfa Romeo, hence the name, and is a system that automatically helps corrects steering slightly when the vehicle’s stability control system is active.
Before continuing, are you sure this is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
The symbol appears in red with the acronym AST beneath the steering wheel. An exclamation point is seen as well. A problem with the system will limit the effectiveness of the overall stability control system in extreme or slippery conditions. The steering system itself is unaffected. Proceed carefully and have the system serviced by a qualified service shop as soon as possible.
AST is related to the vehicle’s Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) system and works to give the driver a hint as to the correct steering direction. The system will not steer the vehicle on its own. The driver remains in control of the vehicle.
Similar Symbol
Its important not to confuse the symbol with the one to the right. More information on it is available here.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Tonale back up start
Tonale back up start
Push button or keyless start cars and trucks need a location to touch or drop the key fob in the event the battery in the fob becomes depleted. This can happen as quickly as eight months, depending on use.
Since the introduction of the Giulia and Stelvio models, the only thing a driver of a keyless start Alfa Romeo had to do if their key fob died was to drop the fob in the bottom of the center console (right), a spot clearly marked by the outline of the fob itself. Time will tell if the new method in the Tonale will spread to additional models, old or new.
Dodge Dashboard Symbols Update
E-Boost and PowerShot are a belt-driven 48V hybrid system. This system helps in stop-and-go situations and translates to improvements for the official city fuel economy. Seen in white, the system is unavailable. Seen in gray it is available and in green, it is engaged.
Alfa Romeo Adds to Auto Symbol Overload
Too Many Symbols!
We recently took our first look at an Alfa Romeo. In the last two years they have new, more mainstream models, the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV, which boosted overall sales and begged for coverage.
First up we created our usual back-up open and start pages for push button start, since these new models are the first in the line up with the feature. We’ll find one for a video soon. We then took a look at their owner’s manuals in case there were any new tell tales to add. And that becomes the subject today.
We found no less than 12 new symbols or modifications of existing symbols in the cars and a new use for an existing symbol. That last one at least uses a pre-existing symbol as is.
Are These Necessary?
This continues to pointlessly swell the already absurd number of tell tales that drivers face on a day to day basis. And make no mistake, the industry from the manufacturer on down to retail employees expects drivers to be fully versed on these things. Here are some examples.
We are now approaching 300 distinct symbols or variations of symbols hosted at DashboardSymbols.com. We’ve argued much of this already but bears repeating: the entire system is all but useless. First, there are too many variations for drivers to be fully versed on period. Second, as already noted, today’s vehicles can point out a problem in plain, easily understood language. And fourth, since eyes belong on the road and not looking at symbols or text, the computing power exists for today’s cars to speak the problem and verbally even offer up additional information or solutions.
As far as we are concerned, if you can order a pizza from your car by voice, you should damn well be able to get real information about an ongoing problem. The car knows and the symbols are a futile attempt to communicate what it knows to its driver.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY