001-055 Alfa 156 GB - Alfa Romeo serviss

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
180
VDC SYSTEM OPERATION
The VDC system turns on automatically
when the car is started and cannot be
switched off. It is however possible to cut
off operation of the ASR system pressing the
corresponding button on the centre console.
The main components of the VDC system
are:
– an electronic control unit which
processes the signals received from the various
sensors and brings about the most appropriate
strategy;
– a sensor that detects the position of the
steering wheel;
– four sensors that detect the rotation
speed of each wheel;
– a sensor that detects rotation of the car
around the vertical axis;
– a sensor that detects lateral acceleration
(centrifugal force).
The heart of the VDC system is the VDC
control unit which with the data supplied by
the sensors installed on the car, calculates
the centrifugal forces generated when the
car is cornering. The yawing sensor detects
the rotations of the car around its own vertical
axis. The centrifugal forces generated
when the car is cornering are detected by
a highly sensitive lateral acceleration sensor.
The stabilising action of the VDC system is
based on calculations made by the
system’s electronic control unit which
processes the signals received from the
steering wheel rotation, lateral acceleration
and individual wheel rotation sensors. These
signals allow the control unit to recognise
the manoeuvre the driver intends to do
when turning the steering wheel.
The control unit processes the information
received from the sensors and is therefore
capable of detecting the position of the car
and comparing it with the trajectory the driver
would like to follow instant by instant.
In the event of a discrepancy, the control
unit chooses and commands the most suitable
action to bring the car back to the required
course within a fraction of a second:
braking one or more wheels at a different
braking force and, if necessary it reduces the
power transmitted by the engine.
The corrective actions are changed and controlled
continuously until the car returns to
the required course.
The action of the VDC system considerably
increases the active safety of the vehicle under
many critical situations and it is particularly
useful also when the road surface grip
conditions change.
WARNING
For the VDC, ASR and ABS
systems to work correctly,
the tyres must be of the same
brand and type on all wheels, in
perfect conditions and above all of
the specified type, brand and size.
WARNING
During use of the compact
spare wheel, the VDC system
continues working. It should be
borne in mind that the spare wheel
is smaller than a normal tyre,
therefore its grip is lower than that
of the other tyres of the car.