[Marilyn]

Marilyn, I think you'll find a way to drive it that the car likes, and then you'll forget it's even there! My house is on top of a steep hill and there's a stop sign on the way up where it'll do this if I don't let it coast to a stop just right. I've also found that (in my situation) it works better in D mode and with manual shifting. So, even though I'm only going about 25mph max up a hill in a residential area, I'll put the car in in D/manual to go up the hill. And now I don't even notice it anymore... 😂

Thank you! Although I must say I haven’t tried manual yet and not sure when that will ever happen lol. I also do a lot of city driving so not getting to really drive it fast… my average mph is 22 haha sad isn’t it lol

 

[SonofaBuick]

@SonofaBuick I drive in mostly Dynamic/manual mode, and rarely in drive. It happens in both modes, so I don't know if it is related to the transmission shifting. It's almost like the pedal makes the noise, or something is releasing (so ABS makes sense actually). No other car in my life has done this. I guess the car could awkwardly be going into 1st. But only on hills.

Your situation sounds exactly like Hill Start Assist. It's a fairly recent development but it's been on U.S. Fiats since they arrived back here as 2012 models. Subaru had a crude mechanical version of it even years before that. In my Fiats I can turn it off but I don't because they are manual transmission cars that I drive in a hilly area. In the Stelvio I checked and didn't find it in the menu. Once you know what it's doing, and why, then it's not disconcerting. I live on the ocean so not a lot of hills around. There's only one place it triggers on the Stelvio in a typical month of driving for me!

 

[C.Q4]

Your situation sounds exactly like Hill Start Assist. It's a fairly recent development but it's been on U.S. Fiats since they arrived back here as 2012 models. Subaru had a crude mechanical version of it even years before that. In my Fiats I can turn it off but I don't because they are manual transmission cars that I drive in a hilly area. In the Stelvio I checked and didn't find it in the menu. Once you know what it's doing, and why, then it's not disconcerting. I live on the ocean so not a lot of hills around. There's only one place it triggers on the Stelvio in a typical month of driving for me!

I don’t think it’s Hill Holder. I’ve owned 5 Subarus with it (MT and CVT). This is while I am still moving forward, not stopped (nor backwards momentum). It happens as I approach my driveway, so I don’t completely stop. It’s the same issue as Marilyn. It’s either as you said the car dropping a gear (abruptly) or ABS related. It’s as the car is still slow rolling, then clunk or like a mechanical sound from the foot well. It’s very odd. Only happens on inclines coming to a near stop.

 

[ALFAOFFROAD]

I notice the issue in terms of a clunk sound and slippage feeling with a specific tire(s) as I said, off-road with one or two tires in sand, and is obviously ABS related.

Also noticed it to a much lesser degree if I am on pavement and hit a spot with lots of gravel or sand on the road with just one or two tires, while coming to a stop.

In both these instances that is normal really, and yes I know it's not hill hold or downshifting. If you notice it while coming to a stop, not already stopped, and notice it only with one or maybe two wheels, and are on solid pavement with good traction, equal at all 4 corners .. something isn't right.

Doesn't make your car a lemon however does mean there may be something strange happening due to software or hardware. It happens. Could be a bad wheel speed sensor, could be a lot of things but best to get it looked at. He sure it isn't hill hold, or just the car downshifting, be sure it isn't lugnuts under or over tight. After all that... Still have the issue, get it looked at.


Some lay remember a post a while back where I mentioned looking at the Ferrari AWD and realizing it has the same programming as race mode in an Alfa. I was looking at that car because it had an opposite issue, one wheels wasn't responding right when it needed traction. Wheel speed sensor.... Took a while to figure out with no codes, but .. yup.

Here could be many things.... I would start by asking for a software reflash. If it were me.

BTW, Studebaker introduced hill hold, designed by Bendix and called NoRol. Was avalible on the Nash even, Mom's 80's Subaru Station Wagon had it, drive lots of cars with it personally.

 

[C.Q4]

I notice the issue in terms of a clunk sound and slippage feeling with a specific tire(s) as I said, off-road with one or two tires in sand, and is obviously ABS related.

Also noticed it to a much lesser degree if I am on pavement and hit a spot with lots of gravel or sand on the road with just one or two tires.

In both these instances that is normal really. If you notice it while coming to a stop, not already stopped, and notice it only with one or maybe two wheels, and are on solid pavement with good traction, equal at all 4 corners .. something isn't right.

Doesn't make your car a lemon however does mean there may be something strange happening due to software or hardware. It happens. Could be a bad wheel speed sensor, could be a lot of things but best to get it looked at. He sure it isn't hill hold, or just the car downshifting, be sure it isn't lugnuts under or over tight. After all that... Still have the issue, get it looked at.


Some lay remember a post a while back where I mentioned looking at the Ferrari AWD and realizing it has the same programming as race mode in an Alfa. I was looking at that car because it had an opposite issue, one wheels wasn't responding right when it needed traction. Wheel speed sensor.... Took a while to figure out with no codes, but .. yup.

Here could be many things.... I would start by asking for a software reflash. If it were me.

This isn’t a traction issue. It’s just lazily coming to a stop (or near) on an incline. It’s not a wheel spinning.

 

[ALFAOFFROAD]

Doesn't mean the system doesn't think it is and triggers ABS.


Realize computers have less of a grip on reality then your average flat-earther. All they know is what the sensors tell them.... And sensors can be very wrong. Or it could be a software error.

Or maybe one of the 20 or so valves inside the MKC1 controller is malfunctioning. Could even be an issue with the pedal feedback circuit. It happens... That's why there are some avalible on Ebay, used. Anything can be defective.

My point is only don't ignore it if it feels like it is effecting only one wheel or how the car brakes at all in any circumstance. Be sure you aren't making a mountain out of a molehill but also be sure your brakes work 100% right all the time.

 

[C.Q4]

Doesn't mean the system doesn't think it is and triggers ABS.


Realize computers have less of a grip on reality then your average flat-earther. All they know is what the sensors tell them.... And sensors can be very wrong. Or it could be a software error.

Or maybe one of the 20 or so valves inside the MKC1 controller is malfunctioning. Could even be an issue with the pedal feedback circuit. It happens... That's why there are some avalible on Ebay, used. Anything can be defective.

My point is only don't ignore it if it feels like it is effecting only one wheel or how the car brakes at all in any circumstance. Be sure you aren't making a mountain out of a molehill but also be sure your brakes work 100% right all the time.

Not saying you couldn’t be right, but it doesn’t effect the wheel, or brakes or anything. It’s just a noise. It doesn’t happen under any other situation (after a year of driving).

I drove home this morning and it didn’t do it. Yet, yesterday it did. It’s very weird. I need to drive a loaner or something to test it.

Its a like clunnnk. Almost like something is releasing. My wife notices it from the passenger seat, and she’s not overly sensitive to car sounds.

 

[SonofaBuick]

This isn’t a traction issue. It’s just lazily coming to a stop (or near) on an incline. It’s not a wheel spinning.

Is your steering wheel in the straight-ahead position when this is happening? If you are turning into a driveway it could be that you are experiencing the Anti-Ackermann alignment of the suspension that this and other performance vehicles sometimes use. It will cause some tire scrub on plow speed turns.

Just a thought but also possible that, depending on the incline and angle, you are getting some slight wheel slippage detected and the ABS is grabbing the wheel, brake pedal applied or not.

 

[C.Q4]

Is your steering wheel in the straight-ahead position when this is happening? If you are turning into a driveway it could be that you are experiencing the Anti-Ackermann alignment of the suspension that this and other performance vehicles sometimes use. It will cause some tire scrub on plow speed turns.

Just a thought but also possible that, depending on the incline and angle, you are getting some slight wheel slippage detected and the ABS is grabbing the wheel, brake pedal applied or not.

Not A-A. I have a 2022 and that’s basically gone from the cars. It happens with my wheel both turned or straight.

Anything is possible, but the car is going so slow, like parking lot speed, that it’s not likely slipping. Plus, it happens 99% of the time. At the same places.

My Giulia is a dream to drive. It’s just this one weird noise/feeling.

 

[SonofaBuick]

Not A-A. I have a 2022 and that’s basically gone from the cars.

That's disappointing. I didn't know they changed the suspension.

Now I'm beginning to wonder if you should check the torque on the suspension and subframe bolts in case something is shifting under load.

 

[Bladecutter]

Hi I am a new Alfa owner (2023 with 1500 miles).
From day one I’ve had an issue when I’m going up a grade and coming to a stop sign and hit the breaks even lightly, my car clunks near the front driver wheel.
***Feels like one of two things….
When down shifts from lowest gear to the stop but it is a slipping feeling or…. Feels like the antilock break kicks in…how it’s slips a bit.
I’m hoping this makes sense to someone before I have to return to the shop. I’m sure they will think I’m crazy but it does it all the time!

I really want to love my car!!! Please help!

First thing you should do when you get to the dealer is test drive another car that is the same as yours, and see if it feels the same as yours does.

 

[C.Q4]

That's disappointing. I didn't know they changed the suspension.

Now I'm beginning to wonder if you should check the torque on the suspension and subframe bolts in case something is shifting under load.

They either got rid of it, or reduced it as of MY20. People complained about skipping tires in parking lots, etc.

It’s only happening under specific scenarios. Oddly, again I didn’t hear it today.

 

[Finalmente]

First post here.

I have a 2022 Giulia and it does the exact same clunk every single time I stop on an uphill stop-sign, and every time I slow to enter my driveway from my uphill road. It has done this for a year. Nothing, as far as I can tell, is wrong. Just how the car is.

The CEL, I got one at 700 miles, in the end it just meant that the dealer needed to install a software update. When I pulled the code myself it sounded much scarier. Nope, just a software update.

I think you mean the Defogger. When you press the front defogger it uses air on the front windshield to try and dry it. The Defroster is on the back windshield using heat bars in the glass.

The air blown on the windshield is indeed a defroster, per Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 103, which specifies how fast it must clear the critical portions of the windshield with a specified coating of ice on it at after "soaking" the iced-up car for a specified time (we used to do it overnight) at (if my memory is correct) between 0 and -10 F. A defogger has no such requirement.

 

[AlfaRomeoCares]

Thank you so much! I cancelled for now to see if the check engine comes back on anytime soon since I have to travel 1:15 to the closest garage. I appreciate you being so helpful!

No problem, Marilyn! Please let us know if you do get a new appointment in place or need any further support.

Lex
Alfa Romeo Cares

 

[C.Q4]

The air blown on the windshield is indeed a defroster, per Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 103, which specifies how fast it must clear the critical portions of the windshield with a specified coating of ice on it at after "soaking" the iced-up car for a specified time (we used to do it overnight) at (if my memory is correct) between 0 and -10 F. A defogger has no such requirement.

The front windshield function is called a Defogger. It turns on the A/C and blows air to remove moisture from the window. It is not called a Defroster. That is in the rear window glass, using heating element lines in the glass.

 

[Finalmente]

The front windshield function is called a Defogger. It turns on the A/C and blows air to remove moisture from the window. It is not called a Defroster. That is in the rear window glass, using heating element lines in the glass.

It also turns hot air on the windshield to melt ice. You know, "defrost." The defroster in the '71 RoadRunner in the pic is one of the fruits of my hours in the lab and the Cold Room. The wires embedded in my car's backlite, are indeed a rear defroster, and the blower mounted in front of the backlite of my 1968 Charger was, indeed, a defogger. It, however, blew air at the ambient temperature of the trunk. The windshield defroster gets hot air through the heater core (BEVs notwithstanding), and is indeed a defroster, and will continue to be a defroster despite your claiming that it is not.

 

[factoryhack]

The front windshield function is called a Defogger. It turns on the A/C and blows air to remove moisture from the window. It is not called a Defroster. That is in the rear window glass, using heating element lines in the glass.

So, when there's a half inch coating of ice on the windshield, is it still a defogger, or is it something more? While I get that dehumidified air from the A/C directed at a fogged window will clear the moisture, when it's -30F, it's the heat from the heater core that will eventually melt the frozen stuff off your windshield, not the A/C.

 

[Finalmente]

So, when there's a half inch coating of ice on the windshield, is it still a defogger, or is it something more? While I get that dehumidified air from the A/C directed at a fogged window will clear the moisture, when it's -30F, it's the heat from the heater core that will eventually melt the frozen stuff off your windshield, not the A/C.

And while FMVSS 103 specifies the ice by volume of water sprayed through a specific nozzle at a specific delivery rate at a specified ambient temperature (between 0 and -10 F) and left sitting at that temperature for a specified time (for us, overnight), a half inch seems just about right. And, of course, the big hurdle in passing the standard is getting the heater core hot enough, fast enough.

 

[C.Q4]

It also turns hot air on the windshield to melt ice. You know, "defrost." The defroster in the '71 RoadRunner in the pic is one of the fruits of my hours in the lab and the Cold Room. The wires embedded in my car's backlite, are indeed a rear defroster, and the blower mounted in front of the backlite of my 1968 Charger was, indeed, a defogger. It, however, blew air at the ambient temperature of the trunk. The windshield defroster gets hot air through the heater core (BEVs notwithstanding), and is indeed a defroster, and will continue to be a defroster despite your claiming that it is not.
View attachment 29994

The defogger system turns on your A/C when the button is pressed. It's primary function is removing fog/moisture. The air blowing is the same temperature as your HVAC. It is not meant to melt snow/ice, unless YOU put on the heat. It's just not the primary function and the button is always called a Defogger. That way you don't confuse it with the Defroster (rear).

The Defroster turns on the mirror warmers and rear window.

So, when there's a half inch coating of ice on the windshield, is it still a defogger, or is it something more? While I get that dehumidified air from the A/C directed at a fogged window will clear the moisture, when it's -30F, it's the heat from the heater core that will eventually melt the frozen stuff off your windshield, not the A/C.

It is always defogging. It does not know that there is snow on the windshield. It's function is to activate the A/C and blow air on the window to get rid of moisture/fog. If you lowered your heat to 60 degrees, it would be blowing cold air, not hot. Of course, when it is near/below freezing, even 60F would be warm and help to melt. Again, it's just not the primary function and the button is always called a Defogger. That way you don't confuse it with the Defroster (rear).

The rear defroster is used to melt snow/ice. That button does a few things: 1) turns on the rear windshield heating element bars, 2) turns on the side mirror heating elements.

In my Subarus the defroster button does a 3rd thing, it turns on the lower front windshield heating bars which are used to warm the wiper blades.

My Tesla actually has dual-mode "Defogger" button. Pressed ONCE, it defaults to Blue (cold air). Pressed TWICE, it goes Red (hot air). The rear Defroster button functions with the heat bars in the windshield, and side mirrors.

 

[Finalmente]

The defogger system turns on your A/C when the button is pressed. It's primary function is removing fog/moisture. The air blowing is the same temperature as your HVAC. It is not meant to melt snow/ice, unless YOU put on the heat. It's just not the primary function and the button is always called a Defogger. That way you don't confuse it with the Defroster (rear).

The Defroster turns on the mirror warmers and rear window.


It is always defogging. It does not know that there is snow on the windshield. It's function is to activate the A/C and blow air on the window to get rid of moisture/fog. If you lowered your heat to 60 degrees, it would be blowing cold air, not hot. Of course, when it is near/below freezing, even 60F would be warm and help to melt. Again, it's just not the primary function and the button is always called a Defogger. That way you don't confuse it with the Defroster (rear).

The rear defroster is used to melt snow/ice. That button does a few things: 1) turns on the rear windshield heating element bars, 2) turns on the side mirror heating elements.

In my Subarus the defroster button does a 3rd thing, it turns on the lower front windshield heating bars which are used to warm the wiper blades.

My Tesla actually has dual-mode "Defogger" button. Pressed ONCE, it defaults to Blue (cold air). Pressed TWICE, it goes Red (hot air). The rear Defroster button functions with the heat bars in the windshield, and side mirrors.

In my 2021 Stelvio owner's manual (pix attached), p. 50, No. 4 indicates "Max Defrost" Button. P. 51, 9 indicates "MAX-DEF Activation/Deactivation Button (Rapid Defrosting/Demisting)." P. 52 refers to the "Front Defroster, and on p. 53, we see a description of "Front Defrost." Also on p. 53, "Front Defrost and MAX-DEF Function" explained.

Huh, whaddya know, seems like Alfa Romeo joins the US government (who mandates certain windshield defrost performance), the guy that used to be a development engineer for automotive defrosters, and the guy with a long career in the auto biz (factory level) in thinking that the thing that blows hot air on the windshield is a defroster.

Out.