Alfa Romeo MiTo 2009 Owner handbook (in English)

140SAFETY
INSTALLATION OF ISOFIX CHILD SEAT
Attach the child seat to the dedicated lower metal rings A-fig. 13
located between the backrest and the cushion, then:
❍for the passenger side front seat: fasten the upper belt (that
is supplied together with the child seat) to the dedicated mount-
ing B-fig. 14 located at the bottom, near the front seat sliding
guide;
❍for the rear seat: fasten the upper belt (that is supplied together
with the child seat) to the special mountings C-fig. 14 located
at the rear of the backrest.
It is possible to mount both the traditional restraint system and the
“Universal Isofix” one. Remember that when using a “Universal
Isofix” child seat, you can only use approved seats with the mark-
ing EKE R44/03 “Universal Isofix”. The “Universal Isofix” “Duo
Plus” child seat is available from Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo. For any
further installation/details on usage, refer to the “Instruction Man-
ual” for the child seat.
fig. 13A0J0092m
Fit the child seat when the car is stationary. The
child seat is correctly anchored to the brackets
when you hear the click. Follow the instructions for
assembly, disassembly and positioning that the manu-
facturer must supply with the child seat.
fig. 14A0J0310m
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SAFETY141
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PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON ISOFIX CHILD SEAT USE
The table below, according to ECE 16 European Directive, shows the different installation possibilities of Isofix restraint systems on seats
fitted with Isofix fasteners.
IUF:suitable for Isofix child restraint systems facing forwards, universal class (fitted with third upper fastener), type-approved for use in this weight
group.
IL: suitable for special child restraint systems, specific Isofix type, and type-approved for this type of car. The seat can be installed by moving the front
seat forward.
X: Isofix position not suited for child restraint systems in this weight group and/or in this size class
Weight group Orientation GradeFrontRear passenger
child seat Isofix size passenger left side right side
Portable baby seatFacing backwards F X X X
Facing backwards G X X X
Group 0 up to 10 kg Facing backwards E IL X X
Facing backwards E IL X X
Gruppo 0 + fino a 13 kg Facing backwards D IL X X
Facing backwards C X X X
Facing backwards D IL X X
Facing backwards C X X X
Group 1 from 9 to 18 kg Facing forwards B IUF IUF IUF
Facing forwards BI IUF IUF IUF
Facing forwards A IUF X X
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142SAFETY
FRONT AIRBAGS
The vehicle is equipped with multi-stage front air bags (“Smart
bag”) for the driver and passenger and knee air bag for the dri-
ver.
“SMART BAG” SYSTEM
(MULTISTAGE FRONT AIR BAGS)
The front airbags (driver’s and passenger’s) and the driver knee
air bag have been designed to protect the occupants in the event
of head-on crashes of medium-high severity, by placing the cush-
ion between the occupant and the steering wheel or dashboard.
The air bag do not replace, but rather compliment the use of seat
belts, which should always be worn. In the event of a collision, a
person not wearing a seat belt may be thrown forward and come
into contact with the bag before it has fully opened. The protection
offered by the bag is reduced in such a case.
Front airbags may not be activated in the following situations:
❍in collisions against highly deformable objects not affecting the
car front surface (e.g. bumper collision against guard rail, etc.);
❍car penetration under other vehicles or protective barriers (e.g.
trucks or guard rails);
in these instances they could not provide any additional protec-
tion compared with seat belts, so their deployment would not be
useful. Non deployment in such cases does not constitute a fault.
FRONT AIRBAG ON DRIVER’S SIDE fig. 15
This is located in a dedicated compartment in the centre of the steer-
ing wheel.
Do not apply stickers or other objects on the steer-
ing wheel, passenger side airbag cover or side up-
holstery on roof. Do not place objects on the pas-
senger side dashboard because these could interfere with
the correct opening of the airbag and cause severe in-
jury to occupants.
fig. 15A0J0047m
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SAFETY143
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FRONT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER’S SIDE
fig. 16
This is located in a dedicated compartment in the dashboard.
Always drive with your hands on the steering wheel
rim so that the airbag can inflate freely if need-
ed. Do not drive with your body bent forward.
Keep your back straight against the back rest.
fig. 16A0J0050m
Do not arrange child seats facing backwards if the
front airbag on the passenger’s side is enabled. De-
ployment of the airbag in an accident could cause
fatal injuries to the baby regardless of the sever-
ity of the collision. Always deactivate the passen-
ger’s airbag when placing a child seat on the front seat.
Move the passenger’s seat as far back as possible to avoid
contact between the child seat and the dashboard.
Although this is not mandatory by law, the airbag should
be immediately reactivated when children are no longer
carried to ensure better protection for adults.
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144SAFETY
KNEE AIRBAG ON DRIVER’S SIDE fig. 17
This is located in a dedicated compartment under the steering wheel.
It provides additional protection in the event of a frontal impact.
fig. 17A0J0056m
To deactivate the air bags see chapter “1” para-
graph “Menu Items”.
Deactivating the passenger-side front Air
Bag and Side Bag
When carrying a chid on the front seat, deactivate the passenger-
side front Air Bag and Side Bag. With the air bags deactivated, the
“warning light is lit in the instrument panel.
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SAFETY145
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SIDE AIRBAGS
(SIDE BAG - WINDOW BAG)
The car is fitted with front side bags for driver and passenger for
protecting the chest, and window bags for protecting front and rear
passengers’ heads.
FRONT SIDE BAGS fig. 18
These are comprised of two types of bag located in the front back
rests, which protect the chest area of passengers in the event of
a side impact of medium-high severity.
HEAD PROTECTION SIDE AIR BAGS
(WINDOW BAGS) fig. 19
These are comprised of two “curtain” bags located behind the side
cover of the roof and protected by dedicated covers. They protect
the heads of the front passengers in the event of a side impact.
The airbags are not deployed in the event of side impact of low
severity (for which the restraining action of the seat belts is suffi-
cient). It is therefore always necessary to wear seat belts.
In the event of a side impact, the system provides best protection
if the passenger sits on the seat in a correct position, thus allow-
ing correct window bag deployment.
fig. 18A0J0103mfig. 19A0J0051m
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146SAFETY
A small amount of dust will be released when the airbags are de-
ployed: this is in no way toxic and does not indicate an outbreak
of fire. It may however irritate the eyes and skin: wash with mild
soap and water in the event of exposure.
Airbag checking, repair and replacement must only be carried out
by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
If the vehicle is to be scrapped, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services to have the air bags deactivated.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed according to different log-
ics on the basis of the type of collision. Non-deployment of one of
the devices does not necessarily indicate a system malfunction.Do not hook rigid objects to the clothes hangers or
support handles.
Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on the door,
windows or on the window bag area to avoid in-
juries during inflation.
Never lean your head, arms or elbows out of the
window.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Do not wash the seats with water or pressurised steam (wash by
hand or at automatic seat washing stations).
The front and /or side air bags may activate in the event of sharp
knocks to the underbody of the vehicle (e.g. impact with steps,
pavements, potholes or road bumps etc.).
If the ¬warning light does not turn on or if it
stays on when travelling (together with the mes-
sage on the multifunctional display, where pro-
vided) when turning the key to MAR, there could be a fail-
ure in the restraint systems. If this is the case, the airbags
or pretensioners do not trigger in the event of an impact
or, in a small number of cases, they may trigger acciden-
tally. Do not drive the vehicle and contact a Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services to have the system checked immedi-
ately.
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SAFETY147
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The expiry dates of the pyrotechnic charge and spi-
ral contact are shown in the plate installed inside
the glove compartment. Refer to an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services when it’s time to replace them.
Do not travel with objects on your lap, in front of
your chest, or between your lips (e.g. pipes, pen-
cils, etc.) In the event of a crash with airbag acti-
vation, you may be seriously injured.
If someone tries to steal or damage your car, and
in the event of floods, have the air bag system
checked by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
With the ignition key inserted and turned to MAR,
even if the engine is off, the air bags can activate
also with the car at a standstill, if it is hit by an-
other vehicle. For this reason, children must never sit on
the front seat, even if the car is not moving. Please re-
member that if the key is inserted and turned to the STOP
position, no safety device (airbag or pretensioner) acti-
vates following a collision. Non-deployment in such cas-
es must not be considered a sign of malfunction.
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the “
warning light turns on (front airbag on passenger’s
side enabled) and blinks for a few seconds as a re-
minder that the passenger airbag will activate in the event
of a collision. Then it turns off.
The front airbags deploy in the event of more se-
vere collisions than those required for deploying
the pretensioners. For collisions in the range be-
tween the two thresholds, it is normal for only the pre-
tensioners to be activated.
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148SAFETY
“ALCOHOL TEST” KIT
(where required)
This is located in the passenger-side glove compartment.
The kit consists of an envelope (fig. 20) containing all medical
products for checking the alcohol level. The envelope also contains
instructions the correct use of the kit. Like all medical products, the
alcohol test kit has a set shelf life: replace the pack containing
the expired product.
fig. 20A0J0231m
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STARTING UP AND DRIVING149
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Starting the engine................................................................................ 150
Parking............................................................................................... 152
Using of the gearbox............................................................................. 153
Saving fuel .......................................................................................... 154
Towing trailers ...................................................................................... 156
Snow tyres .......................................................................................... 157
Snow chains ......................................................................................... 158
Car inactivity......................................................................................... 158
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