Alfa Romeo MiTo 2009 Owner handbook (in English)

200CARE AND MAINTENANCE
2 If the car is mainly used in cities or travels less than 10,000 km a year, change the engine oil and filter every
12 months.
30 60 90 120 150 180
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1 For 1.4 Turbo Petrol versions, in order to guarantee correct operation and prevent serious damage to the
engine, it is essential to observe the following:
- only use spark plugs specifically certified for Turbo Petrol engines; all spark plugs should be of the same type and brand
(see the “Engine” paragraph);
- adhere strictly to the spark plug replacement intervals detailed in the Scheduled Service Plan;
- it is advisable to have this carried out by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Thousands of kilometres
Check exhaust emissions
Check engine management system operation (via diagnostic socket)
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (*)
Replace spark plugs 1
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and oil filter (or every 24 months) 2
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE201
5
DIESEL VERSIONS
35 70 105 140 175
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Thousands of kilometres
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure if required
Check lighting system operation (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
passenger compartment lights, boot lights, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer operation
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and
brake pad wear indication
Check rear disc brake pad seal condition and wear
Visually inspect the condition of: bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (gaiters, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check cleanliness of locks, bonnet and boot, and
cleanliness and lubrication of linkages
Check and top up, if required, fluid levels
(engine coolant, brake/hydraulic clutch fluid, windscreen washer fluid, battery fluid, etc)
Check the handbrake lever travel and adjust it, if necessary
Visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drive belt/s.
Check exhaust fumes/emissions
Check engine management system operation (via diagnostic socket)
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202CARE AND MAINTENANCE
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
(**) The engine oil and oil filter should be changed when the warning light on the dashboard comes on, or every 24 months.
Thousands of kilometres
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (except 1.3 JTDMengine)(*)
Replace fuel filter
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and replace oil filter(**)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Replace pollen filter (or every 24 months)35 70 105 140 175
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE203
5
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and top up the fol-
lowing if necessary:
❍engine coolant level, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid
❍tyre pressure and condition;
❍operation of lights (headlights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❍operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system, position
and wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check the following and top-up, if necessary: en-
gine oil level.
We recommend the use of FL Selenia products, designed and pro-
duced specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see “Consumables” table
in chapter 6).
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR
If you use the vehicle mainly under one of the following conditions:
❍trailer or caravan towing;
❍dusty roads;
❍repeated short distances (less than 7-8 km) and with exter-
nal temperatures below zero;
❍frequently idling the engine, travelling long distances at low
speeds or long term inactivity;
❍in cities;
perform the following inspections more frequently than shown on
the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❍check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
❍check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, and cleanliness and
lubrication of linkages;
❍visually inspect the condition of: engine, gearbox, transmission,
pipes and hoses (exhaust – fuel supply - brakes) rubber ele-
ments (gaiters – hoses - bushes etc.);
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204CARE AND MAINTENANCE
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS
Be careful not to confuse the various types of flu-
ids while topping up: they are incompatible and
mixing them up may seriously damage the
vehicle.
Do not smoke while working on the engine com-
partment: there may be flammable gases and
vapours present.
With the engine warm, take great care when work-
ing in the engine compartment: risk of burns. Re-
member that the fan may start up if the engine is
hot: risk of injury. Pay attention to scarves, ties and oth-
er loose fitting garments: they could get dragged in by the
moving parts.
❍check battery charge and fluid level (electrolyte);
❍visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drivebelts;
❍check and if necessary change engine oil and oil filter;
❍check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
❍check air filter and replace, if required.
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE205
5
A0J0230mfig. 1 - 1.4 Petrol versions
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206CARE AND MAINTENANCE
A0J0201mfig. 2 - 1.4 Turbo Petrol versions
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE207
5
A0J0326mfig. 3 - 1.3 JTDMversions
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208CARE AND MAINTENANCE
A0J0200mfig. 4 - 1.6 JTDMversions
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE209
5
ENGINE OIL
Check that the oil level is between the MIN and MAX references
on the dipstick A-fig. 1-2-3-4.
If the oil level is near or even under the MIN line, add oil using
the filler B-fig. 1-2 to reach the MAX line. The oil level should nev-
er exceed the MAX line.
Engine oil consumption
The maximum engine oil consumption is usually 400 grams every
1000 km. During the initial period of use the engine oil consumption
conditions should be considered as having stabilised after the first
5000 - 6000 km.
Don’t add any oil with different characteristics to
those of the existing engine oil.
Used engine oil and the replaced oil filter contain
substances that may be dangerous for the envi-
ronment. We recommend having the oil and oil fil-
ter replaced by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the level is too low, undo reservoir cap C-fig. 1-2-3-4 and add the
fluid described in chapter 6.
PARAFLU UP antifreeze is used in the engine cool-
ing system. Use fluid of the same type contained
in the cooling system for top-ups. PARAFLU UP may
not be mixed with other types of fluids. If this accidentally
occurs, do not start the engine. Contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
The engine cooling system is pressurised. If re-
quired, replace the cap with an original spare part
so as not to compromise system efficiency. Do not
remove the cap from the reservoir when the engine is hot:
risk of burns.
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