service Alfa Romeo MiTo 2009 Owner handbook (in English)

STARTING UP AND DRIVING153
3
IMPORTANT Carry out these manoeuvres with the brake pedal pressed.
IMPORTANT For vehicles equipped with a front armrest, lift this
up to ensure that it does not interfere with the action of the hand-
brake.USING THE GEARBOX
To engage reverse gear from neutral, lift the ring A-fig. 2 under the
knob and, at the same time, move the lever to the left and then
forwards (1.4 Turbo Petrol and 1.6 JTDm versions) or move the
lever to the right and then backwards (1.4 Petrol versions). Re-
lease the ring after having engaged reverse gear. It is not neces-
sary to lift up the ring when passing from reverse to another gear.
IMPORTANT Reverse may only be engaged when the car is at a
standstill. With the engine on, wait at least 3 seconds with the
clutch pressed down before engaging reverse gear to prevent it
from scraping.
The vehicle should be secured after several clicks
of the lever: if this is not the case, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service Provider to have it ad-
justed.
fig. 2A0J0109m
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STARTING UP AND DRIVING157
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INSTALLING A TOW HOOK
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to install a tow hook.
SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the normal tyres provided
with the car: an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services will be able to
advise you on the best tyres for your requirements.
Only use these tyres in the event of ice or snow on the roads.
The performance of these tyres is considerably reduced when the
tread depth is less than 4 mm. Replace them in this case.
All four tyres should be the same (brand and track) to ensure greater
safety when driving, during braking and better driveability. Re-
member that it is inappropriate to change the direction of rotation
of tyres.
The ABS system does not control the braking sys-
tem of the trailer. Take extra care when travel-
ling on slippery roads.
Never modify the braking system of the car to con-
trol the trailer brake. The trailer braking system
must be fully independent of the car’s hydraulic
system.
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IN AN EMERGENCY159
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In an emergency we recommend that you call the freephone number found in the Warranty Booklet.
You can also consult www.alfaromeo.com to find Alfa Romeo Authorised Services your nearest
Starting the engine..................................................................... 160
Replacing a wheel....................................................................... 161
“Fix&Go Automatic” Kit............................................................... 169
Changing a bulb.......................................................................... 174
Replacing exterior bulbs................................................................ 176
Replacing an interior bulb.............................................................. 180
Replacing fuses........................................................................... 183
Recharging the battery ................................................................. 193
Lifting the car............................................................................. 193
Towing the car ............................................................................ 194
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160IN AN EMERGENCY
STARTING THE ENGINE
If the Ywarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider imme-
diately.
STARTING WITH AN AUXILIARY BATTERY
If the battery is flat, the engine may be started using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a little higher than the flat one.
For engine starting follow the procedure below, fig. 1:
❍connect the positive terminals (+ sign near the terminal) of the
two batteries with a jump lead;
❍with a second lead, connect the negative terminal – of the aux-
iliary battery to an earth point
Eon the engine or the gear-
box of the car to be started;
❍start the engine; when engine has started, remove the cables
by reversing the sequence described for connection.If after several attempts the engine will not start, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
IMPORTANT Never connect the negative terminals of the two bat-
teries directly! If the auxiliary battery is installed on another car,
prevent accidental contact between metallic parts of the two cars.
BUMP STARTING
Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving downhill.
fig. 1A0J0111m
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172IN AN EMERGENCY
❍inflate the tyre to the pressure shown in the paragraph entitled
“Wheels” in chapter 6. In order to obtain a precise reading,
check the pressure on pressure gauge B-fig. 18 with the com-
pressor off;
❍if a pressure value of a least 1.5 bars is not reached within 5
minutes, disconnect the compressor from the valve and current
socket, move the vehicle forwards by about 10 metres to dis-
tribute the sealant fluid in the tyre and repeat the inflation
procedure;
fig. 18A0J0114m
❍if a pressure value of a least 1.8 bars is not reached within 5
minutes of switching on the compressor, do not continue dri-
ving. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services;
❍after having driven for about 10 minutes, stop the car and check
the tyre pressure once more: remember to engage the hand-
brake;
❍if a pressure value of at least 1.8 bars is detected, restore the
correct pressure (with the engine running and the handbrake
engaged), and drive with care to an Alfa Romeo Authorised
Services.
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IN AN EMERGENCY177
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DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS
With incandescent bulb
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
❍remove cover B-fig. 22;
❍remove cover A-fig. 24 protecting the bulb;
❍remove the bulb and replace it;
❍refit the lamp holder making sure it is correctly secured;
❍refit cover B-fig. 22.
With gas discharge bulbs
(Bi-xenon) (where provided)DIRECTION INDICATORS
Front indicators
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
❍take key A-fig. 25 (located in the document holder case), in-
sert in seat B and turn the bulb holder anticlockwise;
fig. 24A0J0040m
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider
to replace these bulbs.
fig. 25A0J0018m
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178IN AN EMERGENCY
❍remove the bulb and replace it.
Side indicators
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
❍work on lens A-fig. 26 to compress clip B, then pull the unit
outwards;
❍turn bulb holder C anticlockwise, remove the bulb and replace
it;
❍refit the bulb holder C in the lens and turn it clockwise;
❍refit the unit, making sure that internal clip B clips into posi-
tion.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS (where provided)
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to replace these bulbs.
REAR LIGHT CLUSTERS
To access the light cluster, move the luggage compartment side
trim (see Fig. 27). These contain the bulbs for the side lights, di-
rection indicators and brake lights.
SIDE LIGHTS/BRAKE LIGHTS
These are LED lights. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services
to replace these lights.
DIRECTION INDICATORS
To replace the bulb remove bulb holder A-fig. 27.
fig. 26A0J0042mfig. 27A0J0043m
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IN AN EMERGENCY179
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REAR FOG LIGHTS/REVERSING LIGHTS
To replace the rear fog lights A-fig. 28 or reversing lights B con-
tact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
NUMBER PLATE LIGHTS
To change the bulb proceed as follows:
❍remove the lens unit A-fig. 29;
❍turn bulb holder B-fig. 30 anticlockwise, remove bulb C and re-
place it.
THIRD BRAKE LIGHTS
These are located in the tailgate and are LED lights. Contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to replace these lights.
fig. 28A0J0044mfig. 30A0J0045m
fig. 29A0J0046m
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184IN AN EMERGENCY
If the fuse blows again contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
Never replace a blown fuse with anything other
than a new fuse.
Under no circumstances should a fuse be replaced
with one of a higher amperage; FIRE RISK.
If a general protection fuse blows contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Services.
Before replacing a fuse, make sure you have re-
moved the key from the ignition and have turned
off and/or unplugged all energy-consuming de-
vices.
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IN AN EMERGENCY193
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RECHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANT The battery recharging procedure is provided as an ex-
ample only. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to carry
out this operation.
We recommend recharging the battery slowly for approximately
24 hours at low amperage. A prolonged recharge might damage
the battery. Charge the battery as follows:
❍disconnect the battery negative terminal;
❍connect the charger leads to the battery terminals, observing
the polarity;
❍turn on the charger;
❍when you have finished, turn the charger off before discon-
necting the battery;
❍reconnect battery negative terminal.
LIFTING THE CAR
If you need to lift the car contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services,
which will be equipped with a workshop lift.
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