key Alfa Romeo MiTo 2009 Owner handbook (in English)
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: ALFA ROMEO, Model Year: 2009, Model line: MiTo, Model: Alfa Romeo MiTo 2009Pages: 250, PDF Size: 4.61 MB
Page 151 of 250

150STARTING UP AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the moment the en-
gine starts.
IMPORTANT NOTES
❍If the engine does not start on the first attempt, turn the igni-
tion key to STOP before repeating the operation.
❍If, when the ignition key is on MAR, the Ywarning light (or
symbol in the display) remains lit together with the
Uwarn-
ing light, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try using the other keys provided
with the car. If you are still unable to start the engine carry
out the emergency starting procedure (see “Emergency Start-
up” in chapter 4) and contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice Provider.
❍Never leave the ignition key on MAR when the engine is off.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍turn the ignition key to MAR: the mandYwarning lights
(or symbol in the display) will come on;
❍wait for the warning light (or symbol in the display) to go
out;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the mwarning light
goes out. Waiting too long will waste the work done by the
glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If warning light mblinks for 60 seconds after
starting or during prolonged cranking, this indi-
cates a fault in the glow plug pre-heating system.
Use the car normally if the engine starts and contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services provider as soon as pos-
sible.
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 150
Page 152 of 250

STARTING UP AND DRIVING151
3
In the initial period of use, it is advisable to avoid
placing the car under excessive stress (for instance
excessive acceleration, extended travel at maxi-
mum speed, sharp braking etc.).
Is is dangerous to let the engine run in enclosed
spaces. The engine depletes oxygen and discharges
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic
gases.
Remember that the servo brake and electric pow-
er steering are not operational until the engine has
been started, therefore more effort than usual is
required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.
Avoid jump starting the engine by pushing, towing
or driving downhill. These manoeuvres may dam-
age the catalytic converter.
When the engine is off, do not leave the key in
the ignition switch turned to MAR to avoid drain-
ing the battery.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT HAS
JUST STARTED (petrol and diesel engines)
Proceed as follows:
❍drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium speed. Do
not accelerate abruptly;
❍do not demand maximum performance for the first few kilo-
metres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge starts moving.
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 151
Page 153 of 250

152STARTING UP AND DRIVING
EMERGENCY START
If the Ywarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, before turning the engine off you
should allow it to idle to allow the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.
PARKING
Switch off the engine and pull up the handbrake. Engage a gear
(1stif the car is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing downhill) and
leave the wheels steered to one side.
If the car is parked on a steep slope block the wheels with a wedge
or stone. Always remove the ignition key when leaving the vehi-
cle.
HANDBRAKE fig. 1
To engage the handbrake pull lever A upwards until the vehicle is
secured. To disengage slightly raise lever A, press and hold down
button B and lower the lever.
A quick burst on the accelerator before turning off
the engine serves absolutely no practical purpose,
it wastes fuel and is damaging, especially to tur-
bocharged engines.
fig. 1A0J0110m
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 152
Page 178 of 250

IN AN EMERGENCY177
4
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
159-196 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:45 Pagina 177
Page 185 of 250

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.
159-196 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:46 Pagina 184
Page 191 of 250

190IN AN EMERGENCY
F23
F24
F31
F36
F37
F38
F43
F47
F4820
5
5
10
5
15
20
20
2041
41
43
43
43
43
43
43
43
CONSUMERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Braking system control unit (control unit and solenoid unit)
Electric steering control unit
(power supply + Key),
Brake system control unit (power supply + Key),
Yaw sensor on tunnel
INT/A key exhaust relay coils
on engine fuse box
Radio, Blue&Me
TMcontrol unit, Climate control unit,
Alarm control unit, Volume sensing system control unit,
EOBD external diagnostic socket,
Tyre pressure detection control unit
Instrument panel, Brake light switch,
Gas discharge headlights management system
Door lock motor on door,
Safe Lock motor on doors,
Tailgate unlocking motor
Windscreen / rearscreen washer pump
Electric window motor complete with
control unit (driver-side door)
Electric window motor complete with
control unit (passenger-side door)
159-196 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:46 Pagina 190
Page 195 of 250

194IN AN EMERGENCY
TOWING THE CAR
The tow ring provided with the car is housed in the tool box in
the luggage compartment.
ATTACHING THE TOW HOOK
Release cap A, remove tow ring B from its housing in the tool box
and tighten it fully on to the front (fig. 46) or rear (fig. 47) thread-
ed pin.
Before beginning the tow, turn the ignition key
to MAR and then to STOP, without extracting it
When the key is removed, the steering wheel lock
automatically activates. making it impossible to turn the
wheels.
fig. 46A0J0038mfig. 47A0J0039m
159-196 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:46 Pagina 194
Page 219 of 250

218CARE AND MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT NOTES
Avoid parking under trees; the resin dropped by trees makes the
paintwork go opaque, increasing the possibility of corrosion.
Bird droppings must be washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly aggressive.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths to prevent scratching.
Front headlights
Use a soft, damp cloth soaked in water and detergent for wash-
ing cars
IMPORTANT Do not use solvents: this may cause the lens to be-
come opaque.
IMPORTANT When cleaning the car with a pressure washer, keep
the water jet at least 2 cm away from the headlights.
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine compartment should be care-
fully washed, without directing the jet against electronic control
units. Have this operation performed at a specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT Perform this operation on a cold engine and with the
key removed from the ignition.
Detergents cause water pollution. The car should
be washed in areas equipped for collecting and pu-
rifying the liquid used in the washing process.
When drying take care to dry the least exposed parts where the
water could collect most easily. Do not wash the car after it has
been parked in the sun or when the engine is bonnet is hot: this
could take the shine off the paint.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same way as the rest
of the car.
197-220 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:42 Pagina 218
Page 243 of 250

242INDEX
Headlights.................................... 105
Heating/climate control system ....... 64
Hill Holder system .......................... 108
Identification data ......................... 222
In an emergency ............................ 159
Installing a navigation system (wiring) 116
Instrument panel and instruments .....8-244
Interior equipment .......................... 89
Interiors (cleaning) ......................... 219
Isofix (standard seat)...................... 141
Jacking the car.............................. 193
Keys ........................................... 47
Knowing your car............................ 5
Load limiters ................................ 131
Main beam headlights
– activation ................................ 77
– bulb replacement ...................... 176
Menu ........................................... 32
Menu options ................................ 32
MSR (system) ............................... 110
Number plate lights
– bulb replacement ...................... 179
Oddment compartment .................. 89
Oil engine ..................................... 209
Paint .......................................... 217
Parking........................................ 152
Performance ................................. 234
Power windows ............................. 96
Pretensioners................................ 130
Protecting the environment .............. 126
Puddle lights
– bulb replacement ...................... 183
Radio transmitters and cellular phones .. 117
Radio wiring system ....................... 115
Rear fog lights
– activation ................................ 87
– bulb replacement ...................... 179
Rear screen wiper
– activation ................................ 79
– brushes ................................... 213
– sprays..................................... 213
Rear view mirrors ........................... 61
Reversing light
– bulb replacement ...................... 179
Roof rack/ski rack ......................... 104
S.B.R. system............................... 129
Safe lock (device)........................... 51
Safety.......................................... 127
Seat belts ..................................... 128
Seats ........................................... 56
Sensors
– automatic headlights ................. 76
– rain ........................................ 80
– parking ................................... 117
Service Plan .................................. 199
– regular checks .......................... 203
Setting off and driving ....................149
Sidebags...................................... 145
Sidelights/daytime lights
– activation ................................ 76
– bulb replacement .................176-178
Snow chains ................................. 158
Starting the engine ....................150-160
Start-up device .............................. 55
Steering....................................... 228
Steering lock ................................. 56
Steering wheel (adjustment) ........... 60Storing the car ............................... 158
Sun visors ..................................... 91
Supplementary heater..................... 75
Suspension................................... 228
Symbols....................................... 46
T.P.M.S. (system) ......................... 120
Technical data ............................... 221
Third brake light ............................. 179
Top speeds .................................... 234
Towing the car ............................... 194
Towing trailers ............................... 156
TPMS system ................................ 120
Transmission ................................. 227
Trip Computer ................................ 42
Tyre marking ................................. 229
– inflation pressures .................... 232
Tyres
– standard ................................. 231
– snow tyres .............................. 157
– correct reading of ...................... 229
VDC (system) .............................. 108
Warning lights on panel ................ 12
Weights ........................................ 235
Wheel replacement ........................ 161
Wheel rims
– correct reading ......................... 230
Wheels
– bulb replacement ...................... 161
– technical specifications .............. 229
Wheels and tyres ........................... 213
Window cleaning............................ 79
Windows (cleaning) ....................... 218
Windscreen wiper
– activation ................................ 79
– brushes ................................... 214
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