Alfa Romeo MiTo 2010 Owner handbook (in English)

160STARTING UP AND DRIVING
Acceleration
Sudden acceleration has a very negative effect on fuel consump-
tion and emissions: accelerate gradually and do not go over the
maximum torque ratio.
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-ups will prevent the en-
gine from reaching optimal running temperature. Consequently,
both fuel consumption (from +15 to +30% on an urban cycle )
and emissions will increase.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high fuel consumption is caused by heavy traffic, for instance
when travelling in a queue with frequent use of low gears or in
cities with many traffic lights. Mountain and rough roads also have
a negative effect on fuel consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (level crossings) the engine should be
switched off.
TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
The vehicle must be provided with a type-approved tow hook and
adequate electrical system to tow caravans or trailers. Installation
must be carried out by a specialist.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-view mirrors as specified
by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer, steep hills are harder to
climb, braking distances increase and overtaking takes longer de-
pending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill, rather than constantly
using the brake.
The weight of the trailer reduces the load capacity of the vehicle
by the same amount. Consider the weight of the fully-laden vehi-
cle weight, including accessories and luggage, to make sure you
do not exceed the maximum towable weight (shown on the reg-
istration certificate).
Respect the speed limits specific to each country for vehicles tow-
ing trailers. In any event do not exceed 100 km/h.
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STARTING UP AND DRIVING161
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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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162STARTING UP AND DRIVING
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in compliance with local regu-
lations. The snow chains may be applied only to the front wheel
tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the first few metres have been
driven.
Use reduced bulk snow chains: for 195/55 R16” and 205/45
R17” tyres. Use reduced bulk snow chains with a maximum pro-
trusion from the tyres of 9 mm.
IMPORTANT The spare wheel cannot be fitted with snow chains.
If a front (drive) wheel is punctured and snow chains must be used,
you must remove a normal wheel from the rear and replace this
one with the small spare wheel. In this way, with two normal dri-
ve wheels, it is possible to use snow chains.
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the following
precautions should be noted:
❍park the vehicle in a dry, covered and, if possible, ventilated
area; engage a gear and check that the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
❍disconnect the negative battery terminal and check battery
charge. Repeat this check once every three months during stor-
age;
❍clean and protect painted areas using protective wax;
❍clean and protect the shiny metal areas using special com-
mercially-available products;
❍sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen and rear win-
dow wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
❍slightly open the windows;
❍cover the car with a fabric or perforated plastic sheet. Do not
use compact plastic sheets which do not allow humidity to evap-
orate from the surface of the car.
❍inflate tyres to a pressure of +0.5 bar above the normal spec-
ified pressure and check the pressure at regular intervals;
❍if you have not disconnected the battery, check the battery
charge every thirty days;
❍do not drain the engine cooling system.
Keep your speed down when snow chains are fit-
ted. Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes, steps
and pavements and also avoid driving long dis-
tances on roads not covered with snow to prevent dam-
aging the car and the roadbed.
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IN AN EMERGENCY163
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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 ..................................................................... 164
Replacing a wheel ....................................................................... 165
“Fix&Go Automatic” Kit ............................................................... 173
Changing a bulb .......................................................................... 178
Replacing exterior bulbs................................................................ 180
Replacing an interior bulb.............................................................. 184
Replacing fuses ........................................................................... 187
Recharging the battery ................................................................. 196
Lifting the car ............................................................................. 199
Towing the car ............................................................................ 199
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164IN AN EMERGENCY
STARTINGTHEENGINE
If theYwarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider imme-
diately.
STA R T I NGWITH AN AUXILIARYBAT TERY
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.
BUMPSTA R T I NG
Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving downhill.
fig. 1A0J0111m
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IN AN EMERGENCY165
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The small spare wheel is specific to the vehicle: do
not use it on different vehicle models or use spare
wheels from other models on your car. The small
spare wheel must only be used in an emergency. Never
use it longer than strictly necessary and never exceed 80
km/h. On the small spare wheel there is a label, sum-
marizing the main warnings about the small spare wheel
usage restrictions. Never remove or cover the label. Nev-
er apply any hub cap to the small spare wheel.
REPLACINGAWHEEL
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
The vehicle is equipped with the“Fix&Go automatic kit”: to use
this device see the paragraph entitled “Fix&Go Automatic Kit”.
As an alternative to the “Fix&Go Automatic Kit” the vehicle can be
provided with a small spare wheel: see the instructions on the fol-
lowing pages for changing the wheels.
Indicate that the car is stationary according to the
laws in force: emergency lights, refracting warn-
ing triangle, etc. Passengers should leave the car,
particularly if it is heavily loaded, and wait for the wheel
to be changed away from on-coming traffic. In the event
of a wheel change on a slope or on unsurfaced roads,
chock the rear wheels.
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166IN AN EMERGENCY
The jack may only be used to replace wheels on
the car to which it is fitted or other cars of the same
model. Never use the jack for other purposes, such
as lifting other car models. Never use the jack to carry out
repairs under the car. Incorrect positioning of the jack may
cause the car to fall. Do not use the jack for loads greater
than those shown on the label. Never install snow chains
on the small spare wheel; if a front tyre (driving wheel)
is punctured and you need to use snow chains, use a stan-
dard wheel from the rear axle and install the small spare
wheel on the rear axle. This way, with two normal front
driving wheels, you can install the snow chains on them.
If the hub cap is not installed properly, it can de-
tach itself when the vehicle is running. Never tam-
per with the inflation valve. Never introduce tools
of any kind between rim and tyre. Regularly check the in-
flation pressure of the tyres and small spare wheel (see
chapter 6).
Vehicle handling is modified with the small spare
wheel fitted. Avoid violent accelerations and brak-
ing, sharp steering and fast cornering. The over-
all lifetime of the small spare wheel is about 3000 km,
after which the relevant tyre must be replaced with an-
other one of the same type. Never install a traditional tyre
on a rim designed to be used as a small spare wheel. Re-
pair and refit the standard wheel as soon as possible. Us-
ing two or more small spare wheels at the same time is
forbidden. Do not apply grease to the bolt threading be-
fore assembly: they might loosen spontaneously.
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IN AN EMERGENCY167
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JACK
Important notes:
❍the jack weight is 1.76 kg;
❍the jack requires no adjustment;
❍the jack cannot be repaired; if it breaks it must be replaced with
a new jack;
❍no tool other than the cranking device may be fitted on the
jack.Replace the wheel as follows:
❍stop the car in a position where it does not endanger on-com-
ing traffic and where you can replace the wheel safely. The
ground must be flat and compact;
❍switch off the engine, pull up the handbrake and engage 1st
gear or reverse; put on the high visibility jacket (required by
law) before leaving the vehicle;
❍open the luggage compartment, pull tab A-fig. 2 and lift up the
mat;
❍undo locking device A-fig. 3, remove tool box B and place it
next to the wheel to be replaced; remove small spare wheel C;
fig. 2A0J0104mfig. 3A0J0105m
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168IN AN EMERGENCY
❍for versions with steel wheels: insert the screwdriver into open-
ing A-fig. 4 to release clip B retaining the hub cap.
❍use wrench A-fig. 5 to loosen the retaining bolts by one turn;
❍for versions with alloy wheels: rock the vehicle to facilitate the
detachment of the rim from the wheel hub. Some versions
may be fitted with alloy wheels with a hub cap (fig. 6). To
remove the hub cap insert the screwdriver into housings
A-fig. 6 in order to access the retaining bolts. Replace the wheel
as described previously.
fig. 4A0J0236mfig. 6A0J0238m
fig. 5A0J0106m
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IN AN EMERGENCY169
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❍operate device A-fig. 7 to extend the jack, until the upper part
B-fig. 8 inserts correctly into device C;
❍warn anybody nearby that the car is about to be lifted. They
must stay clear and not touch the car until it is back on the
ground;
❍fit the handle D-fig. 7 into the housing on the device A, oper-
ate the jack and lift the car until the wheel is lifted some cen-
timetres off the ground, then remove the damaged wheel;
❍make sure that the contact surfaces on the small spare wheel
are clean and free of impurities which may subsequently cause
the retaining bolts to loosen;
❍fit the small spare wheel by inserting the first bolt for two
threads into the hole closest to the inflation valve;
❍use wrench A-fig. 5 to fully tighten the retaining bolts;
❍operate jack handle D-fig. 7 to lower the vehicle. Remove the
jack;
fig. 7A0J0062mfig. 8A0J0061m
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