engine oil Alfa Romeo MiTo 2010 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR15
1
ON CONSTANTLY:Low engine oil pressure(red)
FLASHING:Engine oil exhausted
(Diesel versions with DPF only - red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR, the warning
light switches on, and should go out as soon as the engine is start-
ed.
1. Low engine oil pressure
The warning light turns on and stays on constantly (in ver-
sions/markets, where applicable) along with the message on the
display when the system detects that the engine oil pressure is low.
v
If the warning light vturns on when the vehi-
cle is travelling (on certain versions together with
the message on the display) stop the engine im-
mediately and contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.
2. Engine oil exhausted(Diesel versions with DPF only)
When the key is turned to the MAR position, the warning light
comes on, but it must switch off after a few seconds. The warn-
ing light will flash and a specific message will appear on the dis-
play (in versions/markets, where applicable). The warning light
may flash in the following ways, depending on the version:
– for 1 minute every two hours;
– for 3 minute cycles with the warning light off for intervals of 5
seconds until oil is changed.After the initial warning, each time the engine is started up, the
warning light will continue to flash for 60 seconds in the same
mode, until the oil is changed. A specific message will appear on
the display (for versions/markets, where applicable) in addition
to the warning light.
If the warning light flashes, this does not mean that the car is de-
fective, but simply informs the driver that it is now necessary to
change the oil as a result of regular vehicle use.
Note that engine oil is exhausted faster under the following cir-
cumstances:
– use of the vehicle prevalently for city driving, requiring more
frequent regeneration of DPF
– use of the vehicle for short drives, in which the engine does not
have time to reach its regular operating temperature
– repeated interruption of the regeneration process, signalled by
the DPF warning light coming on.
Exhausted engine oil should be replaced as soon
as possible after the warning light comes on, nev-
er more than 500 km after the warning light first
comes on. Failure to change the oil within the first 500
km may result in severe damage to the engine and will
result in forfeiture of the warranty. Remember that when
the warning light flashes, it does not mean that the level
of engine oil is low, so if the light flashes you must not top
up the engine oil.
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22GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Speed limit exceeded (red)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This warning light (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided) comes on when the vehicle speed exceeds 120
km/h.
When the vehicle exceeds the speed limit set in the Setup Menu
(e.g. 120 km/h), on some versions a message and symbol are
shown in the display and a buzzer sounds.
X
General failure (amber)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
On some versions, this warning light comes on under the
following circumstances:
External lights failure
See description of 6warning light.
Brake lights failure
See description of “brake lights failure”.
Fuel lock
This warning light comes on when the fuel cut-off inertia switch is
triggered. The display will show the dedicated message.
è
Particulate trap filter blocked
(Diesel with DPF versions) (amber)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light switches on but it must switch off after a few seconds.
The warning light comes on constantly to notify the driver that
the DPF system needs to eliminate captured pollutants (particu-
late) by the regeneration process. The warning light does not come
on during every DPF regeneration, but only when driving conditions
require notification of the driver. To switch the warning light off,
the car must stay in motion until regeneration has been complet-
ed. The process normally takes about 15 minutes. The optimum
conditions to end the process are achieved by keeping the car in
motion up to 60km/h with an engine speed higher than 2,000
rpm. This light coming on is not a car defect and therefore the car
does not need to go to the workshop.
A specific message will appear on the display when the warning
light comes on (for versions/markets, where provided).
h
Always drive at a speed appropriate to the traffic
conditions, the weather and speed limits. The en-
gine may be turned off while the DPF light is on;
however, repeated interruption of the regeneration process
may result in premature exhaustion of engine oil. For this
reason it is always advisable to wait for the light to go
off before turning off the engine, following the instruc-
tions appearing above. It is not advisable to complete DPF
regeneration with the vehicle stationary.
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40GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Ser vice (Scheduled ser vicing)
This function allows you to view information on car servicing de-
pending on kilometres travelled or daily intervals.
With the Service function it is also possible to view the interval
(in kilometres or miles) before the next engine oil change is due.
This information can be consulted as follows:
– briefly press MENU ESC: the display shows service requirements
in km or mi according to the previous setting (see paragraph “Dis-
tance unit of measurement”);
– briefly press the MENU ESC button to go back to the menu screen
or hold the button down to go back to the standard screen.IMPORTANT The “Planned Maintenance Programme” requires the
vehicle to be serviced every 30,000 km (for petrol versions), or
every 35,000 km (for diesel versions). This message is displayed
automatically when the key is turned to MAR, from 2,000 km
(or equivalent value in miles) from the mileage when the next ser-
vice is due and is re-displayed every 200 km (or equivalent value
in miles). The indications will appear more frequently when there
are less than 200 km left. The indication will appear in kilome-
tres or miles according to the unit of measurement settings. When
the next scheduled service operation is approaching, the message
“Service” will appear on the display followed by the number of
kilometres or miles left, when the key is turned to MAR. Go to an
Alfa Romeo Authorised Service where the “Scheduled Service” op-
erations will be performed and the message will be reset.
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STARTING UP AND DRIVING159
3
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration of the car and have
a negative effect on fuel consumption. It is better to use a trailer,
particularly for transporting bulky objects.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount of time needed. The heat-
ed rear windscreen, additional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan require a considerable amount of energy; increasing the
current uptake increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% in an
urban cycle).
Climate control
Using the climate control system increases fuel consumption: use
the air vents when outdoor temperature permits.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect air drag and
fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car at a standstill and do not
use excessive engine speeds: the engine warms up very slowly in
these conditions, increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It is
advisable to start off immediately and slowly, keeping the engine
speed down: the engine will warm up much faster this way.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic lights or before stopping
the engine. The latter action, like double-declutching, is unneces-
sary and causes increased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
When traffic and road conditions allow, use a high gear. Using a
low gear for faster acceleration will increase fuel consumption. In
the same way improper use of a high gear increases consump-
tion, emissions and engine wear.
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases as speed increases. Keep
your speed as even as possible, avoiding unnecessary braking
and acceleration which cause excessive fuel consumption and in-
creased emissions.
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41
41
41
43
41
41
41
41
43
43
4315
20
15
7.5
30
7.5
30
15
5
10
5F08
F09
F10
F13
F15
F19
F20
F21
F31
F36
F37
IN AN EMERGENCY193
4
CONSUMERSFUSEAMPEREFIGURE
Heated windscreen
Headlight washer pump
Two-tone horn
Headlight alignment adjustment system
Additional heater (PTC 1)
“Dynamic Suspension” control system
Air conditioning compressor
Heated rear windscreen, demisting system
Fuel pump on tank
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
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43
43
45
45
45
45
45
45
41
41
415
5
15
10
15
20
–
15
40
15
7.5F51
F53
F4
F5
F6
F1
F2
F3
F83
F85
F87
IN AN EMERGENCY195
4
CONSUMERSFUSEAMPEREFIGURE
Clutch switch, Brake light
switch, relay coils on
engine fuse box, Control system on
internal heater/air conditioning unit,
Blue&Me
TMcontrol unit,
Radio wiring, Air flow meter,
Water in diesel fuel sensor
Instrument panel
Bose HI-FI system amplifier control unit
Bassbox subwoofer in spare wheel compartment
Left and right front seat heater
Electric sunroof opening system
Fuse wiring
Luggage compartment power socket
Passenger compartment fan
Power socket on tunnel
Passenger/driver-side door mirror demister,
Demister on front jets, Heated windscreen relay coil
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204CARE 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, 1.4 Multi Air and 1.4 Turbo Multi Air versions, in order to guarantee correct operation pre-
vent serious damage to the engine, it is essential to observe the following:
- only use spark plugs specifically certified for1.4 Turbo Petrol, 1.4 Multi Air and 1.4 Turbo Multi Air 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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206CARE 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 JTDM-2engine)(*)
Replace fuel filter
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and replace oil filter (diesel versions with DPF) (**)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Replace pollen filter (or every 24 months)
35 70 105 140 175
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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.
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE207
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 PETRONAS LUBRICANTS products, de-
signed and produced specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see “Con-
sumables” 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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208CARE 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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