Alfa Romeo MiTo 2011 Owner handbook (in English)

10GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
SPEEDOMETER (SPEED GAUGE)
This shows the speed of the vehicle.
REV COUNTER
This indicates the engine rpm.
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE
This shows the amount of fuel left in the fuel tank.
0 - tank empty.
1 - tank full
The warning light in the gauge lights up when there are only 5 to
7 litres of fuel remaining in the tank; in the event of this happen-
ing, refuel at the earliest opportunity.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant. The
warning light in the gauge lights up to indicate an increase in coolant
temperature; in the event of this happening, switch off the en-
gine and contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR11
1
INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS
General warnings
The lighting up of a warning light is associated with a specific
message and/or buzzer when applicable. These indications are
brief and precautionary and as such must not be considered as
exhaustive and/or an alternative to the information contained in
the Owner Handbook, which you are recommended to read care-
fully in all cases. Always refer to the information in this chapter in
the event of a failure indication.
Low brake fluid level (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few sec-
onds. The warning light (or symbol on the display) comes
on when the level of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls below
the minimum level due to possible leaks in the circuit.
The display will show the dedicated message.
Handbrake on (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is turned to MAR,
but it should go off after a few seconds. The warning light (or sym-
bol on the display) comes on when the handbrake is on. If the
car is moving a buzzer is also triggered.
IMPORTANT If the warning light comes on with the vehicle in mo-
tion, check that the handbrake is not engaged.
x

12GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
EBD failure (red)/(amber)
If warning lights xand>are lit up at the same
time with the engine running, this indicates an EBD
system failure or that the system is not available. Ear-
ly locking of the rear wheels may occur in the event
of violent braking, causing the car to swerve.
Under these circumstances drive with extreme caution
straight to the nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service to
have the system checked. The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.x
>
Brake pad wear (amber)
The warning light (or symbol on the display) lights up
when the one or more brake pads show signs of wear;
under these circumstances have them replaced as soon
as possible. The display shows the dedicated message. It is advis-
able to have this operation carried out by an Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Service. d
ABS system failure (amber)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few sec-
onds. The warning light (or symbol on the display) lights
up when the system is inefficient. Under these circumstances the
braking system will work as normal without the extra performance
offered by the ABS system. Drive with caution and visit an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service at your earliest convenience. The display
will show the dedicated message.>

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR13
1
Airbag failure (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light stays on, glowing steadily, if there is a
failure in the air bag system. The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.¬
If, when the key is turned to MAR, the ¬warning
light does not come on or if it stays on with the ve-
hicle in motion (together with the message on the
display) there could be a failure in the safety systems; un-
der these circumstances the air bags or pretensioners may
not be activated in the event of an impact or, more rarely,
they could be activated accidentally. Contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service immediately to have the sys-
tem checked.
Failure of the ¬warning light is indicated by the
“warning light flashing for longer than the nor-
mal 4 seconds, thus signalling that the front pas-
senger airbag is deactivated. In addition, the airbag sys-
tem automatically disables the airbag on the passenger’s
side (both front and side airbags, for versions/markets,
where provided). In this case, warning light
¬may not
indicate a fault in the system. Contact an Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Service immediately to have the system checked.

14GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Passenger-side air bag/side bags
deactivated (amber)
The“warning light comes on when the front pas-
senger’s airbag and the side bags are disabled. With front
passenger airbag on, when the ignition key is turned to MAR, the
“warning light comes on steadily for several seconds, it flashes
for another few seconds and then it should go out.
“
Failure of the “warning light is indicated by the
¬warning light coming on. In addition, the airbag
system automatically disables the airbag on the
passenger’s side (both front and side airbags, where pro-
vided). Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service imme-
diately to have the system checked.
Seat belts unfastened (red)
This warning light remains on steadily with the vehi-
cle at a standstill when the driver’s seat belt is not
correctly fastened. The warning light will flash and a
buzzer will sound if the vehicle is in motion and the front seat belts
are not correctly fastened.
If you wish to permanently deactivate the S.B.R. (Seat Belt Re-
minder) system buzzer, please contact your nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service.
The system can be reactivated using the Set-up Menu.<
Low batter y charge (red)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go out as soon as the en-
gine has started (with the engine running at idle speed a brief de-
lay before going out is acceptable).
If the warning light (or symbol in the display) remains on constantly
or flashes, contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.w

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.

16GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Excessive engine coolant
temperature (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the engine is overheated. The dis-
play will show the dedicated message. If the warning light comes
on, proceed as follows:
❍during normal travel: stop the car, stop the engine and check
that the water level in the reservoir is not under the MIN line.
In this case, wait for a few minutes for the engine to cool down,
then slowly and carefully open the cap, top-up with coolant and
check that the level is between the MIN and MAX references
on the reservoir. Also check for leaks. If the warning light comes
on again at the next engine start-up, contact your nearest Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Service.
❍In the case of demanding use (e.g. towing trailers uphill or
car at full load): slow down and stop the car if the warning light
stays on. Stop for 2 or 3 minutes with the engine running and
slightly accelerated to favour better coolant circulation. Then
stop the engine. Check the correct fluid level as described pre-
viously.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is advisable to keep the
engine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes before switch-
ing it off.
u
Electric power steering failure (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few sec-
onds.
If the warning light (or symbol on the display) remains on, you will
not have steering assistance and the effort required to operate
the steering wheel will be increased. Steering is, however, possi-
ble. In this case contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice. The display will show the dedicated message.g
Start&Stop system deactivation
(amber)
The warning light comes on when the Start&Stop sys-
tem is deactivated by pressing the button on the auxil-
iary control panel next to the steering wheel. On some versions the
display shows the associated message.T

EOBD/injection system failure
(amber)
Under normal conditions, the warning light comes on
when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but should go off
as soon as the engine is started.
If the warning light remains on or comes on whilst driving, this
means that the injection system is not working properly; in partic-
ular, if the warning light comes on constantly, this indicates a mal-
function in the supply/ignition system that could cause excessive
exhaust emissions, a possible loss of performance, poor driveabil-
ity and high fuel consumption.
On certain versions the dedicated message is displayed.
Under these conditions, the vehicle can continue travelling at mod-
erate speed without demanding excessive effort from the engine.
Prolonged use of the car with the warning light on may cause dam-
age. Contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service as soon
as possible.
The warning light goes out after the fault is cleared, and the indi-
cation is stored in the system.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR17
1
Doors not closed correctly (red)
The warning light (or symbol on the display) lights up
when one or more doors or the boot tailgate are not
properly closed. A buzzer will sound when doors are open
and the car is moving. On some versions the warning light (or sym-
bol on the display) also lights up when the bonnet is not closed
correctly.´
Luggage compartment open
On some versions a message + symbol on the display
are shown when the luggage compartment is open.R
Bonnet open
On some versions a message + symbol on the display
are shown when the bonnet is open.S
U

18GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
VDC system (amber)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go out, or if it remains lit up when
driving, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service. On certain ver-
sions the dedicated message is displayed. If the warning light flash-
es when driving, this indicates that the VDC system is active.
ASR failure
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is turned to MAR,
but it should go off after a few seconds. If the warning light does
not go out, or if it remains lit up when driving, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service. On certain versions the dedicated mes-
sage is displayed.
If the warning light flashes when driving, this indicates that the ASR
system is active.
Hill Holder failure
This warning light comes on, on some versions together with the
*symbol and a message in the display, in the event of a Hill Hold-
er system failure. If this occurs, contact your nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service.
á
NOTE (this information applies to petrol
engine only)
If the warning light is flashing, this indicates that the catalytic
converter may be damaged.
If the warning light comes on intermittently, release the accelera-
tor pedal to lower the speed of the engine until the warning light
stops flashing; continue the journey at moderate speed, trying to
avoid driving conditions that may cause further flashing and con-
tact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service as soon as possible.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service as soon
as possible if the
Uwarning light does not light
up when the key is turned to MAR or if, while trav-
elling, the warning light comes on either steadily or blink-
ing (along with a message on the display). The opera-
tion of the warning light
Umay be checked by the traf-
fic police using specific devices. Follow the laws in force
in the country where you are driving.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR19
1
Alfa Romeo CODE/alarm system
failure (amber)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This warning light (or symbol on the display) comes
on (on some versions together with a message in the display) to
indicate the failure of the Alfa Romeo CODE or alarm system (for
versions/markets, where provided): if this occurs, contact your
nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service as soon as possible.
Break-in attempt
If this warning light flashes or, on some versions, if the symbol
appears in the display (together with the associated message) this
indicates a break-in attempt. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service as soon as possible.
Y
Glow plug preheating
(Diesel versions) (amber)
When the key is turned to MAR the warning light
comes on and it will go out when glow plugs reach the
preset temperature. The engine may be started immediately after
the warning light goes out.
IMPORTANT In mild or high temperature conditions, the warning
light comes on for a very short time only.m
Water in diesel fuel filter
(Diesel versions) (amber)
This warning light remains on constantly when driving
(together with a message in the display), to indicate the
presence of water in the diesel fuel filter.c
The presence of water in the fuel system circuit may
cause severe damage to the injection system and
irregular engine operation. If the
cwarning light
comes on in the instrument panel (together with a mes-
sage in the display) contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice as soon as possible to bleed the system. Water may
have been introduced into the tank if this indication ap-
pears immediately after refuelling: in this case switch off
the engine immediately and contact an Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Service.
Glowheater plugs preheating failure warning
light
(Diesel versions)
If this warning light flashes (on some versions together with a mes-
sage in the display), this indicates a failure in the glowheater plugs
preheating system. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
Provider as soon as possible to eliminate the fault.