Power Alfa Romeo MiTo 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

REFUELLING
Petrol engines: only use unleaded petrol with an octane
value (RON) of no lower than 95.
Diesel engines: only use diesel fuel compliant with European
specification EN590. The use of other products or mixtures may
damage the engine beyond repair and consequently invalidate the
warranty.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Petrol engines: make sure that the handbrake is
engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fully depress the
clutch pedal without pressing the accelerator, then turn the
ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has
started.
Diesel engines: turn the ignition key to MAR and wait for the
warning lights to go out; Ythenmturn the ignition key to AVV
and release it as soon as the engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter reaches high temperatures
during operation. Do not park on grass, dry leaves,
pine needles or other flammable material: fire risk.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The car is fitted with a system that carries out a
continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components
in order to help protect the environment.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If after having purchased your car you decide to add
accessories requiring electrical power (that may
otherwise cause the battery to gradually lose power),
please consult an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service. They
can calculate the overall electrical requirement and
check that the car’s electrical system can support the
required load
CODE CARD(for versions/markets, where provided)
Keep this in a safe place, not in the car. We
recommend that you always carry the electronic code
provided on the CODE card with you, in case you need
to perform an emergency start.
PROGRAMMED MAINTENANCE
Correct car maintenance is essential to ensure that the
performance, safety features, environmental
friendliness and low running costs stay in tip-top
condition over the years.
THE OWNER HANDBOOK CONTAINS…
... important information, tips and warnings on the
correct use and maintenance of your car over time as
well as safe driving. Particular attention should be paid
to information marked with the following symbols:
"(personal safety) #(environmental protection) â(car
integrity).
READ THIS CAREFULLY!
K



6GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Interior fittings...................................................................................... 89
Electric sunroof ..................................................................................... 92
Doors .................................................................................................. 95
Electric windows................................................................................... 96
Luggage compartment........................................................................... 99
Bonnet................................................................................................ 103
Roof rack/ski rack ................................................................................ 104
Headlights ........................................................................................... 105
ABS system ......................................................................................... 107
VDC system ......................................................................................... 108
“Alfa DNA” system................................................................................. 111
Start&Stop system ................................................................................ 114
Dynamic Suspension.............................................................................. 119
EOBD system ....................................................................................... 120
Electric power steering ........................................................................... 120
Radio wiring system .............................................................................. 121
Wiring for navigation system................................................................... 122
Installation of electrical/electronic devices................................................. 122
Parking sensors.................................................................................... 123
T.P.M.S. system .................................................................................... 126
At the filling station ............................................................................... 129
Protecting the environment ..................................................................... 130

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

90GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
POWER SOCKETS (for versions/markets, where provided)
These are located on the central tunnel A-fig. 48 and on the left-hand side
of the luggage compartment B-fig. 48. They are only enabled with the ig-
nition key turned to MAR. If you require the smokers kit , the socket on
the central tunnel is replaced with a cigar lighter (see following paragraph).CIGAR LIGHTER fig. 49
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This is located on the central tunnel. Press button A to activate
the cigar lighter. After a few seconds the button goes back to its
initial position, and the cigar lighter is ready for use.
IMPORTANT Always check that the cigar lighter has turned off.
fig. 48A0J0068m
The cigar lighter becomes very hot. Handle with
care. The device must not be used by children: risk
of fire and/or burns.
fig. 49A0J0069m

94GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
ROOF CLOSING SAFETY DEVICES
(anti-crush function)
The anti-crush safety system, which conforms to Directive
2000/4/CE, is activated during the horizontal and vertical clos-
ing stage of the panel after an obstacle is encountered (e.g. fin-
ger, hand):
❍during the horizontal closing movement it is activated for the
entire travel and after an obstacle is encountered at the front
of the glass panel the movement is reversed;
❍during the vertical closing movement it is activated and after
an obstacle is encountered at the back of the glass panel the
movement is reversed until the spoiler position is reached.
The possibility of crushing from inside the passenger compartment
in the side areas of the panel is prevented through the adoption
of side guards that deny access to the risk areas.
IMPORTANT The anti-crush safety system is deactivated by press-
ing button B-fig. 53 continuously.
MAINTENANCE/EMERGENCY
In case of emergency or maintenance the roof can be moved man-
ually when there is no power supply (opening/closing of the front
glass panel) by carrying out the following operations:
❍remove the protective cap A-fig. 55 located in the middle of
the roof;
❍take the Allen key B supplied which can be found together with
the on board documentation;
❍introduce the key into housing C and turn it:
– clockwise, to open the roof;
– anti-clockwise, to close the roof.
fig. 55A0J0328m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR95
1DOORS
DOOR CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING
Locking from the outside
With the doors closed press button Áon the remote control or
turn the metal insert (located inside the key) in the driver-side door
lock. Locking is signalled by the LED on button A-fig. 56 coming
on.
Door locking is activated:
❍when all the doors are closed;
❍when all the doors are closed and the luggage compartment
is open;
fig. 56A0J0030m
Door unlocking from the outside
Press button Ëon the remote control or turn the metal insert (lo-
cated inside the key) in the driver-side door lock.
Door locking/unlocking from the inside
Press button A. The button is equipped with an LED that indicates
the vehicle status (doors locked or unlocked).
LED lit up: doors locked. Press button A once again to centrally
unlock all doors. The LED will go out.
LED off: doors unlocked. Press button A once again to centrally lock
all doors. The doors will be locked only if all doors are closed.
Once the doors have been locked via the remote control or the key
pawl, it will no longer be possible to unlock them by pressing but-
ton A.
IMPORTANT When the central locking system is on, lifting the in-
terior opening lever of one of the doors causes the door to unlock
(in the case of the passenger door, the led on button A-fig. 56 re-
mains lit).
If there is no power (blown fuse, battery disconnected, etc.) the
doors can still be locked manually.

98GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Electric window system initialisation
The safety system must be re-initialised after disconnecting the bat-
tery or if the relevant protection fuse is blown.
Initialisation procedure:
❍fully close the window to be initialised manually;
❍after the window has reached the upper end of travel, hold the
up button pressed for at least one second.
IMPORTANT For versions/markets where provided, following the
disconnection of the power supply (replacing or disconnecting the
battery or replacing the protection fuse for the electric windows
control units), the automatic setting for the electric windows must
be reset.The reset operation should be carried out with the doors closed
according to the following procedure:
1. completely lower the driver-side window and keep the button
pressed for at least 3 seconds once the end of travel position
has been reached;
2. completely raise the driver-side window and keep the button
pressed for at least 3 seconds once the end of travel position
has been reached;
3. repeat stages 1 and 2 for the passenger-side window
4. check that the initialisation has taken place correctly by check-
ing the automatic operation of the windows.
IMPORTANT With central locking on, operating the internal handle
of one of the doors will unlock all the doors. If there is no power
(blown fuse, battery disconnected, etc.) the doors can still be locked
manually. As in this case the automatic window opening function
is not available, to open or close the door with the window closed,
apply pressure to the window towards the vehicle interior (see fig.
58), to aid the passage of the window against the trim.
fig. 58A0J0170m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR109
1
ASR SYSTEM (AntiSlip Regulation)
This is an integral part of the VDC system. It automatically cuts in
in the event of one or both drive wheels slipping, loss of grip on
wet roads (aquaplaning) and acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy
roads etc.
According to slipping conditions, two different control systems are
activated:
❍if slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR function inter-
venes by reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
❍if the slipping involves only one drive wheel, the ASR system
intervenes by automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.
If the spare wheel is in use the ASR system does
not work. in this case the
áwarning light will come
on in the instrument panel.
In order for the ESP and ASR systems to operate
correctly, it is essential that the tyres are of the
same brand and type on all wheels, in perfect con-
dition and, above all, of the specified type, brand and size.
If the spare wheel is used, the VDC system keeps
operating. Be aware however that the spare wheel,
being smaller than the original wheel, provides less
grip.
The performance of the VDC and ASR systems
should not encourage the driver to take unneces-
sary risks. Your driving style should always take
road conditions, visibility and traffic into account. The dri-
ver is ultimately responsible for road safety.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR117
1
CAR INACTIVITY
(with Start&Stop system with dummy pole)
(for versions/markets where provided)
In case of vehicle inactivity conditions, pay special attention to
the disconnection of the battery power supply. The procedure must
be made by disconnecting the quick release negative terminal
A-fig. 73 from the dummy negative pole B, as the battery nega-
tive pole C has a sensor D for battery condition monitoring that
must never be disconnected (unless the battery is replaced).
CAR INACTIVITY
(with Start&Stop system without dummy pole)
(for versions/markets where provided)
In case of car inactivity, special attention must be paid due to the
disconnection of the battery power supply. Proceed as follows:
detach the connector A-fig. 74 (by pressing button B) from sen-
sor C for monitoring the battery status installed on the battery neg-
ative pole D. This sensor should never be disconnected from the
pole except if the battery is replaced.
fig. 73A0J0249m
In case of battery replacement, always contact
Alfa Romeo Authorised Service. Replace the bat-
tery using a new one of the same type (HEAVY
DUTY) and having the same specifications.
fig. 74A0J0207m

120GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
This only works with the key turned to MAR and the engine start-
ed. Power steering allows the force required at the steering wheel
to adapt to driving conditions.
The different power assistance modes can be selected via the d,n,a
positions of the“Alfa DNA System” lever (see paragraph “Alfa DNA
System”).
EOBD SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The aim of the EOBD system (European On Board Diagnosis) is to:
❍keep the system efficiency under control;
❍indicate an increase in emissions;
❍indicate the need to replace deteriorated components.
The vehicle also has a diagnostic connector that can be interfaced
with appropriate tools, which makes it possible to read the error
codes stored in the electronic control units together with a series
of specific parameters for engine operation and diagnosis. This check
can also be carried out by the traffic police.
IMPORTANT After eliminating a fault, to check the system com-
pletely, Alfa Romeo Authorised Services are obliged to run tests
and, if necessary, road tests which may also call for a long journey.
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-
market operation involving steering system or
steering column modifications (e.g.: installation of
anti-theft device). This could badly affect performance and
safety, invalidate the warranty and also result in the non-
compliance of the car with approval requirements.
Before carrying out any maintenance operation
switch off the engine and remove the ignition key
to activate the steering lock. This is particularly im-
portant if the vehicle’s wheels are raised from the ground.