gearbox Alfa Romeo MiTo 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR7
1DASHBOARD
The presence and position of controls, instruments and gauges may vary according to different versions.
1. Air vent for side windows - 2. Adjustable air vent - 3. Exterior lighting control lever - 4. Instrument panel - 5. Windscreen wiper/rearscreen
wiper/trip computer control lever - 6. Radio (for versions/markets, where provided) - 7. Adjustable air vents - 8. Hazard warning lights,
door lock/unlock button - 9. Passenger front air bag - 10. Glove compartment - 11. Heating/ventilation/climate control system controls
12. Gearbox lever - 13. “Alfa DNA” system - 14. Ignition device - 15. Driver front knee air bag (for versions/markets, where provided)
16. Driver front air bag - 17. Cruise Control lever (for versions/markets, where provided) - 18. Fuse box access flap - 19. Control panel.
A0J0330mfig. 1

108GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
This is an electronic system that controls car stability in the event
of tyre grip loss.
The VDC system also includes the following systems:
❍Hill Holder
❍ASR
❍Brake Assist
❍MSR
❍CBC
❍“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❍DST
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is indicated by the áwarning light flashing in the instru-
ment panel: this indicates that the vehicle is in critical stability
and tyre grip conditions.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The VDC system switches on automatically each time the engine
is started and cannot be switched off.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the VDC system and it is provided
to facilitate starting on slopes.
It is activated automatically in the following instances:
❍uphill: car at a standstill on a road with a gradient higher than
5%, engine running, clutch and brake pedal pressed, gearbox
to neutral or engaged gear other than reverse;
❍downhill: car at a standstill on a road with a gradient higher
than 5%, engine running, clutch and brake pedal pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
At take-off the VDC system control unit will keep brake force on
the wheels until reaching the torque suitable for starting, or in
any case for 1 second in order to move easily from the brake ped-
al to the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the system will de-
activate automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A
sound may be heard during this stage: this indicates that the ve-
hicle is about to move off.
IMPORTANT the Hill Holder system should not be used as a hand-
brake. Do not leave the vehicle without having engaged the hand-
brake, switched off the engine and engaged a gear.

114GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
NoteThe engine automatic stop is allowed only after having run
at about 10 km/h, to prevent repeated engine stops when driving
at a very slow speed. The engine stopping is signalled by display-
ing the
Usymbol in fig. 71.
Engine re-starting mode
To restart the engine, press the clutch pedal.
SYSTEM MANUAL ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION
To activate/deactivate the system, press the button fig. 72 on
the trim next to the steering wheel. When the system is deacti-
vated, the
Uwarning light in the instrument panel switches on.
For versions/markets, where fitted, a message plus a symbol on
the display may appear in the event of activation/deactivation of
the system.
START&STOP SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The Start&Stop system stops the engine automatically when the
vehicle stops and starts it again when the driver wants to resume
driving. In this way, the vehicle efficiency is increased, by reduc-
ing consumption, dangerous gas emissions and sound pollution.
The system is active every time the engine is started.
OPERATING MODE
Engine stopping mode
With stopped vehicle, the engine stops with gearbox in neutral and
released clutch pedal.
fig. 71A0J0279mfig. 72A0J0247m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR115
1
ENGINE FAILED STOPPING CONDITIONS
When the system is operating, due to comfort, emission control
and safety reasons, the engine could not stop in some conditions,
among which:
❍still cold engine;
❍especially cold outside temperature;
❍insufficiently charged battery;
❍operating heated rear window;
❍windscreen-wiper operating at max. speed;
❍particulate filter (DPF) regeneration in progress (only for Diesel
engines);
❍open driver's door;
❍unfastened driver's seat belt;
❍engaged reverse (for example during parking manoeuvres);
❍for versions equipped with dual zone automatic climate control
(for versions/markets, where provided), if an adequate level
of thermal comfort has not been reached or MAX-DEF func-
tion activation;
❍during the first utilization period, for the system initialisation.
In these cases, the display shows a message and - for those ver-
sions/markets where it has been fitted - the
Usymbol on the
display flashes.
ENGINE RESTARTING CONDITIONS
Due to comfort, emission control and safety reasons, the engine
can be restarted automatically without any intervention by the
driver, under special conditions, such as:
❍insufficiently charged battery;
❍windscreen-wiper operating at max. speed;
❍low vacuum in the braking system (for example after repeat-
ed actions on the brake pedal);
❍moving vehicle (for example while driving downhills);
❍engine stopping by Start&Stop system for over 3 minutes;
❍for versions equipped with dual zone automatic climate control
(for versions/markets where provided), to enable suitable ther-
mal comfort or MAX-DEF function activation.
With engaged gear, the engine automatic restarting is possible
only by fully pressing the clutch pedal. The driver is informed by
the displaying of a message and - for versions/markets where it
has been fitted - by the flashing of the
Usymbol on the display.
Notes
If the clutch is not pressed, after 3 minutes from the engine stop-
ping, the engine can be restarted only by the ignition key.
In case of undesired engine stopping conditions, for example as a
result of sudden clutch pedal release with engaged gear, if the
Start&Stop system is active, the engine can be restarted by fully
pressing the clutch pedal or placing the gearbox in neutral.
If temperature comfort is to be preferred, deac-
tivate the Start&Stop system to make the climate
control system work continuously

118GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
EMERGENCY STARTING
(with Start&Stop system with dummy pole)
(for versions/markets where provided)
In case of vehicle jump starting, never connect the negative cable
(–) of the auxiliary battery to the negative pole B - fig. 75 of the
vehicle battery, rather to the dummy pole A or to an en-
gine/gearbox earth point.
fig. 75A0J0251m
EMERGENCY STARTING
(with Start&Stop system without dummy pole)
(for versions/markets where provided)
When jump starting, never connect the negative lead (–) of the
auxiliary battery to the negative pole A - fig. 76 of the car bat-
tery, but rather to an engine/gearbox earth point.
fig. 76A0J0323m

STARTING UP AND DRIVING153
3
Starting the engine................................................................................ 154
Parking ............................................................................................... 156
Using of the gearbox ............................................................................. 157
Saving fuel.......................................................................................... 158
Towing trailers...................................................................................... 160
Snow tyres .......................................................................................... 161
Snow chains ......................................................................................... 162
Car inactivity......................................................................................... 162

154STARTING 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
Uwarning
light, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the warn-
ing light remains on, try using the other keys provided with the
car. If you are still unable to start the engine carry out the emer-
gency starting procedure (see “Emergency Start-up” in chap-
ter 4) and contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service 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.
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.

STARTING UP AND DRIVING157
3
USING THE GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and shift the
gear lever into one of the required positions (the diagram for en-
gaging the gears is shown on the knob (fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4).
In models with 6 gears, to engage 6
thgear, move the gearstick
to the right to avoid changing into 4thby mistake. The same goes
for changing from 6thto 5th.
To engage reverse (R) from neutral, lift ring A up (fig. 2, fig. 3,
fig. 4) from beneath the knob and at the same time:
❍shift the gearstick to the left then forward on 1.4 Turbo Petrol
155HP, 1.4 Turbo Multi Air 170HP Quadrifoglio Verde and
1.6 JTD
Mversions;
❍shift the gearstick to the right then back on 1.4 Petrol,
1.4 Turbo Petrol 120HP, 1.4 Multi Air, 1.4 Turbo Multi Air and
1.3 JTD
M-2versions.
fig. 2 1.4 Petrol, 1.4 Multi Air versionsA0J0265mfig. 4 1.4 Turbo Benzina 120HP,
1.4 Turbo Multi Air, 1.3 JTDM-2versions
A0J0267m
fig. 3 1.4 Turbo Benzina 155HP,
1.4 Turbo Multi Air 170HP Quadrifoglio Verde, 1.6 JTDMversions
A0J0266m

158STARTING UP AND DRIVING
SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may help you to save fuel and
lower the amount of toxic emissions released into the atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled servicing plan”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly, at least once every four weeks: ex-
cessively low pressure will increase fuel consumption because rolling
resistance will be higher.
Unnecessar y loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of the car and
its ride setting greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears cor-
rectly. For this reason, there must be no obstacles
on the floor under the pedals: ensure that any rub-
ber mats are correctly positioned, and do not interfere
with the pedals
Do not drive with your hand resting on the gear
lever, because this pressure, even if light, can wear
out the gearbox internal components over time.
IMPORTANT Reverse may only be engaged when the car is at a
standstill. With the engine on, wait at least 3 seconds with the
clutch pressed down before engaging reverse gear to prevent it
from scraping.

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.);