heating Alfa Romeo MiTo 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR5
1
Dashboard............................................................................................... 7
Instrument panel and on-board instruments ................................................... 8
Display .................................................................................................... 26
Menu items.............................................................................................. 32
Trip Computer ........................................................................................... 42
Symbols .................................................................................................. 46
Alfa Romeo Code System ............................................................................ 46
The keys ................................................................................................. 47
Alarm ..................................................................................................... 53
Ignition device .......................................................................................... 55
Seats...................................................................................................... 56
Head restraints.......................................................................................... 59
Steering wheel......................................................................................... 60
Rearview mirrors ...................................................................................... 61
Climatic comfort........................................................................................ 63
Heating/climate control system .................................................................. 64
Two-zone automatic climate control system ................................................... 68
External lights .......................................................................................... 76
Window washing ...................................................................................... 79
Cruise Control ........................................................................................... 81
Courtesy lights ......................................................................................... 83
Controls.................................................................................................. 86

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

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.

64GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
HEATING/CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
CONTROLS fig. 31
A Air temperature adjustment knob
(red = hot/blue = cold);
B Fan activation/speed adjustment knob
p0 = fan off
1-2-3 = fan speed
4
-= maximum fan speed
C air distribution knob
¶air flow towards driver/passenger;
ßair flow towards driver/passenger and feet area;
©air flow towards front and rear feet area;
®air flow towards feet area and windscreen;
-air flow towards windscreen
D Air recirculation on/off button
E climate control on/off button
(only versions with manual climate control system)
F heated rear windscreen on/off button
A0J0074mfig. 31

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR65
1
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT VENTILATION
Proceed as follows to adjust the ventilation:
❍turn knob A to the blue section;
❍press button D to disable the air recirculation system (the LED
on the button should be off);
❍turn knob C to ¶;
❍turn knob B to the required speed.
CLIMATE CONTROL (cooling)
(only present on versions with manual
climate control)
Proceed as follows to cool the passenger compartment:
❍turn knob A to the blue section;
❍press button D to enable the air recirculation system (the LED
on the button should be on);
❍turn knob C to ¶;
❍press button E to switch on the climate control system and turn
knob B to at least 1 (1stspeed); to cool the passenger compart-
ment more quickly; turn knob B to 4
-(maximum fan speed).
Adjusting cooling
❍turn knob A to the right to increase the temperature;
❍press button D to disable the air recirculation system (the LED
on the button should be off);
❍turn knob B to reduce the fan speed.
WARMING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
Proceed as follows:
❍turn knob A to the red section;
❍turn knob C to the desired symbol;
❍turn knob B to the required speed;
Rapid heating
Proceed as follows to rapidly heat the passenger compartment:
❍turn knob A to the red section;
❍press button D to enable the air recirculation system;
❍turn knob C to ©;
❍turn knob B to 4 -(maximum fan speed).
Then use the controls to maintain the required comfort conditions
and press button D to turn air recirculation off (button led off)
and to prevent misting up.
IMPORTANT When the engine is cold, it takes a few minutes to ob-
tain fast heating.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR67
1
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
OF HEATED REAR WINDSCREEN
Press button F (() to activate/deactivate the function. The func-
tion is automatically deactivated after 20 minutes.
For versions/markets, where fitted, pressing the
(button also
activates the defrosting and defogging of the external rearview mir-
rors, the heated windscreen (where fitted) and the heated spray
nozzles (where fitted).
IMPORTANT Do not affix stickers to the inside of the rear window
over the heating filaments to avoid damage that might cause it
to stop working properly.
AIR RECIRCULATION
Press button D (T) so that the LED on the button lights up. It
is advisable to switch air recirculation on while standing in traffic
or in tunnels to prevent the introduction of polluted air.
Do not use the function for a long time, particularly if there are many
passengers on board, to prevent the windows from misting up.
IMPORTANT The air recirculation system makes it possible to reach
the required “heating” or “cooling” conditions faster. Do not use
the air recirculation function on rainy/cold days as it would con-
siderably increase the possibility of the windows misting inside.
LOOKING AFTER THE SYSTEM
Run the climate control system for at least 10 minutes every month
during the winter. Have the system checked by an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service before the summer.

70GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
During automatic operation the set temperatures, the air distribu-
tion and fan speed can be changed at any time using the corre-
sponding buttons or knobs: the system will automatically change
the settings to adapt to the new request.
During fully automatic operation (FULL AUTO), the word FULL will
disappear if the air distribution, air speed, compressor and/or re-
circulation settings are changed.
In this way the climate control system will continue to automati-
cally manage all functions except for those that have been man-
ually adjusted. There is only one fan speed in all the areas of the
passenger compartment.
ADJUSTING THE AIR TEMPERATURE
Turn knob N or H to the right or left to adjust the air temperature:
knob N for the front left-hand area, knob H for the front right-
hand area of the passenger compartment.
The set temperatures are shown on the display.
Press the MONO button to align the air temperature between the
two areas: to set the same temperature turn knob N.
To return to separate management of air temperature and distrib-
ution between the two areas, turn knob N or H or press the MONO
button once again (the LED on the button should be lit up).
Turn the knobs fully clockwise or counter-clockwise to engage re-
spectively HI (maximum heating) or LO (maximum cooling). To
deactivate these functions, rotate the temperature knob to the
desired temperature.
SWITCHING ON THE CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
The system can be switched on in several ways: we recommend
pressing one of the AUTO buttons and turning the knob to the re-
quired temperature. It is also possible to select different tempera-
tures for the driver and passenger side to a maximum temperature
difference of 7°C.
In this way the system operates completely automatically to ad-
just the temperature, quantity and distribution of the air introduced
into the passenger compartment. It also manages the air recircu-
lation system and the enablement of the air conditioning com-
pressor.
Manual intervention is only required for the following functions dur-
ing fully automatic operation:
❍MONO, to align the air temperature and distribution set on
the passenger’s side with that on the driver’s side;
❍Tair recirculation (to keep it always on or always off);
❍-to speed up demisting/defrosting of windscreen, rear win-
dow and external rearview mirrors;
❍(to demist/defrost the heated rear windscreen and door mir-
rors.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR73
1
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM COMPRESSOR
Press button B to activate/deactivate the compressor. The deacti-
vation of the climate control compressor remains in the system
memory even when the engine has been stopped.
When the compressor is switched off the system deactivates air re-
circulation to prevent the windows from misting up. In this case,
although the system is capable of maintaining the required tem-
perature, the word FULL will disappear from the display. If, how-
ever, the system is unable to maintain the required temperature,
the temperature indication flashes and the word AUTO disappears.
IMPORTANT With the climate control compressor off, it is not pos-
sible to admit air into the passenger compartment with a temper-
ature below the outside temperature; moreover, under certain en-
vironmental conditions the windows could mist up very quickly since
the air cannot be dehumidified.
To restore automatic control for switching on the climate control
compressor, press button B again or press the AUTO button.
AIR RECIRCULATION
Air recirculation works according to the following operating logics:
❍automatic engagement: press one of the AUTO buttons. En-
gagement is indicated by the word AUTO appearing on the
display;
❍forced engagement (air recirculation always on): this is indi-
cated by the LED on button C lighting up and by the symbol
íappearing on the display;
❍forced disengagement (air recirculation always off, air drawn
from the outside): this is indicated by the LED on button C go-
ing out and by the symbol
êappearing on the display; Forced
engagement/disengagement can be selected by pressing but-
ton C.
IMPORTANT The air recirculation system makes it possible to reach
the required heating/cooling conditions faster.
It is, however, inadvisable to use it on rainy/cold days as it would
considerably increase the possibility of the windows misting up in-
side (especially if the climate control system is off).
When the outside temperature is low, recirculation is forced off (air
drawn from the outside) to prevent the windows misting up. In au-
tomatic operation, inside air recirculation is controlled automatically
by the system according to outside environmental conditions.
When manual recirculation is set, the word FULL disappears from
the display and AUTO disappears from the icon.
It is advisable not to use the air recirculation func-
tion when the outside temperature is low to pre-
vent the windows from rapidly misting up.

74GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
IMPORTANT the MAX-DEF function remains on for approximately
3 minutes from the moment the engine coolant reaches a suitable
temperature.
When the function is engaged the words FULL AUTO disappear from
the display. With the function activated the only possible manual
adjustments are the regulation of the fan speed and the disen-
gagement of the heated rear windscreen.
Pressing buttons B, C, F or AUTO switches off the MAX-DEF func-
tion and restores the previous settings.
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
OF HEATED REAR WINDSCREEN
Press button G to activate heated rear windscreen demist-
ing/defrosting. This function switches off automatically after about
20 minutes or when the engine is turned off. It is not switched
on automatically the next time the engine is started.
For versions/markets, where fitted, pressing the
(button also
activates the defrosting and defogging of the external rearview mir-
rors, the heated windscreen (where fitted) and the heated spray
nozzles (where fitted).
IMPORTANT Do not affix stickers to the inside of the rear window
over the heating filaments, to avoid damage that might cause them
to stop working properly. With climate control compressor off:
❍if the outside temperature is higher than the set one, the sys-
tem will not be able to satisfy the request. The temperature
value will then flash on the display for a few seconds and the
word AUTO will disappear;
❍the fan speed can be manually reset.
With the compressor on and the engine running, the fan speed can-
not be lower than one bar on the display.
RAPID WINDOW DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
(MAX-DEF function)
Press button F to activate rapid windscreen and side window demist-
ing/defrosting. The climate control system carries out the follow-
ing operations:
❍switches on the climate control compressor when climatic con-
ditions allow;
❍disables air recirculation;
❍sets maximum air temperature (HI) in both areas;
❍engages the fan at a speed based on the engine coolant tem-
perature;
❍directs air flow to the windscreen and front side window vents;
❍switches on the heated rear windscreen.

SAFETY135
2
PRETENSIONERS
The vehicle is equipped with front seat belt pretensioners, which
draw back the seat belts by several centimetres in the event of a
strong frontal impact. This guarantees the perfect adherence of the
seat belts to the occupant’s bodies before the retention action be-
gins.
The activation of the pretensioners can be detected from the re-
traction of the belt towards the reel.
The vehicle also features a second pretensioning device (fitted near
the kick plate): The activation of this device is indicated by the
shortening of the metal cable.
A small amount of smoke may be produced during the activation
of the pretensioners. This smoke is in no way toxic and does not
indicate an outbreak of fire.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest degree of protection from the ac-
tion of the pretensioning device, wear the seat belt, keeping it close
to the chest and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any maintenance or greasing:
anything that modifies its original condition invalidates its efficiency.
If, due to unusual natural events (floods, sea storms, etc.), the de-
vice has been affected by water and mud, it must be replaced.
The pretensioner can only be used once.
Once it has activated contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service Provider to have it replaced.
The expiry date of the device is shown on the label in the
glove compartment: Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service Provider when the time comes to replace the de-
vice.
Operations which lead to shocks, vibrations or lo-
calised heating (over 100
°C for a maximum of 6
hours) in the area around the pretensioners may
damage or trigger them. These devices are not affected
by vibrations caused by irregularities of the road surface
or low obstacles such as kerbs, etc. Contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service Provider for any assistance.
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger’s safety, the front seat belt reels contain a
load limiter which allows controlled sag in such a way as to dose
the force acting on the chest and shoulders during the belt restraining
action in case of front crash.