Alfa Romeo MiTo 2013 Owner handbook (in English)

PRETENSIONERSThe car is equipped with front seat belt pretensioners, which draw
back the seat belts by several centimetres in the event of a violent
frontal impact. This guarantees the perfect adherence of the seat belts
to the occupants’ bodies before the restraining action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have been activated when the belt
withdraws towards the reel.
The car is also equipped with a second pretensioner (in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be produced during the activation of
the pretensioner. This is not harmful and does not indicate the start
of a fire.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest degree of protection from the action
of the pretensioner, wear the seat belt tight to the chest and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will invalidate its efficiency. If, due
to exceptional natural events (floods, sea storms, etc.), the device
has been affected by water and mud, it must be replaced.
LOAD LIMITERSTo increase protection, the front seat belt reels contain a load limiter
which controls the force acting on the chest and shoulders during
the belt restraining action in the event of a head-on collision.
The pretensioner may be used only once. Once it has
been activated, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have it replaced. Consult the plate in the
glove compartment to check the status of the device. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to have the device replaced when
the expiration date approaches.Operations which lead to knocks, vibrations or localised
heating (over 100°C for a maximum of 6 hours) in the area
around the pretensioners may cause 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 Alfa Romeo Authorized Services for any assistance necessary.
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
THE SEAT BELTSComply with (and ensure that all the other occupants of the car comply
with) the local laws in force regarding the use of seat belts. Always
fasten the seat belts before starting off.
Seat belts must also be worn by pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the event of an accident is reduced for them and the unborn child if
they are wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the lower part of the belt very low
down so that it passes over the pelvis and under the abdomen fig. 93.
The belt must not be twisted. The upper part must pass over the
shoulder and cross the chest diagonally. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis fig. 94, not to the abdomen. Never use devices (clips, pegs,
etc.) to hold the seat belt away from your body.
For maximum protection, keep the backrest upright,
lean back into it and make sure the seat belt fits
closely across your chest and pelvis. Always fasten the
seat belts on both the front and the rear seats! Travelling without
wearing seat belts will increase the risk of serious injury and
even death in the event of an accident.
fig. 93
A0J0094
fig. 94
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Each seat belt must be used by only one person. Never travel with a
child sitting on a passenger’s lap and a single belt to protect them both
fig. 95. In general, do not place any objects between the person and
belt.
Removing or otherwise tampering with safety belt and
pretensioner components is strictly prohibited. Any
operations on these components must be performed by
qualified and authorised technicians. Always contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.If the belt has been subjected to high levels of stress,
for example after an accident, it should be changed
completely together with the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the pretensioner. In fact, even if the belt has no
visible defects, it may have lost its resilience.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE❒Always use the belt with the strap well stretched and never twisted;
make sure that it is free to run without obstructions;
❒replace the belt after an accident of a certain severity even if it does
not appear to be damaged. Always replace the belt if the
pretensioners were deployed;
❒hand wash the seat belts with water and neutral soap, rinse and
leave to dry in the shade. Do not use strong detergents, bleach,
colourants or any other substance which could damage the belt
fibres;
❒prevent the reels from getting wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get inside;
❒replace the seat belt when there is wear or cuts.
fig. 95
A0J0096
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CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYFor optimal protection in the event of a collision, all passengers must
be seated and wearing adequate restraint systems. This is even more
important for children.
This prescription is compulsory in all EC countries according to EC
Directive 2003/20/EC. Compared with adults, a child's head is
proportionally larger and heavier than the rest of the body, while
muscles and bone structure are not fully developed. Therefore, correct
restraint systems are necessary which are different from adult seat
belts.
Over 1.50 m in height, from the point of view of restraint systems,
children are considered as adults and wear the seat belts normally.
The results of research in relation to the best protection for children is
summarised in European Regulation EEC-R44, which divides the
restraint systems into five groups in addition to making their use
compulsory:Group Weight groups
Group0 upto10kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kgAll restraint devices must bear the type-approval data along with the
control mark on a label firmly secured to the child seat which must
never be removed.Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes child seats for each weight group.
These devices are recommended having been specifically tested for
Alfa Romeo cars.
Do not arrange cradle child seats facing backwards if
the front passenger side airbag is enabled.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause
fatal injuries to the baby regardless of the severity of the
collision. It is advisable to always carry children in a child seat on
the rear seat, which is the most protected position in the event
of a collision.Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
front seat in a backwards-facing cradle seat, the
passenger's front and side air bags must be deactivated
through the Setup menu. Deactivation should be verified by
checking the
warning light on the instrument panel.
The passenger seat must also be slid back as far as possible in order
to avoid the child seat from coming into contact with the dashboard.
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FITTING “UNIVERSAL” CHILD
SEAT (with seat belts)GROUP 0 and 0+Babies up to 13 kg must be carried facing backwards on a cradle seat,
which, supporting the head, does not induce stress on the neck in the
event of sharp deceleration.
The cradle is restrained by the car seat belts, as shown in fig. 96 and it
must restrain the child in turn with its own belts.
GROUP 1From 9 kg to 18 kg in weight, children may be carried facing forwards
fig. 97.
The figures are only examples for fitting purposes. Fit
the child seat according to the instructions, which must
be included with the seat itself.Child seats with Isofix attachments are available,
which allow them to be secured to the seat safely
without using the car seat belts.
fig. 96
A0J0097
fig. 97
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GROUP 2Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the car seat belts directly fig. 98.
The child seat is needed only to position the child correctly with respect
to the belts, so that the diagonal section crosses the child’s chest and
never the neck, and the horizontal section is snug on the pelvis, not the
abdomen.
GROUP 3For children from 22 kg up to 36 kg suitable risers are available to
position the seat belt correctly.
fig. 99 shows an example of correct child seat positioning on the rear
seat.
The figures are only examples for fitting purposes. Fit
the child seat according to the instructions, which must
be included with the seat itself.
fig. 98
A0J0099
fig. 99
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SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR UNIVERSAL CHILD SEAT USEThe car complies with the new European Directive 2000/3/EC which governs the arrangement possibilities for child restraints on the various seats
of the car as shown in the following table:Group Weight groups Front passengerRear side and central
passenger
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kg
UU
Group 1 9-18 kg
UU
Group 2 15-25 kg
UU
Group 3 22-36 kg
UU
U= Suitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category, according to European Standard EEC-R44 for the specified "Groups".
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Main safety rules to be followed
when carrying children❒Install the child seats on the rear seat, which is the most protected
position in the event of an accident;
❒if the front passenger airbag is deactivated always check the
warning light on the instrument panel to make sure that it has
actually been deactivated.
❒Follow the instructions supplied with the child seat itself, which the
manufacturer must provide. Keep the instructions in the car along
with the other documents and this handbook. Do not use child seats
without instructions;
❒always check that the seat belt is well fastened by pulling on it;
❒only one child is to be strapped into each retaining system; never
carry two children using one child seat;
❒always check that the belts do not rest on the child’s neck;
❒while travelling, do not let the child sit incorrectly or release the
belts;
❒never carry children on your lap, even newborns. No-one could
restrain them in the event of an accident;
❒in the event of an accident, replace the child seat with a new one.
PREPARATION FOR “ISOFIX”
CHILD SEATThe car can be fitted with a Universal Isofix child seat, a new European
standardised system for carrying children safely.
Isofix systems can be fitted alongside traditional child seats.
fig. 100
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An example of a Universal Isofix child seat for weight group 1 is
shown in fig. 100.
The other weight groups are covered by the specific Isofix child seat,
which can be used only if specifically designed, tested and approved
for this car (see car list provided with the child seat).
IMPORTANT The central rear seat is not approved for any type of Isofix
child seatsINSTALLING A UNIVERSAL ISOFIX
CHILD SEATProceed as follows:
❒secure the child seat to the dedicated lower metal rings A fig. 101,
positioned between the backrest and the cushion of the rear seat;
❒fix the upper belt (available together with the seat) to the special
attachments B fig. 102 located in the rear part of the backrest.Traditional systems can be fitted alongside “Universal Isofix” child
seats. Remember that, when using a "Universal Isofix" child seat, you
can only use type-approved seats with the marking ECE R44/03
“Universal Isofix”.
The Universal Isofix “Duo Plus” child seat and the specific “G 0/1” seat
are available from Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo.
For further details on child seat installation and/or use, refer to the
instruction manual provided with the child seat.
Fit the child seat only when the car is stationary. The
child seat is correctly secured to the brackets when you
hear the click. Follow the instructions for fitting,
removing and positioning that the manufacturer must supply
with the child seat.
fig. 101
A0J0092
fig. 102
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SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR ISOFIX CHILD SEAT USEThe table below shows the various installation possibilities for Isofix child seats on seats fitted with Isofix attachments in accordance with European
standard ECE 16.Weight group Child seat position Isofix size classRear passenger
left side right side
Portable cradleFacing backwards F
XX
Facing backwards G
XX
Group 0 up to 10 kg Facing backwards E
XX
Group 0+ up to 13 kgFacing backwards E
XX
Facing backwards D
XX
Facing backwards C
XX
Group 1 from 9 up toFacing backwards D
XX
Facing backwards C
XX
Facing forwards B
IUF IUF
Facing forwards BI
IUF IUF
Facing forwards A
XX
X: Isofix position not suitable for child seats in this weight group and/or size class.
IUF: Suitable for Isofix restraint systems to be positioned facing forwards, universal class (fitted with third upper mounting), type-approved forthe relevant weight
group.
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18 kg