maintenance Alfa Romeo MiTo 2014 Owners Manual

HEADLIGHTSLIGHT BEAM DIRECTIONThe correct orientation of the headlights is important for the driver's
comfort and safety as well as for all other road users. This is also
covered by a specific rule of the highway code.
The headlights must be correctly aligned to ensure the best visibility
conditions for yourself and others when driving with lights on. To check
and, if necessary, adjust, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT CORRECTORThis device works with the ignition key in the MAR position and the
dipped headlights on.
Headlight alignment adjustment
To adjust, press the
and
fig. 72 fig. 73 buttons. The adjustment
position is shown on the display.
Position 0
: one or two occupants in the front seats.
Position 1
: 4 people.
Position 2
: 4 people + load in luggage compartment.
Position 3
: driver + maximum permitted load stowed in the luggage
compartment.
IMPORTANT Check the alignment every time that the load carried
changes.
FOG LIGHT ALIGNMENT(for versions/markets, where provided)
To check and, if necessary, adjust, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.
fig. 72
A0J0305
fig. 73 - Versions with Start&Stop system
A0J0306
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ADJUSTING THE HEADLIGHTS ABROADThe dipped headlights are aligned to comply with the regulations of
the country of purchase. When travelling in countries with opposite
driving direction, to avoid dazzling the drivers on the other side of the
road, you need to cover areas of the headlight according to the
Highway code of the country you are travelling in.
ABS SYSTEMThe car is fitted with an ABS braking system, which prevents the wheels
from locking when braking, makes the most of road grip and gives
the best control when performing emergency braking under difficult
road conditions.
The EBD system (Electronic Braking Force Distribution) completes the
system allowing the brake force to be distributed between the front and
rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To obtain the maximum efficiency of the braking system,
a bedding-in period of about 500 km is needed: during this period
it is better to avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged braking.SYSTEM INTERVENTIONIt can be detected because the brake pedal pulsates slightly and the
system gets noisier: it means that the car speed should be altered
to suit the type of road surface.MECHANICAL BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance)(for versions/markets, where provided)
This system, which cannot be deactivated, recognises emergency
braking conditions (according to the brake pedal operation speed) and
provides an additional hydraulic braking pressure to support that
provided by the driver. This allows faster and more powerful operation
of the braking system.
IMPORTANT When the Mechanical Brake Assist intervenes, noises may
be heard from the system. This is normal. In any case, while braking
keep the brake pedal firmly depressed.
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If the ABS system intervenes, this indicates that the
traction of the tyres on the road is nearing its limit.
Slow down to a speed compatible with the available
traction.The ABS gets the most from the available grip, but it
cannot improve it; you should therefore take every
care when driving on slippery surfaces and not take
unnecessary risks.When the ABS cuts in and you feel the brake pedal
pulsating, do not remove your foot, but keep the pedal
pushed down; in doing so you, will stop in the
shortest distance possible under the road conditions at the time.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEMThis is an electronic system controlling car stability in the event of tyre
grip loss, helping to maintain directional control.
The system is capable of recognising potentially dangerous situations
in terms of the stability and intervenes automatically on the brakes in a
differentiated manner for the four wheels in order to provide a
stabilising torque.
The ESC system also includes the following systems:
❒Hill Holder
❒ASR
❒Brake Assist
❒MSR
❒CBC
❒“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❒DSTSYSTEM ACTIVATIONThe ESC system switches on automatically when the engine is started
and cannot be switched off.SYSTEM INTERVENTIONIt is signalled by the blinking of the warning light
on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is in critical stability and grip
conditions.
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HILL HOLDER SYSTEMThis system is an integral part of the ESC system and facilitates starting
on slopes.
It is automatically activated in the following conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pedal pressed and gearbox in neutral or
gear (other than reverse) engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than
5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and reverse gear
engaged.
When setting off the ESC system control unit maintains the braking
pressure at the wheels until the engine torque required for departure is
reached or for approximately 2 seconds, allowing your right foot to
be moved easily from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the system will deactivate
automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A sound may
be heard during this stage: this indicates that the vehicle is about
to move off.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a handbrake. Do not leave
the vehicle without having engaged the handbrake, switched off the
engine and engaged a gear.ASR (AntiSlip Regulation) SYSTEMIt is an integral part of the ESC system. It automatically operates 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.Depending on the slipping conditions, two different control systems are
activated:
❒if the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR intervenes
reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
❒if the slipping only involves one of the drive wheels, the ASR
intervenes automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.
For the correct operation of the ESC and ASR systems,
the tyres must be the same make and type on all
wheels, in perfect condition and, above all, of the type,
make and size recommended.The ESC system operates even when the space-saver
wheel is being used. Always remember that the
space-saver wheel, being smaller than the original
wheel, provides less grip.Do not take unnecessary risks, even if your vehicle is
fitted with the ESC and ASR systems. Driving style must
always be adapted to road conditions, visibility and
traffic. The driver is always responsible for road safety.
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BRAKE ASSIST(assistance during emergency braking)
The system, which cannot be turned off, recognises emergency braking
(on the basis of the brake pedal operating speed) and speeding up
the response of the braking system. The Brake Assist device is
deactivated if there is a ESC system failure.MSR SYSTEM(Motor Schleppmoment Regelung)
This system is an integral part of the ABS, that intervenes, if there is a
sudden downshifting, restoring torque to the engine, thereby
preventing excessive drive at the drive wheels which, especially in poor
grip conditions, could lead to a loss in stability of the car.CBC (Cornering Brake Control)
SYSTEMThis function improves the distribution of the braking pressure at the
four wheels (to fully exploit the grip available on the ground) when
braking on bends if the ABS intervenes. This improves stopping
distances and above all vehicle stability when cornering.
“ELECTRONIC Q2” SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)The “Electronic Q2” system uses the braking system to create an effect
similar to a limited slip differential.
The front braking system, when accelerating around a curve, acts on
the inside wheel to increase the drive to the outside wheel (increased
load), dynamically and continuously distributing the torque between
the front drive wheels according to driving and road conditions.
The system, combined with MacPherson front suspension, allows
particularly effective and sports driving to be achieved.DST SYSTEM
(Dynamic Steering Torque)This function integrates Dual Pinion active steering into the operation of
ESC. For particular manoeuvres, the ESC system controls the steering
to actuate a steering torque and assist the driver in the best possible
way.
The system operates the brakes and steering in a coordinated manner
to increase the suspension and safety level of the car as a whole.
The steering provides additional torque on the steering wheel.
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“Alfa DNA” SYSTEM (Car
dynamic control system)This device allows, using lever A fig. 74 (on the central tunnel), three
car response modes to be selected according to driving style and road
conditions:
❒d = Dynamic (sports driving mode);
❒n = Natural (mode for driving in normal conditions);
❒a = All Weather (mode for driving in poor grip conditions, such as
rain and snow).
The device also acts on the dynamic car control systems (engine,
steering, VDC system, instrument panel).
DRIVING MODESLever A is monostable type. In other words, it always remains in a
central position.
The selected driving mode is indicated by the corresponding LED
coming on in the panel and by an indication on the reconfigurable
multifunction display, as illustrated below:
❒Dynamic modefig. 75 (display image available for versions/
markets, where provided)
❒All Weather Modefig. 76
“Natural” mode
When “Natural” mode is selected, no messages or symbols are shown
on the display.
ESC and ASR systems:intervention thresholds aimed at comfort
and safety in normal grip and driving conditions.
fig. 74
A0J0090
fig. 75
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Steering wheel tuning:functions aimed at comfort in normal
conditions of use.
DST:braking standard control coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Oversteer compensation: a slight
pulse on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry out the most
appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:standard response.ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“Dynamic” MODEEngagement
Move the lever A fig. 74 upwards (next to the letter “d”) and hold in
this position for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding LED lights up
or the word “Dynamic” appears on the display (see fig. 77).
Upon release, lever A returns to the central position.
ESC and ASR:intervention thresholds that allow more enjoyable,
sportier driving whilst guaranteeing stability of the vehicle.Steering wheel tuning:uses the sports mode function.
DST:braking standard control coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Oversteering compensation
depending on the ESC/ASR intervention thresholds: a slight movement
on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry out the most
appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:prompter response + Overboost to maximise torque (for
versions/markets, where provided).
In the 1.4 Turbo MultiAir versions, selecting “Dynamic” operating
mode activates the turbocharger supercharging function (overboost):
depending on the accelerator pedal position and for a limited time, the
engine management control unit allows the system to generate
maximum pressure levels inside the turbocharger and the engine
torque can reach higher values than usual.
This function is particularly useful whenever maximum performance is
required for a short time (e.g. when overtaking).
IMPORTANT During acceleration, when the “Dynamic” function is used
the steering may shudder, which is typical of a sports setting.
fig. 76
A0J0290
fig. 77
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Disengagement
To deactivate “Dynamic” mode and return to “Natural”, repeat the
same movement of the lever within the same times. In this case, the LED
corresponding to “Natural” mode will light up and the words “Natural
on” will appear on the reconfigurable multifunction display (see fig.
78).ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“All Weather” MODEEngagement
Move lever A fig. 74 downwards (to the letter “a”) and hold in this
position for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding LED lights up or the
word “All Weather” appears on the display (see fig. 79).
ESC and ASR systems:intervention thresholds aimed at
guaranteeing the maximum safety in low grip driving conditions. It is
recommended to activate the "All Weather" mode when fitting snow
chains.Steering wheel tuning:maximum comfort.
DST:higher braking control coordinated with ABS/ESC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Oversteering compensation
depending on the ESC/ASR intervention thresholds: a slight movement
on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry out the most
appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:standard response.
Disengagement
To deactivate “All Weather” mode and return to “Natural”, carry out
the same procedure described for “Dynamic” mode, but move lever A
fig. 74 to “a”.
fig. 78
A0J1059
fig. 79
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IMPORTANT
❒It is not possible to switch directly from “Dynamic” mode to “All
Weather” mode and vice versa. You must always first go back
to “Natural” mode and then select the other mode.
❒The driving mode engaged before the engine stops is maintained
when it is next started.
❒In the event of system failure or a fault with lever A fig. 74, no
driving modes can be selected. The display will show a warning
message.
START&STOP SYSTEM(for versions/markets, where provided)
The Start&Stop system automatically stops the engine each time the car
is stationary and starts it again when the driver wants to move off.
In this way, the efficiency of the car is increased, by reducing
consumption, emissions of harmful gases and noise pollution.OPERATING MODESEngine stopping mode
With the car stopped, the engine stops with gearbox in neutral and
clutch pedal released.
NoteThe engine can only be stopped automatically over about 10
km/h, to prevent the engine from being repeatedly stopped when
driving at walking pace.
The
fig. 80 symbol appears on the display when the engine stops.fig. 80
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Restarting the engine
Press the clutch pedal to restart the engine.SYSTEM MANUAL ACTIVATION/
DEACTIVATIONTo activate/deactivate manually the system, press the
fig. 81 button
on the trim next to the steering wheel.
Start&Stop system activation
A message and a symbol will be displayed when the Start&Stop
system is activated.
Turning the Start&Stop off
❒Versions with multifunction display:a message is displayed when the
Start&Stop system is deactivated.
❒Versions with reconfigurable multifunction display:the
symbol is
displayed + a message when the Start&Stop system is deactivated.When the system is deactivated, the
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on. For versions/markets where provided, a message
and symbol are also displayed in the event of system activation/
deactivation.
ENGINE STOPPING FAILURE
CONDITIONSWhen the system is operating, due to comfort, emission control and
safety reasons, the engine does not stop in some conditions, among
which:
❒engine still cold;
❒especially cold outside temperature;
❒battery not sufficiently charged;
❒particulate filter regeneration (DPF) in progress (diesel engines only);
❒driver's door not shut;
❒driver's seat belt not fastened;
❒reverse gear engaged (for example, for 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 with MAX-DEF function activation;
❒during the first period of use, to initialise the system.
If the climate comfort is to be favoured, the Start&Stop
system can be deactivated, for a continuous operation of
the climate control system.
fig. 81
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