maintenance Alfa Romeo MiTo 2014 Owner's Manual

BATTERY RECHARGINGIMPORTANT The battery recharging procedure is given as information
only. Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to carry out this
operation.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition key to STOP, wait at least 1
minute before disconnecting the battery power supply.
We recommend recharging the battery slowly for approximately 24
hours at low amperage. Charging for a longer time may damage the
battery.VERSIONS WITHOUT Start&Stop
SYSTEM(for versions/markets, where provided)
Charge the battery as follows:
❒disconnect the negative battery terminal;
❒connect the charger cables to the battery terminals, observing the
polarity;
❒turn on the battery charger;
❒when it is recharged, turn the charger off before disconnecting it
from the battery;
❒reconnect the negative battery terminal.
VERSIONS WITH Start&Stop SYSTEMCharge the battery as follows:
❒disconnect the connector A fig. 156 (pressing the button B) from the
sensor C monitoring the battery conditions, on the negative pole D
of the battery;
❒connect the positive cable (+) of the battery charger to the battery
positive pole (+);
❒connect the negative cable (—) of the battery charger to the post D
of the battery negative pole (—);
❒turn on the battery charger;
❒when it is recharged, turn the charger off before disconnecting it
from the battery;
❒reconnect the connector A to the sensor C of the battery.
fig. 156
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RAISING THE CARIf you need to lift the car contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services, who
will be equipped with a workshop lift.
IMPORTANT Be careful when positioning the arm of the lift for versions
with side skirts.
TOWING THE CARThe tow ring provided with the car is housed in the tool box in the
boot.ATTACHING THE TOW HOOKRelease the plug A by pressing the lower part, take the tow hook B
from its housing in the tool support and tighten it securely on the front
threaded pin (fig. 157) or on the rear threaded pin (fig. 158).
Before beginning to tow, turn the ignition key to MAR
and then to STOP, without extracting it The steering
column will automatically lock when the key is
removed and the wheels cannot be steered.
fig. 157
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Remember that whilst towing it is necessary to exert a
greater force when steering and braking because the
brake servo and electro-mechanical power steering
will be inoperative. Do not use wires for towing. Do not jerk. Be
careful not to damage parts in contact with the car while towing.
When towing the vehicle, you must comply with all specific traffic
regulations and adopt an appropriate driving behaviour. Do not
start the engine while towing the car. Clean the threaded seat
carefully before fastening the hook. Make sure that the hook is
fully fastened in the housing before towing the car.
The front and rear tow hooks should be used only for
emergencies on the road. You are allowed to tow the
vehicle for short distances using an appropriate device
in accordance with the highway code (a rigid bar), to move the
vehicle on the road in readiness for towing or transport via a
breakdown vehicle. Tow hooks MUST NOT be used to tow
vehicles off the road or where there are obstacles and/or for
towing operations using cables or other non-rigid devices.
Respecting the above conditions, towing must take place with the
two vehicles (one towing, the other towed) aligned as much as
possible along the same centre line.
fig. 158
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICINGCorrect servicing is essential in guaranteeing a long life for the car
under the best conditions.
That’s why Alfa Romeo has prepared a series of checks and service
operations to be carried out every 30,000 kilometres (petrol versions)
or every 35,000 kilometres (diesel versions).
Check the items on the Scheduled Servicing Plan (e.g. periodically
check level of liquids, tyre pressure, etc.) before 30,000/35,000 km
and between these services deadlines.
Scheduled Servicing is carried out at Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
according to a set time schedule. If, during each operation, in addition
to the ones scheduled, the need arises for further replacements or
repairs, these may be carried out only with the explicit agreement of
the Customer. If your car is used frequently for towing, the interval
between one service operation and the next should be reduced.WARNING
At 2,000 km from the next service operation the display will show a
message.
The Scheduled Services intervals are set out by the Manufacturer.
Failure to comply with the schedule may invalidate the warranty.
It is advisable to inform Alfa Romeo Authorized Services of any small
faults without waiting for the next scheduled service.
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SCHEDULED SERVICING PLANPETROL VERSIONSThousands of miles18 36 54 72 90 108
Thousands of kilometres 30 60 90 120 150 180
Months24 48 72 96 120 144
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure, if required●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning lights,
passenger compartment, luggage compartment, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)●●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen washer/wiper system●●●●●●
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rear window wiper blades●●●●●●
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation of pad wear indicator●●●●●●
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear●●●●●●
Condition and status visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody protection, pipes and hoses
(exhaust - fuel system - brakes), rubber elements (boots - sleeves - bushes etc.)●●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine cooling, hydraulic brakes/clutch, screen washer,
battery, etc.)●●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if required●●●●●●
Check of condition of timing drive belt (excluding TwinAir Turbo versions)●●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belt(s)●●
Check tension of accessory drive belts and adjust if necessary (versions with heater) (1.4 Petrol 8V
78 HP versions)●●
Check tappet clearance and adjust, if necessary (1.4 Petrol 8V 78 HP versions)●●●
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Thousands of miles18 36 54 72 90 108
Thousands of kilometres 30 60 90 120 150 180
Months24 48 72 96 120 144
Check exhaust emissions.●●●●●●
Check battery charge status and possibly recharge●●●●●●
Check engine management system operation (through the diagnosis socket)●●●●●●
Replace accessory drive belt(s)●
Replacement of toothed timing drive belt (excluding TwinAir Turbo versions)
(*)
●
Replace spark plugs
(**)
●●●●●●
Replacement of air cleaner cartridge (every 30,000 km for TwinAir Turbo versions)●●●
Change engine oil and oil filter (or every 24 months)
(***)
●●●●●●
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)●●●
Change pollen filter (or every 12 months)●●●●●●
(*) Regardless of the distance covered, the timing belt must be changed every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates, town driving, long periods of
idling) or at least every 5 years.
(**) For 1.4 Turbo MultiAir versions, in order to guarantee correct operation and prevent serious damage to the engine, it is essential to observe the following: only use
spark plugs specifically certified for these engines; all spark plugs should be of the same type and brand (see the "Engine" paragraph in the "Technical
Specifications" section); strictly comply with the replacement intervals in the Scheduled Servicing Plan; it is advisable to contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to
have plugs replaced.
(***) If the vehicle has an annual mileage of less than 10,000 km, the engine oil and engine oil filter should be changed every 12 months.
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DIESEL VERSIONSThousands of miles21 42 63 84 105
Thousands of kilometres 35 70 105 140 175
Months24 48 72 96 120
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure, if required●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning lights,
passenger compartment, luggage compartment, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen washer/wiper system●●●●●
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rear window wiper blades●●●●●
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation of pad wear indicator●●●●●
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear●●●●●
Condition and status visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody protection, pipes and hoses
(exhaust - fuel system - brakes), rubber elements (boots - sleeves - bushes etc.)●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine cooling, hydraulic brakes/clutch, screen washer,
battery, etc.)●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if required●●●●●
Check exhaust fumes/emissions●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belts●●
Check engine management system operation (through the diagnosis socket)●●●●●
Check battery charge status and possibly recharge●●●●●
Replace accessory drive belts●
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Thousands of miles21 42 63 84 105
Thousands of kilometres 35 70 105 140 175
Months24 48 72 96 120
Replace toothed timing drive belt (excluding 1.3 JTD
M-2
engine)
(*)
●
Replace fuel filter●●
Replace air cleaner cartridge●●●●●
Replace engine oil and oil filter (or every 24 months)
(**) (***)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)●●
Change pollen filter (or every 12 months)●●●●●(*) Regardless of the distance covered, the timing belt must be changed every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates, town driving, long periods of
idling) or at least every 5 years.
(**) The engine oil and the oil filter must be changed when the instrument panel warning light comes on (see "Warning lights and messages" in "Getting toknow your
car" chapter) or in any case every 24 months.
(***) If the car is mainly used in towns and cities, change the engine oil and filter every 12 months.
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PERIODIC CHECKSEvery 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and restore the
following if necessary:
❒engine coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre inflation pressure and condition;
❒operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
❒operation of window washer/wiper system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper blades
Check and top up, if required, the engine oil level every 3,000 km.
HEAVY-DUTY USE OF THE CARIf you use the car mainly under one of the following conditions:
❒towing a trailer or caravan;
❒dusty roads;
❒short, repeated journeys (less than 7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
❒engine often idling or driving long distances at low speeds or long
periods of idleness;
the following checks must be performed more frequently than indicated
in the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
❒check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, cleanliness and
lubrication of linkage;
❒visually inspect conditions of: engine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes) and rubber elements
(boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.);
❒check battery charge and battery fluid level (electrolyte);
❒visually inspect condition of the accessory drive belts;
❒check and, if necessary, change engine oil and replace oil filter;
❒check and, if necessary, replace pollen filter;
❒check and, if necessary, replace air cleaner.
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CHECKING LEVELS
When topping up, take care not to mix up the various types
of fluids: they are not compatible with each other and
could seriously damage the car.Never smoke while working in the engine
compartment: gas and inflammable vapours may be
present, with the risk of fire.
Be very careful when working in the engine
compartment when the engine is hot: you may get
burned. Remember that the fan may start up if
the engine is hot: this could injure you. Make sure that scarves,
ties and other loose fitting garments do not get caught up in
moving parts.
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