steering Alfa Romeo MiTo 2016 User Guide

DRIVING MODES
Lever 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.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.
fig. 75A0J0227fig. 76A0J0290
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ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“Dynamic” MODE
Engagement
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.
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).
fig. 77A0J1510fig. 78A0J1059
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ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“All Weather” MODE
Engagement
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”.
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.
fig. 79A0J1511
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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 MODES
Engine 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.
Restarting the engine
Press the clutch pedal to restart the engine.
SYSTEM MANUAL ACTIVATION/
DEACTIVATION
To activate/deactivate manually the system, press thefig. 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.
fig. 80A0J0279fig. 81A0J0307
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When the system is deactivated, thewarning 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.

In “Natural” and “All Weather” operating mode, the active shock
absorbers adjust the car suspension to suit the route type and
the driving stresses, thus considerably improving driving comfort in
particular on rough terrain.
The "Dynamic" operating mode produces a sports driving setting
characterised by more responsive acceleration and greater effort on
the steering wheel to give a sporty feeling. The shock absorber
damping action is also adjusted and divided, to guarantee higher
precision and reactivity of the car, while maintaining a good comfort
level.
The car is more precise when entering bends and quicker in changing
direction.EOBD SYSTEM
(European On Board Diagnosis)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The aim of the EOBD system (European On Board Diagnosis) is to:
❒monitor the system efficiency;
❒indicate an increase in emissions;
❒indicate the need to replace damaged components.
The car also has a diagnostic connector that can be interfaced with
appropriate tools, which makes it possible to read the error codes
stored in the electronic control units together with a series of specific
parameters for engine operation and diagnosis. This check can also be
carried out by the traffic police.
IMPORTANT After eliminating a fault, to check the system completely,
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services are obliged to run tests and, if
necessary, road tests which may also call for a long journey.
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ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
This only operates with the key turned to MAR-ON and the engine
started. Power steering allows the force required at the steering wheel
to be adapted to driving conditions.
The different power assistance modes can be selected via the "d,n,a"
positions of the “Alfa DNA System” lever (see “Alfa DNA System”
paragraph).
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-market
operation involving steering system or steering column
modifications (e.g.: installation of anti-theft device)
that could badly affect performance and safety, invalidate the
warranty and also result in non-compliance of the car with
type-approval requirements.
Before performing any maintenance operations,
always turn off the engine and remove the key from
the ignition to lock the steering column, especially
when the car’s wheels are not touching the ground.
INSTALLING ELECTRICAL/
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Electrical and electronic devices installed after buying the car in the
context of after-sales service must carry the following label: fig. 85
Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. authorises the installation of transceiver
devices on condition that such installations are carried out in a
workmanlike fashion, following the manufacturer’s instructions, at a
specialised centre.
IMPORTANT Traffic police may not allow the car on the road if devices
have been installed which modify the features of the car. This may
also cause invalidation of warranty in relation to faults caused by the
change either directly or indirectly related to it.
Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. shall not be liable for damage caused
by the installation of accessories either not supplied or recommended
by Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. and/or not installed in compliance
with the provided instructions.
fig. 85DISPOSITIVI-ELETTRONICI
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TPMS (Tyre Pressure
Monitoring System)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The car may be fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
which informs the driver of the tyre inflation status via the "Check
tyre pressure" and "Low tyre pressure" messages on the display.
This system comprises a radio frequency transmitter fitted to each
wheel (on the wheel rim inside the tyre), which is able to send
information on the tyre inflation pressure of each wheel to the control
unit.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
THE TPMS
The fault indications are not stored and will therefore not be displayed
after the engine has been switched off and then on again.
If the fault conditions persist, the control unit will send the relative
indications to the instrument panel only after the car has been in
motion for a short time.
The presence of the TPMS does not permit the driver to
neglect regular checks of the tyre pressure, including
for the spare wheel.
Tyre pressure must be checked with tyres rested and
cold. Should it become necessary for whatever reason
to check pressure with warm tyres, do not reduce
pressure even though it is higher than the prescribed value, but
repeat the check when tyres are cold.
Should one or more wheels be fitted without sensors,
the system will no longer be available and a warning
message will be shown on the display, until 4 wheels
with sensors are fitted again.
The TPMS cannot warn of sudden decreases in tyre
pressure (for example when a tyre bursts). In this case,
stop the car, braking with caution and avoiding
abrupt steering.
Replacing standard tyres with winter tyres and vice
versa requires TPMS system adjustment that must only
be performed by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Variations in outside temperature may cause tyre
pressures to vary. The TPMS may temporarily indicate
insufficient pressure. In this case, check the tyre
pressure when cold and, if necessary, restore the inflation values.
When a tyre is removed, it is advisable to replace the
rubber valve seal as well: contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. Tyre and rim fitting/removal
operations require specific precautions; to avoid damaging or
fitting the sensors incorrectly, tyre and wheel fitting/removal
operations should only be carried out by specialised staff.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
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FRONT AIRBAGS
“SMART BAG” SYSTEM (MULTISTAGE
FRONT AIRBAGS)
The car is equipped with multi-stage front airbags (“Smart bags”) for
the driver and passenger and knee bags for the driver.
The front airbags (driver's and passenger's) and the driver's knee bag
have been designed to protect the occupants in the event of head-on
crashes of medium-high severity, by placing cushions between the
occupant and the steering wheel or dashboard.
Therefore non-deployment in other types of impacts (side impacts, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) does not indicate a system malfunction.
Airbags are not a replacement of but complementary to the seat belts,
which you are recommended to always wear. In the event of impact,
those not wearing a seat belt are projected forwards and may come
into contact with the bag which is still inflating. The protection offered
by the bag is compromised in these circumstances.
Front airbags may not activate in the following situations:
❒frontal impacts against highly deformable objects not involving the
front surface of the car (e.g. wing collision against guard rail, etc.);
❒jamming of the car underneath other vehicles or protective barriers
(e.g. underneath a truck or a guard rail) as, in this case, the bags
would offer no additional protection with respect to the seat belt and
their deployment would be inappropriate. In these cases, non-
deployment does not indicate a system malfunction.
Do not apply stickers or other objects on the steering
wheel, on the dashboard in the passenger side airbag
area, on side upholstery on the roof or on the seats.
Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the passenger's side
dashboard since they could interfere with correct inflation of the
airbag and also cause serious injury to the passengers.
FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating bag contained in a special
compartment in the centre of the steering wheel fig. 103.
Always drive keeping your hands on the steering
wheel rim so the airbag can inflate freely if necessary.
Do not drive with your body bent forward. Keep the
back of your seat upright and lean back into it.
fig. 103A0J0047
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DRIVER SIDE KNEE BAG
This is located in a dedicated compartment under the steering wheel
fig. 107. It provides additional protection in the event of a frontal
impact.
Deactivating passenger side airbags: front airbag and
side bag for pelvis, chest and shoulders protection (Side
bag)
If a child must be carried on the front seat in a rear facing child
restraint system, deactivate the passenger side front airbag and side
bag for pelvis, chest and shoulder protection (Side bag).
With airbags deactivated, warning light
lights up in the trim
located above the internal rearview mirror fig. 108.
To deactivate the airbags, see the “Knowing your car”
section, “Menu items” paragraph.
SIDE AIRBAGS
(SIDE BAGS - WINDOW BAGS)
To increase protection of occupants in case of side collision, the car is
equipped with front side bags for pelvis, chest and shoulder protection
(side bags) for the driver and the passenger and airbags protecting
the head of front and rear occupants (window bags).
Non-activation of side bags in other types of collisions (head-on
collisions, rear shunts, roll-overs, etc...) is not an indication of system
malfunction.
fig. 107A0J0056fig. 108A0J0402
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PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever in neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR-ON: the warning lights
and
(or the symbol on the display) on the instrument panel will
switch on;
❒wait for the warning lights (or the symbol on the display) to switch
off;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal, without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV;
warning light switches off.
Waiting too long will waste the heating work carried out by the
glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If thewarning light flashes for about 1 minute after
starting or during prolonged cranking, this indicates a fault
in the glow plug preheating system. Use the car normally
if the engine starts and go to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
It is dangerous to run the engine in enclosed areas. The
engine takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
It is advisable not to demand maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.) when it is
first used.
When the engine is off, do not leave the ignition key turned
to MAR to prevent unnecessary electrical consumption from
draining the battery.
Remember that the brake servo and electromechanical
power steering are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much more effort than
usual is required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.
Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. These manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
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