key Alfa Romeo MiTo 2021 Owner handbook (in English)

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
WATER IN DIESEL FILTER (Diesel versions)
The warning light switches on constantly when driving to indicate
the presence of water in the diesel filter.
15)
DPF CLEANING (particulate trap) in progress (diesel versions
with DPF only)
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to
MAR, but it should switch off after a few seconds. The warning
light switches on constantly to indicate that the DPF system
needs to eliminate the trapped pollutants (particulate) through
the regeneration process.
The warning light does not come on during every DPF
regeneration, but only when driving conditions require that the
driver is notified. To turn off the warning light, keep the car in
motion until the regeneration process is over.
On average, the process lasts 15 minutes. Optimal conditions for
completing the process are achieved by travelling at 60 km/h
with engine speed above 2000 rpm.
When this warning light switches on, it does not indicate a vehicle
failure and thus it should not be taken to a workshop.
27)
53

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) SYSTEM
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light
switches on, but should switch off as soon as the engine is
started.
If the warning light does not switch off (on some versions
together with a message on the display) or if it stays on with the
engine running, this indicates a fault in the ESC system.
Intervention by the system is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light: it indicates that the car is in critical stability and
grip conditions.In case of a fault, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership as soon as possible to have the
problem diagnosed and resolved.
ASR system failure
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light
switches on, but should switch off as soon as the engine is
started. If the warning light does not switch off (on some versions
together with a message on the display) or if it stays on with the
engine running, this indicates a fault in the ASR system.
The warning light will flash while driving to indicate that the ASR
system is intervening.In case of a fault, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership as soon as possible.
Hill Holder failure
If the warning light turns on (together with the display of the
symbol
and a message) indicates a fault to Hill Holder
system.In case of a fault, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership as soon as possible.
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Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
CRUISE CONTROL (where provided)
This warning light switches on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few
seconds, if the Cruise Control is deactivated. The
warning light switches on when the Cruise Control ring is
turned to the ON position (see the “Cruise Control”
paragraph in the "Knowing your vehicle" section). The
display shows the dedicated message.
SIDE LIGHTS
The warning light switches on when the side lights are
activated.
FOLLOW ME HOME
The warning light switches on (together with a message
shown on the display) when this device is in use (see the
"Exterior lights" paragraph in the "Knowing your vehicle"
section).
DIPPED HEADLIGHTS
The warning light switches on when the dipped beam
headlights are turned on.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
The warning light comes on when the front fog lights are
turned on.
LEFT DIRECTION INDICATOR
The warning light switches on when the direction
indicator control lever is moved downwards or, together
with the right direction indicator, when the hazard
warning light button is pressed.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

MESSAGES ON THE DISPLAY
Display of selected Driving Mode (“Alfa
DNA” system)
(where provided)
A message and a symbol relating to the
use of the driving mode selected are
shown: “DYNAMIC”, “NATURAL” OR “ALL
WEATHER”.
A warning message is shown on the
display if one of these driving modes is
not available.
Engine oil level display
(where provided)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR
the display shows, for a few seconds, the
engine oil level.
In case of insufficient engine oil level, a
warning message appears on the display.
IMPORTANT To find out the correct oil
quantity, always check using the dipstick
(see paragraph “Checking levels” in the
section “Maintenance and care”). For a
correct engine oil level indication,
perform the check with the car parked on
a level surface.IMPORTANT To perform the engine oil
reading correctly, after turning the key to
MAR, wait for about 2 seconds before
starting the engine.
IMPORTANT The engine oil level may
increase after a long stop.
62
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

All warning lights will remain off if all
the seat belts (front and rear) are already
fastened when the key it turned to MAR.
All the warning lights will come on
when at least one belt changes from
fastened to unfastened status or vice
versa.
PRE-TENSIONERS
59) 60)
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 begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have
operated when the belt withdraws
toward the retractor.
This car is also equipped with a second
pretensioner (fitted 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 which is not harmful and
does not involve any fire hazard.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioner, wear the seat belt tight
to the torso and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any changes
to its original conditions will invalidate its
efficiency. If, due to unusual natural
events (floods, sea storms, etc.), the
device has been affected by water and/or
mud, contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership
to have it replaced.
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger safety, the front
seat belt reels contain a load limiter
which allows the force acting on the chest
and shoulders to be modulated during the
belt restraining action in the event of a
frontal impact.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
THE SEAT BELTS
61) 62)
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. 47.
The belt must not be twisted. The upper
part must pass over the shoulder and
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73
IMPORTANT NOTES

With front passenger airbag on, when the
ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light switches on constantly for several
seconds and then it should switch off.
If the warning light
flashes, this
indicates a fault in the warning light
.
Before proceeding, contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership to have the system
checked immediately.
Rotating the starting device to MAR, the
warning light
switches on for a few
seconds. If not, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership. During the first seconds, the
activation of the warning light
does
not actually show the passenger
protection status, but only tests its
correct operation. After a test of a few
seconds, the warning light will indicate
the status of the passenger airbag
protection.Passenger protection active: warning
light
off.
Passenger protection deactivated: the
warning light
switches on with a
steady light.
The warning light
may light up with
various intensity levels depending on the
vehicle conditions. The intensity may vary
during the same key cycle.
DRIVER SIDE KNEE BAG
This is located in a dedicated
compartment under the steering wheel
fig. 61. It provides additional protection
in the event of a frontal impact.
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83

WARNING
82)Do not affix rigid objects to the garment
hooks or support handles.
83)Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on
the door, windows or the area in which the
Window bag is located to avoid possible
injury during airbag inflation.
84)Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.
85)If the
warning light does not switch
on when the key is turned to MAR, or stays
on while driving (on some versions together
with a message on the display) there may be
a fault in the restraint systems. In this case,
airbags or pretensioners may not be
activated in the case of an accident or (in a
lesser number of cases) they may be
activated incorrectly. Before proceeding,
contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have
the system checked immediately.
86)Do not travel carrying objects on your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
87)If the car has been subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or flooding,
have the airbag system inspected at an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.88)The airbags may also be deployed when
the car is not moving, if the key is in the
ignition and turned to MAR-ON or when the
engine is off, if the car is hit by another
moving vehicle. Therefore, even if the vehicle
is stationary, when an active front
passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install
rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat. Deployment of the
airbag following an impact could cause fatal
injuries to the child. Therefore, always
deactivate the passenger side airbag when a
rearward facing child restraint system is
installed on the front passenger seat. The
front passenger seat must also be
positioned back as far as possible in order to
prevent the child restraint system from
coming into contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the passenger
airbag as soon as the child restraint system
has been removed. Also remember that, if
the key is turned to STOP, none of the safety
devices (airbags or pretensioners) will be
deployed in the event of collision.
Non-deployment in such cases does not
indicate a system malfunction.
89)When the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the
warning light switches for few
seconds, then if the passenger airbag is
active it should switch off.
90)The front airbag is designed to be
deployed for impacts of a greater intensity
than for the pretensioners. For impacts
whose intensity falls between the two levels,
normally, only the pretensioners will be
activated.91)The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency. Because front
airbags are not deployed for low-speed
crashes, side collisions, rear-end shunts or
rollovers, occupants are protected, in
addition to any side bags, only by their seat
belts, which must therefore always be
fastened.
92)On cars with side bags, do not cover the
front seat backrests with extra covers.
87

STARTING THE ENGINE
93) 94) 95)
17) 18) 19) 20)
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown on the
display.
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Except Turbo TwinAir versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gearbox lever in neutral;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
Turbo TwinAir versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral or fully press the
clutch pedal if a gear other than neutral is
engaged;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.Versions with LPG system
To properly perform the starting
procedure, refer to as previously
described.
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the mode previously
selected. There must therefore always be
some petrol in the tank to protect the
petrol pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from LPG to petrol operation, if
high performance is required.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Except Turbo TwinAir versions:Ifthe
engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before
repeating the procedure.
For Turbo TwinAir versions only:Ifthe
vehicle does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
and repeat the starting procedure placing
the gear lever in neutral and fully
pressing the clutch pedal.
If, with the ignition key turned to MAR,
the
symbol is shown on the display
together with the warning light
, turn
the key to STOP and then back to MAR. If
the symbol on the display is still shown,
try with the other keys provided with the
car. Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership if
the engine still does not start.
Never leave the ignition key in
MAR-ON position when the engine is
stopped.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
turn the ignition key to MAR position:
the
warning light will light up on
instrument panel;
wait for the warning light to switch off;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV; the
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.
WARNING
93)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.
94)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to apply
much more force than usual to the brake
pedal.
95)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
90
STARTING AND DRIVING

IMPORTANT
17)We recommend that during the initial
period, or during the first 1600 km
(1000 miles), you do not drive to full car
performance (e.g. excessive acceleration,
long journeys at top speed, sharp braking,
etc.).
18)When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR position
to prevent useless current absorption from
draining the battery.
19)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
damaging for the engine.
20)Warning light
will flash after starting
or during prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault with the glow plug heating system. If
the engine starts, the vehicle can be regularly
used, but an Alfa Romeo Dealership must be
contacted as soon as possible.
PARKING THE VEHICLE
96) 97)
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1stgear if facing uphill
or reverse if facing downhill) and leave
the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the car is parked on a steep slope.
On versions equipped with Alfa TCT
transmission, before releasing the brake
pedal, wait for letter P to be displayed.
IMPORTANTNEVERleave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with Alfa TCT transmission,
before placing the gear lever at P).
HANDBRAKE
To engage the handbrake, pull lever 1
fig. 65 upwards until the car is secured.
When the handbrake is engaged and the
ignition key is on MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
will
switch on.
To release it, raise lever 1 slightly, hold
down button 2 and lower the lever: the
warning light
on the instrument
panel switches off.
IMPORTANT Carry out these
manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
IMPORTANT For cars equipped with a
front armrest, lift it up to ensure that it
does not interfere with the action of the
handbrake.
WARNING
96)Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the car and take it with you.
97)The car should be braked after a few
clicks of the parking brake: if this is not so,
contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have it
adjusted. Always park the car safely as
indicated by the Highway Code and as
described above.
65A0J0110C
91

USING ALFA TCT
TRANSMISSION
(where provided)
SELECTOR LEVER
The fig. 69 lever has the following
positions:
The fig. 70 lever has the following
positions:
P= Park
R= Reverse
N= Neutral
D= Drive, (automatic forward speed)
+= Sequential upshifting
−= Sequential downshiftingIf the lever is used in sequential mode,
moving the latter from D to the left, the
positions towards + or – are unstable.
The lever has a button 1 (on the front
side, see figure), which must be pressed
to move the lever to P or R.
Shifting from D to "Sequential mode" and
vice versa is free.
Shifting from D to N is free.
Shifting from N to R and from R to P is
possible only with button on gear lever
pressed.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting is only permitted with gear lever
in position P or N (with or without brake
pedal pressed).
On starting, the system is at N or P (the
latter means neutral, but with the car’s
wheels locked mechanically).
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
Engine can be switched off in any
position of the gear lever.
Versions with Start&Stop system
To switch the engine off, you need to stop
the car by pressing the brake pedal
properly; if the pressure is not enough,
the engine will not be switched off. This
feature can be exploited so that the
engine does not switch off in particular
traffic conditions.
REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY
99)
The ignition key can be removed only with
gear lever in P position. For removal
procedure, see as described on
paragraph “ALFA TCT Transmission - Key
removal” in the chapter “In an
emergency”.
MOVING THE CAR
23)
To move the car, from P press the brake
pedal and, using the button on the gear
lever, move the lever to the desired
position (D, R or "Sequential mode").
The display will show the gear engaged.
When the brake pedal is released, the car
starts moving forwards or backwards, as
soon as the manoeuvre is activated
("creeping" effect). The accelerator
should not be pressed in this case.
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