Alfa Romeo MiTo 2009 Owner handbook (in English)

120GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
T.P.M.S. SYSTEM (Tyre Pressure
Monitoring System)
(where provided)
The vehicle can be fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system
(T.P.M.S.), which informs the driver of the tyre inflation pressure
via the “Check the tyre inflation pressure” and “Insufficient tyre in-
flation pressure” warning messages.
This system comprises of 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 NOTES ABOUT
THE T.P.M.S. SYSTEM
The fault indications are not stored and will therefore not be dis-
played after the engine has been switched off and then on again.
If the fault conditions persist, the control unit will send fault infor-
mation to the instrument panel only after the vehicle has been in
motion for a short time.
Take the greatest of care when checking and top-
ping up the tyre inflation pressure. Excessive pres-
sure compromises road holding, increases the stress
on the suspension and wheels as well as increasing the risk
of the tyres wearing out un-evenly.
The tyre inflation pressure should be measured
with the tyres at rest and cold; if for any reason
the pressure is checked when the tyres are warm,
do not reduce the pressure if it is excessive but rather wait
until the tyres have cooled down and carry out the check
again.
The presence of the T.P.M.S. system does not mean
the driver should not carry out regular checks on
the tyre inflation pressure and spare wheel.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR121
1Should one or more wheels be fitted without sen-
sors, the display will show a warning message and
the system will no longer be available until 4
wheels fitted with sensors are fitted.
The T.P.M.S.system is not able to detect sudden tyre
inflation pressure losses (for example when a tyre
explodes). In this case stop the car, braking with
care and avoiding sharp steering actions.
Replacing the normal tyres with winter tyres and
vice versa requires the inspection of the T.P.M.S.
system, which should only be carried out by an Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Service.
The T.P.M.S. system requires the use of specific equip-
ment. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service to
find out which accessories are compatible with the
system (wheels, hub caps etc.). The use of other accessories
may affect the normal operation of the system.
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122GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
When a tyre is removed, it is advisable to replace
the rubber gasket for the valve. Contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service. Tyre and wheel fit-
ting/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 specialists. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice Provider.
Strong radio frequency disturbance can compro-
mise the correct operation of the T.P.M.S. system.
The driver is warned of this condition via a mes-
sage on the display. The warning message will go off au-
tomatically as soon as the radio-frequency noise ceases to
disturb the system.Tyre inflation pressure can vary according to out-
door temperature. The T.P.M.S. system may tem-
porarily indicate insufficient pressure. In this case
check the tyre inflation pressure with the tyres cold and,
if necessary top up the inflation pressure.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR123
1
–
NO
NO
YES
YES
YESYES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NOContact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service
Repair damaged
wheel
Contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service
–
–
–
(*) Given as an alternative in the Owner Handbook and available in Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo.
(**) Not cross switched (tyres must stay on the same side).
In order to use the system properly, refer to the following table when you have to change wheels/tyres:
Operation Presence of sensor Indication fault Operation
Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service
–
Wheel change
with small spare wheel
Wheel change
with winter tyres
Wheel change
with winter tyres
Wheel change
with others of different size (*)
Wheel cross switching
(front/rear) (**)
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124GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
AT THE FILLING STATION
Switch off the engine before refuelling.
PETROL ENGINES
Only use unleaded petrol. The petrol octane rating (RON) must not
be lower than 95.
In order to prevent damage to the catalytic converter never intro-
duce even the smallest amount of leaded petrol, even in the event
of an emergency.
DIESEL ENGINES
Only use diesel fuel compliant with European specification EN590.
The use of other products or mixtures may damage the engine
beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty.
Operation at low temperatures
If the outside temperature is very low, the diesel thickens due to
the formation of paraffin clots with consequent defective operation
of the fuel supply system.
In order to avoid these problems, different types of diesel are dis-
tributed according to the season: summer type, winter type and
arctic type (cold, mountain areas). If refuelling with diesel fuel
whose features are not suitable for the temperature of use, it is ad-
visable to mix TUTELA DIESEL ART additive with the fuel, in the pro-
portions shown on the container. Pour the additive into the tank
before the fuel.
When using or parking the vehicle for a long time in the mountains
or cold areas, it is advisable to refuel using locally available fuel.
In this case, it is also advisable to keep the tank over 50% full.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR125
1
fig. 74A0J0327m
FUEL FILLER CAP
Opening
1) Open the flap A-fig. 74 pulling it outwards, keep the cap B
still, insert the ignition key in the lock and turn it anti-clockwise.
2) Turn the cap anti-clockwise and extract it. The cap has a de-
vice C retaining it to the flap so it cannot be lost. When refilling,
attach the cap to the flap D.
Closing
1) Fit the cap (complete with key) and turn it clockwise until it
clicks once or more.
2) Turn the key clockwise and extract it, then close the flap.
The hermetic seal may cause a slight increase in pressure in the
tank. A suction noise when you release the cap is therefore entirely
normal.
Keep naked flames or lighted cigarettes away from
the fuel filler hole as there is a danger of fire. Do
not bend too close to the hole either so as not to
breathe in harmful vapours.
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126GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
The catalytic converter and particulate filter (DPF)
reach very high temperatures during operation.
Do not park on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or
other flammable material: fire risk.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The devices for limiting petrol engine emissions are: catalytic con-
verter, Lambda sensors and anti-evaporation system.
The devices for curtailing diesel engine emissions are the follow-
ing: oxidising catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.) and particulate filter (DPF).
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
(where provided)
This is a mechanical filter, fitted in the exhaust system, which al-
most completely eliminates carbon particle emissions.
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SAFETY127
2
Seat belts.................................................................... 128
S.B.R. system............................................................... 129
Pretensioners............................................................... 131
Carrying children safely................................................. 134
Fitting “Universal” child seat .......................................... 135
“Isofix” child restraint assembly setup .............................. 139
Front Airbags ............................................................... 142
Side Air bags (Side bag - Window bag) ............................ 145
“Alcohol Test” Kit ......................................................... 148
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128SAFETY
SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
Wear the belt keeping the chest straight and rested against the back-
rest. To fasten the seat belts, hold tongue A-fig. 1 and insert it into
buckle B, until the locking click is heard.
If the seatbelt jams when pulling it out, let it rewind for a short
stretch and then pull it out again without jerking.
To unfasten the seat belts, press button C. Guide the seat belt
with your hand while it is rewinding, to prevent it from twisting.
fig. 1A0J0101mfig. 2A0J0102m
Never press button C-fig. 1 when travelling.
The rear seat is fitted with inertia seat belts with three anchor points
and reel. Fasten the rear seat belts as shown in fig. 2.
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SAFETY129
2
IMPORTANT The backrest is correctly secured when the “red band”
B-fig. 3 on the backrest lowering levers A disappears. This red band
indicates that the backrest is not secured.
IMPORTANT After putting the seats back in their travel position,
restore the seat belt position to make them ready for use.S.B.R. SYSTEM
(Seat Belt Reminder)
This system comprises of a buzzer, which in conjunction with the
<warning light flashing on the instrument panel display, warns
the driver and front passenger if their seat belts have not been
fastened.
On some versions there is also a panel (provided as an alterna-
tive to the warning lights on the instrument panel) located above
the rear-view mirror fig. 4, which warns the back seat passengers
via acoustic and visual signals if their seat belts have not been
fastened.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider to deactivate
this system permanently. The S.B.R. system can only be reactivated
via the display Set Up Menu (see chapter “1”).
Make sure the backrest is properly secured on both
sides (red bands B-fig. 3 not visible) to prevent it
from moving forward in the event of sharp brak-
ing, which may cause injuries to passengers.
fig. 4A0J0210m
AB
fig. 3A0J0182m
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