2008 Alfa Romeo MiTo engine

Thousands of miles12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96 108 120
Thousands of kilometres20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Years12345678910
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior
bodywork, underbody protection, pipes and
hoses (exhaust, fuel system, brakes), rubber
elements (gaiters, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade
position/wear
Check operation of the windscreen
wiper/washer system and adjust jets, if
necessary
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage
compartment locks, cleanliness and
lubrication of linkage
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if
necessary
Visually inspect condition and wear of front
and rear disc brake pads
Visual inspect condition and check tension of
accessory drive belt(s) (for versions without
automatic tensioner only)
Change engine oil and replace oil filter(2)
(2) The actual interval for changing engine oil and replacing the engine oil filter depends on the vehicle usage conditions and is signalled by the
warning light or message in the instrument panel. In any case, it must never exceed 2 years. If the vehicle is mainly used in towns and cities, change
the engine oil and filter every year.
134
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long trips
check and, if necessary, top up:
engine coolant, brake fluid and
windscreen washer fluid level;
tyre inflation pressure and condition;
operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.);
operation of screen wash/wipe system
and positioning/wear of windscreen/
rearscreen wiper blades
Every 3,000 km check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
IMPORTANT To find out the correct oil
quantity, always check using the dipstick.
Carry out the check with the vehicle
parked on level ground.
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR
If the vehicle is used 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 inactivity;
the following checks must be carried out
more often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
check front disc brake pad condition
and wear;
check cleanliness of bonnet and
luggage compartment locks, cleanliness
and lubrication of linkage;
visually inspect condition 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 conditions 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.
136
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

ENGINE OIL
132)
38) 39)
2)
Check that the oil level is between the
MIN and MAX references on the dipstick
1. If the level of the oil is close to or below
the MIN mark, add oil via the filler fitting
2 until the MAX mark is reached.
1.4 Petrol / 1.4 Turbo Petrol/LPG /
1.4 Turbo Multi Air / 1.3 JTD
M-2versions: pull the engine oil dipstick 1,
clean it with a lint-free cloth and insert
it again. Extract it again and check that
the level is between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick.
Turbo TwinAir versions: engine oil
dipstick 1 is integral with the cap 2.
Unscrew the cap, clean the dipstick with a
lint-free cloth, reinsert the dipstick and
screw the cap back on. Unscrew the plug
again and check that the engine oil level is
between the MIN and MAX marks on the
dipstick.
Engine oil consumption
The maximum engine oil consumption is
usually 400 grams every 1000 km. When
the car is new, the engine needs to be run
in; therefore the engine oil consumption
can only be considered stabilised after
the first 5000 - 6000 km.
ENGINE COOLANT FLUID
132)
40)
If the level is too low, unscrew the cap
3 of reservoir and add the fluid described
in the "Technical Specifications" chapter.
WINDSCREEN / REAR WINDOW
WASHING FLUID
134) 135)
If the level is too low, raise the reservoir
cap 4 and add the fluid described in the
"Technical Specifications" chapter.
BRAKE FLUID
136) 137)
41)
Check that the fluid is at the max. level. If
the fluid level in the reservoir is too low,
undo the reservoir cap 5 and add the fluid
described in the "Technical
Specifications" chapter.
ALFA TCT ACTIVATIONSYSTEM OIL(where provided)
3)
The transmission control oil level should
only be checked at an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
IMPORTANT
37)Be careful not to confuse the various
types of fluids while topping up: they are not
compatible with each other! Topping up with
an unsuitable fluid could severely damage
your vehicle.
38)The oil level must never exceed the MAX
reference.
39)Do not add oil with specifications other
than those of the oil already in the engine.
40)Use a fluid of the same type as that
already present in the reservoir for any
topping up of the engine cooling system. The
fluid cannot be mixed with other types of
antifreeze fluids. In the event of topping up
with an unsuitable product, under no
circumstances start the engine and contact
an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
41)Prevent brake fluid, which is highly
corrosive, from coming into contact with
painted parts. Should it happen, immediately
wash with water.
WARNING
130)Never smoke while working in the
engine compartment: gas and inflammable
vapours may be present, with the risk of fire.
131)Be very careful when working in the
engine compartment when the engine is hot:
you may get burned. Do not get too close to
the radiator cooling fan: the electric fan may
start; danger of injury. Scarves, ties and
other loose clothing might be pulled by
moving parts.
142
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

132)If the engine oil is being topped up, wait
for the engine to cool down before loosening
the filler cap, particularly for vehicles with
aluminium cap (where provided). WARNING:
risk of burns!
133)The cooling system is pressurised. If
necessary, only replace the plug with
another original or the operation of the
system may be adversely affected. Do not
remove the reservoir plug when the engine is
hot: you risk scalding yourself.
134)Do not travel with the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir empty: the
windscreen washer is essential for
improving visibility. Repeated operation of
the system without fluid could damage or
cause rapid deterioration of some system
components.
135)Some commercial additives for
windscreen washer fluid are flammable. The
engine compartment contains hot
components which may start a fire.
136)Brake fluid is poisonous and highly
corrosive. In the event of accidental contact,
immediately wash the affected parts with
water and mild soap. Then rinse thoroughly.
Call a doctor immediately if swallowed.
137)The symbol
, on the brake fluid
container indicates if a brake fluid is
synthetic or mineral-based. Use of mineral
type fluids will damage the special rubber
seals of the braking system beyond repair.
IMPORTANT
2)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. To change the oil and filters, we
advise you to contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
3)Used transmission fluid contains
substances that are harmful to the
environment. You are advised to contact an
Alfa Romeo Dealership for oil changes.
BATTERY RECHARGING
IMPORTANT The battery recharging
procedure is given as information only. To
carry out this operation contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver's side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting and then
reconnecting the electrical supply to the
battery.
Charging should be slow at a low ampere
rating for approximately 24 hours.
Charging for a longer time may damage
the battery.
IMPORTANT The cables of the electrical
system must be correctly reconnected to
the battery, i.e. the positive cable (+) to
the positive terminal and the negative
cable (–) to the negative terminal. The
battery terminals are marked with the
positive (+) and negative (–) symbols, and
are shown on the battery cover. The
battery terminals must also be
corrosion-free and firmly secured to the
terminals. If a "quick-type" battery
charger is used with the battery fitted on
the vehicle, before connecting it
disconnect both cables of the battery
itself. Do not use a "quick-type" battery
charger to provide the starting voltage.
The cables of the electrical system must
143

BATTERY
The battery 6 (see previous pages) does
not require the electrolyte to be topped
up with distilled water. A periodic check
carried out at an Alfa Romeo Dealership
is, however, necessary to check
efficiency.
INSPECTING THE CHARGE AND THE
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
139) 140) 141) 142)
43)
4)
If necessary, replace the battery with
another original battery with the same
specifications. Follow the battery
manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make
it last longer, observe the following
instructions:
when you park the car, ensure that the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly, to prevent any lights from
remaining on inside the passenger's
compartment;
switch off all roof lights inside the car:
the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all internal lights
off automatically;
do not keep accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard warning lights, etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running;
before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
negative battery cable.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery is
damaged by sulphation, reducing its
capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (this can happen as early as
-10°C). Refer to the "Vehicle inactivity"
paragraph in "Starting and driving"
chapter if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time.
If, after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which
require permanent electrical supply (e.g.
alarm, etc.) or accessories which
influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership, whose qualified staff will
evaluate the overall electrical
consumption.
WARNING
139)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep open flames away from the
battery and do not use objects that might
create sparks: risk of explosion and fire.
140)Using the battery with insufficient
fluid irreparably damages the battery and
may cause an explosion.
141)If the vehicle must remain unused for a
long time at a very low temperature, remove
the battery and take it to a warm place, to
avoid freezing.
142)When performing any operation on the
battery or near it, always protect your eyes
with special goggles.
IMPORTANT
43)Incorrect installation of electric and
electronic devices may cause severe damage
to your car. After purchasing your vehicle, if
you wish to install any accessories (e.g.
anti-theft, radio phone, etc.), go to an Alfa
Romeo Dealership, which will suggest the
most suitable devices and advise you
whether a higher capacity battery needs to
be installed.
146
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water;
wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge;
rinse well with water and dry with a jet
of air or a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, bonnet, headlight frames, etc.)
with special care, as water may stagnate
more easily in these areas. Do not wash
the car after it has been left in the sun or
with the bonnet hot: this may alter the
shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Avoid parking under trees; the resin
dropped by trees makes the paintwork
go opaque and increases the possibility
of corrosion.
Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid
they contain is particularly aggressive.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths
to prevent scratching or altering the
transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window inside
gently with a cloth following the direction
of the filaments to avoid damaging the
heating device.
Front headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the headlights.
IMPORTANT When cleaning with a
pressure washer, keep the water jet at
least 20 cm away from the headlights.
Engine compartment
At the end of every winter, wash the
engine compartment thoroughly, taking
care not to aim the jet of water directly at
the electronic control units or at the
windscreen wiper motors. Have this
operation performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take
place with the engine cold and the
ignition key in the STOP position. After
the washing operation, make sure that
the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
IMPORTANT
5)Detergents pollute the environment. Only
wash your vehicle in areas equipped to
collect and treat wastewater from this type
of activity.
IMPORTANT
44)In order to preserve the aesthetic
appearance of the paint abrasive products
and/or polishes should not be used for
cleaning the vehicle.
45)Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Wash the
vehicle only by hand using neutral pH
detergents; dry it with a wet chamois leather.
Abrasive products and/or polishes should
not be used for cleaning the car. Bird
droppings must be washed off immediately
and thoroughly as the acid they contain is
particularly aggressive. Avoid (if at all
possible) parking the vehicle under trees;
remove vegetable resins immediately as,
when dried, it may only be possible to remove
them with abrasive products and/or polishes,
which is highly inadvisable as they could alter
the typical opaqueness of the paint. Do not
use pure windscreen washer fluid for
cleaning the front windscreen and rear
window; dilute it min. 50% with water. Only
use pure screen washer fluid when strictly
necessary due to outside temperature
conditions.
148
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Everything you may find useful for understanding how your car is
made and works is contained in this chapter and illustrated with
data, tables and graphics. For the enthusiasts and the technician,
but also just for those who want to know every detail of their car.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
IDENTIFICATION DATA..........................152
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) PLATE . . . . ......152
CHASSIS NUMBER . . . . . .......................153
ENGINE MARKING . . . . . ........................153
ENGINE...................................154
WHEELS...................................159
DIMENSIONS . . ..............................165
WEIGHTS..................................166
REFUELLING................................169
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS. . . .....................172
PERFORMANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................175
FUEL CONSUMPTION. . . . . ......................176
CO2 EMISSIONS . . . . ..........................178
PRESCRIPTIONS FOR HANDLING THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF ITS
LIFE......................................179

IDENTIFICATION DATA
The identification data of the vehicle are:
VIN plate;
Chassis marking;
Bodywork paint identification plate;
Engine marking.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (VIN) PLATE
This plate is fitted to the engine
compartment front crossmember and
contains the following identification data
fig. 129:
TO: Name of Manufacturer
B: Type-approval number
C: Vehicle type identification code
D: Chassis number
E: Maximum permitted weight of vehicle
fully laden
F: Maximum permitted weight of vehicle
fully laden plus trailer
G: Maximum permitted weight on front
axle
H: Maximum permitted weight on second
(rear) axle
I: Engine type
L: Bodywork version codeM: Spares number
N: Smoke opacity index (for diesel
engines)
129A0J0161C
152
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS