2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo tyre pressure

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR23
1
Insufficient tyre inflation pressure
(where provided)
This warning light (or symbol in the display) comes on
(on some versions together with a message on the dis-
play) (together with the sounding of a buzzer) if the tyre infla-
tion pressure of one or more tyres goes below a preset value. In
this way the T.P.M.S. system warns the driver that one or more
tyres may be dangerously flat and liable to puncture.
IMPORTANT Do not continue driving with one or more tyres flat
as vehicle driveability may be compromised. Stop the car, avoid-
ing harsh braking or steering manoeuvres. Replace the wheel im-
mediately with the spare wheel (where provided) or carry out a
repair using the dedicated kit (see the paragraph on “Replacing
a wheel” in chapter 4) and contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice as soon as possible.n
T.P.M.S. system failure
(where provided) (amber)
This warning light (or symbol in the display) comes on (on some
versions together with a message in the display) when a fault is
detected in the T.P.M.S tyre inflation pressure monitoring system:
if this occurs, contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
as soon as possible.
Should one or more wheels be fitted without sensors, the display
will show a warning message until initial conditions are restored.
Check tyre inflation pressure
(where provided)
If this warning light (or symbol in the display) comes on (on some
versions together with a message in the display) this indicates that
the tyre pressure is below the optimum value recommended to
guarantee long tyre life and low fuel consumption. It may also in-
dicate a slow loss of pressure.
Should two or more tyres be discovered to be in the above men-
tioned condition, the display will show the indications corresponding
to each tyre in sequence. Under these circumstances you should
restore the correct pressure values (see chapter 6).
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR43
1
Values displayed
Range
Approximately indicates the distance the vehicle can travel with
the present amount of fuel in the tank.
The message “- - - -” will appear on the display in the following
cases:
– range value lower than 50 km (or 30 mi)
– car left parked with the engine running for a long time.
IMPORTANT Changes in the range value can be affected by many
factors: driving style, type of route (motorway, urban road, moun-
tain road, etc.), vehicle use conditions (load being carried, tyre
inflation pressure, etc.). The above notes should therefore be tak-
en into consideration when planning a trip.
Distance travelled
This value shows the distance covered from the start of the new
mission.
Average fuel consumption
This value shows the approximate average fuel consumption from
the start of the new mission.
Instantaneous fuel consumption
This indicates any change in fuel consumption. The value is con-
stantly updated. The message “- - - -” will appear on the display
if the car is parked with the engine running.
Average speed
This value shows the average speed of the car based on the overall
time elapsed since the start of the new mission.
Trip time
This value shows the time elapsed since the start of the new mis-
sion.
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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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154STARTING UP AND DRIVING
SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may help you to save fuel and
lower the amount of toxic emissions released into the atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled servicing plan”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly, at least once every four weeks: ex-
cessively low pressure will increase fuel consumption because rolling
resistance will be higher.
Unnecessar y loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of the car and
its ride setting greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration of the car and have
a negative effect on fuel consumption. It is better to use a trailer,
particularly for transporting bulky objects.
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears cor-
rectly. For this reason, there must be no obstacles
on the floor under the pedals: ensure that any rub-
ber mats are correctly positioned, and do not interfere
with the pedals
Do not drive with your hand resting on the gear
lever, because this pressure, even if light, can wear
out the gearbox internal components over time.
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158STARTING UP AND DRIVING
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in compliance with local regu-
lations. The snow chains may be applied only to the front wheel
tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the first few metres have been
driven.
Use reduced bulk snow chains: for 195/55 R16” and 205/45
R17” tyres. Use reduced bulk snow chains with a maximum pro-
trusion from the tyres of 9 mm.
IMPORTANT The spare wheel cannot be fitted with snow chains.
If a front (drive) wheel is punctured and snow chains must be used,
you must remove a normal wheel from the rear and replace this
one with the small spare wheel. In this way, with two normal dri-
ve wheels, it is possible to use snow chains.
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the following
precautions should be noted:
❍park the vehicle in a dry, covered and, if possible, ventilated
area; engage a gear and check that the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
❍disconnect the negative battery terminal and check battery
charge. Repeat this check once every three months during stor-
age;
❍clean and protect painted areas using protective wax;
❍clean and protect the shiny metal areas using special com-
mercially-available products;
❍sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen and rear win-
dow wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
❍slightly open the windows;
❍cover the car with a fabric or perforated plastic sheet. Do not
use compact plastic sheets which do not allow humidity to evap-
orate from the surface of the car.
❍inflate tyres to a pressure of +0.5 bar above the normal spec-
ified pressure and check the pressure at regular intervals;
❍if you have not disconnected the battery, check the battery
charge every thirty days;
❍do not drain the engine cooling system.
Keep your speed down when snow chains are fit-
ted. Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes, steps
and pavements and also avoid driving long dis-
tances on roads not covered with snow to prevent dam-
aging the car and the roadbed.
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162IN AN EMERGENCY
The jack may only be used to replace wheels on
the car to which it is fitted or other cars of the same
model. Never use the jack for other purposes, such
as lifting other car models. Never use the jack to carry out
repairs under the car. Incorrect positioning of the jack may
cause the car to fall. Do not use the jack for loads greater
than those shown on the label. Never install snow chains
on the small spare wheel; if a front tyre (driving wheel)
is punctured and you need to use snow chains, use a stan-
dard wheel from the rear axle and install the small spare
wheel on the rear axle. This way, with two normal front
driving wheels, you can install the snow chains on them.
If the hub cap is not installed properly, it can de-
tach itself when the vehicle is running. Never tam-
per with the inflation valve. Never introduce tools
of any kind between rim and tyre. Regularly check the in-
flation pressure of the tyres and small spare wheel (see
chapter 6).
Vehicle handling is modified with the small spare
wheel fitted. Avoid violent accelerations and brak-
ing, sharp steering and fast cornering. The over-
all lifetime of the small spare wheel is about 3000 km,
after which the relevant tyre must be replaced with an-
other one of the same type. Never install a traditional tyre
on a rim designed to be used as a small spare wheel. Re-
pair and refit the standard wheel as soon as possible. Us-
ing two or more small spare wheels at the same time is
forbidden. Do not apply grease to the bolt threading be-
fore assembly: they might loosen spontaneously.
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