2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo change time

106GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Adjusting headlamp alignment
Press buttons Òandto carry out the alignment (fig. 69). The
instrument panel display provides a visual indication of the posi-
tions during the adjustment operation.
Position 0 – one or two passengers in the front seats.
Position 1 – 4 passengers.
Position 2 – 4 passengers + load in the luggage compartment.
Position 3 – driver + maximum permitted load in the luggage com-
partment.
IMPORTANT Check beam orientation every time the load carried
changes.
IMPORTANT If the vehicle is equipped with Bi-xenon headlights,
headlight alignment is carried out automatically and therefore but-
tons
Òandare not present.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS ALIGNMENT
(where provided)
To check and, if necessary, adjust the alignment contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service.
HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENT
ABROAD
The dipped beam headlights are aligned to comply with the regu-
lations of the country of purchase. When driving in countries with
a different driving direction, to avoid blinding the drivers travelling
in the opposite direction, it is necessary to cover the areas of the
beam according to the provisions of the Highway Code of the coun-
try you are driving in.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR119
1The ultimate responsibility when parking and car-
rying out other dangerous manoeuvres still rests
with the driver. When carrying out such manoeu-
vres, always ensure that the manoeuvring area is free
of people (particularly children) and animals. Parking sen-
sors are designed to assist drivers: in all cases, you must
always pay the utmost attention during potentially dan-
gerous manoeuvres, even when these are carried out at
low speed.GENERAL WARNINGS
During parking manoeuvres, pay the utmost attention to any ob-
stacles that could be located above or below the sensors.
Sometimes, objects located close to the rear part of the vehicle
may not be detected by the system and may damage the vehicle
or become damaged themselves.
Here below are some conditions that may influence the perfor-
mance of the parking system:
❍reduced sensor sensitivity and reduced parking aid system per-
formance could be caused by the presence of the following
on the sensors: ice, snow, mud, multiple layers of paint;
❍the sensors detect objects that are not there (“echo disturbance”)
caused by mechanical disturbances, for example: washing the
car, rain (extreme wind conditions), hail;
❍the indications sent by the sensors can also be altered by the
presence of ultrasound devices (e.g. pneumatic brake systems
or pneumatic drills) near the car;
❍sensor performance can also be influenced by the position of
the sensors. For example by a change in the ride setting (caused
by the wear of the shock absorbers, suspension), overloading
the vehicle and carrying out specific tuning operations that re-
quire the vehicle to be lowered;
❍the detection of obstacles to the upper part of the vehicle is not
guaranteed as the system is designed to detect obstacles that
could impact the lower part of the vehicle.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 119

130SAFETY
The red and green warning lights work as follows:
❍off if the seat belts are already fastened when the ignition is
turned to MAR
❍red if the front seat belts are not fastened
❍flashing red (only those for the rear seats) if the front seat belts
are not fastened
❍green if the seat belts are fastened
When only the driver is present and all the seat belts are unfas-
tened, the first 4 warning lights (fig. 4) come on with a red light
and the last comes on with a green light.
The three central warning lights flash for approximately 30 seconds
and then stay on with a fixed red light.
The two side warning lights A and B-fig. 4 are associated with the
front seats (with left hand drive in this case), while the three cen-
tral warning lights are associated with rear passengers. The warn-
ing lights for the front and rear seats behave in different ways.
Front seats
Driver
If only the driver is present in the car, the situation as described in
fig. 4. Once the car exceeds 20 km/h or remains at a speed be-
tween 10 km/h and 20 km/h for a time greater than 5 seconds,
an acoustic warning cycle begins for the front seats (continuous
acoustic signal for the first 6 seconds followed by an additional
90 second beep) and flashing of the warning light. Once the cy-
cle is complete, the warning lights remain on with a fixed light
until the car is turned off. The acoustic signal stops immediately
when the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the warning light changes
to green. If the seatbelt is unfastened again while the vehicle is in motion,
the acoustic signal and the warning light flashing are resumed as
described previously
Passenger
A similar situation arises for the front passenger, except that the
warning lights becomes green and the signal also stops when the
passenger leaves the car. In the event that both front seat belts are
unfastened with the vehicle in motion, a few seconds apart, the
acoustic signal refers to the most recent event, while both warning
lights display a visual signal independently of one another.
Rear seats
A signal is only produced for the rear seats when any one of the
belts is unfastened . Under these conditions, the warning light for
the unfastened belt begins to flash for a duration of 30 seconds.
An acoustic signal is also emitted. If more than one belt is unfas-
tened, the visual signal begins and ends independently for each
warning light.
IMPORTANT
All the warning lights stay on if at least one of the front seats is
occupied with the belt unfastened.
All the warning lights go off (30 seconds after the last seat belt is
fast and) when all front seats are occupied, irrespective of the
status of the rear belts.
All the warning lights come on when at least one of the belts
changes from fastened to unfastened or vice versa.
All the warning lights stay off if all the seat belts have already been
fastened when the car is started.
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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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200CARE AND MAINTENANCE
2 If the car is mainly used in cities or travels less than 10,000 km a year, change the engine oil and filter every
12 months.
30 60 90 120 150 180
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1 For 1.4 Turbo Petrol versions, in order to guarantee correct operation and prevent serious damage to the
engine, it is essential to observe the following:
- only use spark plugs specifically certified for Turbo Petrol engines; all spark plugs should be of the same type and brand
(see the “Engine” paragraph);
- adhere strictly to the spark plug replacement intervals detailed in the Scheduled Service Plan;
- it is advisable to have this carried out by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Thousands of kilometres
Check exhaust emissions
Check engine management system operation (via diagnostic socket)
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (*)
Replace spark plugs 1
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and oil filter (or every 24 months) 2
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
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202CARE AND MAINTENANCE
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
(**) The engine oil and oil filter should be changed when the warning light on the dashboard comes on, or every 24 months.
Thousands of kilometres
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (except 1.3 JTDMengine)(*)
Replace fuel filter
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and replace oil filter(**)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Replace pollen filter (or every 24 months)35 70 105 140 175
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