2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo engine coolant

STARTING UP AND DRIVING151
3
In the initial period of use, it is advisable to avoid
placing the car under excessive stress (for instance
excessive acceleration, extended travel at maxi-
mum speed, sharp braking etc.).
Is is dangerous to let the engine run in enclosed
spaces. The engine depletes oxygen and discharges
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic
gases.
Remember that the servo brake and electric pow-
er steering are not operational until the engine has
been started, therefore more effort than usual is
required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.
Avoid jump starting the engine by pushing, towing
or driving downhill. These manoeuvres may dam-
age the catalytic converter.
When the engine is off, do not leave the key in
the ignition switch turned to MAR to avoid drain-
ing the battery.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT HAS
JUST STARTED (petrol and diesel engines)
Proceed as follows:
❍drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium speed. Do
not accelerate abruptly;
❍do not demand maximum performance for the first few kilo-
metres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge starts moving.
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE199
5
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN
PETROL VERSIONS
Thousands of kilometres
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure if required
Check lighting system operation (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights, passenger
compartment lights, boot lights, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer operation
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and
brake pad wear indication
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear
Visually inspect the condition of: bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (gaiters, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check cleanliness of locks, bonnet and boot, and
cleanliness and lubrication of linkages
Check and top up, if required, fluid levels
(engine coolant, brake/hydraulic clutch fluid, windscreen washer fluid, battery fluid, etc)
Check the handbrake lever travel and adjust it, if necessary
Check timing belt condition
Visually inspect condition of auxiliary drive belt/s
Check tension and adjust auxiliary drive belt (versions with heater system)30 60 90 120 150 180
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE201
5
DIESEL VERSIONS
35 70 105 140 175
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Thousands of kilometres
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure if required
Check lighting system operation (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights,
passenger compartment lights, boot lights, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer operation
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and
brake pad wear indication
Check rear disc brake pad seal condition and wear
Visually inspect the condition of: bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes),
rubber parts (gaiters, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check cleanliness of locks, bonnet and boot, and
cleanliness and lubrication of linkages
Check and top up, if required, fluid levels
(engine coolant, brake/hydraulic clutch fluid, windscreen washer fluid, battery fluid, etc)
Check the handbrake lever travel and adjust it, if necessary
Visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drive belt/s.
Check exhaust fumes/emissions
Check engine management system operation (via diagnostic socket)
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE203
5
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and top up the fol-
lowing if necessary:
❍engine coolant level, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid
❍tyre pressure and condition;
❍operation of lights (headlights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❍operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system, position
and wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check the following and top-up, if necessary: en-
gine oil level.
We recommend the use of FL Selenia products, designed and pro-
duced specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see “Consumables” table
in chapter 6).
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR
If you use the vehicle mainly under one of the following conditions:
❍trailer or caravan towing;
❍dusty roads;
❍repeated short distances (less than 7-8 km) and with exter-
nal temperatures below zero;
❍frequently idling the engine, travelling long distances at low
speeds or long term inactivity;
❍in cities;
perform the following inspections more frequently than shown on
the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❍check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
❍check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, and cleanliness and
lubrication of linkages;
❍visually inspect the condition of: engine, gearbox, transmission,
pipes and hoses (exhaust – fuel supply - brakes) rubber ele-
ments (gaiters – hoses - bushes etc.);
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CARE AND MAINTENANCE209
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ENGINE OIL
Check that the oil level is between the MIN and MAX references
on the dipstick A-fig. 1-2-3-4.
If the oil level is near or even under the MIN line, add oil using
the filler B-fig. 1-2 to reach the MAX line. The oil level should nev-
er exceed the MAX line.
Engine oil consumption
The maximum engine oil consumption is usually 400 grams every
1000 km. During the initial period of use the engine oil consumption
conditions should be considered as having stabilised after the first
5000 - 6000 km.
Don’t add any oil with different characteristics to
those of the existing engine oil.
Used engine oil and the replaced oil filter contain
substances that may be dangerous for the envi-
ronment. We recommend having the oil and oil fil-
ter replaced by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the level is too low, undo reservoir cap C-fig. 1-2-3-4 and add the
fluid described in chapter 6.
PARAFLU UP antifreeze is used in the engine cool-
ing system. Use fluid of the same type contained
in the cooling system for top-ups. PARAFLU UP may
not be mixed with other types of fluids. If this accidentally
occurs, do not start the engine. Contact an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services.
The engine cooling system is pressurised. If re-
quired, replace the cap with an original spare part
so as not to compromise system efficiency. Do not
remove the cap from the reservoir when the engine is hot:
risk of burns.
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244RIGH HAND DRIVE VERSION
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ONBOARD INSTRUMENTS
AC
DE
B
VERSIONS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY
A Speedometer (speed indicator)
B Multifunctional display
C Rev counter
D Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light
E Engine coolant temperature gauge and excessive temperature
warning light
mcWarning lights supplied in diesel versions only. On diesel
versions the rpm gauge end of scale is set at 6000 rpm
WARNING Instrument background colour and type may vary
according to the version.
A0J0292mfig. 2
AC
DE
B
A0J0293mfig. 3
VERSIONS WITH RECONFIGURABLE
MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY
A Speedometer (speed indicator)
B Reconfigurable multifunctional display
C Rev counter
D Fuel level gauge with reserve warning light
E Engine coolant temperature gauge and excessive temperature
warning light
mcWarning lights supplied in diesel versions only. On diesel
versions the rpm gauge end of scale is set at 6000 rpm
WARNING Instrument background colour and type may vary
according to the version.
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