2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo warning light

14GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Passenger-side air bag/side bags
deactivated (amber)
The“warning light comes on when the front pas-
senger’s airbag and the side bags are disabled. With front
passenger airbag on, when the ignition key is turned to MAR, the
“warning light comes on steadily for several seconds, it flashes
for another few seconds and then it should go out.
“
Failure of the “warning light is indicated by the
¬warning light coming on. In addition, the airbag
system automatically disables the airbag on the
passenger’s side (both front and side airbags, where pro-
vided). Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service imme-
diately to have the system checked.
Seat belts unfastened (red)
This warning light remains on steadily with the vehi-
cle at a standstill when the driver’s seat belt is not
correctly fastened. The warning light will flash and a
buzzer will sound if the vehicle is in motion and the front seat belts
are not correctly fastened.
If you wish to permanently deactivate the S.B.R. (Seat Belt Re-
minder) system buzzer, please contact your nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service.
The system can be reactivated using the Set-up Menu.<
Low batter y charge (red)
(where provided)
The warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go out as soon as the en-
gine has started (with the engine running at idle speed a brief de-
lay before going out is acceptable).
If the warning light (or symbol in the display) remains on constantly
or flashes, contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.w
Failure of the ¬warning light is indicated by the
“warning light flashing for longer than the nor-
mal 4 seconds, thus signalling that the front pas-
senger airbag is deactivated. In addition, the airbag sys-
tem automatically disables the airbag on the passenger’s
side (both front and side airbags, where provided). In this
case, warning light
¬may not indicate a fault in the
system. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service im-
mediately to have the system checked.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 14

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR15
1
Low engine oil pressure (red)
When the key is turned to MAR the warning light
comes on, but should go out as soon as the engine is
started. There is sometimes a brief delay before the warn-
ing light goes out. In the event of insufficient oil pressure (warn-
ing light remains on constantly) the display will show the dedicat-
ed message.
Oil degraded (Diesel versions)
The warning light flashes when the system detects that the en-
gine oil has degraded.
After the initial signalling, each time the engine is started, the
v
warning light will continue to flash cyclically for 3 minutes with
intervals of 5 seconds with the warning light OFF until the oil is
changed.
v
If warning light vis flashing, go to a Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service immediately to have the
engine oil changed and the warning light in the in-
strument panel will go out. Failure to do so may adversely
affect the validity of the warranty.
Electric power steering failure (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few sec-
onds.
If the warning light (or symbol on the display) remains on, you will
not have steering assistance and the effort required to operate
the steering wheel will be increased. Steering is, however, possi-
ble. In this case contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice. The display will show the dedicated message.g
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 15

16GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Excessive engine coolant
temperature (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the engine is overheated. The dis-
play will show the dedicated message.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as follows:
❍during normal travel: stop the car, stop the engine and check
that the water level in the reservoir is not under the MIN line.
In this case, wait for a few minutes for the engine to cool down,
then slowly and carefully open the cap, top-up with coolant and
check that the level is between the MIN and MAX references
on the reservoir. Also check for leaks. If the warning light comes
on again at the next engine start-up, contact your nearest Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Service.
❍In the case of demanding use (e.g. towing trailers uphill or
car at full load): slow down and stop the car if the warning light
stays on. Stop for 2 or 3 minutes with the engine running and
slightly accelerated to favour better coolant circulation. Then
stop the engine. Check the correct fluid level as described pre-
viously.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is advisable to keep the
engine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes before switch-
ing it off.
u
Doors not closed correctly (red)
The warning light (or symbol on the display) lights up
when one or more doors or the boot tailgate are not
properly closed. A buzzer will sound when doors are open
and the car is moving. On some versions the warning light (or sym-
bol on the display) also lights up when the bonnet is not closed
correctly.´
Luggage compartment open
On some versions a message + symbol on the display
are shown when the luggage compartment is open.R
Bonnet open
On some versions a message + symbol on the display
are shown when the bonnet is open.S
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 16

EOBD/injection system failure
(amber)
Under normal conditions, the warning light comes on
when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but should go off
as soon as the engine is started.
If the warning light remains on or comes on whilst driving, this
means that the injection system is not working properly; in partic-
ular, if the warning light comes on constantly, this indicates a mal-
function in the supply/ignition system that could cause excessive
exhaust emissions, a possible loss of performance, poor driveabil-
ity and high fuel consumption.
On certain versions the dedicated message is displayed.
Under these conditions, the vehicle can continue travelling at mod-
erate speed without demanding excessive effort from the engine.
Prolonged use of the car with the warning light on may cause dam-
age. Contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Service as soon
as possible.
The warning light goes out after the fault is cleared, and the indi-
cation is stored in the system.
NOTE (this information applies
to petrol engine only)
If the warning light is flashing, this indicates that the catalytic
converter may be damaged.
If the warning light comes on intermittently, release the accelera-
tor pedal to lower the speed of the engine until the warning light
stops flashing; continue the journey at moderate speed, trying to
avoid driving conditions that may cause further flashing and con-
tact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service as soon as possible.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR17
1U
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service as soon
as possible if the
Uwarning light does not light
up when the key is turned to MAR or if, while trav-
elling, the warning light comes on either steadily or blink-
ing (along with a message on the display). The opera-
tion of the warning light
Umay be checked by the traf-
fic police using specific devices. Follow the laws in force
in the country where you are driving.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 17

18GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
VDC system (where provided)
(amber)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go out, or if it remains lit up when
driving, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service. On certain ver-
sions the dedicated message is displayed. If the warning light flash-
es when driving, this indicates that the VDC system is active.
ASR failure
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is turned to MAR,
but it should go off after a few seconds. If the warning light does
not go out, or if it remains lit up when driving, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service. On certain versions the dedicated mes-
sage is displayed.
If the warning light flashes when driving, this indicates that the ASR
system is active.
Hill Holder failure
This warning light comes on, on some versions together with the
*symbol and a message in the display, in the event of a Hill Hold-
er system failure. If this occurs, contact your nearest Alfa Romeo
Authorised Service.
á
Alfa Romeo CODE/alarm system
failure (where provided)
(amber)
This warning light (or symbol on the display) comes on
(on some versions together with a message in the display) to in-
dicate the failure of the Alfa Romeo CODE or alarm system (where
provided): if this occurs, contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Autho-
rised Service as soon as possible.
Break-in attempt
If this warning light flashes or, on some versions, if the symbol
appears in the display (together with the associated message) this
indicates a break-in attempt. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service as soon as possible.
Y
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 18

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR19
1
Glow plug preheating
(Diesel versions) (amber)
When the key is turned to MAR the warning light comes
on and it will go out when glow plugs reach the preset
temperature. The engine may be started immediately after the
warning light goes out.
IMPORTANT In mild or high temperature conditions, the warning
light comes on for a very short time only.
Glowheater plugs preheating failure warning
light
(Diesel versions)
If this warning light flashes (on some versions together with a mes-
sage in the display), this indicates a failure in the glowheater plugs
preheating system. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service
Provider as soon as possible to eliminate the fault.
m
Water in diesel fuel filter
(Diesel versions) (amber)
This warning light remains on constantly when driving
(together with a message in the display), to indicate the
presence of water in the diesel fuel filter.c
The presence of water in the fuel system circuit may
cause severe damage to the injection system and
irregular engine operation. If the
cwarning light
comes on in the instrument panel (together with a mes-
sage in the display) contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice as soon as possible to bleed the system. Water may
have been introduced into the tank if this indication ap-
pears immediately after refuelling: in this case switch off
the engine immediately and contact an Alfa Romeo Au-
thorised Service.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 19

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR21
1
Dusk sensor failure (where provided)
On some versions the display will show a message +
symbol if there is a fault in the dusk sensor.1
Fuel reser ve – Limited range (amber)
This warning light comes on when about 5 to 7 litres
of fuel are left in the tank. When the remaining range
is approx. 50 km (or equivalent value in miles), on some
versions, the display will show a warning message.
Parking sensor failure
(where provided)
On some versions the display will show a message +
symbol if there is a fault in the parking sensors.
Rain sensor failure (where provided)
On some versions the display will show a message +
symbol if there is a fault in the rain sensor.u
ç
t
If the warning light flashes with the vehicle in mo-
tion, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.
Cruise Control (where provided)
(green)
This warning light comes on when the key is turned to
MAR, but should go out after a few seconds if the Cruise
Control function is deactivated. The warning light comes on when
the Cruise Control wheel is turned to the ON position (see the
“Cruise Control” paragraph in this chapter). The display will show
the dedicated message.Ü
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 21

22GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Speed limit exceeded
(for versions/markets where
provided) (red)
This warning light (for versions/markets where provided)
comes on when the vehicle speed exceeds 120 km/h.
When the vehicle exceeds the speed limit set in the Setup Menu
(e.g. 120 km/h), on some versions a message and symbol are
shown in the display and a buzzer sounds.
X
General failure (amber)
(where provided)
On some versions, this warning light comes on under the
following circumstances:
External lights failure
See description of 6warning light.
Brake lights failure
See description of “brake lights failure”.
Fuel lock
This warning light comes on when the fuel cut-off inertia switch is
triggered. The display will show the dedicated message.
Rain sensor failure (where provided)
See description of uwarning light.
Parking sensor failure (where provided)
See description of twarning light.
Dusk sensor failure (where provided)
This warning light comes on when a dusk sensor failure is detect-
ed.
è
Particulate trap filter blocked
(Diesel versions) (amber)
This warning light comes on (together with a message
in the display), when the particulate trap filter is blocked.
To clean the filter, you should continue driving the vehicle until
the warning light goes out.
h
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 22