2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo Engine warning light

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR109
1
ASR SYSTEM (AntiSlip Regulation)
This is an integral part of the VDC system. It automatically cuts in
in the event of one or both drive wheels slipping, loss of grip on
wet roads (aquaplaning) and acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy
roads etc.
According to slipping conditions, two different control systems are
activated:
❍if slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR function inter-
venes by reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
❍if the slipping involves only one drive wheel, the ASR system
intervenes by automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.
If the spare wheel is in use the ASR system does
not work. in this case the
áwarning light will come
on in the instrument panel.
In order for the ESP and ASR systems to operate
correctly, it is essential that the tyres are of the
same brand and type on all wheels, in perfect con-
dition and, above all, of the specified type, brand and size.
If the spare wheel is used, the VDC system keeps
operating. Be aware however that the spare wheel,
being smaller than the original wheel, provides less
grip.
The performance of the VDC and ASR systems
should not encourage the driver to take unneces-
sary risks. Your driving style should always take
road conditions, visibility and traffic into account. The dri-
ver is ultimately responsible for road safety.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 109

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR113
1
ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT
OF “All Weather” MODE
Engagement
Move lever A-fig. 70 downwards (to the letter “a”) and hold in
this position for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding LED lights up
or the word “All Weather” appears on the display (see diagrams).
A0J0187mA0J1180g
Disengagement
To disengage “All Weather” mode and return to “Normal”, carry
out the same procedure described for“Dynamic” mode, moving
lever A-fig. 70 to “a”. IMPORTANT NOTES
❍It is not possible to go from“Dynamic” mode straight to “All
Weather” mode and vice versa. You must always first go back
to “Normal” mode and then select the other mode.
❍If “Dynamic” mode was engaged when the engine was
switched off, the next time it is started “Normal” mode is au-
tomatically selected. If, however, “All Weather” or “Normal”,
was engaged when the engine was switched off, the selected
mode is maintained the next time it is started.
❍“Dynamic” mode cannot be engaged at speeds of above
110 km/h.
❍In the event of system failure or a fault with lever A-fig. 70,
no driving modes can be selected. The display will show a
warning message.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 113

SAFETY147
2
The expiry dates of the pyrotechnic charge and spi-
ral contact are shown in the plate installed inside
the glove compartment. Refer to an Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services when it’s time to replace them.
Do not travel with objects on your lap, in front of
your chest, or between your lips (e.g. pipes, pen-
cils, etc.) In the event of a crash with airbag acti-
vation, you may be seriously injured.
If someone tries to steal or damage your car, and
in the event of floods, have the air bag system
checked by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
With the ignition key inserted and turned to MAR,
even if the engine is off, the air bags can activate
also with the car at a standstill, if it is hit by an-
other vehicle. For this reason, children must never sit on
the front seat, even if the car is not moving. Please re-
member that if the key is inserted and turned to the STOP
position, no safety device (airbag or pretensioner) acti-
vates following a collision. Non-deployment in such cas-
es must not be considered a sign of malfunction.
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the “
warning light turns on (front airbag on passenger’s
side enabled) and blinks for a few seconds as a re-
minder that the passenger airbag will activate in the event
of a collision. Then it turns off.
The front airbags deploy in the event of more se-
vere collisions than those required for deploying
the pretensioners. For collisions in the range be-
tween the two thresholds, it is normal for only the pre-
tensioners to be activated.
127-148 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 147

150STARTING UP AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the moment the en-
gine starts.
IMPORTANT NOTES
❍If the engine does not start on the first attempt, turn the igni-
tion key to STOP before repeating the operation.
❍If, when the ignition key is on MAR, the Ywarning light (or
symbol in the display) remains lit together with the
Uwarn-
ing light, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try using the other keys provided
with the car. If you are still unable to start the engine carry
out the emergency starting procedure (see “Emergency Start-
up” in chapter 4) and contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice Provider.
❍Never leave the ignition key on MAR when the engine is off.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍turn the ignition key to MAR: the mandYwarning lights
(or symbol in the display) will come on;
❍wait for the warning light (or symbol in the display) to go
out;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the mwarning light
goes out. Waiting too long will waste the work done by the
glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If warning light mblinks for 60 seconds after
starting or during prolonged cranking, this indi-
cates a fault in the glow plug pre-heating system.
Use the car normally if the engine starts and contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services provider as soon as pos-
sible.
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 150

152STARTING UP AND DRIVING
EMERGENCY START
If the Ywarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, before turning the engine off you
should allow it to idle to allow the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.
PARKING
Switch off the engine and pull up the handbrake. Engage a gear
(1stif the car is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing downhill) and
leave the wheels steered to one side.
If the car is parked on a steep slope block the wheels with a wedge
or stone. Always remove the ignition key when leaving the vehi-
cle.
HANDBRAKE fig. 1
To engage the handbrake pull lever A upwards until the vehicle is
secured. To disengage slightly raise lever A, press and hold down
button B and lower the lever.
A quick burst on the accelerator before turning off
the engine serves absolutely no practical purpose,
it wastes fuel and is damaging, especially to tur-
bocharged engines.
fig. 1A0J0110m
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 152

160IN AN EMERGENCY
STARTING THE ENGINE
If the Ywarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider imme-
diately.
STARTING WITH AN AUXILIARY BATTERY
If the battery is flat, the engine may be started using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a little higher than the flat one.
For engine starting follow the procedure below, fig. 1:
❍connect the positive terminals (+ sign near the terminal) of the
two batteries with a jump lead;
❍with a second lead, connect the negative terminal – of the aux-
iliary battery to an earth point
Eon the engine or the gear-
box of the car to be started;
❍start the engine; when engine has started, remove the cables
by reversing the sequence described for connection.If after several attempts the engine will not start, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
IMPORTANT Never connect the negative terminals of the two bat-
teries directly! If the auxiliary battery is installed on another car,
prevent accidental contact between metallic parts of the two cars.
BUMP STARTING
Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving downhill.
fig. 1A0J0111m
159-196 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:45 Pagina 160

5
7.5
5
5
15
10
15
20
IN AN EMERGENCY191
4
43
43
43
43
45
45
45
45F49
F50
F51
F53
F4
F5
F6
F1
CONSUMERS FUSE AMPERE FIGURE
Parking sensors control unit, Tyre pressure
detection control unit, Rain/dusk sensor
on rear-view mirror, Electro-chrome sensor
on rear-view mirror, Seat belts fastened
warning light display on rear-view mirror,
Control panel illumination (Central control
panel, Driver-side control panel, Steering wheel
control panel, Blue&Me
TMcontrol panel),
Front seat heating pad activation switch,
Alarm system volume-sensing sensors control unit,
Electric sunroof control unit,
PND socket on dashboard
Air Bag system control unit
Clutch switch, Brake light
switch, relay coils on
engine fuse box, Control system on
internal heater/air conditioning unit,
Blue&Me
TMcontrol unit,
Radio wiring, Air flow meter,
Water in diesel fuel sensor
Instrument panel
Bose HI-FI system amplifier control unit
Bassbox subwoofer in spare wheel compartment
Left and right front seat heater
Electric sunroof opening system
159-196 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:46 Pagina 191

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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