
6GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Interior fittings ...................................................................................... 89
Electric sunroof ..................................................................................... 92
Doors .................................................................................................. 95
Electric windows ................................................................................... 96
Luggage compartment ........................................................................... 99
Bonnet................................................................................................ 103
Roof rack/ski rack ................................................................................ 104
Headlights........................................................................................... 105
ABS system ......................................................................................... 107
VDC system ......................................................................................... 108
“Alfa dna” system................................................................................. 111
EOBD system ....................................................................................... 114
Electric power steering ........................................................................... 114
Radio wiring system .............................................................................. 115
Wiring for navigation system................................................................... 116
Installation of electrical/electronic devices................................................. 116
Parking sensors .................................................................................... 117
T.P.M.S. system.................................................................................... 120
At the filling station............................................................................... 124
Protecting the environment ..................................................................... 126
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 6

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

46GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
SYMBOLS
Some vehicle components have coloured labels whose symbols in-
dicate precautions to be observed when using this component.
There is also a label under the bonnet that summarises all the sym-
bols.
ALFA ROMEO CODE SYSTEM
This is an electrical engine locking system which increases protec-
tion against an attempted theft of the car. It is automatically acti-
vated when the ignition key is extracted.
Each key contains an electronic device which modulates the sig-
nal emitted during ignition by an antenna built into the ignition de-
vice. This signal is the ‘password’ which changes at each ignition
and which the control unit uses to recognise the key and enable
ignition.
OPERATION
Each time the car is started by turning the ignition key to MAR, the
Alfa Romeo CODE system control unit sends an acknowledgement
code to the engine management control unit to deactivate the in-
hibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo CODE system control unit
has recognised the code transmitted from the key.
Each time the ignition key is turned to STOP, the Alfa Romeo
CODE system deactivates the functions of the engine management
control unit. If the code is not recognised correctly during ignition,
the
Ywarning light comes on in the instrument panel. In this
case turn the key to STOP and then to MAR; if the lock persists
try again with the spare set of keys. If you are still unable to
start the engine contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 46

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR53
1ALARM (where provided)
ALARM TRIPPING
The alarm trips in the following cases:
❍illegal opening of doors/bonnet/luggage compartment
(perimeter protection);
❍illegal operation of ignition system (ignition key rotated to
MAR);
❍when the battery cables are cut;
❍when someone is moving inside the passenger compartment
(volume-sensing protection);
❍anomalous lifting/tilting of the vehicle (for versions/markets
where provided).
The tripping of the alarm is indicated by a sound and a visual dis-
play (flashing of the direction indicators for several seconds). The
alarm triggering methods may vary according to the market. There
is a maximum number of acoustic/visual cycles. When this is
reached the system returns to normal operation.
IMPORTANT The engine inhibitor function is guaranteed by the
Alfa Romeo CODE, which is automatically activated when the ig-
nition key is extracted from the ignition switch.
IMPORTANT the alarm is configured to comply with the regulations
existing in different countries.
ACTIVATING THE ALARM
With the doors and bonnet closed and the ignition key either turned
to STOP or removed, direct the key with the remote control to-
wards the vehicle and press button
Á. Except on some versions
for specific markets, the system produces a visual and acoustic
warning and enables door locking.
Before the alarm is enabled, a self-diagnosis test is run. in the event
of a fault, the system emits a further acoustic and/or visual warn-
ing via the LED on the dashboard.
If after the alarm is activated, a second acoustic warning is emit-
ted and/or the LED on the dashboard flashes, wait about 4 sec-
onds and then deactivate the alarm by pressing
Ë, check that
the doors, bonnet and luggage compartment are closed correctly
and then reactivate the system by pressing
Á.
If the alarm produces an acoustic signal even when the doors, bon-
net and boot are correctly closed, a failure has occurred in sys-
tem operation. Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 53

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR103
1BONNET
OPENING THE BONNET
Proceed as follows:
❍pull lever A-fig. 66 in the direction indicated by the arrow;
❍pull lever B in the direction indicated by the arrow;
❍raise the bonnet and simultaneously free support rod C-fig.
67 from its clip and insert the end into housing D.
IMPORTANT Before lifting up the bonnet make sure that the wind-
screen wipers are in the rest position and not operational.
fig. 66A0J0085m
CLOSING THE BONNET
❍hold the bonnet up with one hand and with the other remove
rod C-fig. 67 from housing D and fit it back into its catch;
fig. 67A0J0086m
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 103

104GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
❍lower the bonnet to about 20 centimetres above the engine
compartment and then let it drop. Make sure that the bonnet
is closed correctly and not just in the safety position by trying
to lift it. If it is not perfectly closed, open the bonnet and re-
peat the procedure. Do not simply press it.
IMPORTANT Always check that the bonnet is closed properly to avoid
its opening while the car is travelling.ROOF RACK/SKI RACK
To fit the roof rack/ski rack, raise the special tabs A-fig. 68 using
the screwdriver provided to access attachment housings B.
The bonnet must always be perfectly closed while
travelling for safety reasons. Make sure that the
bonnet is perfectly closed and that the lock is en-
gaged. If when driving you realise that the bonnet is not
properly closed, stop immediately and close the bonnet
correctly.
Carry out these operations with the vehicle at a
standstill.
If the support rod is incorrectly positioned this may
cause the bonnet to fall down without warning.
fig. 68A0J0059m
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 104

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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197-220 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:42 Pagina 199

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)
197-220 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:42 Pagina 201