2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo rain sensor

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
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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
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30GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
SETUP MENU
The menu comprises a series of items which can be selected us-
ing the + and – buttons to access the different selection and set-
ting operations (setup) given in the following paragraphs. Some
items also have a sub-menu. The setup menu can be activated by
briefly pressing the MENU ESC button.The menu includes the following items:
– MENU
– SPEED BEEP
– HEADL. SENSOR (where provided)
– RAIN SENSOR (where provided)
– TRIP B DATA
– SET TIME
– SET DATE
– FIRST PAGE (where provided)
– SEE RADIO
– AUTOCLOSE
– UNITS
– LANGUAGE
– BUZZER VOLUME
– BUTTON VOL.
– BELT BUZZER
– SERVICE
– PASSENGER BAG
– DAY LIGHTS
– COURTESY LIGHTS
– EXIT MENU
NOTE On vehicles equipped with radio-navigation systems (where
provided), some menu items are shown on the navigator display.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR33
1
Headlight sensor (Automatic headlight sensor
sensitivity adjustment) (where provided)
This function is used to adjust the dusk sensor sensitivity to three
levels (level 1 = minimum, level 2 = medium, level 3 = maxi-
mum); the higher the sensitivity, the lower the amount of exter-
nal light needed to switch the headlights on.
Proceed as follows to set:
– briefly press MENU ESC: the previously set level will flash on the
display;
– press + or – to change the setting;
– briefly press the MENU ESC button to go back to the menu screen
or hold the button down to go back to the standard screen with-
out storing the new settings.
Rain sensor (Rain sensor sensitivity
adjustment) (where provided)
With this function it is possible to adjust the rain sensor sensitivi-
ty according to 4 levels.
To set the required sensitivity level proceed as follows:
– briefly press MENU ESC: the previously set sensitivity level will
flash on the display;
– press + or – to change the setting;
– briefly press the MENU ESC button to go back to the menu screen
or hold the button down to go back to the standard screen with-
out storing the new settings.
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76GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
SIDE LIGHTS/DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS
With the ignition key turned to MAR, turn selector wheel A to 2. The
daylight lights are switched off and the side lights and dipped beam
headlights are switched on. The
3warning light on the instru-
ment panel will come on at the same time.
AUTOMATIC LIGHTING CONTROL (AUTOLIGHT)
(Dusk sensor) (where provided)
THIS is an infra-red LED sensor that works in conjunction with the
rain sensor and is fitted on the windscreen. It is able to detect
variations in outside lighting based on the sensitivity settings se-
lected in the Set-up Menu: the higher the sensitivity, the lower
the amount of external light needed to switch the lights on. The
system consists of two sensors: one multi-directional sensor able
to detect light from above, and one directional sensor able to de-
tect the light in the vehicle’s path: this allows the system to recog-
nise tunnels, roads and galleries. The dusk sensor is activated by
turning selector wheel A-fig. 33 to
2A. In this way the side lights
and dipped beam headlights are both switched on automatically
according to the outside light level.
EXTERNAL LIGHTS
LEFT-HAND LEVER fig. 33
The left-hand lever operates most of the external lights. The ex-
ternal lights can only be switched on when the ignition key is at
MAR. The instrument panel and the various controls on the dash-
board will come on when the external lights are switched on.
DAYLIGHT LIGHTS (D.R.L.) (where provided)
With the ignition key turned to MAR and selector wheel A turned
to position
Othe daylight lights are activated; the other lights
and internal illumination remain off. With regards to switching on
the Daylight lights, see the “Menu Items” paragraph in this chap-
ter. If the function is disabled, no lights are switched on when se-
lector wheel A is turned to position
O.
fig. 33A0J0063m
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR79
1
Moving the lever upwards (unstable position) limits operation to
the time the lever is held in this position. The lever will return to
position and the wiper will be automatically stopped when released.WINDOW WASHING
The right lever controls windscreen wiper/washer and heated rear
window wiper/washer operation.
WINDSCREEN WIPER/WASHER fig. 34
This only operates with the ignition turned to MAR. Selector wheel
A can take five different positions:
,intermittent (low speed);
Owindscreen wiper off;
AUTO rain sensor activation (where provided) (the windscreen
wipers adapt the operating speed automatically to suit the
intensity of the rain)
≤intermittent;
≥continuous slow;
¥continuous fast operation.
fig. 34A0J0064m
Do not use the windscreen wiper to remove lay-
ers of snow or ice from the windscreen. In such con-
ditions, the windscreen wiper may be subjected to
excessive stress and the motor protection which prevents
operation for a few seconds may trip. If operation is not
restored, even after turning the key and restarting the en-
gine, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.
“Smart washing” function
Pull the lever towards the steering wheel (unstable position) to op-
erate the windscreen washer jet. By keeping the lever pulled for
more than half a second, it is possible to operate the washer jet
and the wiper at the same time with just one movement.
The wiper stops working three strokes after releasing the lever. A
further stroke after approx. 6 seconds completes the wiping cycle.
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80GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
If the vehicle is switched off with the lever in the automatic posi-
tion, when the vehicle is next started no wiping cycle will take place
even if it is raining. This is to prevent unwanted activation of the
rain sensor when the engine is started (i.e. when the windscreen
is being washed by hand or the wipers are stuck to the windscreen
by ice).
Carry out any of the following manoeuvres to restore automatic
operation:
❍move the left-hand lever from the automatic position to any
other position and then back to automatic;
❍adjust the sensitivity (by turning selector wheel A-fig. 34 to
increase or decrease).
When the rain sensor is reactivated using any of the manoeuvres
described above, reactivation is indicated by a single stroke of
the windscreen wipers, regardless of the condition of the wind-
screen. If the sensitivity of the rain sensor is adjusted whilst it is
in operation, a single stroke of the windscreen wiper takes place
to confirm the changed setting.
In the event of the malfunction of the rain sensor whilst it is ac-
tive, the windscreen wiper operates intermittently at a speed con-
sistent with the sensitivity setting of the rain sensor, regardless of
whether it is raining or not (the sensor failure is indicated on the
instrument panel display). The sensor continues to operate and it
is possible to set the windscreen wiper to continuous mode (1
stor
2ndspeed). The failure indication remains for as long as the sen-
sor is active.
RAIN SENSOR (where provided) fig. 35
This is an infra-red LED sensor fitted on the vehicle windscreen. It
is able to detect the presence of rain and consequently manage
windscreen wiping in accordance with the amount of water on
the windscreen.
Activation
The sensor is activated by turning selector wheel A-fig. 34 to the
automatic position (AUTO): in this way the windscreen wiper strokes
are regulated in accordance with the amount of water on the wind-
screen. The frequency can vary between no strokes (no rain - wind-
screen dry) and the 2
ndcontinuous speed (intense rain – wind-
screen wet).
The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be adjusted by operating se-
lector wheel A-fig. 34.
fig. 35A0J0189m
001-126 Alfa MiTo GB 13-11-2008 10:08 Pagina 80

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