STARTING UP AND DRIVING149
3
Starting the engine................................................................................ 150
Parking............................................................................................... 152
Using of the gearbox............................................................................. 153
Saving fuel .......................................................................................... 154
Towing trailers ...................................................................................... 156
Snow tyres .......................................................................................... 157
Snow chains ......................................................................................... 158
Car inactivity......................................................................................... 158
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 149
158STARTING UP AND DRIVING
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in compliance with local regu-
lations. The snow chains may be applied only to the front wheel
tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the first few metres have been
driven.
Use reduced bulk snow chains: for 195/55 R16” and 205/45
R17” tyres. Use reduced bulk snow chains with a maximum pro-
trusion from the tyres of 9 mm.
IMPORTANT The spare wheel cannot be fitted with snow chains.
If a front (drive) wheel is punctured and snow chains must be used,
you must remove a normal wheel from the rear and replace this
one with the small spare wheel. In this way, with two normal dri-
ve wheels, it is possible to use snow chains.
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the following
precautions should be noted:
❍park the vehicle in a dry, covered and, if possible, ventilated
area; engage a gear and check that the handbrake is not en-
gaged;
❍disconnect the negative battery terminal and check battery
charge. Repeat this check once every three months during stor-
age;
❍clean and protect painted areas using protective wax;
❍clean and protect the shiny metal areas using special com-
mercially-available products;
❍sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen and rear win-
dow wiper blades and lift them off the glass;
❍slightly open the windows;
❍cover the car with a fabric or perforated plastic sheet. Do not
use compact plastic sheets which do not allow humidity to evap-
orate from the surface of the car.
❍inflate tyres to a pressure of +0.5 bar above the normal spec-
ified pressure and check the pressure at regular intervals;
❍if you have not disconnected the battery, check the battery
charge every thirty days;
❍do not drain the engine cooling system.
Keep your speed down when snow chains are fit-
ted. Do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes, steps
and pavements and also avoid driving long dis-
tances on roads not covered with snow to prevent dam-
aging the car and the roadbed.
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 158
162IN AN EMERGENCY
The jack may only be used to replace wheels on
the car to which it is fitted or other cars of the same
model. Never use the jack for other purposes, such
as lifting other car models. Never use the jack to carry out
repairs under the car. Incorrect positioning of the jack may
cause the car to fall. Do not use the jack for loads greater
than those shown on the label. Never install snow chains
on the small spare wheel; if a front tyre (driving wheel)
is punctured and you need to use snow chains, use a stan-
dard wheel from the rear axle and install the small spare
wheel on the rear axle. This way, with two normal front
driving wheels, you can install the snow chains on them.
If the hub cap is not installed properly, it can de-
tach itself when the vehicle is running. Never tam-
per with the inflation valve. Never introduce tools
of any kind between rim and tyre. Regularly check the in-
flation pressure of the tyres and small spare wheel (see
chapter 6).
Vehicle handling is modified with the small spare
wheel fitted. Avoid violent accelerations and brak-
ing, sharp steering and fast cornering. The over-
all lifetime of the small spare wheel is about 3000 km,
after which the relevant tyre must be replaced with an-
other one of the same type. Never install a traditional tyre
on a rim designed to be used as a small spare wheel. Re-
pair and refit the standard wheel as soon as possible. Us-
ing two or more small spare wheels at the same time is
forbidden. Do not apply grease to the bolt threading be-
fore assembly: they might loosen spontaneously.
159-196 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:45 Pagina 162
135/70 R16 4B x 16 ET 15
135/70 R16 4B x 16 ET 15
135/70 R16 4B x 16 ET 15
TECHNICAL DATA231
6
195/55 R16 87 H 195/55 R16 87 H (M+S)
205/45 R17 88W XL 205/45 R17 88 H (M+S)
215/45 R17 87W (*) 215/45 R17 87 H (M+S)
215/40 R18 89W XL (*) 215/40 R18 89 H (M+S)
195/55 R16 87 V 195/55 R16 87 H (M+S)
205/45 R17 88W XL 205/45 R17 88 H (M+S)
215/45 R17 87W (*) 215/45 R17 87 H (M+S)
215/40 R18 89W XL (*) 215/40 R18 89 H (M+S)
195/55 R16 87 H 195/55 R16 87 H (M+S)
205/45 R17 88W XL 205/45 R17 88 H (M+S)
215/45 R17 87W (*) 215/45 R17 87 H (M+S)
215/40 R18 89W XL (*) 215/40 R18 89 H (M+S
Versions fitted with 195/55 R16” and 205/45 R17” tyres can be fitted with reduced bulk snow chains with a maximum protrusion from the tyres
of 9 mm.
(*) Cannot be used with snow chains
7Jx16 ET 39
7Jx17 ET 39
7Jx17 ET 39
7
1/2 Jx18 ET 42
7Jx16 ET 39
7Jx17 ET 39
7Jx17 ET 39
7
1/2 Jx18 ET 42
7Jx16 ET 39
7Jx17 ET 39
7Jx17 ET 39
7
1/2 Jx18 ET 42
Versions Rims Tyres Spare wheel
Provided Snow tyres Tyre Rim
1.4 Petrol
1.4 Turbo
Petrol
1.3 JTDM1.6 JTDM
221-240 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:43 Pagina 231
242INDEX
Headlights.................................... 105
Heating/climate control system ....... 64
Hill Holder system .......................... 108
Identification data ......................... 222
In an emergency ............................ 159
Installing a navigation system (wiring) 116
Instrument panel and instruments .....8-244
Interior equipment .......................... 89
Interiors (cleaning) ......................... 219
Isofix (standard seat)...................... 141
Jacking the car.............................. 193
Keys ........................................... 47
Knowing your car............................ 5
Load limiters ................................ 131
Main beam headlights
– activation ................................ 77
– bulb replacement ...................... 176
Menu ........................................... 32
Menu options ................................ 32
MSR (system) ............................... 110
Number plate lights
– bulb replacement ...................... 179
Oddment compartment .................. 89
Oil engine ..................................... 209
Paint .......................................... 217
Parking........................................ 152
Performance ................................. 234
Power windows ............................. 96
Pretensioners................................ 130
Protecting the environment .............. 126
Puddle lights
– bulb replacement ...................... 183
Radio transmitters and cellular phones .. 117
Radio wiring system ....................... 115
Rear fog lights
– activation ................................ 87
– bulb replacement ...................... 179
Rear screen wiper
– activation ................................ 79
– brushes ................................... 213
– sprays..................................... 213
Rear view mirrors ........................... 61
Reversing light
– bulb replacement ...................... 179
Roof rack/ski rack ......................... 104
S.B.R. system............................... 129
Safe lock (device)........................... 51
Safety.......................................... 127
Seat belts ..................................... 128
Seats ........................................... 56
Sensors
– automatic headlights ................. 76
– rain ........................................ 80
– parking ................................... 117
Service Plan .................................. 199
– regular checks .......................... 203
Setting off and driving ....................149
Sidebags...................................... 145
Sidelights/daytime lights
– activation ................................ 76
– bulb replacement .................176-178
Snow chains ................................. 158
Starting the engine ....................150-160
Start-up device .............................. 55
Steering....................................... 228
Steering lock ................................. 56
Steering wheel (adjustment) ........... 60Storing the car ............................... 158
Sun visors ..................................... 91
Supplementary heater..................... 75
Suspension................................... 228
Symbols....................................... 46
T.P.M.S. (system) ......................... 120
Technical data ............................... 221
Third brake light ............................. 179
Top speeds .................................... 234
Towing the car ............................... 194
Towing trailers ............................... 156
TPMS system ................................ 120
Transmission ................................. 227
Trip Computer ................................ 42
Tyre marking ................................. 229
– inflation pressures .................... 232
Tyres
– standard ................................. 231
– snow tyres .............................. 157
– correct reading of ...................... 229
VDC (system) .............................. 108
Warning lights on panel ................ 12
Weights ........................................ 235
Wheel replacement ........................ 161
Wheel rims
– correct reading ......................... 230
Wheels
– bulb replacement ...................... 161
– technical specifications .............. 229
Wheels and tyres ........................... 213
Window cleaning............................ 79
Windows (cleaning) ....................... 218
Windscreen wiper
– activation ................................ 79
– brushes ................................... 214
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