2009 Alfa Romeo MiTo wipers

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 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

STARTING UP AND DRIVING155
3
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount of time needed. The heat-
ed rear windscreen, additional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan require a considerable amount of energy; increasing the
current uptake increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% in an
urban cycle).
Climate control
Using the climate control system increases fuel consumption: use
the air vents when outdoor temperature permits.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect air drag and
fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car at a standstill and do not
use excessive engine speeds: the engine warms up very slowly in
these conditions, increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It is
advisable to start off immediately and slowly, keeping the engine
speed down: the engine will warm up much faster this way.
Unnecessar y actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic lights or before stopping
the engine. The latter action, like double-declutching, is unneces-
sary and causes increased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
When traffic and road conditions allow, use a high gear. Using a
low gear for faster acceleration will increase fuel consumption. In
the same way improper use of a high gear increases consump-
tion, emissions and engine wear.
Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases as speed increases. Keep
your speed as even as possible, avoiding unnecessary braking
and acceleration which cause excessive fuel consumption and in-
creased emissions.
Acceleration
Sudden acceleration has a very negative effect on fuel consump-
tion and emissions: accelerate gradually and do not go over the
maximum torque ratio.
149-158 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:41 Pagina 155

CARE AND MAINTENANCE197
5
Scheduled maintenance ...................................................................... 198
Scheduled servicing plan ..................................................................... 199
Periodic checks .................................................................................. 203
Demanding use of the car .................................................................... 203
Checking fluid levels ........................................................................... 204
Air filter/pollen filter/diesel filter.......................................................... 211
Battery.............................................................................................. 211
Wheels and tyres ............................................................................... 213
Windscreen/rearscreen wipers ............................................................. 214
Bodywork.......................................................................................... 217
Interiors............................................................................................. 219
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214CARE AND MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN WIPERS
Avoid changing over the tyres from the right side
of the vehicle to the left side and vice versa.
Do not repaint alloy wheel rims at temperatures
higher than 150°C. The mechanical characteristics
of the wheels might be disrupted.
Driving with worn wiper blades is a serious haz-
ard, because visibility is reduced in bad weather.
BLADES
We recommend replacing the blades once a year.
A few simple precautions can reduce the possibility of damage to
the blades:
❍make sure that the rubber part does not stick to the windscreen
at sub-zero temperatures. Use an antifreeze product to release
it if required;
❍remove any snow from the window;
❍activate the windscreen/rearscreen wiper on a dry window.
If the pressure is too low the tyre will get over-
heated, with the risk of serious damage to the tyre.
197-220 Alfa MiTo GB 12-11-2008 15:42 Pagina 214