2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo check engine light

158STARTING UP AND DRIVING
SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may help you to save fuel and
lower the amount of toxic emissions released into the atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled servicing plan”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly, at least once every four weeks: ex-
cessively low pressure will increase fuel consumption because rolling
resistance will be higher.
Unnecessar y loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of the car and
its ride setting greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears cor-
rectly. For this reason, there must be no obstacles
on the floor under the pedals: ensure that any rub-
ber mats are correctly positioned, and do not interfere
with the pedals
Do not drive with your hand resting on the gear
lever, because this pressure, even if light, can wear
out the gearbox internal components over time.
IMPORTANT Reverse may only be engaged when the car is at a
standstill. With the engine on, wait at least 3 seconds with the
clutch pressed down before engaging reverse gear to prevent it
from scraping.

162STARTING 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.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE203
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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CARE AND MAINTENANCE205
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)

CARE AND MAINTENANCE207
5
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and top up the fol-
lowing if necessary:
❍engine coolant level, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid
❍tyre pressure and condition;
❍operation of lights (headlights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, etc.);
❍operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system, position
and wear of windscreen/rearscreen wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check the following and top-up, if necessary: en-
gine oil level.
We recommend the use of PETRONAS LUBRICANTS products, de-
signed and produced specifically for Alfa Romeo cars (see “Con-
sumables” table in chapter 6).
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR
If you use the vehicle mainly under one of the following conditions:
❍trailer or caravan towing;
❍dusty roads;
❍repeated short distances (less than 7-8 km) and with exter-
nal temperatures below zero;
❍frequently idling the engine, travelling long distances at low
speeds or long term inactivity;
❍in cities;
perform the following inspections more frequently than shown on
the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❍check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
❍check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, and cleanliness and
lubrication of linkages;
❍visually inspect the condition of: engine, gearbox, transmission,
pipes and hoses (exhaust – fuel supply - brakes) rubber ele-
ments (gaiters – hoses - bushes etc.);

216CARE AND MAINTENANCE
BRAKE FLUID
Check that the fluid is at the maximum level. If the level is too
low undo reservoir cap E-fig. 1-2-3-4-5-6 and add the fluid described
in chapter 6.
Prevent brake fluid (which is highly corrosive) from
coming into contact with painted parts. Should that
occur, immediately wash with water.
WINDSCREEN/REARSCREEN/HEADLIGHT
WASHING FLUID
If the level is too low undo reservoir cap D-fig. 1-2-3-4-5-6 and add
the fluid described in chapter 6.
Do not travel with the windscreen washing reser-
voir empty: the windscreen washer is fundamen-
tal to improving visibility. Some commercial wind-
screen washer additives are flammable: the engine com-
partment contains hot parts which could start a fire if they
come into contact.
The brake fluid is poisonous and highly corrosive.
In the event of accidental contact, wash the parts
with water and mild soap and rinse with plenty of
water. If swallowed, immediately call a doctor.
The symbol π, on the container indicates a syn-
thetic brake fluid, which is different from a min-
eral fluid. Use of a mineral-based fluid will dam-
age the special rubber seals of the braking system beyond
repair.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE217
5
BATTERY
The battery F-fig. 1-2-3-4-5-6 does not require top ups of distilled wa-
ter to replenish the electrolyte. A periodic check carried out at an
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services is, however, necessary to check ef-
ficiency.
REPLACING THE BATTERY
When necessary, replace the battery with another original battery
with the same specifications. Follow the battery manufacturer’s in-
structions for maintenance.
ADVICE FOR PROLONGING
THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and prolong its life, observe the
following indications:
❍when you park the car, ensure the doors, tailgate and bonnet
are closed properly in order to avoid the courtesy lights re-
maining on for longer than necessary;
❍switch off all lights inside the car: the car is, however, equipped
with a system which switches all internal lights off automati-
cally;
❍do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system, hazard lights, etc.)
switched on for a long time when the engine is not running;
❍before performing any operation on the electrical system, dis-
connect the battery negative terminal.
AIR FILTER/POLLEN FILTER/
DIESEL FILTER
Contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to replace these
filters.

INDEX253
7
Car maintenance......................... 201
– Heavy-duty use of the car ........ 207
– service schedule ..................... 202
Carrying children safely
– Isofix universal child
restraint system ..................... 143
– child seats ............................ 141
Car radio (wiring) ........................ 121
CBC system ................................ 110
Chassis marking .......................... 229
Checking fluid levels .................... 208
Cigar lighter................................ 90
Climatic comfort .......................... 63
CO
2emissions ............................ 249
CODE card .................................. 47
Compliance for use ...................... 141
Control buttons ........................... 29
Controls
– door lock.............................. 87
– front fog lights ....................... 87
– fuel cut-off system ................. 88
– hazard warning lights ............. 86
– rear fog lights ........................ 87
Courtesy lights ........................ 83-86
Courtesy mirror lights
– bulb replacement ................... 186
Cruise Control ............................. 81
Current outlet ............................. 90
ABS (system) ........................... 107
Air cleaner.................................. 217
Alarm ........................................ 53
Alfa “DNA” (system) ................... 111
Alfa Romeo CODE (system) .......... 46
Ashtray ...................................... 91
ASR system ................................ 109
At the filling station ...................... 129
Automatic two-zone climate
control system .......................... 68
Battery
– tips for extending duration ....... 217
– recharging............................ 196
– replacing .............................. 217
Bodywork (cleaning)................... 223
Bonnet ...................................... 103
Boot .......................................... 88
Boot light
– bulb replacement ................... 184
Brake lights ................................ 182
Brakes ....................................... 235
Bulb (replacement) ..................... 178
– general instructions ................ 178
– bulb types ............................ 178
Bulb replacement....................178-184
Capacities ................................. 128
– table capacities .................244-245
Dashboard............................ 7-243
Daylight lights (D.R.L.) ................. 76
Demanding use of the car ............. 207
Devices ...................................... 120
Dimensions ................................ 240
Dipped beam headlights
– activation............................. 76
– bulb replacement ................... 181
Direction indicators
– activation............................. 77
– replacement.......................... 182
Display ...................................... 26
Dynamic Suspension..................... 119
Door lock device .......................... 87
Doors ........................................ 95
DPF ........................................... 130
D.R.L. (daylight lights) ................. 76
DST system ................................ 110
Electric power steering system ...... 119
Electric sunroof ............................ 92
Electronic Q2 (“E-Q2”) ................ 110
Engine
– marking ............................... 229
– specifications ......................... 231
Engine codes
– bodywork versions ................. 230
Engine compartment (washing) ..... 223