2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

72GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
IMPORTANT If the system is unable to reach/maintain the required
temperature in the various areas of the passenger compartment,
the set temperature will flash and after approximately 1 minute
the word AUTO will disappear.
To restore automatic system control after one or more manual
adjustments, press the AUTO button.
THE MONO BUTTON
Press the MONO button to align the passenger-side air tempera-
ture with that of the driver’s side. In this way it is also possible to
set the air distribution between the two areas by turning knob N.
This function makes temperature regulation easier when the driver
is travelling alone.
To return to separate management of the air temperature and
distribution, turn knob H to set the temperature for the passenger
side or press the MONO button (the LED on the button should be
lit up).
REGULATING THE FAN SPEED
Press button L to increase/decrease the fan speed. The fan speed
is shown by the lit-up bars on the display:
❍max fan speed = all bars lit up;
❍min fan speed = one bar lit up.
The fan can only be excluded if the climate control compressor
has been switched off by pressing button B.
IMPORTANT To restore automatic fan speed control after a manu-
al adjustment, press the AUTO button.
AUTO BUTTONS
Press the AUTO buttons to make the system automatically adjust
the quantity and distribution of the air introduced into the passen-
ger compartment. All previous manual settings will be cancelled.
This condition is indicated by the words FULL AUTO on the dis-
play.
By manually adjusting at least one of the functions automatically
managed by the system (air recirculation, fan speed or compres-
sor on/off), the word FULL will disappear from the display, indi-
cating that the system is no longer automatically controlling all the
functions (the temperature will still be controlled automatically by
the system).

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR73
1
CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM COMPRESSOR
Press button B to activate/deactivate the compressor. The deacti-
vation of the climate control compressor remains in the system
memory even when the engine has been stopped.
When the compressor is switched off the system deactivates air re-
circulation to prevent the windows from misting up. In this case,
although the system is capable of maintaining the required tem-
perature, the word FULL will disappear from the display. If, how-
ever, the system is unable to maintain the required temperature,
the temperature indication flashes and the word AUTO disappears.
IMPORTANT With the climate control compressor off, it is not pos-
sible to admit air into the passenger compartment with a temper-
ature below the outside temperature; moreover, under certain en-
vironmental conditions the windows could mist up very quickly since
the air cannot be dehumidified.
To restore automatic control for switching on the climate control
compressor, press button B again or press the AUTO button.
AIR RECIRCULATION
Air recirculation works according to the following operating logics:
❍automatic engagement: press one of the AUTO buttons. En-
gagement is indicated by the word AUTO appearing on the
display;
❍forced engagement (air recirculation always on): this is indi-
cated by the LED on button C lighting up and by the symbol
íappearing on the display;
❍forced disengagement (air recirculation always off, air drawn
from the outside): this is indicated by the LED on button C go-
ing out and by the symbol
êappearing on the display; Forced
engagement/disengagement can be selected by pressing but-
ton C.
IMPORTANT The air recirculation system makes it possible to reach
the required heating/cooling conditions faster.
It is, however, inadvisable to use it on rainy/cold days as it would
considerably increase the possibility of the windows misting up in-
side (especially if the climate control system is off).
When the outside temperature is low, recirculation is forced off (air
drawn from the outside) to prevent the windows misting up. In au-
tomatic operation, inside air recirculation is controlled automatically
by the system according to outside environmental conditions.
When manual recirculation is set, the word FULL disappears from
the display and AUTO disappears from the icon.
It is advisable not to use the air recirculation func-
tion when the outside temperature is low to pre-
vent the windows from rapidly misting up.

74GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
IMPORTANT the MAX-DEF function remains on for approximately
3 minutes from the moment the engine coolant reaches a suitable
temperature.
When the function is engaged the words FULL AUTO disappear from
the display. With the function activated the only possible manual
adjustments are the regulation of the fan speed and the disen-
gagement of the heated rear windscreen.
Pressing buttons B, C, F or AUTO switches off the MAX-DEF func-
tion and restores the previous settings.
DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
OF HEATED REAR WINDSCREEN
Press button G to activate heated rear windscreen demist-
ing/defrosting. This function switches off automatically after about
20 minutes or when the engine is turned off. It is not switched
on automatically the next time the engine is started.
For versions/markets, where fitted, pressing the
(button also
activates the defrosting and defogging of the external rearview mir-
rors, the heated windscreen (where fitted) and the heated spray
nozzles (where fitted).
IMPORTANT Do not affix stickers to the inside of the rear window
over the heating filaments, to avoid damage that might cause them
to stop working properly. With climate control compressor off:
❍if the outside temperature is higher than the set one, the sys-
tem will not be able to satisfy the request. The temperature
value will then flash on the display for a few seconds and the
word AUTO will disappear;
❍the fan speed can be manually reset.
With the compressor on and the engine running, the fan speed can-
not be lower than one bar on the display.
RAPID WINDOW DEMISTING/DEFROSTING
(MAX-DEF function)
Press button F to activate rapid windscreen and side window demist-
ing/defrosting. The climate control system carries out the follow-
ing operations:
❍switches on the climate control compressor when climatic con-
ditions allow;
❍disables air recirculation;
❍sets maximum air temperature (HI) in both areas;
❍engages the fan at a speed based on the engine coolant tem-
perature;
❍directs air flow to the windscreen and front side window vents;
❍switches on the heated rear windscreen.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR75
1
ADDITIONAL HEATER
(only for diesel versions)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This device speeds up passenger compartment warming when it is
very cold. The additional heater turns off automatically after reach-
ing the required comfort conditions.
Automatic two-zone climate control system
The additional heater is turned on automatically by turning the ig-
nition to MAR
Manual heater and manual climate
control system
The additional heater is activated automatically by turning knob
A to the end of the red section and setting the fan (knob B) to at
least the 1
stspeed.
IMPORTANT NOTES
The heater only works if the outside temperature and engine coolant
temperature are low.
The heater will not activate if the battery voltage is too low.
SWITCHING OFF THE CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
Press the OFF button. With the climate control system switched off:
❍air recirculation is on, thus isolating the passenger compartment
from the outside;
❍the compressor is off;
❍the fan is off.
❍the heated rear windscreen can be switched on or off.
IMPORTANT The climate control system control unit will store the
temperatures set before turning off and will restore them when any
button is pressed (except button G); if the function corresponding
to the button pressed is off it will be turned on; if on, it will be kept
active.
To restart the climate control system in fully automatic mode press
AUTO.

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)
(for versions/markets, 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.)
(for versions/markets, 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

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR77
1
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS
With selector wheel A in position 2pull the lever towards the
steering wheel (stable position). The
1warning light will come
on in the instrument panel. To turn the main beams off, pull the
lever again towards the steering wheel (dipped beams will remain
on). It is not possible to switch on the main beam headlights in
fixed mode if the automatic lighting control system is active.
FLASHING THE HEADLIGHTS
Pull the lever towards the steering wheel (unstable position) re-
gardless of the position of selector wheel A. The
1warning light
will come on in the instrument panel.
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Push the lever to (stable) position:
❍upward adjustment: right-hand indicator ON;
❍downward adjustment: left-hand indicator ON.
Warning light
Îor¥will blink on the instrument panel. The di-
rection indicators are switched off automatically when the steering
wheel is straightened.
Lane change function
If you want to signal that you are changing lane, hold the left lever
in the unstable position for less than half a second. The direction
indicator on the selected side flashes three times and then switch-
es off automatically. IMPORTANT the sensor is not able to detect the presence of fog.
The fog lights must therefore be switched on manually if required.
When the lights are switched on by the sensor, the front and rear
fog lights ((for versions/markets, where provided) can also be
switched on. When the lights are automatically switched off, the
front and rear fog lights (if activated) are also switched off. The
next time the lights are switched on automatically, the fog lights
must be reactivated manually (if required).
With the sensor active, it is possible to flash the headlights but
the main beam headlights cannot be switched on. If you wish to
switch on the main beam headlights, rotate selector wheel
A-fig. 33 to
1and activate the fixed main beam headlights.
When the lights have been activated automatically and are then
switched off by the sensor, the dipped beam headlights are switched
off first, followed by the side lights a few seconds later.
If the sensor is activated but is malfunctioning, the side lights and
dipped beam headlights are switched on independently of the out-
side light level and the sensor failure is indicated on the instrument
panel display. It is also possible to deactivate the sensor and switch
on the side lights and dipped beam headlights.

78GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
EXTERIOR COURTESY LIGHTS
This function lights up the vehicle and the space around it when
the doors are unlocked.
Activation
When the vehicle is parked and the doors are unlocked by press-
ing the
Ëbutton on the remote control (or the luggage compart-
ment is unlocked by pressing
R), the dipped beam headlights,
side lights and number plate lights are activated.
The lights remain lit for approximately 25 seconds unless the doors
and luggage compartment are locked once again, the doors or lug-
gage compartment are opened and closed or the instrument pan-
el is activated. In this case they go out after 5 seconds.
The exterior courtesy lights can be enabled/disabled using the Set-
up Menu (see the paragraph on“Menu Items” in this chapter).
“FOLLOW ME HOME” DEVICE
This device allows you to illuminate the area in front of the car
for a certain amount of time.
Activation
With the ignition key on STOP or removed, pull lever A-fig. 33 to-
wards the steering wheel within 2 minutes of switching off the
engine.
The amount of time the lights remain on is extended by 30 sec-
onds at each movement of the lever, up to a maximum of 210 sec-
onds; after this the lights are switched off automatically.
The
3warning light on the instrument panel will light up (and
the corresponding message will appear on the display) as long as
the function is active.
The warning light comes on when the lever is operated and stays
on until the function is automatically deactivated. Each movement
of the lever increases the amount of time the lights stay on.
Deactivation
Keep the lever pulled towards the steering wheel for more than 2
seconds.

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 (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided) (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.