2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

104GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
❍lower the bonnet to about 20 centimetres above the engine
compartment and then let it drop. Make sure that the bonnet
is closed correctly and not just in the safety position by trying
to lift it. If it is not perfectly closed, open the bonnet and re-
peat the procedure. Do not simply press it.
IMPORTANT Always check that the bonnet is closed properly to avoid
its opening while the car is travelling.ROOF RACK/SKI RACK
To fit the roof rack/ski rack, raise the special tabs A-fig. 68 using
the screwdriver provided to access attachment housings B.
The bonnet must always be perfectly closed while
travelling for safety reasons. Make sure that the
bonnet is perfectly closed and that the lock is en-
gaged. If when driving you realise that the bonnet is not
properly closed, stop immediately and close the bonnet
correctly.
Carry out these operations with the vehicle at a
standstill.
If the support rod is incorrectly positioned this may
cause the bonnet to fall down without warning.
fig. 68A0J0059m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR105
1
After having travelled several kilometres check that
the attachment retaining bolts are still securely fas-
tened.
Distribute the load uniformly and when driving
take into consideration the increased sensitivity
to transverse air currents.
Always obey local legislation regarding maximum
load size.
Never exceed the maximum permitted load.
The Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes a dedicated roof rack/ski
rack for this vehicle.
IMPORTANT Take the greatest possible care when following the
instructions on the bar kit to the letter.HEADLIGHTS
ADJUSTING THE LIGHT BEAM
The correct orientation of the headlights is important for the dri-
ver’s comfort and safety as well as for all other road users. It is al-
so a specific rule of the highway code.
The headlights must be correctly directed to ensure the best visi-
bility conditions for all drivers. To check and, if necessary, adjust
the alignment contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service.

106GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT CORRECTOR
This device works with the key at MAR and the dipped beam head-
lights on.
Adjusting headlamp alignment
Press buttons Òandto carry out the alignment (fig. 69 and
fig. 69a). The instrument panel display provides a visual indication
of the positions during the adjustment operation.
Position 0 – one or two passengers in the front seats.
Position 1 – 4 passengers.
Position 2 – 4 passengers + load in the luggage compartment.
Position 3 – driver + maximum permitted load in the luggage com-
partment.IMPORTANT Check beam orientation every time the load carried
changes.
IMPORTANT If the vehicle is equipped with Bi-xenon headlights,
headlight alignment is carried out automatically and therefore but-
tons
Òandare not present.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS ALIGNMENT
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To check and, if necessary, adjust the alignment contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service.
HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT ADJUSTMENT ABROAD
The dipped beam headlights are aligned to comply with the regulations
of the country of purchase. When driving in countries with a different
driving direction, to avoid blinding the drivers travelling in the opposite
direction, it is necessary to cover the areas of the beam according to the
provisions of the Highway Code of the country you are driving in.
fig. 69A0J0026mfig. 69a - Start&Stop system versionsA0J0277m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR107
1ABS SYSTEM
The car is fitted with an ABS braking system, which prevents the
wheels from locking when braking, makes the most of road grip
and gives the best control when performing emergency braking un-
der difficult road conditions.
The system is completed by EBD (Electronic Braking Force Distrib-
ution), which distributes the braking action between front and rear
wheels.
IMPORTANT To achieve maximum efficiency of the braking system,
a settlement period of about 500 km is required: During this time,
avoid sudden, repeated and prolonged braking.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
Intervention of the ABS is detected by a slight pulsing of the brake
pedal accompanied by noise: such an event indicates that you need
to adjust your speed to the type of road on which you are travel-
ling.
MECHANICAL BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This system, which cannot be excluded, recognises emergency brak-
ing (on the basis of the brake pedal operation speed) and allows
the braking system to react more quickly.
When the ABS intervenes it means that you are ap-
proaching the grip limit between tyres and road:
slow down to adjust the speed according to avail-
able grip.
The ABS optimally exploits grip between tyre and
road, but it cannot improve grip; you should there-
fore take every care not to take unnecessary risks
when driving on slippery surfaces.
When the ABS cuts in, and you feel the brake ped-
al pulsating, do not remove your foot, but keep it
pressed; by doing so you will stop in the shortest
amount of space possible in the current road conditions.

108GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
VDC SYSTEM
(Vehicle Dynamics Control)
This is an electronic system that controls car stability in the event
of tyre grip loss.
The VDC system also includes the following systems:
❍Hill Holder
❍ASR
❍Brake Assist
❍MSR
❍CBC
❍“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❍DST
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is indicated by the áwarning light flashing in the instru-
ment panel: this indicates that the vehicle is in critical stability
and tyre grip conditions.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The VDC system switches on automatically each time the engine
is started and cannot be switched off.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the VDC system and it is provided
to facilitate starting on slopes.
It is activated automatically in the following instances:
❍uphill: car at a standstill on a road with a gradient higher than
5%, engine running, clutch and brake pedal pressed, gearbox
to neutral or engaged gear other than reverse;
❍downhill: car at a standstill on a road with a gradient higher
than 5%, engine running, clutch and brake pedal pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
At take-off the VDC system control unit will keep brake force on
the wheels until reaching the torque suitable for starting, or in
any case for 1 second in order to move easily from the brake ped-
al to the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the system will de-
activate automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A
sound may be heard during this stage: this indicates that the ve-
hicle is about to move off.
IMPORTANT the Hill Holder system should not be used as a hand-
brake. Do not leave the vehicle without having engaged the hand-
brake, switched off the engine and engaged a gear.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR109
1
ASR SYSTEM (AntiSlip Regulation)
This is an integral part of the VDC system. It automatically cuts in
in the event of one or both drive wheels slipping, loss of grip on
wet roads (aquaplaning) and acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy
roads etc.
According to slipping conditions, two different control systems are
activated:
❍if slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR function inter-
venes by reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
❍if the slipping involves only one drive wheel, the ASR system
intervenes by automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.
If the spare wheel is in use the ASR system does
not work. in this case the
áwarning light will come
on in the instrument panel.
In order for the ESP and ASR systems to operate
correctly, it is essential that the tyres are of the
same brand and type on all wheels, in perfect con-
dition and, above all, of the specified type, brand and size.
If the spare wheel is used, the VDC system keeps
operating. Be aware however that the spare wheel,
being smaller than the original wheel, provides less
grip.
The performance of the VDC and ASR systems
should not encourage the driver to take unneces-
sary risks. Your driving style should always take
road conditions, visibility and traffic into account. The dri-
ver is ultimately responsible for road safety.

110GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance)
This system, which cannot be excluded, recognises emergency brak-
ing (on the basis of the brake pedal operation speed) and allows
the braking system to react more quickly. The Brake Assist function
is deactivated in the event of VDC system failure.
MSR SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ASR system which, in the event of
sudden gear downshifting, cuts in, providing torque to the engine
thus preventing excessive drive wheel drag which, specially in poor
grip conditions, can lead to loss of stability.
CBC SYSTEM
This function optimises the brake force distribution between the
four wheels (in order to make maximum use of the available grip)
when braking whilst cornering and the ABS system cuts in. This
improves stopping distances and above all vehicle stability when
cornering.
“ELECTRONIC Q2” SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)
The “Electronic Q2” system uses the braking system to create an
effect similar to a limited slip differential.
The front braking circuit, when accelerating around a corner, acts
on the inside wheel to increase the drive to the outside wheel (in-
creased load), dynamically and continuously distributing the torque
between the front drive wheels according to driving and road con-
ditions.
The system, combined with Mc Pherson front suspension, allows
for particularly effective and sporty driving.
DST SYSTEM (Dynamic Steering Torque)
This is an “active” vehicle control system. On road surfaces with
poor grip, it automatically corrects the steering and also controls
over-steer. This system applies torque to the steering wheel to in-
crease the feeling of safety, helping to keep the vehicle under
control and making the effects of the VDC system more discreet.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR111
1“Alfa DNA” SYSTEM
(Dynamic vehicle control system)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This device allows three different driving modes to be selected by
operating lever A-fig. 70 on the central tunnel.
❍d = Dynamic (sports driving mode);
❍n = Normal (normal driving mode);
❍a = All Weather (driving mode for poor grip conditions, i.e. rain
and snow on the road)
The device also acts on the dynamic vehicle control systems (en-
gine, steering, VDC system, instrument panel).
fig. 70A0J0090m
DRIVING MODES
Lever A-fig. 70 is a one-way switch, i.e. it always remains in the cen-
tral position. The selected driving mode is indicated by the corre-
sponding LED coming on in the panel and by an indication on the re-
configurable multifunctional display, as illustrated below:
A0J0227mA0J0290m
Dynamic Mode All Weather Mode
Normal Mode
When “NORMAL” mode is selected, no messages or symbols are
shown on the display.
VDCandASR: Standard calibration
Steering wheel tuning: Standard calibration
DST: Standard control of the brakes coordinated with ABS
Standard control of side acceleration
Steering wheel compensation: a slight pulse on the steer-
ing wheel tells on the driver to make a better manoeuvre
Engine: Standard response