2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

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STARTING UP AND DRIVING153
3
Starting the engine................................................................................ 154
Parking ............................................................................................... 156
Using of the gearbox ............................................................................. 157
Saving fuel.......................................................................................... 158
Towing trailers...................................................................................... 160
Snow tyres .......................................................................................... 161
Snow chains ......................................................................................... 162
Car inactivity......................................................................................... 162

154STARTING UP AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the moment the en-
gine starts.
IMPORTANT NOTES
❍If the engine does not start on the first attempt, turn the igni-
tion key to STOP before repeating the operation.
❍If, when the ignition key is on MAR, the Ywarning light (or
symbol in the display) remains lit together with the
Uwarning
light, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the warn-
ing light remains on, try using the other keys provided with the
car. If you are still unable to start the engine carry out the emer-
gency starting procedure (see “Emergency Start-up” in chap-
ter 4) and contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
❍Never leave the ignition key on MAR when the engine is off.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❍engage the handbrake and place the gearbox in neutral;
❍turn the ignition key to MAR: the mandYwarning lights
(or symbol in the display) will come on;
❍wait for the warning light (or symbol in the display) to go
out;
❍press the clutch pedal down to the floor without touching the
accelerator;
❍turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the mwarning light
goes out. Waiting too long will waste the work done by the
glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If warning light mblinks for 60 seconds after
starting or during prolonged cranking, this indi-
cates a fault in the glow plug pre-heating system.
Use the car normally if the engine starts and contact an
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services provider as soon as pos-
sible.
Is is dangerous to let the engine run in enclosed
spaces. The engine depletes oxygen and discharges
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic
gases.

STARTING UP AND DRIVING155
3
In the initial period of use, it is advisable to avoid
placing the car under excessive stress (for instance
excessive acceleration, extended travel at maxi-
mum speed, sharp braking etc.).
Remember that the servo brake and electric pow-
er steering are not operational until the engine has
been started, therefore more effort than usual is
required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.
Avoid jump starting the engine by pushing, towing
or driving downhill. These manoeuvres may dam-
age the catalytic converter.
When the engine is off, do not leave the key in
the ignition switch turned to MAR to avoid drain-
ing the battery.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT HAS
JUST STARTED (petrol and diesel engines)
Proceed as follows:
❍drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium speed. Do
not accelerate abruptly;
❍do not demand maximum performance for the first few kilo-
metres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge starts moving.
EMERGENCY START
If the Ywarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, before turning the engine off you
should allow it to idle to allow the temperature in the engine com-
partment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before turning off
the engine serves absolutely no practical purpose,
it wastes fuel and is damaging, especially to tur-
bocharged engines.

156STARTING UP AND DRIVING
PARKING
Switch off the engine and pull up the handbrake. Engage a gear
(1stif the car is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing downhill) and
leave the wheels steered to one side.
If the car is parked on a steep slope block the wheels with a wedge
or stone. Always remove the ignition key when leaving the vehi-
cle.
HANDBRAKE fig. 1
To engage the handbrake pull lever A upwards until the vehicle is
secured. To disengage slightly raise lever A, press and hold down
button B and lower the lever.IMPORTANT Carry out these manoeuvres with the brake pedal pressed.
IMPORTANT For vehicles equipped with a front armrest, lift this
up to ensure that it does not interfere with the action of the hand-
brake.
fig. 1A0J0110m
The vehicle should be secured after several clicks
of the lever: if this is not the case, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service Provider to have it ad-
justed.

STARTING UP AND DRIVING157
3
USING THE GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and shift the
gear lever into one of the required positions (the diagram for en-
gaging the gears is shown on the knob (fig. 2, fig. 3 and fig. 4).
In models with 6 gears, to engage 6
thgear, move the gearstick
to the right to avoid changing into 4thby mistake. The same goes
for changing from 6thto 5th.
To engage reverse (R) from neutral, lift ring A up (fig. 2, fig. 3,
fig. 4) from beneath the knob and at the same time:
❍shift the gearstick to the left then forward on 1.4 Turbo Petrol
155HP, 1.4 Turbo Multi Air 170HP Quadrifoglio Verde and
1.6 JTD
Mversions;
❍shift the gearstick to the right then back on 1.4 Petrol,
1.4 Turbo Petrol 120HP, 1.4 Multi Air, 1.4 Turbo Multi Air and
1.3 JTD
M-2versions.
fig. 2 1.4 Petrol, 1.4 Multi Air versionsA0J0265mfig. 4 1.4 Turbo Benzina 120HP,
1.4 Turbo Multi Air, 1.3 JTDM-2versions
A0J0267m
fig. 3 1.4 Turbo Benzina 155HP,
1.4 Turbo Multi Air 170HP Quadrifoglio Verde, 1.6 JTDMversions
A0J0266m

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.

STARTING UP AND DRIVING159
3
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration of the car and have
a negative effect on fuel consumption. It is better to use a trailer,
particularly for transporting bulky objects.
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.