2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

56GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engagement
When the key is at STOP, remove the key and turn the steering
wheel until it locks.
Disengagement
Move the steering wheel slightly as you turn the ignition key to
MAR.
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-
market operation involving steering system or
steering column modifications (e.g.: installation of
anti-theft device). This could badly affect performance and
safety, invalidate the warranty and also result in the non-
compliance of the car with approval requirements.
Never remove the key while the vehicle is moving.
The steering wheel would lock as soon as the steer-
ing wheel is turned. This also applies to cases in
which the car is towed.
SEATS
FRONT SEATS fig. 22
All adjustments must be made with the car sta-
tionary.
Longitudinal adjustment
Lift lever A and push the seat forwards or backwards: your arms
should rest on the steering wheel rim while you are driving.
After releasing the adjustment lever, always check
that the seat is locked on the runners by trying
to move it back and forth. If it is not locked, the
seat may move unexpectedly and make you lose control
of the car.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR57
1
Height adjustment
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Move lever B up or down until the required height is achieved.
IMPORTANT Carry out the adjustment whilst seated in the driver’s
seat.
Adjusting backrest inclination
Rotate knob C until the required position is reached.
fig. 22A0J0078m
For maximum safety, keep the back of your seat
upright, lean back into it and make sure the seat
belt fits closely across your chest and hips.
Lumbar adjustment
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Rotate knob D until the required position is reached.
Backrest tilt
To access the rear seats lift handle E upwards: this tilts the back-
rest and you can then slide the seat forward by pushing the back-
rest.
Moving back the back rest will return the seat to its original posi-
tion.
Check that the seat is firmly locked in the runners
by trying to move it back and forth.

58GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Seat warming
(for versions/markets, where provided)
With the key turned to MAR, press buttons A or B-fig. 23 to acti-
vate/deactivate the function. When the function is enabled, the
LED on the buttons will light up.
EASY ENTRY
This function allows easy access to the rear seats.
To reach the rear seats, lift up handle E-fig. 22 and move the seat
backrest forward: the seat will automatically move forward.
Bringing the backrest back to its normal position will move the seat
back to its original position.
If the backrest encounters an obstacle when moving back (e.g. the
knees of the passenger in the back seat), the seat will stop, move
forwards by a few centimetres and then stop in this position.
fig. 23A0J0253m

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR59
1HEAD RESTRAINTS
FRONT HEAD RESTRAINTS
Head restraints are adjustable in height and they lock automati-
cally in the required position.
❍upward adjustment: raise the head restraint until you hear it
click
❍downward adjustment: press button A-fig. 24 and lower the
head restraint.To remove the head restraint:
❍raise the head restraint to its maximum height;
❍press buttons A and B-fig. 24 and then remove the head re-
straint by sliding it upwards.
fig. 24A0J0130m
“Anti-Whiplash” device
The head restraints are equipped with an “Anti-Whiplash” device,
which is able to reduce the distance between the passenger’s head
and the head restraint in the event of a rear impact, thus mitigat-
ing the “whiplash” effect.
If pressure is exerted on the backrest at torso or hand height the
head restraint may move: this behaviour is caused by the system
and should not be considered a malfunction.
Remember that the head restraints should be ad-
justed to support the back of your head and not
your neck. Only in this position do they exert their
protective action.

60GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
REAR HEAD RESTRAINTS
Two height-adjustable head restraints are provided for the back
seats (to adjust the height see the previous paragraph). On some
versions a head restraint is also provided for the central seat.
To remove the head restraints:
❍raise the head restraint to its maximum height;
❍press button A fig. 25 and then remove the head restraint by
sliding it upwards.
STEERING WHEEL
The steering wheel can be adjusted axially and vertically.
To carry out the adjustment: release lever A-fig. 26 by pushing it
forward (position 1) and adjust the steering wheel. Then lock lever
A by pulling it towards the steering wheel (position 2).
fig. 25A0J0083mfig. 26A0J0034m
Any steering wheel position adjustment should on-
ly be carried out with the car stationary and the
engine turned off.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR61
1REARVIEW MIRRORS
INTERNAL MIRROR
Operate lever A-fig. 27 to adjust the mirror into two different po-
sitions: normal or antiglare.
Some versions are equipped with an electro-chrome mirror with an
ON/OFF fig. 27a switch to activate/deactivate the electro-chrome
function. Engaging reverse gear automatically sets the mirror for
daylight use.
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-
market operation involving steering system or
steering column modifications (e.g.: installation of
anti-theft device). This could badly affect performance and
safety, invalidate the warranty and also result in the non-
compliance of the car with approval requirements.
fig. 27aA0J0336mfig. 27A0J0108m

62GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Electric mirror folding
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To fold back the mirrors press button C-fig. 28. Press the button
once again to bring the mirrors back to the driving position.
Manual mirror folding
If required, the mirrors can be folded back manually from posi-
tion 1-fig. 29 to position 2.
IMPORTANT When driving, the mirrors should always be in posi-
tion 1.
Adjusting the mirror
Door mirrors can be adjusted/folded away only if the ignition key
is in the MAR position. Select the mirror you wish to adjust using
device A-fig. 28:
❍device in position 1: left-hand mirror selected;
❍device in position 2: right-hand mirror selected.
To adjust the selected mirror, press button B in the four directions
shown by the arrows.
IMPORTANT Once adjustment is complete, rotate device A to posi-
tion 0 to prevent accidental movements.
fig. 28A0J0022mfig. 29A0J0035m
DOOR MIRRORS
As the driver’s door mirror is curved, it may slight-
ly alter the perception of distance.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR63
1CLIMATIC COMFORT
VENTS fig. 30
1. Fixed upper vent - 2. Adjustable central vents - 3. Fixed side vents - 4. Adjustable side vents - 5. Lower vents for front seats -
6. Lower vents for rear seats.
A0J0036mfig. 30