2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo AUX

16GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
Excessive engine coolant
temperature (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the engine is overheated. The dis-
play will show the dedicated message. If the warning light comes
on, proceed as follows:
❍during normal travel: stop the car, stop the engine and check
that the water level in the reservoir is not under the MIN line.
In this case, wait for a few minutes for the engine to cool down,
then slowly and carefully open the cap, top-up with coolant and
check that the level is between the MIN and MAX references
on the reservoir. Also check for leaks. If the warning light comes
on again at the next engine start-up, contact your nearest Al-
fa Romeo Authorised Service.
❍In the case of demanding use (e.g. towing trailers uphill or
car at full load): slow down and stop the car if the warning light
stays on. Stop for 2 or 3 minutes with the engine running and
slightly accelerated to favour better coolant circulation. Then
stop the engine. Check the correct fluid level as described pre-
viously.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is advisable to keep the
engine on and slightly accelerated for a few minutes before switch-
ing it off.
u
Electric power steering failure (red)
This warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go off after a few sec-
onds.
If the warning light (or symbol on the display) remains on, you will
not have steering assistance and the effort required to operate
the steering wheel will be increased. Steering is, however, possi-
ble. In this case contact your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorised Ser-
vice. The display will show the dedicated message.g
Start&Stop system deactivation
(amber)
The warning light comes on when the Start&Stop sys-
tem is deactivated by pressing the button on the auxil-
iary control panel next to the steering wheel. On some versions the
display shows the associated message.T

118GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
EMERGENCY STARTING
(with Start&Stop system with dummy pole)
(for versions/markets where provided)
In case of vehicle jump starting, never connect the negative cable
(–) of the auxiliary battery to the negative pole B - fig. 75 of the
vehicle battery, rather to the dummy pole A or to an en-
gine/gearbox earth point.
fig. 75A0J0251m
EMERGENCY STARTING
(with Start&Stop system without dummy pole)
(for versions/markets where provided)
When jump starting, never connect the negative lead (–) of the
auxiliary battery to the negative pole A - fig. 76 of the car bat-
tery, but rather to an engine/gearbox earth point.
fig. 76A0J0323m

164IN AN EMERGENCY
STARTING THE ENGINE
If theYwarning light in the instrument panel remains on con-
stantly, contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised Service Provider imme-
diately.
STARTING WITH AN AUXILIARY BATTERY
If the battery is flat, the engine may be started using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a little higher than the flat one.
For engine starting follow the procedure below, fig. 1:
❍connect the positive terminals (+ sign near the terminal) of the
two batteries with a jump lead;
❍with a second lead, connect the negative terminal – of the aux-
iliary battery to an earth point
Eon the engine or the gear-
box of the car to be started;
❍start the engine; when engine has started, remove the cables
by reversing the sequence described for connection.If after several attempts the engine will not start, contact an Alfa
Romeo Authorised Service Provider.
IMPORTANT Never connect the negative terminals of the two bat-
teries directly! If the auxiliary battery is installed on another car,
prevent accidental contact between metallic parts of the two cars.
BUMP STARTING
Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving downhill.
fig. 1A0J0111m

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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204CARE AND MAINTENANCE
2 If the car is mainly used in cities or travels less than 10,000 km a year, change the engine oil and filter every
12 months.
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1 For 1.4 Turbo Petrol, 1.4 Multi Air and 1.4 Turbo Multi Air versions, in order to guarantee correct operation pre-
vent serious damage to the engine, it is essential to observe the following:
- only use spark plugs specifically certified for1.4 Turbo Petrol, 1.4 Multi Air and 1.4 Turbo Multi Air engines; all spark plugs
should be of the same type and brand (see the “Engine” paragraph);
- adhere strictly to the spark plug replacement intervals detailed in the Scheduled Service Plan;
- it is advisable to have this carried out by an Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Thousands of kilometres
Check exhaust emissions
Check engine management system operation (via diagnostic socket)
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (*)
Replace spark plugs 1
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and oil filter (or every 24 months) 2
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.

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)

206CARE AND MAINTENANCE
(*) Regardless of the number of kilometres covered, the timing belt should be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years.
(**) The engine oil and oil filter should be changed when the warning light on the dashboard comes on, or every 24 months.
Thousands of kilometres
Replace auxiliary drive belt/s
Replace toothed timing drive belt (except 1.3 JTDM-2engine)(*)
Replace fuel filter
Replace air filter cartridge
Change engine oil and replace oil filter (diesel versions with DPF) (**)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Replace pollen filter (or every 24 months)
35 70 105 140 175
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If the car is mainly used in cities or travels less than 10,000 km a year, change the engine oil and filter every
12 months.

208CARE AND MAINTENANCE
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS
Be careful not to confuse the various types of flu-
ids while topping up: they are incompatible and
mixing them up may seriously damage the
vehicle.
Do not smoke while working on the engine com-
partment: there may be flammable gases and
vapours present.
With the engine warm, take great care when work-
ing in the engine compartment: risk of burns. Re-
member that the fan may start up if the engine is
hot: risk of injury. Pay attention to scarves, ties and oth-
er loose fitting garments: they could get dragged in by the
moving parts.
❍check battery charge and fluid level (electrolyte);
❍visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drivebelts;
❍check and if necessary change engine oil and oil filter;
❍check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
❍check air filter and replace, if required.