2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo tow

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

28GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The “GSI” system (Gear Shift Indicator) advises the driver to change
gear through the necessary indication on the instrument panel (see
fig. 8a).
Through the GSI, where provided, the driver is notified that the
gear change will allow a reduction in fuel consumption. There-
fore, for driving geared toward cutting fuel consumption, it is rec-
ommended to stick to Normal or All Weather mode and to fol-
low, traffic conditions permitting, the suggestions of the Gear Shift
Indicator.When the SHIFT UP (
NSHIFT) icon is shown on the display the
GSI suggests that the driver shift up a gear, whereas if the SHIFT
DOWN (
OSHIFT) icon is displayed, the driver is advised to shift
down a gear.
NOTE The indication in the instrument panel remains on until the
driver makes a gear change or until the driving conditions return
to a situation where a gear change is not required to improve con-
sumption.
fig. 8aA0J0233m

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.

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.

64GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
HEATING/CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM
CONTROLS fig. 31
A Air temperature adjustment knob
(red = hot/blue = cold);
B Fan activation/speed adjustment knob
p0 = fan off
1-2-3 = fan speed
4
-= maximum fan speed
C air distribution knob
¶air flow towards driver/passenger;
ßair flow towards driver/passenger and feet area;
©air flow towards front and rear feet area;
®air flow towards feet area and windscreen;
-air flow towards windscreen
D Air recirculation on/off button
E climate control on/off button
(only versions with manual climate control system)
F heated rear windscreen on/off button
A0J0074mfig. 31

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.