2013 Alfa Romeo MiTo maintenance

EXTENDING THE LUGGAGE
COMPARTMENTThe luggage compartment can be partially (1/3 or 2/3) or totally
extended by splitting the rear seat. See the descriptions in “Removing
the parcel shelf” and “Folding back the seats” paragraphs for how
to expand the luggage compartment.
Removing the parcel shelf
Proceed as follows:
❒free the ends of the two parcel shelf B mounting links A fig. 62 by
removing the eyelets C from the mounting pins;
❒free the pins A fig. 63 on the outside of the shelf from the housings B
in the side mountings, then remove the parcel shelf;
❒after removal, the parcel shelf can be loaded sideways into the
luggage compartment or placed between the front seat backrests
and the folded-back rear seat cushions (with the luggage
compartment completely expanded).
Folding the seatsProceed as follows:
❒raise the head restraints to the maximum height, press both the
buttons A fig. 64 to the side of the two supports, then remove the
head restraints by sliding them upwards;
fig. 62
A0J0080
fig. 63
A0J0081
fig. 64
A0J0083
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❒move the seat belts to the side, making sure that they are correctly
extended and not twisted;
❒lift the backrest retaining levers A fig. 65 and fold the desired
cushion forwards (a red band indicates that lever A is raised).
Repositioning the rear seat
Move the seat belts to the side making sure that they are correctly
extended and not twisted.
Raise the previously folded backrest until you hear the click of the
locking mechanism, visually checking that the red band on lever A fig.
65 has disappeared. The red band indicates that the backrest is not
secured.
Finally, reposition the head restraints, inserting them into their
housings.
BONNETOPENINGProceed as follows:
❒pull lever A fig. 66 in the direction indicated by the arrow;
❒pull lever B in the direction indicated by the arrow;
❒lift the bonnet and, at the same time, release bonnet stay C fig. 67
from its locking device. Then, insert the end in housing D, making
sure that the stay is engaged in the smallest opening of the retaining
clip.
IMPORTANT Before lifting up the bonnet make sure that the windscreen
wipers are in the rest position and not operational.
fig. 65
A0J0082
fig. 66
A0J0085
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CLOSINGProceed as follows:
❒hold the bonnet up with one hand and with the other remove rod C
fig. 67 from housing D and fit it back into its locking device;❒lower the bonnet to about 20 cm from the engine compartment, then
let it fall and check, by trying to raise it, that it is completely closed
and not only attached in safety position. If it is not perfectly closed,
open the bonnet and repeat the procedure. Do not simply press it.
IMPORTANT Always check that the bonnet is closed correctly to avoid
it opening while the car is travelling.
For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be
properly closed while driving. Make sure that the
bonnet is perfectly closed and that the lock is engaged.
If you discover during travel that the lock is not fully engaged,
stop immediately and close the bonnet in the correct manner.Perform these operations only when the car is
stationary.The bonnet may drop suddenly if the supporting rod is
not positioned correctly.
fig. 67
A0J0086
fig. 68
A0J1520
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For versions/markets where provided, the following plate is applied
inside the engine compartment fig. 68:

ROOF RACK/SKI RACKTo fit the roof rack/ski rack, raise the dedicated tabs A fig. 69 using
the screwdriver provided to access the fixing housings B.
Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes a dedicated roof rack/ski rack for
this car.IMPORTANT Take the greatest possible care in following the
instructions on the bar kit to the letter.
After travelling for a short distance, check that the
fixing screws for the attachments are correctly
tightened.Never exceed the maximum permitted loads (see chapter
"Technical specifications").Evenly distribute the load and take into account, when
driving, the increased effect of side wind on the car.Fully comply with the regulations in force concerning
maximum clearance.
fig. 69
A0J0059
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HEADLIGHTSLIGHT BEAM DIRECTIONThe correct orientation of the headlights is important for the driver's
comfort and safety as well as for all other road users. This is also
covered by a specific rule of the highway code.
The headlights must be correctly aligned to ensure the best visibility
conditions for yourself and others when driving with lights on. To check
and, if necessary, adjust, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT CORRECTORThis device works with the ignition key in the MAR position and the
dipped headlights on.
Headlight alignment adjustment
To adjust, press the
and
fig. 70 fig. 71 buttons. The adjustment
position is shown on the display.
Position 0
one or two people in the front seats.
Position 1
4 people.
Position 2
4 people + load in luggage compartment.
Position 3
driver + maximum permitted load stowed in the luggage
compartment.
IMPORTANT Check the alignment every time that the load carried
changes.
IMPORTANT If the car is equipped with Bixenon headlights, the
headlight alignment is controlled electronically, as a consequence the
and
buttons are not present.
fig. 70
A0J0026
fig. 71 - Versions with Start&Stop system
A0J0277
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FOG LIGHT ALIGNMENT(for versions/markets, where provided)
To check and, if necessary, adjust, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services.ADJUSTING THE HEADLIGHTS ABROADThe dipped headlights are aligned to comply with the regulations of
the country of purchase. When travelling in countries with opposite
driving direction, to avoid dazzling the drivers on the other side of the
road, you need to cover areas of the headlight according to the
Highway code of the country you are travelling in.
ABS SYSTEMThe 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 under difficult
road conditions.
The EBD system (Electronic Braking Force Distribution) completes the
system allowing the brake force to be distributed between the front and
rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To obtain the maximum efficiency of the braking system,
a bedding-in period of about 500 km is needed: during this period
it is better to avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged braking.SYSTEM INTERVENTIONIt can be detected because the brake pedal pulsates slightly and the
system gets noisier: it means that the car speed should be altered
to suit the type of road surface.
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MECHANICAL BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance)(for versions/markets, where provided)
This system, which cannot be deactivated, recognises emergency
braking conditions (according to the brake pedal operation speed) and
provides an additional hydraulic braking pressure to support that
provided by the driver. This allows faster and more powerful operation
of the braking system.
IMPORTANT When the Mechanical Brake Assist intervenes, noises may
be heard from the system. This is normal. In any case, while braking
keep the brake pedal firmly depressed.
If the ABS system intervenes, this indicates that the
traction of the tyres on the road is nearing its limit.
Slow down to a speed compatible with the available
traction.
The ABS gets the most from the available grip, but it
cannot improve it; you should therefore take every
care when driving on slippery surfaces and not take
unnecessary risks.When the ABS cuts in and you feel the brake pedal
pulsating, do not remove your foot, but keep the pedal
pushed down; in doing so you, will stop in the
shortest distance possible under the road conditions at the time.
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VDC SYSTEM (Vehicle Dynamics
Control)This is an electronic system that controls car stability in the event of tyre
grip loss, helping maintain directional control.
The system is capable of recognising potentially dangerous situations
in terms of the stability and intervenes automatically on the brakes in a
differentiated manner for the four wheels in order to provide a
stabilising torque.
The VDC, in turn, includes the following systems:
❒Hill Holder
❒ASR
❒Brake Assist
❒MSR
❒CBC
❒“ELECTRONIC Q2” (“E-Q2”)
❒DSTSYSTEM ACTIVATIONThe VDC system switches on automatically each time the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.SYSTEM INTERVENTIONThis is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the
instrument panel, to indicate that the car is in critical stability and grip
conditions.
HILL HOLDER SYSTEMThis 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: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pedal pressed and gearbox in neutral or
gear (other than reverse) engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient higher than
5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and reverse gear
engaged.
When setting off the VDC system control unit maintains the braking
pressure at the wheels until the engine torque required for departure is
reached or for approximately 2 seconds, allowing your right foot to
be moved easily from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the system will deactivate
automatically by gradually releasing the brake force. A sound may
be heard during this stage: this indicates that the vehicle is about
to move off.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a handbrake. Do not leave
the vehicle without having engaged the handbrake, switched off the
engine and engaged a gear.
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