2013 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

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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ASR SYSTEM (AntiSlip Regulation)It is an integral part of the VDC system. It automatically operates in the
event of one or both drive wheels slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(aquaplaning) and acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc…
Depending on the slipping conditions, two different control systems
are activated:
❒if the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR intervenes
reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
❒if the slipping only involves one of the drive wheels, the ASR
intervenes automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.
For the correct operation of the VDC and ASR systems,
the tyres must be the same make and type on all
wheels, in perfect condition and, above all, of the type,
make and size specified.If the spare wheel is used, the VDC system keeps
operating. Always remember that the space-saver
wheel, being smaller than the original wheel, provides
less grip.
The performance of the VDC and ASR systems must not
encourage the driver to take unnecessary risks. Driving
style must always be adapted to road conditions,
visibility and traffic. The driver is always responsible for road
safety.
BRAKE ASSIST(assistance during emergency braking)
The system, which cannot be turned off, recognises emergency braking
(on the basis of the brake pedal operating speed) and speeds up the
response of the braking system. The Brake Assist device is deactivated
if there is a VDC system failure.MSR SYSTEM(Motor Schleppmoment Regelung)
This system is an integral part of the ABS, that intervenes, if there is
sudden downshifting, restoring torque to the engine, thereby
preventing excessive drive at the drive wheels which, especially in poor
grip conditions, could lead to a loss in stability of the car.
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CBC SYSTEM (Cornering Brake
Control)This function improves the distribution of the braking pressure at the
four wheels (to fully exploit the grip available on the ground) when
braking on bends if the ABS intervenes. This improves stopping
distances and above all vehicle stability when cornering.“ELECTRONIC Q2” SYSTEM (“E-Q2”)The “Electronic Q2” system uses the braking system to create an effect
similar to a limited slip differential.
The front braking system, in cornering acceleration conditions, acts
appropriately on the inner wheel, increasing the drive of the outer
wheel (with more load) and sharing the torque between the front drive
wheels dynamically and continuously according to the driving
conditions and the road surface.
The system, combined with MacPherson front suspension, allows
particularly effective and sports driving.
DST SYSTEM (Dynamic Steering
Torque)This function integrates Dual Pinion active steering into the operation of
the VDC. For particular manoeuvres, the VDC controls the steering to
actuate a steering torque and assist the driver in the best possible way.
The system operates the brakes and steering in a coordinated manner
to increase the suspension and safety level of the car as a whole.
The steering provides additional torque on the steering wheel.
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“Alfa DNA” SYSTEM (Car
dynamic control system)This device allows, using lever A fig. 72 (on the central tunnel), three
car response modes to be selected according to driving style and road
conditions:
❒d = Dynamic (sports driving mode);
❒n = Natural (mode for driving in normal conditions);
❒a = All Weather (mode for driving in poor grip conditions, such as
rain and snow).
The device also acts on the dynamic car control systems (engine,
steering, VDC system, instrument panel).DRIVING MODESLever A is monostable type. In other words, it always remains in a
central position.The selected driving mode is indicated by the corresponding LED
coming on in the panel and by an indication on the reconfigurable
multifunction display, as illustrated below:
❒Dynamic modefig. 73 (display image available for versions/
markets, where provided)
❒All Weather Modefig. 74
“Natural” mode
When “Natural” mode is selected, no messages or symbols are shown
on the display.
VDC and ASR:
intervention thresholds aimed at comfort in normal
conditions of use.
Steering wheel
tuning:
functions aimed at providing comfort in normal conditions of
use.
DST:
standard braking control coordinated with ABS/VDC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Oversteer compensation: a
slight pulse on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry
fig. 72
A0J0090
fig. 73
A0J0227
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out the most appropriate manoeuvre.

Engine:
standard response
ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“Dynamic” MODEEngagement
Move the lever A fig. 72 upwards (next to the letter “d”) and hold in
this position for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding LED lights up
or the word “Dynamic” appears on the display (see fig. 75).
Upon release, lever A returns to the central position.VDC and ASR:intervention thresholds for more enjoyable, sportier driving,
guaranteeing stability in case control of the car is lost. Improves
traction whilst accelerating on bends.
Steering wheel
tuning:
sports mode function.
DST:
standard braking control coordinated with ABS/VDC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Compensates oversteering
depending on the VDC/ASR intervention thresholds: a slight
movement on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry
out the most appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:
prompter response + Overboost to maximise torque (for
versions/markets, where provided).
In the 1.4 Turbo MultiAir versions, selecting “Dynamic” operating
mode activates the turbocharger supercharging function (overboost):
depending on the accelerator pedal position and for a limited time, the
engine management control unit allows the system to generate
maximum pressure levels inside the turbocharger and the engine
torque can reach higher values than usual.
fig. 74
A0J0290
fig. 75
A0J1510
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This function is particularly useful whenever maximum performance is
required for a short time (e.g. when overtaking).
IMPORTANT During acceleration, when the “Dynamic” function is used
the steering may shudder, which is typical of a sports setting.
Disengagement
To deactivate “Dynamic” mode and return to “Natural”, repeat the
same movement of the lever within the same times. In this case, the LED
corresponding to “Natural” mode will light up and the words “Natural
on” will appear on the reconfigurable multifunction display (see fig.
76).ENGAGEMENT/DISENGAGEMENT OF
“All Weather” MODEEngagement
Move lever A fig. 72 downwards (to the letter “a”) and hold in this
position for 0.5 seconds until the corresponding LED lights up or the
word “All Weather” appears on the display (see fig. 77).
VDC and ASR:
intervention thresholds for top safety and car control
even in the event of critical road conditions (e.g. in
case of rain, snow, etc.).
Steering wheeltuning:
maximum comfort.
DST:
higher braking control coordinated with ABS/VDC. Standard
control over lateral acceleration. Compensates oversteering
depending on the VDC/ASR intervention thresholds: a slight
movement on the steering wheel encourages the driver to carry
out the most appropriate manoeuvre.
Engine:
standard response
Disengagement
To deactivate “All Weather” mode and return to “Natural”, carry out
the same procedure described for “Dynamic” mode, but move lever A
fig. 72 to “a”.
fig. 76
A0J1059
fig. 77
A0J1511
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