2013 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

IMPORTANT The backrest is correctly secured when the red band B fig.
91 on backrest folding handle A disappears. This red band indicates
that the backrest is not secured.
IMPORTANT When putting the rear seat back in its normal position,
make sure that the seat belts are positioned so that they are ready
to use.
Make sure that the backrest is correctly secured on
both sides (red bands B not visible) to prevent it from
moving forward in the event of sharp braking, causing
injuries to passengers.
SBR SYSTEM (Seat Belt
Reminder)This system comprises an acoustic signal which, in conjunction with the
warning light flashing on the instrument panel display, warns the
driver and front passenger if their seat belts have not been fastened.
On some versions there is also a panel (provided as an alternative
to the warning lights on the instrument panel) located above the
interior rear view mirror, which warns the front and back seat
passengers via acoustic and visual signals if their seat belts have not
been fastened.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to deactivate this system
permanently. The SBR system can only be reactivated via the display
Set Up Menu (see the “Menu Options” paragraph in the “Knowing
your car” section).
fig. 91
A0J0182
fig. 92
A0J0339
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The warning lights may be red or green and operate as follows:
❒1 = front left seat (driver status for left-hand drive versions);
❒2 = rear left seat (passenger);
❒3 = rear centre seat (passenger);
❒4 = rear right seat (passenger);
❒5 = front right seat (passenger status for left-hand drive versions).
NOTE On versions equipped with sports front seats, the passenger side
seat belt fastened indication (warning light 1 for RHD versions or
warning light 5 for LHD versions) will never be displayed.Front seats (warning light no. 1 =
driver and no. 5 = passenger)Driver
If the driver is the only occupant and their seat belt is not fastened,
when 20 km/h is exceeded or when travelling at a speed between 10
and 20 km/h for longer than 5 seconds, an acoustic signal cycle
will be started for the front seats (continuous acoustic signal for
6 seconds followed by a 90 second beep). The warning light will flash.
The warning lights will stay on constantly at the end of the cycle until
the engine is stopped. The acoustic signal will be interrupted
immediately when the driver’s seat belt is fastened and the warning
light will turn green.
The reminder cycle (acoustic and visual) will be repeated as described
above and the red warning light will flash if the seat belt is unfastened
again while travelling.Passenger
A similar situation applies to the front passenger, with the difference
that the warning light turns green and the indication is also interrupted
when the passenger leaves the car.
If both front seat belts are unfastened a few seconds apart while the
car is travelling, the acoustic signal will refer to the most recent event
and the two warning lights will proceed with the visual indication
independently.
Rear seats (warning light no. 2, no.
3 and no. 4)For the rear seats, the reminder cycle is only activated when any seat
belt is unfastened (flashing red).
In this condition, the warning light for the seat belt which has been
unfastened will flash (red) for approximately 30 seconds. An acoustic
signal is also emitted.
The visual indication (flashing red) will start and stop independently for
each warning light if several seat belts are unfastened. The warning
light will become green when the relevant seat belt is fastened again.
The rear seat warning lights will switch off, regardless of the state
of the belt (red or green) approximately 30 seconds after the last
signal.
IMPORTANT
The warning lights are all off if all seat belts (front and rear) are
already fastened when the ignition key is turned to MAR.
All warning lights switch on when at least one belt changes from
fastened to unfastened or vice versa.
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PRETENSIONERSThe car is equipped with front seat belt pretensioners, which draw
back the seat belts by several centimetres in the event of a violent
frontal impact. This guarantees the perfect adherence of the seat belts
to the occupants’ bodies before the restraining action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have been activated when the belt
withdraws towards the reel.
The car is also equipped with a second pretensioner (in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be produced during the activation of
the pretensioner. This is not harmful and does not indicate the start
of a fire.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest degree of protection from the action
of the pretensioner, wear the seat belt tight to the chest and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will invalidate its efficiency. If, due
to exceptional natural events (floods, sea storms, etc.), the device
has been affected by water and mud, it must be replaced.
LOAD LIMITERSTo increase protection, the front seat belt reels contain a load limiter
which controls the force acting on the chest and shoulders during
the belt restraining action in the event of a head-on collision.
The pretensioner may be used only once. Once it has
been activated, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services to have it replaced. Consult the plate in the
glove compartment to check the status of the device. Contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services to have the device replaced when
the expiration date approaches.Operations which lead to knocks, vibrations or localised
heating (over 100°C for a maximum of 6 hours) in the area
around the pretensioners may cause damage or trigger
them. These devices are not affected by vibrations caused by
irregularities of the road surface or low obstacles such as kerbs, etc.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services for any assistance necessary.
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GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
THE SEAT BELTSComply with (and ensure that all the other occupants of the car comply
with) the local laws in force regarding the use of seat belts. Always
fasten the seat belts before starting off.
Seat belts must also be worn by pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the event of an accident is reduced for them and the unborn child if
they are wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the lower part of the belt very low
down so that it passes over the pelvis and under the abdomen fig. 93.
The belt must not be twisted. The upper part must pass over the
shoulder and cross the chest diagonally. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis fig. 94, not to the abdomen. Never use devices (clips, pegs,
etc.) to hold the seat belt away from your body.
For maximum protection, keep the backrest upright,
lean back into it and make sure the seat belt fits
closely across your chest and pelvis. Always fasten the
seat belts on both the front and the rear seats! Travelling without
wearing seat belts will increase the risk of serious injury and
even death in the event of an accident.
fig. 93
A0J0094
fig. 94
A0J0095
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Each seat belt must be used by only one person. Never travel with a
child sitting on a passenger’s lap and a single belt to protect them both
fig. 95. In general, do not place any objects between the person and
belt.
Removing or otherwise tampering with safety belt and
pretensioner components is strictly prohibited. Any
operations on these components must be performed by
qualified and authorised technicians. Always contact Alfa Romeo
Authorized Services.If the belt has been subjected to high levels of stress,
for example after an accident, it should be changed
completely together with the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the pretensioner. In fact, even if the belt has no
visible defects, it may have lost its resilience.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE❒Always use the belt with the strap well stretched and never twisted;
make sure that it is free to run without obstructions;
❒replace the belt after an accident of a certain severity even if it does
not appear to be damaged. Always replace the belt if the
pretensioners were deployed;
❒hand wash the seat belts with water and neutral soap, rinse and
leave to dry in the shade. Do not use strong detergents, bleach,
colourants or any other substance which could damage the belt
fibres;
❒prevent the reels from getting wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get inside;
❒replace the seat belt when there is wear or cuts.
fig. 95
A0J0096
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CARRYING CHILDREN SAFELYFor optimal protection in the event of a collision, all passengers must
be seated and wearing adequate restraint systems. This is even more
important for children.
This prescription is compulsory in all EC countries according to EC
Directive 2003/20/EC. Compared with adults, a child's head is
proportionally larger and heavier than the rest of the body, while
muscles and bone structure are not fully developed. Therefore, correct
restraint systems are necessary which are different from adult seat
belts.
Over 1.50 m in height, from the point of view of restraint systems,
children are considered as adults and wear the seat belts normally.
The results of research in relation to the best protection for children is
summarised in European Regulation EEC-R44, which divides the
restraint systems into five groups in addition to making their use
compulsory:Group Weight groups
Group0 upto10kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kgAll restraint devices must bear the type-approval data along with the
control mark on a label firmly secured to the child seat which must
never be removed.Lineaccessori Alfa Romeo includes child seats for each weight group.
These devices are recommended having been specifically tested for
Alfa Romeo cars.
Do not arrange cradle child seats facing backwards if
the front passenger side airbag is enabled.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause
fatal injuries to the baby regardless of the severity of the
collision. It is advisable to always carry children in a child seat on
the rear seat, which is the most protected position in the event
of a collision.Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
front seat in a backwards-facing cradle seat, the
passenger's front and side air bags must be deactivated
through the Setup menu. Deactivation should be verified by
checking the
warning light on the instrument panel.
The passenger seat must also be slid back as far as possible in order
to avoid the child seat from coming into contact with the dashboard.
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FITTING “UNIVERSAL” CHILD
SEAT (with seat belts)GROUP 0 and 0+Babies up to 13 kg must be carried facing backwards on a cradle seat,
which, supporting the head, does not induce stress on the neck in the
event of sharp deceleration.
The cradle is restrained by the car seat belts, as shown in fig. 96 and it
must restrain the child in turn with its own belts.
GROUP 1From 9 kg to 18 kg in weight, children may be carried facing forwards
fig. 97.
The figures are only examples for fitting purposes. Fit
the child seat according to the instructions, which must
be included with the seat itself.Child seats with Isofix attachments are available,
which allow them to be secured to the seat safely
without using the car seat belts.
fig. 96
A0J0097
fig. 97
A0J0371
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GROUP 2Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the car seat belts directly fig. 98.
The child seat is needed only to position the child correctly with respect
to the belts, so that the diagonal section crosses the child’s chest and
never the neck, and the horizontal section is snug on the pelvis, not the
abdomen.
GROUP 3For children from 22 kg up to 36 kg suitable risers are available to
position the seat belt correctly.
fig. 99 shows an example of correct child seat positioning on the rear
seat.
The figures are only examples for fitting purposes. Fit
the child seat according to the instructions, which must
be included with the seat itself.
fig. 98
A0J0099
fig. 99
A0J0100
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