2013 Alfa Romeo MiTo ignition

ENGINE RESTARTING CONDITIONSDue to comfort, emission control and safety reasons, the engine can
restart automatically without any action by the driver, under special
conditions, such as:
❒battery not sufficiently charged;
❒reduced braking system vacuum (e.g. if the brake pedal is pressed
repeatedly);
❒car moving (e.g. when driving on roads with a gradient);
❒engine stopping by Start&Stop system for over 3 minutes;
❒for versions equipped with dual zone automatic climate control
system (for versions/markets, where provided), if an adequate level
of thermal comfort has not been reached or MAX-DEF function
activation.
With gear engaged, automatic engine restarting is possible only by
fully depressing the clutch pedal. The driver is informed by the
displaying of a message on the display and - for versions/markets,
where provided - by the flashing of the symbol
.
Notes
If the clutch is not pressed, about 3 minutes after the engine stops, the
engine can be restarted only using the ignition key.
In cases when the engine stops and this is not desired, due for example
to the clutch pedal being released sharply with a gear engaged, if the
Start&Stop system is activated, the engine can be restarted by fully
depressing the clutch pedal or by placing the gear lever in neutral.
SAFETY FUNCTIONSWhen the engine is stopped by the Start&Stop system, if the driver
releases his/her seat belt and opens the driver's or passenger's door,
the engine can be restarted only using the ignition key.
The driver is informed by a buzzer and by the flashing of the symbol
on the display; on some versions, a message is displayed as well.
"ENERGY SAVING" FUNCTION(for versions/markets, where provided)
If, following automatic engine restarting, the driver does not carry out
any action on the car for over 3 minutes, the Start&Stop system stops
the engine once and for all, to prevent fuel consumption. In these
cases, the engine can be restarted only using the ignition key.
NOTE In any case, it is possible to keep the engine running by
deactivating the Start&Stop system.IRREGULAR OPERATIONIn the event of malfunction, the Start&Stop system is deactivated.
The driver is informed of the fault by the
warning light switching
on in the instrument panel and, for versions/markets where provided,
a message and symbol on the display.
In this case, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
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CAR INACTIVITYIn the event of car inactivity (or if the battery is replaced), special
attention must be paid to the disconnection of the battery power
supply.
The procedure must be carried out as follows: press button A fig. 80 to
detach connector B from battery status monitoring sensor C (this is
located on the negative pole of the battery itself).
In case of battery replacement, always contact Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services. Replace the battery with
one of the same type (HEAVY DUTY) and with the same
specifications.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition key to STOP, wait at least 1
minute before disconnecting the electrical supply to the battery.
JUMP STARTINGWhen jump starting, never connect the negative lead (–) of the
auxiliary battery to the negative pole A fig. 81 of the car battery, but
rather to an engine/gearbox earth point.
fig. 80
A0J0379
fig. 81
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Before opening the bonnet, make sure the engine is off and
the ignition key is in the STOP position. Follow the
indications on the plate underneath the bonnet fig. 82. It is
advisable to extract the key when there are other people in the car.
Leave the car only after having removed the ignition key or having
turned it to STOP. During refuelling, make sure that the engine is off
and that the ignition key is in the STOP position.
DYNAMIC SUSPENSION (active
shock absorber system)(for versions/markets, where provided)
This system interacts with the “Alfa DNA” system (see paragraph “Alfa
DNA”).
The “Alfa DNA” system lever allows you to choose three different
driving settings depending on the route type and on the road surface:
❒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).
In “Natural” and “All Weather” operating mode, the active shock
absorbers adjust the car suspension to suit the route type and
the driving stresses, thus considerably improving driving comfort in
particular on rough terrain.
The "Dynamic" operating mode produces a sports driving setting
characterised by more responsive acceleration and greater effort on
the steering wheel to give a sporty feeling. The shock absorber
damping action is also adjusted and divided, to guarantee higher
precision and reactivity of the car, while maintaining a good comfort
level.
The car is more precise when entering bends and quicker in changing
direction.
fig. 82
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EOBD SYSTEM (European On
Board Diagnosis)(for versions/markets, where provided)
The aim of the EOBD system (European On Board Diagnosis) is to:
❒monitor the system efficiency;
❒indicate an increase in emissions;
❒indicate the need to replace damaged components.
The car also has a diagnostic connector that can be interfaced with
appropriate tools, which makes it possible to read the error codes
stored in the electronic control units together with a series of specific
parameters for engine operation and diagnosis. This check can also be
carried out by the traffic police.
IMPORTANT After eliminating a fault, to check the system completely,
Alfa Romeo Authorised Services are obliged to run tests and, if
necessary, road tests which may also call for a long journey.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERINGThis only operates with the key turned to MAR-ON and the engine
started. Power steering allows the force required at the steering wheel
to be adapted to driving conditions.
The different power assistance modes can be selected via the "d,n,a"
positions of the “Alfa DNA System” lever (see “Alfa DNA System”
paragraph).
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)
that could badly affect performance and safety, invalidate the
warranty and also result in non-compliance of the car with
type-approval requirements.Before performing any maintenance operations,
always turn off the engine and remove the key from
the ignition to lock the steering column, especially
when the car’s wheels are not touching the ground.
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REFUELLING THE CARStop the engine before refuelling.PETROL ENGINESOnly use unleaded petrol. The petrol octane rating (RON) must not be
lower than 95. In order to prevent damage to the catalytic converter
never introduce even the smallest amount of leaded petrol, even in the
event of an emergency.DIESEL ENGINESUse only diesel fuel compliant with European specification EN590. The
use of other products or mixtures may damage the engine beyond
repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, due to the damage
caused.
Operation at low temperatures
If the outside temperature is very low, the diesel thickens due to the
formation of paraffin clots with consequent defective operation of the
fuel supply system.
In order to avoid these problems, different types of diesel fuel are
distributed according to the season: summer type, winter type and
arctic type (cold/mountain areas). If refuelling with diesel fuel whose
features are not suitable for the temperature of use, it is advisable
to mix TUTELA DIESEL ART additive with the fuel, in the proportions
shown on the container. Pour the additive into the tank before the fuel.
When using or parking the vehicle for a long time in the mountains
or cold areas, it is advisable to refuel using locally available fuel.
In this case, it is also advisable to keep the tank over 50% full.
FUEL TANK CAPThe fuel flap is unlocked when the central locking system is released
and automatically locked when the central locking system is applied.
Opening
Open flap A fig. 88, pulling it outwards, hold cap B still, insert the
ignition key in the lock and turn it anticlockwise. Then turn the cap
anticlockwise and remove it.
The plug is provided with a loss prevention device C which secures it to
the flap, so it cannot be lost. Attach the cap to device D during
refuelling.
fig. 88
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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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The airbags may also be deployed when the car is not
moving, if the key is in the ignition and turned to MAR
even when the engine is off, if the car is hit by another
moving vehicle. For this reason, children must never sit on the
front seat, even if the car is not moving. Also remember that no
safety device (airbags or pretensioners) will activate in the event
of impact when the key is at STOP. Non-deployment of these
devices under these circumstances does not therefore indicate a
system malfunction.When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the
warning light (with passenger side front airbag
activated) switches on and flashes for a few seconds to
remind you that the passenger airbag will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should switch off.
The front airbag is designed to be deployed for
impacts of a greater intensity than for the
pretensioners. For impacts whose intensity falls
between the two levels, it is normal for only the pretensioners to
be activated.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINEPROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS(excluding Turbo TwinAir versions)
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever in neutral;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal, without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine
starts.
IMPORTANT
❒If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOP before repeating the starting procedure.
❒If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel warning
light
(or the symbol on the display) remains on together with
warning light
, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR. If
the warning light remains on, try the other keys provided. If you are
still unable to start the engine contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service Provider.
❒Never leave the ignition key at MAR when the engine is stopped.Engine starting for Turbo TwinAir versions
Proceed as follows:
❒Engage the handbrake and place the gear lever in neutral or fully
press the clutch pedal if a gear other than neutral is engaged;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine
starts.
NoteIf the vehicle does not start at the first attempt, return the ignition
key to STOP and repeat the starting procedure placing the gear lever
in neutral and fully pressing the clutch pedal.
IMPORTANT
❒If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel warning
light
(or the symbol on the display) remains on together with
warning light
, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR. If
the warning light remains on, try the other keys provided. If you are
still unable to start the engine contact an Alfa Romeo Authorised
Service Provider.
❒Never leave the ignition key at MAR when the engine is stopped.
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