2013 Alfa Romeo MiTo gearbox

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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IMPORTANT
❒It is not possible to switch directly from “Dynamic” mode to “All
Weather” mode and vice versa. You must always first go back
to “Natural” mode and then select the other mode.
❒If “All Weather” or “Natural ”mode was active when the engine was
stopped, the next time it is started the mode that was selected is
reactivated.
❒In the event of system failure or a fault with lever A fig. 72, no
driving modes can be selected. The display will show a warning
message.
START&STOP SYSTEM(for versions/markets, where provided)
The Start&Stop system automatically stops the engine each time the car
is stationary and starts it again when the driver wants to move off.
In this way, the efficiency of the car is increased, by reducing
consumption, emissions of harmful gases and noise pollution.OPERATING MODESEngine stopping mode
With the car stopped, the engine stops with gearbox in neutral and
clutch pedal released.
NoteNote: the engine can only be stopped automatically after
exceeding about 10 km/h, to prevent the engine from being
repeatedly stopped when driving at walking pace.
The
fig. 78 symbol appears on the display when the engine stops.fig. 78
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Restarting the engine
Press the clutch pedal to restart the engine.

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
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fig. 81
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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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PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONSProceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever in neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR-ON: the warning lights
and
(or the symbol on the display) on the instrument panel will
switch on;
❒wait for the warning lights (or the symbol on the display) to switch
off;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal, without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV;
warning light switches off.
Waiting too long will waste the heating work carried out by the
glow plugs. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
If the
warning light flashes for about 1 minute after
starting or during prolonged cranking, this indicates a fault
in the glow plug preheating system. Use the car normally
if the engine starts and go to Alfa Romeo Authorized Services as soon
as possible.
It is dangerous to run the engine in enclosed areas. The
engine takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
It is advisable not to demand maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.) when it is
first used.When the engine is off, do not leave the ignition key turned
to MAR to prevent unnecessary electrical consumption from
draining the battery.Remember that the brake servo and electromechanical
power steering are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much more effort than
usual is required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.Never start the engine by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. These manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
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IMPORTANT Carry out these manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
IMPORTANT For cars equipped with a front armrest, lift this up to
ensure that it does not interfere with the action of the handbrake.
The car should be locked after a few notches: if this is
not the case, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
to have the handbrake adjusted.
USING THE GEARBOXTo engage the gears, fully depress the clutch pedal and put the gear
lever into the desired position (the diagram for gear engagement
is shown on the knob fig. 109, fig. 110, fig. 111).
fig. 109
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fig. 110
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On models with 6 gears, to engage 6
thgear, press the lever slightly to
the right to avoid changing into 4
thby mistake. The same applies to the
shift from 6
thto 5
thgear.
To engage reverse (R) from neutral position, raise ring A underneath
the knob and, at the same time:
❒on 1.4 Turbo MultiAir 170 HP Quadrifoglio Verde and 1.6 JTD
M
versions, move the lever to the left and then forwards fig. 110;
❒on Turbo TwinAir, 1.4 Petrol, 1.4 MultiAir, 1.4 Turbo MultiAir and
1.3 JTD
M-2
versions, move the lever to the right and then backwards
fig. 109 and fig. 111.IMPORTANT Reverse can only be engaged when the car is completely
stationary.
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears correctly. It
is therefore essential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying flat and do not
get in the way of the pedals.Do not drive with your hand resting on the gear lever as
the force exerted, even if slight, could lead over time to
premature wear of the gearbox internal components.
fig. 111
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IN AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency we recommend that you call the freephone number found in the Warranty Booklet. You can also
consult www.alfaromeo.com to find your nearest Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.STARTING THE ENGINEIf the
warning light on the instrument panel remains on constantly,
contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services immediately.
JUMP STARTINGIf the battery is flat, the engine may be started using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a little higher than the flat one.
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle:
❒connect the positive terminals (+ sign near the terminal) of the two
batteries with a jump lead fig. 112;❒with a second cable, connect the negative terminal(–)ofthe
auxiliary battery to an earthing point
on the engine or the
gearbox of the car to be started;
❒start the engine; afterwards, follow the sequence above in reverse
order to remove the cables.
For versions with Start&Stop system, to carry out the jump starting
procedure, refer to the paragraph “Start&Stop system” in the “Getting
to know your car” section.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services if you cannot start the engine
after several attempts.
IMPORTANT Never connect the negative terminals of the two batteries
directly! If the auxiliary battery is installed on another car, prevent
accidental contact between metallic parts of the two cars.
Never use a fast battery-charger to start the engine as this
could damage the electronic systems of your car,
particularly the ignition and fuel supply control units.
fig. 112
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