2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo check engine light

FOG LIGHTS(for versions/markets, where provided)
Press the
fig. 45 button to switch the lights on/off.
With the lights on, warning light
in the instrument panel switches
on.
REAR FOG LIGHTPress the
fig. 45 button to switch the light on/off.
The rear fog light switches on only when the dipped headlights are
switched on. With the light on, the
warning light in the instrument
panel switches on.
CENTRAL LOCKINGPress button A fig. 46 to lock all doors at the same time.
Locking takes place irrespective of the position of the ignition key.FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEMThis intervenes in the case of an impact causing:
❒the interruption of the fuel supply with the engine consequently
cutting out;
❒the automatic unlocking of the doors;
❒the interior lights being switched on.
The intervention of the system is indicated by a message shown on the
display.
Carefully check the car for fuel leaks, for instance in the engine
compartment, under the car or near the tank area.
After a collision, turn the ignition key to STOP to prevent the battery
from running down.
fig. 45
A0J0303
fig. 46
A0J0030
72GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX

SAVING FUELHere are some suggestions which can help you to save fuel and lower
harmful emissions.GENERAL CONSIDERATIONSCar maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan” (see chapter “Maintenance and care”).
Ty r e s
Check the tyre pressure at least once every 4 weeks: if the pressure is
too low, consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of the car and its
arrangement greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof after use. These
accessories lower aerodynamic penetration and adversely affect
consumption levels. It is better to use a trailer to transport particularly
bulky objects.
Electrical devices
Only use electrical devices for the time needed. The heated rear
window, additional headlights, windscreen wipers and heater fan
require a considerable amount of energy; increasing the current uptake
increases fuel consumption (by up to +25% in an urban cycle).Climate control system
Using the climate control system will increase consumption: use the air
vents when the external temperature allows it.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLEStarting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs when the vehicle is
stationary; this causes the engine to warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and emissions. It is therefore advisable to
move off immediately, slowly, avoiding high speeds: in this way the
engine will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when at traffic lights or before switching off the
engine. The latter action, like double-declutching, is unnecessary and
causes increased fuel consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear when traffic and road conditions allow it. Using a
low gear for faster acceleration will increase consumption. In the same
way improper use of a high gear increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.
138GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGIN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX

SNOW CHAINSThe use of snow chains should be in compliance with local regulations.
The snow chains may be applied only onto the front wheel tyres (drive
wheels).
Check the tension of the snow chains after the first few metres have
been driven.
Use reduced size snow chains: on all versions, for 195/55 R16" and
205/55 R16" size tyres use low-clearance snow chains with a
maximum projection beyond the tyre profile of 9 mm.
IMPORTANT The space-saver wheel cannot be fitted with snow chains.
If a front (drive) wheel is punctured and snow chains must be used,
you must remove a normal wheel from the rear and replace this one
with the space-saver wheel. In this way, with two normal drive wheels,
it is possible to use snow chains.
Keep your speed down when snow chains are fitted; do not
exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes, steps and pavements
and avoid driving long distances on roads not covered with
snow to avoid damaging the car and the roadbed.
STORING THE CARIf the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month, the following
precautions should be noted:
❒park the vehicle in a dry, covered and, if possible, ventilated area;
engage a gear and check that the handbrake is not engaged;
❒disconnect the negative battery terminal and check the battery
charge. Repeat this check once every three months during storage;
❒if you have not disconnected the battery, check the battery charge
every thirty days;
❒clean and protect the painted parts using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts using special compounds
available commercially;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the windscreen and rear window wiper
rubber blades and lift them off the glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a cloth or perforated plastic sheet. Do not use
compact plastic sheets which do not allow humidity to evaporate
from the surface of the car.
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the standard specified pressure and
check it at intervals;
❒do not drain the engine cooling system.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition key to STOP, wait at least 1
minute before disconnecting the battery power supply.
141GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGIN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX

SCHEDULED SERVICING PLANPETROL VERSIONSThousands of miles18 36 54 72 90 108
Thousands of kilometres 30 60 90 120 150 180
Months24 48 72 96 120 144
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure, if required●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning lights,
passenger compartment, luggage compartment, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)●●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen washer/wiper system●●●●●●
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rear window wiper blades●●●●●●
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation of pad wear indicator●●●●●●
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear●●●●●●
Condition and status visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody protection, pipes and hoses
(exhaust - fuel system - brakes), rubber elements (boots - sleeves - bushes etc.)●●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine cooling, hydraulic brakes/clutch, screen washer,
battery, etc.)●●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if required●●●●●●
Check of condition of timing drive belt (excluding TwinAir Turbo versions)●●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belt(s)●●
Check tension of accessory drive belts and adjust if necessary (versions with heater) (1.4 Petrol 8V
78 HP versions)●●
Check tappet clearance and adjust, if necessary (1.4 Petrol 8V 78 HP versions)●●●
174GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX

DIESEL VERSIONSThousands of miles21 42 63 84 105
Thousands of kilometres 35 70 105 140 175
Months24 48 72 96 120
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure, if required●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators, hazard warning lights,
passenger compartment, luggage compartment, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)●●●●●
Check operation of windscreen washer/wiper system●●●●●
Check the position/wear of the windscreen/rear window wiper blades●●●●●
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation of pad wear indicator●●●●●
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear●●●●●
Condition and status visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody protection, pipes and hoses
(exhaust - fuel system - brakes), rubber elements (boots - sleeves - bushes etc.)●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine cooling, hydraulic brakes/clutch, screen washer,
battery, etc.)●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if required●●●●●
Check exhaust fumes/emissions●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belts●●
Check engine management system operation (through the diagnosis socket)●●●●●
Check battery charge status and possibly recharge●●●●●
Replace accessory drive belts●
176GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX

PERIODIC CHECKSEvery 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and restore the
following if necessary:
❒engine coolant, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre inflation pressure and condition;
❒operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
❒operation of window washer/wiper system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper blades
Check and top up, if required, the engine oil level every 3,000 km.
HEAVY-DUTY USE OF THE CARIf you use the car mainly under one of the following conditions:
❒towing a trailer or caravan;
❒dusty roads;
❒short, repeated journeys (less than 7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
❒engine often idling or driving long distances at low speeds or long
periods of idleness;
the following checks must be performed more frequently than indicated
in the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
❒check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks, cleanliness and
lubrication of linkage;
❒visually inspect conditions of: engine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes) and rubber elements
(boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.);
❒check battery charge and battery fluid level (electrolyte);
❒visually inspect condition of the accessory drive belts;
❒check and, if necessary, change engine oil and replace oil filter;
❒check and, if necessary, replace pollen filter;
❒check and, if necessary, replace air cleaner.
178GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX

AIR CLEANER/POLLEN
FILTER/DIESEL FILTERContact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services to replace the filters.
BATTERYBattery F (see previous pages) does not require the electrolyte to be
topped up with distilled water. A periodic check carried out at Alfa
Romeo Authorized Services is, however, necessary to check efficiency.REPLACING THE BATTERYIf necessary, replace the battery with another genuine battery with the
same specifications. Follow the battery manufacturer's instructions
for maintenance.USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERYTo avoid draining your battery rapidly and maintain its efficiency over
time, carefully observe the following instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that the doors, bonnet and flaps are
closed correctly, to prevent any roof lights from remaining on inside
the passenger compartment;
❒switch off all roof lights inside the car: the car is however equipped
with a system which switches all internal lights off automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system, hazard lights, etc.)
switched on for a long time when the engine is not running;
❒before performing any operation on the electrical system, disconnect
the negative battery pole;
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains under 50% for a long time, the
battery is damaged by sulphation, reducing its capacity and
efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing (this can happen as
early as –10°C). Refer to “Storing the car” in “Starting and driving” if
the car is left parked for a long time.
187GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX

IMPORTANT
Avoid parking under trees; the resin dropped by trees makes the
paintwork go opaque and increases the possibility of corrosion.
Bird droppings must be washed off immediately and thoroughly as the
acid they contain is particularly aggressive.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths to prevent scratching or
altering the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the inside surface of the rear window gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to avoid damaging the heating
device.
Front headlights
Use a soft, damp cloth soaked in water and detergent for washing
cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic substances (e.g. petrol) or ketenes
(e.g. acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses of the front headlights.
IMPORTANT When cleaning the car with a pressure washer, keep the
water jet at least 20 cm away from the headlights.
Engine compartment
At the end of every winter, wash the engine compartment thoroughly,
taking care not to aim the jet of water directly at the electronic control
units or at the windscreen wiper motors. Have this operation
performed at a specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take place with the engine cold and
the ignition key in the STOP position. After washing, make sure that the
various protective devices (e.g. rubber caps and guards) have not
been removed or damaged.
INTERIORSPeriodically check for water puddles under the mats that could cause
the panels to rust.
Never use flammable products, such as petrol ether or
rectified petrol to clean the inside of the car. The
electrostatic charges which are generated by rubbing
during the cleaning operation may cause a fire.Do not keep aerosol cans in the car: they might
explode. Aerosol cans must not be exposed to a
temperature exceeding 50°C. When the car is exposed
to sunlight, the internal temperature can greatly exceed this
value.
SEATS AND FABRIC PARTSRemove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner. It is advisable to
use a moist brush on velvet upholstery. Rub the seats with a sponge
soaked in a solution of neutral detergent and water.
194GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX