2015 Alfa Romeo MiTo check engine

IGNITION DEVICE
The key can be turned to three different positions fig. 21:
❒STOP: engine off, key can be removed, steering column locked.
Some electrical devices (e.g. car radio, central door locking system,
alarm, etc.) are enabled;
❒MAR: driving position. All electrical devices are enabled;
❒AVV: engine start-up.
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety system that requires the
ignition key to be turned back to STOP if the engine does not start,
before the starting operation can be repeated.
If the ignition switch is tampered with (e.g.: attempted
theft), have it checked over by Alfa Romeo Authorized
Services before driving again.
Always remove the key when you leave the car to
prevent someone from accidentally operating the
controls. Remember to engage the handbrake. Engage
1
stgear if the car is parked uphill or reverse if the car is parked
downhill. Never leave children unattended in the car.
STEERING LOCK
Engagement
When the key is at STOP, remove the key and turn the steering wheel
until it locks.
Disengagement
Move the steering wheel slightly and turn the ignition key to MAR.
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.
Never remove the key while the car is moving. The
steering wheel will lock as soon as it is turned. This
holds true for cars being towed as well.
fig. 21A0J0031
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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.
To restore the correct operation of the car, proceed as follows:
❒turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON position;
❒activate the right direction indicator;
❒deactivate the right direction indicator;
❒activate the left direction indicator;
❒deactivate the left direction indicator;
❒activate the right direction indicator;
❒deactivate the right direction indicator;
❒activate the left direction indicator;
❒deactivate the left direction indicator;
❒turn the ignition key to the STOP position;
❒turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON position.
If, after an impact, you smell fuel or notice leaks from
the fuel system, do not reactivate the system to avoid
the risk of fire.
INTERIOR FITTINGS
GLOVE COMPARTMENT
Operate handle A fig. 47 to open the compartment. When the
compartment is opened, a courtesy light switches on.
The glove compartment features a document holder.
Do not travel with the glove compartment open: it
could injure the passenger in the event of an accident.
fig. 47A0J0060
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❒hold the bonnet up with one hand and with the other remove rod C
fig. 69 from housing D and fit it back into its locking device;❒lower the bonnet to about 20 cm from the engine compartment, then
let it fall and check, by trying to raise it, that it is completely closed
and not only attached in safety position. If it is not perfectly closed,
open the bonnet and repeat the procedure. Do not simply press it.
IMPORTANT Always check that the bonnet is closed correctly to avoid
it opening while the car is travelling.
For versions/markets where provided, the following plate is applied
inside the engine compartment fig. 70:
For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be
properly closed while driving. Make sure that the
bonnet is perfectly closed and that the lock is engaged.
If you discover during travel that the lock is not fully engaged,
stop immediately and close the bonnet in the correct manner.
Perform these operations only when the car is
stationary.
The bonnet may drop suddenly if the supporting rod is
not positioned correctly.
fig. 69A0J0086fig. 70A0J1520
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CLOSING
Proceed as follows:

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.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.
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TPMS (Tyre Pressure
Monitoring System)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The car may be fitted with a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS),
which informs the driver of the tyre inflation status via the "Check
tyre pressure" and "Low tyre pressure" messages on the display.
This system comprises a radio frequency transmitter fitted to each
wheel (on the wheel rim inside the tyre), which is able to send
information on the tyre inflation pressure of each wheel to the control
unit.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
THE TPMS
The fault indications are not stored and will therefore not be displayed
after the engine has been switched off and then on again.
If the fault conditions persist, the control unit will send the relative
indications to the instrument panel only after the car has been in
motion for a short time.
The presence of the TPMS does not permit the driver to
neglect regular checks of the tyre pressure, including
for the spare wheel.
Tyre pressure must be checked with tyres rested and
cold. Should it become necessary for whatever reason
to check pressure with warm tyres, do not reduce
pressure even though it is higher than the prescribed value, but
repeat the check when tyres are cold.
Should one or more wheels be fitted without sensors,
the system will no longer be available and a warning
message will be shown on the display, until 4 wheels
with sensors are fitted again.
The TPMS cannot warn of sudden decreases in tyre
pressure (for example when a tyre bursts). In this case,
stop the car, braking with caution and avoiding
abrupt steering.
Replacing standard tyres with winter tyres and vice
versa requires TPMS system adjustment that must only
be performed by Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
Variations in outside temperature may cause tyre
pressures to vary. The TPMS may temporarily indicate
insufficient pressure. In this case, check the tyre
pressure when cold and, if necessary, restore the inflation values.
When a tyre is removed, it is advisable to replace the
rubber valve seal as well: contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services. Tyre and rim fitting/removal
operations require specific precautions; to avoid damaging or
fitting the sensors incorrectly, tyre and wheel fitting/removal
operations should only be carried out by specialised staff.
Contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
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IMPORTANT
Do not wash the seats with water or pressurised steam (by hand or at
automatic seat washing stations).
The front and/or side bags may activate in the event of sharp knocks
to the underbody of the car (e.g. impact with steps, pavements,
potholes or road bumps etc.).
When the airbag deploys it emits a small amount of dust: the dust is
harmless and does not indicate the beginning of a fire. The dust may
irritate the skin and eyes however: in this case, wash with neutral soap
and water.
All operations on airbags (inspection, repair and replacement) must be
carried out by Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
If the car is to be scrapped, contact Alfa Romeo Authorised Services to
have the airbags deactivated.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed in different ways, according to
the type of impact. Failure to deploy of one of the devices does not
necessarily indicate a system malfunction.
If thewarning light does not switch on when the
key is turned to MAR-ON, or stays on while driving (on
some versions together with a message on the
display) there may be a fault in the restraint systems. In this
case, airbags or pretensioners may not be activated in the case
of an accident or (in a lesser number of cases) they may be
activated incorrectly. Before proceeding, contact Alfa Romeo
Authorised Services to have the system checked immediately.
Do not travel carrying objects in your lap, in front of
your chest or between your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.):
they could cause severe injury if the airbag is
deployed.
If the car has been subject to theft, attempted theft,
vandalism, or flooding, have the airbag system
inspected at Alfa Romeo Authorised Services.
When the ignition key is in and turned in the MAR-ON
position and the engine is off, the airbags may deploy
if the car is crashed by another moving vehicle.
Therefore, even if the car is stationary, when an active passenger
airbag is fitted, DO NOT install rear facing child restraint systems
on the front passenger seat. Deployment of the airbag following
an impact could cause fatal injuries to the child. Therefore,
always deactivate the passenger airbag when a rear facing child
restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be positioned back as far as possible
in order to avoid the child restraint system from coming into
contact with the dashboard. Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the child restraint system has been
removed. Also remember that, if the key is turned to STOP, none
of the safety devices (airbags or pretensioners) will be deployed
in the event of collision. Non-deployment in such cases does not
indicate a system malfunction.
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SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which can help you to save fuel and lower
harmful emissions.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car 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 STYLE
Starting
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.
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SNOW CHAINS
The 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 CAR
If 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.
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