2021 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING
82)Do not affix rigid objects to the garment
hooks or support handles.
83)Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on
the door, windows or the area in which the
Window bag is located to avoid possible
injury during airbag inflation.
84)Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.
85)If the
warning light does not switch
on when the key is turned to MAR, 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 an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have
the system checked immediately.
86)Do not travel carrying objects on your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
87)If the car has been subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or flooding,
have the airbag system inspected at an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.88)The airbags may also be deployed when
the car is not moving, if the key is in the
ignition and turned to MAR-ON or when the
engine is off, if the car is hit by another
moving vehicle. Therefore, even if the vehicle
is stationary, when an active front
passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install
rearward 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 side airbag when a
rearward 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
prevent 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.
89)When the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the
warning light switches for few
seconds, then if the passenger airbag is
active it should switch off.
90)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,
normally, only the pretensioners will be
activated.91)The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency. Because front
airbags are not deployed for low-speed
crashes, side collisions, rear-end shunts or
rollovers, occupants are protected, in
addition to any side bags, only by their seat
belts, which must therefore always be
fastened.
92)On cars with side bags, do not cover the
front seat backrests with extra covers.
87

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Let’s get to the core of the vehicle: seeing how you can exploit all
of its potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any situation, so that it can be
a welcome companion, with our comfort and our wallets in mind.
STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINE . .........................90
PARKING THE VEHICLE ...........................91
USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX .....................92
USING ALFA TCT TRANSMISSION . . . . ................93
START&STOP SYSTEM. ..........................95
CRUISE CONTROL ..............................97
PARKING SENSORS .............................98
TOWING TRAILERS . . . . . . . . .....................99
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE . . .....................100

STARTING THE ENGINE
93) 94) 95)
17) 18) 19) 20)
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown on the
display.
PROCEDURE FOR PETROL VERSIONS
Except 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.
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.Versions with LPG system
To properly perform the starting
procedure, refer to as previously
described.
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the mode previously
selected. There must therefore always be
some petrol in the tank to protect the
petrol pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from LPG to petrol operation, if
high performance is required.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Except Turbo TwinAir versions:Ifthe
engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before
repeating the procedure.
For Turbo TwinAir versions only:Ifthe
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.
If, with the ignition key turned to MAR,
the
symbol is shown on the display
together with the warning light
, turn
the key to STOP and then back to MAR. If
the symbol on the display is still shown,
try with the other keys provided with the
car. Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership if
the engine still does not start.
Never leave the ignition key in
MAR-ON position when the engine is
stopped.
PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
turn the ignition key to MAR position:
the
warning light will light up on
instrument panel;
wait for the warning light to switch off;
fully depress the clutch pedal, without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV; the
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.
WARNING
93)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.
94)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to apply
much more force than usual to the brake
pedal.
95)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
90
STARTING AND DRIVING

IMPORTANT
17)We recommend that during the initial
period, or during the first 1600 km
(1000 miles), you do not drive to full car
performance (e.g. excessive acceleration,
long journeys at top speed, sharp braking,
etc.).
18)When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR position
to prevent useless current absorption from
draining the battery.
19)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
damaging for the engine.
20)Warning light
will flash after starting
or during prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault with the glow plug heating system. If
the engine starts, the vehicle can be regularly
used, but an Alfa Romeo Dealership must be
contacted as soon as possible.
PARKING THE VEHICLE
96) 97)
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1stgear if facing uphill
or reverse if facing downhill) and leave
the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the car is parked on a steep slope.
On versions equipped with Alfa TCT
transmission, before releasing the brake
pedal, wait for letter P to be displayed.
IMPORTANTNEVERleave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with Alfa TCT transmission,
before placing the gear lever at P).
HANDBRAKE
To engage the handbrake, pull lever 1
fig. 65 upwards until the car is secured.
When the handbrake is engaged and the
ignition key is on MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
will
switch on.
To release it, raise lever 1 slightly, hold
down button 2 and lower the lever: the
warning light
on the instrument
panel switches off.
IMPORTANT Carry out these
manoeuvres with the brake pedal
pressed.
IMPORTANT For cars equipped with a
front armrest, lift it up to ensure that it
does not interfere with the action of the
handbrake.
WARNING
96)Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the key from the ignition
when leaving the car and take it with you.
97)The car should be braked after a few
clicks of the parking brake: if this is not so,
contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have it
adjusted. Always park the car safely as
indicated by the Highway Code and as
described above.
65A0J0110C
91

USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX
98)
21)
To engage the gears, fully depress the
clutch pedal and put the gear lever into
the required position (the diagram is
shown on the knob fig. 66, fig. 67,
fig. 68 ).
In models with 6 gears, to engage 6
th
gear, move the gearstick to the right to
avoid changing into 4th by mistake. The
same applies to the shift from 6
thto 5th
gear.
To engage reverse (R) from neutral
position, raise ring 1 underneath the knob
and, at the same time:
on 1.4 Turbo Multi Air 170 HP Veloce
versions, move the lever to the left and
then forwards fig. 67;
on Turbo TwinAir, 1.4 Petrol, 1.4 Turbo
MultiAir and 1.3 JTD
M-2versions, move
the lever to the right and then backwards
fig. 66, fig. 68.
IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the vehicle is completely
stationary.
WARNING
98)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.
IMPORTANT
21)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.
66A0J0265C
67A0J0266C
68A0J0267C
92
STARTING AND DRIVING

USING ALFA TCT
TRANSMISSION
(where provided)
SELECTOR LEVER
The fig. 69 lever has the following
positions:
The fig. 70 lever has the following
positions:
P= Park
R= Reverse
N= Neutral
D= Drive, (automatic forward speed)
+= Sequential upshifting
−= Sequential downshiftingIf the lever is used in sequential mode,
moving the latter from D to the left, the
positions towards + or – are unstable.
The lever has a button 1 (on the front
side, see figure), which must be pressed
to move the lever to P or R.
Shifting from D to "Sequential mode" and
vice versa is free.
Shifting from D to N is free.
Shifting from N to R and from R to P is
possible only with button on gear lever
pressed.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting is only permitted with gear lever
in position P or N (with or without brake
pedal pressed).
On starting, the system is at N or P (the
latter means neutral, but with the car’s
wheels locked mechanically).
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
Engine can be switched off in any
position of the gear lever.
Versions with Start&Stop system
To switch the engine off, you need to stop
the car by pressing the brake pedal
properly; if the pressure is not enough,
the engine will not be switched off. This
feature can be exploited so that the
engine does not switch off in particular
traffic conditions.
REMOVING THE IGNITION KEY
99)
The ignition key can be removed only with
gear lever in P position. For removal
procedure, see as described on
paragraph “ALFA TCT Transmission - Key
removal” in the chapter “In an
emergency”.
MOVING THE CAR
23)
To move the car, from P press the brake
pedal and, using the button on the gear
lever, move the lever to the desired
position (D, R or "Sequential mode").
The display will show the gear engaged.
When the brake pedal is released, the car
starts moving forwards or backwards, as
soon as the manoeuvre is activated
("creeping" effect). The accelerator
should not be pressed in this case.
69A0J0360C
70A0J0367C
93

IMPORTANT The inconsistency between
the speed actually engaged (shown on
the display) and the position of the gear
lever is indicated by the letter
corresponding to the position of the lever
flashing on the trim (also accompanied by
an acoustic signal). This condition should
not be interpreted as an operational
fault, but simply as a request by the
system to repeat the manoeuvre.
IMPORTANT With handbrake released
and brake pedal released, engine at idling
speed and gear lever in position D, R or
sequential, pay the utmost care because
the car can move even without the
operation of the accelerator pedal. This
condition can be used with the car on a
level surface during tight parking
manoeuvres using the brake pedal only.
AUTOMATIC DRIVING MODE
D can be selected from sequential
operation in any driving conditions.
In automatic driving mode, the best ratio
is selected by the electronic transmission
control unit depending on speed, engine
load (accelerator pedal position) and
gradient of the road.
“Kick-Down” function
To resume speed quickly, when the
accelerator pedal is pressed fully, the
transmission control system downshifts
("Kick-down" function).
IMPORTANT When driving on roads with
poor grip conditions (snow, ice, etc.) avoid
activating the kick-down function.
Gearshifting suggestion
With the transmission in automatic mode
(selector lever in position D), when
gearshifting is required by the paddles on
the steering wheel (where provided), the
system shifts to "Sequential mode",
displaying the engaged gear for about
5 seconds.
When this time has elapsed, if the
paddles are not operated anymore, the
system goes back to the automatic mode
(D), with following displaying.
SEQUENTIAL DRIVING MODE
In sequential driving mode, the
transmission works like a manual
gearbox.
Gearshifting through selector lever
Move the lever sideways (to the left)
from position D to the sequential
position:
lever towards "+": engage higher gear;
lever towards "-": engage lower gear.
The lever correct position in “Sequential
Mode” is signalled when the symbols “+”
and “−” come on and, simultaneously, the
symbol D comes off on the display.
The gear engaged is shown on the display.Gearshifting through steering wheel
paddles
(where provided)
24)
To use the paddles on the steering wheel
fig. 71, the gear lever must be in
sequential position or in D:
To use the paddles on the steering wheel,
the gear lever must be in "Sequential
mode" or in D:
steering wheel paddle "+" (pulling
paddle towards driver fig. 71 ): engage
higher gear;
steering wheel paddle "-" (pulling
paddle towards driver fig. 71 ): engage
lower gear.
71A0J0365C
94
STARTING AND DRIVING