2021 Alfa Romeo MiTo Owner handbook (in English)

132)If the engine oil is being topped up, wait
for the engine to cool down before loosening
the filler cap, particularly for vehicles with
aluminium cap (where provided). WARNING:
risk of burns!
133)The cooling system is pressurised. If
necessary, only replace the plug with
another original or the operation of the
system may be adversely affected. Do not
remove the reservoir plug when the engine is
hot: you risk scalding yourself.
134)Do not travel with the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir empty: the
windscreen washer is essential for
improving visibility. Repeated operation of
the system without fluid could damage or
cause rapid deterioration of some system
components.
135)Some commercial additives for
windscreen washer fluid are flammable. The
engine compartment contains hot
components which may start a fire.
136)Brake fluid is poisonous and highly
corrosive. In the event of accidental contact,
immediately wash the affected parts with
water and mild soap. Then rinse thoroughly.
Call a doctor immediately if swallowed.
137)The symbol
, on the brake fluid
container indicates if a brake fluid is
synthetic or mineral-based. Use of mineral
type fluids will damage the special rubber
seals of the braking system beyond repair.
IMPORTANT
2)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. To change the oil and filters, we
advise you to contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
3)Used transmission fluid contains
substances that are harmful to the
environment. You are advised to contact an
Alfa Romeo Dealership for oil changes.
BATTERY RECHARGING
IMPORTANT The battery recharging
procedure is given as information only. To
carry out this operation contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver's side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting and then
reconnecting the electrical supply to the
battery.
Charging should be slow at a low ampere
rating for approximately 24 hours.
Charging for a longer time may damage
the battery.
IMPORTANT The cables of the electrical
system must be correctly reconnected to
the battery, i.e. the positive cable (+) to
the positive terminal and the negative
cable (–) to the negative terminal. The
battery terminals are marked with the
positive (+) and negative (–) symbols, and
are shown on the battery cover. The
battery terminals must also be
corrosion-free and firmly secured to the
terminals. If a "quick-type" battery
charger is used with the battery fitted on
the vehicle, before connecting it
disconnect both cables of the battery
itself. Do not use a "quick-type" battery
charger to provide the starting voltage.
The cables of the electrical system must
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be correctly reconnected to the battery,
i.e. the positive cable (+) to the positive
terminal and the negative cable (–) to the
negative terminal. The battery terminals
are marked with the positive (+) and
negative (–) symbols, and are shown on
the battery cover. The battery terminals
must also be corrosion-free and firmly
secured to the terminals.
VERSIONS WITHOUT START&STOP
SYSTEM
(where provided)
To recharge, proceed as follows:
disconnect the terminal from the
negative battery pole;
connect the charger cables to the
battery terminals, observing the polarity;
turn on the charger;
when it is recharged, turn the charger
off before disconnecting it from the
battery;
reconnect the terminal to the negative
battery pole.
VERSIONS WITH START&STOP
SYSTEM
To recharge, proceed as follows:
disconnect the connector 1
fig. 124 (pressing the button 2) from the
sensor 3 monitoring the battery
conditions, on the negative pole (–) 4 of
the battery;
connect the positive cable (+) of the
battery charger to the positive batterypole (+) and the negative cable (-) of the
charger to terminal 4 of the negative
battery pole (-);
turn on the battery charger. When it is
recharged, turn the charger off before
disconnecting it from the battery;
after having disconnected the
charging device, reconnect connector
1 to the sensor 3 of the battery.
WINDSCREEN / REAR WINDOW
WIPERS
WIPER BLADES
138)
42)
Raising the windscreen wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
rotate the ignition key to MAR
position and operate the steering wheel
right lever to engage once the
windscreen wiper blade. Turn the ignition
key to the STOP position when the driver
side wiper blade reaches the windscreen
side pillar and lift the windscreen wiper
to the rest position;
bring the wiper blades back into
contact with the windscreen before
activating the windscreen wiper.
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
raise the wiper arm, press tab 1
fig. 125 of the attachment spring and
remove the blade from the arm;
fit the new blade by inserting the tab
into the special slot in the arm. Make sure
that it is properly locked into place.
lower the wiper arm onto the
windscreen.
124A0J0389C
144
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT Do not operate the
windscreen wiper with the blades lifted
from the windscreen.
Replacing the rear window wiper blade
Proceed as follows:
raise the cover 1 fig. 126, undo the nut
2 and remove the arm 3;
correctly position the new arm, fully
tighten the nut 2 then lower the cover 1.
NOZZLES
Windscreen washer
The window washer nozzles are fixed
fig. 127. If there is no jet of fluid, first
check that there is some fluid in the
reservoir (see paragraph "Checking fluid
levels"). Then check that the nozzle holes
are not clogged, if necessary use a
needle.
IMPORTANT In versions with sun roof,
make sure that the roof is closed before
operating the windscreen washer
nozzles.
Rear window washer
The nozzle holder is on the rear window.
The rear window washer jets are fixed.
WARNING
138)Driving with worn windscreen/rear
window wiper blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad weather.
IMPORTANT
42)Do not operate the windscreen wiper
with the blades lifted from the windscreen.
125A0J0054C
126A0J0057C
127A0J0053C
128A0J0055C
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BATTERY
The battery 6 (see previous pages) does
not require the electrolyte to be topped
up with distilled water. A periodic check
carried out at an Alfa Romeo Dealership
is, however, necessary to check
efficiency.
INSPECTING THE CHARGE AND THE
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
139) 140) 141) 142)
43)
4)
If necessary, replace the battery with
another original battery with the same
specifications. Follow the battery
manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make
it last longer, observe the following
instructions:
when you park the car, ensure that the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly, to prevent any lights from
remaining on inside the passenger's
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. radio,
hazard warning 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 cable.
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 the "Vehicle inactivity"
paragraph in "Starting and driving"
chapter if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time.
If, after purchasing the car, you wish to
install electrical accessories which
require permanent electrical supply (e.g.
alarm, etc.) or accessories which
influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership, whose qualified staff will
evaluate the overall electrical
consumption.
WARNING
139)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep open flames away from the
battery and do not use objects that might
create sparks: risk of explosion and fire.
140)Using the battery with insufficient
fluid irreparably damages the battery and
may cause an explosion.
141)If the vehicle must remain unused for a
long time at a very low temperature, remove
the battery and take it to a warm place, to
avoid freezing.
142)When performing any operation on the
battery or near it, always protect your eyes
with special goggles.
IMPORTANT
43)Incorrect installation of electric and
electronic devices may cause severe damage
to your car. After purchasing your vehicle, if
you wish to install any accessories (e.g.
anti-theft, radio phone, etc.), go to an Alfa
Romeo Dealership, which will suggest the
most suitable devices and advise you
whether a higher capacity battery needs to
be installed.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT
4)Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. For
battery replacement, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
LIFTING THE VEHICLE
If the car needs to be jacked up, go to an
Alfa Romeo Dealership which is equipped
with shop jacks and jack arms.
IMPORTANT Be careful when positioning
the arm of the lift for versions with side
skirts.
BODYWORK
PRESERVING THE BODYWORK
44)
5)
Paint
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent the formation of
rust. Maintenance of paintwork consists
of washing the car: the frequency
depends on the conditions and
environment where the car is used. For
example, it is advisable to wash the
vehicle more often in areas with high
levels of atmospheric pollution or salted
roads.
On some versions the car may be
equipped, on request, with an exclusive
opaque paint on the roof which, in order
to be maintained intact, requires special
care: see the instructions in the warning.
45)
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow
these instructions:
if the vehicle is washed remove the
aerial from the roof;
if high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the car, keep a distance of
at least 40 cm from the bodywork to
avoid damage or alteration. Bear in mind
that a build up of water could cause
damage to the car in the long term;
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wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water;
wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge;
rinse well with water and dry with a jet
of air or a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, bonnet, headlight frames, etc.)
with special care, as water may stagnate
more easily in these areas. Do not wash
the car after it has been left in the sun or
with the bonnet hot: this may alter the
shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
IMPORTANT NOTES
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 rear window inside
gently with a cloth following the direction
of the filaments to avoid damaging the
heating device.
Front headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the headlights.
IMPORTANT When cleaning 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
the washing operation, make sure that
the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
IMPORTANT
5)Detergents pollute the environment. Only
wash your vehicle in areas equipped to
collect and treat wastewater from this type
of activity.
IMPORTANT
44)In order to preserve the aesthetic
appearance of the paint abrasive products
and/or polishes should not be used for
cleaning the vehicle.
45)Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Wash the
vehicle only by hand using neutral pH
detergents; dry it with a wet chamois leather.
Abrasive products and/or polishes should
not be used for cleaning the car. Bird
droppings must be washed off immediately
and thoroughly as the acid they contain is
particularly aggressive. Avoid (if at all
possible) parking the vehicle under trees;
remove vegetable resins immediately as,
when dried, it may only be possible to remove
them with abrasive products and/or polishes,
which is highly inadvisable as they could alter
the typical opaqueness of the paint. Do not
use pure windscreen washer fluid for
cleaning the front windscreen and rear
window; dilute it min. 50% with water. Only
use pure screen washer fluid when strictly
necessary due to outside temperature
conditions.
148
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

INTERIOR
143) 144) 145)
Periodically check the cleanliness of the
interior, beneath the mats, which could
cause oxidation of the sheet metal.
SEATS AND FABRIC PARTS
Remove 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 moistened with a
solution of water and neutral detergent.
CLEANING ALCANTARA SEATS
Alcantara trim can be treated and
cleaned easily in the same way as the
other trims. The same indications given
for cleaning fabrics are also therefore
applicable for this trim.
LEATHER SEATS
(where provided)
Remove the dry dirt with a chamois or
slightly damp cloth, without exerting too
much pressure. Remove any liquid or
grease stains using an absorbent dry
cloth, without rubbing. Then clean with a
soft cloth or buckskin cloth dampened
with water and mild soap. If the stain
persists, use specific products and
observe the instructions carefully.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol. Make
sure that the cleaning products usedcontain no alcohol or alcohol derivatives,
even in small quantities.
PLASTIC AND COATED PARTS
46)
Clean interior plastic parts with a damp
cloth (if possible made from microfibre),
and a solution of water and neutral,
non-abrasive detergent. To clean oily or
persistent stains, use specific products
free from solvents and designed to
maintain the original appearance and
colour of the components.
Remove any dust using a microfibre
cloth, if necessary moistened with water.
The use of paper tissues is not
recommended as these may leave
residues.
GENUINE LEATHER PARTS
(where provided)
Use only water and mild soap to clean
these parts. Never use alcohol or
alcohol-based products. Before using a
specific product for cleaning interiors,
make sure that it does not contain
alcohol and/or alcohol based substances.
WARNING
143)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.
144)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 vehicle is exposed to
sunlight, the internal temperature can
greatly exceed this value.
145)There must be no obstacles on the
floor underneath the pedals; make sure that
mats are always flat and do not interfere
with the pedals.
IMPORTANT
46)Never use alcohol, petrols and
derivatives to clean the dashboard and
instrument panel lens.
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