2021 Alfa Romeo MiTo check engine light

READ THIS CAREFULLY
REFUELLINGPetrol engines: only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95 in compliance with the European specification EN228.
Diesel engines: refuel only with Diesel fuel motor vehicles conforming to the European specification EN590. The use of other products or mixtures
may damage the engine beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, due to the damage caused.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Petrol engines.Versions with manual gearboxengage the handbrake, set the gear lever to neutral; fully depress the clutch pedal without pressing the
accelerator, then turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.Versions with TCT gearbox(if available), engage the
handbrake and set the gear lever in P (Parking) or N (Neutral), then turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine is started.Diesel
engines: turn the ignition key to MAR and wait for the
warning light to switch off. Then turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the
engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperatures during operation. Do not park the car on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or other flammable
material: fire hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The vehicle is fitted with a system that carries out a continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components in order to help protect the
environment.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical accessories (with the risk of gradually draining the battery), contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
They will calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the car’s electrical system can support the required load.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring that it maintains its performance and its safety features, its environmental friendliness and
low running costs for a long time to come.
THE OWNER HANDBOOK CONTAINS
…important information, advice and warnings for correct use, driving safety and maintenance of the car over time. Special attention must be paid to
the symbols(personal safety)(environmental protection)(car integrity).

and turn the steering wheel until it locks.
Deactivation
Move the steering wheel slightly and turn
the ignition key to MAR.
WARNING
2)If the ignition device has been tampered
with (e.g. an attempted theft), have it
checked over by the Alfa Romeo Dealership
before driving again.
3)Always remove the key when you leave
your car to prevent someone from
accidentally operating the controls.
Remember to engage the handbrake.
Engage first gear if the vehicle is parked
uphill or reverse if the vehicle is parked
downhill. Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.
4)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 adversely affect performance and
safety, invalidate the warranty and also
result in the car not meeting type-approval
requirements.
5)Never remove the key while the car is
moving. The steering wheel will
automatically lock as soon as it is turned.
This holds true for cars being towed as well.
ALFA ROMEO CODESYSTEM
The Alfa Romeo Code prevents
unauthorised use of the vehicle, disabling
engine starting.
Operation
Each time the car is started by turning
the ignition key to MAR, the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit sends an
acknowledgement code to the
Powertrain Control Module to deactivate
the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Alfa Romeo
CODE system control unit has recognised
the code transmitted by the key.
Each time the ignition key is turned to
STOP, the Alfa Romeo CODE system
deactivates the functions of the
Powertrain Control Module.
Irregular operation
If, during starting, the code is not
correctly recognised, the icon
appears on the instrument panel.
In this case, turn the key to STOP and
then to MAR-ON; if it is still locked, try
again with the other keys that come with
the car. If it is still not possible to start
the engine, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.Activation of warning light while
driving
If the iconappears on the display,
this means that the system is running a
self-diagnosis (for example due to a
voltage drop).
If the iconcontinues to be
displayed, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
IMPORTANT
1)The electronic components inside the key
may be damaged if the key is subjected to
strong shocks. In order to ensure complete
efficiency of the electronic devices inside the
key, it should never be exposed to direct
sunlight.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few
seconds. The warning light turns on when the engine is
overheated.
The display shows the dedicated message.In normal driving conditions: stop the car, switch off the
engine and check that the water level in the reservoir is
not below the MIN mark. In this case, wait for the engine
to cool down, then slowly and carefully open the cap, top
up with coolant and check that the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir itself. Also check
visually for any fluid leaks. Should the warning light turn
on again at the next start-up, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership.
If the vehicle is used under demanding conditions: (e.g. in
high-performance driving): slow down and, if the warning
light stays on, stop the vehicle. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes
with the engine running and slightly accelerated to
further favour the coolant circulation. Then stop the
engine. Check that the coolant level is correct as
described above.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is advisable to
keep the engine on and slightly accelerated for a few
minutes before switching it off.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
ALFA TCT FAILURE
(where provided)
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few
seconds.
The warning light begins to flash (on some versions, the
symbol and a message appear on the display) to indicate
a gearbox fault.
On the display, together with the warning light, the
following messages can be shown:
“Check transmission” message;
“Gear not available” message;
“Manual mode not available” message;
“Automatic mode not available” message;
“Required manoeuvre incompatibility” message;
“Clutch overheating” message.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as possible.
If it is necessary to start the engine with a transmission
failure, follow the procedure described in the "Alfa TCT"
paragraph, in chapter "Starting and driving".
Clutch overheating
The
the display) switches on
to indicate clutch overheating.In this case limit the gear changes and/or change the
condition of use, until normal operating conditions are
restored. If the driver continues, the
warning light (or symbol on the display) will switch off and
the
will switch on,
on the display, to indicate an
automatic transmission fault. In this case, stop
immediately, operate the handbrake, and wait for
5 minutes: after this, transmission operation conditions
will be restored. If the fault persists, contact an Alfa
Romeo Dealership as soon as possible.
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warning light (or symbol on the display)
together with a message
warning light (or the symbol
(together with a message)

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE
When the key is turned to MAR the warning light comes on, but should go out as soon
as the engine is started.
After turning the ignition key to MAR, wait for about 2 seconds before starting the
engine.
The warning light switches on constantly together with a message on the display
(where provided) when the system detects that engine oil pressure is low.
IMPORTANT Do not use the vehicle until the failure has been solved.
IMPORTANT To find out the correct oil quantity, always check using the dipstick.
13)
DEGRADED ENGINE OIL (where provided)
The warning light will turn on flashing and, on some versions, with a specific message
on the display.
Depending on the versions, the warning light flashing modes are as follows:
- for 1 minute every two hours;
- for 3 minute cycles with the warning light off for intervals of 5 seconds until oil is
changed.
After the initial warning, each time the engine is started up, the warning light will
continue to flash in the same mode, until the oil is changed. On some versions, the
display shows a dedicated message together with the warning light. If the warning
light flashes, this does not mean that there is a fault, but simply informs that it is now
necessary to change the oil as a result of regular use of the car. Engine oil
deterioration is accelerated by:
- mainly town use of the car which makes the DPF regeneration process more
frequent;
- use of the vehicle for short drives, in which the engine does not have time to reach
its regular operating temperature;
- repeated interruptions of the regeneration process, signalled by the DPF warning
light switching on.Contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership as soon as
possible.
25)
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Warning lights on
panelWhat it means What to do
INJECTION/EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE
In normal conditions, when the ignition key is turned to MAR the
warning light switches on, but it should switch off as soon as the
engine is started. The operation of the
warning light may be
checked by the traffic police using specific devices. Comply with
the laws and regulations of the country where you are driving.14)
If the warning light remains on or switches on whilst driving, it
means that the injection system is not working properly. The
warning light on constantly signals a malfunction in the
supply/ignition system which could cause high exhaust emissions,
a possible loss of performance, poor driveability and high
consumption.
The warning light goes out after the fault disappears: the
indication is stored in the system.Under these conditions, the vehicle can continue
travelling at moderate speed without
demanding excessive effort from the engine.
Prolonged use of the car with the warning light
on constantly may cause damage.
Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as
possible.
Petrol engines only
If the warning light flashes, it means that the catalytic converter
may be damaged.In this case, release the accelerator pedal to
lower the speed of the engine until the warning
light stops flashing. Continue the journey at
moderate speed, trying to avoid driving
conditions that may cause further flashing and
contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as
possible.
GLOW PLUG HEATING/GLOW PLUG HEATING FAILURE (diesel
versions)
This warning light switches on when the key is turned to MAR. It
will switch off as soon as the heater plugs have reached a preset
temperature. The engine can be started as soon as the warning
light switches off.
WARNING In mild or high temperature conditions, the warning
light comes on for a very short time only.
Glow plug preheating failure
The warning light will flash to indicate a failure in the glow plug
preheating system.Contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as
possible.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING
23)If thewarning light does not switch on when the ignition device is moved to ON or if it stays on when driving (together with the message on
the display), there might be a fault in the restraint systems; in this case, the airbags or pretensioners may not deploy in the event of an accident or,
in a lower number of cases, they could deploy erroneously. Before proceeding, contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership to have the system checked
immediately.
24)A fault with the warning light
is signalled by illumination of the iconon the instrument panel display and by the flashing of passenger
airbag disabled warning light on the rearview mirror. In addition, the airbag system automatically disables the passenger side airbag (where
provided). In this case, the warning light may not indicate any faults with the restraint systems. Before proceeding, contact an Alfa Romeo
Dealership to have the system checked immediately.
25)If the warning light comes on, the exhausted engine oil should be changed as soon as possible, never drive more than 500 km from the first
switching-on of this warning light. Failure to observe the above may result in severe damage to the engine and invalidate the warranty. Remember
that when this warning light comes on, it does not mean that the level of engine oil is low, so if it flashes you must not top up the engine oil.
26)If the warning light flashes with the car in motion, contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
27)Always drive at a speed appropriate to the traffic conditions, the weather and traffic regulations. The engine may be switched off even if the
warning light is on: repeated interruptions of the regeneration process could cause an early deterioration of engine oil. For this reason it is
always advisable to wait for the symbol to go off before turning off the engine, following the instructions above. Do not complete the DPF
regeneration process when the vehicle is stopped.
IMPORTANT
13)If thewarning light switches on when driving, stop the engine immediately and contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
14)If, turning the ignition device to MAR, the warning lightdoes not turn on or if it turns on steadily or flashing when travelling (on some
versions together with the message on the display), contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as possible.
15)The presence of water in the fuel system circuit may cause severe damage to the injection system and irregular engine operation. If the
symbol is displayed contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership as soon as possible to bleed the system. If the above indications come on immediately
after refuelling, water has probably been introduced into the tank: stop the engine immediately and contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
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EOBDSYSTEM (European On
Board Diagnosis)
(where provided)
Operation
The EOBD system (European On Board
Diagnosis) carries out a continuous
diagnosis of the components of the car
related to emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by switching on
the warning light
on the instrument
panel, together with a message on the
display, when these components are no
longer in peak condition (see “Warning
lights and messages” paragraph in the
"Knowing the instrument panel" chapter).
The aim of the EOBD system (European
On Board Diagnosis) is to:
monitor the efficiency of the system;
indicate an increase in emissions;
indicate the need to replace damaged
components.
The vehicle also has a connector, which
can interface with appropriate tools, that
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, the Alfa
Romeo Dealership is obliged to run tests
and, if necessary, road tests which may
also require a long journey.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL