2016 Alfa Romeo MiTo Lights and Wipers Instruction
The 2016 Alfa Romeo MiTo’s lighting and wiper systems are not only important for safe and efficient driving, but they also make the car look great. Mastering these systems is important for a safe and enjoyable driving experience. This includes making exact adjustments to the headlights, windshield wipers, and different interior lighting features. You can drive safely on the roads, even in bad weather, with this complete guide that goes into great detail on how to use and take care of your MiTo’s lighting and wiper systems. These systems are designed to give your car the unique look and performance that Alfa Romeo cars are famous for.
EXTERIOR LIGHTS
LEFT STALK
The left stalk fig. 35 operates most of the exterior lights. The external lights can only be switched on when the ignition key is at MAR.
The instrument panel and the various controls on the dashboard will come on when the external lights are switched on.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL)
With the ignition key at MAR and ring nut A, fig. 35 turned to O, the daytime running lights switched on. The other lights and interior lighting stay off. For daytime running light functionality, see the “Menu Items” paragraph in this section. If the function is deactivated, no lights are switched on when ring nut A is turned to O.
SIDE LIGHTS/DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS
With the ignition key turned to MAR, turn ring nut A fig. 35 to
. The daytime running lights are switched off and the side lights and dipped headlights are switched on. The warning light 
switches on on the instrument panel.
PARKING LIGHTS
These lights can only be switched on with the ignition key at STOP or removed, by moving ring nut A first to position O and then to position. When the parking lights are switched on, the number plate lights and the front and rear side lights switch on as well (the daytime running lights (DRLs) remain off however). The warning light switches on on the instrument panel. When the direction indicator stalk is activated the side for the lights (left or right) can be selected.
AUTOMATIC LIGHTING CONTROL (AUTOLIGHT) (Dusk sensor)
This infrared LED sensor, combined with the rain sensor and located on the windscreen, detects the variations in outside brightness depending on the light sensitivity set with the Set-up Menu: the greater the sensitivity, the less external light is required to activate the exterior lights.
Activation
The dusk sensor activates when ring nut A fig. 35 is turned to
. In this way, the side lights and dipped headlights are activated automatically according to the external light level.
IMPORTANT: The sensor is unable to detect the presence of fog. Therefore under these circumstances, these lights must be turned on manually.
When the lights are turned on by the sensor, the fog lights (for versions/markets, where provided) and the rear fog lights may be turned on. When the lights are automatically switched off, the front and rear fog lights (if activated) are also switched off. The next time the lights are switched on automatically, the fog lights must be reactivated manually (if required). With the sensor active, it is possible to flash the headlights but the main beam headlights cannot be switched on. If you need to turn these lights on, turn ring nut A to position and turn the dipped headlights on. When the lights have been activated automatically and are then switched off by the sensor, the dipped beam headlights are switched off first, followed by the side lights a few seconds later. If the sensor is activated but is malfunctioning, the side lights and dipped beam headlights are switched on irrespective of the outside light level and the sensor failure is indicated on the instrument panel display. It is also possible to deactivate the sensor and switch on these lights if necessary.
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS
To activate the main beam headlights, with ring nut A at, pull the stalk towards the steering wheel beyond the end of travel position.
The warning light 
switches on on the instrument panel. When the stalk is pulled towards the steering wheel again, beyond the end of travel position, the main beam headlights deactivate, the dipped beam headlights reactivate and the warning light switches off.
FLASHING
To do this, pull the stalk towards the steering wheel (unstable position) regardless of the position of ring nut A. The warning light switches on on the instrument panel.
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Bring the stalk into a (stable) position:
- upwards: activates right direction indicator;
- downwards: activates left direction indicator. The warning light
will flash in the instrument panel.
The indicators are switched off automatically when the steering wheel is straightened.
“Lane change” function
If you want to signal that you are changing lanes, hold the left stalk in the unstable position for less than half a second. The direction indicator on the selected side flashes 3 times and then switches off automatically.
“FOLLOW ME HOME” DEVICE
This device allows you to illuminate the area in front of the car for a certain amount of time.
Activation
With the ignition key at STOP or removed, pull stalk A towards the steering wheel and move it within 2 minutes of the engine switching off. At every single movement of the stalk, the lights will remain on for an extra 30 seconds up to a maximum of 210 seconds; then the lights are switched off automatically. The warning light on the instrument panel will light up (and the corresponding message will appear on the display) as long as the function is active. The light comes on when the stalk is first moved and stays on until the function is automatically deactivated. Each movement of the stalk only increases the amount of time the lights stay on.
Deactivation
Keep stalk A pulled towards the steering wheel for more than 2 seconds.
EXTERNAL COURTESY LIGHTS
This function lights up the car and the space in front of it when the doors are unlocked.
Activation
When the car is parked and the doors are unlocked by pressing the 
button on the remote control (or the luggage compartment is unlocked by pressing 
), the dipped headlights, side lights, and number plate lights are activated. The lights remain lit for approximately 25 seconds unless the doors and boot are locked again with the remote control or the doors or boot are opened and reclosed. In these cases, they go out after 5 seconds. The exterior courtesy lights can be enabled/disabled using the Setup Menu (see the paragraph “Menu Items” in this chapter).
WINDOW CLEANING
WINDSCREEN WASHER/WIPER
The right stalk controls the windscreen wiper/washer and rear window wiper/washer operation.
This operates only with the ignition key turned to MAR.
Ring nut A fig. 36 has the following positions:
- O windscreen wipers off;
intermittent operation (low speed);- AUTO rain sensor activation (for versions/markets, where provided) (the windscreen wipers adapt the operating speed automatically to suit the intensity of the rain)
intermittent operation;
continuous slow operation;
continuous fast operation.
Move the stalk upwards (unstable position) to limit operation to the time for which the stalk is held in this position. When released, the stalk will return to its default position and the wiper will be automatically stopped.
Warning
- Do not use the windscreen wiper to remove layers of snow or ice from the windscreen. In such conditions, the windscreen wiper may be subjected to excessive stress, and the motor protection, which prevents operation for a few seconds, may intervene. If operation is not restored, even after turning the key and restarting the engine, contact Alfa Romeo Authorized Services.
- Do not operate the windscreen wiper with the blades lifted from the windscreen.
“Smart washing” function
Pull the lever towards the steering wheel (unstable position) to operate the windscreen washer. Keep the stalk pulled for more than half a second, with just one movement, to operate the windscreen washer/wiper jet at the same time. The wiper stops working three strokes after the stalk is released. A further stroke after approximately 6 seconds completes the cycle.
RAIN SENSOR
This is an infra-red LED sensor fitted on the car windscreen Fig. 37. It is able to detect the presence of rain and consequently manage windscreen wiping in accordance with the amount of water on the windscreen.
Activation
The sensor is activated when ring nut A Fig. 36 is turned to an “automatic” position (“AUTO” control): the windscreen wiper stroke frequency is thus adjusted in accordance with the amount of water on the windscreen. This frequency can vary from no stroke (no rain – windscreen dry) up to the 2nd constant speed operation (heavy rain – windscreen wet). The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be adjusted through the Set-up menu (see paragraph “Menu Items” in this section).
If the engine is stopped with the lever in an “automatic” position, when it is next started no wiping cycle will take place even if it is raining. This prevents accidental activation of the rain sensor when the engine is started (e.g. when the windscreen is being washed by hand or the wipers are stuck to the windscreen when there is ice).
Carry out any of the following manoeuvres to restore the automatic operation of the system:
- movement of the left stalk from the automatic position to any other position and then back to automatic;
- sensitivity adjustment (by turning ring nut A to increase or decrease).
When the rain sensor is reactivated using any of the manoeuvres described above, reactivation is indicated by a single stroke of the windscreen wipers, regardless of the condition of the windscreen. If the sensitivity is changed whilst the rain sensor is operating, a windscreen wiper stroke is carried out to confirm the change. In the event of malfunction of the rain sensor, whilst it is active, the windscreen wiper operates intermittently at a speed consistent with the sensitivity setting of the rain sensor, regardless of whether there is rain on the glass (sensor failure is indicated on the display). The sensor continues to operate and it is possible to set the windscreen wiper to continuous mode (1st or 2nd speed). The failure indication remains for as long as the sensor is active.
REAR WINDOW WASHER/WIPER
Activation
This operates only with the ignition key turned to MAR.
Turn ring nut B fig. 36 from position O to position 
to operate the rear window wiper as follows:
- in intermittent mode when the windscreen wiper is not operating;
- in synchronous mode (at half the speed of the windscreen wiper) when the windscreen wiper is operating;
- in continuous mode with a reverse gear engaged and the control active.
With the reverse gear engaged and the windscreen wiper on, the rear window wiper is activated in continuous mode. Pushing the stalk towards the dashboard (unstable position) will activate the rear window washer jet. Keep the stalk pushed for more than half a second to activate the rear window wiper as well. Releasing the stalk will activate the smart washing function, as described for the windscreen wiper.
FAQ’s
Answer: Use the headlight switch on the control stalk. Turn it to the desired position for low beams or high beams.
Answer: Fog lights enhance visibility in adverse weather conditions. Activate them using the dedicated fog light switch when needed.
Answer: Use the headlight beam level adjustment control on the dashboard to align the headlight beam correctly.
Answer: Use the wiper control stalk to select wiper speed, and push the stalk to activate the windshield washer.
Answer: The MiTo may be equipped with rain-sensing wipers. Set the wiper control to the “A” or automatic position.
Answer: Yes, you can adjust the sensitivity using the sensitivity control on the wiper control stalk.
Answer: Replace the wiper blades if they are old or damaged to maintain clear and noise-free wiping.
Answer: Use the control stalk to operate the rear wiper and washer.
Answer: Interior lighting provides illumination inside the vehicle. You can control it using the switch on the ceiling or doors.
Answer: Consult your owner’s manual for bulb replacement instructions, as accessing and replacing bulbs may vary by location.
Answer: Hazard lights are used to indicate a temporary obstruction or emergency. Turn them on by pressing the hazard light button on the center console.
Answer: Yes, there are license plate lights. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on replacing them.
Answer: The MiTo may have an automatic headlight delay feature. You can often adjust the delay time in the vehicle settings menu.
Answer: Regularly clean the headlights and taillights with mild soapy water and a soft cloth to ensure optimal visibility.
Answer: Activate the rear window defroster using the button on the center console. It’s useful in cold and frosty conditions to clear the rear window.