2018 Alfa Romeo MiTo Lights and Wipers
The 2018 Alfa Romeo MiTo’s lighting and wiper systems are a perfect example of how the brand’s dedication to performance, safety, and Italian style excellence comes together. These systems aren’t just useful parts; they’re also beautifully designed parts that blend form and function without any problems. Alfa Romeo has used cutting-edge technology and precise engineering to make lighting systems that light up the road ahead with style and clarity that can’t be beat. The LED taillights, for example, make a lasting impact, and the adaptive headlights follow the curves. On the other hand, the wiper system makes sure you can see perfectly in any weather because it can sense rain and adjust to the conditions. In this introduction, we look at the 2018 Alfa Romeo MiTo’s lights and wipers and talk about how they not only improve safety and performance but also add to the beauty of this Italian gem, making every drive a symphony of style and function.
EXTERNAL LIGHTS
The left stalk fig. 19 operates most of the exterior lights. The external lights can only be switched on when the ignition key is at MAR.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL)
With the ignition key at MAR and ring nut 1 turned to O position, the daytime running lights switch on. The other lights and interior lighting stay off.
IMPORTANT: The daytime running lights are an alternative to the dipped headlights for driving during the daytime in countries where it is compulsory to have lights on during the day; where it is not compulsory, the use of daytime running lights is permitted.
IMPORTANT: Daytime running lights cannot replace dipped beam headlights when driving at night or through tunnels. The use of daytime running lights is governed by the Highway Code of the country in which you are driving. Comply with legal requirements.
SIDE LIGHTS/DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS
With the ignition key turned to MAR, turn the ring nut 1 to 
. The daytime running lights are switched off and the side lights and dipped headlights are switched on. The 
warning light switches on in the instrument panel.
PARKING LIGHTS
These lights can only be switched on with the ignition key at STOP or removed, by moving ring nut 1 first to O position and then to position.
With the parking lights, also the plate lights and front and rear direction lights (daytime running lights DRL remain switched off) switch on. The warning light switches on in the instrument panel. Operate the direction indicator stalk to select the light side (right or left).
AUTOMATIC LIGHTING CONTROL (AUTOLIGHT) (Dusk sensor)
A sensor, located on the windscreen, detects the variations in outside brightness depending on the light sensitivity set with the Setup Menu: the greater the sensitivity, the less external light is required to activate the exterior lights.
Activation
Turn ring 1 to the position to 
activate automatic control of the dipped beam headlights and taillights according to the external light conditions. 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). The headlights can only be flashed with the sensor on. To activate the dipped beam headlights, turn ring 1 to the position and then switch on the dipped beam headlights.
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS
To activate the main beam headlights, with ring nut 1 to pull the stalk towards the steering wheel beyond the end of travel position. The 
warning light switches on in 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 headlights reactivate and the warning light switches off. It is not possible to switch on the main beam headlights constantly if the automatic light control is active.
FLASHING
To do this, pull the stalk towards the steering wheel (unstable position), regardless of the position of ring nut 1. The warning light switches on in the instrument panel.
HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT CORRECTOR
This device works with the ignition key in the MAR position and the dipped headlights on.
Headlight alignment adjustment
Press 
buttons and fig. 20. to adjust. The adjustment position is shown on the display.
- Position 0: one or two people on the front seats.
- Position 1: 4 people.
- Position 2: 4 people + load in luggage compartment.
- Position 3: driver + maximum permitted load stowed in the luggage compartment.
NOTE: The button panel can change according to the versions.
IMPORTANT: Check the alignment every time the load carries changes.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
Operation
Press the button 
fig. 21 to switch the lights on/off. With the lights on, the warning light in the instrument panel switches on.
REAR FOG LIGHT
Operation
Press the button to switch the lights on/off. The rear fog light switches on only when the dipped headlights are on. Press the button again to switch the light off. With the light on, the warning light in the instrument panel switches on.
DIRECTION INDICATORS
Bring the stalk to the (stable) position:
- upwards: activates right direction indicator;
- downwards: activates left direction indicator.
The 
warning light will blink on the instrument panel. The direction indicators are switched off automatically when the steering wheel is straightened.
“Lane change” function
If you wish to signal a lane change, place the left stalk in the unstable position for less than half a second. The direction indicator on the selected side flashes three 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 key turned to STOP or removed, pull the left-hand stalk 1 towards the steering wheel within 2 minutes from when the engine is turned off. Each time the stalk is moved, the lights stay on for an extra 30 seconds up to a maximum of 210 seconds; then the lights are switched off automatically. When the stalk is operated, the warning light on the instrument panel switches on. The display shows a message and the time set for the function. The warning light comes on when the stalk is operated 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 the stalk pulled towards the steering wheel for more than 2 seconds.
EXTERNAL COURTESY LIGHTS
These light 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 beam headlights, rear side lights and number plate lights are activated. The lights stay on for approximately 25 seconds unless the doors and luggage compartment are locked again with the remote control or the doors (or luggage compartment) are opened and reclosed. In these cases they switch off after 5 seconds.
INTERIOR LIGHTS
FRONT CEILING LIGHT
Switch 1 fig. 22 is used to switch on/off roof lights.
Switch 1 position:
- central position (A position): lights 3 and 4 switches on/off when the doors are opened/closed;
- pressed to the left (0 positions): lights 3 and 4 are always switched off;
- pressed to the right (B position): lights 3 and 4 are always switched on.
Lights switch on/off progressively.
Switch 2 fig. 22 operates the map reading light.
Switch 2 positions:
- central position (A position): lights 3 and 4 are always switched off;
- pressed to the left (0 positions): light 3 switches on;
- pressed to the right (B position): light 4 switches on.
IMPORTANT: Before getting out of the car, make sure that both switches are in the central position: when the doors are closed the lights will switch off to avoid draining the battery. In any case, if the switch is left in the on position, the roof light switches off automatically about 15 minutes after the engine has been switched off.
ROOF LIGHT TIMING
Timing while getting into the car
The roof lights come on won unlocking, opening and closing. The timed period is interrupted when the ignition is turned to “MAR-ON”.
Timing while getting out of the car
The roof lights come on when the key is removed from the ignition within 2 minutes of switching off the engine, on opening and closing a door with the removed key. The timing stops automatically when the doors are locked.
WINDSCREEN / REAR WINDOW WIPERS
This operates only with the ignition key turned to MAR.
WINDSCREEN WASHER / WIPER
Operation
Ring 2 fig. 23 can be set to the following positions:
- O – windscreen wiper off;
– intermittent operation (low speed);- AUTO – rain sensor on (where provided);
– 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 windscreen wiper will be automatically stopped.
“Smart washing” function
Pull the stalk towards the steering wheel (unstable position) to operate the windscreen washer. Keep the stalk pulled for more than half a second to operate the windscreen washer jet and wiper automatically with a single movement. The windscreen wiper stops working three strokes after the stalk is released. A further stroke after approx. 6 seconds completes the wiping cycle.
RAIN SENSOR
It can detect the presence of rain and consequently manage windscreen wiping in accordance with the amount of water on the windscreen. The sensor is activated when the ring 2 is turned to “automatic” position (“AUTO” control): the windscreen wiper stroke frequency is thus adjusted in accordance with the amount of water on the windscreen. If no rain is detected, the wiper will not carry out any strokes.
REAR WINDOW WIPER / WASHER
This operates only with the ignition key turned to MAR. Turn ring 1 from O position 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 reverse gear engaged and the control active.
Pushing the stalk towards the dashboard (rocking 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.
WARNING
- Never use the windscreen wipers 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 cut-out switch, which prevents operation for a few seconds, may intervene. If the operation is not restored (even after restarting that car with the key), contact an Alfa Romeo Dealership.
- Do not operate the windscreen wiper with the blades lifted from the windscreen.
FAQ’s
A: Use the headlight switch on the dashboard to turn on the headlights. You can choose from various lighting modes, including low beam and high beam.
A: DRLs are typically automatically activated when the car is running. They cannot be controlled separately.
A: Fog lights are designed for improved visibility in foggy or low-visibility conditions. Use them when necessary, but avoid using them in clear conditions, as they can blind other drivers.
A: Push the headlight stalk away from you to activate the high beams. Pull it back toward you to return to low beams.
A: Yes, you can typically adjust the brightness of the instrument panel and interior lights using the controls on the dashboard or steering column.
A: The automatic headlight feature senses ambient light and turns the headlights on or off as needed. This feature is usually controlled through the light sensor on the dashboard.
A: Use the wiper stalk on the steering column. Push it down to activate the windshield wipers and adjust the wiper speed as needed.
A: Intermittent wiper settings allow the wipers to wipe the windshield at regular intervals, which is useful for light rain or mist.
A: The rear wiper is usually controlled with a separate button on the wiper stalk. Push the button to activate the rear wiper, and use the washer by pulling the stalk toward you.
A: Some vehicles offer rain-sensing wipers that automatically adjust their speed based on the amount of rainfall. Consult your owner’s manual for details.
A: Clean the headlights with a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Wiper blades can be cleaned with a damp cloth or replaced when they show signs of wear.
A: Headlight aim adjustments should be performed by a qualified technician to ensure they meet safety and legal standards.
A: Avoid using the wipers to clear heavy ice, as it can damage the blades. Use an ice scraper or defrost the windshield before driving.
A: The hazard lights button is usually located on the dashboard. Press it to activate the hazard lights.
A: Clean the windshield with a non-abrasive glass cleaner and a soft cloth. Ensure the glass is free from dirt and debris to prevent wiper blade damage.