2015 Alfa Romeo MiTo Lights and Wipers Instruction
The 2015 Alfa Romeo MiTo has a full lighting and washer system that is very important for keep the driver safe and making things easier for them. The car has many features and settings that can be used in different driving situations. These include headlights, interior lighting, windscreen wipers and washers. You will find full instructions in this guide on how to control and improve the lighting and wiper functions in your 2015 Alfa Romeo MiTo. This will help you drive safely and clearly on the roads, no matter the time of day or weather.
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 switch 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. Warning light or 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.
Caution
- 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 (for versions/markets, where provided)
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 the “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 maneuvers 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.
FAQ’s
A: Turn the headlight switch to the “on” position to activate the headlights. You can adjust the brightness using the dimmer control.
A: Some models may have automatic headlights. When set to “auto,” the headlights will turn on and off based on the ambient light conditions.
A: Fog lights are used in low-visibility conditions. Activate them using the fog light switch on the dashboard when needed.
A: Push the headlight stalk forward to activate the high beams and pull it back to switch to low beams. Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic.
A: Some vehicles have daytime running lights (DRLs) that automatically turn on when the engine is running. You cannot manually turn DRLs off.
A: Use the wiper control stalk on the steering column to adjust wiper speed and activate them as needed.
A: If equipped, set the wiper control to the rain-sensing mode, and the system will adjust wiper speed based on the amount of rainfall.
A: Some models have a rear wiper for the rear windshield. Activate it using the rear wiper control on the stalk.
A: Yes, pull the wiper control stalk toward you to spray washer fluid onto the windshield and activate the wipers to clean it.
A: Turn the wiper control stalk to the intermittent position, and then use the delay adjustment knob to set the desired interval.
A: Some vehicles may have headlight washers that activate when the windshield washer is used. They help keep the headlight lenses clean.
A: Push the turn signal stalk up or down to indicate your intention to turn or change lanes. It will automatically turn off after completing the maneuver.
A: You can adjust the brightness of the interior dashboard lights using the dimmer control near the headlight switch.
A: Press the hazard light button on the dashboard to activate the hazard lights, which flash to indicate an emergency situation.
A: Depending on the model, you may be able to customize certain lighting settings through the vehicle’s settings menu. Consult your owner’s manual for details.
Useful Link
View Full PDF: 2015 Alfa Romeo MiTo User Manual | Auto User Guide
