2002 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Owner's Manual

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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
BATTERYLocation in the MINI COOPERThe battery is located in the engine
compartment.
Exact location, see page 87.Location in the MINI COOPER SThe battery is located in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat.
Battery careThe battery is absolutely maintenance-free,
that is, the original electrolyte will normally
last for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions.
For all questions regarding the
battery, please consult your MINI
center. the terminals in the engine compartment
with the engine switched off, see "Jump-
starting" on page 113.
Whenever working on the electrical
system, disconnect the cable from
the negative terminal of the battery.
Failure to do this could result in fire hazards
or injury due to short circuits.<
Return used batteries to a recycling
point or your MINI center. Maintain
the battery in an upright position for trans-
port and storage. Secure the battery to
prevent it from tilting during transport.<

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FUSESIf an electrical device fails, switch it off and
check the fuse.
Plastic tweezers that you can use to pull
fuses out of their sockets can be found in
the fuse box of the interior, see next
column.In the engine compartmentTo the right of the battery.
Open the cover panel of the fuse box. To do
so, press the clip fastener.
In the interiorOn the left side of the footwell in the side
trim panel.
Open the cover panel of the fuse box. To do
so, press the fastener.
Do not attempt to repair a blown fuse
or replace it with a fuse of a different
color or amperage rating. To do this could
cause a fire in the vehicle resulting from a
circuit overload.<
If a fuse blows a second time, have
the cause of the damage rectified by
your MINI center.<

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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
WARNING TRIANGLE
*
FIRST-AID KIT
*
JUMP-STARTING
The warning triangle is located beneath the
luggage compartment cover.
Comply with legal requirements
requiring you to carry a hazard
warning triangle in the vehicle.<
The first-aid kit is located together with the
onboard tool kit in the left of the luggage
compartment, behind the side trim panel.
Some articles in the first-aid kit are
perishable. For this reason, check the
expiration dates of each of the items regu-
larly, and replace any whose expiration
dates have passed.
Source: any pharmacy.
Comply with legislation requiring you to
carry a first-aid kit in the vehicle.<
Do not use spray starter fluids to start the
engine.
When your battery is discharged, you can
use two jumper cables to start your vehicle
with power from the battery in a second
vehicle. By the same token, you can provide
another vehicle with starting assistance.
To do so, use only jumper cables with fully
insulated terminal clamps.
Do not touch live wiring and cables
on a running engine. There is a risk of
fatal injury if you do this. Carefully observe
the following instructions to avoid personal
injury and/or damage to either vehicle or
both vehicles.<

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JUMP-STARTINGPreparation for jump-starting1. Check whether the battery of the support
vehicle has 12 Volts and approximately
the same capacity (Ah) (printed on the
battery)
2. Switch off the engine of the support
vehicle
3. Switch off any electrical systems and
components in both vehicles Ð except
for the hazard warning flashers of the
support vehicle.
>Do not disconnect the discharged
battery from the vehicle electrical
system
>Make certain that there is no contact
between the bodywork of the two
vehicles Ð short circuit hazard!
4. With the battery of the MINI COOPER,
remove the cover panel. To do so, press
both clips at the same time
or
with the MINI COOPER S, open the cover
of the positive terminal connection (for
jump-starting)
*, see arrow 1.
Connect the jumper cables
Adhere to the sequence also when
providing support for other vehicles;
failure to observe this procedure can lead
to sparks at the terminals and pose an
injury hazard.<
1. On the MINI COOPER S, the positive
terminal connection (for jump-starting),
see arrow 1, functions as the positive
battery terminal.
Use the jumper cable (+) to set up a
connection between the positive terminal
of the discharged battery and the positive
terminal of the support battery
2. Use the second jumper cable (Ð) to set
up the connection between the negative
terminals of both vehicles.
To do so:
>Connect one terminal clamp to the
negative terminal and/or to an engine
or body ground of the support vehicle
>Connect the second terminal clamp to
the negative terminal of the battery
and/or to an engine or body ground of
the vehicle to be started. For the MINI,
see arrow 2.
Performing the jump-start1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing
the current and allow to run at a fast idle
speed for several minutes
2. Start the engine on the vehicle with the
discharged battery in the usual manner.
>If the first start attempt is not
successful, wait a few minutes before
another attempt in order to allow the
discharged battery to recharge.
On the MINI:
Before disconnecting the jumper
cables, switch on the lighting, rear window
defroster and the highest blower speed as
well as the engine for at least approx.
10 seconds to prevent a voltage surge from
the regulator to the electrical systems and
components.<
3. Then disconnect the jumper cables in
the reverse order.
Depending on the cause of the
malfunction, have the battery
checked and recharged at your MINI
center.<

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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
TOW-STARTING AND TOWINGFor towing, use either a tow bar or a nylon
rope or nylon belts that prevent sudden
jerking movements.Tow fittingThe screw-in tow fitting is stored in the
onboard tool kit; be sure that it remains in
the vehicle at all times. This fitting is
designed for installation in the tow sockets
located at the front and rear of the vehicle.
It is intended for towing on paved road
surfaces only. Access to tow socketsUse a suitable object (e.g. credit card,
screwdriver) to press out the covers from
the recess.
Screw the tow fitting in until it
bottoms firmly. If this is not done, the
threads could be damaged.
Never attach tie-down hooks, chains,
straps, or tow hooks to tie rods, control
arms, or any other part of the vehicle
suspension, as severe damage to these
components will occur, leading to possible
accidents.<
Tow barsIf the tow fittings of the two vehicles are
not directly opposite one another, please
note:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability
will be strictly limited in corners
>The inclination of the tow bar generates
lateral force (critical above all if the road
surface is slippery).
Do not tow a vehicle that is heavier
than the towing vehicle, otherwise it
will no longer be possible to control vehicle
response.<

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TOW-STARTING AND TOWINGTow-starting
On vehicles with Continuously Vari-
able automatic Transmission (CVT), it
is not permitted to start the engine by tow-
starting. The transmission could be
damaged.
For jump-starting, see page 113
.<
Only tow-start vehicles with a catalytic
converter when the engine is cold, other-
wise, unburned fuel in the catalytic
converter could catch fire. It is better to use
jumper cables.
1. Switch on the hazard warning flashers
(comply with national regulations)
2. Ignition key in position 2
3. Engage 3rd gear
4. Tow-start with the clutch pedal pressed
5. Slowly release the clutch
6. When the engine starts, press the clutch
pedal again
7. Switch off the hazard warning flashers.
Have the cause of the starting problems
rectified by your MINI center.
Towing
Only tow vehicles with Continuously
Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT) with the front wheels raised or on a
special transport vehicle, otherwise the
transmission can be damaged.<
1 Ignition key in position 1:
The brake lamps, turn signals, horn and
windshield wipers can be operated
2 Switch on the hazard warning flashers
(comply with national regulations).
If the electrical system has failed, place
some kind of warning on the towed vehicle,
e. g. a sign or warning triangle in the rear
window.
Ensure that if the electrical system
has failed the ignition key is in posi-
tion 1, otherwise the steering lock could
engage and make it impossible to steer the
vehicle.
When the engine is not running, there is no
power-assist. This means that greater
effort is required for braking and
steering.<
Towing with a commercial tow truck >Do not tow with sling-type equipment
>Use a wheel-lift or flatbed carrier
>Please comply with applicable towing
laws.
Never allow passengers to ride in a
towed vehicle for any reason.<

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