Page 74 of 140
72
LOADING CARGOStowing cargo >Load heavy cargo as far forward as
possible Ð directly behind the backrests Ð
and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the top
edge of the backrest
>For very heavy loads when the rear seat
is not occupied, secure each safety belt in
the opposite buckle. This provides addi-
tional stabilization for the rear backrests.
Securing the load >For small, light items, secure using the
luggage compartment net
* or elastic
straps
>For large, heavy items, see your MINI
center for load-securing devices
*.
Lashing eyes are provided at the inner
corners of the luggage compartment for
attaching these load-securing devices
>Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.
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73
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LOADING CARGO ROOF-MOUNTED LUGGAGE RACK
*
Always position and secure the load
carefully. If you do not, it can
endanger the passengers during braking
or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross weight
and axle load, see page 122, otherwise the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer
assured and you are in violation of the law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment without first
securing them. Otherwise they would be
thrown around during braking and evasive
maneuvers and endanger the occupants.<
When loading a roof-mounted
luggage rack, ensure that there is
sufficient space for the movement of the
sliding/tilt sunroof and that no objects
protrude into the swiveling area of the tail-
gate, as otherwise damage can occur.<
Do not secure the roof-mounted
luggage rack to the trim panels/
strips: the lack of a secure hold could lead
to damage or accidents.<
Special roof-mounted luggage racks
for your MINI are available as acces-
sories from your MINI center.<
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86
HOOD
Do not attempt to service your
vehicle if you do not have the
required technical background. Before
working in the engine compartment,
switch off the engine and allow it to cool
down. Before working on the electrical
system, always disconnect the battery first.
For all work on the vehicle, comply with the
appropriate information and instructions.
Failure to work in an informed, professional
manner when servicing components and
materials constitutes a safety hazard
for vehicle occupants and other road users.
If you are not familiar with the guidelines,
please have the operations performed by
your MINI center.<
To unlock Pull the lever in the right door area beneath
the instrument panel.
To open1. Reach under the hood
2. Pull the release lever
3. Open the hood.To closeAllow the hood to fall from a height of
about 12 in (30 cm).
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the hood is clear when
it is closed, as with all closing procedures.
If it is determined that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, stop
immediately and close it securely, see also
page 16.<
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100
ONBOARD TOOL KIT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADESStorage locationThe illustration shows an example of the
tire change set.
Depending on the level of equipment, your
MINI is fitted with a special onboard tool
kit stored at the following locations:
Tire change set for space-saver spare tire:
In the luggage compartment under the
floor mat.
Tool bag for safety tires:
In the left of the luggage compartment,
behind the side trim panel beside the first-
aid kit, see page 113.
Windshield wiper1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Set the wiper blade at an angle
3. Press the securing spring (arrow)
4. Unhook the wiper blade towards the
windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top
6. Insert the new wiper blade
7. Press into position until you hear it
engage.
Use only wiper blades which have
been approved by the manufac-
turer.<
Rear window wiper1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Turn the wiper blade as far as it will go
to the rear, see arrow
3. Press the wiper blade against the limit
and thus out of the mounting
4. Press the new wiper blade into the
mounting.
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101
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
LAMPS AND BULBSProceed carefully when handling lamps and
bulbs. If you are not familiar with any of
the procedures, consult your MINI center.
Do not touch the glass portion of
a new bulb with your bare hands
since even small amounts of impurities
burn into the surface and reduce the
service life of the bulb. Use a clean cloth,
paper napkin, or a similar material, or hold
the bulb by its metallic base.<
Replacement bulbs are available from your
MINI center.
Whenever working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal of the
battery. Failure to do this could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, comply
with any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
1 Low beams H7 bulb, 55 Watts2 High beamsH7 bulb, 55 Watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses and protective
gloves. Failure to observe these precautions
can result in physical injury if the bulb
breaks.<
1. Pull off the cover panel of the corre-
sponding lamp
2. Press the securing wire outwards
3. Fold the securing wire downwards
4. Remove and replace the bulb.
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do not
clean by wiping with a dry cloth (scratches).
Never use abrasives or strong solvents to
clean the covers. Remove dirt and contami-
nation (such as insects) by soaking with
shampoo and then rinsing with plenty of
water. Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use a
scraper.<
Xenon lamps* The service life of these bulbs is very long
and the probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on and
off an unusual number of times. If one of
these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is
possible to continue driving with great
caution using the fog lamps, provided
traffic laws in your area do not prohibit
this.
Because of the extremely high volt-
ages involved, any work on the xenon
lighting system should be carried out by
technically-qualified personnel only. Other-
wise, there is a risk of fatal injury.<
Page 109 of 140
107
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
CHANGING TIRES Ð MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The screw connection of the space-saver
spare tire is in the luggage compartment
under the floor mat, on the base of the
storage compartment for the tire change
set.
1. Loosen the screw connection using the
wheel stud wrench
2. Take out the cover panel
3. Screw the lifting handle from the
onboard tool kit onto the thread
4. Raise the lifting handle slightly
5. Squeeze the securing springs
6. The space-saver spare tire is released
and must be held by the lifting handle
7. Lower the space-saver spare tire with
the lifting handle
8. Unscrew the lifting handle again
Page 110 of 140
108
CHANGING TIRES Ð MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
9. Pull out the space-saver spare tire
towards the rear underneath the
vehicle
10. Position the space-saver spare tire with
the valve facing upwards
11. Unscrew the valve extension from the
valve of the space-saver spare tire
12. Unscrew the dust cap from the exten-
sion and attach to the space-saver
spare tire.
Preparing the vehicle
Read and comply with the safety
precautions provided on page 106.<
1. Secure the vehicle to prevent it from
rolling:
Place the folding chock behind the front
wheel on the other side of the vehicle;
on downward inclines, place it in front
of this wheel.
If the wheel is changed on a surface with
a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from
rolling
2. Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
Jacking up the vehicle1. Place the jack at the jacking point closest
to the wheel.
The jack base must be perpendicular to
the surface beneath the jacking point
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109
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
CHANGING TIRES Ð MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
2. Insert the jack head for jacking up in the
square recess of the jacking point
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you
are changing is raised from the ground.
The vehicle jack is designed for
changing wheels only. Do not
attempt to raise another vehicle model
with it or to raise any load of any kind. To
do so could cause accidents and personal
injury.<
Fitting the space-saver spare tire1. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt
from the mounting surfaces of the
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts
3. Fit the space-saver spare tire
4. Screw at least two lug bolts finger-tight
into opposite bolt holes
5. Screw in the remaining bolts
6. Tighten all the lug bolts firmly in a diag-
onal pattern
7. Lower the vehicle
8. Remove the jack.Tightening the lug boltsTighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
As soon as possible, have the secure
seating of the lug bolts (tightening
torque 72 ftlb (100 Nm)) checked using a
calibrated torque wrench. Otherwise, a
wheel that might come loose can lead to a
severe accident.<
Replace the defective tire as soon as
possible and have the new wheel/tire
assembly balanced.
Driving with the space-saver spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
You can expect changes in vehicle handling
such as delayed braking response, longer
braking distances, and changes in self-
steering properties in marginal stability
limits.
Only one space-saver spare tire may
be mounted at one time. Reinstall
wheels and tires of the same size and speci-
fication as soon as possible. Maintain
prescribed tire pressures, see page 80.<
Only use full hubcaps approved by
the manufacturer. Otherwise there is
no guarantee that the hubcap fits securely.
The hubcap must not be fitted to the space-
saver spare tire, as it could be damaged.<
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportu-
nity.<