2002 MINI Hardtop 2 Door steering wheel

61
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)
*
The concept
This system maintains driving stability
even in critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability
during acceleration and when starting
from a full stop, as well as optimizing trac-
tion. In addition, it recognizes unstable
vehicle conditions, such as under- or over-
steering, and, as far as is possible within
the laws of physics, helps keeping the
vehicle on a steady course by reducing the
rpms and brake applications to the indi-
vidual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. DSC contains the functions
Antilock Brake System ABS/Electronic Brake
Force Distribution EBV/ASC+T.
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. We therefore
urge you to avoid using the additional
safety margin of the system as an excuse
for taking risks.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Allow only authorized technicians
to perform service procedures on the
DSC.<
To switch off the DSCBriefly press the switch.
The indicator lamp stays lit.
When driving with snow chains, it may be
effective to switch off the DSC for a brief
period.
To maintain stability, always drive
with the DSC switched on whenever
possible. Indicator lamp goes out.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly
after the ignition has been
switched on, see pages 16, 17.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking forces.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out
after the engine is started, or if it
comes on during normal driving and stays
on:
If the system is either defective or was
switched off with the button, then the
stabilizing applications described are no
longer available. The vehicle will remain
completely operational, however, without
DSC.
In the event of a malfunction, please see
your MINI center, see pages 16, 17.<

78
FUEL SPECIFICATIONS ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.
Required fuel:
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
min. 91 AKI.
AKI = Anti Knock Index.
Do not use leaded fuels. The use of
leaded fuels will cause permanent
damage to the emissions-control system's
oxygen sensor and the catalytic
converter.<
The concept The ABS keeps the wheels from locking
while braking, thereby enhancing active
driving safety.
ABS also includes Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBV).Braking with ABSTo achieve optimal performance from ABS
when reacting to critical situations you
should apply maximum pressure to the
brake pedal ("panic stop").
Since the vehicle maintains steering
responsiveness, you can nevertheless avoid
possible obstacles with a minimum of
steering effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal in conjunction
with the sound of hydraulic regulation indi-
cates to you that you are driving at the limit
and reminds you to readapt your vehicle's
speed to road surface conditions.

82
TIRE CONDITIONTire tread/tire damageInspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
The tread depth should not fall below
0.12 in (3 mm), although e. g. European
legislation only prescribes a minimum
tread depth of 0.063 in (1.6 mm).
Below 0.12 in (3 mm) tread pattern depth,
there is an increased risk of hydroplaning,
even at relatively moderate speeds and
with only small amounts of water on the
road.
Wear indicators in the tread-groove base,
see arrow, are spread around the circum-
ference of the tire and are marked on the
side wall of the tire with TWI Ð Tread Wear
Indicator.
The indicators in the tread indicate at
0.063 in (1.6 mm) tread depth that the
legally permitted wear limit has been
reached. Do not continue driving on depres-
surized (flat) tires, except with safety
tires. A flat tire greatly impairs steering and
braking response, and can lead to complete
loss of control over the vehicle.
Avoid overloading the vehicle so that the
permitted load on the tires is not exceeded.
Overloading can lead to overheating and
increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate
result can assume the form of a sudden air
loss.
Unusual vibrations while driving, e. g.
driving over a curb or similar, can indicate
tire damage or other damage to the
vehicle. This is also true for irregularities in
the vehicle's handling characteristics, such
as a pronounced tendency to pull to the left
or right. Should this occur, respond by
immediately reducing your speed. Proceed
carefully to the nearest MINI center or
professional tire center, or have the vehicle
towed in to have its wheels and tires
inspected.
Tire damage (up to and including blowouts)
can endanger the lives of both the vehicle
occupants and other road users.<

85
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
WINTER TIRESSNOW CHAINS
*
Choosing the right tire
The manufacturer recommends winter
tires (M+S radial tires) for driving in adverse
winter road conditions. While so-called all-
season tires (M+S designation) provide
better winter traction than summer tires
with the load ratings S, T, H, V, W, they do
not achieve the performance of winter
tires.
In the interest of safe tracking and steering
response, install winter tires made by the
same manufacturer having the same tread
configuration on all four wheels.
Before purchasing winter tires, check
whether your MINI is fitted with safety
tires. You will recognize safety tires by a
circular symbol containing the letters RSC
on the side of the tire, see page 110. In this
case, use only safety tires, as in the event of
a flat tire there is no space-saver spare tire.
Only winter tires recommended by the
manufacturer of your MINI should be
fitted. Any MINI center will be glad to
advise you on the selection of the right
winter tires for the relevant operating
conditions.
Observing speeds
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to
service tires can lead to damage and acci-
dents.
Have this work performed by skilled profes-
sionals only. Your MINI center will be glad
to assist you with both their expertise and
the proper equipment for your vehicle.<
Tire condition, tire inflation pressure
Once the tire wears to below 0.16 in
(4 mm), winter tires display a percep-
tible decrease in their ability to cope with
winter driving conditions, and should be
replaced in the interest of safety.<
Comply with the specified tire inflation
pressures and be sure to have the wheel
and tire assemblies balanced every time
you change the tires.
The use of narrow-link snow chains is
permitted in pairs only and only on
the front wheels with the following tires:
175/65 R 15
175/60 R 16
When fitting, comply with the manufac-
turer's instructions.<
With chains, do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph (50 km/h).<
After fitting the snow chains, do not
activate the Flat Tire Monitor.
When driving with snow chains, it can be
helpful to switch off the ASC+T or DSC for
a brief period, see pages 60, 61.<

106
REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE CHANGING TIRES Ð MINI WITH SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
Safety measures in the event of a flat
tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Switch on the hazard
warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead wheel position and engage the
steering lock. Engage the parking brake and
shift into 1st or reverse gear (selector lever
in P).
All passengers should be outside the
vehicle and well away from your imme-
diate working area (behind a guardrail, for
instance).
If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is available, set it up on the
roadside at an appropriate distance from
the rear of the vehicle. Comply with all
safety guidelines and regulations.<
In the event of a flat tire, different proce-
dures should be followed depending on the
equipment included in your MINI:
>Vehicles with space-saver spare tire, see
next column
>Vehicles with safety tires, see page 110.
Additional safety measures in the
event of a wheel change: change the
wheel only on a level, firm surface which is
not slippery.
Avoid jacking the vehicle on a soft or slip-
pery support surface (snow, ice, loose
gravel, etc.), as either the vehicle or the jack
could slip sideways.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object
as a support base for the jack, as this would
prevent it from extending to its full support
height and reduce its load-carrying
capacity .
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported by
the jack Ð risk of fatal injury.<
To change a space-saver tire, proceed as
follows:
>Remove the space-saver spare tire, see
page 107
>Prepare the vehicle, see page 108
>Jack up the vehicle, see page 108
>Fit the space-saver spare tire, see
page 109
>Tighten the lug bolts, see page 109
>Drive with space-saver spare tire, see
page 109.
Tire change setOn vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
the tire change set is stored in the luggage
compartment under the floor mat.
1 Chock, folding
2 Hubcap remover
3 Wheel stud wrench
4 Jack
5 Spanner
6 Tow fitting
7 Lifting handle

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.<

110
FLAT TIRE Ð SAFETY (RUN-FLAT) TIRES
*
You will recognize safety tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the
side of the tire.
Safety tires consist of self-contained tires
and special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains some residual
safety in the event of pressure drop and
driving remains possible to a restricted
degree.
The reinforcement on the flanks of
the safety tires means that it is
usually not possible to detect an air loss
from outside.<
Flat tire The yellow indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up to indicate a flat tire.
In addition, a gong sounds, see
pages 17, 62.
1. Reduce vehicle speed carefully to under
50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard brake
applications and steering maneuvers
2. Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h)
3. Identify damaged tires; check tire infla-
tion pressures on all four wheels at the
next opportunity, see page 80
4. Correct the tire inflation pressure if you
wish to continue your journey and this is
permitted, see next column
5. Have damaged tires changed by your
MINI center, see page 84.
Your MINI center has the information
needed for working with safety tires
and is equipped with the necessary special
tools. They provide advice if you wish to
replace the tires on your MINI or wish to
re-equip from summer to winter tires Ð or
vice versa, see also pages 80, 84, 85.<
For safety reasons, do not have a
damaged safety tire repaired.<
Continuing driving with a damaged
tireDriving can continue under certain condi-
tions with safety tires, depending on the
vehicle load and the severity of the tire
damage, at a maximum speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
You can determine the possible mileage for
continued driving on the basis of the
following general indications:
>Tire inflation pressure 0 bar (0 psi):
approx. 95 miles (150 km)
>Tire inflation pressure 0.5 bar Ð 1 bar
(7.2 psi Ð 14.5 psi): approx. 300 miles
(500 km)
>Tire inflation pressure greater than 1 bar
(14.5 psi): approx. 600 miles (1,000 km).

116
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.<