2002 MINI Hardtop 2 Door tow

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.<

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.<

89
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
WASHER FLUID ENGINE OILHeadlamp* and
windshield washer systemCapacity approx. 2.6 quarts (2.5 liters) per
reservoir.
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with anti-
freeze (according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations).
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to the
reservoir.<
Antifreeze agent for the washer
systems is flammable. Always keep it
well away from sparks and open flames,
and store it in tightly closed containers well
out of the reach of children. Always observe
the instructions for use provided on the
container.<
Measuring the oil level 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch off the warmed-up engine
3. Pull the dipstick out after approx.
5 minutes and wipe it off with a lint-free
cloth, paper towel, or similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again.
The oil level must be between the two
marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is
directly influenced by your driving style and
vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks on
the dipstick ("MIN", "MAX") corresponds to
approx. 1.1 quarts (1 liter). Do not fill
beyond the upper notch on the dipstick.
Excess oil will damage the engine.

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.

102
LAMPS AND BULBSTurn signal indicators, front 21 Watt bulb
1. Open the hood
2. Reach into the opening for the turn
signal indicators from above
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb holder
while turning it to the left
4. Remove and replace the bulb.Parking lamps and standing lamps 5 Watt bulb
The parking lamps and standing lamps are
integrated in the lamp housing of the turn
signal indicator.
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left and pull
out
2. Remove and replace the bulb.
Side turn signal indicators5 Watt bulb
1. Press the bulb towards the rear of the
vehicle and remove
2. Remove and replace the bulb.Side marker lampsSide marker lamps in the wheelhouse
paneling of the bumper.
Please contact a MINI center in case of a
malfunction.
Fog lamps* H7 bulb, 55 Watts
Please contact a MINI center in case of a
malfunction.

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

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

115
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.<