
96
ENGINE OIL COOLANT
Ask your authorized MINI Dealer for
details concerning the specific MINI
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn-
thetic oils which have been approved.<
ViscositiesViscosity is the oilflow rating as established
in SAE classes.
The choice of the proper SAE class depends
on the climatic conditions in the area
where your MINI is used.
Approved oils are in SAE classes
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used at all ambient tem-
peratures.
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
flammable. Therefore, do not spill them
over hot engine parts; otherwise they may
ignite and cause burns. Always observe the
instructions for use provided on the con-
tainers.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents.<
The illustration shows as an example the
coolant tank on the MINI COOPER.Checking coolant levelCorrect coolant level with cold engine –
approx. 68 7 / 20 6:
Up to the MAX mark of the transparent
expansion tank.
Only open the cap of the expansion
tank when the engine has cooled
down. The needle on the coolant tempera-
ture gauge in the instrument cluster must
be no higher than in the first quarter, oth-
erwise there is a danger of scalding.<
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98
MINI MAINTENANCE SYSTEMThe MINI Maintenance System has been
designed as a reliable means of providing
maximum driving and operating safety –
and as cost-effective for you as possible.
Please bear in mind that regular mainte-
nance is not only necessary for the safety of
your vehicle, but also plays a significant
role in maintaining the resale value of the
vehicle.
Service Interval DisplayWhile conventional systems specify main-
tenance according to fixed distances
driven, the MINI Maintenance System takes
account of the operating conditions of the
vehicle, for distances can be driven in many
different ways:
60,000 miles / 100,000 km short distance
operation can not be equated with
60,000 miles / 100,000 km long distance
operation from a maintenance standpoint.
The condition-based MINI Maintenance
System includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the vehicle
covers every kind of operating situation.
People who drive very little – much less
than 6,000 miles / 10,000 km per year –
should have the engine oil changed at least
every 2 years since oil deteriorates over
time, regardless of use.
For more information on the service inter-
val display, see page 60.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models For additional information on maintenance
intervals and procedures, please refer to
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against rust, it is advisable
to have the body checked for damage from
rocks or gravel at the same time, depending
upon operating conditions.
Have your vehicle's maintenance and
repairs performed at your MINI
Dealer. Be sure that all maintenance work
is confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models. These entries are your
proof that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also a requirement
for warranty claims.<
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100
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLECare of special parts >Light-alloy wheels
*:
Use wheel cleaner especially during the
winter months, but do not use any
aggressive, acidic, strong alkali or rough
cleansers or steam jets above 140 7 /
60 6. Observe the manufacturer's
instructions
>Chrome parts
* such as cooler grille, door
handles, etc.:
Especially if exposed to road salt, care-
fully clean these parts with plenty of
water and possibly with a shampoo addi-
tive.
For additional treatment, use chrome
polish
>Rubber parts:
Treat only with water or rubber care
products
Do not use silicon sprays or other
silicon-containing care products,
otherwise noise and damage could
occur.<
>Plastic parts, imitation leather surfaces,
headliner, lamp glass, covering glass for
the instrument cluster, as well as matt
black molded parts:
Clean with water and, if necessary, plas-
tic care products. Do not dampen seats
and the headliner.
Never use solvents such as lacquer thin-
ner, heavy-duty grease remover, fuel or
similar
>Wood paneling
*:
Please clean wood paneling and other
wood parts only with a damp cloth. Dry
off with a soft cloth
>Safety belts:
Only clean using mild soap, leaving the
belts fitted.
Do not dry clean, as the fabric can be
destroyed.
Always roll up safety belts only when dry.
Dirty safety belts prevent unrolling and
thus negatively affect safety>Floor carpets and floor mats
*:
If heavily soiled, clean using interior
cleaner. Floor mats can be removed to
allow the interior to be cleaned
>Wiper blades:
Clean with soapy water. Replace wiper
blades twice a year, before and after the
cold season. This is particularly impor-
tant on vehicles fitted with a rain sensor.
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101
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATIONLeather care The leather
* used by the manufacturer of
your MINI is a high-quality natural product
processed using state-of-the-art methods,
and it will retain its quality level for many
years if cared for appropriately.
Regular cleaning and care are necessary, as
dust and road dirt scratch in pores and
creases and lead to heavy wear as well as
premature brittleness of the leather sur-
face.
This is why you should use a cloth or vac-
uum cleaner to remove dust from the
leather on a regular basis.Since dirt and oil slowly destroy the protec-
tive layer of the leather, a treatment with a
leather care product is necessary twice a
year. This preserves the quality of the
leather and prevents electrostatic charging.
Cleaning agents can contain hazard-
ous or health-damaging substances.
For this reason, always observe the warn-
ings on the package. For interior cleaning,
always open the doors or windows of the
vehicle.
Do not use any products that are not
intended for cleaning the vehicle.<
Your MINI Dealer will be glad to advise you
on what is important if the vehicle is to be
decommissioned for longer than three
months.
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103
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNINGAny MINI Dealer will be glad to inform you
of the advisability, legal regulations and
factory recommendations for technical
modifications to the vehicle.
To do so, they require the vehicle identifica-
tion number from your vehicle documents.California laws require us to state the fol-
lowing warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects and reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and cer-
tain products of component wear contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing thor-
oughly with soap and water.<
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133
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
CAPACITIES
Notes
Fuel tank
Reserve gal. / liters approx. 13.2 / 50
approx. 2.1 / 8Fuel quality, see page 83
Windshield/
Headlamp washer reservoirquarts / liters approx. 2.1 / 2.0
approx. 2.6 / 2.5 More details, see page 94
Cooling system including heater circuit quarts / liters 5.6 / 5.3 MINI COOPER
6.3 / 6.0 MINI COOPER SMore details, see page 96
Engine with oil filter change quarts / liters 4.7 / 4.5 MINI COOPER
4.7 / 4.5 MINI COOPER SHigh Performance Synthetic Oil:
for more details, see page 95
Manual transmission quarts / liters approx. 2.1 / 2.0 MINI COOPER
approx. 1.8 / 1.7 MINI COOPER SContact your MINI Dealer
for more details
Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)quarts / liters approx. 4.2 / 4.0 MINI COOPER Contact your MINI Dealer
for more details
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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
137
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
safety belts100
upholstery material99
wiper blades100
wood parts100
Cargo
stowing75
Cargo area75
cover74
lamps53,111
opening, remote control
volume132
Caring for your vehicle99
Carpets100
Cassette player, see separate
Owner's Manual
CD changer, see separate
Owner's Manual
CD player, see separate
Owner's Manual
Center high-mount brake lamp
bulb replacement110
Central locking
system23,26
Changing battery, remote
control22
Changing bulbs107
Changing lamps107
Changing tire
space-saver spare tire112
tire change
set112,117,121 Checking oil level94
Checking tire inflation
pressure121
Child seat41
Child seat fastening system
LATCH43
Child-restraint systems41
Chrome parts100
Cigarette lighter73
socket73
Cleaning headlamps99
Cleaning rear window55
Cleaning windshield55
Clock60
Closing
from inside26
from outside23
Clothes hooks81
Clutch80
Cockpit12
Combination of wheels/
tires89
Compact Disc player, see
separate Owner's Manual
Compression ratio130
Compressor118,120
Computer60
average fuel
consumption61
average speed61 cruising range61
outside temperature61
Condensation68,71
Consumption61
Consumption display, see
Fuel gauge58
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)49
electronic transmission
control module EP51
gear display51
ignition45
interlock45
manual mode50
parking50
reverse gear50
selector lever shift-
lock45,49
shiftlock49
sport program50
towing127
transmission
malfunction51
Control elements12
Convenience opening
from inside26
Convenience operation
sliding/tilt sunroof25,29
windows25 Coolant96
level96
thermometer59
Cooling68,71
Copyright2
Cosmetic mirror, see
Vanity mirror39
Cruise control18,19,56
Cruising range61
Cup holder, see Beverage
holder73
Curb weight132
Currency of the Owner's
Manual7
CVT (Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission)49
Cylinders130
D
Dashboard12
Data
dimensions131
engine130
technical130
weight132
Daytime driving lamps52
Deep water, see Water on
roadways81
Defrost setting69
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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
138
Defrosting windows69,72
air conditioning system69
automatic climate
control72
Dimensions131
Dimming
interior mirror39
Dipstick, engine oil94
Dirt on the paintwork99
Disc brakes84
Displacement130
Display elements13,14
coolant thermometer59
fuel gauge58
indicator and warning
lamps15
odometer58
service interval display60
with navigation system14
Display lighting53
Distance remaining61
Doors
keys22
locking24
manual operation25
unlocking24
DOT quality grades87
Driving lamps52
Driving notes, general81
Dry air68,71 DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)16,63
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)16,63
E
Easy entry35
EBD (Electronic Brake Force
Distribution)16,83
Electric power windows28
Electrical defect
driver's door25
sliding/tilt sunroof30
tailgate27
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)16,83
Electronic transmission control
module
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)51
Emergency operation
driver's door25
sliding/tilt sunroof30
tailgate27
Engine80
electronics17
power output17
speed17,58
starting46 Engine compartment
MINI COOPER92
MINI COOPER S93
Engine oil94
additives95
consumption94
dipstick94
High Performance
Synthetic Oil96
level94
pressure15
recommended grades of
oil95
viscosities96
Entry to the rear35
Exterior finish, care99
Exterior mirrors39
Eyelets, towing126
F
Failure, tires64
False alarm32
Fans68
Fastening safety belts16,38
Filling canister118,119
Filling hose118
First-aid kit124
Flat116 Flat tire64,112
MINI Mobility System118
Run Flat tires116
space-saver spare tire112
Flat Tire Monitor16,17,64
Floor coverings, floor
carpets100
Fluid capacities
fuel tank133
headlamp washer
system133
windshield washer
system133
Fog lamps53
Foldable rear backrest74
"Follow me home" lamps52
Foot mats100
Footbrake84
Footwell lamps53
bulb replacement111
Front airbags40
Front fog lamps
bulb replacement108
Front seat adjustment34
Fuel
consumption61
consumption display58
preparation130
quality83
tank capacity82,133
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