2003 MINI COOPER transmission

50
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
PPark
Select "P" only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped. The transmission locks to
prevent the rear wheels from turning.RReverseSelect "R" only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.NNeutralSelect "N" only if your journey is inter-
rupted for a long period.DDrive – CVT driving positionThis position is designed for driving under
all normal operating conditions. KickdownIn "kickdown" mode, you achieve maxi-
mum acceleration and maximum speed in
position D.
Press the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-throt-
tle position.
M/S + – Manual mode and
Sport programSwitch from D into M/S + –:
Activates the Sport program and displays
SD in the gear indicator in the speedome-
ter.
>Press briefly:
CVT shifts from the Sport program to the
manual mode
>Press selector lever briefly towards +:
Transmission shifts upwards
>Press selector lever briefly towards – :
Transmission shifts back.
1 to 6 appear in the gear indicator.
The transmission will only execute upshifts
and downshifts that will result in a plausi-
ble combination of vehicle speed and
engine rpm. For instance, downshifts that
would result in excessive engine speed are
not executed.
Switching from M/S + – into the selector
lever positions P, R and N and switching
from manual mode back into the Sport pro-
gram is only possible via D.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
Available displays
P R N D SD 1 2 3 4 5 6 EP
Electronic transmission control moduleIf there is a malfunction in the transmission
system, EP appears in the display.
All selector lever positions can still be
selected. In positions for driving forward:
the vehicle can now only be driven with a
limited gear selection.
Avoid high engine loads. Proceed to
the nearest MINI Dealer.<
Do not work in the engine compart-
ment when a drive gear – forward or
reverse – is engaged. If you do this, the
vehicle could move.<
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages 124, 126.<
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81
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
GENERAL DRIVING NOTES Parking the vehicleCondensation forms in the air conditioner
system during operation, and then exits
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed
water on the ground are therefore normal.Brakes
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. Even light but
consistent pedal pressure can lead to high
temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water can form between tires and
road surface. This phenomenon is charac-
terized by a partial or complete loss of con-
tact between the tires and the road surface.
The ultimate results are loss of steering and
braking control.<
Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the
road if it is deeper than 1 ft / 30 cm,
and then only at walking speed at the
most. Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the
electrical systems and the transmission
may be damaged.<
Clothes hooks
When suspending clothing from the
hooks, ensure that they will not
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do so,
they could cause personal injury during
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
High temperatures
High temperatures occur in any vehi-
cle equipped with a catalytic con-
verter. Do not remove the heat protection
plates fitted in the area of the exhaust sys-
tem and do not apply body-cavity pro-
tectant to this area. When driving, standing
at idle or parking the vehicle, take care to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust sys-
tem and flammable materials – e.g. hay,
leaves, grass, etc. Such contact could lead
to a fire resulting in serious personal injury
and property damage.<
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84
BRAKE SYSTEMBrake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and brake
pedal travel has become longer, there may
be a defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest MINI Dealer.
Higher brake application pressure
may be necessary under these conditions,
there may be a slight pull to one side, and
brake pedal travel may be longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Disc brakesWhen the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion of the brake rotors and
accumulation of contamination on the
brake pads. This occurs because the mini-
mal pressure that must be exerted by the
pads to clean the rotors by brake applica-
tions is not reached.
Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by a
running or pulsation during braking; even
extended subsequent braking will not cure
this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the
brakes with a gentle application when driv-
ing in rain and on wet roads. Monitor traffic
conditions to ensure that this maneuver
does not endanger other road users. The
resulting heat dries the brake rotor and the
brake pads. Then if braking effect is
needed, it is immediately available.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear or in the driv-
ing position in which only minimal periodic
brake application is required. This helps
avoid placing excessive loads on the brake system. Stay within the allowable speed
range, refer to page 58.
Do not coast with the clutch pressed
or with the transmission or selector
lever in Neutral. Do not coast with the
engine switched off. The engine provides
no braking effect when the transmission is
in Neutral, and there is no power-assist for
braking when the engine is switched off.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use brake pads
which the manufacturer of your MINI
has approved for your particular vehicle
model. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved brake pads to
determine if they are suitable for use, and
therefore cannot ensure the operating
safety of the vehicle in the event of their
use.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ENGINE OILThe oil volume between the two notches –
MIN, MAX – on the dipstick corresponds to
approx. 1.1 quarts / 1 liter. Do not fill
beyond the upper notch on the dipstick.
Excess oil will damage the engine.
Adding engine oil
Only top up oil when the oil level has
dropped to just above the lower
notch of the dipstick. However, never allow
the level to drop below the lower notch.<
MINI engines are designed to operate
without oil additives; the use of addi-
tives could lead to damage in some cases.
That is also valid for the Continuously Vari-
able automatic Transmission (CVT), the
gear box and the power assisted steering.<
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you have the oil changed at
your MINI Dealer.
Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory testing.
For this reason, any skin areas that come
into contact with oil should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of reach of
children. Comply with all warning labels
and information on lubricant containers.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of used oil.<
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. Based on extensive
testing, the manufacturer of your MINI
approves only certain grades of engine oil.
Use only approved MINI High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain MINI High Per-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of synthetic oil in between oil
changes. Only use oils with the API SH spec-
ification or higher.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
TOWINGTow-startingIt is not possible to start the engine of a
vehicle equipped with an automatic trans-
mission by towing or pushing.
For instructions on jump starting, refer to
page 124.
Never attempt to use your vehicle to push
another car, since damage to the energy-
absorbing bumpers could result.Towing a vehicle
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. Place gear selector lever in neutral or idle
2. Towing speed:
Max. 45 mph / 70 km/h
3. Towing distance:
Max. 95 miles / 150 km
4. Leave the ignition key at position 1 to
ensure that the brake lamps, turn sig-
nals, horn and windshield wipers remain
operative, and to prevent the steering
lock detent from engaging
5. Switch on the hazard-warning system,
observe country-specific regulations.
Find some means of identifying the vehicle
in tow, for instance, place a sign or warning
triangle in the rear window.
Make sure that the ignition key
remains in position 1 even when the
electrical system has failed to prevent the
steering lock from engaging.
The steering and brakes are without power
assist when the engine is off. This means
that increased effort is required for steer-
ing and braking.<
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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WEIGHTS
MINI COOPER MINI COOPER S
Curb weight
with manual transmission
with Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)lbs / kg
lbs / kg2,526 / 1,146
2,557 / 1,1602,678 / 1,215
–
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)lbs / kg
lbs / kg3,340 / 1,515
3,373 / 1,5303,494 / 1,585
–
Approved front axle load lbs / kg 1,918 / 870 1,962 / 890
Approved rear axle load lbs / kg 1,609 / 730 1,698 / 770
Approved roof load – with special MINI roof rack lbs / kg 165 / 75 165 / 75
Cargo area volume cu ft / liters 5.3 / 150 5.3 / 150
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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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