
95
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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112
REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE CHANGING TIRES – 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 warn-
ing 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 vehi-
cle and well away from your immediate
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
the next chapter
>Vehicles with Run Flat tires, see page 116
>Vehicles with MINI Mobility System, see
page 118.
Additional safety measures in the
event of a wheel change:
Change the wheel only on a level, firm sur-
face which is not slippery.
Avoid jacking the vehicle on a soft or slip-
pery support surface – on 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 capac-
ity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the
engine when the vehicle is supported by
the jack – risk of fatal injury.<
To change a space-saver tire, proceed as
follows:
>Remove the space-saver spare tire, see
page 113
>Prepare the vehicle, see page 114
>Jack up the vehicle, see page 114
>Fit the space-saver spare tire, see
page 115
>Tighten the lug bolts, see page 115
>Drive with space-saver spare tire, see
page 115.
Tire change setOn vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
the tire change set is stored in the cargo
area under the floor mat.
1Chock, folding
2Hubcap remover
3Wheel stud wrench
4Jack
5Spanner
6Tow fitting
7Lifting handle
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115
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
CHANGING TIRES – 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 88.5 lb ft / 120 Nm – checked using
a calibrated torque wrench. Otherwise, a
wheel coming loose can lead to a severe
accident.<
Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble 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 must expect changes in vehicle hand-
ling such as delayed braking response,
longer braking distances, and changes in
self-steering properties when close to the
handling 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 pre-
scribed tire pressures, see page 85.<
Do not try to fit a full hubcap to the space-
saver spare tire, as the hubcap could be
damaged.
Check and correct the tire inflation
pressure at the earliest opportu-
nity.<
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116
FLAT TIRE– RUN FLAT TIRES
*
You will recognize Run Flat tires by a circu-
lar symbol containing the letters RSC on
the side of the tire.
Run Flat 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 Run Flat tires means that it is usu-
ally 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,
64.
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 85
4. Correct the tire inflation pressure if you
wish to continue your journey and this is
permitted, see next text section
5. Have damaged tires changed by your
MINI Dealer, see page 88.Your MINI Dealer has the information
needed for working with Run Flat
tires and is equipped with the necessary
special tools. They provide advice if you
wish to replace the tires on your MINI, or re-
equip from summer to winter tires or vice
versa, also see pages 85, 88, 89.<
For safety reasons, do not have a
damaged safety tire repaired.<
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119
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
FLAT TIRE – MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM
*
Preparing for tire repair
Before using the MINI Mobility Sys-
tem read the warning and danger
precautions on the equipment.<
If possible, leave objects in which have
been forced into the tire.
Take off the tag regarding speed limits and
stick it onto the steering wheel.
Please remember that the liquid can-
ister must be replaced every four
years by your MINI Dealer if the equipment
has not been used.<
The instructions for using the MINI
Mobility System are also given on the
equipment.<
Pumping in liquid sealant1. Shake the filling canister
2. Screw the filling hose onto the filling
canister
3. Unscrew the dust protection cap from
the valve of the defective tire
4. Screw out the valve core with the valve
remover. The valve remover is located in
a package with the filling hose
Place the valve core and valve
remover only on clean surfaces.<
5. Remove the cap from the filling hose
6. Push the filling hose onto the tire valve
7. Hold the filling canister with the cap
down and squeeze.
Squeeze the entire contents of the canis-
ter into the tire
8. Remove filling hose
9. Screw valve core into the tire valve with
the valve remover.
In the event of a dirty valve core or of
losing it you will find another valve
core in a package with the filling hose.<
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127
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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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
136
A
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)16,17,83
Accessories7,99
Activated-charcoal filter72
Adjusting
backrest35
steering wheel38
Air conditioner operation
air conditioning system68
automatic climate
control71
Air conditioning system67
Air distribution
air conditioning system68
automatic climate
control71,72
Air outlets, ventilation69
Air pressure85
Air recirculation68,71
Air supply
air conditioning system68
automatic climate
control71
Air vents69,72
Air, dry68
Air, drying71
Airbags16,33,40
Airing out69
Alarm system31
All-season tires89 Antenna99
Antifreeze96
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)16,17,83
Anti-theft system31
Aquaplaning, see
Hydroplaning81
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus
Traction)16,17,62
Ashtray73
AUTO Program, see Automatic
air distribution71
Auto washing99
Automatic
air distribution71
air supply71
cruise control56
Automatic car wash99
Automatic climate control70
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction
(ASC+T)16,17,62
Average fuel consumption61
Average speed61
Axle loads132
B
Backrest, adjusting35
Backup lamps48
bulb replacement109 Bar, towing126
Battery124
charge current15
charging122
disposal122
maintenance122
Battery, remote control22
Belts33,38
Beverage holder73
Blower71
BMW6
Bonnet16,91
Bore130
Brake fluid level15,84,97
Brake hydraulic system15
Brake lamp
bulb replacement109
Brake pads80,84
Brake rotors80
Brake system80,84
brake fluid97
Brakes81,84
Braking system16
Breaking-in80
Bridging124
Bulb replacement
backup lamps109
brake lamp, center110
cargo area lamps111
footwell lamps111
front fog lamps108 front turn signal
indicators108
glove compartment
lamp111
interior lamps110
license plate lamp110
parking lamps108
reading lamps110
rear lamps109
side turn signal
indicators108
standing lamps108
tail lamps109
vanity mirror111
C
California Proposition
65 warning103
Capacity
fuel tank133
Car care99
Car wash99
Car-care products99
Care99
chrome parts100
floor mats100
imitation leather100
leather101
light-alloy wheels100
plastic parts100
rubber parts100
Hilfsrahmen für Querverweise
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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
139
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Fuel gauge58
Fuses123
G
Gas display, see
Fuel gauge58
Gasoline83
Gear display51
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)51
General driving notes81
Glove compartment73
Glove compartment lamps
bulb replacement111
Grills69,72
H
Handbrake47
Hazard warning flashers12
Head airbags40
Head restraints37
Headlamp cleaning
system55,94
filling94
Headlamp flasher52
Headlamps
cleaning55,99
lamp replacement107 Heated
outside rear view mirror39
rear window68,71
seats36
windshield68,71
windshield washer jets55
Heater67
outside rear view mirror39
windshield68
Heating
rear window68
seats36
Heavy cargo75
Height131
Hex wrench118
High beams18,52,107
High Performance
Synthetic Oil96
recommended grades of
oil96
Horn12
Hub cap remover112,118
Hydroplaning81
I
Ignition45
Ignition key22
Ignition key position,
see Ignition45
Illuminated vanity mirror39
Imitation leather100 Imprint2
Index2
Indicator lamps15
Individual air distribution72
Inflation pressure85
INSPECTION60
Instrument cluster, see Display
elements13
Instrument lighting53
Instrument panel12
Interface socket
for Onboard
Diagnostics102
Interior lamps53
bulb replacement110
Interior mirror
automatic dimming39
Interior motion sensor31,32
Interior protection
turning off25,32
Interior rearview mirror39
Interlock45
Interval
operation, wipers54
Interval display, service98
J
Jack112
Jump-starting124 K
Keys22
multifunction steering
wheel19
Kickdown50
L
Lamp replacement
headlamps107
high beams107
low beams107
parking lamp107
Lamps52
backup lamps109
brake lamps109,110
cargo area lamps111
daytime driving lamps52
fog lamps53
footwell lamps111
front fog lamps108
glove compartment111
high beams107
instrument lighting53
interior lamps53,110
license plate lamp110
low beams52,107
parking lamps52,108
reading lamps53,110
rear fog lamp109
standing lamps52,108
tail lamp109
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