2003 MINI COOPER brake fluid

CONTENTS

4
In the engine compartment:
Bonnet91
Engine compartment – MINI COOPER92
Engine compartment – MINI COOPER S93
Washer fluid94
Engine oil94
Coolant96
Brake fluid97
Maintenance and care:
MINI Maintenance System98
Caring for your vehicle99
Vehicle immobilization101
Laws and regulations:
OBD socket102
Technical modifications103
California Proposition 65 warning103

Owner service procedures
Replacement procedures:
On-board tool kit106
Windshield wiper blades106
Lamps and bulbs107
Repairing a flat tire112
Changing tires –
MINI with space-saver spare tire112
Flat tire –
Run Flat tires116
MINI Mobility System118
Battery122
Fuses123
Giving and receiving assistance:
Warning triangle124
First-aid kit124
Jump-starting124
Towing126
Technical data
Engine data130
Dimensions131
Weights132
Capacities133 ba.book Seite 4 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
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15
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX

INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS

Technology
that monitors itself
The system runs a check on the warning
and indicator lamps marked by
●
each time
you switch on the ignition. They each light
up once for different periods of time.
If a malfunction should occur in one of
these systems, the corresponding lamp
does not go out after the engine is started
or it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see below the correct way to react
to this.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
●
The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective alter-
nator drive belt or a problem with the
charge circuit. Please contact the nearest
MINI Dealer.
If this lamp lights up, the power-assist for
steering can be deactivated.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could be
damaged due to overheating. When the
power-assist is deactivated, increased
steering effort is required.
<
Engine oil pressure


●
Stop immediately. Switch off
engine. Check the engine oil and fill
as needed. Please contact the nearest MINI
Dealer.
Do not continue driving, otherwise,
the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.
<

Brake warning lamp
●
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before driving
further, be sure to comply with the infor-
mation on pages 84 and 97.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models.
With navigation system option:
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in the speedometer
●
Lights up while driving:
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow to cool down, see
also page 59.

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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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92
ENGINE COMPARTMENT – MINI COOPER1Reservoir for windshield washer
system94
2Coolant expansion tank963Engine oil filler neck95
4Battery122
5Brake fluid reservoir976Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system94
7Engine oil dipstick94
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93
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ENGINE COMPARTMENT – MINI COOPER S1Reservoir for windshield washer
system94
2Coolant expansion tank963Engine oil filler neck95
4Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting124
5Brake fluid reservoir976Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system94
7Engine oil dipstick94
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97
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COOLANT BRAKE FLUIDTo add coolant

MINI COOPER:
1. Slowly open the cap by pulling at the tab
to allow accumulated pressure to
escape.
2. Pull open the cap completely.
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached – do not
overfill.
MINI COOPER S:
1. Open the cap by turning it slightly coun-
terclockwise to allow accumulated pres-
sure to escape.
2. Unscrew and open the cap completely.
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached – do not
overfill.
The coolant is made up of water and an
antifreeze with corrosion resistance. The
mixture ratio of 50 to 50 must be kept the
entire year due to the required anti-corro-
sion property. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every three years.
Warning lamp
If the brake warning lamp comes
on with the parking brake released:
The brake fluid level is too low, see
page 15.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Adding brake fluidTo add brake fluid or to determine and cor-
rect the cause of brake fluid loss, consult
your MINI Dealer. Your MINI Dealer is famil-
iar with the specifications for factory-
approved brake fluids – DOT 4.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer to
the information on page 84.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, it
absorbs moisture from the air over
time.
In order to ensure the brake system's safety
and reliability, have the brake fluid
changed every two years by a MINI Dealer,
see also the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models. Brake fluid is toxic and also dam-
ages vehicle paintwork. Always store brake
fluid in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Do not spill the brake fluid and do not fill
the brake fluid reservoir beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and cause
serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of brake fluid.<
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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
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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