2003 MINI COOPER check engine

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.

ba.book Seite 15 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

17
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX

INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS

Yellow: check as soon as possible
Flat Tire Monitor
●
Stays lit: the system is defective.
Please have the system inspected
at your MINI Dealer.
More information on page 64
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
●
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able. Please have the system inspected at
your MINI Dealer.
More information on pages 83
ABS indicator lamp for Canadian
models.

Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stabil-
ity Control (DSC)
●

Indicator lamp flashes:
System active: drive and braking forces are
regulated.
The indicator lamp stays lit: ASC+T/DSC
switched off with button or defective. In
the event of a defect: please have the sys-
tem inspected at your MINI Dealer.
More information on pages 62, 63
Service Engine Soon
●
If the warning lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a malfunction in the
emissions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains operational,
you should have the systems checked by
your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Service Engine Soon warning lamp
for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
*

●
Malfunction in the engine electron-
ics. You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine speed.
Please have the system inspected at your
MINI Dealer.
Check Filler Cap
*
●
This indicator lamp comes on when
the fuel filler cap is loose or miss-
ing. Close the filler cap tightly:
Refer to page 82
Depending on the level of equipment,
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of
the navigation system.
<

ba.book Seite 17 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

41
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AIRBAGS TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELYIndicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment panel shows the airbag sys-
tem status starting from ignition
key position 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp does not come on
>The indicator lamp fails to go out after
the engine has been started, or it comes
on during normal driving.
A system defect could prevent the airbags
from deploying in response to a severe
impact occurring within the system's nor-
mal triggering range.
Have the airbag system checked as soon as
possible by your MINI Dealer.
Children younger than 12 years of age or
smaller than 5 ft / 150 cm must be trans-
ported in suitable child-restraint system.
Otherwise there is an increased risk of
injury in the event of an accident.
Commercially-available child-restraint sys-
tems are designed to be secured with a lap
belt or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or
inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always read and follow the instructions
that come with the system.
If you use a child-restraint system with a
tether strap:
Your vehicle has one of two different types
of child-restraint anchor fittings on the
back of the rear seats, see arrows 1 or 2.
Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area, attach
the tether strap to the corresponding
anchorage point to secure the child-
restraint system.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child-restraint manufacturer's instructions.
Anchor fitting 1 is shown above.
Anchor fitting 2 is shown in the next
column.<
ba.book Seite 41 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

59
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUEL GAUGE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE In the navigation system
Please also comply with the instruc-
tions in the previous section.<
If the indicator light 1 changes from orange
to red, there are approx. 2.1 gallons /
8 liters of fuel in the tank.
Low temperatureThe needle is at the bottom or on the right
of the range.
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.Center positionNormal operating temperature of the
engine.High temperatureAs soon as there is a deviation from the
center position upwards or to the left:
Drive moderately and at low engine speed.
If necessary, switch off the engine and
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, see page 96.
1 Red indicator lamp When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp 1 comes on briefly to confirm that the
system is operational.
Lights up while driving:
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.Navigation system option
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in tachometer lights up while
driving:
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.
ba.book Seite 59 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

82
REFUELING
Always switch off the engine before
refueling. If you do not, fuel cannot
be filled into the tank and the "Service
Engine Soon" lamp may come on.<
1. Open the fuel filler door
2. Turn the filler cap counterclockwise
3. Put the filler cap in the bracket attached
to the fuel filler door.
Always observe all applicable precau-
tions and regulations when handling
fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these
containers can leak, cause an explosion,
and lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Simple and environmentally friendly
Always observe all safety precautions
posted at the service station when
handling fuel.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling the
nozzle out of the pipe during refueling
>results in premature pump shutoff
>will reduce the effect of the fuel vapor
recovery system on the pump.
As long as the filler nozzle is used properly,
the fuel tank is full whenever the nozzle
shuts off the first time.
Close tank:
1. Put on filler cap
2. Turn filler cap clockwise until it clicks
3. Close fuel filler door.
Fuel tank capacity:
approx. 13.2 gallons / 50 liters, of which
approx. 2.1 gallons / 8 liters are reserve
capacity.
Close the filler cap carefully after
refueling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze the
strap which is fastened to the filler cap.
US models only:
A loose or missing cap will activate the
message CHECK FILLER CAP in the Check
Control* or the Check Filler Cap lamp
*.<
Do not drive until the fuel tank is
totally empty, otherwise engine oper-
ations are not guaranteed and damage
could occur.<
ba.book Seite 82 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

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.<
ba.book Seite 96 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

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.<
ba.book Seite 98 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

102
OBD SOCKET The interface socket for onboard diagnos-
tics is located on the driver's side, behind a
cover located beneath the instrument
panel. The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control
system for the vehicle‘s lifetime. The sys-
tem monitors emission-related compo-
nents for deterioration and malfunction.
An illuminated lamp informs you of
the need for service, not of the
need to stop the vehicle.
However, the system should be checked by
your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce speed and consult the
nearest MINI Dealer as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short
period of time can seriously damage emis-
sion control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon warning lamp
for Canadian models.
When the filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can detect
the vapor leak and the indicator will light
up. If the filler cap is subsequently tight-
ened, the indicator lamp should go out
within a few days.<
ba.book Seite 102 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com