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3
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock45
Starting the engine46
Switching off the engine47
Parking brake47
Manual transmission48
Continuously Variable automatic Trans-
mission (CVT)49
Parking lamps/Low beams52
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher52
Instrument lighting53
Fog lamps53
Interior lamps53
Light-emitting diodes54
Washer/wiper system54
Cruise control56
Everything under control:
Odometer58
Tachometer58
Fuel gauge58
Coolant temperature gauge59
Service interval display60
Clock60
Computer60
Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)62
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)63
Flat Tire Monitor64
Park Distance Control (PDC)66
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system67
Automatic climate control70
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment73
Ashtray/Beverage holder73
Cigarette lighter/12 V power supply73
Loading and transporting cargo:
Cargo area cover74
Foldable rear backrest74
Loading cargo75
Roof-mounted luggage rack76
Operation, care, maintenance
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures80
General driving notes81
Refueling82
Fuel specifications83
Antilock Brake System (ABS)83
Brake system84
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure85
Tire condition87
Tire replacement87
Wheel and tire combinations89
Winter tires89
Snow chains90
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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
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13
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
DISPLAY ELEMENTS
1Tachometer58
with indicator and warning lamps, see
from page 15
2Display for the computer, refer to
page 60 – if there is no computer, display
of the outside temperature
3Speedometer with indicator and warning
lamps, see from page 154Indicator for
>
Odometer58
>
Trip odometer58
>
Service interval60
>
Program display for Continuously
Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT)515Trip odometer, reset to zero58
6Fuel gauge58
7Engine coolant temperature gauge59
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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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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.
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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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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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