2004 MINI Hardtop 2 Door brake

83
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
GENERAL DRIVING NOTESParking the vehicle Condensation 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, and parking the vehicle, take care to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust sys-
tem and flammable materials, e.g. hay,
grass, leaves, etc. Such contact could lead
to a fire resulting in serious personal injury
and property damage.<

86
BRAKE SYSTEMBrake fluid levelIf 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. 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 54.
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 padsBrake pad sensors in the left brake pads of
the front axle and in the right brake pads of
the rear axle monitor the brake pad condi-
tion. When the brake pads reach the wear
limit, the brake wear warning lights up,
refer to page 16.
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.<

96
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER1Reservoir for windshield washer
system98
2Coolant expansion tank1003Engine oil filler neck99
4Battery124
5Brake fluid reservoir1016Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system98
7Engine oil dipstick98

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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER S1Reservoir for windshield washer
system98
2Coolant expansion tank1003Engine oil filler neck99
4Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting126
5Brake fluid reservoir1016Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system98
7Engine oil dipstick98

101
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
BRAKE FLUIDWarning lamp
If the brake warning lamp comes
on with the parking brake released:
The brake fluid level is too low,
refer to page 15.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Adding brake fluid To add brake fluid or to determine and cor-
rect the cause of brake fluid loss, please
consult your MINI Dealer. Your MINI Dealer
is familiar with the specifications for fac-
tory-approved brake fluids, DOT 4.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer to
the information on page 86.
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,
also refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models. Brake fluid is toxic and
also damages 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.<

103
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLESuitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care prod-
ucts available at your MINI Dealer.<
Washing your vehicleYou can wash your new MINI from the out-
set in automatic car washes. Preference
should be for cloth car washes. If, due to
lack of availability, brush car washes must
be used, modern systems with soft brushes
should be given preference.
When using steam cleaners or high-
pressure cleaners, maintain sufficient
distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a
maximum temperature of 1407/ 606 .
If the jet is too close or the pressure is too
high, this can lead to damage or initial
damage that can develop into more serious
damage. Water that enters vehicle compo-
nents can lead to damage over the long
term.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them, otherwise
water can reduce braking efficiency over
the short term and the brake rotors can cor-
rode.<
Switch the rain sensor off when pass-
ing through an automatic car wash,
refer to page 50. Failure to do so could
result in damage caused by undesired
wiper activation.<
Rod antenna
If necessary, for example before
entering a car wash or a garage with
elevator ramp, remove the rod antenna.
To do so, grip the rod antenna at the base
and unscrew it from the antenna foot by
turning it to the left.<
Headlamps
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do not
rub them dry, and never use abrasives or
strong solvents. Remove dirt and contami-
nation, such as insects, by soaking with
shampoo and then rinsing with plenty of
water. Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow; never use a
scraper.<
Vehicle paintwork Regular care contributes greatly to driving
safety and value retention.
Environmental influences varying from one
region to the next can affect the vehicle
paintwork. Please base the frequency and
scope of car care on these various influ-
ences.Care of upholsteryDepressions that come about on the uphol-
stery material of the seats in daily use can
be brushed out using a slightly damp brush
against the grain.
The fact that velour lays down is not a qual-
ity defect, but rather is inevitable in the
case of home textiles or clothing materials.
In the case of strong sunlight and longer
parking periods, cover the seats or all win-
dows to prevent discoloration.

113
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
LAMPS AND BULBSSide turn signal indicators 5 Watt bulb
1. Press lamp toward vehicle tailgate and
remove
2. Remove and replace the bulb.Side marker lamps3 Watt bulb
Side marker lamps in the wheelhouse pan-
eling of the bumper.
Please contact a MINI Dealer in case of a
malfunction.
Fog lamps*H11 bulb, 55 Watts
Please contact a MINI Dealer in case of a
malfunction.
Tail lampsRear lamp 3: bulb 21/5 Watts
Other bulbs: 21 Watts
1Rear fog lamp
*
red
2Turn signal indicator yellow
3Rear lamp red
4Rear lamp/Brake lamp red

114
LAMPS AND BULBSTo make this clear, the illustration shows a
dismantled tail lamp with the bulb holder
removed. All of the bulbs are integrated in
the bulb holder.
To reach the bulb holder, remove the cover
of the side trim panel in the cargo area. Replacing bulbs 1. Unplug the power supply
2. Release the bulb holder, arrow, and
remove
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left
4. Remove and replace the bulb
5. Plug in the power supply receptacle
6. Press the bulb holder into position until
you hear it engage.
Backup lamp With the space-saver spare tire option:
Access to the lamp via the back or under-
side of the bumper.
1. Press the clips together
2. Push the lamp out of the bumper
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left
4. Remove and replace the bulb.
Other equipment:
Please contact a MINI Dealer in case of a
malfunction.
Center high-mount brake lamp LED strip on the tailgate.
Please contact a MINI Dealer in case of a
malfunction.