
94
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 door2. Turn the gas cap counterclockwise3. Put the gas 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.<
Observe the following when refueling
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.Closing the gas cap1. Put on gas cap 2. Turn gas cap clockwise until it clicks3. Close fuel filler door.
Close the gas cap carefully after
refuelling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze the
strap which is fastened to the cap.<
US models only:
The warning lamp
* comes on.
The gas cap is not correctly closed
or missing. Check if the gas cap is
correctly closed.
Fuel tank volumeApprox. 13.2
gallons
/ 50
liters, of which
approx. 2.1
gallons
/ 8
liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is totally empty. Otherwise engine
operations are not guaranteed and damage
could occur.<
Fuel specification The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.Required fuel Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: 91.Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is deter
-
mined according to the so-called (R+M)/2
method.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
REFUELING
Do not use leaded gasoline, as other
-
wise the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brandsField experience has indicated significant
differences in fuel quality: volatility, com
-
position, additives, etc., among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. Fuels containing up to and includ
-
ing 10
% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, that is, 15
%
MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent, will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under certain
environmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob
-
lems which you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommenda
-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte
-
nance.<
Manual release with the MINI In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manu
-
ally.1. Remove the side trim panel on the left-
hand side of the luggage compartment2. Pull the white lever toward the rear.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.
Manual release with the MINI Convertible In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manu
-
ally.1. Remove the cover of the side trim panel
on the left-hand side, arrow
1
2. Pull the green strap toward the rear,
arrow
2.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
BONNET
Do not attempt to service your vehi
-
cle if you do not have the required
technical background. If you are not famil
-
iar with the regulations to be observed,
have the necessary work on your vehicle
carried out only by a MINI Dealer or a work
-
shop that has specially trained personnel
working in accordance with the specifica
-
tions of the MINI manufacturer.
Work that is improperly carried out could
result in consequential damage and pose
safety hazards.<
To unlockPull the lever in the right door area beneath
the instrument panel.
To open1. Reach under the bonnet2. Pull the release lever3. Open the bonnet.To closeAllow the bonnet to fall from a height of
approx.
1 ft / 30
cm.
To avoid injuries, as with all closing procedures be sure that the travel
path of the bonnet is clear when it is closed.
If it is determined that the bonnet is not
completely closed while driving, stop
immediately and close it securely, also refer
to page
17.<
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110
COOLANT
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys
-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and a coolant
additive. Not all commercially available
additives are suitable for your MINI. Your
MINI Dealer knows which additives are
suitable and will be glad to advise you.
Only use suitable additives, other
-
wise the engine can be damaged. The
additives are hazardous to your health.
mental laws regulating the disposal
of coolant additives.<
The illustration shows by way of example the coolant tank of the MINI
COOPER and
the MINI
COOPER Convertible.
Checking coolant level 1. The engine must be at ambient temper
-
ature
2. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con
-
vertible:
Slowly pull the cap of the expansion
tank by the tab until the excess pressure
can escape. Then remove the cap com
-
pletely.MINI COOPER
S and MINI COOPER
S Con
-
vertible:
Loosen the cap of the expansion tank
slightly by turning it counterclockwise
until the excess pressure can escape.
Then remove the cap completely
3. The coolant level is correct if it is
between the MIN and MAX markings on
the transparent expansion tank4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill5. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con
-
vertible:
Press the cap on and press it down
firmly. MINI COOPER
S and MINI COOPER
S Con
-
vertible:
Turn the cap back on and tighten it
firmly
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
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125
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE
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 portable hazard warning lamp is avail
-
able, set it up on the roadside at an appro
-
priate distance from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and regu
-
lations.
dures should be followed depending on the
equipment included in your vehicle:>Vehicles with Run Flat tires, refer to
page
101
>Vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
refer to the following section>Vehicles with MINI Mobility System,
refer to page
129
.
To change a space-saver spare tire, proceed
as follows:>Remove space-saver spare tire, refer to
the section after the next one>Prepare for tire change, refer to page
127
>Jack up the vehicle, refer to page
128
>Mount the space-saver spare tire, refer
to page
128
>Tighten the lug bolts, refer to page
128
>Drive with space-saver spare tire, refer to
page
127
.
Tire change setOn vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
the tire change set with onboard tools is
stored in the luggage compartment under
the floor mat.1 Chock, folding2 Hubcap remover3 Wheel stud wrench4Jack5 Special wrench for removing the space-
saver spare tire6 Towing eyelet7 Lifting handleThe onboard tool kit includes a pouch with
a plastic bag in which you can place the
damaged wheel.
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127
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
CHANGING TIRES
9.
Pull out the space-saver spare tire towards the rear underneath the vehi
-
cle
10. Position the space-saver spare tire with
the valve facing upwards11. Unscrew the valve extension from the
valve of the space-saver spare tire12. Unscrew the dust cap from the exten
-
sion and place it on the valve of the
space-saver spare tire.Due to its different dimensions, the damaged wheel cannot be placed in
the recess for the space-saver spare tire.<
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 han
-
dling such as lower track stability during
braking, longer braking distances and
changes in self-steering properties when
close to the handling limit. These effects
are more pronounced when driving with
winter tires.
Only one space-saver spare tire may be mounted at one time. Reinstall a
wheel and tire of the original size as soon
as possible.
soon as possible and have the new wheel/
tire assembly balanced.<
Additional safety measures in the event of a tire change:
Change the tire only on a level, firm surface
which is not slippery.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways
on soft or slippery support surfaces, such as
snow, ice, flagstones, etc..
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.
125
.<
1. For vehicles with a space-saver spare
tire:
Place the folding chock behind the front
wheel on the other side of the vehicle;
on downward inclines, place it in front of
this wheel. If the wheel is changed on a
surface with a more severe slope, take
additional precautions to secure the
vehicle from rolling
2. Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
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129
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM
*
MINI Mobility SystemThe MINI Mobility System is provided to
help you repair a flat tire. With the help of
this system you can apply a liquid sealant
on the inside of the tire, which seals the
damaged area and enables you to continue
to drive. 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.Using the MINI Mobility SystemIn order to repair a flat tire with the MINI
Mobility System, proceed as follows:>Pump in liquid sealant, refer to page
130
>Reinflate the tire, refer to page
130
>Distribute liquid sealant, refer to
page
131
>Check tire inflation pressure, refer to
page
131
>Drive on, refer to page
131
.
MINI Mobility System with onboard tools The MINI Mobility System with tire change
set and onboard tools is located in the lug
-
gage compartment under the floor mat:
1Jack2 Wheel stud wrench3 Hubcap remover4 Wrench, screwdriver/Phillips screw
-
driver, towing eyelet5 Compressor, hose with manometer and
plug for cigarette lighter socket6 Package with filling hose, valve remover
and valve core7 Filling canister8 Hex wrench/screwdriver9 Adapter for wheel lug lock
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136
TOWING AND TOW-STARTINGUsing the towing eyelet The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit, refer to page
120
; be sure
that it remains with the vehicle at all times.
It can be attached at the front or rear of
your vehicle.
To prevent damage to the towing eyelet and the vehicle, please observe
the following instructions:
Use only the towing eyelet supplied with
the vehicle and screw it in firmly until it
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing on
paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the
towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not
lift the vehicle using the towing eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socket The illustration shows by way of example
the MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER
Convertible.Pry out the cover in the front or rear
bumper by inserting a screwdriver into the
recess.Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in position
1; otherwise the steering
lock could engage and prevent the vehicle
from being steered. There is no power
assist while the engine is off. Therefore,
you will need to exert more force to brake
and steer the vehicle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if
required by national regulations. If the
electrical system has failed, clearly identify
the vehicle being towed, e.g. by placing a
sign or a warning triangle in the rear win
-
dow.MINI or MINI Convertible with manual
transmission:Put the manual gearshift lever in Neutral.MINI or MINI Convertible with Continu
-
ously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT):
Only tow vehicles with Continuously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT) with a tow truck, otherwise the trans
-
mission can be damaged, refer to
page
137
.<
Towing methodsIn some countries, it is not permitted to
tow the vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope
on public roads.Familiarize yourself with the applicable
towing regulations for the country in which
you are driving.
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