2005 MINI COOPER brake fluid

CONTENTS
4
In the engine compartment:Bonnet
105
Engine compartment:

MINI COOPER and
MINI
COOPER
CONVERTIBLE
106

MINI COOPER S and
MINI
COOPER
S CONVERTIBLE
107
Washer fluid
108
Engine oil
108
Coolant
110
Brake fluid
111
Maintenance and care:MINI Maintenance System
112
OBD socket
113
Caring for your vehicle
113
Vehicle storage
116
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURESReplacement procedures:Onboard tool kit
120
Wiper blades
120
Lamps and bulbs
121
Repairing a flat tire
125
Space-saver spare tire
125
Changing tires
127
MINI Mobility System
129
Battery
132
Fuses
133
Giving and receiving assistance:Jump-starting
134
Towing and tow-starting
136
TECHNICAL DATAEngine data
140
Dimensions:

MINI
141

MINI Convertible
142
Weights:

MINI
143

MINI Convertible
144
Capacities
145
ProCarManuals.com

16
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS Technology that monitors itselfThe system runs a check on the indicator
and warning 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 your MINI
Dealer.
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. +
The engine oil pressure is too low.
Pull over immediately and switch
off the engine. Please contact your MINI
Dealer.Do not continue driving; otherwise, the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Brake warning lamp
+
Lights up although the parking
brake is released. The brake fluid
level is too low. Before driving further, be
sure to comply with the information on
pages 96 and
111
. Have the system
checked immediately.
Display of the malfunction described above in Canadian mod
-
els.
If equipped with a navigation system or
Cockpit Chrono Pack:
Coolant temperature warning lamp in the navigation system or
Cockpit Chrono Pack
+
Lights up while driving:

Engine is too hot. Pull over to the side of
the road immediately, switch off the
engine and allow it to cool down, refer also
to page
64. Have the system checked
immediately.
ProCarManuals.com

96
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.<
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 rotors and pads. Then if the braking
force is needed, it is immediately available.Driving downhill
To prevent overheating and the resulting reduced efficiency of the
brake system, drive down extended or
steep mountain gradients in the gear
which requires the least brake applications.
Otherwise, even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake fail
-
ure. -
ther utilized by downshifting, to first gear if
necessary, in the manual mode of the auto
-
matic transmission, refer to page
55. This
protects the brakes from excessive loads.
Do not coast with the clutch pedal pressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with
the engine switched off. The engine pro
-
vides no braking effect when the transmis
-
sion is in Neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is switched off.

Make sure that there are no floor mats,
floor carpets or other objects in the vicinity
of the brake or accelerator pedal, as the
travel path of the pedals could otherwise
be impeded. 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
18.
Use brake pads which the manufac
-
turer of your MINI has approved for
your particular vehicle model. The manu
-
facturer of your MINI cannot 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.<
ProCarManuals.com

106
1 Reservoir for windshield and rear

window
* washer system
108
2 Vehicle identification number3 Coolant expansion tank
110
4 Engine oil filler neck
109
5Battery
132
6 Brake fluid reservoir
111
7 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning system
108
8 Engine oil dipstick
108
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE
ProCarManuals.com

107
OVERVIEW
REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS
DATA
INDEX
1 Reservoir for windshield and rear

window
* washer system
108
2 Vehicle identification number
3 Coolant expansion tank
110
4 Engine oil filler neck
109
5 Auxiliary termin al for jump-
starting
134
6 Brake fluid reservoir
111
7 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning system
108
8 Engine oil dipstick
108
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER S AND MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE
ProCarManuals.com

111
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
BRAKE FLUIDWarning lamp
The warning lamp comes on although the parking brake is
released:

The brake fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, refer to page
16. At the same time,
brake pedal travel may become signifi
-
cantly longer.

Have the system checked immediately.
Display of the malfunction described above in Canadian mod
-
els.
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
96.
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
or a workshop that has specially trained
personnel working in accordance with the
specifications of the MINI manufacturer,
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.<
ProCarManuals.com

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
148
A ABS Antilock Brake System
70
indicator lamp
17, 18
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle
6
Activated-charcoal filter
80
Adjusting interior
temperature
76, 79
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air mode
76, 79
Air conditioning

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Air conditioning system
75
Air distribution

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation
77, 80
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure
97
Air volume

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Airbags
72
safe seating position
41
warning lamp
18
AKI, refer to Fuel quality
94
All Season traction Control
(ASC)
68
indicator lamps
17, 18
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires
103

Antenna
114

Antifreeze

coolant
110

washer fluid
108

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
70
indicator lamp
17, 18
Anti-theft system
24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights
143
, 144

Approved engine oils
109

Approved gross vehicle weight,
refer to Weights
143
, 144

ASC All Season traction
Control
68
indicator lamps
17, 18
Ashtray
81
Assistant systems, refer to

All Season traction Control
(ASC)
68
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
69
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
79
Automatic

air distribution
79
air volume
79
cruise control
61
Automatic car washes
113

Automatic climate control
78
Automatic transmission

with Steptronic

indicator lamp
56
interlock
51
selector lever lock
54
shiftlock
54
towing
136

tow-starting
137

Average consumption
67
setting units
67
Average speed
67
setting units
67
Axle loads, refer to
Weights
143
, 144

B Backrests, refer to

Adjusting seats
43
Backup lamp
54
bulb replacement
123

Bar, towing
137

Battery
132

charging
132

disposal
132

indicator lamp
16
jump-starting
134

power failure
132

Battery care
65, 112

Belts, refer to Safety belts
45
Beverage holders
81
Blower

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Blower, refer to Air volume
76
Blowers, refer to Draft-free
ventilation
77, 80
Bonnet
105

indicator lamp
17
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders
81
Brake discs

brake system
96
break-in procedures
92
Brake fluid
111

adding
111

level
96
warning lamp
16
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement
123

Brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
warning lamp
18
Brake system
96
brake fluid
96
brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
disc brakes
96
warning lamp
17
Brake wear warning

brake pads
96
warning lamp
18

ProCarManuals.com

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
149
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Brakes
96
ABS
70
brake fluid
111

brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
handbrake
53
indicator/warning
lamps
16, 17, 18
Breaking in
92
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs
121

Buttons in multifunction
steering wheel
20
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
56
C California Proposition 65
warning
7
Capacities
145

Car care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle
113

Car keys, refer to Keys
24
Car radio, refer to separate Owner's Manual

Car telephone, refer to separate Owner's Manual

Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting, refer to Cigarette
lighter socket
82
Car wash
113

Car wash, refer to Washing
your vehicle
113

Car-care products
113

Care of plastics
114

Care of synthetic leather
114

Care, vehicle
113

Cargo area cover, refer to
Luggage compartment
cover
85
Cargo area, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
85
Cargo area, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible
86
Carpet care
115

Cassette operation, refer to

Owner's Manual for Radio

Catalytic converter, refer to

Hot exhaust system
93
CBC Cornering Brake Control
70
CD changer, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio

CD operation, refer to

Owner's Manual for Radio

Central locking system
24
interior
28
Changing bulbs
121

Changing the wiper
blades
120
, 121

Changing tires
127

space-saver spare tire
125

Charge-current indicator
light
16
Child seat, refer to Installing
child-restraint systems
49
Children, transporting
48
Child-restraint mounting
system, LATCH
50
Child-restraint systems
48
Chock, folding

space-saver spare tire
125

Chrome parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle
114

Chrome-plated parts, care
114

Cigarette lighter
82
Cigarette lighter socket
82
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated air mode
76, 79
Cleaning the rear window
60
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
113

Clock
63
12-hour/24-hour mode
63
changing the time
63
Closing

from inside
28
from outside
25
Clothes hooks
93
Clutch
51
break-in procedures
92
Cockpit
12
Coding, tires
99
Cold start, refer to

Starting the engine
52
Compact disk operation, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio

Compartments
81
Computer, refer to Onboard
computer
66
Condensed water, refer to Air
conditioning
76, 79
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory
47
Consumption, refer to

Average consumption
67
Current fuel consumption
67
Contents
2
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
54
ignition
51
indicator lamp
56
interlock
51
selector lever lock
54
shiftlock
54
towing
136

tow-starting
137

Control elements, refer to
Cockpit
12
ProCarManuals.com