121
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
MINI MAINTENANCE SYSTEMThe MINI maintenance system helps main-
tain your vehicle's road safety and opera-
tional safety.
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 determine
maintenance intervals according to fixed
kilometer readings, the MINI Maintenance
System takes the vehicle's driving condi-
tions into account because not every mile is
the same as another in this respect.
From a maintenance standpoint,
60,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated
through short-distance driving cannot be
treated the same as 60,000 miles/
100,000 km accumulated through long-dis-
tance highway travel.
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, i.e. 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, refer to page69.
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.
The manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends having maintenance and
repair work carried out only by a MINI
Dealer or a workshop that has specially
trained personnel working in accordance
with the specifications of the MINI manu-
facturer.
Make sure that maintenance work is con-
firmed with an entry 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.<
135
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 upwards
11. Unscrew the valve extension from the
valve of the space-saver spare tire
12. 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.<
Check the tire inflation pressure at
the earliest opportunity and correct it
if necessary. Replace the defective tire as
soon as possible and have the new wheel/
tire assembly balanced.<
Additional safety measures in the
event of a tire change:
Change tires only on a flat, solid and non-
slippery surface.
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.<
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions
regarding flat tires on page133.<
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.
EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
157
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Brake pads99
break-in procedures98
warning lamp18
Brake system120
brake fluid120
brake pads99
break-in procedures98
disc brakes99
warning lamp17
Brake wear warning
brake pads99
warning lamp18
Brakes120
ABS72
brake fluid120
brake pads99
break-in procedures98
CBC72
indicator/warning
lamps16,17,18
parking brake54
Breaking in98
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs129
Buttons on multifunction
steering wheel20
automatic transmission with
Steptronic58 C
California Proposition 65
warning7
Capacities153
Car care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle122
Car keys, refer to Keys24
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
87
Car wash122
Car wash, refer to Washing
your vehicle122
Car-care products122
Care of plastics123
Care of synthetic leather123
Care, vehicle122
Cargo area
opening from the outside29
opening with the remote
control26
volume151,152
Cargo area cover, refer to
Luggage compartment
cover90
Cargo area, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI90 Carpet care124
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system100
CBC Cornering Brake Control72
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio
CD operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio
Center armrest86
Central locking system24
interior28
Changing bulbs129
Changing the wiper
blades128,129
Changing tires135
space-saver spare tire133
Charge-current indicator
light16
Child seat, refer to Installing
child-restraint systems50
Children, transporting50
Child-restraint fixing system,
LATCH52
Child-restraint systems50
Chock, folding
space-saver spare tire133
Chrome parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle123
Chrome-plated parts, care123 Cigarette lighter87
Cigarette lighter socket87
Cigarette tray, refer to
Ashtray86
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated air mode80,83
Cleaning the rear window64
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle122
Clock67
12-hour/24-hour mode67
changing the time67
Closing
from inside28
from outside25
Clothes hooks100
Clutch53
break-in procedures98
Cockpit12
Coding, tires108
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine53
Compact disk operation, refer
to Owner's Manual for Radio
Compartments, refer to
Storage compartments85
Computer, refer to Onboard
computer70
Condensed water, refer to Air
conditioning80,83
