2008 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE battery

56
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH STEPTRONIC
*
In addition to the fully automatic mode,
you can shift gears manually using Step-
tronic, refer to page57.Selector lever positionsP R N D M/S + –
Range selection>The selector lever can be moved out of
position P when the ignition is switched
on or the engine is running: interlock.
>While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of P or N, depress the
footbrake in order to disengage the
selector lever's lock mechanism: shift-
lock.
Keep your foot on the brake until start-
ing off, otherwise the vehicle will start
to move when a drive position is
engaged.
A lock prevents the selector lever from acci-
dentally being moved to the R or P posi-
tions. To override the lock, press the button
on the front of the selector lever knob, see
arrow.
If the engine speed is too high when
the vehicle is at a standstill, the selec-
tor lever is also blocked to protect the
transmission.
If the selector lever is not placed in
position P when the vehicle is parked, the
position display of the selector lever stays
on. This can lead to battery discharge.<
PParkSelect only when the vehicle is completely
stopped. The transmission locks to prevent
the drive wheels from turning.R Reverse Select only when the vehicle is completely
stopped.N Neutral: idleSelect this when you are in a car wash, for
example. The vehicle can roll.D Drive: automatic driving positionThis position is designed for driving under
all normal operating conditions.
Under normal operation conditions, fuel
consumption is lowest when you drive in
position D.

60
PARKING LAMPS/LOW BEAMS1Parking lamps
2Low beams
3 Automatic headlamp control
*
Parking lamps
Turn the light switch to position 1.
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
For the additional option of activating the
lights on one side of the vehicle for parking,
refer to Switching on the standing lamps,
page60.
The parking lamps discharge the bat-
tery.
Avoid using them for longer periods of
time; otherwise, you may not be able to
start the engine.<


Low beams
Turn the light switch to position 2.
With the low beams on and with
the ignition switched off, only the
parking lamps will remain on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position 3, the system
automatically activates and can-
cels the low beams in response to
changes in ambient light, for example in
tunnels, at dusk, and when there is precipi-
tation.
When driving into a tunnel with bright
overhead lights, there may be a delay
before the low beams come on.
The low beams may also come on when the
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
When you switch on the fog lamps,
the low-beam headlamps remain on
regardless of the ambient light. When the
daytime running lamps are activated, refer
to page61, the low beams come on and
remain lit when the switch is in position 1
and the ignition is switched on.<
Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's
judgement in determining when the vehi-
cle lights should be switched on. For exam-
ple, the sensors are not able to detect fog or
hazy weather. To avoid safety risks, you
should respond to these kinds of low-visi-
bility situations by switching the head-
lamps on manually.<
You can have the sensitivity of your
vehicle's automatic headlamp con-
trol adjusted. having switched off the engine and the
lights, the low beams will stay lit for a pre-
set period of time.
You can have this function pro-
grammed. side of the vehicle. Observe local laws.
In ignition key position 0:
Move the lever to the adequate turn signal
indicator position.
The standing lamps discharge the
battery. Avoid using them for longer

119
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
1 Reservoir for windshield and rear
window washer system
*
64
2 Vehicle identification number
3 Coolant expansion tank1224 Engine oil filler neck121
5 Battery144
6 Brake fluid reservoir1247 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system
*
64
8Engine oil dipstick121
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE

133
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
WIPER BLADES LAMPS AND BULBSRear window wiper*1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
2. Turn the wiper blade as far as it will go
to the rear
3. Press the wiper blade against the limit
and thus out of the mounting
4. Press the new wiper blade into the
mounting.
Lamps and bulbs are an important compo-
nent of vehicle safety. Therefore, proceed
carefully when handling bulbs.
To replace bulbs which are not described
here, please contact a MINI Dealer or a
workshop that has specially trained per-
sonnel working in accordance with the
specifications of the MINI manufacturer.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands since
even small amounts of impurities burn into
the surface and reduce the service life of
the bulb. Use a clean cloth, paper napkin, or
similar material, or hold the bulb by its
metallic base.<
A replacement bulb set can be obtained at
your MINI Dealer.
Whenever working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal of the
battery. Failure to do this could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, comply
with any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<

144
VEHICLE BATTERYStorage locationMINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Convert-
ible:
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment, refer to page119.
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-
vertible:
The battery is located in the luggage com-
partment under the floor mat.Battery careThe battery is absolutely maintenance-free,
that is, the original electrolyte will normally
last for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions. Your MINI
Dealer will be glad to advise you if you have
any questions regarding the battery.Charging the batteryOnly charge the battery in the vehicle via
the terminals in the engine compartment
with the engine switched off, refer to
'Jump-starting', page146.
Disposal
After replacing old batteries, return
the used batteries to your MINI
Dealer or to a recycling point. Maintain the
battery in an upright position for transport
and storage. Secure the battery to prevent
it from tilting during transport.<
Power failureAfter a temporary power failure, e.g. due to
a discharged battery, some of your vehicle's
equipment will function only to a limited
extent and must be reinitialized or read-
justed. Individual settings are also lost and
must be reprogrammed:
>The clock must be reset, refer to page67
>The power windows must be reinitial-
ized, refer to page32
>Radio
*:
The stations must be reset, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
>Navigation system
*:
It may take some time for its operability
to be restored, refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Navigation System.

145
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUSES
Do not attempt to repair a blown
fuse or replace it with a fuse of a dif-
ferent color or Ampere rating. To do this
could cause a fire in the vehicle resulting
from a circuit overload.<
If a second fuse blows in the same cir-
cuit, have the cause rectified by your
MINI Dealer.<
A fuse allocation diagram is located on the
inside of the fuse box cover panel.
Plastic tweezers and spare fuses can be
found in the fuse box in the vehicle interior.
In the engine compartmentIn the MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER
Convertible to the right of the battery.
In the MINI COOPER S and the MINI COO-
PER S Convertible to the right of the air fil-
ter box.
Open the fuse box lid. To do so, press the
clip fastener.
In the vehicle interiorOn the left side of the footwell in the side
trim panel.
Open the fuse box lid. To do so, press the
fastener.

146
JUMP-STARTINGWhen your battery is discharged, you can
use two jumper cables to start your vehicle
with power from the battery in a second
vehicle. Correspondingly you can help start
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables
with fully insulated handles on the termi-
nal clamps.Preparing for jump-starting
Do not touch live wiring and cables
on a running engine. There is a risk of
fatal injury if you do this. Carefully observe
the following instructions to avoid per-
sonal injury and/or damage to either vehi-
cle or both vehicles. Make sure that there is
no contact between the bodywork of the
two vehicles to avoid a short circuit haz-
ard.<
1. Check whether the battery of the sup-
port vehicle has 12 Volts and approxi-
mately the same capacity measured in
Ah. These data are printed on the bat-
tery
2. Switch off the engine of the support
vehicle
3. Switch off any electrical systems and
components in both vehicles.Connect the jumper cables
Al ways adh ere to th is seque nce w hen
connecting the jumper cables; failure
to observe this procedure can lead to spark-
ing and pose an injury hazard.<
The illustration shows the auxiliary jump-
starting terminal on the MINI COOPER S
and the MINI COOPER S Convertible.
In the MINI COOPER S and the MINI
COOPER S Convertible, the auxiliary jump-
starting terminal, arrow 1, acts as the posi-
tive battery terminal, refer to view of
engine compartment on page120. The
cover is marked with a +.
1. Remove the cover of the battery or open
the cover of the auxiliary jump-starting
terminal:
>MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con-
vertible:
Remove the battery cover.
To do so, press the two clips simulta-
neously.
>MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S
Convertible:

147
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
JUMP-STARTING TOWING AND TOW-STARTING
Flip open the cover of the auxiliary
jump-starting terminal, arrow 1
2. Connect one terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive bat-
tery terminal or to an auxiliary jump-
starting terminal of the support vehicle
3. Connect the other terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive bat-
tery terminal or to an auxiliary jump-
starting terminal of the vehicle to be
started
Engine or body ground in your MINI or MINI
Convertible: arrow 2.
4. Connect one terminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative
battery terminal or to an engine or body
ground of the support vehicle
5. Connect the second terminal clamp of
the minus/– jumper cable to the nega-
tive terminal of the battery or to the
engine or body ground of the vehicle to
be started.
Performing the jump-start1. Start the engine of the support vehicle
and allow it to run at increased idle
speed for several minutes
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle in
the usual manner.
If the first start attempt is not success-
ful, wait a few minutes before another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge
3. Allow the engines of both vehicles to run
for several minutes.
On the MINI or MINI Convertible:
Before disconnecting the jumper
cables, switch on the lighting, the rear
window defroster and the highest
blower speed to prevent a voltage surge
from the regulator to the electrical sys-
tems and components.<
4. Then disconnect the jumper cables in
the reverse order.
If necessary have the battery checked and
completely charged at a MINI Dealer.
Do not use spray starter fluids to start
the engine.<
Observe all applicable laws and regu-
lations for towing and tow-start-
ing.<
Do not transport any occupant other
than the driver in a vehicle that is
being towed.<
Using the towing eyelet The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit, refer to page132; be sure
that it remains with the vehicle at all times.
It can be attached at the front or rear of
your vehicle.
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 subject-
ing the towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g.
do not lift the vehicle using the towing eye-
let. Otherwise, the towing eyelet and the
vehicle could be damaged.<