2008 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE ESP

126
SOCKET FOR ONBOARD DIAGNOSTICS OBD CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLEPrimary components of exhaust emissions
can be checked by a device via the OBD
socket.
This socket is located to the left of the
driver's side, on the bottom of the instru-
ment panel underneath a cover.Exhaust emission values
The warning lamp comes on. The
exhaust emissions have deterio-
rated. Have the vehicle checked as
soon as possible.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
Under some circumstances, the lamp will
flash. This indicates severe engine misfir-
ing. In this case, you should reduce your
speed and visit your nearest MINI Dealer as
soon as possible. Severe engine misfiring
can quickly lead to serious damage of emis-
sions-related components, especially the
catalytic converter.
If the fuel filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system may con-
clude that fuel vapors are escaping, causing
an indicator to light up. If the filler cap is
then tightened, the indicator should go out
within a few days.<
Suitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care prod-
ucts available at your MINI Dealer.<
Washing your vehicleYou can wash your new MINI or MINI Con-
vertible in automatic car washes from the
beginning. 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 corrode.
Switch the rain sensor off when passing
through an automatic car wash, refer to
page63. Failure to do so could result in

127
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLEdamage caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion. 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 note: do not rub the head-
lamps dry and do not use any abrasive or
caustic cleaning products. Remove dirt and
contamination, 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.
Care of special parts>Light-alloy wheels
*:
Use wheel cleaner especially during the
winter months, but do not use any
aggressive, acidic, strong alkali or rough
cleansers or steam jets above 1407/
606. Observe the manufacturer's
instructions
>Chrome parts
* such as the bonnet grille,
door handles, and similar parts:
Particularly if they were exposed to road
salt, clean these parts carefully with
plenty of water and shampoo additive, if
necessary. For additional treatment, use
chrome polish
>Rubber components:
Treat only with water or rubber care
products.
Do not use silicon sprays or other
silicon-containing care products,
otherwise noise and damage could
occur.<
>Plastic parts, artificial leather surfaces,
headliner, lamp lenses, cover glass over
display elements as well as matt-black
die-cast parts:
Clean these parts with water and plastic
care products, if necessary. Do not
dampen seats and the headliner.
Never use solvents such as lacquer thin-

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:

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
163
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving downhill103
Driving hints, refer to Driving
notes102
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams60
Driving notes102
Driving stability control
systems72
Driving through water104
Dry air, refer to Cooling
function83
,86
Drying air,
refer to Cooling
function83,86
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control72
indicator lamp17
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)72
indicator lamp17
E
Easy entry to the rear45
EBD Electronic Brake Force
Distribution72Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
convertible top37
door lock27
driver's door27
fuel filler door106
,107
glass sunroof, electric34
tailgate30
Electric glass sunroof33
Electric power windows31
initializing32
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)72
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)72
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
convertible top37
driver's door27
fuel filler door106,107
glass sunroof, electric34
tailgate30
transmission lock, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic56Engine
break-in procedures102
data152
electronics18
indicator lamp18
overheated, refer to
Coolant temperature
gauge68
speed69
starting53
switching off54
Engine compartment
MINI COOPER and MINI
COOPER Convertible119
MINI COOPER S and MINI
COOPER S Convertible120
Engine coolant122
Engine data152
Engine oil121
adding121
dipstick121
indicator/warning lamp16
recommended oils122
specified oil grades122
Engine oil level121
indicator/warning lamp16
Engine oil level, checking121
Engine oil pressure, indicator/
warning lamp16
Engine output, refer to Engine
data152Entry to the rear45
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)72
Exhaust system, refer to
Hot exhaust system104
Exterior mirrors48
adjusting48
automatic heating48
folding in and out48
External audio device88
Eyelet, for towing and tow-
starting147
F
Failure of an electrical
consumer144
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts46
Filling canister, refer to MINI
Mobility System142
Filling hose, refer to MINI
Mobility System142
Filter, refer to
Microfilter84
Microfilter/Activated-
charcoal filter
87
Flat
Run Flat tires77

Please enter your preferred fuel quality here.
The oil volume between the two marks on the dip-
stick corresponds to approx. 1.1 US quarts/1 liter.FuelQualityEngine oil Preferred oil gradeTire inflation pressure
Summer Winter
front rear front rear
2 persons
4 persons plus luggage
To ensure that you always have convenient access
to all essential information when you stop for fuel,
we recommend that you take the time to fill out
the adjoining chart by entering the data that
applies to your vehicle.
REFUELING