2008 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE light

117
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
NEW WHEELS AND TIRES SNOW CHAINS
*
Special characteristics of winter tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends winter tires for driving in adverse
winter road conditions. While all-season
tires with the M+S designation provide bet-
ter winter traction than summer tires, they
generally do not achieve the full perfor-
mance of winter tires.
Observe speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum speed
for which the winter tires are rated. them against light whenever possible. Pro-
tect the tires against contact with oil,
grease and fuel. Do not exceed the tire
inflation pressure specified on the tire side-
wall.
Only certain types of snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your
MINI, classified as road-safe and recom-
mended. Contact your MINI Dealer for
more details. Their use is only permitted in
pairs on the front wheels on winter tires of
the following types:
>175/65 R 15 M+S
>175/60 R 16 M+S.
When fitting, comply with the manufac-
turer's instructions. With chains, do not
exceed a speed of 30 mph / 50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor
after attaching snow chains to the
tires.
When driving with snow chains, it can be
helpful to switch off the ASC or DSC for a
brief period, refer to page72.<

123
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COOLANTAs an example, the illustration shows 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:
Slightly unscrew the cap of the expan-
sion tank 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 tank
4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill
5. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con-
vertible:
Reattach the cap and press it down
firmly
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-
vertible:
Screw the cap back on and tighten it
firmly
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.

124
BRAKE SYSTEMBrake fluid level
The warning lamp comes on
although the parking brake is not
engaged:
The brake fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, refer to page16. At the same time,
brake pedal travel may become signifi-
cantly longer.
Have the system checked immediately.
If 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.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
If you continue driving, higher brake
application pressure may be neces-
sary, and there may be a slight pull to one
side. Brake pedal travel may also be longer.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.<

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-

128
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLEner, heavy-duty grease remover, fuel or
similar
>Fine-wood parts
*:
Please clean wood paneling and other
wood parts only with a damp cloth. Dry
off with a soft cloth
>Safety belts:
Only clean using mild soap, leaving the
belts installed.
Do not dry clean, as the fabric can be
destroyed.
Always roll up safety belts only when
dry.
Dirty safety belts prevent unrolling and
thus negatively affect safety
>Floor carpets and floor mats
*:
Use an interior cleaner to clean these
items if they are heavily soiled. Floor
mats can be removed to allow the inte-
rior to be cleaned
>Wiper blades:
Clean with soap and water. Replace
wiper blades twice a year, before and
after the cold season. This is particularly
important on vehicles fitted with a rain
sensor.
Caring for leather* and imitation
leatherThe leather and imitation leather used by
the manufacturer of your MINI are high quality products processed using state-of-
the-art methods and will retain their qual-
ity level for many years if cared for prop-
erly.
Regular cleaning and care are necessary, as
dust and road dirt scratch in pores and
creases and lead to heavy wear as well as
premature brittleness of the leather and
imitation leather surface.
This is why you should use a cloth or vac-
uum cleaner to remove dust on a regular
basis.
Since dirt and oil slowly destroy the protec-
tive layer of the leather and imitation
leather, a treatment with a leather care
product is necessary twice a year. This pre-
serves the quality of the leather and pre-
vents electrostatic charging.
Cleaning agents can contain hazard-
ous or health-damaging substances.
For this reason, always observe the warn-
ings on the package. For interior cleaning,
always open the doors or windows of the
vehicle.
Do not use any products that are not
intended for cleaning the vehicle.<
Care of the MINI Convertible's top The appearance and service life of the con-
vertible top largely depend on the proper
care and operation of the convertible top.
You should therefore observe the following
notes in particular:
>Whenever possible, park your vehicle in
the shade to protect it from intense sun-
light
>Do not fold the convertible top when it is
wet, dirty or frozen; otherwise water
marks, moisture stains and chafing could
result
>If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed
area for a longer period of time, make
sure that there is sufficient ventilation
>Remove bird droppings immediately
because they have corrosive properties.
Never use spot removers, paint thin-
ner, solvents, cleaning fuel or similar
since these products can destroy the rubber
seals and cause leaks.<

136
LAMPS AND BULBSRear fog lamp*With the space-saver spare tire option:
Access to the lamp via the back or under-
side of the bumper.
1. Press the clips together
2. Push the lamp out of the bumper
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left
4. Remove and replace the bulb.
Other equipment:
In the event of a malfunction, please
contact your MINI Dealer or a work-
shop that has specially trained personnel
working in accordance with the specifica-
tions of your MINI manufacturer.<
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb
As an example, the illustration shows the
license plate lamp of the MINI.
1. Apply a screwdriver to the recess and
lever out the lamp cover
2. Replace the bulb.Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
sources for many of the controls and dis-
plays in your vehicle. These light-emitting
diodes are related to conventional lasers,
and legislation defines them as light-emit-
ting diodes, Class 1.
Do not remove the protective lenses
and avoid staring directly at the unfil-
tered beam for several hours, as inflamma-
tion of the retina could result.<

138
SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The screw connection of the space-saver
spare tire is in the luggage compartment
under the floor mat, on the base of the
storage compartment for the tire change
set.
1. Loosen the screw connection using the
special wrench
2. Take out the cover panel
3. Screw the lifting handle from the
onboard tool kit onto the thread
4. Raise the lifting handle slightly
5. Squeeze the securing spring
6. The space-saver spare tire is released
and must be held by the lifting handle
7. Lower the space-saver spare tire with
the lifting handle
8. Unscrew the lifting handle