2009 MINI Clubman tow

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
85
If the rear seat backrests are positioned at
a steeper angle, do not install child-
restraint systems in the rear of the vehicle as
their protective features may be ineffective.<
Partition net*
Ensure that the partition net is firmly
attached, otherwise injuries may occur.<
The partition net can be mounted in the cargo
bay or behind the front seats.
In the cargo bay
1.Fold the rear seat backrest forward if neces-
sary, page84.
2.Insert each partition net mounting pin all the
way into its respective rear mount in the
headliner, arrow 1, and push it forward.
3.Hang the hooks of the partition net into the
eyelets on the cargo bay floor, arrow2.
Behind the front seats
1.Fold down the rear seat backrests, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay.
2.Insert each partition net mounting pin all the
way into its respective front mount in the
headliner, arrow1, and push it forward.3.Fold up the eyelets on the rear seat and
hook the partition net into them, arrow2.
Level load floor*
The maximum load capacity of the level
load floor is 165 lb/75 kg. For the storage
compartment under the load floor, do not
exceed a maximum load of 55 lb/25 kg, other-
wise damage may occur.<
Raise the level load floor and fold it up toward
the front, arrow.
Removing
1.Fold up the level load floor.
2.Pull the load floor back slightly.
3.Then take it out toward the top.
Determining cargo limit
1.Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants
and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, overloading
can result in damage to the vehicle and
unstable driving conditions.<

Things to remember when driving
86
2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
For example, if the XXX amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be four 150 lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs:
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.
5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, part of
the load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how this
may reduce the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The
greater the weight of the occupants, the less
cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the
rear seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the
respective opposite buckle.
>Do not stack higher than the top edge of the
backrests.
>Use the partition net, refer to page85. En-
sure that no objects can penetrate through
the net.
Securing cargo
By way of example, the illustration shows the
cargo compartment in the MINI.
>Secure smaller and lighter items using re-
taining or draw straps
*.
>Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing larger
and heavier objects are available at your
MINI Dealer. Four lashing eyes are provided
for attaching the cargo straps. Two of them
are located on the forward wall of the
cargo bay.
Comply with the information enclosed with
the load-securing devices.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerves are necessary.
Do not exceed the approved gross weight and
axle loads, page142; otherwise the vehicle's

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
99
RSC – Run-Flat Tires
You will recognize Run-Flat Tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side of
the tire, page100.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than sum-
mer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire condition
Inspect your tires regularly for tread wear, signs
of damage and for foreign objects lodged in the
tread. Check the tread depth.
Tread depth
The tread depth should not drop below 1/8 in/
3 mm, although, for example, European legisla-
tion only specifies a minimum tread depth of
1/16 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths below 1/8 in/
3 mm there is an increased risk of high-speed
hydroplaning, even when only small amounts of
water are present on the road surface.
Winter tires
When winter tires wear down past a tread depth
of 1/6 in/4 mm, they become perceptibly less
suitable for winter conditions. In the interest of
safety, new tires should be installed.
Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators in the base of the tread groove
are distributed around the tire's circumference; the letters TWI, for Tread Wear Indicator, on the
tire's sidewalls identify tires that incorporate
these wear indicators. When tire tread is worn
down to the level of the wear indicators, the
remaining tread depth is 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Tire damage
Please note that low-profile tires cause wheels,
tires and suspension parts to be more suscepti-
ble to road hazard and consequential damages.
Unusual vibrations encountered during normal
vehicle operation can indicate tire failure or
some other vehicle defect. This can, for exam-
ple, be caused by driving over curbs. The same
applies to any other abnormal road behavior,
such as pulling severely to the right or left.
In these cases, reduce speed immediately
and have wheels and tires thoroughly
checked. To do so, drive carefully to the nearest
MINI Dealer or tire shop that works according to
MINI repair procedures with correspondingly
trained personnel. If necessary, have the vehicle
towed there.
Otherwise tire damage can be extremely dan-
gerous for vehicle occupants and other road
users.<
Tire age
The manufacturing date of tires is contained in
the tire coding:
DOT ... 0309 means that the tire was manufac-
tured in week 3 of 2009.
For various reasons, such as the development
of brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends tire replacement after no more
than 6 years, regardless of the actual wear of
the tires.

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103
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Battery, under the cover123
2Engine oil dipstick103
3Engine oil filler neck1044Coolant expansion tank105
5Reservoir for washer fluid for the headlamp
and window washer system44
6Engine compartment fuse box121
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
1.With the vehicle's engine at normal operat-
ing temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted
driving for at least 6 miles/10 km, park the
vehicle on a level surface.
2.Switch off the engine.
3.Pull the dipstick out after approx. 5 minutes
and wipe it off with a lint-free cloth, paper
towel or similar material.
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way into
the guide tube and pull it out again.
The oil level should be between the two
marks on the dipstick.The oil quantity corresponding to the difference
between the two marks on the dipstick is 1 US
quart/1 liter.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the
dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine.<

Replacing components
112
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
Your vehicle comes with an onboard tool kit that
varies with the equipment version; it is stored
underneath the level load floor.
>Mobility System with onboard tool kit and
tire change set
*116
>Tire change set with onboard tool kit for
space-saver spare tire118
Wiper blades
Changing the front wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Position the wiper blade horizontally.
3.Press the securing spring, arrow.
4.Unhook the wiper blade toward the
windshield.
5.Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top.
6.Insert the new wiper blade.
7.Press into position until you hear it engage.8.Fold down the wiper arm.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the bonnet.<
Changing the rear wiper blade
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2.Press together the locking spring, arrow 1,
and fold out the wiper blade.
3.Pull the wiper blade away from and out of
the catch mechanism, arrow 2.
4.Press the new wiper blade into the fixture
until it engages audibly.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, be
handled carefully. The manufacturer of your
MINI recommends having your MINI Dealer per-
form any work that you do not feel competent to
perform yourself or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your MINI Dealer.
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
115
Replacing a fog lamp bulb
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Turn in the wheel.
2.Remove cover 2.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
3.Screw out the lower bulb counterclockwise.
4.To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
Side turn signal indicators
5 watt bulb, W 5 W
1.Push the lamp with the ventilation grate for-
ward and remove.
2.Screw out the bulb holder counterclockwise.
3.Pull out and replace the bulb.
4.To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
Tail lamps
1Brake lamp/tail lamp
21 watt/5 watt bulb, W 5 W
2Turn signal lamp
21 watt bulb, P 21 W
3Rear fog lamp
* P 21 W
4Backup lamp
21 watt bulb, P 21 W
Remove the cover from the sidewall of the
cargo bay.
Changing
1.Using the screwdriver from the onboard tool
kit, remove the screw at the top.
2.Swing out the tail lamp and remove it
toward the top.

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117
1Compressor
2Filling hose, value remover, speed restric-
tion label
3Wheel stud wrench
*
4Vehicle jack*
5Torx insert bit for screwdriver
6Flat screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver, towing
eyelet
7Hub cover remover
8Filling canister
Use of the Mobility System may be ineffec-
tive if the tire puncture measures approx.
1/8 in/4 mm or more. Contact the nearest MINI
Dealer if the tire cannot be made drivable with
the Mobility System.<
Liquid sealant
1Filling hose
2Filling canister
Filling
1.Shake the filling canister.
2.Screw the filling hose onto the filling
canister.
3.Unscrew the dust cap from the valve of the
defective tire.4.Screw out the valve core with the valve
remover. The valve remover is located in a
package with the filling hose.
5.Remove the cap from the filling hose.
6.Push the filling hose onto the tire valve.
7.Hold the filling canister with the cap down
and squeeze.
8.Squeeze the entire contents of the canister
into the tire.
9.Remove the filling hose.
10.Screw the valve core into the tire valve with
the valve remover.
In the event of a lost or dirty valve core
you will find another valve core in the
package with the filling hose.
Remember that the liquid canister must be
replaced every four years if the equipment has
not been used.<
Compressor
Connector, cable and connection hose are
stored in the compressor housing.
1Connector and cable for lighter socket
2Connection hose for connecting the com-
pressor and tire valve
3On/off switch
4Pressure gauge for indicating the tire infla-
tion pressure
5Release button for reducing the tire inflation
pressure
Reinflating the tire
1.Unscrew the dust cap from the tire valve of
the defective tire.
2.Screw connection hose2 onto the tire valve.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
119
located beneath the floor mat or level load floor
in the cargo bay.
1Folding chock and cover for defective wheel
2Vehicle jack
3Wheel stud wrench
4Hub cover remover
5Flat screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver
6Torx insert bit for screwdriver
7Towing eyelet
The onboard tool kit includes a pouch with
a plastic bag in which you can place the dam-
aged wheel.
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The space-saver spare tire is located under the
tire change set in the cargo bay.
1.Fold up the floor mat.
2.Unscrew the nut, arrow, and remove the
space-saver spare tire.
Driving with the space-saver spare tire
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Changes may
occur in vehicle handling such as lower track sta-
bility during braking, longer braking distances
and changes in self-steering properties when
close to the handling limit. These properties are
more noticeable with winter tires.<
Only one space-saver spare tire may be
mounted at one time. Mount a wheel and
tire of the original size as soon as possible, to
avoid any safety risks.<
Check the tire inflation pressure at the ear-
liest opportunity and correct it if neces-
sary. Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced.<
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions regarding
flat tires on page116.<
Additional safety measures when chang-
ing tires:
Only change the tire when parked on a surface
that is level, firm and not slippery.
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 capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise there is a risk of fatal injury.<
1.Place the foldable chock
* behind the front
wheel on the other side of the vehicle or in
front of the wheel if the vehicle is on an in-
cline. If the wheel is changed on a surface
with a more severe slope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from
rolling.
2.Uncover the lug bolts if necessary.
If the wheel is equipped with a hub cover,
pry it off using the screwdriver from the tire
change kit.
3.Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
Jacking up the vehicle
The vehicle jack is designed for changing
wheels only. Do not attempt to raise
another vehicle model with it or to raise any load