Care
120
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain a suffi-
cient distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a
maximum temperature of 1407/606.
If the distance is too close, the pressure too high,
or the temperature too high, parts of the vehicle
can be damaged, or water can penetrate.
Observe the operating instructions for high-
pressure washers.<
Do not spray sensors such as Park Dis-
tance Control with high-pressure washers
for a long time or at a distance of less than
1 ft/30 cm.<
Manual washing
Use a great deal of water and, if necessary, car
shampoo when washing your car by hand. Clean
the vehicle with a sponge or a washing brush
applying a slight amount of pressure.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or turn off the ignition
to prevent unintentional wiping.<
Observe local regulations regarding wash-
ing vehicles by hand.<
Headlamps
Do not wipe dry and do not use abrasive or cor-
rosive cleaning agents. Remove dirt and con-
tamination, such as insects, by soaking with
shampoo and then washing with plenty of
water.
Do not remove accumulated ice and snow with
an ice scraper; use window de-icers instead.
Windows
Clean the outside and inside of the windows and
mirrors with a window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners
containing quartz.<
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and change regularly to
prevent the formation of streaksWax, preservatives and dirt on the win-
dows cause streaks when the windshield
wipers are on, and can cause premature wear of
the wiper blades and interfere with the rain sen-
sor.<
Care of the convertible top
The appearance and service life of the convert-
ible top largely depends on its proper care and
operation.
Please follow these instructions:
>Never attempt to fold and stow the convert-
ible top in the convertible compartment
when the top is wet or frozen. Otherwise
water stains, mildew, and chafe marks may
occur.
>Should water stains still appear on the head-
lining, use a microfibre cloth and interior
cleaning solution to remove them.
>If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area
for a longer period of time, make sure that
there is sufficient ventilation.
>Remove any bird droppings immediately,
since they have corrosive properties which
will corrode the convertible top and damage
the rubber seals.
When attempting to remove stains from
the convertible top, do not use spot
removers, paint thinners, solvents, gasoline, or
similar fluids. These cleaners may damage the
rubber seals. The improper care or cleaning
methods may cause the convertible top and its
seams to leak.<
Use special convertible top cleaning agents if
attempting to remove heavy stains.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
Use an impregnating agent to treat the convert-
ible top once a year.
Paintwork, care
Regular care maintains the vehicle's value and
protects the paint from the long-term effects of
paint-damaging substances.
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
123
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
*128
>Tire change set with onboard tool kit for
space-saver spare tire130
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 wind-
shield.
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.To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the bonnet.<
MINI: Changing the rear wiper blade
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Rotate the wiper blade toward the back as
far as it will go, arrow.
3.Press the wiper blade against the limit and
thus out of the mounting.
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.
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
159
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders87
Brake Assist63
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements57
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs127
Brake pads, breaking in90
Brake rotors91
– brakes90
– breaking in90
Brake system90
– breaking in90
– disc brakes91
– MINI Maintenance
System117
Brakes
– ABS63
– breaking in90
– MINI Maintenance
System117
– parking brake45
– service requirements57
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely91
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance134
Break-in period90
Breaking in the clutch90
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs123
Button for starting the
engine43
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders87
Capacities156
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery132
Car care119
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls18Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest85
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car wash91
Car wash, care119
Car washes119
Care119
– Car washes119
– Car-care products119
– CD/DVD drives122
– High-pressure washers120
– internal121
– Leather121
– Manual washing120
– Upholstery and fabrics121
– Windows120
– Wiper blades120
Cargo area
– capacity155
Cargo bay92
– convenient access26
– cover92
– lamp76
– opening from outside23
Cargo bay, expanding92
Cargo bay lamp76
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Tailgate23
Cargo loading94
– securing cargo95
– stowing cargo94
– vehicle92
Cargo, securing95
Carpets, care121
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system90
Center armrest85
Center brake lamp127
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking system19
– convenient access26
– from inside22
– from outside19
Changing bulbs
123
Changing wheels129Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment114
Check Control60
Child's seats40
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH41
Child-restraint systems40
Chock, folding
– space-saver spare tire130
Chrome parts, care121
Chrome parts, refer to
Care119
Cigarette lighter87
Cleaning headlamps49
– washer fluid50
Clock52
– 12h/24h mode56
– setting time59
Closing
– from inside22
– from outside19
Clothes hooks87
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine44
Comfort access
– what to observe before
entering a car wash27
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access26
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock43
Computer53
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked91
Condition Based Service
CBS117
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Confirmation signals for
vehicle locking/unlocking20
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting electrical
appliances87
Consumption indicator
– average fuel consumption53
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
167
Trailer operation
– Trailer loads and gross
vehicle weight155
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic45
– manual transmission45
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic47
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo95
Transporting children safely40
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread110
Trip odometer52
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer52
Triple turn signal activation47
Trunk lid
– emergency operation24
– releasing manually24
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible93
Turn signal indicator47
– front, replacing bulb125
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb126
– side, replacing bulb126
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions153
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading95
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR109
Units
– average fuel consumption56
– temperature56
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control83
Universal remove control83
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking26Unlocking
– from inside22
– from outside19
– tailgate26
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access26
Upholstery, care121
USB-audio interface86
V
Valve
– dust cap131
Vehicle
– battery132
– breaking in90
– cargo loading92
– dimensions153
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment114
– parking44
– storage122
– weight155
Vehicle jack130
– jacking points131
Ventilation
– air conditioner82
Vents, refer to Air vents78
Vents, refer to Ventilation82
Volume of cargo area155
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,138
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control60
Warning triangle134
Washer fluid50
– capacity of reservoir50
Washer fluid reservoir50
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray87
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water91
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting77
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth110
Weights155Welcome lamps73
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire130
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions153
Wheels and tires102
Wheels, new111
Width, refer to
Dimensions153
Wind deflector33
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid50
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities156
Windows28
– closing28
– convenient operation20
– opening28
– pinch protection system29
Windshield
– cleaning49
– defrosting and removing
condensation80,82
Windshield, defrosting, refer to
Defrosting windows80,82
Windshield washer system48
– washer fluid50
– washer nozzles50
Windshield wiper blades,
changing123
Windshield wipers, refer to
Wiper system48
Winter tires112
– storage112
Wiper blade replacement123
Wiper system48
Work in the engine
compartment113
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit123
X
Xenon lamps
– replacing bulb124