2010 MINI Hardtop 2 Door tow bar

Technology for driving comfort and safety
76
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Select "PDC".
6.Select "PDC display on".
The PDC display is activated. It is shown on
the Control Display as soon as PDC is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control
in use.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for esti-
mating the distance between the vehicle
and any obstructions always remains with the
driver. Sensors, too, have blind spots in which
objects cannot be detected. Moreover, ultra-
sonic detection can reach its physical limits with
objects such as trailer tow bars and couplings,
thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low
objects already indicated, such as curbs, may
enter the sensors' blind spots before or after a
continuous audible signal is given. Higher, pro-
truding objects, such as wall ledges, may not be
detectable. Therefore, always drive cautiously;
otherwise, there is a risk of personal injury or
property damage. Loud sound sources outside
or inside the car can drown out the PDC signal.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your MINI has a number of systems that help to
maintain the vehicle's stability even in adverse
driving conditions.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with driving stability control systems.
An appropriate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Therefore do not reduce the additional safety margin by engaging
in hazardous driving thereby running the risk of
an accident.<
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during brak-
ing. Safe steering response is maintained even
during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
Braking safely, refer to page103.
Among others, ABS includes the following func-
tions:
>Cornering Brake Control CBC
>Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
>Brake Assist
Cornering Brake Control CBC
Driving stability and steering characteristics are
further enhanced while braking in turns or dur-
ing a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake Assist
Rapidly depressing the brake causes this system
to automatically develop maximum braking
force. Thus, the system helps keep braking dis-
tance to a minimum. At the same time, all the
benefits provided by ABS are exploited.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable driv-
ing conditions, for example if the rear of the car
is about to swerve or if momentum is acting at
an angle past the front wheels. In these cases,
DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe course
within physical limits by reducing engine output
and through braking actions at the individual
wheels.

MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT
185
NAVIGATION REFERENCE
Replacing components
Onboard vehicle tool kit
Your vehicle comes with an onboard vehicle tool
kit that varies with the equipment version; it is
stored underneath the level load floor.
>Mobility System with onboard vehicle tool
kit and tire change set
*190
>Tire change set with onboard vehicle tool kit
for space-saver spare tire192
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.
8.Fold down the wiper arm.
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-
f o r m a n y w o r k t h a t y o u d o n o t f e e l c o m p e t e n t t o
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.

Giving and receiving assistance
198
Access to screw thread
Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the
recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page51; otherwise, the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable. Do not
tow the vehicle with just the rear axle raised, as
this would allow the steering to turn. <
There is no power assist while the engine is off.
Thus, braking and steering will require increased
effort.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Tow vehicles with automatic transmission
only with a tow truck or with the front
wheels lifted; otherwise, the transmission can be
damaged.<
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may
be impossible to maintain control.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same side
on both vehicles. Should it prove impossible to
avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please
observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI or MINI Convertible transported
by a tow truck with a so-called lift sling or on a
flatbed.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<

MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT
199
NAVIGATION REFERENCE
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page196.
Vehicles with a catalytic converter should only
be tow-started when the engine is cold, vehicles
with an automatic transmission cannot be tow-
started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, page51.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.
4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. After the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch completely
again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.

213
MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT NAVIGATION REFERENCE
"Avoid highways" in
navigation124
Avoid highways in
navigation124
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation124
Axle loads, refer to
Weights205
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting90
Backrests, refer to Seats42
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb188,189
Balance, tone control139
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch196
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away198
Bass sounds, refer to Tone
control139
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass139
Bass, tone control139
Battery195
– charging195
– disposal35,195
– jump-starting196
– temporary power failure195
Battery renewal
– remote control35
Being towed198
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts45
Belts, refer to Safety belts45
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders97
Blower, refer to Air flow rate92
Bonnet176
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders97
Brake Assist76
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements65Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs189
Brake pads, breaking in102
Brake rotors103
– brakes102
– breaking in102
Brake system102
– breaking in102
– disc brakes103
– MINI Maintenance
System179
Brakes
– ABS76
– breaking in102
– MINI Maintenance
System179
– parking brake52
– service requirements65
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely103
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance196
Break-in period
102
Breaking in the clutch102
"Brightness"on the Control
Display74
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs185
Button for starting the
engine51
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders97
Capacities206
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery195
Car care181
"Car Data"63
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls26Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest96
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio141
Car wash, care181
Car washes181
Care181
– car washes181
– car-care products181
– CD/DVD drives184
– external181
– high-pressure washers182
– internal183
– leather183
– manual washing182
– upholstery and fabrics183
– windows182
– wiper blades182
Cargo area
– capacity205
Cargo bay104
– Comfort Access34
– cover104
– lamp89
– opening from outside31
Cargo bay, expanding104
Cargo bay lamp89
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Tailgate31
Cargo loading105
– securing cargo106
– stowing cargo106
– vehicle104
Cargo, securing106
Carpets, care183
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system102
"Categories"147
"CD"138,149

From A to Z
224
Tires, FTM79
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-flat tires174
TMC station, refer to Traffic
information130
Tone in audio mode
– adjusting139
– middle setting140
Tools, refer to Onboard vehicle
tool kit185
Torque202
– lug bolts194
Tow bar198
Tow fitting197
– screw thread198
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away197
Tow rope198
Towing197
– car with automatic
transmission198
– methods198
"Town / City" in destination
entry115
Tow-starting197
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor80
Track width, refer to
Dimension203
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
Traffic congestion
– displaying traffic
information130
Traffic information for
navigation
– calling up130,131
– display on route map131
– during destination
guidance134
Traffic information message
list131
Trailer operation
– trailer loads and gross vehicle
weight205Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic53
– manual transmission53
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic55
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo106
Transporting children safely48
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread173
Treble, refer to Tone
control139
Treble, refer to Treble and
bass139
Treble, tone control139
"Trip computer"
63
Trip computer63
Trip odometer60
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer60
"Triple turn signal"56
Triple turn signal activation55
Trunk lid
– emergency operation31
– releasing manually31
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible104
Turn signal indicator55
– front, replacing bulb187
– indicator lamp12,13
– rear, replacing bulb188
– side, replacing bulb188
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions203
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading106
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR172
"Units"65
Units
– average fuel consumption65
– temperature65Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control94
Universal remote control94
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking34
"Unlock button"28
Unlocking
– from inside30
– from outside27
– tailgate34
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access33
Upholstery, care183
USB audio interface156
V
Valve
– dust cap193
Vehicle
– battery195
– breaking in102
– cargo loading104
– dimensions203
– Identification Number, refer
to Engine compartment177
– parking52
– storage184
– weight205
Vehicle jack192
– jacking points194
Vehicle position, refer to
Displaying current
position134
Ventilation
– air conditioner93
Vents, refer to Ventilation93
Voice commands
– overview21
– short commands207
Voice instructions from
navigation system129
– switching on/off129
– volume129