2011 MINI Clubman power steering

Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
99
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form betw een tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, can
cause partial or complete loss of tire contact
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be
steered or braked properly. <
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread
depth on page 195.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. <
Parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise, greater clutch wear will result. <
For information on drivin g off using Hill Assist,
refer to page 71.
Braking safely
Your MINI is equipped with ABS. If you are in a
situation which requires full braking, it is best to
brake using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle maintains steeri ng responsiveness, you
can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with
the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates that
ABS is functioning properly.
Objects in the move ment range of the
pedals
Keep floor mats, carpet, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhibit the function of the
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an exist-
ing one or onto other objects. Only use floor mats that
have been approved for
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the floo r mats are securely fas-
tened again after they have been removed, e.g.
for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or ther e is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this process
helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that
Then full braking force will be immediately avail-
able when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheatin g and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mo de of the automatic transmis-
sion, page 50.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to th e brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an

Giving and receiving assistanceMOBILITY
221
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the MINI.
It is stored in the onboard vehicle toolkit in the
cargo area underneath the cover on the right-
hand side, page 208.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the
recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
M a k e s u r e t h a t t h e i g n i t i o n i s s w i t c h e d o n ,
refer to page46; otherwise, the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals, and windshield
wipers may be unavailable. Do not tow the vehi- cle with just the rear ax
le 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.
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to ot her vehicle parts can
lead to 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. <

Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
239
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting 84
Backrests, refer to Seats 38
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 212
Band-aids, refer to First aid pouch 219
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away 221
Base plate for telephone or mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 175
Bass sounds, refer to Tone control 131
Battery 217
– charging 217
– disposal 35,217
– jump-starting 219
– temporary power failure 217
Battery renewal
– remote control 35
Being towed 221
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts 40
Belts, refer to Safety belts 40
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders 94
Black ice, refer to External
temperature warning 57
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 86,88
Bluetooth, activating/ deactivating 154,165
Bluetooth audio 146
– device pairing 146
– disconnecting an audio connection 148
– playback 147
– unpairing device 148
– What to do if... 148
Bottle holders, refer to Cupholders 94
Brake Assist 69
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 60 Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs
212
Brake pads, breaking in 98
Brake rotors 99
– brakes 98
– breaking in 98
Brake system 98
– breaking in 98
– disc brakes 99
– MINI Maintenance
System 202
Brakes
– ABS 69
– b
reaking in 98
– MINI Maintenance System 202
– parking brake 48
– service requirements 60
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely 99
Breakdown service, refer to Roadside Assistance 219
Break-in period 98
Breaking in the clutch 98
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs 209
Button for starting the engine 46
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
Calendar 180
– displaying appointment 181
– selecting calendar day 181
California Proposition 65 warning 5
Call
– accepting 157,169
– ending 157,170
– muting the
microphone 158,171
– rejecting 157,169
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing 157,170 Can holders, refer to
Cupholders 94
Capacities 229
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 217
Car care 204
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls 26
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest 93
– refer to separate Owner's Manual
Car phone, refer to Telephone 154,164
Car radio, refer to Radio 132
Car wash, care 204
Car washes 204
Care 204
– car washes 204
– car-care products 204
– CD/DVD drives 207
– external 204
– high-pressure washers 205
– internal 206
– leather 206
– manual washing 205
– upholstery and fabrics 206
– windows 205
– wiper blades 205
Cargo area 100
– capacity 228
– Comfort Access 34
– doors, refer to Split Rear Barn Doors 31
– lamp 84
– opening from outside 31
– trunk lid, refer to Split Rear Barn Doors 31
Cargo area doors, refer to Split Re
ar Barn Doors 31
Cargo area, expanding 100
Cargo area lamp 84
Cargo area partition net, refer to Cargo net 101