2011 MINI Clubman towing

Opening and closingCONTROLS
31
Opening
The Club Door can only be opened using the
handle on the inside. The right-hand front door
must be open when opening the Club Door.
Closing
First close the Club Door, followed by the right-
hand front door.
Split Rear Barn Doors
To avoid damage, make sure there is suf-
ficient clearance before opening the Split
Rear Barn Doors. <
Opening
In some market-specific versions, the Split
Rear Barn Doors cannot be unlocked using
the remote control unless the vehicle is
unlocked first.
Only drive with the Split Rear Barn Doors fully
closed; otherwise, the tail lamps will be
obscured and driving safety will be compro-
mised. < Press and hold the button in the handle
or the button of the remote control. The Split
Rear Barn Doors are unlocked.
Using the button in the handle, fully open first
the right side, arrow
1, and then the left side of
the Split Rear Barn Doors, arrow 2.
Press and hold the button in the handle or the button for the remote control for approx.
1 second. The Split Rear Barn Doors are
unlocked.
Using the button in the handle, fully open first
the right side, arrow 1, and then the left side of
the Split Rear Barn Doors, arrow 2.
Closing
Make sure that the closing path of the Split
Rear Barn Doors is clear; otherwise, inju-
ries may occur. <
Close the left side, arrow 1, and then the right
side of the Split Rear Barn Doors, arrow 2.
Alarm system*
The concept
The alarm system, when activated, reacts if:
> A door, the engine compartment lid or the
liftgate is opened
> There is movement inside the car
> The car's inclination changes, for instance if
an attempt is made to jack it up and steal the
wheels or to raise it prior to towing away
> There is an interruption in the power supply
from the battery

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
102
Flat load floor*
The maximum load of the flat load floor is
165 lbs./75 kg. Do not exceed a maximum
permissible load of 55 lbs./25 kg for the storage
compartment beneath the flat load floor; other-
wise, damage can occur. <
Raise the flat load floor and fold it up toward the
front, arrow.
Removing
1. Fold up the flat 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 lbs. or YYY kg. Otherwise, damage to
the vehicle and unstable driving conditions
may result. <
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 pounds or
YYY kilograms.
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-lb. 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 we ight of the cargo. The
greater the weight of the occupants, the less
cargo/luggage can be transported.

Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
103
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 cargo net, refer to page 101. Ensure
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
retaining or draw straps
*.
> Heavy-duty cargo straps
* for securing larger
and heavier objects ar e 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
area. 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 vehicle
weight and axle loads, page 228; otherwise, the
vehicle's operating safety is no longer assured
and the vehicle will not be in compliance with
the construction and use regulations.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a re sult of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants. Do not secure ca rgo using the fastening
points for the tether strap, page 44; they may
become damaged. <
Roof-mounted luggage
rack*
A special rack system is available as an option for
your MINI. Your MINI dealer will be glad to
advise you. Comply with the installation instruc-
tions supplied with the rack system.
Mounting points
By way of example, the illustration shows the
roof of the MINI.
Remove the cover panel.

MOBILITYReplacing components
208
Replacing components
Onboard vehicle toolkit
Your vehicle comes with an onboard vehicle
toolkit that varies with the equipment version; it
is stored underneath the flat load floor.
With the MINI Mobility System*
1 Compressor
2 Wheel stud wrench
*
3Vehicle jack*
4Torx insert bit for screwdriver
5 Flat screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver, towing
eyelet
6 Extractor hook
7 Sealant bottle
Run-flat tires* or space-saver spare tire*
1Folding chock* and cover for defective
wheel
2 Vehicle jack
3 Wheel stud wrench
4 Extractor hook
*
5Flat screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver
6 Torx insert bit for screwdriver
7 Towing eyelet
The onboard vehicle tool kit includes a pouch
with a plastic bag in which you can place the
damaged wheel.
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.

Replacing componentsMOBILITY
215
Stowing Mobility System
1.Unscrew filler hose 2 of the sealant bottle
from the wheel.
2. Unscrew connecting hose of the
compressor 6 from the sealant bottle.
3. Connect the filler hose 2 of the sealant bot-
tle to the unoccupied connection on the
sealant bottle.
This prevents the rest of the sealant from
escaping from the bottle.
4. Wrap the empty sealant bottle in suitable
material to avoid dirtying the cargo area.
5. Stow Mobility System back in the vehicle.
Distributing the sealant
Immediate drive approx. 3.1 miles/5 km so that
the sealant evenly distributes itself.
Do not exceed speeds of 50 mph/
80 km/h.
If possible, do not drop below 10 mph/
20 km/h.<
Adjusting the tire pressure
1. After driving approx. 3.1 miles/5 km or
10 minutes, stop at a suitable location.
2. Screw the connection hose 6 of the com-
pressor directly onto the tire valve.
3. Insert the plug 5 into the power socket in
the vehicle interior.
4. Correct inflation pressu re to 26 psi/180 kPa.
With the engine running:
> To increase the inflatio n pressure: switch on
the compressor. To check the current infla-
tion pressure, switch off the compressor.
Do not run the compressor for longer
than 10 minutes; otherwise, the
device will overheat and possibly be dam-
aged. <
> To decrease the inflation pressure: press the
release button 9. If the tire cannot ma
intain the inflation
pressure, drive the vehicle again, refer to
Distributing the sealan t. Then repeat steps
1to4.
If an inflation pressure of 26 psi/180 kPa still
cannot be reached, the tire is too heavily dam-
aged. Contact the nearest MINI dealer. <
Driving on
Do not exceed the permitted maximum
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h; doing so may
result in an accident.<
Replace the defective tire as soon as possible
and have the new wheel/tire assembly bal-
anced.
Have the Mobility System refilled.
Changing wheels
Run-flat tires*
Tire change for run-flat tires:
> Prepare for tire change, page 216
> Jack up vehicle, page 216
> Tighten lug bolts, page 217
Space-saver spare tire*
Tire change with space-saver spare tire:
>Remove the space-saver spare tire,
page 215
> Prepare for tire change, page 216
> Jack up vehicle, page 216
> Mount space-saver spare tire, page 217
> Tighten lug bolts, page 217
> Drive with space-saver spare tire, page 216
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The space-saver spare tire is located under the
tire change set in the cargo area.

MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
220
1.Open the battery cover in the engine com-
partment to access the positive terminal of
your MINI.
2. Release the tabs on the left and right sides of
the positive terminal cover
*, arrows 1, and
lift the cover to open, arrow 2.
3. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or to a starting-aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance.
4. Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
5. Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle. Body ground in MINI:
6.
Attach the second te rminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle in the
usual manner.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged. Never use spray fluids to start the
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing
away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles. <
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. <

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. <

MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
222
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI Clubman transported with a tow
truck with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result. <
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page 219.
Vehicles with a catalyti c 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, page 46.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. Afte r the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch completely
again.
5. Stop at a suitable lo cation, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.