
Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
135
marked with a clearly visible MINI designation
on the sidewall of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Run-flat tires*
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires and vice versa, mount
run-flat tires for your own safety. Keep in mind
that no space-saver spare tire is available in the
event of a flat. Your MINI dealer will be glad to
advise you.
Special characteristics of winter tires
The manufacturer of MINI recommends the use
of winter tires on roads during the winter, or if
temperatures drop below 45 7/ +7 6.
Although all-season M+S tires provide better
winter traction than summer tires, they gener-
ally fail to provide the same levels of cold-
weather performance as winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for the
winter tires mounted on your car; failure
to do so could result in tire damage and acci-
dents. <
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter ti res, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view. This
label is available at your tire dealer or MINI
dealer.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires agains t all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels among the axles
Depending on the individual use, front and rear
tires may exhibit diff erent wear and tear.
In order to maintain an even wear and tear, the
wheels may be rotated between the axles. Your
MINI dealer will be glad to advise you.
Always check the inflation pressure after the tire
rotation, if necessary change the pressure.
Snow chains*
Only certain types of fi ne-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI,
classified as road-saf e and recommended. Con-
tact your MINI deal er for more details.
Only attach snow chains in pairs to the front
wheels with the following tires.
> 175/65 R 15 M+S
> 175/60 R 16 M+S
John Cooper Works:
> 185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph or 50 km/h. Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted; otherwise, the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, it can be useful
to briefly deactivate the DSC or activate the DTC,
refer to page 62.<

MOBILITYUnder the hood
138
The oil quantity corresponding to the difference
between the two marks on the dipstick is
1USquart/1liter.Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the
dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine. <
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum quantity of
1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until the oil level
has dropped to just above the lower mark on the
dipstick, page 137.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km;
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged. <
If too much motor oil is added, immedi-
ately have the vehicle checked; otherwise,
damage to the engine may result. <
Keep oils, grease, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the warnings on
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may
result. <
Oil types for refilling
Notes
Do not use oil additives as this could result
in engine damage. <
When selecting a motor oil, ensure that it
belongs to one of the SAE viscosity classes
0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 an d 5W-30; otherwise,
malfunctions or damage to the engine may
result. <
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Some types of oil may not be available in every
country.
Approved oil types
Additional information on approved types of oil
can be found at a dealer.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up
to 1 US quart/1 liter of another oil with the fol-
lowing specifications may be used:
Oil change
Only dealers are to perform oil changes.
Gasoline engines
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Gasoline engines
API SM or higher specifications

CareMOBILITY
143
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, make sure that you maintain suf-
ficient distance from the vehicle and do not
exceed a maximum temperature of 140 7/
60 6 .
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 in structions for high-
pressure washers. <
Do not spray sensors such as the Park
Distance 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 spon ge 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 regulati ons 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 inse cts, by soaking with
shampoo and then washing with plenty of
water.
Do not remove accumula ted ice and snow with
an ice scraper; use window deicers 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 an d change regularly to
prevent the formation of streaks.
Wax, 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. <
Paintwork, care
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value
and protects the pain t from the long-term
effects of aggressive substances.
In some regions, envi ronmental factors can
affect the vehicl e paintwork and damage it. It is
therefore important to adjust the frequency and
extent of vehicle ca re correspondingly.
Immediately remove aggr essive materials such
as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake fluid, tree sap or
bird droppings to preven t damage to the paint-
work.
Removing paintwork damage
Depending on the severity of the damage,
immediately repair stone damage or
scratches to prevent rusting. <
The manufacturer of the MINI recommends
repairing paint damage pr ofessionally according
to factory specifications with original MINI
paints.
Preservation
Preservation is necessary when water no longer
beads on the clean paint surface. To preserve
the paint, only use pres ervatives that contain
carnauba or synthetic waxes.
Rubber seals
Only treat with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon spra ys or other silicon-
containing care products on rubber seals;
otherwise, noise and damage could occur. <

Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
183
Drive-off assistant, refer to Hill
Assist 63
Driving dynamics control, refer to Sport button 63
Driving lamps, refer to Parking lamps/low beams 72
Driving notes 90
Driving off on inclines, refer to Hill Assist 63
Driving stability control
systems 60
Driving through water 91
Driving tips, refer to Driving
notes 90
Dry air, refer to Cooling function 82
DSC Dynamic Stability Control 61
DTC Dynamic Traction
Control 62
Dynamic Brake Control DBC, refer to Brake Assist 61
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 61
Dynamic Traction Control
DTC 62
E
Eject button 106
Electrical malfunction
– door lock 24
– fuel filler flap 126
Electronic brake-force distribution 61
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 61
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– door lock 24
– fuel filler flap 126
– transmission lock, automatic transmission 45
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance 157Engine
– breaking in
90
– data 176
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature 139
– speed 176
– starting 42
– starting, Comfort Access 28
– switching off 42
Engine compartment 137
Engine coolant, refer to Coolant 139
Engine oil
– adding 138
– additives, refer to Approved engine oils 138
– alternative oil types 138
– approved engine oils 138
– capacity 138
– checking level 137
– dipstick 137
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements 56
– MINI Maintenance
System 140
Engine oil level, checking 137
Engine output, refer to Engine
data 176
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine 42
ESP Electronic Stability Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 61
Exhaust system, refer to Hot exhaust system 90
Exterior mirrors 36
– adjusting 36
– automatic heating 36
– folding in and out 36
External audio device 85,100
External temperature display
– change units of measure 55
– in the on-board computer 55Eyes
– for tow-
starting and towing
away 159
– for tying down loads 95
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 58
Failure of an electrical
consumer 156
Fast forward
– CD 106
Fastening safety be lts, refer to
Safety belts 35
Fault messages, refer to Check
Control 58
Filter
– microfilter for air
conditioner 80
– microfilter/activated- charcoal filter for automatic
climate control 82
Fine wood, care 145
First aid pouch 157
Fixture for remote control, refer to Ignition lock 41
Flash when locking/
unlocking 22
Flat load floor 94
Flat tire
– run-flat tires 134
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 65
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 63
– indicating a flat tire 64
– initializing the system 64
– snow chains 64
– system limits 64
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition 133
Floor mats, care 144
Floor plate, refe r to Flat load
floor 94
Fog lamps
– replacing bulb 149,150
Folding rear seat backrest 92