2011 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE check engine

Replacing components
138
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
Caring for headlamps, refer to page134.
For any bulb replacement not described
below, contact a MINI dealer or a work-
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with the specifications of the
MINI manufacturer.<
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your MINI dealer.<
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light sources for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes are related to conven-
tional laser diodes, and legislation defines them
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source
for several hours; otherwise, this could cause
irritation of the retina.<
Headlight glass lens
In cool or humid weather, condensation may
occur on the interior of outside lights. The con-
densation disappears a short time after the light
is switched on. The headlamp glasses do not
need to be changed. If a lot of moisture is
present, e.g. water droplets in the light, have
them checked by your service center.
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of failure very low, provided that
they are not switched on and off an excessive
number of times. If a xenon lamp fails neverthe-
less, switch on the fog lamps and continue the
journey with great care, provided that local leg-
islation does not prohibit this.Have any work on the xenon lamp system,
including bulb replacement, carried out
only by a MINI dealer or a workshop that has
specially trained personnel working in accor-
dance with the specifications of the MINI manu-
facturer. Due to high voltage, there is a risk of
fatal injury if work on the xenon lamps is carried
out improperly.<
Halogen low beams and high beams
H13 bulb, 60/55 watts
The H13 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses and protective gloves.
Otherwise, there is a risk of injury if the bulb is
damaged.<
Be careful when installing the cover; oth-
erwise, leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<
Accessing the lamp from the engine
compartment
The low-beam/high-beam bulb can be changed
from the engine compartment.
Removing the cover:
1.Press the tab.
2.Flip open the cover and take it out of the
holder.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to reat-
tach the cover.
Be careful when installing the cover; oth-
erwise, leaks could occur and cause dam-
age to the headlamp system.<

Replacing components
144
3.Insert the plug 3 into the power socket in the
vehicle interior.
4.Correct inflation pressure to 26 psi/180 kPa.
With the engine running:
>To increase the inflation 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 button5.
If the tire cannot maintain the inflation
pressure, drive the vehicle again, refer to
Distributing the sealant. 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
Space-saver spare tire*
To change a space-saver spare tire, proceed as
follows:
>Remove the space-saver spare tire,
page144
>Prepare for tire change, page145
>Jack up vehicle, page146
>Mount space-saver spare tire, page146
>Tighten lug bolts, page146
>Drive with space-saver spare tire, page145
Tire change set for a space-saver spare
tire*
On vehicles with a space-saver spare tire, the
tire change set with onboard tools is stored
under the floor mat in the cargo area.
1Chock, folding
2Extractor hook
*
3Wheel stud wrench
4Vehicle jack
5Special wrench for removing the space-
saver spare tire
6Flat screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver
7Towing eyelet
8Lifting handle
The onboard vehicle tool kit includes a pouch
with a plastic bag in which you can place the
damaged wheel.
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The screw connection of the space-saver spare
tire is under the floor mat in the cargo area, on
the base of the storage compartment for the tire
change set.
1.Unscrew the screw connection with the spe-
cial wrench.
2.Take out the cover panel.

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AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
3.Screw the lifting handle from the onboard
vehicle tool kit onto the thread.
4.Raise the lifting handle slightly.
5.Squeeze the securing spring.
6.The space-saver spare tire is released and
must be held by the lifting handle.
7.Lower the space-saver spare tire with the
lifting handle.
8.Unscrew the lifting handle.
9.Pull the space-saver spare tire underneath
the vehicle out toward the rear.
10.Position the space-saver spare tire with the
valve facing upward.
11.Unscrew the valve extension from the valve
of the space-saver spare tire.12.Unscrew the dust cap from the extension
and place it on the valve of the space-saver
spare tire.
Due to its different dimensions, the dam-
aged wheel cannot be placed in the recess
for the space-saver spare tire.<
Driving with the space-saver spare tire
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Changes may
occur in vehicle handling such as lower track sta-
bility during braking, longer braking distances
and changes in self-steering properties when
close to the handling limit. These properties are
more noticeable with winter tires.<
Only one space-saver spare tire may be
mounted at one time. Mount a wheel and
tire of the original size as soon as possible, to
avoid any safety risks.<
Check the tire inflation pressure at the ear-
liest opportunity and correct it if neces-
sary. Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced.<
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions regarding
flat tires on page141.<
Additional safety measures when chang-
ing tires:
Only change the tire when parked on a surface
that is level, firm and not slippery.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways on
soft or slippery support surfaces, such as snow,
ice, flagstones, etc.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise, there is a risk of fatal injury.<

Giving and receiving assistance
148
Giving and receiving assistance
Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance is available by phone 24
hours a day in many countries. You can receive
assistance there in the event of an emergency.
Phone numbers for Roadside Assistance are
listed in the Contact brochure.
First aid pouch*
Some of the articles contained in the first aid
pouch have a limited service life. Therefore,
check the expiration dates of the contents regu-
larly and replace any items in good time, if nec-
essary.
By way of example, the illustration shows the
cargo area in the MINI.
The first aid pouch is located on the rear cargo
well by the left side trim panel.
Warning triangle*
MINI
On the inside of the liftgate.
Press the tab to take it out.
MINI Convertible
The warning triangle is located at the bottom of
the luggage compartment floor.
Jump-starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your MINI's engine
can be started by connecting two jumper cables
to another vehicle's battery. You can also use
the same method to help start another vehicle.
Only use jumper cables with fully-insulated
clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts
when the engine is running, or a fatal acci-
dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-
ing sequence, both to prevent damage to one or
both vehicles, and to guard against possible per-
sonal injuries.<

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AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other vehi-
cle has a voltage of 12 volts and approxi-
mately the same capacitance in Ah. This
information can be found on the battery.
2.Switch off the engine of the support vehicle.
3.Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise,
there is a danger of shorting.<
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could cause
injury occur.<
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
*, arrows1, and
lift the cover to open, arrow2.
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 terminal 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.<

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AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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.<
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page148.
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, page44.
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.

Indicator and warning lamps
154
Sliding/tilting sunroof or soft top of
MINI ConvertibleExcessive vehicle speed, activation
not possible, reduce speed and con-
tinue activation.
Lights up in red:
Control system for convertible top
failed!Position of convertible top and locking
mechanism not recognized. If con-
vertible top securely locked, drive
may be continued. Manually close
convertible top/sliding roof, refer to
page32. Have your MINI Service
inspect the system.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive of convertible top overheated! Let drive of convertible top cool down,
refer to page32.
Sliding/tilting sunroof or soft top of
MINI ConvertibleControl system of convertible top/tilt
roof malfunctioning. Close convertible
top/tilt roof manually, refer to
page32. Contact your MINI Service.
Tailgate of MINI Convertible not
closedClose the tailgate.
Gas cap missing or loose Make sure that the gas cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between
the gas cap and the vehicle.
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
page51.
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, page,
131.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the
Start/Stop button is briefly pressed,
possibly without the brake or clutch
being depressed
12Cause What to do

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AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detectedThe engine cannot be started. Have
the remote control checked, if neces-
sary.
Remote control battery is discharged Use the remote control for a longer
journey or, in cars with Comfort
Access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system
failedHave the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Steering response will be
markedly different. Have the system
checked without delay.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction
Stop the car and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the engine
checked as soon as possible.
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in dam-
age to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the vehicle
checked without delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse
effect on exhaust emissionsYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the car checked as
soon as possible.
12Cause What to do