2011 MINI COOPER brake pads

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
96
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full
traction potential until af ter an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distan ce driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Close the liftgate
Only drive with the liftgate closed. Failure
to do so may endanger passengers or
other road users or may damage the vehicle in
the event of an accident or a braking and eva-
sive maneuver. In addi tion, exhaust gas may
flow into the passenger compartment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely
necessary to drive with the liftgate open:
1. Close all windows and the glass roof
*.
2. Switch off the recirculated-air mode and sig-
nificantly increase the air flow rate of the air
conditioner or automa tic climate control,
page 85 or 87.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
Make sure that when driving, idling or when
parking, no easily flamma ble materials, such as
hay, leaves, grass, etc. come into contact with
the hot exhaust system. Such contact could lead
to a fire, with the risk of serious personal injuries
and property damage. Do not touch hot exhaust
tail pipes. Otherwise, there is a risk of burns. <

Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
97
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 143.
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 69.
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
existing 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
available 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
necessary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mo de of the automatic transmis-
sion, page 49.
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. <

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
98
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
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can
assume the form of a sudden blowout. <
Avoid fluid spills in the cargo area as they
could damage the vehicle. <
MINI: cargo area
Cargo area cover
Do not place any objects on the cover;
otherwise, they could endanger the car's
occupants, e.g. in the case of braking or sudden
swerving, or they may damage the cover. is raised.
To load bulky luggage, the cover can be
removed.
1.
Unhook the lift straps from the liftgate.
2. Pull the cover out of the holders toward the
rear.
Expanding the cargo area
The rear set backrest is split. Both sides can be
folded separately to expand the cargo area.
1. Pull the lever.
2. Fold rear seat backrests forward.
When folding the backrest back up, make
sure that the seat's locking mechanisms
engage properly. Otherwise, cargo could be
thrown around in the event of sharp braking or
swerving and endanger the occupants.<

MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
178
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Braking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact the nearest MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Hill Assist failed. The car will not be
held in place after the brake is
released Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Braking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact the nearest MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Hill Assist failed. The car will not be
held in place after the brake is
released Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads checked without delay.
12Cause What to do

Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
195
Base plate for telephone or mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 129
Battery 167
– charging 168
– disposal 30,168
– jump-starting 169
– temporary power failure 168
Battery renewal
– remote control 30
Being towed 171
Bell
– volume 106
Belts, refer to Safety belts 40
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety belts 40
Beverage holders, refer to Cupholders 93
Black ice, refer to External
temperature warning 57
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 85,87
Bluetooth, activating/ deactivating 120
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders 93
Brake Assist 67
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements 62
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs 162
Brake pads, breaking in 96
Brake rotors 98
– brakes 96
– breaking in 96
Brakes
– ABS 67
– breaking in 96
– MINI Maintenance
System 151
– parking brake 48
– service requirements 62
Brakes, refer to Braking safely 97 Brake system
96
– breaking in 96
– disc brakes 98
– MINI Maintenance
System 151
Breakdown service, refer to Roadside Assistance 169
Breaking in the clutch 96
Break-in period 96
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs 158
Button for starting the engine 46
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 5
Call
– accepting 124
– ending 124
– rejecting 124
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing 124
Can holders, refer to Cupholders 93
Capacities 193
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 167
Car care 153
Care 153
– car-care products 153
– car washes 153
– CD/DVD drives 156
– external 153
– high-pressure washers 154
– internal 155
– leather 155
– manual washing 154
– upholstery and fabrics 155
– windows 154
– wiper blades 154
Cargo, securing 101 Cargo area
98
– capacity 191
– Comfort Access 29
– cover 98
– lamp 82
– opening from outside 26
Cargo area, expanding 98
Cargo area lamp 82
Cargo area lid, refer to Liftgate 26
Cargo loading 100
– securing cargo 101
– stowing cargo 101
– vehicle 98
Car key, refer to Keys/remote controls 20
Carpets, care 156
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest 92
– refer to separate Owner's Manual
Car phone, refer to Telephone 118
Car wash, care 153
Car washes 153
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 96
CD player 111
– changing the track 112
– fast forward/reverse 112
– playing a track 112
– ran
dom order 112
– starting 111
– volume 106
Center armrest 92
Center brake lamp 163
Center console, refer to Around the center
console 14
Central locking system 21
– Comfort Access 28
– from inside 25
– from outside 21
Changing bulbs 158
Changing wheels 165