Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
197
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends certain tire brands. They are
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 your MINI recommends the
use of winter tires on snowy roads or if temper-
atures drop below 457/ +76. Although all-sea-
son M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally 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 side wall 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.
> 195/60 R 16 M+S
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 68.<
MOBILITYUnder the hood
200
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 199.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km;
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged. <
If too much oil is added, immediately have
the vehicle checked; otherwise, engine
damage may result. <
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the warnings on
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may
result. <
Oil types for re-filling
Notes
Do not use oil additives as this could result
in engine damage. <
When choosing oil, ensure that it belongs
to one of the SAE viscosity classes 0W-40,
0W-30, 5W-40 and 5W-30; otherwise, malfunc-
tions and 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 specification may be used:
Oil change
Only dealers are to perform oil changes.
Coolant
Coolant consists of half water and half additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your MINI. Your MINI dealer knows
which additives are suitable and will be glad to
advise you.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. Because addi-
tives are harmful to your health, it is important
to follow the instructions on the containers. <
Comply with the appropriate environmen-
tal protection regulations when disposing
of coolant additives. <
Gasoline engines
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Gasoline engines
API SM or higher specifications
CareMOBILITY
205
5.Insert the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, make sure th at 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 Park Dis-
tance Control with hi gh-pressure washers
for a long time and main tain the greatest possi-
ble distance of approx. 1 ft/30 cm from them. <
Manual washing
Use a great deal of water and, if necessary, car
shampoo when washing your car by hand. Clean
the vehicle with a sponge 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. <
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
240
Engine
– breaking in96
– data 224
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature 201
– speed 224
– starting 46
– starting, Comfort Access 32
– switching off 47
Engine compartment 199
Engine coolant, refer to Coolant 200
Engine malfunction
– indicator lamp 13
Engine oil
– adding 200
– additives, refer to Approved engine oils 200
– alternative oil types 200
– approved engine oils 200
– capacity 200
– checking level 199
– dipstick 199
– intervals between changes, refer to Service
requirements 59
– MINI Maintenance System 202
Engine oil level, checking 199
Engine output, refer to Engine
data 224
Engine starti ng, refer to
Starting the engine 46
Entering destination 109
Entering intersection 110
Entertainment sound output
on/off 130
Entry map for destination 114
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 67
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 96 Exterior mirrors
41
– adjusting 41
– automatic dimming feature 42
– automatic heating 41
– folding in and out 41
External audio device 90
External audio de vice, refer to
AUX-IN connection 142
External devices
– random play sequence 145
– software update 149
External temperature display
– change units of measure 58
– in the on-board computer 58
External temperature
warning 56
Eyes
– f
or tow-starting and towing
away 220
– for tying down loads 102
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 62
Failure of an electrical consumer 216
Fast forward
– CD player 141
Fastening safety belts, refer to Safety belts 40
Fastest route for
navigation 118
Fault messages, refer to Check Control 62
Faulty
– tire 71
Filter
– microfilter for air conditioner 85
– microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control 87
Fine wood, care 207
First aid pouch 218 Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock 46
Flash when locking/ unlocking 28
Flat load floor 100
Flat tire
– run-flat tires 196
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 72
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 69
– indicating a flat tire 71
– initializing the system 70
– snow chains 70
– system limits 70
Flat tires, refer to Tire condition 195
Floor mats, care 206
Floor plate, refer to Flat load floor 100
FM, waveband 132
Fog lamps
– replacing bulb 210
Folding rear seat backrest 98
Footbrake, refer to Braking safely 97
Footwell lamps 82
For your own safety 5
Four-wheel drive, refer to ALL4 69
Front airbags 76
Front fog lamps 81
– replacing bulb 210
Front seat adjustment 38
Frost on windows, refer to
Defrosting windows 85,87
FTM, refer to Flat Tire Monitor 69
Fuel 189
– gauge 55
– high-quality brands 189
–
quality 189
– specifications 189
– tank capacity 226
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel gauge 55
Fuel consumption display
– average fuel consumption 56