2011 MINI Countryman brake pads

Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
90
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 trac-
tion potential until after 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
Closing 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 nec-
essary to drive with the liftgate open:
1. Close all windows an d the glass sunroof
*.
2. Switch off recirculated-air mode and switch
the airflow control of the air conditioner or
automatic climate control to high, refer to
page 77 or 79.
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.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact between
the hot exhaust system and any highly flamma-
ble materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such
contact could lead to a fire, with the risk of seri-
ous 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
91
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 135.
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 62.
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 appropri-
ately fastened. Make sure that the floor mats are
securely fastened again
after they have been
removed, e.g. for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there 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 avail-
able 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 neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing during manual oper ation of the automatic
transmission, refer to page 45.
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. <
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

Driving tipsThings to remember when driving
92
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. <
Expanding 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. raised.
To load bulky luggage, the cover can be
removed.
1.
Unhook the lift straps from the liftgate.
2. Lift the cover slightly, arrow 1, and pull it
rearward out of the bracket, arrow 2.
Rear seat backrest
Before folding down the rear seat back-
rests, ensure that th e range of motion for
the backrests is unobstructed. Ensure that there
is no one within the range of motion of the back-
rest or that no one reac hes into that region. Oth-
erwise, injury or damage can result. <
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the safety belt information on
page 35.<
Expand the cargo area by raising the split rear
seat backrests to a steeper angle.
The backrests can be adjusted as needed in
10 stages between a comfort position and a
transport position or can be folded down.
In the comfort position, the backrests are as far
back as possible; in the transport position, they
are in an approximately vertical position.
Before installing a ch ild restraint system,
observe the instructions starting on page 38.

MobilityIndicator and warning lamps
166
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
181
Battery156
– charging 156
– disposal 29,156
– jump-starting 158
– temporary power failure 156
Battery renewal
– remote control 29
Being towed 160
Bell
– volume 102
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety belts 35
Belts, refer to Safety belts 35
Beverage holders, refer to Cupholders 85
Black ice, refer to External
temperature warning 52
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 77,79
Bluetooth, activating/ deactivating 116
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders 85
Brake Assist 60
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements 55
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs 151
Brake pads, breaking in 90
Brake rotors 91
– brakes 90
– breaking in 90
Brake system 90
– breaking in 90
– disc brakes 91
– MINI Maintenance
System 142
Brakes
– ABS 60
– breaking in 90
– MINI Maintenance System 142
– parking brake 43
– service requirements 55
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely 91 Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance 158
Break-in period 90
Breaking in the clutch 90
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 148
Button for starting the
engine 41
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 5
Call
– accepting 119
– ending 120
– rejecting 120
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 120
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders 85
Capacities 179
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 156
Car care 144
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls 20
Car phone
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 83
Car phone, refer to
Telephone 114
Car wash
– before driving in 43
Car wash, care 144
Car washes 144 Care
144
– car washes 144
– car-care products 144
– CD/DVD drives 147
– external 144
– high-pressure washers 145
– internal 146
– leather 146
– manual washing 145
– upholstery and fabrics 146
– windows 145
– wiper blades 145
Cargo area 92
– capacity 178
– Comfort Access 28
– lamp 75
– opening from outside 25
– trunk lid, refer to Liftgate 25
Cargo area, expanding 92
Cargo area lamp 75
Cargo area lid, refer to Liftgate 25
Cargo area partition net, refer to Cargo net 94
Cargo loading 95
– securing cargo 96
– stowing cargo 96
– vehicle 92
Cargo net 94
Cargo, securing 96
Carpets, care 146
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 90
CD

player 107
– changing the track 107
– fast forward/reverse 107
– playing a track 107
– random order 107
– starting 107
– volume 102
Center armrest 83
Center brake lamp 152
Center console, refer to Around the center
console 14
Center Rail 84