2012 MINI COOPER ABS

CONTROLSTechnology for driving comfort and safety
64
property damage. Loud sound sources outside
or inside the car can drown out the PDC signal.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your MINI has a number of systems that help to
maintain the vehicle's stability even in adverse
driving conditions.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with driving stability control systems.
An appropriate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Therefore do not
reduce the additional safe t y m a r g i n b y e n g a g i n g
in hazardous driving thereby running the risk of
an accident. <
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
Braking safely, refer to page 95.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine.
Cornering Brake Control CBC
Driving stability and stee ring characteristics are
further enhanced while braking in turns or
during a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake Assist
Rapidly depressing the brake causes this system
to automatically develop maximum braking
force. Thus, the system helps keep braking dis-
tance to a minimum. At the same time, all the
benefits provided by ABS are exploited.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
The concept
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or
accelerate.
DSC also detect s unstable driving conditions
such as when the vehicle's rear end fishtails or
the vehicle is sliding on its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the ve hicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
Every time that the engine is started, DSC is
ready to operate.
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC OFF indicator
lamp on the speedometer is on and DSC OFF is
displayed on the tachometer. DSC is deacti-
vated. Stabilizing and propulsion promoting
actions are no longer executed.
When driving with snow chains or to 'rock free'
in snow, it can be helpfu l to switch off DSC for a
brief period.
To increase vehicle stabil ity, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again: the DSC indicator lamps
in the display elements go out.
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
94
Things to remember when driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. Equipment is also described
that is not available because of, for example,
selected options or coun try version. This also
applies to safety relate d functions and systems.
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
Ground clearance
When driving, ensure that there is suffi-
cient ground clearance, such as when
entering underground parking garages, driving
over curbs or when driving in winter; otherwise
damage to the vehicle may result. <
Close tailgate/Split Rear Barn Doors
Only drive with the tailgate/Split Rear Barn
Doors closed. Failure to do so may endan-
ger passengers or other road users or may
damage the vehicle in the event of an accident
or a braking and evasive maneuver. In addition,
exhaust gas may flow into the passenger com-
partment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely
necessary to drive with the tailgate/Split Rear
Barn Doors open:
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Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
95
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2. Switch off the recirc ulated-air mode and
switch the airflow contro l of the heating, air
conditioner, or automa tic climate control to
high, refe r to page 81 or 83.
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 se ctions of the exhaust
system, 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. <
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 139.
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 66.
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 movement range of the
pedals
Keep floor mats, carp et, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhi bit 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 fl oor mats are securely
fastened 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 neces-
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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
141
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by your MINI dealer or a specialized tire
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with th e specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent
damage and related safety hazards. Make sure
that the new wheels are balanced. <
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you avoid using retreaded
tires, as this could impair driving safety. The
causes for this include potentially different tire
casing structures and of ten wide variations in
tire age, which can result in a limited service
life.<
Correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends mounting only wheels and tires
that it has specifically approved for use on your
particular model. Alth ough other wheels and
tires may theoretically have the same dimen-
sions, variations in factors such as manufactur-
ing tolerances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved wheels and tires to
determine if they are su ited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of the
vehicle if they are mounted. <
Your MINI dealer will be glad to inform you
about the correct wheel an d tire combination for
your vehicle.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, the Tire
Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect a
puncture, refer to page 70. Your MINI dealer will
be glad to advise you.
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
highest 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 ow n 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
temperatures drop below 45 7/ +7 6.
Although all-season 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.
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MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
168
MINI Clubman
In the cargo area under the loading sill.
Open the center lock to take it out.
Jump-starting
I f t h e c a r ' s o w n b a t t e r y i s f l a t , y o u r M I N I ' s e n g i n e
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
accident may occur. Ca refully adhere to the
following sequence, both to prevent damage
to one or both vehicles, and to guard against
possible personal injuries. <
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other
vehicle has a voltage of 12 volts and approx-
imately 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 consumer s 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, arrows 1, and lift
the cover to open, arrow 2.
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 te rminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a star ting-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.
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Indicator and warning lampsMOBILITY
179
The Dynamic Stability Control DSC
and Dynamic Traction Control DTC
systems have failedDriving stability limited during
acceleration and cornering.
You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the system
checked as soon as possible.
Display in US models
The driving stabili ty control systems,
including ABS and the Tire Pressure
Monitor, have failed, refer also to
page 64 Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive cautiously and think well ahead.
Avoid braking with full force, driving
on rough tracks, and depressing the
accelerator pedal to full throttle or
kickdown position. Have the system
checked immediately.
Display in Canadian models
The driving stabili ty control systems,
including ABS and th e Flat Tire Moni-
tor or the Tire Pre ssure Monitor, have
failed, refer also to page 64Reduced braking and driving stability.
Drive cautiously and think well ahead.
Avoid braking with full force, driving
on rough tracks, and depressing the
accelerator pedal to full throttle or
kickdown position. Have the system
checked immediately.
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor
Light up in yellow and red:
> Tire damage Carefully bring the car to a stop.
Observe the information starting on
page
66.
> Flat Tire Monitor not initialized Initialize Flat Tire Monitor, page
67.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicated Have the system checked.
12Cause What to do
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194
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake System64
Accepting a call 121
Accessories, see Vehicle equipment 4
Acknowledgment signals for locking/unlocking vehicle 24
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate control 84
Adaptive Light Control 77
Adding engine oil 145
Additives
– coolant 146
– engine oil 145
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 81
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 82
Airbags 72
– sitting safely 35
– warning lamp 73
Air conditioner 80
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 81
– automatic cl imate control82
– ventilation 84
Air distribution
– automatic 83
– individual 82
– manual 82
Air flow rate 81,83
– air conditioning system 81
– automatic cl imate control83
– heating, ventilation 81
Airing, refer to Ventilation84
Air outlets, refer to Air vents 80
Air pressure, checking, refer to Tire inflation pressure 131Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 81,83
Air supply
– air conditioner 81
– automatic climate control 82
– ventilation 84
Air vents 80
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 129
Alarm system 29
All-season tires, refer to Winter tires 141
Ambient air, refer to Recirculated-air
mode 81,83
Ambient lighting 79
Antenna, care 149
An

tifreeze
– coolant 146
– washer fluid 52
Antilock Brake System ABS 64
Anti-theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 29
Anti-theft system 23
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 191
Approved engine oils 145
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 191
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 89
Ashtray 91
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control DSC 64
Audio device, external 89
Automatic
– air distribution 83
– air flow rate 83
– cruise control 52
– headlamp control 75Automatic climate control
80
– automatic air distribution 83
Automatic station search 105
Automatic station storage 106
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 46
– interlock 47
– overriding selector lever lock 48
– shiftlock 47
– sport program 48
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 83
Auto radio, refer to Radio MINI Boost CD 104
AUX-In, refer to External audio device 89
AUX-In connection 104
Average fuel consumption 55
– setting the units 58
Average speed 56
Axle loads, refer to Weights 191
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting 79
Backrests, refer to Seats 36
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 158,159
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch 167
Bar, refer to Tow-starting, towing away 170
Base plate for telephone or mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 124
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Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
195
Battery165
– disposal 32,165
– jump-starting 168
– temporary power failure 165
Battery renewal
– remote control 32
Being towed 170
Belts, refer to Safety belts 38
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety belts 38
Beverage holders, refer to Cupholders 90
Black ice, refer to External
temperature warning 55
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 81,83
Bluetooth, activating/ deactivating 118
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders 90
Brake Assist 64
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements 59
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs 158,159
Brake pads, breaking in 94
Brake rotors 96
– brakes 94
– breaking in 94
Brakes
– ABS 64
– breaking in 94
– MINI Maintenance
System 147
– parking brake 46
– service requirements 59
Brakes, refer to Braking safely 95
Brake system 94
– breaking in 94
– disc brakes 96
– MINI Maintenance
System 147
Breakdown service, refer to Roadside Assistance 167
Breaking in the clutch 94
Break-in period 94 Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs 155
Button for starting the engine 44
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 5
Call ending 122
Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing 122
Calling, refer to Telephone 89
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders 90
Capacities 192
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery 165
Car care 149
Care 149
– car-care products 149
– car washes 149
– CD/DVD drives 152
– high-pressure washers 150
– leather 151
– manual washing 150
– upholstery and fabrics 151
– windows 150
– wiper blades 150
Cargo, securing 99
Cargo area 96
– capacity 191
– Comfort Access 31
– cover 96
– doors, refer to Split Rear Barn Doors 28
– expanding 97
– lamp 79
– opening from outside 28
– trunk lid, refer to Split Rear
Barn Doors 28
Cargo area doors, refer to Split Rear Barn Doors 28
Cargo area lamp 79 Cargo area lid, refer to
Tailgate 28
Cargo area partition net, refer to Cargo net 98
Cargo loading 98
– securing cargo 99
– stowing cargo 99
– vehicle 96
Cargo net 98
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls 22
Carpets, care 151
Car phone
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 89
– refer to Telephone 89,116
Car radio, refer to Radio 16
Car wash, care 149
Car washes 149
Cataly

tic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system 95
CD player 109
– changing the track 109
– fast forward/reverse 109
– playing a track 110
– random order 109
– volume 104
Center armrest 89
Center brake lamp 160
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console 14
Central locking system 23
– Comfort Access 30
– from inside 26
– from outside 23
Changing bulbs 155
Changing wheels 162
Charging the battery 165
Chassis number, refer to Engine compartment 143
Check Control 61
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 42
Child restraint systems 41
Child seats 41
Chrome parts, care 151
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