Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
101
Closing windows
Open windows increase air resistance and
therefore fuel consumption.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct tire inflation
pressure at least twic e a month and before
starting on a long trip.
Low inflation pressure increases rolling resis-
tance and thus leads to greater fuel consump-
tion and tire wear.
Drive off immediately
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds. This is the
fastest way for the cold engine to reach its oper-
ating temperature.
Think ahead while driving
Avoid unnecessary accelera tion and braking. by
maintaining a suitable di stance to the vehicle
driving ahead.
Looking-ahead an d smooth driving reduces fuel
consumption.
Avoid high engine speeds
Use first gear only for dr iving off. In second and
higher gears, accelerate smoothly to a suitable
engine and road speed. In doing so, avoid high
engine speeds and shift up early.
When you reach your desired traveling speed,
shift to the highest suitable gear and drive at
constant speed.
As a rule: driving at lo w engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red traffic light, take your
foot off the accelerator and let the car roll to a
stop in the highest gear possible.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the
accelerator and let the vehi cle coast in a suitable
gear. Fuel supply is shut off automatically when the
vehicle is coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings or
in traffic jams.
Switch off any features that are not
currently required
Features such as air conditioning, seat heaters
and the rear window defroster require a great
deal of energy and result in greater fuel con-
sumption, especially in
city driving and during
Stop & Go operation. For this reason, switch off
these features if they are not really needed.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to achieve
good economy and a long vehicle life. The
manufacturer of your MINI recommends having
the vehicle serviced by a MINI dealer. Also note
the MINI Maintenance System, page 147.
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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
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 744 - \251 07/12 BMW AG