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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 terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-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. Body ground in MINI:
6.
Attach the second te rminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle to be started
in the usual manner.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged. Never use spray fluids to start the
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing
away
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing. <
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. <
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avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please
observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuver ing capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
> The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage. <
With tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other pa rts of the vehicle could
result in damage. <
With tow truck: vehicles without ALL4
all-wheel drive
Have the MINI Countryman transported by a tow
truck with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
With tow truck: vehicles with ALL4 all-
wheel drive
Do not have your vehicle with ALL4 all-
wheel drive towed with the front or rear
axle raised individually; otherwise, the wheels
may lock and the transfer case may be dam-
aged. < Only have your MINI Countryman transported
on a flat bed.
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page
165.
Vehicles with a catalyti c converter should only
be tow-started when the engine is cold, vehicles
with an automatic transmission cannot be tow-
started at all.
1. Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2. Switch on the ignition, page 45.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. After the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch completely
again.
5. Stop at a suitable lo cation, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
page 53.
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements,
page 149.
Lights up in yellow:
The next time that the Start/Stop
button is pressed, the engine starts,
possibly even without a foot on the
brakes or without depressing the
clutch
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detected The engine cannot be started. Have
the remote control checked, if neces-
sary.
Remote control battery is discharged Use the remote control for a longer journey or, in cars with Comfort
Access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/ or airbag system
failed Have the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Steering response will be
markedly different. Have the system
checked without delay.
12Cause What to do
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MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
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Lights up in red:
Engine malfunctionStop the car and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available Y ou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the engine
checked as soon as possible.
Indicator lamp 1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in dam-
age to the catalytic converter You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the vehicle
checked without delay.
Indicator lamp 1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse
effect on exhaust emissions You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the car checked as
soon as possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down. Do not open the hood;
otherwise, there is a risk of injury from
scalding. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
12Cause What to do
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Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads checked without delay.
Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Contact your MINI dealer.
Display in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked without delay.
> Starter failed or The engi ne cannot be restarted.
> Ignition malfunctioning. Engine
restart only possible when brake
is depressed or
> Lighting system failed. Low
beams/tail lamps and brake
lamps still operational. All other
lamps failed Depress the brake to start the engine
again.
Lights up in yellow:
> Control of the brake lamps failed
or
> fuel supply malfunctioning You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the system in ques-
tion checked without delay.
> Drive malfunctioning You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Transmission limp-home
program active with restricted range
of gears. Have the system checked
immediately.
12Cause What to do
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Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
The small lamp flashes yellow and
then stays on, the large lamp lights
up in yellow:
>Tire Pressure Monitor failed.
Punctures are not indicated Have the system checked.
> Wheel mounted without TPM
electronics Have the system checked.
Lights up in red:
> Transmission limp-home pro-
gram active with restricted range
of gears, possibly with reduced
acceleration You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the system
checked without delay.
> Gears can be engaged without
depressing the brake Always depress the brake to engage a
gear.
> Automatic selector lever locked Manually releasing the selector lever
lock, page49.
Lights up in yellow: Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
> Automatic selector lever locked:
Selector lever locked in position P
with engine running and brake
depressed or Manually releasing the selector lever
lock, page
49.
> Brake signal malfunctioning: gear
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brake To engage a gear while the vehicle is
at a standstill, always depress the
brake. Before leaving the vehicle,
move the selector lever to position P
and switch off the engine.
12Cause What to do
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Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and move the
selector lever to position P. Allow the
transmission to cool down. You can
continue your journey, but moderate
your speed and exercise due caution.
Have the system checked if the situa-
tion reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con- tinue your journey, but moderate
your speed and exercise due caution.
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Vehicle not prevented from rolling
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Ignition cannot be switched off Engage selector lever position P when
you wish to switch off the ignition,
page
45.
Cruise control system fail edHave the system checked.
Park Distance Control fail edHave the system checked.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failed Have the exterior lighting checked as
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp
failed Have the lamps checked as soon as
possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps
checked.
Rear fog lamp failed Have the rear fog lamp checked.
12Cause What to do
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MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
180
Adaptive Light Control has failed
Coolant level too lowAdd coolant immediately, page148.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in red:
Service appointment overdue Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, page 61.
Lights up in yellow:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, page 61.
No service due
Set speed limit
exceeded
Time and date no longer correct Set the time and date, page 62.
12Cause What to do
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