DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
106
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
traction potential until af ter 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 the tailgate
Only drive with the tailgate 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
evasive maneuver. In a ddition, exhaust gas may
flow into the passenger compartment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely
necessary to drive with the tailgate open:
1. Coupe: close all windows.
2. Switch off the recirculated-air mode and
switch the airflow contro l of the heating, air
conditioner, or automa tic climate control to
high, refer to page 95 or97.
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
108
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine
braking action will not be present or there will be
no power assistance to the 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 op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
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.
<
MINI Coupe: 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. <
Your MINI Coupe is equipped with two cargo
area covers. When you open the tailgate, the
rear cargo area cover is raised.
The cargo area covers can be removed
individually.
Front cargo area cover
Pull cargo area cover back out of the holders,
arrow 1.
Rear cargo area cover
1. Pull release, arrow 1, left and right.
2. Pull cargo down out of the holders arrow 2.
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Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
113
Avoid high engine speeds
Use first gear only for driving 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 159.
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COMMUNICATIONSTelephone
128
Telephone
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.
Overview
The concept
Mobile phones can be connected to the vehicle
through Bluetooth.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of
Bluetooth® SIG, Inc.
Your MINI is equipped with a mobile phone
preparation package. Af ter a suitable mobile
phone is paired with the vehicle once, the
mobile phone can be controlled via the radio,
the buttons on the steering wheel, and by voice.
It may be necessary for some functions to be
activated by the mobile phone provider.
Only make entries when traffic conditions
permit. Do not hold the mobile phone in
your hand while you are driving; use the hands-
free system instead. If you do not observe this
precaution, your being distracted can endanger
vehicle occupants and other road users. <
Snap-in adapter
The snap-in adapter, refer to page136, makes it
possible to:
> Accommodate the mobile phone.
> Recharge its battery.
> Connect it to an exte rnal antenna of the
vehicle.
This assures a better network connection
and constant sound quality. A mobile phone that is connected to the vehicle
should not be operated via the mobile phone
keypad; otherwise, ma
lfunctions may occur.
Suitable mobile phones
Precise information as to which mobile phones
are supported by the hands-free device can be
found at www.mini.com/connectivity.
Notes
Do not expose your mobile phone to extreme
ambient conditions, for example, very high tem-
peratures; otherwise, fu nctions on your mobile
phone may not work. Follow the operating
instructions for yo ur mobile phone.
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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
143
Wheels and tires
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 count ry version. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Tire inflation pressures
Information for your safety
It is not merely the tires' service life, but also
driving comfort and, to a great extent, driving
safety that depend on the condition of the tires
and the maintenance of the specified tire pres-
sure.
Checking pressure
Check the tire inflatio n pressure regularly
and correct it, if nece ssary: at least twice a
month and before starting long trips. If you fail
to observe this precaution you may be driving
on tires with incorrect tire pressures, a condition
that can not only compromise your vehicle's
driving stability, but also lead to tire damage and
the risk of an accident. Do not drive with
deflated, i.e. flat tires, except when using run-
flat tires. A flat tire will seriously impair your
vehicle's handling and braking response.
Attempts to drive on a flat tire can lead to loss of
control over the vehicle. <
Check the tire inflation pressures only on cold
tires. This means after a maximum of 1.25 miles/
2 km driving or when the vehicle has been
parked for at least 2 hours. When tires are warm,
the tire inflation pressure is higher. After adjusting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, page 80,
or reset the Tire Pressure Monitor, page 82.<
Checking the tire inflation pressure of
the compact tire
A valve extension for checking the inflation
pressure is located behind the bumper.
Inflation pressure specifications
The tables below provide all the correct inflation
pressures for the specifie d tire sizes at ambient
temperature.
The tire inflation pressures apply to the
tire sizes approved and the tire brands
recommended by the manufacturer of your
MINI. Your MINI dealer will be glad to advise
you. <
For correct identification of the right tire infla-
tion pressures, observe the following:
> Tire sizes for your vehicle
> Maximum allowable driving speed
Tire inflation pressures for driving up to
100 mph or 160 km/h
For normal driving up to 100 mph or 160 km/h
and to achieve optimum dr iving comfort, adjust
pressures to the respective tire inflation pres-
sures listed on the foll owing pages in the col-
umns for traveling speeds up to a maximum of
100 mph or 160 km/h.
These tire inflation pre ssures can also be found
on the driver's side door pillar when the driver's
door is open.
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MaintenanceMOBILITY
159
Maintenance
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 count ry version. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
MINI Maintenance System
The MINI Maintenance System will remind you
of necessary maintenance measures and by
doing so, will assist you in maintaining the traffic
and operating safety of your vehicle.
If and when you come to sell your MINI, a
comprehensive record of servicing will prove
a significant benefit.
Condition Based Service CBS
Sensors and special algori thms take the different
driving conditions of your MINI into account.
Condition Based Service uses this to determine
the current and future se rvice requirements. By
letting you define a service and maintenance
regimen that reflects your own individual
requirements, the system builds the basis for
trouble-free driving.
In the tachometer, you can have the remaining
times or distances for selected maintenance
tasks and any legally prescribed dates displayed,
page 71.
Service data in the remote control
Your vehicle continuously stores service-
requirement info rmation in the remote control
while you are driving. Your MINI dealer can read
out this data from the remote control unit, and
propose an optimized maintenance approach.
Whenever you take your car in for servicing you
should therefore hand your MINI dealer the
remote control unit that you last used.
Make sure that the date in the tachometer
is always set correctly, page 73; otherwise,
the effectiveness of Condition Based Service CBS
is not assured. <
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models
Please consult your Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models and Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models for
additional information on service requirements.
The manufacturer of the MINI recom-
mends that you have service and repair
operations performed at your MINI dealer.
Take the time to ensure that these service
procedures are confirmed by entries in your
vehicle's Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries verify that your vehicle has received the
specified regula r maintenance.<
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206
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake System76
Accepting a call 133
Accessories, see Vehicle equipment 4
Acknowledgment signals for locking/unlocking vehicle 25
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate control 98
Adaptive Light Control 90
Adding engine oil 157
Additives
– coolant 158
– engine oil 157
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 95
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 96
Airbags 85
– sitting safely 45
– warning lamp 86
Air conditioner 94
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 95
– automatic cl imate control96
– ventilation 98
Air distribution
– automatic 97
– individual 96
– manual 96
Air flow rate 95,97
– air conditioning system 95
– automatic cl imate control97
– heating, ventilation 95
Airing, refer to Ventilation98
Air outlets, refer to Air vents 94Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure 143
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 95,97
Air supply
– air conditioner 95
– automatic climate control 96
– ventilation 98
Air vents 94
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 141
Alarm system 29
All-season tires, refer to Winter tires 153
Always Open Timer 67
Ambient air, refer to Recirculated-air
mode 95,97
Ambient lighting 93
Antenna, care 161
An
tifreeze
– coolant 158
– washer fluid 62
Antilock Brake System ABS 76
Anti-theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 29
Anti-theft system 23
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 203
Approved engine oils 157
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 203
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 100
Ashtray 101
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control DSC 76
Audio device, external 99Automatic
– air distribution
97
– air flow rate 97
– cruise control 63
– headlamp control 88
Automatic climate control 94
– automatic air distribution 97
Automatic rear spoiler 78
Automatic station search 117
Automatic station storage 118
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 57
– interlock 58
– overriding selector lever lock 59
– shiftlock 58
– sport program 59
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 97
Auto radio, refer to Radio MINI
Boost CD 116
AUX-In, refer to External audio device 99
AUX-In connection 116
Average fuel consumption 66
– setting the units 70
Average speed 67
Axle loads, refer to Weights 203
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting 93
Backrests, refer to Seats 46
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 169
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch 177
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REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
208
Cleaning headlamps62
– washer fluid 62
Clock
– setting time 73
– 12 h/24 h mode 70
Closing
– from inside 27
– from outside 23
Clothes hooks 100
Cockpit 10
Cold start, refer to Starting the engine 56
Comfort Access 31
– replacing the battery 33
– what to observe before entering a car wash 32
Comfort area, refer to Around the center console 14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock 55
Compressed audio files 121
Computer 66
Condensation, refer to When the vehicle is parked 108
Condition Based Service CBS 159
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile 22
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting electrical
appliances 101,102
Consumption, refer to Average
fuel consumption 66
Control Display
– settings 68
Controls and displays 10
Convenience operation
– windows 24
Convenient access, refer to Comfort Access 31
Convenient start, refer to
Starting the engine 56
Convertible top 34
– manual 39
– mechanical 39 Coolant
158
– checking level 158
– filling 158
– temperature 158
Cooling, maximum 97
Cooling fluid, refer to Coolant 158
Copyright 2
Cornering light, refer to Adaptive Light Control 90
Cruising range 66,67
Cupholders 101
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 203
Current fuel consumption 67
D
Dashboard, refer to Cockpit
10
Dashboard instruments, refer to Displays 12
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 92
Data 196
– capacities 205
– dimensions 197
– engine 196
– weights 203
Data memory 160
Date
– setting 73
Daytime running lights 89
DBC Dynamic Brake Control,
refer to Brake Assist 76
Deactivating front passenger airbags 85
Deadlocking, refer to Locking 25
Defect
– door lock 27
– fuel filler flap 140
Defogging windows 96,98
Defrosting windows 96,98
Defrosting windows and removing condensation
– air conditioner 96
– automatic climate control 98Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting windows 96,98
Defrost positi on, refer to
Defrosting windows 96,98
Differential, breaking in 106
Digital radio, refer to HD Radio 119
Dimensions 197
Dipstick, engine oil 156
Directional indicators, refer to
Turn signals 60
Displacement, refer to Engine data 196
Display lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 92
Displays 12
– care 164
– instrument panel 12
Displays and controls 10
Disposal
– of coolant 158
– remote control battery 33
– vehicle battery 176
Distance remaining to service, refer to Service
requirements 71
Distance warning, refer
to Park
Distance Control PDC 75
Door key, refer to Integrated key/remote control 22
Door lock 26
Door lock, confirmation signals 25
Doors, manual operation 27
DOT Quality Grades 151
Drinks holders, refer to
Cupholders 101
Drive-off assistant, refer to Hill Assist 78
Driving dynamics control, refer to Sport button 78
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams 88
Driving notes 106
Driving off on inclines, refer to
Hill Assist 78
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG