MOBILITYEngine compartment
158
Coolant
Coolant consists of half water and half additive.
Not all commercially available additives are
suitable for your MINI. Your MINI dealer knows
which additives are suitab le and will be glad to
advise you.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. Because
additives are harmful to your health, it is
important to follow the instructions on the
containers. <
Comply with the appropriate environmen-
tal protection regulations when disposing
of coolant additives. <
Coolant temperature
If the coolant, and therefore the engine, should
overheat, then a warning lamp will go on, refer
to page185.
Checking coolant level
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns. <
Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.
The coolant level is correct if it is between the
marks.
Topping off
1. Turn the cap of the ex pansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated pressure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
2. Slowly fill to the correct fluid level; do not
overfill.
3. Close by turning the cap.
Have the reason for the coolant loss eliminated
as soon as possible.
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Care
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.
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care helps to maintain the
value of your MINI.
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends
using manufacturer-approved products to clean
and care for your vehicle.
Your MINI dealer would be pleased to advise
you on cleaning and care products and services
for your MINI.
The ingredients of original MINI Care
Products have been tested, and the
products have been tested in the laboratory
and in practice. They offer optimum care and
protection for your vehicle. <
Do not use any cleansers containing
alcohol or solvents as these may cause
damage. <
Cleaning agents may contain hazardous
or health-damaging substances. Follow
the warning and hazard instructions on the
packaging. For interior cleaning, always open
the doors or windows of the vehicle.
Do not use any products that are not intended
for cleaning the vehicle. <
External care
Washing your vehicle
Especially during the winter months the
vehicle should be frequently washed. Dirt
and road salt can damage the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise,
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake rotors can corrode. <
Car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use automatic high-pressure car
washes; otherwise, water may drip into
the vehicle around the windows. <
Before driving into the car wash, check if the
system is suitable for your MINI. Observe the
following points:
> Vehicle dimensions, page 197.
> If necessary: fold in the outside mirrors,
page 49.
> Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with tracks higher than
4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the chassis could
be damaged. <
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
> Unscrew the rod antenna.
> MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: retract spoiler.
> Deactivate the rain sensor to prevent
unintentional wiping.
> Remove additional attachments, e.g.
spoilers or telephone antennas, if there is
a possibility that they could be damaged.
> Insert the remote control into the ignition
lock.
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Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that
the vehicle can roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort
Access, in the ignition lock.
2. Move the selector lever to position N.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Switch off the engine.
5. Insert the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, make sure that you maintain
sufficient distance from the vehicle and do not
exceed a maximum temperature of 140 7/
60 6 .
If the distance is too close, the pressure too high,
or the temperature too high, parts of the vehicle
can be damaged, or water can penetrate.
Observe the operating instructions for high-
pressure washers. <
Do not spray sensors, such as the Park
Distance Control, with high-pressure
washers for a long time or at a distance of less
than 1 ft/30 cm. <
Manual washing
Use a great deal of water and, if necessary, car
shampoo when washing your car by hand. Clean
the vehicle with a sponge or a washing brush
applying a slight amount of pressure.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or turn off the ignition
to prevent unintentional wiping. <
Observe local regulations regarding
washing vehicles by hand. <
Headlamps
Do not wipe dry and do not use abrasive or
corrosive cleaning agents. Remove dirt and
contamination, such as in sects, by soaking with
shampoo and then washing with plenty of
water. Do not remove accumulated ice and snow with
an ice scraper; use window deicers instead.
Windows
Clean the outside and inside of the windows and
mirrors with a window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners
containing quartz. <
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and change regularly to
prevent the formation of streaks.
Wax, preservatives and dirt on the
windows cause streaks when the wind-
shield wipers are on, and can cause premature
wear of the wiper blades and interfere with the
rain sensor. <
Care of the convertible top
The appearance and service life of the conver-
tible top largely depends on its proper care and
operation.
Please follow these instructions:
>Never attempt to fold and stow the conver-
tible top in the convertible compartment
when the top is wet or frozen. Otherwise,
water stains, mildew, and chafe marks may
occur.
> If water spots occur on the inside headliner
despite precautions, remove them using a
microfiber cloth and interior cleaner.
> If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area
for a longer period of time, make sure that
there is sufficient ventilation.
> Remove any bird droppings immediately,
since they have corrosive properties which
will corrode the conver tible top and damage
the rubber seals.
When attempting to remove stains from
the convertible top, do not use spot
removers, paint thinners, solvents, gasoline, or
similar fluids. These cleaners may damage the
rubber seals. The improper care or cleaning
methods may cause the convertible top and its
seams to leak. <
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2.Press together the lo cking spring, arrows1,
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow 2.
3. Pull the wiper blade forward and out of the
catch mechanism.
4. Press the new wiper blade into the fixture
until it engages audibly.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the hood. <
MINI Convertible: wiper blade
replacement
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2. Press locking spring together, arrows1.
3. Hold locking spring pressed together and
pull wiper blade from wiper arm, arrow 2.
4. Slide the new wiper blade onto the wind-
shield wiper arm until it audibly engages.
5. Fold down the wiper arm.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the hood. <
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, be
handled carefully. The manufacturer of your
MINI recommends having your MINI dealer per-
form any work that you do not feel competent to
perform yourself or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute amounts of contaminatio
n will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean tissue, cloth or some thing similar, or hold
the bulb by its base. <
You can obtain a selectio n of replacement bulbs
at your MINI dealer.
Only replace bulbs after they have cooled
down; otherwise, you may burn your
fingers. <
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the
consumer in question; ot herwise, short circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb manu-
facturer. <
Caring for headlamp s, refer to page162.
For any bulb replacement not described
below, contact a MINI dealer or a work-
shop that has specia lly trained personnel
working in accordance wi th the specifications
of the MINI manufacturer. <
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your MINI dealer. <
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light sources for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes are related to conven-
tional laser diodes, and legislation defines them
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source
for several hours; otherw ise, this could cause
irritation of the retina. <
Headlamp glass lens
In cool or humid weather, condensation may
occur on the interiors of the headlamps. The
condensation disappears a short time after the
light is switched on. The headlamps do not need
to be changed.
Do not remove the condensation from head-
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lamps, despite driving with lights on, and if
condensation increases, e.g., because of water
droplets, have this checked by your MINI dealer.
Xenon lamps
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of failure very low, provided that
they are not switched on and off an excessive
number of times. If a xenon lamp fails neverthe-
less, switch on the fog lamps and continue the
journey with great care, provided that local
legislation does not prohibit this.
Work on the xenon lighting system,
including lamp replacem ent, is only to be
carried out only by your MINI dealer. Due to high
voltage, there is a risk of fatal injury if work on
the xenon lamps is carried out improperly. <
Halogen low beams and high beams
H13 bulb, 60/55 watts
The H13 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses an d protective gloves.
Otherwise, there is a risk of injury if the bulb is
damaged. <
Be careful when inst alling the cover;
otherwise, leaks co uld occur and cause
damage to the headlamp system. <
Accessing the lamp from the engine
compartment
The low-beam/high-beam bulb can be changed
from the engine compartment. Removing the cover:
1.
Press the tab.
2. Flip open the cover and take it out of the
holder.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to
reattach the cover. Be careful when inst alling the cover;
otherwise, leaks could occur and cause
damage to the headlamp system. <
Replacing the bulb
1.Turn the lamp counterclockwise, arrow 1,
and remove it, arrow 2.
2. Push on the catch, arrow 1, and disconnect
the connector, arrow 2.
3. To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
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Turn signals, parking lamps, roadside
parking lamps, and fog lamps
Accessing the lamps via the wheel well
1Turn signal
2 Parking/roadside parking/fog lamps
Replacing a turn signal bulb
21 watt bulb, PY 21 W
1.Turn in the wheel.
2. Remove cover 1.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
3. Remove the inside cover.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
4. Unscrew the bulb counterclockwise. 5.
To insert the new bulb and replace the
covers, proceed in reverse order.
Replacing a parking/roadside parking
lamp bulb
5 watt bulb, W 5 W
1.Turn in the wheel.
2. Remove cover 2.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
3. Unscrew the upper bulb counterclockwise.
4. To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
Replacing a fog lamp bulb
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Turn in the wheel.
2. Remove cover 2.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
3. Pull the cable connector.
4. Unscrew the lower bulb counterclockwise.
5. To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
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Side turn signals
5watt bulb, W5W
1.Push the lamp with the ventilation grate
forward and remove.
2. Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise.
3. Pull out and replace the bulb.
4. To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
Tail lamps
Turn signals: 21 watt bulb, PY 21 W
Brake light: bulb 21 Watt/5 Watt, W 5 W
Other lights: bulb 21 Watt, P 21 W
1Turn signal
2 Tail lamp LED
3 Brake light
Changing
1.Remove the cover from the sidewall of the
cargo area.
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster:
MINI Convertible:
Move the convertible top to its uppermost
position, refer to Loading aid page 109, and
remove the cover of the luggage compart-
ment side wall.
2. Unscrew the desired bulb counterclockwise,
arrows 1.
Another bulb is located behind the luggage
compartment side wall, arrow 2.
3. To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
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Rear fog lamps/Reverse lights
Bulbs 16 Watt, W 16W
Access the lamps via the rear or underside of the
bumper.
1.Press fastening clips, arrows, together and
remove the lamp holder.
2. Remove the bulb and replace it.
3. To insert the new bulb and bulb holder,
proceed in reverse order.
4. Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly
clicks into place.
John Cooper Works: aerodynamic
bumper
Access the lamps via the rear or underside of the
bumper.
1.Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise,
arrow.
2. Remove the bulb and replace it.
3. To insert the new bulb and bulb holder,
proceed in reverse order.
License plate lamps
5 watt bulb, C 5 W
1.Using a screwdriver, push the lamp to the
left in the tab of the lamp housing, arrow 1.
2. Remove the lamp, arrow 2 .
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Insert the lamp.
Center brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation. In
the event of a malfunction, contact your MINI
dealer or a workshop that has specially trained
personnel working in accordance with the
specifications of your MINI manufacturer.
Repairing a flat tire
Safety measures in the event of a break-
down:
Park the vehicle as far as possible from moving
traffic and switch on the hazard warning
flashers.
Turn the steering wheel until the front wheels
are in the straight-ahead position and engage
the steering wheel lock. Engage the parking
brake and shift into 1st or reverse gear or place
the selector lever in position P.
All passengers should be outside the vehicle and
in a safe place, e.g. behind a guardrail.
Erect a warning triangle or warning flasher at the
appropriate distance if necessary. Comply with
all safety guidelines and regulations. <
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG