MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
178
1.Open the battery cover in the engine
compartment 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 other vehicle 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 the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing
vehicles. <
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. <
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Giving and receiving assistanceMOBILITY
179
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the MINI.
It is stored in the toolkit in the cargo area under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side,
page165.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the
recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the bottom of the cover panel of the
towing eye in the bumper, arrow.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page55; otherwise, the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals, and windshield
wipers may be unavailable. Do not tow the
vehicle with just the rear axle raised, as this
would allow the steering to turn. <
There is no power assist while the engine is off.
Thus, braking and steering will require increased
effort.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
depending on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Tow vehicles with automatic transmission
only with a tow truck or with the front
wheels lifted; otherwise, the transmission can be
damaged. <
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may
be impossible to maintain control. <
The tow fittings used should be on the same side
on both vehicles. Should it prove impossible to
avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please
observe the following:
> Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
> The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
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MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
180
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage. <
Towing with a 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. <
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI transported by a tow truck with a
so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may
result. <
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page 177.
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 55.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. Afte r 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
warning flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
182
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters of fuel are
still in the tank
Remains on:
Cruising range is no more than
30 miles/50 km, page65
Engine refuses to start Depress th e brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, page 55.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
open Switch off the ignition, page
55, or
close the driver's door.
Lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps on
Door open
Hood open
Tailgate open
Cargo area cover in the MINI
Convertible Convertible top cannot be activated.
Bring cargo area cover in required
position, re
fer to page 109.
Lights up in red:
Convertible top not locked Convertible top not locked. First
completely open or close the
convertible top, and then continue
the trip, page 35 and 42.
12Cause What to do
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MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
184
Fuel cap missing or looseMake sure that the fuel cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between
the fuel cap and the vehicle.
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
page 62.
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements,
page 159.
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
necessary.
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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Indicator and warning lampsMOBILITY
185
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
damage 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
without delay if the situation reoccurs.
12Cause What to do
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MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
188
Lights up in red:Have the system in question checked
without delay.
> Starter failed or The engine 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
question 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.
Flashing:
Dynamic Stability Control DSC or
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is
controlling drive and braking forces,
refer also to page 76
Dynamic Traction Control DTC is
activated, refer also to page 77
The Dynamic Stability Control DSC
and Dynamic Traction Control DTC
are deactivated, refer also to page 76Driving stability limited during
acceleration and cornering.
Driving style must be adjusted.
12Cause What to do
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Indicator and warning lampsMOBILITY
191
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, page59.
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
59.
> Brake signal malfunctioning:
gear can be engaged without
depressing 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.
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
continue your journey, but moderate
your speed and exercise due caution.
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Vehicle not prevented from rolling
12Cause What to do
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