Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
107
Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif-
ferent factors. Fuel consumption and environ-
mental pollution are affected by various actions,
the manner of driving and regular maintenance.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove attached parts no longer in use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof- or rear-mounted
luggage racks whenever you are not using
them.
Attached parts on the vehicle affect its aerody-
namics and increase fuel consumption.
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 twice a month and before start-
ing 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 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 suit
able 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 man-
ufacturer of your MINI recommends having the
vehicle serviced by a MINI dealer. Also note the
MINI Maintenance System, page 211.
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252
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake System69
Accepting a call 159,171
Accessories, see Vehicle equipment 4
Acknowledgment signals for locking/unlocking vehicle 28
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate control 89
Adaptive Light Control 82
Adding engine oil 209
Additives
– coolant 210
– engine oil 209
Address, entering 118
Address for navigation
– entering 112,118
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 86
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 87
Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to
Tone control 133
Airbags 78
– sitting safely 38
– warning lamp 79
Air conditioner 85
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 86
– automatic cl imate control87
– ventilation 89
Air distribution
– automatic 88
– individual 87
– manual 87 Air flow rate
86,88
– air conditioning system 86
– automatic climate control 88
– heating, ventilation 86
Airing, refer to Ventilation89
Air outlets, refe r to Air vents86
Air pressure, checking, refer to Tire inflation pressure 195
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 86,88
Air supply
– air conditioner 86
– automatic climate control 87
– ventilation 89
Air vents 86
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 193
Alarm system 32
All-season ti res, refer to Winter
tires 206
AM, waveband 135
Ambi ent a
ir, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 86,88
Ambient lighting 84
Antenna, care 213
Antifreeze
– coolant 210
– washer fluid 54
Antilock Brake System ABS 69
Anti-theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 32
Anti-theft system 27
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 242
Approved engine oils 209
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 242
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 95 Arrival time
– computer
59
– route guidance 121
Ashtray 96
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 69
Audio 132
– controls 132
– switching on/off 132
– tone control 133
– volume 133
Audio device, external 94
Automatic
– air distribution 88
– air flow rate 88
– cruise control 55
– headlamp control 81
Automatic climate control 85
– automatic air distribution 88
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 49
– Interlock 50
– overriding selector lever lock 51
– Shiftlock 50
– sport program 51
AUTO program for automatic climate control 88
Auxiliary phone 168
AUX-In, refer to External audio device 94
AUX-In connection 145
Average fuel consumption 58
– setting the units 60
Average speed 59
Av oiding highways for
navigati o
n121
Axle loads, refer to Weights 242
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