DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
114
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 vehicle 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 li ghts, 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 servic ed 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 218.
Driving on poor roads
Your MINI with ALL4 drive is at home on any
type of street or road. It combines an all-wheel
drive system with the ad vantages of a normal
passenger car.
Do not drive on unpa ved terrain, as other-
wise the vehicle may be damaged. <
When you are driving on poor roads, there are a
few points which you shou ld strictly observe for
your own safety, for that of your passengers,
and for the safety of the vehicle:
> Familiarize yourself with the vehicle before
beginning to drive and do not take risks
under any circumstances.
> Adapt your speed to road conditions. The
steeper and rougher the road surface is, the
lower the speed should be.
> When driving on very steep uphill or down-
hill grades, make sure in advance that the
engine oil and coolant levels are close to the
maximum mark, refer to page 215.
> While driving, watch carefully for obstacles
such as rocks or holes. Try to avoid these
obstacles whenever possible.
> Make sure that the un dercarriage does not
touch the ground, for example on hilltops
and bumpy roads. The ground clearance of
the vehicle is a maximum of approx. 6.0 in/
15 cm. Please note that the ground clear-
ance can vary depending on loading and the
driving conditions of the vehicle.
> Only drive through road surface water up to
a maximum water depth of 1 ft/30 cm and
only at walking speed ; do not remain sta-
tionary.
> After driving through water at low speed,
lightly press the brake pedal several times to
dry the brakes and to prevent the braking
effect from being reduced by wetness.
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260
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake System72
Accepting a call 167,179
Accessories, see Vehicle equipment 4
Acknowledgment signals for locking/unlocking vehicle 28
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate control 91
Adaptive Light Control 85
Adding engine oil 216
Additives
– coolant 217
– engine oil 216
Address, entering 126
Address for navigation
– entering 120,126
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 88
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 90
Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to
Tone control 141
Airbags 81
– sitting safely 38
– warning lamp 83
Air conditioner 88
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 88
– automatic cl imate control90
– ventilation 92
Air distribution
– automatic 90
– individual 89
– manual 89 Air flow rate
88,90
– air conditioning system 88
– automatic climate control 90
– heating, ventilation 88
Airing, refer to Ventilation92
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure 203
Air recirculation, refer to Recirculated-air
mode 89,90
Air supply
– air conditioner 88
– automatic climate control 90
– ventilation 92
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 201
Alarm system 32
ALL4 all-wheel drive system 74
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires 213
A ll-wh
ee
l drive, refer to
ALL4 74
AM, waveband 143
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 89,90
Ambient lighting 87
Antenna, care 220
Antifreeze
– coolant 217
– washer fluid 57
Antilock Brake System ABS 72
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system 32
Approved axle loads, refer to Weights 249
Approved engine oils 216
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights 249
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 97 Arrival time
– computer
62
– route guidance 129
Ashtray 100
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 72
Audio 140
– controls 140
– switching on/off 140
– tone control 141
– volume 141
Audio device, external 97
Automatic
– air distribution 90
– air flow rate 90
– cruise control 58
– headlamp control 84
Automatic climate control 88
– automatic air distribution 90
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 52
– Interlock 53
– overriding selector lever lock 54
– Shiftlock 53
– sport program 54
AUTO program for automatic climate control 90
Auxiliary phone 176
AUX-In, refer to External audio device 97
AUX-In connection 153
Average fuel consumption 61
– setting the units 64
Average speed 62
Avoiding highways for navigation 129
Axle loads, refer to
Weights 249
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