2013 MINI Coupe towing

To switch off the engine with the selector lever
in position N, the remote control must be in‐
serted in the ignition lock.
Before driving a vehicle with automatic
transmission into a car wash1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.2.Depress the brake pedal.3.Move the selector lever to position N.4.Switch the engine off.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction The Comfort Access functions can be disturbed
by local radio waves, such as by a mobile
phone in the immediate vicinity of the remote
control or when a mobile phone is being
charged in the vehicle.
If this occurs, open or close the vehicle using
the buttons on the remote control or use the
integrated key in the door lock.
To start the engine afterward, insert the remote
control into the ignition switch.
Warning lamps The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start the engine: the engine cannot be
started.
The remote control is not in the vehicle or has a
malfunction. Take the remote control with you
inside the vehicle or have it checked. If neces‐
sary, insert another remote control into the ig‐
nition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up while the engine is run‐
ning: the remote control is no longer in‐
side the vehicle.
After switching off the engine, the engine can
only be started again within approx. 10 sec‐
onds if no door has been opened.
The indicator lamp lights up and a mes‐
sage appears on the Control Display: re‐
place the remote control battery.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for Comfort Access contains
a battery that will need to be replaced from
time to time.1.Remove the cover.2.Insert a new battery with the positive side
facing upwards.3.Press the cover closed.
Return used battery to a recycling center
or to your service center.
Alarm system
The principle The alarm system, when activated, reacts if:
▷A door, the engine compartment lid or the
tailgate are opened.▷There is movement inside the car.▷The car's inclination changes, for instance if
an attempt is made to jack it up and steal
the wheels or to raise it prior to towing
away.▷There is an interruption in the power supply
from the battery
The alarm system briefly indicates unauthorised
entry or tampering by means of:
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Closing the convertible top1.Hold on to the convertible top on the re‐
spective side frames with both hands.2.Lift it out on both sides and pivot it forward
onto the cowl.3.In the vehicle, pry out the cover in the mid‐
dle of the roof using the screwdriver.
Closing the sliding sunroof
1.Insert the hex key into the opening de‐
signed for this purpose in the middle of the
roof and press upward, arrow 1.2.Turn the hex key in the direction of arrow 2.3.Open the two locks and take off the locking
pieces.Ensure that the locking pieces do not fall
onto the vehicle, as this could cause dam‐
age.4.Insert the pins into the respective mount on
the cowl, arrow.
Locking the convertible top
Turn the hex key opposite to the direction of
arrow 2 until the convertible top is locked.
Please contact your service center to eliminate
the malfunction.
MINI Convertible: wind
deflector
The wind deflector keeps air movements in the
passenger compartment to a minimum when
the convertible top is open and provides an
even more comfortable ride, even at high
speeds.
Do not allow pointed object to come into con‐
tact with the wind deflector as these may dam‐
age the net. Do not place any objects on the in‐
stalled wind deflector. When stowing, make
sure that the wind deflector is not damaged by
objects.
Before installing
1.Take the wind deflector out of the pouch.Seite 46ControlsOpening and closing46
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LoadingVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
General information Overloading the vehicle
To avoid exceeding the approved carry‐
ing capacity of the tires, never overload the ve‐
hicle. Overloading can lead to overheating and
increases the rate at which damage develops
inside the tires. This could result in a sudden
loss of tire inflation pressure. ◀
No fluids in the cargo area
Make sure that fluids do not leak into the
cargo area; otherwise, the vehicle may be dam‐ aged. ◀
Determining the load
limit1.Locate the following statement on your ve‐
hicle’s placard:▷The combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
YYY lbs. Otherwise, damage to the ve‐
hicle and unstable driving situations
may result.2.Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding in
your vehicle.3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY
pounds.4.The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load ca‐
pacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,000 lbs and there will be four 150 lbs pas‐
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 400 lbs: 1,000 lbs minus 600 lbs =
400 lbs.5.Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle.
That weight may not safely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.6.If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transfered to your
vehicle. Consult the manual for transporting
a trailer to determine how this may reduce
the available cargo and luggage load ca‐
pacity of your vehicle.
Load
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster:
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MINI Convertible:
The maximum load is the sum of the weight of
the occupants and the cargo.
The greater the weight of the occupants, the
less cargo that can be transported.
Stowing cargo
▷Very heavy cargo: when the rear seat is not
occupied, secure each of the outer safety
belts in the opposite buckle.▷Heavy cargo: stow as far forward and as
low as possible, ideally directly behind the
backrests.▷Cover sharp edges and corners.▷If necessary, fold down the rear backrests
to stow cargo.▷Place protective material around any sharp-
edged or pointed objects that could bump
against the rear window while the vehicle is
in motion.MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster
MINI Convertible
Securing cargo
Lashing eyes in the cargo area
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster
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3.Insert the sealant bottle into the compres‐
sor housing in a vertical position.4.Unscrew the dust cap off of the valve of the
defective wheel and screw the filling hose 2
of the sealant bottle onto the valve.5.Ensure that the compressor is switched off.6.Insert connector 5 into the lighter socket/
socket in the passenger compartment, refer
to page 114.7.When the engine is running:
Switch on the compressor and let it run for
approx. 3 to 8 minutes to fill sealant into
the tire and achieve a tire inflation pressure
of approx. 1.8 bar/26 psi.
While sealant is being filled, the inflation
pressure may intermittently rise to approx.
5 bar/73 psi. Do not switch off the com‐
pressor in this phase.8.Switch off the compressor.
Do not allow the compressor to run too
long
Do not allow the compressor to run longer than
10 minutes; otherwise, the device will overheat
and may be damaged. ◀
If an air pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is not
reached:
1.Unscrew the filling hose 2 from the wheel
and drive forward and back approx.
33 ft/10 m to evenly distribute the sealant
in the tire.2.Inflate the tire again using the compressor.If the inflation pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is still
not reached, the tire is too heavily damaged.
Contact the nearest service center.
Stowing the Mobility System1.Unscrew the filling hose 2 of the sealant
bottle from the wheel.2.Unscrew the compressor connection hose 6
from the sealant bottle.3.Connect the filling hose 2 of the sealant
bottle with the free connector on the seal‐
ant bottle.
This prevents left-over sealant from escap‐
ing from the bottle.4.Wrap the empty sealant bottle in suitable
material to avoid dirtying the cargo area.5.Stow the Mobility System back in the vehi‐
cle.
Distributing the sealant
Drive approx. 3.1 miles/5 km to evenly distrib‐
ute the sealant.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. If
possible, do not drop below a speed of
10 mph/20 km/h.
Correcting the tire inflation pressure
1.After driving approx. 3.1 miles/5 km, or
about 10 minutes, stop in a suitable loca‐
tion.2.Screw the connection hose 6 of the com‐
pressor directly onto the tire valve.3.Insert the connector 5 into the power
socket in the passenger compartment.4.Correct the tire inflation pressure to
1.8 bar/26 psi. When the engine is running:▷To increase the inflation pressure:
switch on the compressor. To check the
currently set inflation pressure, switch
off the compressor.▷To reduce the inflation pressure: press
the release button 9.Seite 234MobilityWheels and tires234
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the battery, or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Body ground:
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at a slightly in‐
creased idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Notes Observe applicable laws and regulations
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing. ◀
No additional passengers
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. ◀
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front
or rear of the MINI.
Tow fitting, information on use▷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, damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle can occur. ◀
Access to the screw thread Push out the tow fitting cover at the appropri‐
ate recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the tow fitting cover in the bumper in
the lower section, arrow.
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Being towedFollow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions, or vehicle
damage or accidents may occur. ◀
▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and
steering.▷▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission Towing vehicles with an automatic trans‐
mission
Only transport vehicles with an automatic
transmission on tow trucks or with raised front
wheels; otherwise, the transmission may be
damaged. ◀
Towing with a tow bar
Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than your vehicle, or it will not be possible to
control vehicle response. ◀
Correctly attach the tow bar
Only secure the tow bar on the tow fit‐
tings; damage can occur when it is secured on
other parts of the vehicle. ◀
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 offset 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.
Towing with a tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure
that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is
secured on other parts of the vehicle. ◀
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Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result. ◀
Tow-starting
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
start the engine by jump-starting, refer to
page 254. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 64.3.Shift into 3rd gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch depressed and then slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi‐
ately depress the clutch completely again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard
warning system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 258MobilityBreakdown assistance258
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