DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
106
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mode of the automatic transmis-
sion, page 54.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal. In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will
generate noise in the
engine compartment.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can
assume the form of a sudden blowout. <
Avoid fluid spills in the cargo area as they
could damage the vehicle. <
Expanding cargo area
Cargo area cover
Do not place any objects on the cover;
otherwise, they could endanger the car's
occupants, e.g. in the case of braking or sudden
swerving, or they may damage the cover. <
When you open the tailgate, the roll-up cover is
raised.
To load bulky luggage, the cover can be
removed.
1. Unhook the lift straps from the tailgate.
2. Lift the cover slightly, arrow 1, and pull it
rearward out of the bracket, arrow 2.
MINI Countryman:
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CareMOBILITY
221
>Remove additional atta chments, e.g. spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
> Insert the remote cont rol into the ignition
lock.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the ca r wash, make sure that
the vehicle can roll:
1. Place the remote control, even with Comfort
Access, in the ig nition 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 th at you maintain suf-
ficient 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 in structions for high-
pressure washers. <
Do not spray sensors such as the Park Dis-
tance Control with hi gh-pressure washers
for a long time and main tain the greatest possi-
ble distance of approx. 1 ft/30 cm from them. <
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.
ing vehicles by hand. <
Headlamps
Do not wipe dry and do not use abrasive or cor-
rosive cleaning agents. Remove dirt and con-
tamination, such as inse cts, by soaking with
shampoo and then washing with plenty of
water.
Do not remove accumula ted 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 mirro rs with cleaners
containing quartz. <
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water an d change regularly to
prevent the formation of streaks.
Wax, preservatives and dirt on the win-
dows cause streaks when the windshield
wipers are on, and can cause premature wear of
the wiper blades and interfere with the rain sen-
sor.<
Paintwork, care
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value
and protects the pain t from the long-term
effects of aggressive substances.
Environmental influences in areas with
increased air pollution or natural contaminants,
such as tree sap or pollen, can affect the vehicle
paintwork. It is therefor e important to adjust the
frequency and extent of vehicle care corre-
spondingly.
Immediately remove any pa rticularly aggressive
substances, such as fuel that has overflowed, oil,
grease, brake fluid, or bi rd droppings; otherwise,
paint damage can be caused.
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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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