2014 MINI COOPER tow

Tire damage
General information Inspect your tires often for damage, foreign ob‐
jects lodged in the tread, and tread wear.
Hints
Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces,
as well as debris, curbs and other obstacles can
cause serious damage to wheels, tires and sus‐
pension parts. This is more likely to occur with
low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning
between the wheel and the road. Be careful to
avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, es‐
pecially if your vehicle is equipped with low-
profile tires.
Indications of tire damage or other vehicle de‐
fects:▷Unusual vibrations during driving.▷Unusual handling such as a strong ten‐
dency to pull to the left or right.
Damage can, e. g., be caused by driving over
curbs, road damage, or similar things.
In case of tire damage
If there are indications of tire damage, re‐
duce your speed immediately and have the
wheels and tires checked right away; other‐
wise, there is the increased risk of an accident.
Drive carefully to the nearest service center.
Have the vehicle towed or transported there.
Otherwise, tire damage can become life threat‐
ening for vehicle occupants and also other road
users. ◀
Repair of tire damage
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you do not have
damaged tires repaired; they should be re‐
placed. Otherwise, damage can occur as a re‐
sult. ◀
Changing wheels and
tires
Mounting Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards. ◀
Wheel and tire combination Information on the correct wheel-tire combina‐
tion and rim versions for your vehicle can be
obtained from your service center.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair
the function of a variety of systems such as ABS
or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
Approved wheels and tires
You should only use wheels and tires that
have been approved by the vehicle manufac‐
turer for your vehicle type; otherwise, for ex‐
ample, despite having the same official size rat‐
ings, variations can lead to body contact and
with it, the risk of severe accidents
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot evalu‐
ate non-approved wheels and tires to deter‐
mine if they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of the vehi‐
cle if they are mounted. ◀Seite 173Wheels and tiresMOBILITY173
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Sealant bottle▷Sealant bottle, arrow 1.▷Filling hose, arrow 2.
Note the use-by date on the sealant bottle.
Compressor
1On/off switch2Holder for bottle3Reduce inflation pressure4Inflation pressure dial5Compressor6Connector/cable for socket7Connection hose — stowed in the bottom
of the compressorFilling the tire with sealant1.Shake the sealant bottle.2.Take the connection hose completely out of
the compressor housing. Do not kink the
hose.3.Attach the connection hose to the connec‐
tor of the sealing bottle, ensuring that it en‐
gages audibly.Seite 176MOBILITYWheels and tires176
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Stowing the Mobility System1.Disconnect the connection hose of the seal‐
ant bottle from the wheel.2.Disconnect the connection hose from the
sealant bottle.3.Wrap the empty sealant bottle and connec‐
tion hose in suitable material to avoid dirty‐
ing the cargo area.4.Stow the Mobility System back in the vehi‐
cle.
Distributing the sealant
Immediately drive to ensure that the sealant is
evenly distributed in the tire.
Do not exceed a speed of .
Do not drop below if possible.
Correcting the tire inflation pressure
1.Stop at a suitable location.2.Screw the connection hose onto the tire
valve stem.3.Attach the connection hose directly to the
compressor.4.Insert the connector into a power socket in‐
side the vehicle.5.Correct the tire inflation pressure to 2.5 bar.▷Increase pressure: with the ignition
turned on or the engine running, switch
on the compressor.▷To reduce the pressure: press the but‐
ton on the compressor.
Continuing the trip
Do not exceed the maximum permissible speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h.
Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page 97.
Reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer to
page 94.
Replace the defective tire and the sealant bot‐
tle of the Mobility System as soon as possible.
Snow chains
Fine-link snow chains Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your vehi‐
cle, classified as road-safe and approved.
Information about the approved snow chains
are available from the service center.
Use
Use only in pairs on the front wheels, equipped
with the tires of the following size:
▷175/65 R 15.Seite 178MOBILITYWheels and tires178
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Use the vehicle jack only for changing
wheels
Use the vehicle jack only for changing wheels
Do not attempt to use it to jack up a different
type of vehicle or loads of any kind; otherwise,
this could cause material damage and personal
injury. ◀
Removing compact wheel The compact wheel is housed in a well on the
underbody of the vehicle. The screw connec‐
tion of the compact wheel is located in the
cargo area under the floor mat, on the floor of
the storage compartment for the wheel chang‐
ing set.1.Loosen the nut from the wheel change set
using the wheel wrench.2.Remove the retaining plate.3.Screw the wheel wrench on the threads
and loosen the lock clockwise rotation.
Compact wheel releases and must be held
with the wheel wrench.4.Lower the compact wheel with the wheel
wrench.5.Unscrewing the wheel wrench6.Pull out the well with compact wheel under
the vehicle toward the rear.7.Remove the spacer and compact wheel of
the well.8.Stow the well and spacer in the vehicle.
Prepare wheel change
1.Follow the Safety instructions, refer to
page 196.2.With the wheel chock from the wheel
change set, also secure the vehicle against
rolling away at the front wheel of the oppo‐
site side.3.Loosen the wheel lug bolts a half turn.
Lug bolt lock, refer to page 198
Jacking up the vehicle
1.Place the vehicle jack at the jacking point
closest to the wheel such that the vehicle
jack foot is vertically beneath the vehicle
jacking point with the entire surface on the
ground.2.Insert the vehicle jack head in the rectan‐
gular recess of the jacking point for crank‐
ing it up.3.Crank it up until the wheel in question lifts
off of the ground.Seite 197Replacing componentsMOBILITY197
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Wheel mounting1.Unscrew the wheel lug bolts and remove
the wheel.2.Put the new wheel or compact wheel on
and screw in at least two bolts.
If original MINI light alloy wheels are not
mounted, any accompanying lug bolts also
have to be used.3.Screw in the remaining the lug bolts and
tighten all bolts well in a crosswise pattern.4.Lower the vehicle and remove the vehicle
jack.
After the wheel change
1.Tighten the lug bolts crosswise. The tight‐
ening torque is 101 lb ft/140 Nm.
Check for secure seating of the lug
bolts
For safety reasons, have the secure seating
of the lug bolts checked with a calibrated
torque wrench; otherwise, a safety hazard
results from incorrectly tightened lug
bolts. ◀2.Stow the defective wheel in the cargo area.
The defective wheel cannot be stored in the
compact wheel bracket because of its size.3.Check tire inflation pressure at the next op‐
portunity and correct as needed.4.Reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, refer to
page 98.
Reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer
to page 95.5.Replace the damaged tires as soon as pos‐
sible.
Driving with the compact wheel
Watch the speed when driving with the
compact wheel
Drive conservatively and do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h; otherwise, changed driving
characteristics such as reduced lane stability
while braking, extended braking distance and
changed self-steering properties in the limit
area. ◀
Mounting only one compact wheel
Only a single compact wheel may be
mounted. Reinstall wheels and tires of the orig‐
inal size as quickly as possible; otherwise, there
is a safety risk. ◀
Lug bolt lock
The adapter of the lug bolt lock is located in the
onboard vehicle tool kit, refer to page 188.▷Lug bolt, arrow 1.▷Adapter, arrow 2.
Removing
1.Attach the adapter to the wheel lug.2.Unscrew the lug bolt.
Remove the adapter after screwing the lug bolt
back on.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free, i.e., the elec‐
trolyte will last for the life of the battery.
Your service center will be glad to advise you
on questions regarding the battery.
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The so-called starting aid terminal in the engine
compartment acts as the battery's positive ter‐
minal.
Open the cap of the starting aid terminal.
The body ground acts as the negative terminal
of the battery.
Connecting the cables
1.Pull off the cap of the starting aid terminal.2.Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.3.Attach the terminal clamp on the other end
of the cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle to be started.4.Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal of
the battery, or to the corresponding engine
or body ground of assisting vehicle.5.Attach the second terminal clamp to the
negative terminal of the battery, or to thecorresponding engine or body ground of
the vehicle to be started.
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 an increased
idle speed.
If the vehicle to be started has a diesel en‐
gine: let the engine of the assisting vehicle
run for approx. 10 minutes.2.Start the engine of the vehicle to be 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
Note Tow-starting and towing
When tow-starting and towing the vehi‐
cle, switch off the Intelligent Safety systems;
otherwise, improper behavior of the braking
function of individual systems could result in an
accident. ◀
Switching off Intelligent Safety systems, refer to
page 99.
Automatic transmission: transporting your vehicle
Note Your vehicle must not be towed if the front
wheels are touching the ground. Therefore,
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contact a service center in the event of a break‐
down.
Tow the vehicle only with the front axle
raised
Have the vehicle towed only with the front axle
raised or transported on a loading platform;
otherwise, damage may occur. ◀
Tow truck
Have your vehicle 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. ◀
Use the tow fitting screwed in at the front for
maneuvering the vehicle only.
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing When the parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
Do not tow the vehicle with the parking brake
blocked, or the vehicle can be damaged.
Contact your service center. ◀
Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
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.▷The towing vehicle must not be lighter than
the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will
not be possible to control the vehicle re‐
sponse.
Tow truck
Have your vehicle 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. ◀
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Towing other vehicles
General information Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will
not be possible to control the vehicle re‐
sponse. ◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage. ◀▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.▷If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
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:
▷Maneuvering capability is limited during
cornering.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
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. ◀
Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the MINI. It is located in the
cargo area under the cargo floor panel in the
onboard vehicle tool kit, refer to page 188.
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. ◀
Screw thread
Threaded holes for the tow fitting are located in
the front and rear of the vehicle on the right
side with respect to the direction of travel.
Push out the cover by pressing on the top edge.
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