
118Driving and operatingBrakes
The brake system comprises two
independent brake circuits.
If a brake circuit fails, the vehicle can
still be braked using the other brake
circuit. However, braking effect is
achieved only when you depress the
brake pedal firmly. You need to use
considerably more force for this. The
braking distance is extended. Seek
the assistance of a workshop before
continuing your journey.
When the engine is not running, the
support of the brake servo unit
disappears once the brake pedal has been depressed once or twice.
Braking effect is not reduced, but
braking requires significantly greater
force. It is especially important to bear this in mind when being towed.
Control indicator R 3 79.
If the brake pads wear to a
predetermined point, the braking
system will require inspection. Seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Control indicator F 3 80.Antilock brake system
Antilock brake system (ABS)
prevents the wheels from locking.
ABS starts to regulate brake pressure as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
Control indicator u 3 80.
Fault
If control indicators u and A
illuminate with the messages CHECK
ABS and CHECK ESP in the Driver
Information Centre, there is a fault in the ABS. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.9 Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
If control indicators u, A , R and
C illuminate, the ABS and ESP are
deactivated and the message
BRAKING FAULT is shown in the
Driver Information Centre. Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.

Driving and operating119Parking brake
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release button,
and apply as firmly as possible on a
downhill or uphill slope.
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release
button and fully lower the lever.
To reduce the operating forces of the
parking brake, depress the foot brake
at the same time.
Control indicator R 3 79.
Brake assist
If the brake pedal is depressed
quickly and forcefully, maximum
brake force is automatically applied
(full braking).
Maintain steady pressure on the
brake pedal for as long as full braking
is required. Maximum brake force is
automatically reduced when the
brake pedal is released.Ride control systems
Traction Control system
The Traction control system (TC) is a
component part of the Electronic
stability program (ESP® Plus
) which
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
ignition is switched on and control
indicator v extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.
When TC is active v flashes.

120Driving and operating9Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator v 3 80.
Deactivation
When spinning of the drive wheels is
required TC can be deactivated:
Press the v button. Control indicator
v illuminates in the instrument
cluster.
TC is reactivated by pressing the v
button again. Control indicator v
extinguishes in the instrument cluster. TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
When vehicle speed reaches
30 mph the TC function will be
restored automatically.
Electronic stability
program
The Electronic stability program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the type of road surface or tyre grip. It also prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer/oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving stability of the vehicle on slippery road surfaces.ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control
indicator v extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action v
flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator v 3 80.

Driving and operating121
Deactivation
When spinning of the drive wheels is
required ESP® Plus
can be
deactivated:
Press the v button. Control indicator
v illuminates in the instrument cluster
and the message ESP OFF appears
in the Driver Information Centre.
ESP® Plus
is reactivated by pressing
the v button again. Control indicator
v extinguishes in the instrument
cluster. ESP® Plus
is also reactivated
the next time the ignition is switched on.
When vehicle speed reaches
30 mph the ESP® Plus
function will be
restored automatically.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control
indicator A illuminates in the
instrument cluster and the message
CHECK ESP appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 83.Driver assistance
systems9 Warning
Driver assistance systems are
developed to support the driver
and not to replace the driver's
attention.
The driver accepts full
responsibility when driving the
vehicle.
When using driver assistance
systems, always take care
regarding the current traffic
situation.
Cruise control
The cruise control can store and
maintain speeds of 20 mph and
above. Deviations from the stored speeds may occur when driving uphill or downhill.
For safety reasons the cruise control cannot be activated until the foot
brake has been operated once.

Driving and operating123
Increase speedWith cruise control active, the vehicle
speed can be increased continuously or in small increments by holding
down or tapping switch < repeatedly.
When the switch is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.
Alternatively, accelerate to the
desired speed and store by pressing
switch <.
Reduce speed
With cruise control active, the vehicle speed can be decreased
continuously or in small increments
by holding down or tapping switch ]
repeatedly.
When the switch is released the
current speed is stored and
maintained.
Deactivation
Press switch §: cruise control is
deactivated and the green control
indicator m extinguishes in the
instrument cluster.Automatic deactivation:
■ Vehicle speed drops below 20 mph,
■ The brake pedal is depressed,
■ The clutch pedal is depressed,
■ Selector lever in N.
The speed is stored and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Resume stored speed
Press switch R at a speed above
20 mph.
If the stored speed is much higher
than the current speed, the vehicle
will accelerate powerfully until the stored speed is obtained.
Deleting the stored speed Press switch m: Green control
indicators U and m extinguish in the
instrument cluster.
Cruise control speed limiter
The speed limiter prevents the
vehicle exceeding a preset maximum speed above 20 mph.Activation
Press switch U, control indicator U
illuminates yellow in the instrument
cluster.
Cruise control speed limiter function
is now in standby mode and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Accelerate to the desired speed and
press switch < or ]. The current
speed is recorded.
The vehicle can be driven normally
but it will not be possible to exceed the programmed speed limit except in an
emergency.

Driving and operating129Trailer hitch
General information
Only use towing equipment that has
been approved for your vehicle.
Entrust fitting of towing equipment at
a later date to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment.
Driving characteristics and
towing tips In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do
so if a stabiliser, which acts on the
coupling ball, is being used to reduce snaking movements. For trailers with
low driving stability the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 50 mph must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 189.
Trailer towing Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle-dependent and engine-
dependent maximum values which
must not be exceeded. The actual trailer load is the difference between
the actual gross weight of the trailer
and the actual coupling socket load
with the trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sealevel. Since engine power decreases
as altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10 %
for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving
on roads with slight inclines (less than
8 %, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 171.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load, especially
in the case of heavy trailers. The
vertical coupling load should never
fall below 25 kg.

132Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................132
Vehicle checks ........................... 133
Bulb replacement .......................140
Electrical system ........................148
Vehicle tools .............................. 150
Wheels and tyres .......................151
Jump starting ............................. 160
Towing ....................................... 162
Appearance care .......................164General Information
Accessories and vehicle
modifications
We recommend the use of genuine parts and accessories and factory
approved parts specific for your
vehicle type. We cannot assess or
guarantee reliability of other products
- even if they have a regulatory or
otherwise granted approval.
Do not make any modifications to the electrical system, e.g. changes of
electronic control units (chip tuning).
Vehicle storage Storage for a long period of time
The following tasks must be carried
out if the vehicle is to be stored for several months:
■ Wash and wax the vehicle.
■ Have the wax in the engine compartment and underbody
checked.
■ Clean and preserve rubber seals.■ Change engine oil.
■ Drain washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check coolant antifreeze.
■ Adjust tyre pressure to the value specified for full load.
■ Park vehicle in a dry, well ventilated
place.Engage first or reverse
gear.Prevent the vehicle from
rolling.
■ Do not apply parking brake.
■ Open bonnet, close all doors and lock the vehicle.
■ Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.Beware that all systems are
not functional, e.g. anti-theft alarm
system.
Putting back into operation
The following tasks must be carried
out if the vehicle is being put back into operation:
■ Connect the clamp to the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.Activate the electronics of
the power windows.
■ Check tyre pressure.

136Vehicle care
concentration checked and have thecause of the coolant loss remedied by a workshop.
If a substantial amount of coolant is
required, it will be necessary to bleed
any trapped air from the cooling
system.Seek the assistance of a
workshop.
Power steering fluid
If the fluid level in the reservoir falls
below the MINI mark consult a
workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of windscreen
washer fluid which contains
antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Brakes
A squealing noise, or illumination ofbrake pad wear control indicator F
indicates that the brake lining is at its
minimum thickness.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake linings replaced as
soon as possible.
Once new brake linings are installed,
do not brake unnecessarily hard for
the first few journeys.
Brake pad wear indicator F 3 80.
Brake fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.