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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.
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Vehicle care133
■ Fill up the washer fluid reservoir.
■ Check the engine oil level.
■ Check the coolant level.
■ Fit the number plate, if necessary.
End-of-life vehicle
recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available on our website. Only entrust this work to an
authorised recycling centre.Vehicle checks
Performing work9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The cooling fan may start
operating even if the ignition is off.
9 Danger
The ignition system generates
extremely high voltages. Do not
touch.
The caps for topping up the engine oil, the coolant, the washer fluid and the
oil dipstick handle are yellow for ease
of identification.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
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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.