Page 142 of 215
140Vehicle careBonnetOpening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
Pull the safety catch, located slightly
left of centre, and open the bonnet.
Pull up the support rod from its holder,
then secure it in the right side hook on the underside of the bonnet.
If the bonnet is opened during an Autostop, the engine will be restarted
automatically for safety reasons.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop into the catch from a low height
(20-25 cm). Check that the bonnet is
engaged.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manually
on a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine.
Ensure that the correct specification
of oil is used. Recommended fluids
and lubricants 3 179.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 10 minutes.
Page 143 of 215

Vehicle care141
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
insert it to the stop on the handle, pull
out and read the engine oil level.Caution
It is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of an
appropriate quality oil in the
engine.
When the engine oil level has
dropped to the MIN mark, top-up
engine oil.
Caution
Do not allow the engine oil level to drop below the minimum level!
We recommend the use of the same
type of engine oil that was used at the
last change.
The engine oil level must not exceed the maximum mark MAX on the
dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out.
To prevent spillage when
replenishing the engine oil, we
recommend using a funnel. Ensure funnel is securely located onto the
filler pipe.
A stabilization of the engine oil
consumption will not take place until
the vehicle has been driven several
thousand miles. Only then can the
actual degree of consumption be
established.
If consumption exceeds more than
0.5 litres every 600 miles after this
running-in period, consult a
workshop.
Capacities 3 200, Engine oil level
monitor 3 76.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Page 144 of 215

142Vehicle careEngine coolantThe coolant provides freeze
protection down to approx. -28 °C.Caution
Only use approved antifreeze.
Coolant level
Caution
Too low a coolant level can cause engine damage.
If the cooling system is cold, the
coolant level should be just above the
MINI mark.Top up if the level is low.9Warning
Allow the engine to cool before
opening the cap. Carefully open
the cap, relieving the pressure
slowly.
Top up with antifreeze.If no antifreeze
is available, use clean tap water or
distilled water.Install the cap
tightly.Have the antifreeze
concentration checked and have the
cause 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 fluidCaution
Extremely small amounts of
contamination can cause steering
system damage and cause it to not work properly. Do not allow
contaminates to contact the fluid
side of the reservoir cap or from
entering the reservoir.
The fluid level normally does not need
to be checked. If an unusual noise is
heard during steering or if the power
steering reacts conspicuously, seek
the assistance of a workshop.
Depending on vehicle, the power
steering fluid reservoir may be
located in the engine compartment
(Type A) or below the front wheel
arch, behind a trim panel (Type B).
Page 146 of 215

144Vehicle careBrakesIn the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
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 fluid9 Warning
Brake fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, fabrics and painted surfaces.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX marks.
When topping up, ensure maximum cleanliness as contamination of the
brake fluid can lead to brake system
malfunctions. Have the cause of the
loss of brake fluid remedied by a
workshop.
Only use brake fluid approved for
your vehicle.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 179.
Vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is maintenance-
free provided that the driving profile
allows sufficient charging of the
battery. Short-distance-driving and
frequent engine starts can discharge
the battery. Avoid the use of
unnecessary electrical consumers.
Batteries do not belong in household
waste. They must be disposed of at
an appropriate recycling collection
point.
Laying up the vehicle for more than
4 weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
Ensure the ignition is switched off
before connecting or disconnecting
the vehicle battery.
Page 148 of 215

146Vehicle careDiesel fuel filter
Drain diesel fuel filter of residual
water at every engine oil change.
Place a container underneath the
filter housing. Loosen the knurled
screws on the filter cover and on the
lower part of the filter by approx. one
turn, to drain off the water.
The filter is drained as soon as diesel fuel emerges from the knurled screw
at the bottom. Retighten the two
screws.
Check diesel fuel filter at shorter
intervals if the vehicle is subjected to
extreme operating conditions.
Diesel fuel system
bleeding
If the fuel tank has been run dry, it will be necessary to air vent or bleed the
diesel fuel system.
Fill the tank with fuel and proceed as
follows:
1. Place a suitable container underneath the fuel filter vent
screw to collect fuel.
2. Loosen the vent screw (arrowed) by one turn.
3. Manually operate the in-line supply pump slowly and steadily
until fuel discharging from the
loosened vent screw is free of air
bubbles.
4. Retighten the vent screw.
If the engine cannot be started after
several attempts to bleed the diesel
fuel system, seek the assistance of a
workshop.
Wiper blade replacement Wiper blades on the windscreen
Page 157 of 215
Vehicle care155Instrument panel
illumination
Have bulbs replaced by a workshop.Electrical system
Fuses Data on the replacement fuse mustmatch the data on the defective fuse.
There are two fuse boxes in the
vehicle:
■ on the left-hand side of the instrument panel, behind the trim
panel.
■ in the engine compartment located below the coolant expansion tank.
Before replacing a fuse, turn off the
respective switch and the ignition.
A blown fuse can be recognised by its melted wire. Do not replace the fuse
until the cause of the fault has been
remedied.
It is advisable to carry a full set of
fuses. Consult a workshop.
Some functions are protected by
several fuses.
Fuses may also be inserted without
existence of a function.
Notice
Not all fuse box descriptions in this
manual may apply to your vehicle.
When inspecting the fuse box, refer to the fuse box label.
Page 158 of 215
156Vehicle care
Fuse extractor
To help in replacing fuses, a fuse
extractor is located in the instrument
panel fuse box.
Place the fuse extractor on the
various types of fuse from the top or
side, and withdraw fuse.
Engine compartment fusebox
Located below the coolant expansion tank.
Some circuits may be protected by
several fuses.
Due to restricted accessibility, have
fuses replaced by a workshop.SymbolCircuitSRight side lightsTLeft side lightsWRight low beamaLeft low beam>Front fog lightLLeft high beamNRight high beamuABSKWindscreen wipernHeating and ventilation
system, air conditioningVHeated windscreen
Page 162 of 215

160Vehicle care
Tyre pressures differ depending onvarious options. For the correct tyre
pressure value, follow the procedure
below:
1. Identify the engine identifier code.
Engine data 3 185.
2. Identify the respective tyre.
The tyre pressure tables show all possible tyre combinations 3 201.
For the tyres approved for your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of
Conformity provided with your vehicle or other national registration
documents.
The driver is responsible for correct
adjustment of tyre pressure.9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can
result in considerable tyre warm-
up and internal damage, leading to tread separation and even to tyre
blow-out at high speeds.
Rear-wheel drive, with twin rear
wheels When inflating the outer tyre, the
inflation tube should be passed
between the two wheels.
Tyre pressure monitoring
system
The Tyre Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) uses radio and
sensor technology to check tyre
pressure levels.Caution
Tyre pressure monitoring system
warns only about low tyre pressure
condition and does not replace
regular tyre maintenance by the
driver.
All wheels must be equipped with pressure sensors and the tyres must
have the prescribed pressure.
Notice
In countries where the tyre pressure
monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle type approval.
The TPMS sensors monitor the air
pressure in the tyres and transmit tyre pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
Tyre pressures in display The current tyre pressures can be
shown in the Driver Information
Centre 3 84.