CAUTION
Too much engine oil can damage the en‐
gine or the catalytic converter. There is risk of
property damage. Do not add too much engine
oil. When too much engine oil is added, have oil
level corrected by a dealer’s service center or
another qualified service center or repair
shop. ◀
Detailed measurement
The concept
In the detailed measurement the engine oil
level is checked when the vehicle is stationary,
and displayed via a scale.
If the engine oil level reaches the minimum
level, a check control message is displayed.
During the measurement, the idle speed is in‐
creased somewhat.
Requirements▷Vehicle is parked in a horizontal position.▷Manual transmission: shift lever in neutral
position, clutch and accelerator pedals not
depressed.▷Steptronic transmission: selector lever in se‐
lector lever position N or P and accelerator
pedal not depressed.▷Engine is running and is at operating tem‐
perature.
Performing a detailed measurement
On the Control Display:
1. "Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Measure engine oil level"4."Start measurement"
The engine oil level is checked and displayed
via a scale.
Time: approx. 1 minute.
Adding engine oil
Information WARNING
Operating materials, for example oils,
greases, coolants, fuels, can contain harmful in‐
gredients. There is risk of injuries or danger to
life. Observe the instructions on the containers. Avoid the contact of articles of clothing, skin or
eyes with operating materials. Do not refill op‐
erating materials into different bottles. Store
operating materials out of reach of children. ◀
CAUTION
A too low engine oil level causes engine
damage. There is risk of property damage.
Add engine oil within the next
125 miles/200 km. ◀
CAUTION
Too much engine oil can damage the en‐
gine or the catalytic converter. There is risk of
property damage. Do not add too much engine
oil. When too much engine oil is added, have oil level corrected by a dealer’s service center or
another qualified service center or repair
shop. ◀
General information
Only add engine oil when the message is dis‐
played in the instrument cluster. The quantity
to be added is indicated in the message dis‐
played in the instrument cluster.
Switch off the ignition and safely park the vehi‐
cle before engine oil is added.
Overview
The oil filler neck is located in the engine com‐
partment, refer to page 194.
Opening the oil filler neck1.Open the hood, refer to page 194.Seite 197Engine oilMOBILITY197
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The nonworking wheel cannot be stored in
the emergency 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 107.
Reinitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor, refer
to page 104.5.Check to make sure the lug bolts are tight
with a calibrated torque wrench.
Driving with emergency wheel
WARNING
The emergency wheel has particular di‐
mensions. When driving with an emergency wheel, changed driving properties may occur at
higher speeds, for example reduced lane stabil‐
ity when braking, longer braking distance and
changed self-steering properties in the limit
area. There is risk of an accident. Drive moder‐
ately and do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h. ◀
After the trip with emergency wheel Have the following work performed only by a
dealer's service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop.
1.Replace the damaged tires as soon as pos‐
sible.2.Replace the emergency wheel with a new
wheel.3.Have the tray with the emergency wheel
installed.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free.
The added amount of acid is sufficient for the
service life of the battery.
More information about the battery can be re‐
quested from a dealer’s service center or an‐
other qualified service center or repair shop.
Battery replacement CAUTION
Vehicle batteries that are not compatible
can damage vehicle systems and impair vehicle
functions. There is a risk of personal and prop‐
erty damage. Only vehicle batteries that are
compatible with your vehicle type should be in‐
stalled in your vehicle. Information on compati‐
ble vehicle batteries is available at your dealer’s
service center. ◀
After a battery replacement, the manufacturer
of your vehicle recommends that the vehicle
battery be registered on the vehicle by a
dealer’s service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop to ensure that all
comfort features are fully available and that
any Check Control messages of these comfort
features are no longer displayed.
Charging the battery
General information
Make sure that the battery is always sufficiently
charged to guarantee that the battery remains
usable for its full service life.
The battery may need to be charged in the fol‐
lowing cases:▷When making frequent short-distance
drives.▷If the vehicle is not used for more than a
month.▷Steptronic transmission: when parked for
long periods of time in selector lever posi‐
tion D, R or N.Seite 214MOBILITYReplacing components214
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3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if needed.
Tow-starting and towing
Information WARNING
Due to system limits, individual functions
can malfunction during tow-starting/towing
with the Intelligent Safety systems activated,
for example approach control warning with
light braking function. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Switch all Intelligent Safety systems off
prior to tow-starting/towing. ◀
Switching off Intelligent Safety systems, refer to
page 109.
Steptronic transmission: transporting
the vehicle
Information The vehicle must not be towed if the front
wheels are touching the ground.
CAUTION
The vehicle can be damaged when tow‐
ing the vehicle with a lifted rear axle. There is
risk of property damage. Have vehicle trans‐
ported only with lifted front axle or on a load‐
ing platform. ◀
Tow truck
Your vehicle should be transported with a tow
truck with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
CAUTION
When lifting the vehicle by the tow fitting
or body and chassis parts; damage can occur
on vehicle parts. There is risk of property dam‐
age. Lift vehicle using suitable means. ◀
Use tow fitting located in the front only for po‐
sitioning the vehicle.
Pushing vehicle
To maneuver vehicle from the danger area,
manually unlock the transmission lock, refer to
page 74, if needed.
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing CAUTION
If manual unlocking of the parking brake
is not possible, the vehicle cannot be moved or
towed. There is risk of property damage. The
vehicle should only be transported on a loading
platform. ◀
Information the following instructions:
▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and wipers may be unavailable.Seite 218MOBILITYBreakdown assistance218
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Tow fitting
General information
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle.
The tow fitting can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the vehicle.
The tow fitting and the onboard vehicle tool kit,
refer to page 204, are together in the cargo
area.
Information CAUTION
If the tow fitting is not used as intended,
there can be damage to the vehicle or to the
tow fitting. There is risk of property damage.
Observe the notes on using the tow fitting. ◀
Use of the tow fitting:
▷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.▷Use tow fitting located in the front only for
positioning the vehicle.▷Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, for
example, do not lift the vehicle by the tow
fitting.Screw thread for tow fitting
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.
Tow-starting
Steptronic transmission Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Tow-starting the engine is not possible due to
the Steptronic transmission.
Have the cause of the starting problems fixed.
Manual transmission
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
start the engine by jump-starting, refer to
page 216. If the vehicle is equipped with a cat‐
alytic converter, only tow-start while the engine
is cold.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 62.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch pedal pressed and slowly release the
pedal. After the engine starts, immediately
press on the clutch pedal again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard
warning system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 220MOBILITYBreakdown assistance220
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Before driving into a car washIn order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a
car wash, take the following steps:
Manual transmission:1.Drive into the car wash.2.Shift to neutral.3.Switch the engine off.4.Switch on the ignition.
Steptronic transmission:
1.Drive into the car wash.2.Engage selector lever position N.3.Make sure that the parking brake is re‐
leased.4.Press the Start/Stop button to switch off the
engine.
In this way, the ignition remains switched
on, and two Check-Control messages are
displayed.
A signal sounds when you leave the vehicle
while in selector lever position N.
The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in selector lever position N. A signal is
sounded when an attempt is made to lock the
vehicle.
To start the engine with manual transmission:
1.Press on the clutch pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
To start the engine with Steptronic transmis‐
sion:
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
Headlights
▷Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
acidic cleansers.▷Soak areas that have been dirtied e. g.,
from insects, with shampoo and wash off
with water.▷Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking action
can be reduced and corrosion of the brake
discs can occur.
Completely remove all residues on the win‐
dows, to minimize loss of visibility due to
smearing and to reduce wiper noises and wiper
blade wear.
Vehicle care Car care products
The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
using care and cleaning products from MINI.
WARNING
Cleansers can contain substances that are
dangerous and harmful to your health. There is
risk of injuries. When cleaning the interior, open
the doors or windows. Only use products in‐
tended for cleaning vehicles. Follow the instruc‐
tions on the container. ◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention. Environmental influences in
areas with elevated air pollution or natural con‐
taminants, such as tree resin or pollen can af‐
fect the vehicle's paintwork. Tailor the fre‐
quency and extent of your car care to these
influences.
Aggressive substances such as spilled fuel, oil,
grease or bird droppings must be removed im‐
mediately to prevent the finish from being al‐
tered or discolored.
Leather careRemove dust from the leather often, using acloth or vacuum cleaner.
Seite 222MOBILITYCare222
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MINI 5-doorWidth with mirrorsinches/mm76.1/1,932Width without mirrorsinches/mm68/1,727Heightinches/mm56.1/1,425Lengthinches/mm157.4-158/3,998-4,013Wheelbaseinches/mm101.1/2,567Smallest turning radius diam.ft/m36.2/11.0
Weights
MINI Cooper, 3-doorApproved gross vehicle weightManual transmissionlbs/kg3,565/1,617Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg3,565/1,617LoadManual transmissionlbs/kg790/358Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg725/329Approved front axle loadManual transmissionlbs/kg1,920/871Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg1,990/903Approved rear axle loadManual transmissionlbs/kg1,725/782Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg1,685/764Approved roof load capacitylbs/kg132/60Cargo area capacitycu ft8.7-34Canada: trunk capacitycu ft/l7.4-25.8/211-731Seite 229Technical dataREFERENCE229
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MINI Cooper, 5-doorApproved gross vehicle weightManual transmissionlbs/kg3,795/1,721Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg3,795/1,721LoadManual transmissionlbs/kg885/401Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg820/372Approved front axle loadManual transmissionlbs/kg1,995/905Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg2,065/937Approved rear axle loadManual transmissionlbs/kg1,880/853Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg1,860/844Approved roof load capacitylbs/kg165/75Cargo area capacitycu ft13.1-40.7Canada: trunk capacitycu ft/l9.8-33.2/278-941
MINI Cooper S, 3-doorApproved gross vehicle weightManual transmissionlbs/kg3,620/1,642Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg3,650/1,656LoadManual transmissionlbs/kg775/352Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg770/349Approved front axle loadManual transmissionlbs/kg2,025/919Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg2,060/934Approved rear axle loadlbs/kg1,690/767Approved roof load capacitylbs/kg132/60Seite 230REFERENCETechnical data230
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MINI Cooper S, 3-doorCargo area capacitycu ft8.7-34Canada: trunk capacitycu ft/l7.4-25.8/211-731
MINI Cooper S, 5-doorApproved gross vehicle weightManual transmissionlbs/kg3,860/1,751Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg3,900/1,769Loadlbs/kg885/401Approved front axle loadManual transmissionlbs/kg2,085/946Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg2,125/964Approved rear axle loadlbs/kg1,880/853Approved roof load capacitylbs/kg165/75Cargo area capacitycu ft13.1-40.7Canada: trunk capacitycu ft/l9.8-33.2/278-941
MINI John Cooper Works, 3-doorApproved gross vehicle weightManual transmissionlbs/kg3,720/1,687Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg3,765/1,708Loadlbs/kg775/352Approved front axle loadManual transmissionlbs/kg2,065/937Steptronic transmissionlbs/kg2,105/955Approved rear axle loadlbs/kg1,725/782Approved roof load capacitylbs/kg132/60Cargo area capacitycu ft8.7-34Canada: trunk capacitycu ft/l7.4-25.8/211-731Seite 231Technical dataREFERENCE231
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