2015 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE tow

MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: replacing
the wiper blades1.Fold up and hold the wiper arm.2.Squeeze the locking spring, arrows 1, and
fold out the wiper blade, arrow 2.3.Take the wiper blade out of the catch
mechanism toward the front.4.Press the new wiper blade into the fixation
until it engages audibly.5.Fold down the wiper arm.
Risk of damage
Before opening the hood, ensure that the
wiper arms with wiper blades are folded onto
the window; otherwise, damage may occur. ◀
MINI Convertible: replacing the wiper
blades
1.Fold up and hold the wiper arm.2.Squeeze the locking spring, arrows 1, and
fold toward the wiper blade, arrows 2.3.While squeezing the locking spring, pull the
wiper blade off of the wiper arm, arrow 3.4.Slide the new wiper blade onto the wiper
arm until it engages audibly.5.Fold down the wiper arm.
Risk of damage
Before opening the hood, ensure that the
wiper arms with wiper blades are folded onto
the window; otherwise, damage may occur. ◀
Lamp and bulb replace‐
ment
Notes
Lamps and bulbs Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu‐
tion to vehicle safety. Therefore, exercise cau‐
tion when handling lights and bulbs.
The manufacturer of the vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
the service center if you are unfamiliar with
them or they are not described here.
You can obtain a selection of replacement
bulbs at the service center.
Danger of burns
Only change bulbs when they are cool;
otherwise, there is the danger of getting
burned. ◀
Working on the lighting system
When working on the lighting system,
you should always switch off the lights affected
to prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer. ◀
Do not touch the bulbs
Do not touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare hands, as even minute amounts of
contamination will burn into the bulb's surface
and reduce its service life.
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▷Tighten the lug bolts, refer to page 187.▷Drive with the compact wheel, refer to
page 185.
Removing the compact wheel
The screw fitting of the compact wheel is lo‐
cated in the cargo area under the floor mat, on
the floor of the storage compartment holding
the wheel change set.
1.Release the screw fitting with the special
wrench.2.Take out the cover.3.Screw the lifting handle from the onboard
vehicle tool kit onto the thread.4.Raise the lifting handle slightly.5.Squeeze the locking spring.6.Lower the compact wheel with the lifting
handle.7.Lower the compact wheel with the lifting
handle.8.Unscrew the lifting handle again.9.Pull the compact wheel out from under the
vehicle toward the back.10.Lay the compact wheel down with the
valve facing up.11.Unscrew the valve extension from the valve
of the compact wheel.12.Unscrew the dust cap from the extension
and attach it to the valve of the compact
wheel.
The defective wheel cannot be stowed in the
compact wheel holder because it has a differ‐
ent size.
Driving with compact wheel Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
Drive conservatively and do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Otherwise, changes in the
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the battery, or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Body ground:
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 a slightly in‐
creased idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle being 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
Notes Observe applicable laws and regulations
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing. ◀
No additional passengers
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. ◀
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front
or rear of the MINI.
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. ◀
Access to the screw thread Push out the tow fitting cover at the appropri‐
ate recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the tow fitting cover in the bumper in
the lower section, arrow.
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Being towedFollow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions, or vehicle
damage or accidents may occur. ◀
▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lights, 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.▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Steptronic transmission Towing vehicles with a Steptronic trans‐
mission
Only transport vehicles with a Steptronic trans‐
mission on tow trucks or with raised front
wheels; otherwise, the transmission may be
damaged. ◀
Towing with a tow bar
Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than your vehicle, or it will not be possible to
control vehicle response. ◀
Correctly attach the tow bar
Only secure the tow bar on the tow fit‐
tings; damage can occur when it is secured on
other parts of the vehicle. ◀
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:▷Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is attached offset.
Towing with a 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. ◀
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Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI 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. ◀
Tow-starting
If possible, start the engine by jump-starting,
refer to page 189, it rather than tow-starting
the vehicle. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 56.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch is depressed and then slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi‐
ately depress the clutch completely 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 193Breakdown assistanceMOBILITY193
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CareVehicle equipmentThis chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series. Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
When using the features and systems described
here, adhere to local regulations.
Car washes
Notes Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of
140 ℉/60 ℃.
Holding them too close or using excessively
high pressures or temperatures can cause dam‐
age or preliminary damage that may then lead
to long-term damage.
Follow the operating instructions for the high-
pressure washer. ◀
Do not direct steam or high-pressure washers
toward the labels applied by the manufacturer;
otherwise, damage may result.
Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-pres‐
sure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the seals of the retractable hardtop and
the exterior sensors and cameras, for Park Dis‐ tance Control, for instance, for extended peri‐
ods of time and only from a distance of at least
12 in/30 cm. ◀During the winter months
Ensure that the vehicle is washed more
frequently in winter. Intense soiling and road
salt can damage 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.
Regularly remove foreign bodies, such as
leaves, from the area of the windshield when
the hood is open.
Washing in automatic car washes Give preference to cloth car washes or those
that use soft brushes in order to avoid paint
damage.
Do not use automatic high-pressure washers;
otherwise, water may drip into the interior in
the area of the windows.
Before driving into the car wash, check whether
the system is suitable for your MINI. Note the
following points:▷Vehicle dimensions, refer to page 214.▷If necessary: fold in the exterior mirrors, re‐
fer to page 49.▷Maximum permissible tire width.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle chassis
could be damaged. ◀
Preparations before driving into the car wash:
▷Unscrew the road antenna.▷MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: retract the rear
spoiler.▷Deactivate the rain sensor to avoid unin‐
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Caring for the convertible top
The appearance and life of the convertible top
depend on proper care and operation.
Adhere to the following instructions:▷Do not fold the convertible top and stow it
in the convertible top box while it is wet or
frozen; otherwise, water marks, fabric
stains, and chafing may occur.▷If water marks nevertheless occur on the
headliner, these can be removed using a
microfiber cloth and interior cleaner.▷When parking the vehicle in an enclosed
space for lengthy periods, ensure that the
area is adequately ventilated.▷Remove bird droppings immediately as
their corrosive properties may damage the
convertible top and the rubber seals.
Stain removal
To remove stains from the convertible
top, do not use stain remover, paint thinner,
solvents, benzine, or similar substances. These
agents can destroy the rubber coating. Im‐
proper care and cleaning can cause the
convertible top and its seams to become per‐
meable to water. ◀
To remove severe soiling, use a special
convertible top cleaner.
Follow the instructions for use from the manu‐
facturer.
Treat the convertible top with an impregnating
agent once a year.
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: rear spoiler
box
To ensure that proper functioning of the rear
spoiler is not impaired, for example due to
leaves, snow or ice, clean the rear spoiler box
at regular intervals.
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to vehicle value reten‐
tion and protects the paintwork against the
long-term effects of paint-damaging substan‐
ces.
Environmental influences in areas with higher
air pollution or natural contaminants, such as
tree resin or pollen, can have an impact on the
vehicle paint. Therefore, it is important to tailor
the frequency and extent of your car care to
these influences.
Immediately remove especially aggressive sub‐
stances, such as spilled fuel, oil, grease, or bird
droppings, to prevent damage to the paint‐
work.
Correcting paint damage
Depending on the severity of the damage, re‐
pair stone impact damage or scratches imme‐
diately to prevent rust formation.
The manufacturer recommends having paint
damage corrected with a professional repair
paint job according to factory specifications us‐
ing original MINI paint materials.
Preservation
Preservation is needed when water no longer
beads off of the clean paint surfaces. Only use
paint preservation products that contain car‐
nauba or synthetic waxes.
Caring for matte finishes▷Do not use paint cleaners or gloss protec‐
tion agents such as car wax.▷Do not polish the surface or use abrasive
products, as these may cause the finish to
become glossy.
Leather care
The leather processed by the manufacturer is a
high quality natural product. Light graininess is
a typical feature of natural leather.
Particles of dust and road grime chafe in pores
and folds, and lead to increased wear and pre‐
mature degradation of the leather surface.
Therefore, remove dust from the leather regu‐
larly, using a cloth or vacuum cleaner.
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Temperature display, externaltemperature 66
Temperature display, setting the units 70
Temperature warning 66
Theft alarm system, refer to Alarm system 31
Tilt alarm sensor 32
Time, setting the time 71
Tire age 164
Tire, flat tire 85
Tire identification marks 162
Tire inflation pressure 156
Tire inflation pressure, pres‐ sure loss, FTM 85
Tire pressure loss, RDC 87
Tire, pressure monitoring, re‐ fer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 86
Tire pressure monitor, refer to Flat Tire Monitor 84
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 86
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM, system limits 89
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM, system reset 87
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM, warning lamp 87
Tire Quality Grading 163
Tires, breaking in 114
Tires, changing 165
Tires, condition 163
Tires, damage 164
Tire size 162
Tires, minimum tread 164
Tires, retreaded tires 165
Tires, storage 166
Tire tread 163
Tool kit, refer to Onboard ve‐ hicle tool kit 177
Tools, refer to Onboard vehi‐ cle tool kit 177
Towing another vehicle 191
Towing, being towed 191
Tow-starting 191 TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor 86
Traction control 92
Transmission lock, refer to Changing the selector lever
positions 63
Transmission, overriding the selector lever lock with Step‐
tronic transmission 65
Transmission, refer to Manual transmission 62
Transmission, see Steptronic transmission 63
Transporting children safely 51
Trip-distance counter, refer to Trip odometer 66
Triple turn signal activa‐ tion 59
Trip odometer 66
Trunk lid, emergency opera‐ tion, refer to Unlocking man‐
ually 27
Trunk, opening from the in‐ side 27
Turning lights, refer to Adap‐ tive Light Control 77
Turn signal, bulb replace‐ ment 181
Turn signal indicator lamp 14
Turn signals 59
Turn signals, triple turn signal activation 59
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading/ UTQG 163
Unintentional alarms, avoid‐ ing 32
Units, average fuel consump‐ tion 70
Units, temperature 70
Unlocking from the inside 26
Unlocking, from the out‐ side 22 Unlocking, tailgate 30
Unlocking, without remote control, refer to Comfort Ac‐
cess 29
Upholstery care 197
Upholstery material care 197
USB audio interface 135
V Vanity mirror 105
Vehicle battery 187
Vehicle, breaking in 114
Vehicle care 195
Vehicle care, refer to Care 194
Vehicle equipment 6
Vehicle paintwork, care 196
Vehicle storage 198
Vehicle, switching off 58
Vehicle wash 194
Ventilation, air condi‐ tioner 104
W Warning and indicator lamps 15
Warning and indicator lamps, overview 199
Warning messages, refer to Check Control 73
Warning triangle 189
Washer/wiper system 60
Washer/wiper system, rain sensor 60
Washer/wiper system, washer fluid 62
Washer fluid 62
Washer fluid reservoir 62
Washing, vehicle 194
Welcome lights 77
Wheel change 184
Wheels and tires 156
Wheels, changing 165 Seite 226REFERENCEEverything from A to Z226
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