2015 MINI COOPER Owners Manual

PreparationCAUTION
In the case of body contact between the
two vehicles, a short circuit can occur during
jump-starting. There is risk of property damage.
Make sure that no body contact occurs. ◀1.Check whether the battery of the other ve‐
hicle has a voltage of 12 volts. The voltage
information can be found on the battery.2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.3.Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Starting aid terminals
WARNING
If the jumper cables are connected in the
incorrect order, sparks formation can occur.
There is risk of injuries. Pay attention to the cor‐
rect order during connection. ◀
The starting aid terminal in the engine com‐
partment acts as the battery's positive terminal.
Open the cover of the starting aid terminal.
The body ground or a special nut acts as the
battery negative terminal.
Connecting the cables
1.Pull off the lid of the starting aid terminal.2.Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.3.Attach the terminal clamp on the other end
of the cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle to be started.4.Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal of
the battery, or to the corresponding engine
or body ground of assisting vehicle.5.Attach the second terminal clamp to the
negative terminal of the battery, or to the
corresponding engine or body ground of
the vehicle to be started.
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 an increased
idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle that is to be
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
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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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▷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.▷The towing vehicle must not be lighter than
the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will
not be possible to control the vehicle's re‐
sponse.▷Do not exceed a towing speed of
30 mph/50 km/h.▷Do not exceed a towing distance of
30 miles/50 km.
Tow truck
Have your vehicle 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. ◀
Towing other vehicles
Information WARNING
If the approved gross vehicle weight of
the towing vehicle is lighter than the vehicle to
be towed, the tow fitting can tear off or it will
not be possible to control the vehicle's re‐
sponse. There is risk of an accident! Make sure
that the gross vehicle weight of the towing ve‐
hicle is heavier than the vehicle to be towed. ◀
CAUTION
If the tow bar or tow rope is attached in‐
correctly, damage to other vehicle parts can oc‐
cur. There is risk of property damage. Correctly
attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow fit‐
ting. ◀▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.▷If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
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:
▷Maneuvering capability is limited going
around corners.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
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.
CAUTION
If the tow bar or tow rope is attached in‐
correctly, damage to other vehicle parts can oc‐ cur. There is risk of property damage. Correctly
attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow fit‐ ting. ◀
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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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CareVehicle features and op‐tions
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems. The respectively applicable country provi‐
sions must be observed when using the respec‐
tive features and systems.
Car washes
General information Regularly remove foreign objects such as leaves
in the area below the windshield when the
hood is raised.
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in
winter. Intense soiling and road salt can dam‐
age the vehicle.
Steam jets or high-pressure washers
Information CAUTION
When cleaning with high-pressure wash‐
ers, components can be damaged due to the
pressure or temperatures being too high. There
is risk of property damage. Maintain sufficient
distance and do not spray too long continu‐
ously. Follow the Owner's Manual for the high-
pressure washer. ◀
Distances and temperature▷Maximum temperature: 140 ℉/60 ℃.▷Minimum distance from sensors, cameras,
seals: 12 inches/30 cm.▷Minimum distance from glass sunroof:
31.5 inches/80 cm.
Automatic car washes
Information CAUTION
Water can penetrate in the windshield
area due to high-pressure washers. There is risk
of property damage. Avoid high-pressure
washers. ◀
CAUTION
Improper use of automatic car washes
can cause damage to the vehicle. There is risk of property damage. Information the following
instructions:
▷Give preference to cloth car washes or
those that use soft brushes in order to
avoid paint damage.▷Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm to avoid damage to the
chassis.▷Observe the tire width of the guide rail to
avoid damage to tires and rims.▷Fold in exterior mirrors to avoid damage to
the exterior mirrors.▷Unscrew the rod antenna to avoid the rod
antenna breaking off.▷Deactivate rain sensor if necessary to avoid
damage to the wiper system. ◀
In some cases, an unintentional alarm can be
triggered by the interior motion sensor of the
alarm system. Follow the instructions on avoid‐
ing an unintentional alarm, refer to page 45.
With front PDC: to reduce PDC false alarms,
switch off automatic PDC activation on obstacle
detection, for example in car washes, refer to
page 128.
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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.
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Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing, clean leather and provide leather care
roughly every two months.
Clean light-colored leather more frequently be‐
cause soiling on such surfaces is substantially
more visible.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from a
dealer’s service center or another qualified
service center or repair shop.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If upholstery is very dirty, for example, with
beverage stains, use a soft sponge or micro‐
fiber cloth with a suitable interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the ma‐
terial vigorously.
CAUTION
Open Velcro® fasteners on articles of
clothing can damage the seat covers. There is
risk of property damage. Ensure that any Vel‐
cro® fasteners are closed. ◀
Caring for special components
Light-alloy wheels
When cleaning the vehicle, use only neutral
wheel cleaners having a pH value from 5 to 9.
Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or steam
jets above 140 ℉/60 ℃. Follow the manufac‐
turer's instructions.
Aggressive, acidic or alkaline cleaning agents can destroy the protective layer of adjacent
components, such as the brake disk.Chrome surfaces
Carefully clean components such as the radia‐
tor grille or door handles with an ample supply
of water, possibly with shampoo added, partic‐
ularly when they have been exposed to road
salt.
Rubber components
Environmental influences can cause surface
soiling of rubber parts and a loss of gloss. For
cleaning, use only water and suitable care
products, the manufacturer of your vehicle rec‐
ommends original MINI care products.
Treat especially worn rubber parts with rubber
care agents at regular intervals. When cleaning
rubber seals, do not use any silicon-containing
car care products in order to avoid damage or
noises.
Fine wood parts Clean fine wood facing and fine wood compo‐
nents only with a moist rag. Then dry with a
soft cloth.
Plastic components
These include:▷Imitation leather surfaces.▷Roofliner.▷Lamp lenses.▷Instrument cluster cover.▷Matt black spray-coated components.▷Painted parts in the interior.
Clean with a microfiber cloth.
Dampen cloth lightly with water.
Do not soak the roofliner.
CAUTION
Cleansers that contain alcohol or solvents,
such as lacquer thinners, heavy-duty grease re‐
movers, fuel, or such, can damage plastic parts.
There is risk of property damage. Clean with a
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microfiber cloth. Dampen cloth lightly with wa‐
ter. ◀
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
WARNING
Chemical cleansers can destroy the safety
belt webbing. Missing protective effect of the
safety belts. There is risk of injuries or danger to
life. Use only a mild soapy solution for cleaning
the safety belts. ◀
Use only a mild soapy solution, with the safety
belts clipped into their buckles.
Do not allow the switchs to retract the safety
belts until they are dry.
Carpets and floor mats WARNING
Objects in the driver's floor area can limit
the pedal distance or block a depressed pedal.
There is risk of an accident. Stow objects in the
vehicle such that they are secured and cannot
enter into the driver's floor area. Use floor mats
that are suitable for the vehicle and can be
safely attached to the floor. Do not use loose
floor mats and do not layer several floor mats.
Make sure that there is sufficient clearance for
the pedals. Ensure that the floor mats are se‐
curely fastened again after they were removed,
for example for cleaning. ◀
Floor mats can be removed from the car's inte‐
rior for cleaning.
If the floor carpets are very dirty, clean with a
microfiber cloth and water or a textile cleaner.
To prevent matting of the carpet, rub back and
forth in the direction of travel only.
Sensor/camera lenses To clean sensors and camera lenses, use a cloth
moistened with a small amount of glass deter‐
gent.Displays/Screens/Projection lenses
CAUTION
Chemical cleansers, moisture or fluids of
any kind can damage the surface of displays
and screens. There is risk of property damage.
Clean with a clean, antistatic microfiber cloth. ◀
CAUTION
The surface of displays can be damaged
with improper cleaning. There is risk of prop‐
erty damage. Avoid pressure that is too high
and do not use any scratching materials. ◀
Clean with a clean, antistatic microfiber cloth.
For stubborn soiling on the projection lens of
the Head-up Display, dampen the microfiber
cloth with alcohol. Extending projection lens,
refer to page 91.
Long-term
When the vehicle is shut down for longer than
three months, special measures must be taken.
Further information is available from a dealer’s
service center or another qualified service cen‐
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