112Driving and operating
AutostopIf the vehicle is at low speed or
standstill, activate an Autostop as
follows:
■ depress the clutch pedal
■ shift the selector lever to neutral (manual transmission) or N
(manual transmission automated)
■ release the clutch pedal
The engine will be switched off while the ignition stays on if the required
conditions are met.
An Autostop is indicated when Ï
illuminates green in the instrument
cluster.
During an Autostop, the heating
performance, power steering and brake performance will be
maintained.
Conditions for an Autostop
The stop-start system checks if each
of the following conditions is fulfilled,
otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
■ The stop-start system is not manually deactivated
■ the bonnet is fully closed
■ the driver's door is closed or the driver's seat belt is fastened
■ the vehicle battery is sufficiently charged and in good condition
■ the engine is warmed up
■ the engine coolant temperature is not too high
■ the ambient temperature is not too low
■ the defrosting function is not activated
■ the climate control system does not
inhibit an Autostop■ the brake vacuum is sufficient
■ the self-cleaning function of the diesel particle filter is not active
■ the vehicle has moved since the last Autostop
Otherwise an Autostop will be
inhibited.
An Autostop may become
unavailable as the ambient
temperature approaches freezing
point.
Certain settings of the climate control
system may also inhibit an Autostop.
See Climate control chapter for
further information 3 96.
Immediately after motorway driving
an Autostop may be inhibited.
Autostop may also be inhibited
temporarily if the vehicle battery has
been recharged by an external
source.
New vehicle running-in 3 109.
Driving and operating133
If the trailer starts snaking, drive moreslowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 198.
Trailer towing Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle-dependent and engine-
dependent maximum values which
must not be exceeded. The actual
trailer load is the difference between
the actual gross weight of the trailer
and the actual coupling socket load
with the trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12 %.
The permitted trailer load applies up to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sealevel. Since engine power decreases as altitude increases due to the airbecoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10 % for every 1000 metres of additional
altitude. The gross train weight does
not have to be reduced when driving on roads with slight inclines (less than 8 %, e.g. motorways).
The permissible gross train weight
must not be exceeded. This weight is
specified on the identification plate
3 179.
Vertical coupling load
The vertical coupling load is the load
exerted by the trailer on the coupling
ball. It can be varied by changing the
weight distribution when loading the
trailer.
The maximum permissible vertical
coupling load is specified on the
towing equipment identification plate
and in the vehicle documents. Always aim for the maximum load, especially
in the case of heavy trailers. The
vertical coupling load should never
fall below 25 kg.In the case of trailer loads of
1200 kg or more, the vertical coupling load should not be less than 50 kg.
Rear axle load When the trailer is coupled and the
towing vehicle fully loaded (including
all occupants), the permissible rear
axle load (see identification plate or
vehicle documents) must not be
exceeded.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Towing equipment audible
warning For vehicles fitted with towing
equipment, when connected to a
trailer the pitch of the audible warning
changes upon operation of the turn
signals.
134Driving and operating
The pitch of the audible warning will
change if a turn signal light on the
trailer or the towing vehicle fails.
Trailer stability assist
If the system detects snaking
movements, engine power is reduced
and the vehicle/trailer combination is
selectively braked until the snaking ceases. While the system is working,keep steering wheel as still as
possible.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) is a
function of the Electronic stability
program (ESP) 3 124.Auxiliary features
Power take-off
To activate, with the vehicle
stationary and the engine idling:
■ Select neutral (MTA = N)
■ Depress the clutch pedal
■ Press switch on the instrument panel
■ Release clutch pedal
The engine idle speed increases to 1,200 rpm.
If the system does not operate, repeat
the procedure or gradually release
the clutch pedal.
To deactivate, depress the clutch
pedal and press switch on the
instrument panel.
Vehicle care139
Coolant levelCaution
Too low a coolant level can causeengine 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 fluid
Caution
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).
Vehicle care161
If the wheel covers and tyres used are
not factory approved, the tyres must
not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake
cooling.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.
Tyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
drive wheels.
On vehicles with twin rear wheels,
tyre chains are only permitted on the
outer wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 15 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain lock).9 Warning
Damage may lead to tyre blowout.
Wheel covers on steel wheels may
come into contact with parts of the
chains. In such cases, remove the
wheel covers.
Tyre chains may only be used at
speeds up to 30 mph and, when
travelling on roads that are free of
snow, they may only be used for brief
periods since they are subject to rapid wear on a hard road and may snap.
The use of tyre chains is not permitted on the temporary spare wheel.
Tyre repair kit
Minor damage to the tyre tread can be
repaired with the tyre repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding 4 mm or that
is at the tyre's sidewall near the rim
cannot be repaired with the tyre repair kit.9 Warning
Do not drive faster than 50 mph.
Do not use for a lengthy period.
Steering and handling may be
affected.
If the vehicle has a flat tyre:
Apply the parking brake and engage
first gear or reverse gear.
The tyre repair kit is located under the
front seat. Slide seat forwards fully
and fold backrest down to access kit.
1. Take the tyre repair kit out from under the front seat.
2. Remove the compressor.
170Vehicle care
engine mounting bolt. Connect asfar away from the discharged
vehicle battery as possible,
however at least 60 cm.
Route the leads so that they cannot
catch on rotating parts in the engine
compartment.
To start the engine: 1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing the jump start.
2. After 5 minutes, start the other engine. Start attempts should be
made for no longer than
15 seconds at an interval of
1 minute.
3. Allow both engines to idle for approx. 3 minutes with the leads
connected.
4. Switch on electrical consumers (e.g. headlights, heated rear
window) of the vehicle receiving
the jump start.
5. Reverse above sequence exactly when removing leads.Towing
Towing the vehicle The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 155.
Disengage the cover using a suitable
tool and remove.
Screw the towing eye clockwise into
the front towing point and tighten fully using the wheel wrench.
Attach a tow rope - or better still a tow
rod - to the towing eye, never to the
bumper or front suspension units.
Caution
Do not tow the vehicle from the
rear. The front towing eye must
only be used for towing and not
recovering a vehicle.
Switch on ignition to release steering
wheel lock and to permit operation of
brake lights, horn and windscreen
wipers.
Switch off the air suspension system
3 114.
Transmission in neutral.
If neutral cannot be selected on
vehicles with MTA transmission, the vehicle must only be towed with the
drive wheels raised off the ground.
Caution
Drive slowly. Do not drive jerkily.
Excessive tractive force can
damage the vehicle.
When the engine is not running,
considerably more force is needed to
brake and steer.
205
Parking brake ............................ 122
Particulate filter ........................... 115
Performing work ........................136
Pollen filter ................................. 107
Power door locks ..........................22
Power outlets ............................... 72
Power side step ............................ 24
Power sliding door ........................24
Power steering fluid ....................139
Power take-off ........................... 134
Power windows ............................ 32
Preheating ................................... 82
Puncture ............................. 161, 164
R
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 201
Radio remote control ...................18
Reading lights .............................. 93
Rear air conditioning system .....101
Rear doors ................................... 26
Rear fog light ............................... 84
Rear fog lights ............................. 92
Rear heating system .................. 100
Rear seats .................................... 42
Rear view camera ...................... 130
Rear windows .............................. 33
Recommended fluids and lubricants ........................ 176, 181
Refuelling ................................... 131Remote control ............................. 18
Retractable parking brake ..........122
Reversing lights ........................... 92
Ride control systems ..................123
Roof .............................................. 35
Roof load ...................................... 67
Roof rack ..................................... 67
S Safety belts ................................... 44
Safety net .................................... 66
Seat adjustment ....................... 7, 38
Seat belt ........................................ 8
Seat belt reminder .......................79
Seat belts ..................................... 44
Seat heating ................................. 41
Seat position ................................ 37
Selector lever ............................. 118
Service ............................... 107, 174
Service display ............................ 76
Service information ....................174
Service vehicle soon .................... 80
Side airbag system ......................50
Sidelights ...................................... 89
Side turn signal lights ................149
Sliding door .................................. 24
Spare wheel ............................... 166
Speedometer ............................... 74
Speed regulator ............................ 74
Starting and operating ................109Starting off ................................... 16
Starting the engine ............110, 118
Steering ...................................... 109
Steering column controls ..............70
Steering wheel adjustment ......9, 69
Steering wheel controls ...............69
Stop engine .................................. 80
Stop-start system.................. 83, 111
Storage ......................................... 61
Storage compartments .................61
Sunglasses storage .....................62
Sun visors .................................... 34
Suspension seat ........................... 38
Symbols ......................................... 4
T
Tachograph ............................ 84, 88
Tachometer ................................. 74
Tail lights ................................... 148
Technical data ............................ 182
Three-point seat belt .................... 45
Tools .......................................... 155
Top-tether fastening eyes ............60
Tow bar....................................... 132
Towing ........................................ 132
Towing another vehicle .............171
Towing a trailer ........................... 133
Towing equipment .....................133
Towing eye ................................. 170
Towing the vehicle .....................170