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Vehicle care183
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.
Stop-start system 3 140.Caution
Ensure the windscreen wiper is
switched off before opening the
bonnet 3 89.
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.
Caution
Do not press the bonnet into the
latch, to avoid dents.
9 Warning
In the event of even a minor head-
on collision, have the bonnet
safety catch checked by a
workshop.
Engine oil
Check the engine oil level manually on a regular basis to prevent damage
to the engine.
Ensure that the correct specification
of engine oil is used.
Recommended fluids and lubricants
3 228.
The maximum engine oil
consumption is 0.6 l per 1000 km.
Check with the vehicle on a level
surface. The engine must be at
operating temperature and switched
off for at least 10 minutes.
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184Vehicle care
Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean,
reinsert fully, pull out and read the
engine oil level.
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.
Between the MIN and MAX marks a
volume of approx. 1.5 - 2.0 l can be
filled in.
The engine oil level must not exceed the maximum mark MAX on the
dipstick.
Caution
Overfilled engine oil must be
drained or suctioned out. If the oil exceeds the maximum level, do
not start the vehicle and contact a
workshop.
To prevent spillage when
replenishing the engine oil, we
recommend using a funnel. Ensure
funnel is securely located onto the
filler pipe.
A stabilisation of the engine oil
consumption will not take place until
the vehicle has been driven several
thousand kilometres. Only then can
the actual degree of consumption be
established.
If consumption exceeds more than
0.6 l every 1000 km after this running-
in period, consult a workshop.
Engine oil level monitor 3 96.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
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Vehicle care185Engine coolant
The 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).
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186Vehicle careType A
If the fluid level in the reservoir falls
below the MINI mark, consult a
workshop.
Type B
If the fluid level in the reservoir falls
below the MIN mark, consult a
workshop.
Washer fluid
Fill with clean water mixed with a
suitable quantity of windscreen
washer fluid which contains
antifreeze.
Caution
Only washer fluid with a sufficient
antifreeze concentration provides
protection at low temperatures or
a sudden drop in temperature.
Use of washer fluid containing
isopropanol can damage exterior
lamps.
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Vehicle care187BrakesIn 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 3 228.
Vehicle battery
The jump start terminal is located in
the engine compartment.
Jump starting 3 219.
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.
Control indicator p illuminates if
there is a fault with the charging
system. Stop, switch off engine and
seek the assistance of a workshop.
Charging system 3 101.
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
four weeks can lead to battery
discharge. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
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188Vehicle care9Danger
Ensure the ignition is switched off
completely (the vehicle must not
be in an Autostop) before
connecting or disconnecting the
vehicle battery.
Stop-start system 3 140.
Battery discharge protection 3 119.
Battery access
The battery is located behind a panel in the front left-hand door step.
Remove the panel to access the
battery.
Replacing the vehicle battery
Ensure that the battery is always
replaced by the same type of battery.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
have the vehicle battery replaced.
Stop-start system 3 140.
Charging the vehicle battery9 Warning
On vehicles with stop-start
system, ensure that the charging potential does not exceed 14.6 V
when using a battery charger.
Otherwise the vehicle battery may be damaged.
9 Danger
Ensure adequate ventilation when
charging the battery. There is a
risk of explosion if gases
generated during charging are
allowed to accumulate!
Jump starting 3 219.
Warning label
Meaning of symbols:
● No sparks, naked flames or smoking.
● Always shield eyes. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
● Keep the vehicle battery out of reach of children.
● The vehicle battery contains sulfuric acid which could cause
blindness or serious burn
injuries.
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Vehicle care189● See the Owner's Manual forfurther information.
● Explosive gas may be present in the vicinity of the battery.
Additional battery
Depending on the vehicle's auxiliary
equipment, certain models may have
an additional battery mounted under
the right-hand front seat.
Note
The additional battery is
automatically connected to the main vehicle battery only when the engine
is running. It does not need to be
manually disconnected before
disconnecting the main vehicle
battery or before jump starting the vehicle.
The terminals are designed for
additional electrical consumers up to
a maximum of 50 A.
Jump starting 3 219.
Diesel 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.
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190Vehicle careFill the tank with fuel and proceed asfollows:
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.
In vehicles without an in-line supply
pump, fill the tank with fuel and
proceed as follows:Caution
Do not turn ignition key to position 3 before beginning the bleeding
procedure.
Ignition switch positions 3 138.
1. Turn ignition key to position 2 and
hold for 5 seconds.
2. Turn key back to position 1 and
wait for 3 seconds.
3. Repeat Step 1 and 2 multiple times.
4. Turn key to position 3, then return
to 0.
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 If required, use the step located below
the headlights to reach the
windscreen wiper.Lift wiper arm, press retaining clip
towards wiper arm and detach wiper
blade.
Attach the wiper blade slightly angled
to the wiper arm and push until it
engages.
Lower wiper arm carefully.