Driving and operating159ABS starts to regulate brake pressure
as soon as a wheel shows a tendency to lock. The vehicle remains
steerable, even during hard braking.
ABS control is made apparent
through a pulse in the brake pedal
and the noise of the regulation
process.
For optimum braking, keep the brake
pedal fully depressed throughout the
braking process, despite the fact that
the pedal is pulsating. Do not reduce
the pressure on the pedal.
Control indicator u 3 102.
Fault
If control indicators u and j
illuminate with the messages CHECK
ABS and CHECK ESP in the Driver
Information Centre, there is a fault in
the ABS. The brake system remains
operational but without ABS
regulation.9 Warning
If there is a fault in the ABS, the
wheels may be liable to lock due
to braking that is heavier than
normal. The advantages of ABS are no longer available. During
hard braking, the vehicle can no longer be steered and may
swerve.
If control indicators u, j , R and
C illuminate, the ABS and ESP are
deactivated and the message
BRAKING FAULT is shown in the
Driver Information Centre. Seek the
assistance of a workshop.
Have the cause of the fault remedied
by a workshop.
Parking brake9 Warning
Always apply parking brake firmly
without operating the release
button, and apply as firmly as
possible on a downhill or uphill
slope.
To release the parking brake, pull
the lever up slightly, press the
release button and fully lower the
lever.
To reduce the operating forces of
the parking brake, depress the
brake pedal at the same time.
Driving and operating161Ride control systems
Traction Control system The Traction Control system (TC) is a
component part of the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP® Plus
) which
improves driving stability when
necessary, regardless of the type of
road surface or tyre grip, by
preventing the drive wheels from
spinning.
As soon as the drive wheels starts to spin, engine output is reduced and
the wheel spinning the most is braked
individually. This considerably
improves the driving stability of the
vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
TC is operational as soon as the
ignition is switched on and control
indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding
message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 106.
When TC is active b flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 103.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 178.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, the Traction control system
(TC) can be deactivated to enhance
traction:
Press Ø on the instrument panel.
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 106.
When vehicle speed reaches 50 km/h, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to TC operation.
Control indicator Ø extinguishes in
the instrument cluster.
162Driving and operatingTC is reactivated by pressing Ø
again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
TC is also reactivated the next time
the ignition is switched on.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 103 illuminates together
with j 3 101 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 106.
The Traction control system (TC) is not operational. Have the cause of the fault remedied by a workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 107.
Electronic stability program
The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) improves driving stability
when necessary, regardless of the
type of road surface or tyre grip. It also
prevents the drive wheels from
spinning.As soon as the vehicle starts to
swerve (understeer / oversteer),
engine output is reduced and the
wheels are braked individually. This
considerably improves the driving
stability of the vehicle on slippery road surfaces.
ESP® Plus
is operational as soon as
the ignition is switched on and control indicator b extinguishes in the
instrument cluster. A corresponding message also appears in the Driver
Information Centre 3 106.
When ESP® Plus
comes into action b
flashes.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
Control indicator b 3 103.
Trailer stability assist (TSA) 3 178.
Enhanced Traction function
If necessary, in the event of soft
ground, mud or snow-covered road
surfaces, ESP® Plus
can be
deactivated to enhance traction:
Press Ø on the instrument panel.
Driving and operating163
Control indicator Ø illuminates in the
instrument cluster and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre 3 106.
When vehicle speed reaches 50 km/h, the system switches
automatically from Enhanced
Traction function to ESP® Plus
operation. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes in the instrument cluster.
ESP® Plus
is reactivated by pressing
Ø again. Control indicator Ø
extinguishes.
ESP® Plus
is also reactivated the next
time the ignition is switched on.
Engine Drag Torque Control
The engine drag torque control
system is an integral feature of
ESP® Plus
. When downshifting under
slippery road conditions, the engine
speed and torque increases to help
prevent locking of the drive wheels
during sudden deceleration.
Fault
If the system detects a fault, control indicator b 3 103 illuminates together
with j 3 101 in the instrument cluster
and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre 3 106.
The Electronic Stability Program
(ESP® Plus
) is not operational. Have
the cause of the fault remedied by a
workshop.
Vehicle messages 3 107.
Limited-slip rear axle Rear-wheel drive vehicles may be
equipped with an automatic locking
rear differential which automatically
controls the torque transmitted toeach rear wheel, enhancing traction
in the event of soft ground, mud or
snow-covered road surfaces.9 Warning
Do not let this special safety
feature tempt you into taking risks
when driving.
Adapt speed to the road
conditions.
When vehicle speed reaches
30 km/h, or once the rear wheels
return to surfaces with normal grip,
e.g. paved roads, the system
automatically deactivates,
sometimes accompanied by a noise
(with no consequence to vehicle
behaviour).
The system can also be deactivated
manually once normal grip conditions have resumed by briefly releasing the
accelerator.
172Driving and operatingThe area displayed by the camera is
limited. The distance of the image that
appears on the display differs from
the actual distance.
Note
To achieve the optimum visibility, the
rear view camera must not be
obscured by dirt, snow or ice.
Activation
Interior mirror display screen
Rear view camera display is
automatically activated when reverse
gear is engaged. An audible signal
confirms activation.
Info Display
In vehicles with navigation system,
the rear view camera display is shown
on the Info Display.
Trajectory lane display image (1)
Depending on version, the trajectory
lane (1) of the vehicle is shown in blue
on the Info Display. It shows the path of the vehicle in accordance with the
steering angle.
Fixed lane display image (2)
The fixed lane display (2) shows the
path of the vehicle if the wheels are
kept straight.
Guide lines (3, 4, 5) are used together
with the fixed lane display (2) and
indicate the distance behind the
vehicle.
178Driving and operatingIn 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
lights.
The pitch of the audible warning will
change if a turn 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) 3 162.Auxiliary features
Power take-off
Activation
To activate the power take-off, with
the vehicle stationary and the engine
idling:
● Set the gearshift lever to neutral (vehicles with manual
transmission automated:
selector lever in position N).
● Depress the clutch pedal.
180Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................181
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 181
Vehicle storage ........................181
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....182
Vehicle checks ........................... 182
Performing work ......................182
Bonnet ..................................... 182
Engine oil ................................. 183
Engine coolant ......................... 185
Power steering fluid .................185
Washer fluid ............................ 186
Brakes ..................................... 187
Brake fluid ............................... 187
Vehicle battery ......................... 187
Diesel fuel filter ........................189
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....189
Wiper blade replacement ........190
Bulb replacement .......................191
Headlights ............................... 191
Fog lights ................................. 194
Front turn lights .......................194
Tail lights ................................. 195
Side turn lights ......................... 196Centre high-mounted brake
light ......................................... 197
Number plate light ...................198
Interior lights ............................ 198
Instrument panel illumination ...199
Electrical system ........................200
Fuses ....................................... 200
Engine compartment fuse box . 201
Instrument panel fuse box .......201
Load compartment fuse box ....202
Vehicle tools .............................. 204
Tools ........................................ 204
Wheels and tyres .......................205
Tyres ....................................... 205
Winter tyres ............................. 206
Tyre designations ....................206
Tyre pressure .......................... 206
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 207
Tread depth ............................. 209
Changing tyre and wheel size . 210 Wheel covers ........................... 210
Tyre chains .............................. 210
Tyre repair kit .......................... 211
Wheel changing .......................214
Spare wheel ............................ 216
Jump starting ............................. 219Towing....................................... 221
Towing the vehicle ...................221
Towing another vehicle ...........222
Appearance care .......................223
Exterior care ............................ 223
Interior care ............................. 225
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).