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Vehicle care167End-of-life vehicle recovery
Information on end-of-life vehicle
recovery centres and the recycling of
end-of-life vehicles is available on our website, where legally required. Only
entrust this work to an authorised
recycling centre.Vehicle checks
Performing work9 Warning
Only perform engine compartment
checks when the ignition is off.
The vehicle must not be in an
Autostop 3 137.
The cooling fan may start
operating even if the ignition is off.
9 Danger
The ignition system generates
extremely high voltages. Do not
touch.
The caps for topping up the engine oil, the coolant, the brake fluid, the
washer fluid and the oil dipstick
handle are yellow for ease of
identification.
Bonnet
Opening
Pull the release lever and return it to
its original position.
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168Vehicle care
Move the safety catch, located
slightly right of centre, to the left and raise the bonnet.
The bonnet is held open
automatically by a lifter.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Stop-start system 3 137.
Caution
Ensure the windscreen wiper is
switched off before opening the
bonnet 3 86.
Closing
Lower the bonnet and allow it to fall
into the latch from a low height
(approx. 30 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
3 207.
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.
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.
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Vehicle care169Caution
Do not allow the engine oil level todrop below the minimum level!
We recommend the use of the same
grade of engine oil that was used at
the last change.
Between the MIN and MAX marks a
volume of approx. 2.1 l for engines R9M 408, R9M 413 and R9M 415
respectively approx. 3.5 l for engines
R9M 450 and R9M 452 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 to top-up the engine oil. Ensure funnel is
securely located onto the filler pipe.
After topping-up, put the funnel into a
plastic bag and stow it securely.
A stabilization 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.
Fit the cap on straight and tighten it.
Engine air filter
Engine air flow indicator
On certain models, an indicator is
located in the engine induction
system and indicates if the air-intake
to the engine is restricted.
Clear:No restrictionRed tell-tale:Restricted
If the red tell-tale is displayed when
the engine is running, consult a
workshop.
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170Vehicle careEngine coolantThe 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.
If the coolant temperature is too high, control indicator W 3 100 illuminates
red in the instrument cluster, together
with C 3 99. Consult a workshop if
coolant level is sufficient.
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 power steering fluid reservoir is located below the front left wheel
arch, behind a trim panel.
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.
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Vehicle care171
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.
Washer fluid 3 207.
Brakes 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.
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172Vehicle careThe brake fluid level must be betweenthe MINI and MAXI 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 high-performance brake
fluid approved for your vehicle.
Brake fluid 3 207.
Vehicle battery
The vehicle battery is located under a cover in the engine compartment.
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 99.
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.
9 Danger
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 3 137.
Replacing the vehicle battery
Ensure that the battery is alwaysreplaced by the same type of battery.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
have the vehicle battery replaced.
Stop-start system 3 137.
Charging the vehicle battery
9 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.
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Vehicle care1739Danger
Ensure adequate ventilation when
charging the battery. There is a
risk of explosion if gases
generated during charging are
allowed to accumulate!
Jump starting 3 198.
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.
● See the Owner's Manual for further 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 front passenger bench 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
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174Vehicle caredisconnecting 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 3 198.
Diesel fuel filter The diesel fuel filter is accessible from
the underside of the vehicle.
Drain filter of residual water at every
engine oil change.
Place a container underneath the
filter housing. Loosen the knurled
screw on the lower part of the filter by approx. one turn, to drain off the
water.
The filter is drained as soon as water-
free diesel fuel emerges. Retighten
the screw.
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.
Refuel then proceed as follows:With ignition key
● Switch on the ignition (key to position 2) for 5 seconds at a
time.
● Switch off ignition (key to position
1 ) for 3 seconds.
● Repeat this process multiple times.
● Start the engine (key to position 3) then switch off (key to position
0 ).
Ignition switch positions 3 133.