
162Driving and operatingSince engine power decreases as
altitude increases due to the air
becoming thinner, therefore reducing
climbing ability, the permissible gross
train weight also decreases by 10%
for every 1000 m 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
3 207.
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.
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® Plus
) 3 149.

Vehicle care163Vehicle careGeneral Information...................164
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 164
Vehicle storage ........................164
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....165
Vehicle checks ........................... 165
Performing work ......................165
Bonnet ..................................... 165
Engine oil ................................. 166
Engine air filter ........................ 167
Engine coolant ......................... 168
Power steering fluid .................168
Washer fluid ............................ 169
Brakes ..................................... 169
Brake fluid ............................... 169
Vehicle battery ......................... 170
Diesel fuel filter ........................172
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....172
Wiper blade replacement ........173
Bulb replacement .......................174
Headlights ............................... 174
Fog lights ................................. 175
Front turn lights .......................175
Tail lights ................................. 175
Side turn lights ......................... 176Centre high-mounted brake
light ......................................... 176
Reversing light ......................... 177
Number plate light ...................178
Fog tail light ............................. 178
Interior lights ............................ 179
Instrument panel illumination ...180
Electrical system ........................180
Fuses ....................................... 180
Instrument panel fuse box .......181
Vehicle tools .............................. 184
Tools ........................................ 184
Wheels and tyres .......................185
Tyres ....................................... 185
Winter tyres ............................. 185
Tyre designations ....................185
Tyre pressure .......................... 185
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 187
Tread depth ............................. 189
Changing tyre and wheel size . 189
Wheel covers ........................... 189
Tyre chains .............................. 190
Tyre repair kit .......................... 190
Wheel changing .......................193
Spare wheel ............................ 195
Jump starting ............................. 196Towing....................................... 198
Towing the vehicle ...................198
Towing another vehicle ...........199
Appearance care .......................199
Exterior care ............................ 199
Interior care ............................. 201

168Vehicle careIf the red tell-tale is displayed when
the engine is running, consult a
workshop.
Engine 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.
If the coolant temperature is too high, control indicator W 3 98 illuminates
red in the instrument cluster, together
with C 3 97. 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.

Vehicle care169The 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.
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 3 204.
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.

Vehicle care183No.Circuit1Battery backup (with electronic
key system)2Adaptations3Adaptations4Vehicle battery (with electronic key system)5Additional heating and ventila‐
tion / Air conditioning system6Supplementary heating and
ventilation system7Electric exterior mirrors / Addi‐
tional adaptations8Heated exterior mirrors9Radio / Multimedia / Electric
exterior mirrors / Diagnostic
socket10Multimedia / Trailer hitch11Courtesy lights / Battery
discharge protectionNo.Circuit12Right-hand high beam / Left-
hand low beam / Sidelights /
Right-hand daytime running
light13Hazard warning flashers / Turn
lights14Central locking15Left-hand high beam / Right-
hand low beam / Tail lights /
Left-hand daytime running light16Front fog lights / Rear fog lights /
Number plate lighting17Alarm / Horn / Lighting / Wiper18Instrument cluster19Heating and ventilation system20Rear window wiper / Wind‐
screen washer pump / Horn21General battery22Reversing lights23Brake switchNo.Circuit24Fuel injection / Starter25Airbag / Steering column lock26Passenger power window27Power steering28Brake lights29Battery backup (with electronic
key system)30Service display31Cigarette lighter / Power outlet32Heating and ventilation system33Brake lights / ABS / Immobiliser34Interior lighting / Air conditioning35Starting with electronic key
system36Rear window wiper37Warning chimes38Load compartment power outlet39Driver power window

190Vehicle careTyre chains
Tyre chains are only permitted on the
front wheels.
Always use fine mesh chains that add no more than 15 mm to the tyre tread
and the inboard sides (including chain lock).
For tyre size 215/60 R17, consult a
workshop.
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 or
sidewall can be repaired with the tyre
repair kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies from
the tyres.
Tyre damage exceeding four mm or
that is at tyre 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
driver's seat.
Vehicle tools 3 184.
1. Remove the compressor and sealant bottle from the tyre repairkit case.
2. Remove the electrical connection cable and air hose from the
compartments on the underside
of the compressor.

198Vehicle careTowingTowing the vehicle
The towing eye is stowed with the
vehicle tools 3 184.
Release cap using a suitable tool.
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.
Caution
Activate the child locks in the rear
doors if the rear seats are
occupied.
Child locks 3 30.
Switch on ignition to permit operation
of brake lights, horn and windscreen
wipers, and move the steering wheel
slightly to release the steering wheel
lock.
Notice
Depending on version, it may be
necessary to switch on the engine to
permit operation of brake lights.
Move the selector lever to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
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.
Switch on hazard warning flashers
3 111.
To prevent the entry of exhaust fumes
from the towing vehicle, switch on the air recirculation system 3 117 and
close the windows.
Seek the assistance of a workshop.
After towing, unscrew the towing eye
and replace cap.

Customer information227Depending on the equipment level in
question, these include
● Seat and steering wheel position settings,
● Chassis and air conditioning settings,
● Custom settings such as interior lighting.
You can input your own data in the
infotainment functions for your
vehicle as part of the selected
features.
Depending on the equipment level in
question, these include
● Multimedia data such as music, videos or photos for playback in
an integrated multimedia system,
● Address book data for use with an integrated hands-free system
or an integrated navigation
system,
● Input destinations,
● Data on the use of online services.
This data for comfort and
infotainment functions can be stored
locally in the vehicle or be kept on adevice that you have connected to the
vehicle ( e.g. a smartphone, USB stick
or MP3 player). Data that you have input yourself can be deleted at any
time.
This data can only be transmitted out
of the vehicle at your request,
particularly when using online
services in accordance with the
settings selected by you.
Smartphone integration, e.g.
Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
If your vehicle is equipped
accordingly, you can connect your
smartphone or another mobile device
to the vehicle so that you can control
it via the controls integrated in the
vehicle. The smartphone image and
sound can be output via the
multimedia system in this case. At the same time, specific information is
transmitted to your smartphone.
Depending on the type of integration,
this includes data such as position
data, day / night mode and other
general vehicle information. For moreinformation, please see the operating
instructions for the vehicle /
infotainment system.
Integration allows selected
smartphone apps to be used, such as
navigation or music playback. No
further integration is possible
between smartphone and vehicle, in particular active access to vehicledata. The nature of further data
processing is determined by the
provider of the app used. Whether
you can define settings, and if so
which ones, is dependent on the app
in question and your smartphone's
operating system.