Page 254 of 332

4.8
Frequency of checking coolant level
Check the coolant level regularly
(very severe damage is likely to be
caused to the engine if it runs out of
coolant).
If the level needs to be topped up, only
use products approved by our Technical
Department which ensure:
– protection against freezing;
– an anti-corrosion protection for the cooling system.
Consult your approved dealer at
once if you notice an abnormal or
repeated drop in any of the fluid
levels.
No operations should be
carried out on the cooling
circuit when the engine is
hot.
Risk of burns.
Replacement interval
Refer to the Maintenance Document for
your vehicle.
Coolant level
With the engine switched off and on
level ground, the level when cold must
be between the MINI and MAXI marks
on reservoir 1.
Top this level up when cold before it
reaches the MINI mark.
LEVELS (1/3)
1
When working in the engine
compartment, ensure that
the windscreen wiper stalk
is in the park position.
Risk of injury.
Before performing any
action in the engine com-
partment, the ignition must
be switched off by pressing
the engine stop button (please see
the information on “Starting, stop-
ping the engine” in Section 2).
Page 255 of 332

4.9
Level 2
It is normal for the level to drop as the
brake shoes become worn, but it must
never drop lower than the “MINI” warn-
ing line.
If you wish to check the disc and drum
wear yourself, you should obtain the
document explaining the checking pro-
cedure from the manufacturer’s net-
work or web site.
Topping up
After any operation on the hydraulic cir-
cuit, a specialist must replace the brake
fluid.
Only use fluids approved by our
Technical Department (and taken from
a sealed container).
Replacement interval
Refer to the Maintenance Document for
your vehicle.
Brake fluid level
The level should be read with the engine
switched off and on level ground.
This should be checked frequently,
and immediately if you notice even the
slightest loss in braking efficiency.
LEVELS (2/3)
2
The engine may be hot
when carrying out opera-
tions in close proximity. In
addition, the engine cooling
fan can come on at any moment.
Risk of injury.
Consult your approved dealer at
once if you notice an abnormal or
repeated drop in any of the fluid
levels.
Page 256 of 332

4.10
Checking the level
Use the “dropper cap”. To do this, plug
the hole 4 with your finger, remove the
cap then read the gauge attached to
the cap.
Note: Regularly check the reservoir
level by topping up the liquid before
taking a trip.
Jets
To adjust the windscreen washer jets,
please consult an authorised dealer.
Filters
The replacement of filter components
(air filter, cabin filter, diesel filter, etc.)
is scheduled in the maintenance opera-
tions for your vehicle.
Replacement intervals for filter el-
ements: refer to the Maintenance
Document for your vehicle.
Windscreen washer reservoir
Topping up
With the engine switched off, open the
cap 3. Fill until you can see the fluid,
then replace the cap.
Liquid
Screen wash product (product with
antifreeze in winter).
LEVELS (3/3)/FILTERS
3
When working in the engine
compartment, ensure that
the windscreen wiper stalk
is in the park position.
Risk of injury.
The engine may be hot
when carrying out opera-
tions in close proximity. In
addition, the engine cooling
fan can come on at any moment.
Risk of injury.
Before performing any
action in the engine com-
partment, the ignition must
be switched off by pressing
the engine stop button (please see
the information on “Starting, stop-
ping the engine” in Section 2).
4
Page 259 of 332

4.13
BATTERY (1/2)
1
Battery 1 does not require any mainte-
nance. You should not open it or add
any fluid.
Handle the battery with care
as it contains sulphuric acid
which must not come into
contact with the eyes or
skin. If it does, wash the affected
area with plenty of cold water. If
necessary, consult a doctor.
Ensure that naked flames, red hot
objects and sparks do not come into
contact with the battery as there is a
risk of explosion.
Depending on the vehicle, a system
continuously checks the battery charge
status. If this decreases, the message
“Battery low start engine” is displayed
on the instrument panel. In this case,
start the engine. The message will go
off.
The charge status of your battery can
decrease especially if you use your ve-
hicle:
– for short journeys;
– for driving in town;
– when the temperature drops;
– after extended use of energy-con- suming devices (radio, etc.) with the
engine switched off.
The engine may be hot
during operations in close
proximity. In addition, the
engine cooling fan may
start at any moment.
Risk of injury.
Before performing any
action in the engine com-
partment, the ignition must
be switched off by pressing
the engine stop button (please see
the information on “Starting, stop-
ping the engine” in Section 2).
Page 291 of 332

5.27
Starting the vehicle using the
battery from another vehicle
If you have to use the battery from an-
other vehicle to start, obtain suitable
jump leads (with a large cross section)
from an approved dealer or, if you al-
ready have jump leads, ensure that
they are in perfect condition.
The two batteries must have an iden-
tical nominal voltage of 12 volts. The
battery supplying the current should
have a capacity (amp-hours, Ah) which
is at least the same as that of the dis-
charged battery.
Ensure that there is no risk of contact
between the two vehicles (risk of short
circuiting when the positive terminals
are connected) and that the discharged
battery is properly connected. Switch
off your vehicle ignition.
Start the engine of the vehicle supply-
ing the current and run it at a moderate
speed.
BATTERY: troubleshooting (2/2)
1
B
A
Lift the cover and then the red terminal
cap 1 (+).
Connect the positive cable A to the ter-
minal 1 (+), then to the terminal 4 (+) of
the battery supplying the current.
Connect the negative cable B to the
terminal 3 (–) of the battery supplying
the current and then to the terminal 2
(–).
Start the engine, and as soon as it starts
running, disconnect cables A and B in
reverse order ( 2 - 3 - 4 - 1).
2
4
3
Check that there is no con-
tact between leads A and B
and that the positive lead A
is not touching any metal
parts on the vehicle supplying the
current.
Risk of injury and/or damage to the
vehicle.
Page 293 of 332

5.29
WINDSCREEN WIPER BLADES: replacement (1/2)
Windscreen wiper blades 1
With the ignition on and the engine
switched off, lower the windscreen
wiper stalk fully: the blades stop slightly
away from the bonnet.
Lift wiper arm 3 , press button 2 to re-
lease the blade.
1
23
Refitting
Slide the blade along the arm until
it clips on. Check that it is correctly
locked in place. Lower the windscreen
wiper arm carefully.
With the ignition on, return the wind-
screen wiper stalk to the stop position.
The blade on the driver’s side must
always be above the passenger blade.
If this is not the case, a quick sweep of
the windscreen wipers should be per-
formed once the vehicle is travelling at
over 4 mph (7 km/h).
NB: Before restarting your vehicle,
lower the windscreen wiper blades
onto the windscreen to avoid any risk
of damaging the bonnet or the wipers.
– In frosty weather, make
sure that the wiper blades
are not stuck by ice (to
avoid the risk of the motor
overheating or damaging the
blades).
– Check the condition of the wiper
blades.
Replace the wiper blades as soon
as they begin to lose efficiency
(approximately once a year).
Whilst changing the blade, take care
not to drop the arm onto the window
after it has been removed as this
may break the window.
Do not activate the wipers on a dry
screen. This will lead to premature
wear or damage to the blades.
Page 302 of 332
5.38
OPERATING FAULTS (4/7)
On the roadPOSSIBLE CAUSESWHAT TO DO
Vibrations. Tyres not inflated to correct pres-
sures, incorrectly balanced or dam-
aged. Check the tyre pressures: if this is not the
problem, have them checked by an ap-
proved Dealer.
White smoke from the exhaust. In the diesel version, this is necessar-
ily a fault. Smoke may be caused by
particle filter regeneration. Please refer to the information on “Special
features of diesel versions” in Section 2.
Smoke under the bonnet. Short-circuit or cooling system leak. Stop, switch off the ignition, stand away
from the vehicle and contact an approved
dealer.
The oil pressure warning light comes
on: while cornering or braking The level is too low. Top up the engine oil level (refer to the in-
formation on “Engine oil level: topping up,
filling” in Section 4).
is slow to go out or remains lit
under acceleration Loss of oil pressure.
Stop the vehicle and contact an approved
Dealer.
Page 303 of 332

5.39
OPERATING FAULTS (5/7)
On the roadPOSSIBLE CAUSESWHAT TO DO
Steering becomes heavy. Assistance overheating.
Fault with the electric assistance
motor.
Fault in assistance system. Drive carefully at reduced speed, be aware
of the level of force in the steering wheel
needed to turn the wheels. Consult an ap-
proved dealer.
The engine is overheating. The cool-
ant temperature indicator is in the
warning zone and warning light
® comes on. Engine cooling fan not working. Stop the vehicle, switch off the engine and
contact an approved dealer.
Coolant leaks. Check the coolant reservoir: it should con- tain fluid. If there is no coolant, consult an
approved dealer as soon as possible.
Coolant boiling in the coolant reser-
voir. Mechanical fault: damaged cylinder
head gasket. Stop the engine.
Contact an approved dealer.
Radiator:
If there is a significant lack of coolant, remember that it must never b\
e topped up using cold coolant while
the engine is very warm. After any procedure on the vehicle which has involved even partial drain\
ing of the cooling
system, it must be refilled with a new mixture prepared in the correct p\
roportions. Reminder: only products approved
by our Technical Department may be used for this purpose.