Vehicle care167Engine 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 97 illuminates
red in the instrument cluster, together
with C 3 96. 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.
168Vehicle care
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 3 202.
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 care169The brake fluid level must be between
the 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 3 202.
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 96.
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 3 134.
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 3 134.
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.
170Vehicle care9Danger
Ensure adequate ventilation when
charging the battery. There is a
risk of explosion if gases
generated during charging are
allowed to accumulate!
Jump starting 3 195.
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.
Notice
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
182Vehicle careNo.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
and lane-change signals14Central 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
Vehicle care185
The tyre pressure information label
on the driver's door frame indicates
the original equipment tyres and the
correspondent tyre pressures.
Always inflate tyres to the pressures
shown on the label.
Tyre pressures 3 217.
The tyre pressure data refers to cold tyres. It applies to summer and winter tyres.
Always inflate the spare tyre to the
pressure specified for full load.
Incorrect tyre pressures will impair
safety, vehicle handling, comfort and
fuel economy and will increase tyre
wear.
Tyre pressures differ depending on
various options. For the correct tyre
pressure value, follow the procedure
below:
1. Identify the engine identifier code.
Engine data 3 207.
2. Identify the respective tyre.
The tyre pressure tables show all
possible tyre combinations 3 217.
For the tyres approved for your
vehicle, refer to the EEC Certificate of Conformity provided with your vehicle
or other national registration
documents.
The driver is responsible for correct adjustment of tyre pressure.9 Warning
If the pressure is too low, this can
result in considerable tyre warm-
up and internal damage, leading to tread separation and even to tyre
blow-out at high speeds.
9 Warning
For specific tyres the
recommended tyre pressure as
shown in the tyre pressure table may exceed the maximum tyre
pressure as indicated on the tyre.
Never exceed the maximum tyre
pressure as indicated on the tyre.
Temperature dependency
Tyre pressure depends on the
temperature of the tyre. During
driving, tyre temperature and
pressure increase.
Tyre pressure values provided on the
tyre information label and tyre
pressure chart are valid for cold tyres, which means at 20 °C. The pressure
increases by nearly 1.5 psi for a
10 °C temperature increase. This
must be considered when warm tyres
are checked.
Vehicle care187A spare wheel or temporary spare
wheel is not equipped with pressure
sensors. The tyre pressure
monitoring system is not operational
for these wheels. For the further three
wheels, the tyre pressure monitoring
system remains operational.
Control indicator w and the
corresponding message appears at
each ignition cycle until the tyres are
inflated to the correct tyre pressure.
Driver Information Centre 3 100.
Vehicle messages 3 101.
Puncture
A puncture or severely under-inflated
tyre is indicated by illumination of
control indicator w together with C
3 96 and a corresponding message
appears in the Driver Information
Centre. Stop vehicle and switch off
engine.
Tyre pressure 3 217.
Tyre repair kit 3 189.
Spare wheel 3 193.
Wheel changing 3 192.Relearn function
After a puncture has been repaired
and the driver has inflated the tyres to
the correct tyre pressure, the tyre
pressure monitoring system needs to recalculate.
Tyre pressure 3 217.
Tyre repair kit 3 189.
During driving, select the tyre
pressure menu in the Driver
Information Centre by pressing button
on end of wiper lever. Press and hold button for approx. five seconds to
initialise recalculation. A
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
Several minutes of driving at a speed above 25 mph may be required to
complete the relearn process. The system can only provide limited
information during this time.
If problems occur during the relearn
process, control indicator w remains
illuminated and a warning message is displayed in the Driver Information
Centre.
Driver Information Centre 3 100.
Vehicle messages 3 101.
General information The use of tyre chains or
commercially available liquid tyre
repair kits can impair the function of
the system. Factory-approved tyre
repair kits can be used.
Tyre repair kit 3 189.
Tyre chains 3 189.
External high-power radio equipment
could disrupt the tyre pressure
monitoring system.
Each time the tyres are replaced, the
tyre pressure monitoring system
sensors must be dismounted and
serviced by a workshop.
188Vehicle careTread depthCheck tread depth at regular
intervals.
Tyres should be replaced for safety
reasons at a tread depth of two to
three mm (four mm for winter tyres).
For safety reasons it is recommended
that the tread depth of the tyres on
one axle should not vary by more than two mm.
The legally permissible minimum
tread depth (1.6 mm) has been
reached when the tread has worn
down as far as one of the tread wear
indicators (TWI). Their position is
indicated by markings on the
sidewall.
Tyres age, even if they are not used.
We recommend tyre replacement
every six years.
Changing tyre and wheel size
If tyres of a different size than those
fitted at the factory are used, it may be necessary to reprogramme the
speedometer as well as the nominal
tyre pressure and make other vehicle modifications.
After converting to a different tyre
size, have the label with tyre
pressures replaced.
Tyre pressure monitoring system
3 186.9 Warning
The use of unsuitable tyres or
wheels may lead to accidents and will invalidate the vehicle
operating permit.
Wheel covers
Wheel covers and tyres that are
factory approved for the respective
vehicle and comply with all of the
relevant wheel and tyre combination
requirements must be used.
If the wheel covers and tyres used are
not factory approved, the tyres must
not have a rim protection ridge.
Wheel covers must not impair brake
cooling.9 Warning
Use of unsuitable tyres or wheel
covers could lead to sudden
pressure loss and thereby
accidents.