Driving and operating161If the trailer starts snaking, drive more
slowly, do not attempt to correct the
steering and brake sharply if
necessary.
When driving downhill, drive in the
same gear as if driving uphill and
drive at a similar speed.
Adjust tyre pressure to the value
specified for full load 3 217.
Trailer towing Trailer loads
The permissible trailer loads are
vehicle and engine-dependent
maximum values which must not be exceeded. The actual trailer load is
the difference between the actual
gross weight of the trailer and the
actual coupling socket load with the
trailer coupled.
The permissible trailer loads are
specified in the vehicle documents. In
general, they are valid for gradients
up to max. 12%.
The permitted trailer load applies up
to the specified incline and up to an
altitude of 1000 metres above sealevel. Since 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 metres 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
3 205.
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
) 3 148.
162Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................163
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 163
Vehicle storage ........................163
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....164
Vehicle checks ........................... 164
Performing work ......................164
Bonnet ..................................... 164
Engine oil ................................. 165
Engine air filter ........................ 166
Engine coolant ......................... 167
Power steering fluid .................167
Washer fluid ............................ 168
Brakes ..................................... 168
Brake fluid ............................... 168
Vehicle battery ......................... 169
Diesel fuel filter ........................171
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....171
Wiper blade replacement ........172
Bulb replacement .......................173
Headlights ............................... 173
Fog lights ................................. 174
Front turn signal lights .............174
Tail lights ................................. 174
Side turn signal lights ..............175Centre high-mounted brake
light ......................................... 175
Reversing light ......................... 176
Number plate light ...................177
Fog tail light ............................. 177
Interior lights ............................ 178
Instrument panel illumination ...178
Electrical system ........................179
Fuses ....................................... 179
Instrument panel fuse box .......180
Vehicle tools .............................. 183
Tools ........................................ 183
Wheels and tyres .......................184
Tyres ....................................... 184
Winter tyres ............................. 184
Tyre designations ....................184
Tyre pressure .......................... 184
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 186
Tread depth ............................. 188
Changing tyre and wheel size . 188
Wheel covers ........................... 188
Tyre chains .............................. 189
Tyre repair kit .......................... 189
Wheel changing .......................192
Spare wheel ............................ 193
Jump starting ............................. 195Towing....................................... 196
Towing the vehicle ...................196
Towing another vehicle ...........197
Appearance care .......................198
Exterior care ............................ 198
Interior care ............................. 200
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.
Vehicle care183No.Circuit40Rear power outlet41Starting / Body control module42Heated seats43Tachograph44Windscreen wiper45Heating / Air conditioning
After having changed defective fuses,
replace the trim panel.
Vehicle tools
Tools
The jack, wheel wrench, wheel bolt
sleeve, torx key, adapters, wheel
cover hook, towing eye are contained
in a unit, stowed under the driver's
seat.
Slide seat forwards and fold the
backrest forwards 3 46 to access the
tool box. The tool box may be secured
in position with a wing nut. Rotate
wing nut anticlockwise to release.
Wheel changing 3 192.
Spare wheel 3 193.
Vehicles with tyre repair kit: The wheel cover hook and torx key are
stored within the tyre repair kit case,
stowed under the driver's seat.
Tyre repair kit 3 189.
184Vehicle careWheels and tyres
Tyre condition, wheel condition Drive over edges slowly and at right
angles if possible. Driving over sharp
edges can cause tyre and wheel
damage. Do not trap tyres on the kerb when parking.
Regularly check the wheels for
damage. Seek the assistance of a
workshop in the event of damage or
unusual wear.
We recommend not swapping the
front wheels with the rear wheels and
vice versa, as this can affect vehicle
stability. Always use less worn tyres
on the rear axle.
Tyres
Factory-fitted tyres are matched to
the chassis and offer optimum driving comfort and safety.Winter tyres
Winter tyres improve driving safety at temperatures below 7 °C and should
therefore be fitted on all wheels.
In accordance with country-specific
regulations, a notice indicating the
maximum permissible speed for the
tyres must be affixed within the
driver's field of vision.
Tyre designations
E.g. 195/65 R 16 C 88 Q195:Tyre width, mm65:Cross-section ratio (tyre height
to tyre width), %R:Belt type: RadialRF:Type: RunFlat16:Wheel diameter, inchesC:Cargo or commercial use88:Load index e.g. 88 is
equivalent to 567 kgQ:Speed code letter
Speed code letter:
Q:up to 100 mphS:up to 112 mphT:up to 118 mphH:up to 130 mphV:up to 150 mphW:up to 168 mph
Choose a tyre appropriate for the
maximum speed of your vehicle.
The maximum speed is achievable at kerb weight with driver (75 kg) plus
125 kg payload. Optional equipment
could reduce the maximum speed of
the vehicle.
Directional tyres
Fit directional tyres such that they roll in the direction of travel. The rolling
direction is indicated by a symbol
(e.g. an arrow) on the sidewall.
Tyre pressure
Check the pressure of cold tyres at
least every 14 days and before any
long journey. Do not forget the spare
wheel. This also applies to vehicles
with tyre pressure monitoring system.
186Vehicle careTrailer towing
When towing a trailer with a fully
laden vehicle, the tyre pressure must
be increased by 20 kPa/0.2 bar
(3.0 psi) and the maximum speed
limited to 60 mph.
Trailer towing 3 161.
Tyre pressure monitoring
system
The tyre pressure monitoring system
uses radio and sensor technology to
check tyre pressure levels.Caution
Tyre pressure monitoring system
warns only about low tyre pressure condition and does not replace
regular tyre maintenance by the
driver.
All wheels must be equipped with pressure sensors and the tyres must
have the prescribed pressure.
Notice
In countries where the tyre pressure
monitoring system is legally
required, the use of wheels without
pressure sensors will invalidate the
vehicle operating permit.
The tyre pressure monitoring system
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the tyres and transmit tyre pressure
readings to a receiver located in the
vehicle.
Tyre pressure chart 3 217.
Low tyre pressure conditionA detected low tyre pressure
condition is indicated by illumination
of control indicator w 3 98 and a
corresponding message appears in
the Driver Information Centre.
If w illuminates, stop as soon as
possible and inflate the tyres as
recommended 3 217.
After inflating, some driving may be
required to update the tyre pressure
values in the system. During this time
w may illuminate.
If w illuminates at lower temperatures
and extinguishes after some driving,
this could be an indicator for
approaching a low tyre pressure
condition. Check tyre pressure of all
four tyres.
If the tyre pressure must be reduced
or increased, switch off ignition.
Only mount wheels with pressure
sensors, otherwise w flashes for
several seconds then illuminates
continuously together with control
indicator F 3 96 and a corresponding
message appears in the Driver
Information Centre.
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.