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178Driving and operatingIn 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.
Towing equipmentCaution
When operating without a trailer,
remove the coupling ball bar.
Towing equipment audible
warning
For vehicles fitted with towing
equipment, when connected to a
trailer the pitch of the audible warning
changes upon operation of the turn
lights.
The pitch of the audible warning will
change if a turn light on the trailer or
the towing vehicle fails.
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 is a function of
the Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
3 161.Auxiliary features
Power take-off
Activation
To activate the power take-off, with
the vehicle stationary and the engine
idling:
● Set the gearshift lever to neutral (vehicles with manual
transmission automated:
selector lever in position N).
● Depress the clutch pedal.
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182Vehicle careEnd-of-life vehicle recoveryInformation 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 3 140.
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 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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Vehicle care183
Pull the safety catch, located slightly
beside the centre, and open the
bonnet.
Pull up the support rod from its holder,
then secure it in the hook on the
underside of the bonnet.
If the bonnet is opened during an
Autostop, the engine will be restarted automatically for safety reasons.
Stop-start system 3 140.Caution
Ensure the windscreen wiper is
switched off before opening the
bonnet 3 89.
Closing
Before closing the bonnet, press the
support into the holder.
Lower the bonnet and allow it to drop into the catch from a low height
(20-25 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
3 228.
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.
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Vehicle care185Engine 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.
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 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.
Depending on vehicle, the power
steering fluid reservoir may be
located in the engine compartment
(Type A) or below the front wheel
arch, behind a trim panel (Type B).
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Vehicle care187BrakesIn the event of minimum thickness ofthe brake lining, a squealing noise
sounds during braking.
Continued driving is possible but
have the brake linings replaced as
soon as possible.
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.
The brake fluid level must be betweenthe MIN and MAX 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 brake fluid approved for
your vehicle.
Brake and clutch fluid 3 228.
Vehicle battery
The jump start terminal is located in
the engine compartment.
Jump starting 3 218.
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 3 101.
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. Disconnect the clamp from the negative terminal of the vehicle
battery.
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188Vehicle care9Danger
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 3 140.
Battery discharge protection 3 119.
Battery access
The battery is located behind a panel in the front left-hand door step.
Remove the panel to access the
battery.
Replacing the vehicle battery
Ensure that the battery is always
replaced by the same type of battery.
Seek the assistance of a workshop to
have the vehicle battery replaced.
Stop-start system 3 140.
Charging the vehicle battery9 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.
9 Danger
Ensure adequate ventilation when
charging the battery. There is a
risk of explosion if gases
generated during charging are
allowed to accumulate!
Jump starting 3 218.
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.
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204Vehicle careNo.Circuit1Stop-start2Power sliding door lock electro‐
magnet3Power sliding door lock chime4Speed 2: right-hand evaporator
fan5Speed 2: left-hand evaporator
fan6Speed 1: left-hand evaporator
fan7Left-hand heating8Speed 3: left-hand evaporator
fan9Condenser fan10Right-hand heating11Speed 3: right-hand evaporator
fan12Power sliding door13Corridor lightingNo.Circuit14Foot panel15Child safety warning chime16Speed 1: right-hand evaporator
fan
Some circuits may be protected by
several fuses.
Vehicle tools
Tools
Vehicles with spare wheel
The jack, wheel wrench, adapters (for
spare wheel removal), hub cap hook
and towing eye are contained in a
unit, stowed under the front seat.
Note
Depending on vehicle, there may be
multiple adapters for spare wheel
removal.
Page 209 of 251

Vehicle care2079Warning
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 10 kPa (0.1 bar)
for a 10 °C temperature increase.
This must be considered when warm
tyres are checked.
Trailer 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 100 km/h.
Trailer towing 3 177.
Rear-wheel drive, with twin rear
wheels
When inflating the outer tyre, the
inflation tube should be passed
between the two wheels.
Tyre pressure monitoringsystem
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.
Note
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 3 233.