164Driving and operatingTrailer hitch
General information
Entrust retrofitting of towing
equipment to a workshop. It may be
necessary to make changes that
affect the cooling system, heat
shields or other equipment. Only use
towing equipment that has been
approved for your vehicle.
Driving characteristics and towing tips
In the case of trailers with brakes,
attach the breakaway stopping cable.
Before attaching a trailer, lubricate
the coupling ball. However, do not do so if a stabiliser, which acts on thecoupling ball, is being used to reduce
snaking movements. For trailers with
low driving stability the use of a
stabiliser is recommended.
A maximum speed of 80 km/h must
not be exceeded, even in countries
where higher speeds are permitted.If 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 3 216.
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 m above sea level.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 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
3 210.
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.
Driving and operating165In the case of trailer loads of
1200 kg or more, the vertical coupling
load should not be less than 50 kg.
Rear axle loadWhen 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 is a function of
the Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
3 151.
166Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................167
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 167
Vehicle storage ........................167
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....168
Vehicle checks ........................... 168
Performing work ......................168
Bonnet ..................................... 168
Engine oil ................................. 169
Engine air filter ........................ 170
Engine coolant ......................... 171
Power steering fluid .................171
Washer fluid ............................ 172
Brakes ..................................... 172
Brake fluid ............................... 172
Vehicle battery ......................... 173
Diesel fuel filter ........................175
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....175
Wiper blade replacement ........176
Bulb replacement .......................177
Headlights ............................... 177
Front fog lights ......................... 178
Front turn lights .......................178
Tail lights ................................. 178
Side turn lights ......................... 179Centre high-mounted brake
light ......................................... 179
Reversing light ......................... 180
Number plate light ...................181
Fog tail light ............................. 181
Interior lights ............................ 182
Instrument panel illumination ...183
Electrical system ........................183
Fuses ....................................... 183
Instrument panel fuse box .......184
Vehicle tools .............................. 187
Tools ........................................ 187
Wheels and tyres .......................188
Tyres ....................................... 188
Winter tyres ............................. 188
Tyre designations ....................188
Tyre pressure .......................... 188
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 190
Tread depth ............................. 191
Changing tyre and wheel size . 192
Wheel covers ........................... 192
Tyre chains .............................. 192
Tyre repair kit .......................... 193
Wheel changing .......................196
Spare wheel ............................ 197
Jump starting ............................. 199Towing....................................... 200
Towing the vehicle ...................200
Towing another vehicle ...........201
Appearance care .......................202
Exterior care ............................ 202
Interior care ............................. 204
Vehicle care171Engine 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 3 100 illuminates
red in the instrument cluster, together
with C 3 99. 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.
186Vehicle 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
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
229KKeys ............................................. 21
Keys, locks ................................... 21
L
Lashing eyes ............................... 79
Lashing straps .............................. 79
Laying up the vehicle ..........167, 173
LED spotlights ............................ 114
Light covers, misted.................... 114
Lighting ....................................... 110
Lighting features .........................116
Light switch ................................ 110
Load compartment ................35, 78
Load compartment cover .............79
Load compartment grille ...............81
Load compartment lighting .........116
Loading information .....................82
Load-through feature ....................76
Low fuel ..................................... 102
Luggage floor net .........................79
M
Malfunction indicator light ............99
Manual adjustment ......................40
Manual anti-dazzle ......................42
Manual transmission .................. 147
Maximum speed limiter............... 155
Messages ................................... 104
Mirror adjustment ........................... 8Mirrors .................................... 40, 42
Misted light covers .....................114
N New vehicle running-in ..............133
Number plate light .....................181
O
Object detection systems ...........156
Odometer ..................................... 92 Oil ............................................... 169
Oil, engine .................. 169, 207, 211
Oil pressure ................................ 101
Outside temperature ....................87
Overcab storage ..........................78
Overrun cut-off ........................... 137
P Parking ................................ 20, 140
Parking assist ............................ 156
Parking brake ............................ 149
Parking distance control .............156
Parking heater ............................ 124
Particulate filter ........................... 141
Pedals......................................... 132
Performing work ........................168
Phone controls.............................. 85
Phone holder ................................ 73
Power button ........................ 18, 133
Power outlets ............................... 89
Power steering fluid ....................171Power windows ............................ 43
Preheating ......................... 101, 135
Puncture ..................................... 196
R Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 224
Radio remote control ...................22
REACH ....................................... 221
Reading lights ............................ 116
Rear air conditioning system .....123
Rear courtesy lights ....................114
Rear door manual lock .................25
Rear doors .............................. 25, 33
Rear fog light .....................103, 114
Rear heating system .................. 122 Rear parcel shelf .......................... 79
Rear seats ................................... 51
2nd row seats ............................ 51
3rd row seats............................. 51
Folding ...................................... 51
Installing .................................... 51
Rear seat access ......................51
Removing .................................. 51
Seat cushion adjustment ...........51
Rear seats lights .........................114
Rear view camera ...................... 159
Rear windows .............................. 44
Rear window wiper and washer ..87