162Driving 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 50 mph 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 3 213.
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
3 207.
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 operating163In 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)
3 149.
164Vehicle careVehicle careGeneral Information...................165
Accessories and vehicle modifications .......................... 165
Vehicle storage ........................165
End-of-life vehicle recovery .....166
Vehicle checks ........................... 166
Performing work ......................166
Bonnet ..................................... 166
Engine oil ................................. 167
Engine air filter ........................ 168
Engine coolant ......................... 169
Power steering fluid .................169
Washer fluid ............................ 170
Brakes ..................................... 170
Brake fluid ............................... 170
Vehicle battery ......................... 171
Diesel fuel filter ........................173
Diesel fuel system bleeding .....173
Wiper blade replacement ........174
Bulb replacement .......................175
Headlights ............................... 175
Front fog lights ......................... 176
Front turn lights .......................176
Tail lights ................................. 176
Side turn lights ......................... 177Centre high-mounted brake
light ......................................... 177
Reversing light ......................... 178
Number plate light ...................179
Fog tail light ............................. 179
Interior lights ............................ 180
Instrument panel illumination ...181
Electrical system ........................181
Fuses ....................................... 181
Instrument panel fuse box .......182
Vehicle tools .............................. 185
Tools ........................................ 185
Wheels and tyres .......................186
Tyres ....................................... 186
Winter tyres ............................. 186
Tyre designations ....................186
Tyre pressure .......................... 186
Tyre pressure monitoring system .................................... 188
Tread depth ............................. 189
Changing tyre and wheel size . 190
Wheel covers ........................... 190
Tyre chains .............................. 190
Tyre repair kit .......................... 191
Wheel changing .......................194
Spare wheel ............................ 195
Jump starting ............................. 197Towing....................................... 198
Towing the vehicle ...................198
Towing another vehicle ...........199
Appearance care .......................200
Exterior care ............................ 200
Interior care ............................. 202
Vehicle care169If the red tell-tale is displayed when
the engine is running, consult a
workshop.
Engine 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 98 illuminates
red in the instrument cluster, together
with C 3 97. 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.
170Vehicle careThe fluid level normally does not needto be checked. If an unusual noise is
heard during steering or if the power
steering reacts conspicuously, seek
the assistance of a workshop.
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 3 204.
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.
184Vehicle 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
225KKeys ............................................. 19
Keys, locks ................................... 19
L
Lashing eyes ............................... 77
Lashing straps .............................. 77
Laying up the vehicle ..........165, 171
LED spotlights ............................ 112
Light covers, misted.................... 112
Lighting ....................................... 108
Lighting features .........................114
Light switch ................................ 108
Load compartment ................33, 76
Load compartment cover .............77
Load compartment grille ...............79
Load compartment lighting .........114
Loading information .....................80
Load-through feature ....................74
Low fuel ..................................... 100
Luggage floor net .........................77
M
Malfunction indicator light ............97
Manual adjustment ......................39
Manual anti-dazzle ......................40
Manual transmission .................. 145
Maximum speed limiter............... 153
Messages ................................... 102
Mirror adjustment ........................... 8Mirrors .................................... 39, 40
Misted light covers .....................112
N New vehicle running-in ..............131
Number plate light .....................179
O
Object detection systems ...........154
Odometer ..................................... 90 Oil ............................................... 167
Oil, engine .................. 167, 204, 208
Oil pressure .................................. 99
Outside temperature ....................85
Overcab storage ..........................76
Overrun cut-off ........................... 135
P Parking ................................ 18, 138
Parking assist ............................ 154
Parking brake ............................ 147
Parking distance control .............154
Parking heater ............................ 122
Particulate filter ........................... 139
Pedals......................................... 130
Performing work ........................166
Phone controls.............................. 83
Phone holder ................................ 71
Power button ........................ 17, 131
Power outlets ............................... 87
Power steering fluid ....................169Power windows ............................ 42
Preheating ........................... 99, 133
Puncture ..................................... 194
R
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) ..................................... 221
Radio remote control ...................20
REACH ....................................... 218
Reading lights ............................ 114
Rear air conditioning system .....121
Rear courtesy lights ....................112
Rear door manual lock .................24
Rear doors .............................. 24, 31
Rear fog light .....................101, 112
Rear heating system .................. 120
Rear parcel shelf .......................... 77
Rear seats ................................... 49
2nd row seats ............................ 49
3rd row seats............................. 49
Folding ...................................... 49
Installing .................................... 49
Rear seat access ......................49
Removing .................................. 49
Seat cushion adjustment ...........49
Rear seats lights .........................112
Rear view camera ...................... 157
Rear windows .............................. 42
Rear window wiper and washer ..85