check engine MINI Coupe 2012 User Guide
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Engine compartmentMOBILITY
157
The oil quantity corresponding to the difference
between the two marks on the dipstick is
1 US quart/1 liter.Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the
dipstick. Excess oil will damage the
engine. <
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum quantity of
1 US quart/1 liter of engine oil until the oil level
has dropped to just abov e the lower mark on the
dipstick, page 156.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km;
otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged. <
If too much motor oil is added,
immediately have the vehicle checked;
otherwise, damage to the engine may result. <
Keep oils, grease, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the warnings on
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may
result. <
Oil types for refilling
Notes
Do not use oil additives as this could result
in engine damage. <
When selecting a motor oil, ensure that it
belongs to one of the SAE viscosity classes
0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 and 5W-30; otherwise,
malfunctions or damage to the engine may
result. <
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the
engine.
Some types of oil may not be available in every
country.
Approved oil types
Additional information on approved types of oil
can be found at a MINI dealer.
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available,
up to 1 US quart/1 liter of another oil with the
following specifications may be used:
Oil change
Only MINI dealers are to perform oil changes.
Gasoline engines
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE
Gasoline engines
API SM or higher specifications
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MOBILITYEngine compartment
158
Coolant
Coolant consists of half water and half additive.
Not all commercially available additives are
suitable for your MINI. Your MINI dealer knows
which additives are suitab le and will be glad to
advise you.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise,
engine damage may result. Because
additives are harmful to your health, it is
important to follow the instructions on the
containers. <
Comply with the appropriate environmen-
tal protection regulations when disposing
of coolant additives. <
Coolant temperature
If the coolant, and therefore the engine, should
overheat, then a warning lamp will go on, refer
to page185.
Checking coolant level
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns. <
Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.
The coolant level is correct if it is between the
marks.
Topping off
1. Turn the cap of the ex pansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated pressure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
2. Slowly fill to the correct fluid level; do not
overfill.
3. Close by turning the cap.
Have the reason for the coolant loss eliminated
as soon as possible.
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MOBILITYMaintenance
160
Socket for On-Board
Diagnosis OBD
The primary components that make up the
emissions can be checked by a device via the
OBD socket.
Emissions
The warning lamps come on. The vehicle
is producing higher emissions. You can
continue your journey, but moderate
your speed and exercise due caution.
Have the car checked as soon as possible.
Under certain circumstances, one of the lamps
will flash or light up cont inuously. This indicates
excessive misfiring or a malfunction in the
engine. If this happens, reduce your speed and
visit the nearest MINI dealer as soon as possible.
Severe misfiring can quickly lead to serious
damage of emissions-related components,
especially the catalytic converter. In addition,
mechanical engine components can become
damaged.
If the fuel cap is not properly tightened,
the OBD system may conclude that fuel
vapors are escaping, causing an indica-
tor to light up. If the fuel cap is then tightened,
the indicator should go out within a few days.
Data memory
Your vehicle displays data about the operation,
malfunctions, and user settings. These data are
stored in the vehicle and can be partly stored in
the remote control; the data can be read by
suitable devices, in pa rticular at your MINI
dealer. The data read out are used for
supporting the service processes and repair
or for optimization and development of
vehicle functions.
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Replacing componentsMOBILITY
167
lamps, despite driving with lights on, and if
condensation increases, e.g., because of water
droplets, have this checked by your MINI dealer.
Xenon lamps
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of failure very low, provided that
they are not switched on and off an excessive
number of times. If a xenon lamp fails neverthe-
less, switch on the fog lamps and continue the
journey with great care, provided that local
legislation does not prohibit this.
Work on the xenon lighting system,
including lamp replacem ent, is only to be
carried out only by your MINI dealer. Due to high
voltage, there is a risk of fatal injury if work on
the xenon lamps is carried out improperly. <
Halogen low beams and high beams
H13 bulb, 60/55 watts
The H13 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses an d protective gloves.
Otherwise, there is a risk of injury if the bulb is
damaged. <
Be careful when inst alling the cover;
otherwise, leaks co uld occur and cause
damage to the headlamp system. <
Accessing the lamp from the engine
compartment
The low-beam/high-beam bulb can be changed
from the engine compartment. Removing the cover:
1.
Press the tab.
2. Flip open the cover and take it out of the
holder.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to
reattach the cover. Be careful when inst alling the cover;
otherwise, leaks could occur and cause
damage to the headlamp system. <
Replacing the bulb
1.Turn the lamp counterclockwise, arrow 1,
and remove it, arrow 2.
2. Push on the catch, arrow 1, and disconnect
the connector, arrow 2.
3. To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
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MOBILITYReplacing components
174
9.Pull the space-saver spare tire underneath
the vehicle out toward the rear.
10. Position the space-save r spare tire with the
valve facing upward.
11. Unscrew the valve extension from the valve
of the space-saver spare tire.
12. Unscrew the dust cap from the extension
and place it on the valve of the space-saver
spare tire.
Due to its different dimensions, the
damaged wheel cannot be placed in the
recess for the space-saver spare tire. <
Driving with the space-saver spare tire
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Changes may
occur in vehicle handling such as lower track
stability during braking, longer braking dis-
tances and changes in self-steering properties
when close to the handling limit. These proper-
ties are more noticeable with winter tires. <
Only one space-saver spare tire may be
mounted at one time. Mount a wheel and
tire of the original size as soon as possible, to
avoid any safety risks. <
Check the tire inflat ion pressure at the
earliest opportunity an d correct it if neces-
sary. Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly bal-
anced. <
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions regarding
flat tires on page 170.< Additional safety measures when
changing tires:
Only change the tire wh en parked on a surface
that is level, firm and not slippery.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways on
soft or slippery support surfaces, such as snow,
ice, flagstones, etc.
Do not use a wooden block or similar object as a
support base for the jack, as this would prevent
it from extending to its full support height and
reduce its load-carrying capacity.
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise, there is a risk of fatal injury. <
1. Place the foldable chock behind the front
wheel on the other side of the vehicle or in
front of the wheel if the vehicle is on an
incline. If the wheel is changed on a surface
with a more severe sl ope, take additional
precautions to secure the vehicle from
rolling.
2. Uncover the lug bolts if necessary.
3. Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
Jacking up the vehicle
The vehicle jack is designed for changing
wheels only. Do not attempt to raise
another vehicle model with it or to raise any load
of any kind. To do so could cause accidents and
personal injury. <
1. Place the jack at the jacking point closest to
the wheel.
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Replacing componentsMOBILITY
175
The jack base must be perpendicular to the
surface beneath the jacking point.
2. During jacking up, insert the jack head in the
square recess of the jacking point.
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are
changing is raised off the ground.
Mounting the space-saver spare tire
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the
wheel.
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and
hub. Clean the lug bolts.
3. Lift the new wheel into place.
4. Screw at least two lug bolts finger-tight into
opposite bolt holes.
5. Screw in the remaining bolts.
6. Tighten all the lug bolts firmly in a diagonal
pattern.
7. Lower the vehicle.
8. Remove the jack.
Tightening the lug bolts
Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.
Immediately have the wheels checked
with a calibrated torque wrench to ensure
that the lug bolts are firmly seated. Otherwise,
incorrectly tightened lug bolts can present a
safety hazard. <
Tightening torque: 103.3 lb ft or 140 Nm.
Replace the defective tire as soon as possible
and have the new wheel/tire assembly
balanced.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free; that is, the
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate
climate.
Battery replacement
Only use vehicle batteries that have been
approved for your vehicle by the manu-
facturer; otherwise, the vehicle could be
damaged and systems or functions may not
be fully available. <
After a battery replacement, have the battery
registered on the vehicle by your MINI dealer to
ensure that all convenie nce functions are fully
available and, if nece ssary, the corresponding
Check Control messages are no longer dis-
played.
Charging the battery
Note
Do not connect battery chargers to the
sockets installed in the vehicle at the
factory; otherwise you may cause damage to
the battery. <
Only charge the battery in the vehicle when
the engine is off. Connections, refer to Jump-
starting on page 177.
General information
To guarantee the full service life of the battery,
ensure that the battery is always properly
charged.
It may be necessary to charge the battery in the
following situations:
>If frequent short trips are taken.
> If the vehicle is frequently parked for more
than a month.
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Giving and receiving assistanceMOBILITY
177
Giving and receiving assistance
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. Equipment is also described
that is not available because of, for example,
selected options or count ry version. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance is available by phone
24 hours a day in many countries. You can
receive assistance there in the event of an
emergency.
First aid pouch
Some of the articles co ntained in the first aid
pouch have a limited se rvice life. Therefore,
check the expiration dates of the contents
regularly and replace any items in good time,
if necessary.
The first aid pouch is located on the rear cargo
well by the left side trim panel.
Warning triangle
The warning triangle is located at the bottom of
the luggage compartment floor.
Jump-starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your MINI's engine
can be started by connecting two jumper cables
to another vehicle's battery. You can also use
the same method to help start another vehicle.
Only use jumper cables with fully-insulated
clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts
when the engine is running, or a fatal
accident may occur. Ca refully adhere to the
following sequence, both to prevent damage
to one or both vehicles, and to guard against
possible personal injuries. <
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other vehi-
cle has a voltage of 12 volts and approxi-
mately the same capacitance in Ah. This
information can be found on the battery.
2. Switch off the engine of the support vehicle.
3. Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise,
there is a danger of shorting. <
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
o r d e r , s o t h a t n o s parks which could cause
injury occur. <
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MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
178
1.Open the battery cover in the engine
compartment to access the positive terminal
of your MINI.
2. Release the tabs on the left and right sides of
the positive terminal cover, arrows 1, and lift
the cover to open, arrow 2.
3. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or to a starting-aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance.
4. Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
5. Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle. Body ground in MINI:
6.
Attach the second te rminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle in the
usual manner.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged. Never use spray fluids to start the
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing
away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing
vehicles. <
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. <
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MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
180
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage. <
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other pa rts of the vehicle could
result in damage. <
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI transported by a tow truck with a
so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may
result. <
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page 177.
Vehicles with a catalyti c converter should only
be tow-started when the engine is cold, vehicles
with an automatic transmission cannot be tow-
started at all.
1. Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2. Switch on the ignition, page 55.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. Afte r the engine starts, immediately depress the clutch completely
again.
5. Stop at a suitable lo cation, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard
warning flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
184
Fuel cap missing or looseMake sure that the fuel cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between
the fuel cap and the vehicle.
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
page 62.
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements,
page 159.
Lights up in yellow:
The next time that the Start/Stop
button is pressed, the engine starts,
possibly even without a foot on the
brakes or without depressing the
clutch
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detected The engine cannot be started. Have
the remote control checked, if
necessary.
Remote control battery is discharged Use the remote control for a longer journey or, in cars with Comfort
Access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/ or airbag system
failed Have the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Steering response will be
markedly different. Have the system
checked without delay.
12Cause What to do
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