MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2002 Manual PDF
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
*
Air supply
 
Press the left or right half of the 
button: the air supply varies. 
Defrosting and demisting the 
windshield and side windows
Press the button briefly.
The indicator lamp flashes.
Ice and condensation are removed from the 
rear window/windshield and side 
windows.
The rear window defroster/windshield 
heating is switched on automatically. It can 
be switched off again separately.
Press the button for a longer period.
Only air to the windshield.
Individual air distribution
Combine the air distribution 
yourself. This switches off the 
automatic program. 
Draft-free ventilation Air supply for the upper body area:
Button 1: open and close the vent outlets 
as required by turning. 
The points indicate the position in each 
case.
Vent 2: change the direction of the airflow 
by swiveling.
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen 
from the incoming air. The activated-char-
coal filter provides additional protection by 
filtering gaseous pollutants from the 
outside air. 
Your MINI center replaces this combined 
filter as a standard part of your scheduled 
maintenance. A substantial reduction in 
the air supply indicates that the filter must 
be replaced before scheduled maintenance. 
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GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASHTRAY/BEVERAGE HOLDER CIGARETTE LIGHTERTo open:
Pull the handle. 
The light goes on.
To close:
Fold the door up.
To prevent injury in the event of an 
accident, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
AshtrayThe ashtray is located in one of the 
beverage holders in the center console.
In the rear, an ashtray can also be fitted in 
the beverage holder at the end of the 
center console. Beverage holdersThere are two beverage holders at the front 
of the center console. Another is located at 
the end of the center console.
From ignition key position 1:
Press the cigarette lighter in.
Remove as soon as the lighter jumps back 
out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette 
lighter by the knob only. Holding or 
touching it in other areas could result in 
burns. <Lighter socketSuitable for attaching power supplies for 
flashlights, car vacuum cleaners, etc., up to 
a rating of approx. 200 Watts at 12 Volts. 
Avoid damaging the socket with plugs of 
different shapes or sizes. 
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT COVER FOLDABLE REAR BACKRESTWhen the tailgate is opened, the luggage 
compartment cover is also raised.
Never place heavy or hard objects on 
the luggage compartment cover, as 
otherwise occupants could be injured 
during braking maneuvers.<
The warning triangle
* is located 
beneath the luggage compartment 
cover, see page 113.
Comply with legal requirements requiring 
you to carry a hazard warning triangle in 
the vehicle.<
RemovalTo load bulky luggage, the compartment 
cover can be removed. 
1. Remove the retaining straps on the 
tailgate
2. Pull the luggage compartment cover out 
towards the rear.
Unlock and fold1. Pull lever
2. Fold the rear backrest forwards.
When folding the backrest back into 
its original position always ensure 
that the detent engages securely. A loose 
backrest might fail to prevent cargo from 
entering the passenger compartment 
during sudden braking or evasive maneu-
vers, posing a potential hazard to occu-
pants.< 
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LOADING CARGOStowing cargo >Load heavy cargo as far forward as 
possible Ð directly behind the backrests Ð 
and as low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the top 
edge of the backrest
>For very heavy loads when the rear seat 
is not occupied, secure each safety belt in 
the opposite buckle. This provides addi-
tional stabilization for the rear backrests.
Securing the load >For small, light items, secure using the 
luggage compartment net
* or elastic 
straps
>For large, heavy items, see your MINI 
center for load-securing devices
*. 
Lashing eyes are provided at the inner 
corners of the luggage compartment for 
attaching these load-securing devices
>Comply with the information enclosed 
with the load-securing devices. 
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LOADING CARGO ROOF-MOUNTED LUGGAGE RACK
* 
Always position and secure the load 
carefully. If you do not, it can 
endanger the passengers during braking 
or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the permissible gross weight 
and axle load, see page 122, otherwise the 
vehicle's operating safety is no longer 
assured and you are in violation of the law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in the 
passenger compartment without first 
securing them. Otherwise they would be 
thrown around during braking and evasive 
maneuvers and endanger the occupants.<
When loading a roof-mounted 
luggage rack, ensure that there is 
sufficient space for the movement of the 
sliding/tilt sunroof and that no objects 
protrude into the swiveling area of the tail-
gate, as otherwise damage can occur.<
Do not secure the roof-mounted 
luggage rack to the trim panels/
strips: the lack of a secure hold could lead 
to damage or accidents.<
Special roof-mounted luggage racks 
for your MINI are available as acces-
sories from your MINI center.< 
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Page 77 of 140
OVERVIEW
CONTROLS
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
INDEX TECHNICAL DATA
75
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
Operation 
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BREAK-IN PROCEDURES GENERAL DRIVING NOTES To ensure that your vehicle provides 
maximum economy throughout a long 
service life, we request that you comply 
with the following information: EngineUp to 1,200 miles (2,000 km):
Attempt to constantly vary both vehicle 
and engine speed during these initial miles 
while remembering to avoid engine speeds 
in excess of 4,500 rpm and/or vehicle 
speeds of over 95 mph (150 km/h).
Absolutely avoid using the full-throttle or 
kickdown position for the accelerator.
Once you have driven 1,200 miles 
(2,000 km), both the engine and vehicle 
speed can be gradually increased.
You should also comply with these break-in 
procedures if the engine has to be replaced 
at a later point.
TiresDue to technical factors associated with 
their manufacture, tires do not achieve 
their full traction potential until after an 
initial break-in period. We therefore ask 
you to drive with extra care during the first 
200 miles (300 km).Brake systemApprox. 300 miles (500 km) must be driven 
before the brake pads and rotors achieve 
the optimum pad-surface and wear 
patterns required for trouble-free opera-
tion and an extended service life.ClutchRoughly 300 miles (500 km) must be driven 
before the clutch starts to operate at 
optimum efficiency. Remember to engage 
the clutch carefully during this initial 
period.
Parking the vehicleCondensation forms in the air conditioner 
system during operation, and then exits 
under the vehicle. Traces of condensed 
water under the vehicle are therefore 
normal.Brakes
Do not rest your foot on the brake 
pedal while driving. Even light but 
consistent pedal pressure can lead to high 
temperatures, brake wear and possibly 
even brake failure.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, 
reduce road speed. If you do not, a 
wedge of water can form between tires and 
road surface. This phenomenon is charac-
terized by a partial or complete loss of 
contact between the tires and the road 
surface. The ultimate results are loss of 
steering and braking control.< 
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
GENERAL DRIVING NOTES REFUELING Driving through water
Do not drive through water on the 
road if it is deeper than 1 ft (30 cm), 
and then only at walking speed at the 
most. Otherwise, the vehicle's engine, the 
electrical systems and the transmission 
may be damaged.<
Clothes hooks
When suspending clothing from the 
hooks, ensure that they will not 
obstruct the driver's vision. Do not hang 
heavy objects on the hooks. If you do so, 
they could cause personal injury during 
braking or evasive maneuvers.<
High temperatures
High temperatures occur in any 
vehicle equipped with a catalytic 
converter. Do not remove the heat protec-
tion plates fitted in the area of the exhaust 
system and do not apply body-cavity 
protectant to this area. When driving, 
standing at idle or when parking, take 
precautions to avoid contact between the 
hot exhaust system and easily flammable 
materials (grass, hay or leaves, for 
example). Such contact could lead to a fire, 
resulting in serious personal injury and 
property damage.<
Always switch off the engine before 
refueling. If you do not, fuel cannot 
be filled into the tank and the "Service 
Engine Soon" lamp may come on.<
1. Open the fuel filler door 
2. Turn the filler cap counterclockwise
3. Put the filler cap in the bracket attached 
to the fuel filler door.
Always observe all applicable precau-
tions and regulations when handling 
fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in 
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these 
containers can leak, cause an explosion, 
and lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Simple and environmentally friendly
Always observe all safety precautions 
posted at the service station when 
handling fuel.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle 
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling the 
nozzle out of the pipe during refueling 
>results in premature pump shutoff
>and will reduce the effect of the fuel 
vapor recovery system on the pump.
As long as the filler nozzle is used properly, 
the fuel tank is full whenever the nozzle 
shuts off the first time.
Tank capacity: approx. 13.2 gallons 
(50 liters).
Close the fuel cap carefully after 
refuelling until a "click" is heard. 
While closing, be sure not to squeeze the 
strap which is fastened to the filler cap. 
A loose or missing cap will activate the 
"Service Engine Soon" warning lamp.<
Refill early to avoid damaging the 
catalytic converter; never attempt to 
drive to the last drop of fuel in the tank.< 
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FUEL SPECIFICATIONS ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The engine uses lead-free gasoline only. 
Required fuel: 
>Premium Unleaded Gasoline, 
min. 91 AKI. 
AKI = Anti Knock Index. 
Do not use leaded fuels. The use of 
leaded fuels will cause permanent 
damage to the emissions-control system's 
oxygen sensor and the catalytic 
converter.<
The concept The ABS keeps the wheels from locking 
while braking, thereby enhancing active 
driving safety. 
ABS also includes Electronic Brake Force 
Distribution (EBV).Braking with ABSTo achieve optimal performance from ABS 
when reacting to critical situations you 
should apply maximum pressure to the 
brake pedal ("panic stop"). 
Since the vehicle maintains steering 
responsiveness, you can nevertheless avoid 
possible obstacles with a minimum of 
steering effort.
Pulsation of the brake pedal in conjunction 
with the sound of hydraulic regulation indi-
cates to you that you are driving at the limit 
and reminds you to readapt your vehicle's 
speed to road surface conditions.