engine MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2005 Owner's Guide

96
BRAKE SYSTEMBrake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and brake
pedal travel has become longer, there may
be a defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest MINI Dealer. Higher brake application pressure
may be necessary under these conditions,
there may be a slight pull to one side, and
brake pedal travel may be longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Disc brakesWhen the vehicle is driven only occasion
-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten
-
dency for corrosion of the brake rotors and
accumulation of contamination on the
brake pads. This occurs because the mini
-
mal pressure that must be exerted by the
pads to clean the rotors by brake applica
-
tions is not reached. Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by a
running or pulsation during braking; even
extended subsequent braking will not cure
this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the
brakes with a gentle application when driv
-
ing in rain and on wet roads.

Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The resulting heat dries the
brake rotors and pads. Then if the braking
force is needed, it is immediately available.Driving downhill
To prevent overheating and the resulting reduced efficiency of the
brake system, drive down extended or
steep mountain gradients in the gear
which requires the least brake applications.
Otherwise, even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake fail
-
ure.<The braking effect of the engine can be fur
-
ther utilized by downshifting, to first gear if
necessary, in the manual mode of the auto
-
matic transmission, refer to page
55. This
protects the brakes from excessive loads.
Do not coast with the clutch pedal pressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with
the engine switched off. The engine pro
-
vides no braking effect when the transmis
-
sion is in Neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is switched off.

Make sure that there are no floor mats,
floor carpets or other objects in the vicinity
of the brake or accelerator pedal, as the
travel path of the pedals could otherwise
be impeded.<Brake padsBrake pad sensors in the left brake pads of
the front axle and in the right brake pads of
the rear axle monitor the brake pad condi
-
tion. When the brake pads reach the wear
limit, the brake wear warning lights up,
refer to page
18.
Use brake pads which the manufac
-
turer of your MINI has approved for
your particular vehicle model. The manu
-
facturer of your MINI cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if they
are suitable for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehicle
in the event of their use.<

106
1 Reservoir for windshield and rear

window
* washer system
108
2 Vehicle identification number3 Coolant expansion tank
110
4 Engine oil filler neck
109
5Battery
132
6 Brake fluid reservoir
111
7 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning system
108
8 Engine oil dipstick
108
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE

107
OVERVIEW
REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS
DATA
INDEX
1 Reservoir for windshield and rear

window
* washer system
108
2 Vehicle identification number
3 Coolant expansion tank
110
4 Engine oil filler neck
109
5 Auxiliary termin al for jump-
starting
134
6 Brake fluid reservoir
111
7 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning system
108
8 Engine oil dipstick
108
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER S AND MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE

108
WASHER FLUID
ENGINE OIL
Headlamp* and window washer systems The capacity of the headlamp washer sys
-
tem is approx. 2.6
quarts
/ 2.5
liters, that of
the windshield and rear window washer
system approx. 2.1
quarts
/ 2.0
liters.
Fill with water and, if necessary, with anti
-
freeze, according to manufacturer's recom
-
mendations.
We recommend that you mix the washer fluid before filling either res
-
ervoir.<
Antifreeze agent for the washer sys
-
tems is flammable. Always keep it
well away from sparks and open flames,
and store it in tightly closed containers well
out of the reach of children. Always observe
the instructions on the containers.<
The illustration shows by way of example the dipstick of the MINI
COOPER and the
MINI
COOPER Convertible.
Measuring the oil level1. Park the vehicle on a level surface2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating temperature3. Pull the dipstick out after approx.
5
minutes and wipe it off with a lint-free
cloth, paper towel, or similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again.
The oil level must be between the two
marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is
directly influenced by your driving style and
vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two notches –
MIN, MAX – on the dipstick corresponds to
approx. 1.1
quarts
/ 1
liter. Do not fill
beyond the upper notch on the dipstick.
Excess oil will damage the engine.

109
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ENGINE OILAdding engine oil
Only top up oil when the oil level has dropped to just above the lower
notch of the dipstick. However, never allow
the level to drop below the lower notch.<MINI engines are designed to operate without oil additives; the use of addi
-
tives could lead to damage in some cases.

Continuous exposure to used oil has
caused cancer in laboratory testing.

For this reason, any skin areas that come
into contact with oil should be thoroughly
washed with soap and water.

Always store oil, grease, etc., out of reach of
children. Comply with all warning labels
and information on lubricant containers.<
Comply with the applicable environ
-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of used oil.<
Specified engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. Based on exten
-
sive testing, the manufacturer of your MINI
approves only certain grades of engine oil. Use only approved MINI High Performance
Synthetic Oil.If you are unable to obtain MINI High Per
-
formance Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of synthetic oil in between oil
changes. Only use oils with the API SH spec
-
ification or higher.
Ask your authorized MINI Dealer for details concerning the specific MINI
High Performance Synthetic Oil or syn
-
thetic oils which have been approved.<
Viscosities Viscosity is the oilflow rating as established
in SAE classes.The choice of the proper SAE class depends
on the climatic conditions in the area
where your MINI is used.
Approved oils are in SAE classes 5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used at all ambient tem
-
peratures.

110
COOLANT
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys
-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and a coolant
additive. Not all commercially available
additives are suitable for your MINI. Your
MINI Dealer knows which additives are
suitable and will be glad to advise you.
Only use suitable additives, other
-
wise the engine can be damaged. The
additives are hazardous to your health.<Comply with the applicable environ
-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of coolant additives.<
The illustration shows by way of example the coolant tank of the MINI
COOPER and
the MINI
COOPER Convertible.
Checking coolant level 1. The engine must be at ambient temper
-
ature
2. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con
-
vertible:

Slowly pull the cap of the expansion
tank by the tab until the excess pressure
can escape. Then remove the cap com
-
pletely.MINI COOPER
S and MINI COOPER
S Con
-
vertible:

Loosen the cap of the expansion tank
slightly by turning it counterclockwise
until the excess pressure can escape.
Then remove the cap completely
3. The coolant level is correct if it is
between the MIN and MAX markings on
the transparent expansion tank4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill5. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con
-
vertible:

Press the cap on and press it down
firmly. MINI COOPER
S and MINI COOPER
S Con
-
vertible:

Turn the cap back on and tighten it
firmly
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.

111
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
BRAKE FLUIDWarning lamp
The warning lamp comes on although the parking brake is
released:

The brake fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, refer to page
16. At the same time,
brake pedal travel may become signifi
-
cantly longer.

Have the system checked immediately.
Display of the malfunction described above in Canadian mod
-
els.
Adding brake fluid To add brake fluid or to determine and cor
-
rect the cause of brake fluid loss, please
consult your MINI Dealer. Your MINI Dealer
is familiar with the specifications for fac
-
tory-approved brake fluids,
DOT
4.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer to
the information on page
96.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs moisture from the air over
time.
In order to ensure the brake system's safety
and reliability, have the brake fluid
changed every two years by a MINI Dealer
or a workshop that has specially trained
personnel working in accordance with the
specifications of the MINI manufacturer,
also refer to the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US
models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models. Brake fluid is toxic and
also damages vehicle paintwork. Always
store brake fluid in tightly closed original
containers kept well away from the reach
of children.

Do not spill the brake fluid and do not fill
the brake fluid reservoir beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and cause
serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable environ
-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of brake fluid.<

112
MINI MAINTENANCE SYSTEMThe MINI maintenance system helps main
-
tain your vehicle's road safety and opera
-
tional safety. Please bear in mind that regular mainte
-
nance is not only necessary for the safety of
your vehicle, but also plays a significant
role in maintaining the resale value of the
vehicle.
Service interval displayWhile conventional systems specify main
-
tenance according to fixed distances
driven, the MINI Maintenance System takes
account of the operating conditions of the
vehicle, for distances can be driven in many
different ways:

60,000
miles
/ 100,000
km short distance
operation can not be equated with
60,000
miles
/ 100,000
km long distance
operation from a maintenance standpoint.
The condition-based MINI Maintenance
System includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual use of the vehicle
covers every kind of operating situation.
People who drive very little, i.e. much less
than 6,000
miles
/ 10,000
km per year,
should have the engine oil changed at least
every 2 years since oil deteriorates over
time, regardless of use.
For more information on the service inter
-
val display, refer to page
65.
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models, Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models For additional information on maintenance
intervals and procedures, please refer to
the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US
models or the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
As a precaution against rust, it is advisable
to have the body checked for damage from
rocks or gravel at the same time, depending
upon operating conditions.
The manufacturer of your MINI rec
-
ommends having maintenance and
repair work carried out only by a MINI
Dealer or a workshop that has specially
trained personnel working in accordance
with the specifications of the MINI manu
-
facturer.

Make sure that maintenance work is con
-
firmed with an entry in the Service and
Warranty Information Booklet for
US
models or the Warranty and Service
Guide Booklet for Canadian models. These
entries are your proof that the vehicle has
received regular maintenance.<

113
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
OBD SOCKET
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
The Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) interface socket is located on the left of the driver's
side under the instrument panel and under
a cover.

The cover has the letters OBD on it.The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control
system for the vehicle's lifetime. The sys
-
tem monitors emission-related compo
-
nents for deterioration and malfunction.
An illuminated lamp informs you of the need for service, not of the
need to stop the vehicle.

However, the system should be checked by
your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Display of the malfunction described above in Canadian mod
-
els.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce speed and consult the
nearest MINI Dealer as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short
period of time can seriously damage emis
-
sion control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
When the gas cap is not properly tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator will
light up. If the cap is subsequently tight
-
ened, the indicator lamp should go out
within a few days.<
Suitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care prod
-
ucts available at your MINI Dealer.<
Washing your vehicleYou can wash your new MINI or MINI Con
-
vertible in automatic car washes from the
beginning. Preference should be for cloth
car washes. If, due to lack of availability,
brush car washes must be used, modern
systems with soft brushes should be given
preference.
When using steam cleaners or high-pressure cleaners, maintain sufficient
distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a
maximum temperature of 140
7/ 60
6. If
the jet is too close or the pressure is too
high, this can lead to damage or initial
damage that can develop into more serious
damage. Water that enters vehicle compo
-
nents can lead to damage over the long
term.

After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them, otherwise water can
reduce braking efficiency over the short
term and the brake rotors can corrode.

Switch the rain sensor off when passing
through an automatic car wash, refer to
page
59. Failure to do so could result in

122
LAMPS AND BULBS1 Low beams
H7 bulb, 55
watts
2 High beams
H7 bulb, 55
watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. Therefore, wear safety glasses and protective
gloves. If the lamp is damaged there is a
risk of injury.<
Replacing bulbs The headlamps are integrated into the
engine compartment.1. Gently pull the retaining wire of the
headlamp cover and guide it outwards2. Fold down the headlamp cover
3. Disconnect the cable connector from the
bulb socket and pull out the bulb4. Place the bulb holder on the lower edge
of the mounting and press it in until it
engages in the bulb socket 5. Reconnect the cable connector and
install the headlamp cover again.Xenon lamps* The service life of these bulbs is very long
and the probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on and
off an unusual number of times. If one of
these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is
possible to continue driving with great cau
-
tion using the fog lamps, provided traffic
laws in your area do not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system, including bulb replacement,
carried out only by a MINI Dealer or a work
-
shop that has specially trained personnel
working in accordance with the specifica
-
tions of the MINI manufacturer. Due to
high voltage, there is a risk of fatal injury if
work on the xenon lamps is carried out
improperly.<
Turn signal indicators, front 21 watt bulb
1. Open the bonnet2. Reach into the opening for the turn sig
-
nal indicators from above
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb holder
while turning it to the left4. Remove and replace the bulb.Parking lamps and standing lamps 5 watt bulb The parking lamps and standing lamps are
integrated in the lamp housing of the turn
signal indicator.1. Turn the bulb holder to the left and pull
out2. Remove and replace the bulb.