tow bar MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2005 Owner's Manual

74
PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)
*
The conceptThe PDC assists you when you back into a
parking space. A signal tone tells you the
current distance to an object behind your
vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sensors
in the rear bumper measure the distance to
the nearest object.

The sensors on each side have a range of
approx. 2
ft / 60
cm, the middle sensors
one of approx. 5 ft / 1.5
m.
PDC is a parking aid that can identify objects if they are approached slowly,
as is generally the case when parking.
Avoid driving towards objects rapidly; due
to underlying physical principles, the sys
-
tem may otherwise alert you too late for
you to take evasive steps.<Automatic functionWith the ignition key in position
2, the sys
-
tem starts to operate automatically about
one second after you select reverse gear or
place the selector lever in position R.
Wait for this one second before you drive backwards.<
The system is deactivated when you shift
away from Reverse.
You can have a signal tone set as a confirmation that PDC has been acti
-
vated.<Acoustical signalsThe distance to an object is indicated by a
tone sounding at intervals. As the distance
between vehicle and object decreases, the
intervals between the tones become
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the
presence of an object less than 8
in / 20
cm
away.
The warning signal is canceled after
approx. three seconds if the distance to the
object remains constant during this time,
for instance if you are moving parallel to a
wall.MalfunctionA continuous high-pitched tone will sound
during initial activation. The system is mal
-
functioning. Have the system checked.Volume controlThe volume of the Park Distance Control
signal can be adjusted from level
1, soft, to
level
6, loud.You can have this function set.<
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for estimating the distance between the
vehicle and any objects always remains
with the driver.

Even when sensors are involved, there is a
blind spot in which objects cannot be
detected. Recognition of some objects can
be beyond the limits of physical ultrasonic
measurement, for example with towing
bars or hitches or with thin or wedge-
shaped objects. Moreover, low objects that
have already been detected, such as a curb
edge, can disappear out of the range of the
sensors before a continuous tone sounds.

Loud sources of sound outside and inside
your vehicle can drown the PDC signal
tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that they
will continue to operate effectively.

Do not apply high pressure spray to the
sensors for a prolonged period of time.
Always maintain a distance which is
greater than 4
in / 10
cm.<

136
TOWING AND TOW-STARTINGUsing the towing eyelet The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit, refer to page
120
; be sure
that it remains with the vehicle at all times.
It can be attached at the front or rear of
your vehicle.
To prevent damage to the towing eyelet and the vehicle, please observe
the following instructions:

Use only the towing eyelet supplied with
the vehicle and screw it in firmly until it
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing on
paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the
towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not
lift the vehicle using the towing eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socket The illustration shows by way of example
the MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER
Convertible.Pry out the cover in the front or rear
bumper by inserting a screwdriver into the
recess.Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in position
1; otherwise the steering
lock could engage and prevent the vehicle
from being steered. There is no power
assist while the engine is off. Therefore,
you will need to exert more force to brake
and steer the vehicle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if
required by national regulations. If the
electrical system has failed, clearly identify
the vehicle being towed, e.g. by placing a
sign or a warning triangle in the rear win
-
dow.MINI or MINI Convertible with manual
transmission:Put the manual gearshift lever in Neutral.MINI or MINI Convertible with Continu
-
ously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT):
Only tow vehicles with Continuously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT) with a tow truck, otherwise the trans
-
mission can be damaged, refer to
page
137
.<
Towing methodsIn some countries, it is not permitted to
tow the vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope
on public roads.Familiarize yourself with the applicable
towing regulations for the country in which
you are driving.

137
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
TOWING AND TOW-STARTINGWith a tow bar:
The towing vehicle must not be lighter than the vehicle being towed;
otherwise, vehicle handling can no longer
be controlled.<
The towing eyelets of both vehicles should
be on the same side. If the tow bar can only
be used in a diagonal position, please note
the following:>Clearance and maneuverability will be
strictly limited in corners>The inclination of the tow bar produces
lateral force.
Only attach the tow bar to the towing eyelets. Other parts of the vehicles
could otherwise be damaged.<
With a tow rope: When the towing vehicle is driving off,
make sure that the tow rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or straps for towing because they prevent sudden jerking
movements. Attach the tow rope only to
the towing eyelets. Other parts of the vehi
-
cles could otherwise be damaged.<
With a tow truck:Have the MINI or MINI Convertible trans
-
ported by a tow truck with a lift sling, or on
a flatbed.
Only tow vehicles with Continuously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT) with the front wheels raised or on a
special transport vehicle, otherwise the
transmission can be damaged.

Do not lift the vehicle by the towing eyelet,
nor by parts of the body or chassis. Other
-
wise damage could result.<
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with Con
-
tinuously Variable automatic Trans
-
mission (CVT).

Jump-starting, refer to page
134
.<
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic con
-
verters if the engine is cold. It is better to
have the engine jump-started, refer to
page
134
.
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers;
comply with national regulations2. Turn the ignition key to position
2
3. Engage the 3rd
gear
4. Have the vehicle towed with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and then
slowly release the clutch pedal. After the
engine has started, immediately depress
the clutch pedal again completely5. Pull over at a suitable location, remove
the tow bar or tow rope, and turn off the
hazard warning flashers6. Have the vehicle checked.

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
148
A ABS Antilock Brake System
70
indicator lamp
17, 18
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle
6
Activated-charcoal filter
80
Adjusting interior
temperature
76, 79
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air mode
76, 79
Air conditioning

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Air conditioning system
75
Air distribution

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation
77, 80
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure
97
Air volume

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Airbags
72
safe seating position
41
warning lamp
18
AKI, refer to Fuel quality
94
All Season traction Control
(ASC)
68
indicator lamps
17, 18
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires
103

Antenna
114

Antifreeze

coolant
110

washer fluid
108

Antilock Brake System (ABS)
70
indicator lamp
17, 18
Anti-theft system
24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights
143
, 144

Approved engine oils
109

Approved gross vehicle weight,
refer to Weights
143
, 144

ASC All Season traction
Control
68
indicator lamps
17, 18
Ashtray
81
Assistant systems, refer to

All Season traction Control
(ASC)
68
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
69
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
79
Automatic

air distribution
79
air volume
79
cruise control
61
Automatic car washes
113

Automatic climate control
78
Automatic transmission

with Steptronic

indicator lamp
56
interlock
51
selector lever lock
54
shiftlock
54
towing
136

tow-starting
137

Average consumption
67
setting units
67
Average speed
67
setting units
67
Axle loads, refer to
Weights
143
, 144

B Backrests, refer to

Adjusting seats
43
Backup lamp
54
bulb replacement
123

Bar, towing
137

Battery
132

charging
132

disposal
132

indicator lamp
16
jump-starting
134

power failure
132

Battery care
65, 112

Belts, refer to Safety belts
45
Beverage holders
81
Blower

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Blower, refer to Air volume
76
Blowers, refer to Draft-free
ventilation
77, 80
Bonnet
105

indicator lamp
17
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders
81
Brake discs

brake system
96
break-in procedures
92
Brake fluid
111

adding
111

level
96
warning lamp
16
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement
123

Brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
warning lamp
18
Brake system
96
brake fluid
96
brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
disc brakes
96
warning lamp
17
Brake wear warning

brake pads
96
warning lamp
18

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
157
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety
7
Telephone call, refer to the Owner's Manual for the telephone

Temperature

air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Temperature display

ice warning
66
outside temperature
66
setting units
66
Temperature grades
100

Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control
61
Three-point safety belt
45
Through-loading system
85, 86
Tightening the lug bolts

keys
125
, 129

torque
128

Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts
128

Tire change set

MINI Mobility System
131

Run Flat tires
102

space-saver spare tire
125

Tire failure
125

MINI Mobility System
129

space-saver spare tire
125

Tire inflation pressure
97
reinflation
130

Tire pressure monitor, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor
71
Tire pressure monitoring, Flat
Tire Monitor
71
Tires

age
99
break-in procedures
92
changing
127

condition
100

damage
101

flat tire
101
, 125

inflation pressure
97
replacement
102

size, refer to New wheels and
tires
102

storage
103

tread
100

wear indicator, refer to Tire
tread
100

winter tires
103

Tires with emergency
properties, refer to Run Flat
tires
101

Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit
120

Torque

engine
140

lug bolts
128

Tow bar
137

Tow rope
137

Tow socket for towing
eyelet
136

Towing
136

with automatic
transmission
136
, 137

Towing eyelet
136

Tow-starting
137

Track width, refer to
Dimensions
141
, 142

Traction grades
100

Transmission

Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
54
manual transmission
53
Transmission lock, refer to
Range selection
54
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction
56
Transporting children safely
48
Transporting securely, refer to
Securing the load
88
Trap protection,

electric glass sunroof
34
Trash container, refer to
Ashtray
81
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread
100

Treadwear grade
99
Trip odometer
63
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
85
Turn signal indicators
58
indicator lamp
19
Turn signal indicators on the
side, bulb replacement
123

Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions
141
, 142

U Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
99
Units

average consumption
67
average speed
67
temperature
66
Universal garage door
opener
83
Universal remote control
83
Unlocking

bonnet
105

from inside
28
from outside
26
Used batteries, refer to
Disposal
132

Using antifreeze
108
, 110

V Vacuum cleaner, connecting,
refer to Cigarette lighter
socket
82