MINI 3 door 2014 Owner's Manual

Breakdown assistanceVehicle features and op‐
tions
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Hazard warning flash‐
ers
The button is located above the Control Dis‐
play.
Warning triangle
The warning triangle is located in the tailgate.
To remove, loosen the brackets.
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the cargo area.
Some of the articles have a limited service life.
Check the expiration dates of the contents reg‐
ularly and replace any expired items promptly.
Roadside Assistance Service availability
Roadside Assistance can be reached around the
clock in many countries. You can obtain assis‐
tance there in the event of a vehicle break‐
down.
Roadside Assistance The Roadside Assistance phone number can be
viewed on the onboard monitor or a connec‐
tion to Roadside Assistance can be established
directly.
Jump-starting HintsIf the battery is discharged, an engine can be
started using the battery of another vehicle and
two jumper cables. Only use jumper cables with
fully insulated clamp handles.
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
Do not touch live parts
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical compo‐
nents while the engine is running. ◀Seite 207Breakdown assistanceMOBILITY207
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Preparation1.Check whether the battery of the other ve‐
hicle has a voltage of 12 volts. This informa‐
tion can be found on the battery.2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.3.Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Bodywork contact between vehicles
Make sure that there is no contact be‐
tween the bodywork of the two vehicles; other‐
wise, there is a danger of short circuits. ◀
Starting aid terminals Connecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order to prevent risk of injury from arcing. ◀
The so-called starting aid terminal in the engine
compartment acts as the battery's positive ter‐
minal.
Open the lid of the starting aid terminal.
The body ground acts as the negative terminal
of the battery.
Connecting the cables
1.Pull off the lid of the starting aid terminal.2.Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle providing assistance.3.Attach the terminal clamp on the other end
of the cable to the positive terminal of the
battery, or to the corresponding starting aid
terminal of the vehicle to be started.4.Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal of
the battery, or to the corresponding engine
or body ground of assisting vehicle.5.Attach the second terminal clamp to the
negative terminal of the battery, or to the
corresponding engine or body ground of
the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at an increased
idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle that is to be
started in the usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge.Seite 208MOBILITYBreakdown assistance208
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3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if needed.
Tow-starting and towing
Note Tow-starting and towing
For towing the vehicle turn, switch off the
Intelligent Safety systems; otherwise malfunc‐
tions of the individual braking systems might
lead to accidents. ◀
Switching off Intelligent Safety systems, refer to
page 102.
Steptronic transmission: transporting
your vehicle
Note Your vehicle must not be towed if the front
wheels are touching the ground. Therefore,
contact a service center in the event of a break‐
down.
Tow the vehicle only with the front axle
raised
Have the vehicle towed only with the front axle
raised or transported on a loading platform;
otherwise, damage may occur. ◀
Tow truck
Have your vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result. ◀
Use tow fitting located in the front only for po‐
sitioning the vehicle.
Manual transmission
Observe before towing your vehicle
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Towing When the parking brake is blocked
The parking brake cannot be released
manually.
Do not tow the vehicle with the parking brake
blocked, or the vehicle can be damaged.
Contact your service center. ◀
Follow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions; otherwise,
vehicle damage or accidents may occur. ◀
▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lights, turn
signals, and wipers may be unavailable.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.Seite 209Breakdown assistanceMOBILITY209
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▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and
steering.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷The towing vehicle must not be lighter than
the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will
not be possible to control the vehicle's re‐
sponse.
Tow truck
Have your vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result. ◀
Towing other vehicles
Hints Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the vehicle being towed; otherwise, it will
not be possible to control the vehicle's re‐ sponse. ◀
Attaching the tow bar/tow rope correctly
Attach the tow bar or tow rope to the tow
fitting; connecting it to other vehicle parts may
cause damage. ◀
▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.▷If the electrical system has failed, clearly
identify the vehicle being towed by placing
a sign or a warning triangle in the rear win‐
dow.
Tow bar
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:
▷Maneuvering capability is limited going
around corners.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is secured with an offset.
Tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure
that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is
secured on other parts of the vehicle. ◀
Tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting should always be car‐
ried in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the
front or rear of the MINI. It is located under the
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cargo floor panel, next to the onboard vehicle
tool kit, refer to page 195.
Tow fitting, information on use▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.▷Use the tow fitting for towing on paved
roads only.▷Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle can occur. ◀
Screw thread for tow fitting
Threaded holes for the tow fitting are located in
the front and rear of the vehicle on the right
side with respect to the direction of travel.
Push out the cover by pressing on the top edge.
Tow-starting
Steptronic transmission Do not tow-start the vehicle.
Tow-starting the engine is not possible due to
the Steptronic transmission.
Have the cause of the starting problems fixed.
Manual transmission
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
start the engine by jump-starting, refer to
page 207. If the vehicle is equipped with a cat‐
alytic converter, only tow-start while the engine
is cold.1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Ignition, refer to page 60, on.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch pedal pressed and slowly release the
pedal. After the engine starts, immediately
press on the clutch pedal again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and reel off the hazard warning
system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 211Breakdown assistanceMOBILITY211
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CareVehicle features and op‐tions
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Car washes
General information Regularly remove foreign objects such as leaves
in the area below the windshield when the
hood is raised.
Wash your vehicle frequently, particularly in
winter. Intense soiling and road salt can dam‐
age the vehicle.
Hints Steam jets or high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, hold them a sufficient distance away
and use a maximum temperature of
140 ℉/60 ℃.
If the vehicle has a glass sunroof, ensure that a
distance of at least 31.5 inches/80 cm is main‐
tained. Holding them too close or using exces‐
sively high pressures or temperatures can
cause damage or preliminary damage that may
then lead to long-term damage.
Follow the user's manual for the high-pressure
washer. ◀Cleaning sensors/cameras with high-pres‐
sure washers
When using high-pressure washers, do not
spray the exterior sensors and cameras, e.g.,
Park Distance Control, for extended periods of
time and only from a distance of at least
12 in/30 cm. ◀
Automatic car washes
Hints▷Give preference to cloth car washes or
those that use soft brushes in order to
avoid paint damage.▷Make sure that the wheels and tires are not
damaged by the transport mechanisms.▷Fold in the exterior mirrors; otherwise, they
may be damaged, depending on the width
of the vehicle.▷Unscrew the rod antenna.▷Deactivate the rain sensor, refer to
page 66, to avoid unintentional wiper acti‐
vation.▷In some cases, an unintentional alarm can
be triggered by the interior motion sensor
of the alarm system. Follow the instructions
on avoiding an unintentional alarm, refer to
page 44.
Guide rails in car washes
Avoid car washes with guide rails higher
than 4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the vehicle body
could be damaged. ◀
Before driving into a car wash In order to ensure that the vehicle can roll in a
car wash, take the following steps:
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Manual transmission:1.Drive into the car wash.2.Shift to neutral.3.Switch the engine off.4.Switch on the ignition.
Steptronic transmission:
1.Drive into the car wash.2.Engage selector lever position N.3.Press the Start/Stop button to reel off the
engine.
In this way, the ignition remains switched
on, and two Check-Control messages are
displayed.
A signal sounds when you leave the vehicle
while in selector lever position N.
The vehicle cannot be locked from the outside
when in selector lever position N. A signal is
sounded when an attempt is made to lock the
vehicle.
To start the engine:
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Press the Start/Stop button.
Headlights
▷Do not rub dry and do not use abrasive or
acidic cleansers.▷Soak areas that have been dirtied e. g.,
from insects, with shampoo and wash off
with water.▷Thaw ice with de-icing spray; do not use an
ice scraper.
After washing the vehicle
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them; otherwise, braking action
can be reduced and corrosion of the brake
discs can occur.
Completely remove all residues on the win‐
dows, to minimize loss of visibility due to
smearing and to reduce wiper noises and wiper
blade wear.
Vehicle care Car care products
MINI recommends using cleaning and care
products from MINI, since these have been
tested and approved.
Car care and cleaning products
Follow the instructions on the container.
When cleaning the interior, open the doors or
windows.
Only use products intended for cleaning vehi‐
cles.
Cleansers can contain substances that are dan‐
gerous and harmful to your health. ◀
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to driving safety and
value retention. Environmental influences in
areas with elevated air pollution or natural con‐
taminants, such as tree resin or pollen can af‐
fect the vehicle's paintwork. Tailor the fre‐
quency and extent of your car care to these
influences.
Aggressive substances such as spilled fuel, oil,
grease or bird droppings must be removed im‐
mediately to prevent the finish from being al‐
tered or discolored.
Leather careRemove dust from the leather often, using a
cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Otherwise, particles of dust and road grime
chafe in pores and folds, and lead to increased
wear and premature degradation of the leather
surface.
To guard against discoloration, such as from
clothing, provide leather care roughly every
two months.Seite 213CareMOBILITY213
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Clean light-colored leather more frequently be‐
cause soiling on such surfaces is substantially
more visible.
Use leather care products; otherwise, dirt and
grease will gradually break down the protective
layer of the leather surface.
Suitable care products are available from the
service center.
Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner.
If upholstery is very dirty, e.g., with beverage
stains, use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth
with a suitable interior cleaner.
Clean the upholstery down to the seams using
large sweeping motions. Avoid rubbing the ma‐
terial vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or other
articles of clothing can damage the seat covers.
Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed. ◀
Caring for special components Light-alloy wheels
When cleaning the vehicle, use only neutral
wheel cleaners having a pH value from 5 to 9.
Do not use abrasive cleaning agents or steam
jets above 140 ℉/60 ℃. Follow the manufac‐
turer's instructions.
Aggressive, acidic or alkaline cleaning agents
can destroy the protective layer of adjacent
components, such as the brake disk.
Chrome surfaces
Carefully clean components such as the radia‐
tor grille or door handles with an ample supply
of water, possibly with shampoo added, partic‐
ularly when they have been exposed to road
salt.Rubber components
Aside from water, treat only with rubber cleans‐
ers.
When cleaning rubber seals, do not use any sili‐
con-containing car care products in order to
avoid damage or noises.
Fine wood parts Clean fine wood facing and fine wood compo‐
nents only with a moist rag. Then dry with a
soft cloth.
Plastic components
These include:▷Imitation leather surfaces.▷Roofliner.▷Lamp lenses.▷Instrument cluster cover.▷Matt black spray-coated components.▷Painted parts in the interior.
Clean with a microfiber cloth.
Dampen cloth lightly with water.
Do not soak the roofliner.
No cleansers that contain alcohol or sol‐
vents
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol or
solvents, such as lacquer thinners, heavy-duty
grease removers, fuel, or such; this could lead
to surface damage. ◀
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Chemical cleaning
Do not clean chemically; this can destroy
the webbing. ◀
Use only a mild soapy solution, with the safety
belts clipped into their buckles.
Do not allow the reels to retract the safety belts
until they are dry.
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Carpets and floor matsNo objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the pedal area; otherwise, the
function of the pedals could be impeded while
driving and create the risk of an accident.
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved
for the vehicle and can be properly attached to
floor.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again after they were removed for cleaning,
e.g. ◀
Floor mats can be removed from the car's inte‐
rior for cleaning.
If the floor carpets are very dirty, clean with a
microfiber cloth and water or a textile cleaner.
To prevent matting of the carpet, rub back and
forth in the direction of travel only.
Sensors/cameras To clean sensors and cameras, use a cloth
moistened with a small amount of glass
cleaner.
Displays/Screens/Projection lenses Cleaning displays and screens
Do not use any chemical or household
cleaning agents; otherwise, surfaces can be af‐
fected. ◀
Keeping out moisture
Keep all fluids and moisture away from
the unit; otherwise, electrical components can
be damaged. ◀
Avoid pressure
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning
and do not use abrasive materials; otherwise,
damage can result. ◀
Clean with a clean, antistatic microfiber cloth.For stubborn soiling on the projection lens of
the Head-up Display, dampen the microfiber
cloth with alcohol. Extending projection lens,
refer to page 86.
Long-term
When the vehicle is shut down for longer than
three months, special measures must be taken.
Additional information is available from the
service center.Seite 215CareMOBILITY215
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