fuel MINI 3 door 2014 Owner's Guide

RefuelingVehicle 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.
General information Refuel promptly
Refuel no later than at a range of
30 miles/50 km or engine operation might fail
and damage might occur. ◀
Fuel lid Opening1.Grasp the fuel filler flap at the rear edge
and open it.2.Turn the tank lid counterclockwise.3.Place the tank lid in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler flap.
Closing
1.Fit the lid and turn it clockwise until you
clearly hear a click.2.Close the fuel filler flap.
Do not pinch the retaining strap
Do not pinch the retaining strap attached
to the lid; otherwise, the lid cannot be closed
properly and fuel vapors can escape. ◀
Manually unlocking fuel filler flap
In the event of an electrical malfunction, e.g.
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Remove the cover.
Pull the green knob with the fuel pump symbol,
arrow. This releases the fuel filler flap.
Observe the following
when refueling
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Do not overfill the fuel tank
Do not overfill the fuel tank; otherwise
fuel may eslide, causing harm to the environ‐
ment and damaging the vehicle. ◀
Handling fuels
Observe safety regulations posted at the
gas station. ◀
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FuelVehicle 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.
Fuel recommendation Note General fuel quality
Even fuels that conform to the specifica‐
tions can be of low quality. This may cause en‐
gine problems, for instance poor engine start-
up behavior, poor handling and/or poor
performance. Switch gas stations or use a
brand name fuel with a higher octane rating. ◀
Gasoline For the best fuel efficiency, the gasoline should
be sulfur-free or very low in sulfur content.
Fuels that are marked on the gas pump as con‐
taining metal must not be used.
Refuel only with unleaded gasoline with‐
out metallic additives.
Do not refuel with any leaded gasoline or gaso‐
line with metallic additives, e. g. manganese or
iron, as this can cause permanent damage to
the catalytic converter and other compo‐
nents. ◀
Fuels with a maximum ethanol content of
25 %, i. e. E10 or E25, may be used for refuel‐
ing.Ethanol should satisfy the following quality
standards:
US: ASTM 4806–xx
CAN: CGSB-3.511–xx
xx: comply with the current standard in each
case.
Do not use a fuel with a higher percent‐
age of ethanol
Do not use a fuel with a higher ethanol per‐
centage than recommended or one with other
types of alcohol, e.g. M5 to M100; otherwise
this could damage the engine and fuel supply
system. ◀
Recommended fuel grade
MINI recommends AKI 91.
Minimum fuel grade
MINI recommends AKI 89.
Minimum fuel grade
Do not use any gasoline below the mini‐
mum fuel grade as this may impair engine per‐
formance. ◀
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat‐
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures.
This has no effect on the engine life.
Fuel quality
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
harmful engine deposits or damage. Addition‐
ally, problems relating to drivability, starting
and stalling, especially under certain environ‐
mental conditions such as high ambient tem‐
perature and high altitude, may occur.
If drivability problems are encountered, we rec‐
ommend switching to a high quality gasoline
brand and a higher octane grade — AKI num‐
ber — for a few tank fills. To avoid harmful en‐Seite 170MOBILITYFuel170
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gine deposits, it is highly recommended to pur‐
chase gasoline from BP or Top Tier retailers.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may result in the need for unscheduled mainte‐
nance. ◀Seite 171FuelMOBILITY171
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Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
can be identified by a star on the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
New tires
Tire traction is not optimal due to manufactur‐
ing circumstances when tires are brand-new;
they achieve their full traction potential after a
break-in time.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Retreaded tires The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety. ◀
Winter tires
Winter tires are recommended for operating on
winter roads.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires provide
better winter traction than summer tires, they
do not provide the same level of performance
as winter tires.
Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then a respective symbol is displayed in your
field of vision. You can obtain this sign from the
tire specialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for
the respective winter tires; otherwise, tire dam‐
age and accidents can occur. ◀
Run-flat tires If you are already using run-flat tires, for your
own safety you should replace them only with
the same kind. No spare tire is available in the
case of a flat tire. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
Different wear patterns can occur on the front
and rear axles depending on individual driving
conditions.
The tires can be rotated between the axles to
achieve even wear. Your service center will be
glad to advise you.
After rotating, check the tire pressure and cor‐
rect if needed.
Storage Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.Seite 180MOBILITYWheels and tires180
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Engine oilVehicle 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.
General information
The engine oil consumption is dependent on
the driving style and driving conditions.
The engine oil consumption can increase in
case of, for example:▷Sporty driving.▷Break-in the engine.▷Idling of the engine.▷Usage of non-approved engine oil grades.
Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level
after refueling.
The vehicle is equipped with electronic oil
measurement.
The electronic oil measurement has two meas‐
uring principles.
▷Status display▷Detailed measurementElectronic oil measure‐
ment
Status display
The concept
The engine oil level is monitored electronically
while driving and shown on the Control Display.
If the engine oil level reaches the minimum
level, a check control message is displayed.
RequirementsA current measured value is available after ap‐
prox. 30 minutes of driving. During a shorter
trip, the status of the last, sufficiently long trip is
displayed.
With frequent short-distance trips, perform a
detailed measurement.
Displaying the engine oil level1."Vehicle info"2."Vehicle status"3. "Engine oil level"
Engine oil level display messages Different messages appear on the display de‐
pending on the engine oil level. Pay attention
to these messages.
If the engine oil level is too low within the next
125 miles/200 km, add engine oil, refer to
page 189.
Engine oil level too low
Add engine oil immediately; otherwise,
an insufficient amount of engine oil could result
in engine damage. ◀
Take care not to add too much engine oil.
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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
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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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Capacities
MINICooper, Cooper S: fuel tank, approx.US gal/liters11.6/44Seite 221Technical dataREFERENCE221
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MINI Cooper S, 5-doorApproved rear axle loadlbs
kg
1,880/1,880
853/853
Approved roof load capacitylbs
kg
165
75
Cargo area capacitycu ft
liters278-941
13.1-40.7

Everything from A to ZIndexA
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 109
ACC, Active Cruise Control 113
Acceleration Assistant, refer to Launch Control 71
Activated-charcoal filter 135
Active Cruise Control, ACC 113
Additives, oil 189
Adjustments, seats/head re‐ straints 48
Adjustments, steering wheel 55
After washing vehicle 213
Airbags 93
Airbags, indicator/warning light 95
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated-air mode 131, 134
Air conditioner 130
Air, dehumidifying, refer to Cooling function 131, 134
Air distribution, manual 131, 133
Air flow, air conditioner 131
Air flow, automatic climate control 133
Air pressure, tires 172
Air vents, refer to Ventila‐ tion 135
Alarm system 43
Alarm triggering 43
Alarm, unintentional 44
All around the center con‐ sole 16
All around the roofliner 17
All around the steering wheel 14
All-season tires, refer to Win‐ ter tires 180 Alternating-code hand-held
transmitter 138
Alternative oil types 190
Antifreeze, washer fluid 67
Antilock Brake System, ABS 109
Anti-slip control, refer to DSC 109
Approved axle load 219
Approved engine oils 190
Arrival time 82
Ash tray 141
Assistance, Roadside Assis‐ tance 207
Assistance when driving off 112
Assist system, refer to Intelli‐ gent Safety 102
AUTO intensity 133
Automatic car wash 212
Automatic climate con‐ trol 132
Automatic Curb Monitor 54
Automatic deactivation, front- seat passenger airbags 95
Automatic headlight con‐ trol 89
Automatic locking 42
Automatic recirculated-air control 134
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 68
AUTO program, automatic cli‐ mate control 133
AUTO program, intensity 133
Auto Start/Stop function 62
Average fuel consumption 81
Average speed 82
Axle loads, weights 219 B
Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 49
Band-aids, refer to First aid kit 207
Bar for tow-starting/ towing 210
Battery replacement, vehicle battery 205
Battery, vehicle 205
Belts, safety belts 50
Beverage holder, cu‐ pholder 146
Bonus range, GREEN mode 162
Bottle holder, refer to Cu‐ pholder 146
Brake assistant 109
Brake discs, break-in 152
Brake pads, break-in 152
Braking, hints 153
Breakdown assistance 207
Break-in 152
Brightness of Control Dis‐ play 85
Bug light 197
Bulb replacement 196
Bulb replacement, front 197
Bulb replacement, rear 199
Bulb replacement, side 202
Bulbs and lights 196
Button, RES 115
Button, Start/Stop 60
Bypassing, refer to Jump- starting 207
C
California Proposition 65 Warning 7 Seite 226REFERENCEEverything from A to Z226
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