brake pads MINI Clubman 2011 Owner's Manual

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
90
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distan ce driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Close Split Rear Barn Doors
Only drive with the Split Rear Barn Doors
closed. Failure to do so may endanger
passengers or other road users or may damage
the vehicle in the event of an accident or a brak-
ing and evasive maneuver. In addition, exhaust
gas may flow into the passenger compart-
ment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the Split Rear Barn Doors
open:
1. Close all windows and the glass roof
*.
2. Switch off the recirculated-air mode and sig-
nificantly increase the air flow rate of the air
conditioner or automa tic climate control,
page 79 or 81.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
Make sure that when driving, idling or when
parking, no easily flamma ble materials, such as
hay, leaves, grass, etc. come into contact with
the hot exhaust system. Such contact could lead
to a fire, with the risk of serious personal injuries
and property damage. Do not touch hot exhaust
tail pipes. Otherwise, there is a risk of burns. <

Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
91
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form betw een tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, can
cause partial or complete loss of tire contact
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be
steered or braked properly. <
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread
depth on page 133.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not 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. <
Parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise, greater clutch wear will result. <
For information on drivin g off using Hill Assist,
refer to page 63.
Braking safely
Your MINI is equipped with ABS. If you are in a
situation which requires full braking, it is best to
brake using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle maintains steeri ng responsiveness, you
can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with
the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates that
ABS is functioning properly.
Objects in the move ment range of the
pedals
Keep floor mats, carpet, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhibit the function of the
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an exist-
ing one or onto other objects. Only use floor mats that
have been approved for
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the floo r mats are securely fas-
tened again after they have been removed, e.g.
for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or ther e is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this process
helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that
Then full braking force will be immediately avail-
able when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheatin g and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mo de of the automatic transmis-
sion, page 45.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to th e brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
92
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can
assume the form of a sudden blowout. <
Avoid fluid spills in the cargo area as they
could damage the vehicle. <
Luggage compartment roller cover
Do not place heavy or hard objects on the
luggage compartment roller cover. If you
do so, they may already po se a danger to vehicle
occupants during braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not allow the luggage compartment roll-up
cover to snap back, ot herwise it can be dam-
aged. < The roll-up cover can be locked in place at the
intermediate positions
1to 3.
The roll-up cover can be removed to load bulky
luggage.
Removing
1. Pull on the handle to roll the cover up.
2. Pivot the roll-up cover upward at both ends,
arrow 1 and move it up out of the holders,
arrow 2.
Installing
1. Insert the left and right ends of the roll-up
cover into the mounts.
2. Push down until the roll-up cover is resting
on the holders.
Expanding the cargo area
The rear set backrest is split. Both sides can be
folded separately to expand the cargo area.
If necessary, remove th e third head restraint,
refer to Head restraints, Removing page 34.

MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
166
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too lowBraking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact the nearest MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Hill Assist failed. The car will not be
held in place after the brake is
released Have the system checked as soon as
possible.
Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your MINI dealer.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your MINI dealer.
12Cause What to do

Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
181
Being towed159
Bell
– volume 100
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts 35
Belts, refer to Safety belts 35
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders 87
Black ice, refer to External temperature warning 52
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 79,81
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating 114
Bottle holders, refer to Cupholders 87
Brake Assist 61
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 56
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs 150
Brake pads, breaking in 90
Brake rotors 91
– brakes 90
– breaking in 90
Brake system 90
– breaking in 90
– disc brakes 91
– MINI Maintenance System 140
Brakes
– ABS 61
– breaking in 90
– MINI Maintenance System 140
– parking brake 43
– service requirements 56
Brakes, refer to Braking safely 91
Breakdown service, refer to Roadside Assistance 157
Break-in period 90
Breaking in the clutch 90
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 147
Button for starting the engine 41 Buttons on the steering
wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 5
Call
– accepting 117
– ending 118
– rejecting 118
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 118
Can holders, refer to Cupholders 87
Capacities 179
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery 155
Car care 142
Car key, refer to Keys/remote controls 20
Car phone
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 85
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car phone, refer to Telephone 112
Car wash, care 142
Car washes 142
Care 142
– car washes 142
– car-care products 142
– CD/DVD drives 145
– external 142
– high-pressure washers 143
– internal 144
– leather 144
– manual washing 143
– upholstery and fabrics 144
– windows 143
– wiper blades 143 Cargo area
92
– capacity 178
– Comfort Access 29
– doors, refer to Split Rear Barn
Doors 26
– lamp 76
– opening from outside 26
– trunk lid, refer to Split Rear Barn Doors 26
Cargo area doors, refer to Split
Rear Barn Doors 26
Cargo area, expanding 92
Cargo area lamp 76
Cargo area partition net, refer to Cargo net 93
Cargo loading 94
– securing cargo 95
– stowing cargo 95
– vehicle 92
Cargo net 93
Cargo, securing 95
Carpets, care 144
Cataly
tic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system 90
CD player 105
– changing the track 106
– fast forward/reverse 106
– playing a track 106
– random order 106
– starting 105
– volume 100
Center armrest 85
Center brake lamp 151
Center console, refer to Around the center
console 14
Central locking system 21
– Comfort Access 28
– from inside 24
– from outside 21
Changing bulbs 147
Changing wheels 153
Chassis number, refer to Engine compartment 137
Check Control 58
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 39