engine MINI COOPER 2003 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MINI, Model Year: 2003, Model line: COOPER, Model: MINI COOPER 2003Pages: 148, PDF Size: 3.17 MB
Page 5 of 148

 
3 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
Driving:  
Ignition lock45
Starting the engine46
Switching off the engine47
Parking brake47
Manual transmission48
Continuously Variable automatic Trans-
mission (CVT)49
Parking lamps/Low beams52
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp 
flasher52
Instrument lighting53
Fog lamps53
Interior lamps53
Light-emitting diodes54
Washer/wiper system54
Cruise control56  
Everything under control:  
Odometer58
Tachometer58
Fuel gauge58
Coolant temperature gauge59
Service interval display60
Clock60
Computer60  
Technology for safety and driving 
convenience:  
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)62
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)63
Flat Tire Monitor64
Park Distance Control (PDC)66  
Controlling the climate for pleasant 
driving:  
Air conditioning system67
Automatic climate control70  
Interior conveniences:  
Glove compartment73
Ashtray/Beverage holder73
Cigarette lighter/12 V power supply73  
Loading and transporting cargo:  
Cargo area cover74
Foldable rear backrest74
Loading cargo75
Roof-mounted luggage rack76
 
Operation, care, maintenance 
Special operating instructions:  
Break-in procedures80
General driving notes81
Refueling82
Fuel specifications83
Antilock Brake System (ABS)83
Brake system84  
Wheels and tires:  
Tire inflation pressure85
Tire condition87
Tire replacement87
Wheel and tire combinations89
Winter tires89
Snow chains90 
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CONTENTS
 
4 
In the engine compartment:  
Bonnet91
Engine compartment – MINI COOPER92
Engine compartment – MINI COOPER S93
Washer fluid94
Engine oil94
Coolant96
Brake fluid97  
Maintenance and care:  
MINI Maintenance System98
Caring for your vehicle99
Vehicle immobilization101  
Laws and regulations:  
OBD socket102
Technical modifications103
California Proposition 65 warning103
 
Owner service procedures 
Replacement procedures:  
On-board tool kit106
Windshield wiper blades106
Lamps and bulbs107
Repairing a flat tire112
Changing tires – 
MINI with space-saver spare tire112
Flat tire – 
Run Flat tires116
MINI Mobility System118
Battery122
Fuses123  
Giving and receiving assistance:  
Warning triangle124
First-aid kit124
Jump-starting124
Towing126 
Technical data 
Engine data130
Dimensions131
Weights132
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13 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
DISPLAY ELEMENTS
 
1Tachometer58
with indicator and warning lamps, see 
from page 15
2Display for the computer, refer to 
page 60 – if there is no computer, display 
of the outside temperature
3Speedometer with indicator and warning 
lamps, see from page 154Indicator for 
> 
Odometer58 
> 
Trip odometer58 
> 
Service interval60 
> 
Program display for Continuously 
Variable automatic Transmission 
(CVT)515Trip odometer, reset to zero58
6Fuel gauge58
7Engine coolant temperature gauge59
 
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15 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Technology
that monitors itself  
The system runs a check on the warning 
and indicator lamps marked by  
● 
 each time 
you switch on the ignition. They each light 
up once for different periods of time. 
If a malfunction should occur in one of 
these systems, the corresponding lamp 
does not go out after the engine is started 
or it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see below the correct way to react 
to this. 
Red: stop immediately 
Battery charge current  
● 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective alter-
nator drive belt or a problem with the 
charge circuit. Please contact the nearest 
MINI Dealer.
If this lamp lights up, the power-assist for 
steering can be deactivated.
If the drive belt is defective, do not 
continue driving. The engine could be 
damaged due to overheating. When the 
power-assist is deactivated, increased 
steering effort is required. 
< 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
● 
Stop immediately. Switch off 
engine. Check the engine oil and fill 
as needed. Please contact the nearest MINI 
Dealer.
Do not continue driving, otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication. 
<
 
Brake warning lamp  
●   
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
Check the brake fluid level. Before driving 
further, be sure to comply with the infor-
mation on pages 84 and 97.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
With navigation system option:
Coolant temperature warning 
lamp in the speedometer  
●  
Lights up while driving: 
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine 
immediately and allow to cool down, see 
also page 59.
 
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17 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible 
Flat Tire Monitor  
● 
Stays lit: the system is defective. 
Please have the system inspected 
at your MINI Dealer.
More information on page 64
Antilock Brake System (ABS)  
● 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able. Please have the system inspected at 
your MINI Dealer. 
More information on pages 83
ABS indicator lamp for Canadian 
models.
 
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stabil-
ity Control (DSC)  
● 
 
Indicator lamp flashes: 
System active: drive and braking forces are 
regulated. 
The indicator lamp stays lit: ASC+T/DSC 
switched off with button or defective. In 
the event of a defect: please have the sys-
tem inspected at your MINI Dealer.
More information on pages 62, 63 
Service Engine Soon  
● 
If the warning lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a malfunction in the 
emissions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains operational, 
you should have the systems checked by 
your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible 
opportunity. 
Service Engine Soon warning lamp 
for Canadian models.
Engine electronics 
* 
  
● 
Malfunction in the engine electron-
ics. You can continue to drive with 
reduced engine output or engine speed. 
Please have the system inspected at your 
MINI Dealer.
Check Filler Cap 
*  
● 
This indicator lamp comes on when 
the fuel filler cap is loose or miss-
ing. Close the filler cap tightly: 
Refer to page 82
Depending on the level of equipment, 
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of 
the navigation system. 
<
 
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41
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AIRBAGS TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELYIndicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment panel shows the airbag sys-
tem status starting from ignition 
key position 1.
System operational:
>The indicator lamp comes on briefly.
System malfunction:
>The indicator lamp does not come on
>The indicator lamp fails to go out after 
the engine has been started, or it comes 
on during normal driving.
A system defect could prevent the airbags 
from deploying in response to a severe 
impact occurring within the system's nor-
mal triggering range.
Have the airbag system checked as soon as 
possible by your MINI Dealer. 
Children younger than 12 years of age or 
smaller than 5 ft / 150 cm must be trans-
ported in suitable child-restraint system. 
Otherwise there is an increased risk of 
injury in the event of an accident.
Commercially-available child-restraint sys-
tems are designed to be secured with a lap 
belt or with the lap belt portion of a combi-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or 
inadequately installed restraint systems 
can increase the risk of injury to children. 
Always read and follow the instructions 
that come with the system. 
If you use a child-restraint system with a 
tether strap:
Your vehicle has one of two different types 
of child-restraint anchor fittings on the 
back of the rear seats, see arrows 1 or 2.
Depending on the location selected for 
seating in the rear passenger area, attach 
the tether strap to the corresponding 
anchorage point to secure the child-
restraint system.
Adjust the tether strap according to the 
child-restraint manufacturer's instructions.
Anchor fitting 1 is shown above.
Anchor fitting 2 is shown in the next 
column.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
IGNITION LOCK 0Steering locked 
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting the engine0Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in this 
position only.
To lock the steering:
1. Remove the key
2. Turn the steering wheel slightly to the 
left or right until the lock engages.
A sound alarm goes off if the key 
remains in the ignition after opening 
the driver's door.<
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI Dealer.<
Vehicles with Continuously Variable 
automatic Transmission (CVT):
Do not move the selector lever from 
position P until the engine is running.
Your vehicle is equipped with an interlock. 
Therefore, the ignition key cannot be 
turned to position 0 and removed until the 
selector lever is in position P – Interlock.<
1Steering unlocked Individual electrical accessories are ready 
for operation.
You will find that it is often easier to turn 
the ignition key from position 0 to 
position 1 when you move the steering 
wheel slightly to help disengage the lock.2Ignition switched onAll electrical accessories are ready for oper-
ation.3Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the 
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from 
starting if the clutch is not depressed.<
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46
STARTING THE ENGINE Do not allow the engine to warm up with 
the vehicle at a standstill. Move off imme-
diately at a moderate engine speed.
Do not allow the engine to run in 
enclosed spaces. The exhaust gases 
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and 
colorless, but highly toxic gas. Breathing 
the exhaust gases poses an extreme health 
risk, and can lead to unconsciousness and 
death. 
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with 
the engine running. This is a safety hazard.
When driving, standing at idle or parking 
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact 
between the hot exhaust system and flam-
mable materials – e.g. hay, leaves, grass, 
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, result-
ing in serious personal injury and property 
damage.<
StartingWhen starting the engine, do not press the 
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too 
short a time. Do not turn it for more 
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine 
starts.
Extended starting attempts, characterized 
by excessively frequent or long periods 
with the starter engaged, can lead to dam-
age in the catalytic converter.<
If the engine does not start on the first 
attempt, for instance if the engine is very 
hot or cold: 
>When starting the engine, press the gas 
pedal down halfway.
When first starting the engine at very low 
temperatures – from +5 7 / –15 6:
>When starting the engine, press the gas 
pedal down halfway
>For the initial start attempt, allow the 
starter to remain engaged somewhat 
longer, approx. 10 seconds.
Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Put the manual gearshift lever in neutral
3. Press the clutch pedal
4. Start the engine.Continuously Variable automatic 
Transmission (CVT)*1. Press the footbrake
2. Put the selector lever in position P or N
3. Start the engine.
Move the selector lever to position P 
and engage the parking brake before 
leaving your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with 
the engine running. This is a safety haz-
ard.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE  PARKING BRAKE 
You should never remove the ignition 
key when the vehicle is in motion, as 
the steering lock could engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove 
the ignition key and engage the steering 
lock.
When you park on downward slopes, 
engage the parking brake.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Continuously Variable automatic 
Transmission (CVT)*Engage selector lever position P, turn the 
ignition key to position 1 or 0.
The parking brake is designed primarily to 
prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is 
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.To engageLever automatically locks in position. 
The warning lamp in the instrument cluster 
comes on when the ignition key is in 
position 2, see page 16.To release1. Pull up slightly
2. Press the button
3. Push the lever downwards.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it 
should be necessary to engage the 
parking brake while the vehicle is in 
motion, do not pull the lever with excessive 
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed against 
the release button while carefully pulling 
the lever up to apply moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking 
and loss of traction, i.e. fishtailing, at the 
rear axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when the 
parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on hills and inclined surfaces, as 
first gear or reverse may not provide ade-
quate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with CVT:
Place the selector lever in P.<
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49
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
You can drive with a continuously variable 
shifting CVT. In addition, you can also shift 
manually.
When you move the selector lever from the 
D position to the right into the M/S + – 
range, the performance-oriented shift pro-
grams of the CVT are engaged. Steptronic 
enters the manual selection mode and 
executes the desired shift whenever you 
tap the selector lever in the direction 
indicated by + or –.
Whenever you want to use automatic 
again, just move the selector lever toward 
the left to position D.
Under normal operating conditions, fuel 
consumption is lowest when driving in 
position D.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Range selectionInadvertent engaging of certain selector 
lever positions is prevented by a lock.
Press the button on the front side of the 
selector lever knob. The lock is released.
While the vehicle is stationary, and 
before shifting out of P or N, press the 
brake pedal in order to disengage the selec-
tor lever lock mechanism  – Shiftlock.
If the engine speed is too high when the 
vehicle is at a standstill, the selector lever is 
also blocked to protect the transmission. 
Hold the brake pedal down until starting 
off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep" when 
a drive position is engaged.<
To prevent the vehicle from starting 
off on its own, always move the 
selector lever to position P and engage the 
parking brake before getting out of your 
vehicle with the engine running.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with 
the engine running. This is a safety haz-
ard.<
If the selector lever is not placed in 
position P when the vehicle is parked, 
the position display of the selector lever 
stays on. This can lead to battery dis-
charge.<
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