MINI COOPER 2003 Owners Manual

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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLESuitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care prod-
ucts available at your MINI Dealer.<
Washing your vehicle You can wash your new MINI from the out-
set in automatic car washes. Preference
should be for cloth car washes. If, due to
lack of availability, brush car washes must
be used, modern systems with soft brushes
should be given preference.
When using steam cleaners or high-
pressure cleaners, maintain sufficient
distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a
maximum temperature of 140 7 / 60 6.
If the jet is too close or the pressure is too
high, this can lead to damage or initial
damage that can develop into more serious
damage. Water that enters vehicle compo-
nents can lead to damage over the long
term.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them, otherwise
water can reduce braking efficiency over
the short term and the brake rotors can cor-
rode.<
Switch the rain sensor off when pass-
ing through an automatic car wash,
see page 54. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.<
Rod antenna
If necessary, for example before
entering a car wash or a garage with
elevator ramp, remove the rod antenna.
To do so, grip the rod antenna at the base
and unscrew it from the antenna foot by
turning it to the left.<
Headlamps
When cleaning the headlamps,
please observe the following: do not
rub them dry, and never use abrasives or
strong solvents. Remove dirt and contami-
nation – such as insects – by soaking with
shampoo and then rinsing with plenty of
water. Always use a deicer spray to remove
accumulated ice and snow – never use a
scraper.<
Vehicle paintwork Regular care contributes greatly to driving
safety and value retention.
Environmental influences varying from one
region to the next can affect the vehicle
paintwork. Please base the frequency and
scope of car care on these various influ-
ences.Care of upholstery Depressions that come about on the uphol-
stery material of the seats in daily use can
be brushed out using a slightly damp brush
against the grain.
The fact that velour lays down is not a qual-
ity defect, but rather is inevitable in the
case of home textiles or clothing materials.
In the case of strong sunlight and longer
parking periods, cover the seats or all win-
dows to prevent discoloration.
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CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLECare of special parts >Light-alloy wheels
*:
Use wheel cleaner especially during the
winter months, but do not use any
aggressive, acidic, strong alkali or rough
cleansers or steam jets above 140 7 /
60 6. Observe the manufacturer's
instructions
>Chrome parts
* such as cooler grille, door
handles, etc.:
Especially if exposed to road salt, care-
fully clean these parts with plenty of
water and possibly with a shampoo addi-
tive.
For additional treatment, use chrome
polish
>Rubber parts:
Treat only with water or rubber care
products
Do not use silicon sprays or other
silicon-containing care products,
otherwise noise and damage could
occur.<
>Plastic parts, imitation leather surfaces,
headliner, lamp glass, covering glass for
the instrument cluster, as well as matt
black molded parts:
Clean with water and, if necessary, plas-
tic care products. Do not dampen seats
and the headliner.
Never use solvents such as lacquer thin-
ner, heavy-duty grease remover, fuel or
similar
>Wood paneling
*:
Please clean wood paneling and other
wood parts only with a damp cloth. Dry
off with a soft cloth
>Safety belts:
Only clean using mild soap, leaving the
belts fitted.
Do not dry clean, as the fabric can be
destroyed.
Always roll up safety belts only when dry.
Dirty safety belts prevent unrolling and
thus negatively affect safety>Floor carpets and floor mats
*:
If heavily soiled, clean using interior
cleaner. Floor mats can be removed to
allow the interior to be cleaned
>Wiper blades:
Clean with soapy water. Replace wiper
blades twice a year, before and after the
cold season. This is particularly impor-
tant on vehicles fitted with a rain sensor.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZATIONLeather care The leather
* used by the manufacturer of
your MINI is a high-quality natural product
processed using state-of-the-art methods,
and it will retain its quality level for many
years if cared for appropriately.
Regular cleaning and care are necessary, as
dust and road dirt scratch in pores and
creases and lead to heavy wear as well as
premature brittleness of the leather sur-
face.
This is why you should use a cloth or vac-
uum cleaner to remove dust from the
leather on a regular basis.Since dirt and oil slowly destroy the protec-
tive layer of the leather, a treatment with a
leather care product is necessary twice a
year. This preserves the quality of the
leather and prevents electrostatic charging.
Cleaning agents can contain hazard-
ous or health-damaging substances.
For this reason, always observe the warn-
ings on the package. For interior cleaning,
always open the doors or windows of the
vehicle.
Do not use any products that are not
intended for cleaning the vehicle.<
Your MINI Dealer will be glad to advise you
on what is important if the vehicle is to be
decommissioned for longer than three
months.
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OBD SOCKET The interface socket for onboard diagnos-
tics is located on the driver's side, behind a
cover located beneath the instrument
panel. The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control
system for the vehicle‘s lifetime. The sys-
tem monitors emission-related compo-
nents for deterioration and malfunction.
An illuminated lamp informs you of
the need for service, not of the
need to stop the vehicle.
However, the system should be checked by
your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce speed and consult the
nearest MINI Dealer as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short
period of time can seriously damage emis-
sion control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon warning lamp
for Canadian models.
When the filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can detect
the vapor leak and the indicator will light
up. If the filler cap is subsequently tight-
ened, the indicator lamp should go out
within a few days.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TECHNICAL MODIFICATIONS CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNINGAny MINI Dealer will be glad to inform you
of the advisability, legal regulations and
factory recommendations for technical
modifications to the vehicle.
To do so, they require the vehicle identifica-
tion number from your vehicle documents.California laws require us to state the fol-
lowing warning:
Engine exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth
defects and reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and cer-
tain products of component wear contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing thor-
oughly with soap and water.<
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OVERVIEW
CONTROLS
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
INDEX TECHNICAL DATA
105
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Repairs
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ON-BOARD TOOL KIT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADESStorage locationThe picture shows as an example tire
change set with on-board tools for vehicles
with the space-saver spare tire.
Depending on the level of equipment
options, your MINI is fitted with a special
on-board tool kit stored at the following
locations:
Tire change set for space-saver spare tire:
In the cargo area under the floor mat.
MINI Mobility System with tire change set
and on-board tools:
In the cargo area under the floor mat.
Tire change set and on-board tools for Run
Flat tires:
Tire change set: in cargo area in a separate
bag – On-board tools: on the left behind
the side panels next to the emergency kit,
see page 124.
Windshield wiper1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Set the wiper blade at an angle
3. Press the securing spring, see arrow
4. Unhook the wiper blade towards the
windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top
6. Insert the new wiper blade
7. Press into position until you hear it
engage.
Rear window wiper1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Turn the wiper blade as far as it will go
to the rear, see arrow
3. Press the wiper blade against the limit
and thus out of the mounting
4. Press the new wiper blade into the
mounting.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
LAMPS AND BULBSProceed carefully when handling lamps and
bulbs. If you are not familiar with any of
the procedures, consult your MINI Dealer.
Do not touch the glass portion of a
new bulb with your bare hands since
even small amounts of impurities burn into
the surface and reduce the service life of
the bulb. Use a clean cloth, paper napkin, or
similar material, or hold the bulb by its
metallic base.<
Replacement bulbs are available from your
MINI Dealer.
Whenever working on the electrical
system, switch off the electrical
accessory you are working on or disconnect
the cable from the negative terminal of the
battery. Failure to do this could result in
short circuits.
To prevent injuries and damage, comply
with any instructions provided by the bulb
manufacturer.<
1Low beams H7 bulb, 55 Watts2High beamsH7 bulb, 55 Watts
The H7 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses and protective
gloves. If the lamp is damaged there is a
risk of injury. MINI engine bonnet.
1. Pull on the tab of the cover of the defec-
tive lamp and open it
2. Press the retaining wire lightly at the
eyelet and at the same time guide it out-
wards
3. Fold the retaining wire down
4. Remove the lamp holder and replace the
lamp
5. Reinsert the lamp holder in the correct
position
6. Fold the retaining wire back up and
catch in place. Ensure that it is placed in
the middle of the wire connector.Xenon lamps* The service life of these bulbs is very long
and the probability of a failure is very low,
provided that they are not switched on and
off an unusual number of times. If one of
these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is
possible to continue driving with great cau-
tion using the fog lamps, provided traffic
laws in your area do not prohibit this.
Because of the extremely high volt-
ages involved, any work on the xenon
lighting system should be carried out by
technically-qualified personnel only. Other-
wise, there is a risk of fatal injury.<
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LAMPS AND BULBSTurn signal indicators, front 21 Watt bulb
1. Open the bonnet
2. Reach into the opening for the turn sig-
nal indicators from above
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb holder
while turning it to the left
4. Remove and replace the bulb.Parking lamps and standing lamps 5 Watt bulb
The parking lamps and standing lamps are
integrated in the lamp housing of the turn
signal indicator.
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left and pull
out
2. Remove and replace the bulb.
Side turn signal indicators5 Watt bulb
1. Press the bulb towards the rear of the
vehicle and remove
2. Remove and replace the bulb.Side marker lamps3 Watt bulb
Side marker lamps in the wheelhouse pan-
eling of the bumper.
Please contact a MINI Dealer in case of a
malfunction.
Fog lamps* H11 bulb, 55 Watts
Please contact a MINI Dealer in case of a
malfunction.
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