MINI COOPER 2003 Repair Manual
Manufacturer: MINI, Model Year: 2003, Model line: COOPER, Model: MINI COOPER 2003Pages: 148, PDF Size: 3.17 MB
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUEL GAUGE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE In the navigation system
Please also comply with the instruc-
tions in the previous section.<
If the indicator light 1 changes from orange 
to red, there are approx. 2.1 gallons / 
8 liters of fuel in the tank.
Low temperatureThe needle is at the bottom or on the right 
of the range.
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate 
engine and vehicle speeds.Center positionNormal operating temperature of the 
engine.High temperatureAs soon as there is a deviation from the 
center position upwards or to the left:
Drive moderately and at low engine speed. 
If necessary, switch off the engine and 
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, see page 96.
1 Red indicator lamp When you switch on the ignition, warning 
lamp 1 comes on briefly to confirm that the 
system is operational.
Lights up while driving: 
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine 
immediately and allow it to cool down.Navigation system option
Coolant temperature warning 
lamp in tachometer lights up while 
driving: 
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine 
immediately and allow it to cool down.
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SERVICE INTERVAL DISPLAY  CLOCK COMPUTER
*
Remaining distance for service
The displays shown in the illustration appear 
for a few seconds when the ignition key is in 
position 1 or after the engine is started.
The next service due appears in miles / kilo-
meters with the message "inspection" 
and/or "oil service", together with the dis-
tance remaining before the next scheduled 
service displayed in miles / km. The com-
puter bases its calculations of the remaining 
distance on your driving style in the period 
immediately preceding your data request.
A flashing message and a – in front of the 
number mean that the service interval has 
already been exceeded by the distance 
shown on the display. Please contact your 
MINI Dealer for an appointment.
For more information on the Service inter-
val display, see page 98.
SettingsFrom ignition key position 1:
Left button: hours
Right button: minutes.
Move forward in increments:
Press the button
or
fast forward:
Press and hold the button.
Changeover from 24-hour to 12 -hour 
mode:
Press both buttons at the same time for 
approx. 5 seconds.
Mode selectionWith the ignition key in position 1 and 
higher, you can use the button in the turn 
signal indicator lever to retrieve informa-
tion from the computer for display in the 
tachometer. By pressing the button briefly, 
you can call up a new function for display.
The displays appear in the following order:
Outside temperature, cruising range, aver-
age fuel consumption, average vehicle 
speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, the 
last active setting is displayed.
If the vehicle is equipped with a navi-
gation system, you will find more 
information on the computer in the naviga-
tion system Owner‘s Manual.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COMPUTER
*
Outside temperature 
If the vehicle is equipped with a tachome-
ter, but not with a computer, the tempera-
ture is always displayed.
You can have the units 6 or 7 set 
by your MINI Dealer.<
Range The computer bases its calculations for the 
cruising range on the driving style and on 
the remaining fuel in the tank.
If the range displayed is less than 
35 miles / 50 km be sure to refuel, 
otherwise engine functions are not guaran-
teed and damage could occur.<
Average speed –
Average fuel consumption Press the button in the turn signal indicator 
lever for a longer period.
The displayed average speed value and 
consumption value are recalculated.
Any time spent when the vehicle is station-
ary and the engine is shut off is ignored for 
the calculation.
You can have other units set by your 
MINI Dealer.<
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62
AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL PLUS TRACTION (ASC+T)
*
The concept
This system optimizes vehicle stability and 
traction, especially when just starting off, 
when accelerating or when cornering.
ASC+T recognizes the danger present in 
traction loss and will increase driving sta-
bility and traction by reducing the engine's 
output and, if necessary, by applying the 
brakes to the front wheels. ASC+T is opera-
tional each time you start the engine.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with ASC+T. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the 
responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the 
additional safety margin provided by the 
system as an excuse for taking unnecessary 
risks.
Do not make any modifications to the 
ASC+T system. Allow only authorized tech-
nicians to perform service procedures on 
the ASC+T.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly 
after the ignition has been 
switched on, see pages 16, 17.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
ASC+T controls the drive and braking 
forces.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out 
after the engine is started, or if it 
comes on during normal driving and stays 
on:
The system is defective or was turned off 
using the button. 
The described stabilizing operations are no 
longer available. 
You can, however, drive the vehicle nor-
mally without ASC+T.
In the event of a malfunction, please see 
your MINI Dealer, see pages 16, 17.<
Switch off the ASC+TBriefly press the switch.
The indicator lamp stays lit.
When driving with snow chains or to "rock 
free" in snow, it can be helpful to switch off 
the ASC+T for a brief period.
To maintain vehicle stability, always 
drive with the ASC+T switched on 
whenever possible.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)
*
The concept
This system maintains driving stability 
even in critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability dur-
ing acceleration and when starting from a 
full stop, as well as optimizing traction. In 
addition, it recognizes unstable vehicle 
conditions, such as understeering or over-
steering, and, as far as is possible within 
the laws of physics, helps keep the vehicle 
on a steady course by reducing the rpms 
and by brake applications to the individual 
wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start 
the engine. DSC contains the functions 
Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic 
Brake Force Distribution (EBD), and ASC+T.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the 
responsibility of the driver. We therefore 
urge you to avoid using the additional 
safety margin of the system as an excuse 
for taking risks.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC 
system. Allow only authorized technicians 
to perform service procedures on the 
DSC.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly 
after the ignition has been 
switched on, see pages 16, 17.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking forces. 
If the indicator lamp fails to go out 
after the engine is started, or if it 
comes on during normal driving and stays 
on:
The system is defective or was turned off 
using the button. 
The described stabilizing operations are no 
longer available. 
The vehicle will remain completely opera-
tional, however, without DSC.
In the event of a malfunction, please see 
your MINI Dealer, see pages 16, 17.<
To switch off the DSCBriefly press the switch.
The indicator lamp stays lit.
When driving with snow chains, it may be 
effective to switch off the DSC for a brief 
period.
To maintain stability, always drive 
with the DSC switched on whenever 
possible.
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64
FLAT TIRE MONITORThe conceptThe tire inflation pressure is determined 
from the signals of the ABS sensors.
The system provides an alert whenever the 
tire inflation pressure drops below the 
pressure in any other tire. RequirementSo that the system can "familiarize" itself 
with the correct inflation pressure, please 
do the following:
1. Check the tire inflation pressure in all 
tires
2. Compare them with the inflation pres-
sure table, see page 86, and adjust the 
pressures if necessary
3. Initialize the system.
Check the tire inflation pressure reg-
ularly and correct it if necessary, see 
page 85.<
Flat tire
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster informs you by flash-
ing when the tire inflation pressure 
of a tire deviates from the "learned" values. 
In addition, an acoustic signal is sounded.
>Vehicles with Run Flat tires, see notes on 
pages 85, 88, 116
>Vehicles with normal tires, see notes on 
pages 85, 112.
The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert you 
to severe and sudden tire damage 
caused by external factors. Another factor 
which the Flat Tire Monitor does not recog-
nize is the balanced and very gradual pres-
sure loss that takes place in all tires over an 
extended period of time.<
MalfunctionsAs long as there is still a malfunction, the 
yellow indicator lamp on the instrument 
cluster will stay lit up.
The indicator lamp also lights up in the 
event of a system malfunction.
Please contact your MINI Dealer in these 
cases.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FLAT TIRE MONITORInitializing the systemOnly initialize the system if the inflation 
pressure has been corrected or changed, 
e.g. after a tire change.
1. Ignition key in position 2 
2. Press the button long enough for the 
yellow indicator lamp in the instrument 
cluster to light up for a few seconds
3. Start the engine.
After a few minutes driving time, the Flat 
Tire Monitor sets the current inflation pres-
sure in the tires as the target values to be 
monitored.Do not initialize the system when 
snow chains are fitted. When driving 
with snow chains, false alarms can occur or 
pressure losses might not be detected.<
In the following situations false 
alarms can also occur under certain 
circumstances or the detection of inflation 
pressure loss can be delayed:
>When driving on roads covered with 
snow or on other slippery road surfaces 
>With a sporty driving style – slip at the 
driven wheels, high lateral accelera-
tions.< 
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66
PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)*The conceptThe PDC assists you when you back into a 
parking space. A signal tone tells you the 
current distance to an object behind your 
vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sensors 
in the rear bumper measure the distance to 
the nearest object. 
The sensors on each side have a range of 
approx. 2 ft / 60 cm, the middle sensors 
one of approx. 5 ft / 1.5 m.
The system starts to operate automatically 
about one second after you select reverse 
with the ignition key in position 2.
Wait for this one second before you 
drive backwards.<
PDC is deactivated when you shift away 
from Reverse. 
You can have a signal tone set by your 
MINI Dealer as a confirmation that 
PDC has been activated.<
Acoustical signalsThe distance to an object is indicated by a 
tone sounding at intervals. As the distance 
between vehicle and object decreases, the 
intervals between the tones become 
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the 
presence of an object less than 8 in / 20 cm 
away.
The warning signal is canceled after 
approx. three seconds if the distance to the 
object remains constant during this time, 
for instance if you are moving parallel to a 
wall.
System malfunctions will be indicated by a 
continuous high-pitched tone when the 
system is activated the first time. Please 
have your MINI Dealer resolve the problem.Volume controlThe volume of the Park Distance Control 
signal can be adjusted from level 1 – soft – 
to level 6 – loud.
The volume can be set by your MINI 
Dealer.<
Even with PDC, final responsibility for 
estimating the distance between the 
vehicle and any objects always remains 
with the driver. 
Even when sensors are involved, there is a 
blind spot in which objects cannot be de-
tected. Recognition of some objects can be 
beyond the limits of physical ultrasonic 
measurement, for example with towing 
bars or hitches or with thin or wedge-
shaped objects. Moreover, low objects that 
have already been detected – such as a curb 
edge – can disappear out of the range of 
the sensors before a continuous tone 
sounds.
Loud sources of sound outside and inside 
your vehicle can drown the PDC signal 
tone.<
Keep the sensors clean and free of ice 
or snow in order to ensure that they 
will continue to operate effectively. 
Do not apply high pressure spray to the 
sensors for a prolonged period of time. 
Always maintain a distance which is 
greater than 4 in / 10 cm.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
*
1Air onto the windshield and onto the 
side windows 
2Air for the upper body area69
3Air for the front and rear footwells4Temperature68
5Windshield heating68
6Blower for air supply68
7Air conditioner688Air distribution68
9Recirculated air mode68
10 Rear window defroster68
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68
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
*
Air supply
You can select blower speeds 
from 1 to 4. Position 0: fan is 
turned off. The button for recir-
culated air mode fully blocks the 
supply of air from outside.
Heating and ventilation operate as of 
position 1.
Temperature
Turn to the right – red – to 
increase the temperature of the 
passenger compartment.
Rapid heating: turn to the 
extreme right. Then select a pleasant inte-
rior temperature.
Air distribution 
Air distribution in upper body 
region  , upper body region 
and footwell  , footwell  , 
footwell and windows  , and 
windows .
All intermediate positions are possible, see 
illustration and overview on page 67.
Rear window defroster 
Rear window defroster switched 
on: 
Indicator lamp lights up.
As long as the indicator lamp is lit, the 
heating operates at high power output – 
rapid defrosting. 
Indicator lamp goes out.
The heating continues to run with reduced 
power output and then switches itself off 
automatically.
Windshield heating*
Windshield heating switched on: 
Indicator lamp lights up.
As long as the indicator lamp is 
lit, the heating operates at high power out-
put – rapid defrosting. 
Indicator lamp goes out.
The heating continues to run with reduced 
power output and then switches itself off 
automatically.
Air conditioning
Air conditioner switched on: 
Indicator lamp lights up.
The air is cooled and dehumidi-
fied and – depending on the temperature 
setting – rewarmed.
After the engine start, the windshield may 
fog over briefly.
When the air conditioner is operat-
ing, condensation is formed which 
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water on the ground are therefore 
normal.<
Recirculated air mode
Supply of outside air into the 
vehicle is blocked: 
Indicator lamp lights up.
The air within the vehicle is recirculated.
Do not run the recirculated air mode 
for longer than approx. 30 minutes, 
as otherwise the air quality in the interior 
will deteriorate.<
If the windows fog up in the recircu-
lated air mode, turn the recirculated 
air mode off and if necessary increase the 
air supply.<
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