maintenance MINI COOPER 2003 Owners Manual

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW MINI
This Owner’s Manual should be considered a permanent part of this vehicle. It should stay with the
vehicle when sold to provide the next owner with important operating, safety and maintenance
information.
We wish you an enjoyable driving experience.
ba.book Seite 1 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

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
ba.book Seite 3 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

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
Capacities133 ba.book Seite 4 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

8
NOTES

Installation and operation of non-MINI
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels,
suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones – including operation of
any portable cellular phone from within
the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna – or transceiver equip-
ment – e.g. CB, walkie-talkie, ham radio or
similar – may cause extensive damage to
the vehicle, compromise its safety, inter-
fere with the vehicle's electrical system or
affect the validity of the MINI Limited
Warranty. See your MINI Dealer for addi-
tional information.
<

Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of the emission control devices and
systems may be performed by any auto-
motive repair establishment or individual
using any certified automotive part.
<

Symbol on vehicle parts
Indicates that you should consult the
relevant section of this Owner's Man-
ual for information on a particular part or
assembly.
Service and warranty
This manual is supplemented by a Service
and Warranty Information Booklet for US
models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
We recommend that you read this publica-
tion thoroughly.
Your MINI is covered by the following
warranties:
>
New Vehicle Limited Warranty
>
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
>
Federal Emissions System Defect
Warranty
>
Federal Emissions Performance
Warranty
>
California Emission Control System Lim-
ited Warranty
Detailed information about these warran-
ties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or in the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.

Reporting safety defects
The following only applies to vehicles
owned and operated in the US.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration NHTSA in addition to
notifying the MINI Division of BMW of
North America, LLC, P.O. Box 1227, West-
wood, New Jersey 07675-1227,
Telephone toll-free 1-866-275-6464.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot
become involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or BMW of North
America, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1-800-424-9393 or 366-0123 in
Washington, D.C. area, or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also
obtain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
ba.book Seite 8 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

OVERVIEW

CONTROLS
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
INDEX TECHNICAL DATA

11
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX

Overview

ba.book Seite 11 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

OVERVIEW
CONTROLS
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
INDEX TECHNICAL DATA
21
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
Controls
ba.book Seite 21 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

69
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
*
Draft-free ventilation
Air supply for the upper body area:
Button 1: air outlets can be opened and
closed by turning.
The points indicate the position in each
case.
Nozzle 2: air vent direction is controlled by
turning.Particle filter The particle filter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air.
Your MINI Dealer will replace it during rou-
tine maintenance. A substantial reduction
in the air supply indicates that the filter
must be replaced before scheduled mainte-
nance.
Defrosting and demisting windows 1. Set the rotary blower speed control for
the airflow rate to position 4
2. Turn the rotary temperature control
completely to the right – red
3. Rotary control for air distribution in posi-
tion
4. To defrost the rear window: switch on
the rear window defroster and, if
required, the windshield heating.
ba.book Seite 69 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

72
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
*
Defrosting and demisting windows
Press the button briefly.
The indicator lamp flashes.
Ice and condensation are removed from the
rear window/windshield and side
windows.
The rear window defroster/windshield
heating is switched on automatically. It can
be switched off again separately.
Press the button for a longer period.
Only air to the windshield.
Individual air distribution
Combine the air distribution
yourself. This switches off the
automatic program.
Draft-free ventilation Air supply for the upper body area:
Button 1: air outlets can be opened and
closed by turning.
The points indicate the position in each
case.
Vent 2: change the direction of the airflow
by swiveling.
Particle filter/activated-charcoal filterThe particle filter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming air. The activated-char-
coal filter provides additional protection by
filtering gaseous pollutants from the out-
side air.
Your MINI Dealer replaces this combined
filter as a standard part of your scheduled
maintenance. A substantial reduction in
the air supply indicates that the filter must
be replaced before scheduled maintenance.
ba.book Seite 72 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

OVERVIEW
CONTROLS
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
INDEX TECHNICAL DATA
79
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
Operation
ba.book Seite 79 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com

85
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TIRE INFLATION PRESSUREInformation for your safetyThe factory-approved radial tires are
matched to the vehicle and have been
selected to provide optimum safety and
driving comfort if used properly.
It is not merely the tire's service life, but
also driving comfort and – above all else –
driving safety that depend on the condition
of the tires and the maintenance of the
specified tire pressure.
Incorrect inflation pressure is a frequent
cause of tire damage. It also significantly
influences the roadholding ability of your
MINI.
Check tire inflation pressures regu-
larly – at least every two weeks and
before beginning a longer trip. Failure to
observe these precautions can result in
incorrect tire pressures, which cause unsta-
ble handling response as well as tire dam-
age, and can ultimately lead to an accident.
Also check the inflation pressure on the
space-saver spare tire. and makes recommended by the manufac-
turer of your MINI, which can be asked for
from your MINI Dealer.
Inflation pressures are on a sticker attached
to the B-pillar and visible with the driver's
door open.Checking tire inflation pressuresAll pressures are specified in the standard
units of pressure for your country – psi/
kilopascal – and apply to cold tires, i.e. tires
at ambient temperature.
After correcting the tire inflation pressure,
reinitialize the Flat Tire Monitor, see
page 64.
Checking the inflation pressure on the
space-saver spare tireBehind the bumper there is a valve exten-
sion accessible from the outside for check-
ing the inflation pressure.Run Flat tiresRun Flat tires, available as an optional
extra, consist of self-contained tires and
special rims. The tire reinforcement
ensures that the tire retains residual safety
in the event of pressure drop, and driving
remains possible to a restricted degree. The
vehicle is equipped with a Flat Tire Monitor
which indicates a flat tire.
More information, see pages 64, 116.
ba.book Seite 85 Montag, 5. August 2002 8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com