light MINI COOPER 2005 Owner's Guide

96
BRAKE SYSTEMBrake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and brake
pedal travel has become longer, there may
be a defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest MINI Dealer. Higher brake application pressure
may be necessary under these conditions,
there may be a slight pull to one side, and
brake pedal travel may be longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Disc brakesWhen the vehicle is driven only occasion
-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten
-
dency for corrosion of the brake rotors and
accumulation of contamination on the
brake pads. This occurs because the mini
-
mal pressure that must be exerted by the
pads to clean the rotors by brake applica
-
tions is not reached. Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by a
running or pulsation during braking; even
extended subsequent braking will not cure
this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the
brakes with a gentle application when driv
-
ing in rain and on wet roads.

Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The resulting heat dries the
brake rotors and pads. Then if the braking
force is needed, it is immediately available.Driving downhill
To prevent overheating and the resulting reduced efficiency of the
brake system, drive down extended or
steep mountain gradients in the gear
which requires the least brake applications.
Otherwise, even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake fail
-
ure. -
ther utilized by downshifting, to first gear if
necessary, in the manual mode of the auto
-
matic transmission, refer to page
55. This
protects the brakes from excessive loads.
Do not coast with the clutch pedal pressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with
the engine switched off. The engine pro
-
vides no braking effect when the transmis
-
sion is in Neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is switched off.

Make sure that there are no floor mats,
floor carpets or other objects in the vicinity
of the brake or accelerator pedal, as the
travel path of the pedals could otherwise
be impeded. the front axle and in the right brake pads of
the rear axle monitor the brake pad condi
-
tion. When the brake pads reach the wear
limit, the brake wear warning lights up,
refer to page
18.
Use brake pads which the manufac
-
turer of your MINI has approved for
your particular vehicle model. The manu
-
facturer of your MINI cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if they
are suitable for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehicle
in the event of their use.<
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102
RUN FLAT TIRES
*
NEW WHEELS AND TIRES
If there is a total loss of tire inflation pres
-
sure, 0
psi
/ 0 kPa, or obvious tire damage,
you can gauge the mileage for continued
driving on the basis of the following indica
-
tions:>With a light load:

1 to 2 persons without luggage:

approx. 155
miles
/ 250
km
>With a medium load:

2 persons, full luggage compartment, or

4 persons without luggage:

approx. 90 miles
/ 150 km.
>With a full load:

4 persons or more, full luggage compart
-
ment:

approx. 30
miles
/ 50 km.
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed of 50
mph
/ 80
km/h. In case of
tire pressure loss you must expect changes
in vehicle handling such as lower track sta
-
bility during braking, longer braking dis
-
tances and changes in self-steering proper
-
ties when close to the handling limit.

For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends not having dam
-
aged Run Flat tires repaired. In this case,
consult your MINI dealer.<
Tire change set
In case of a flat tire, the tire change set is not needed, since your vehicle
has Run Flat tires.

When changing a tire, always observe the
safety measures and the procedure for
changing tires starting on page
125
.<
Your vehicle is additionally equipped with a
tire change set.In the MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con
-
vertible this is located in the luggage com
-
partment under the floor mat.

In the MINI COOPER
S and MINI COOPER S
Convertible, the tire change set is located in
a separate bag which is attached to the
lashing eyelets on the luggage compart
-
ment floor by means of tie-down straps.
Have new wheels and tires mounted only by a tire specialist. Work that is
improperly carried out could result in con
-
sequential damage and pose safety haz
-
ards. about the correct wheel and tire combina
-
tion for your vehicle.

Have the wheels balanced after each tire or
wheel replacement. The correct wheel and tire combination is
also important for various systems that
would otherwise be impaired, e.g. ABS or
DSC.
The manufacturer of your vehicle rec
-
ommends that you avoid using
retread tires, as this could impair driving
safety. This is due to the possible variations
in casing structures and, in some cases, to
their extreme age, which can lead to a
decrease in their durability.<
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103
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
NEW WHEELS AND TIRESThe correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle

recommends mounting only wheels
and tires that it has specifically tested and
approved for use on your particular model.
Although other wheels and tires may theo
-
retically have the same dimensions, varia
-
tions in factors such as manufacturing tol
-
erances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to seri
-
ous accidents. The manufacturer of your
vehicle cannot evaluate non-approved
wheels and tires to determine if they are
suited for use, and therefore cannot ensure
the operating safety of the vehicle if they
are fitted. response, use only tires of a single brand
and tread configuration. In the event of a
flat tire, remount the previous wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.Recommended tire sizes and brands:For each tire size, certain tire brands have
been tested, classified as road safe and
approved by the manufacturer of your
vehicle. You can find out about these from
a professional tire center, preferably your
MINI Dealer. Observe any local regulations,
e.g. on making a corresponding entry in the
vehicle documents. The factory-approved radial belt tires are
matched to your vehicle and provide opti
-
mum safety and driving comfort when
used properly.Run Flat tires:If your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, please note the
following: when mounting new tires or
replacing summer tires with winter tires, or
vice versa, use only Run Flat tires since no
spare wheel is available in the event of a
flat. The manufacturer of your vehicle will
be glad to advise you.Special characteristics of winter tires The manufacturer of your vehicle recom
-
mends winter tires for driving in adverse
winter road conditions. While all-season
tires with the M+S designation provide bet
-
ter winter traction than summer tires, they
generally do not achieve the full perfor
-
mance of winter tires. Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum speed for which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser
-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci
-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicans at your
MINI Dealer will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment. them against light whenever possible. Pro
-
tect the tires against contact with oil,
grease and fuel. Do not exceed the tire
inflation pressure specified on the tire side
-
wall.
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110
COOLANT
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys
-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of water and a coolant
additive. Not all commercially available
additives are suitable for your MINI. Your
MINI Dealer knows which additives are
suitable and will be glad to advise you.
Only use suitable additives, other
-
wise the engine can be damaged. The
additives are hazardous to your health. -
mental laws regulating the disposal
of coolant additives.<
The illustration shows by way of example the coolant tank of the MINI
COOPER and
the MINI
COOPER Convertible.
Checking coolant level 1. The engine must be at ambient temper
-
ature
2. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con
-
vertible:

Slowly pull the cap of the expansion
tank by the tab until the excess pressure
can escape. Then remove the cap com
-
pletely.MINI COOPER
S and MINI COOPER
S Con
-
vertible:

Loosen the cap of the expansion tank
slightly by turning it counterclockwise
until the excess pressure can escape.
Then remove the cap completely
3. The coolant level is correct if it is
between the MIN and MAX markings on
the transparent expansion tank4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill5. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con
-
vertible:

Press the cap on and press it down
firmly. MINI COOPER
S and MINI COOPER
S Con
-
vertible:

Turn the cap back on and tighten it
firmly
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
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113
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
OBD SOCKET
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
The Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) interface socket is located on the left of the driver's
side under the instrument panel and under
a cover.

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.
Display of the malfunction described above in Canadian mod
-
els.
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.
When the gas cap is not properly tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator will
light up. If the cap is subsequently tight
-
ened, the indicator lamp should go out
within a few days.<
Suitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care prod
-
ucts available at your MINI Dealer.<
Washing your vehicleYou can wash your new MINI or MINI Con
-
vertible in automatic car washes from the
beginning. 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 corrode.

Switch the rain sensor off when passing
through an automatic car wash, refer to
page
59. Failure to do so could result in
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114
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLEdamage caused by undesired wiper activa
-
tion. 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. 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 upholsteryDepressions 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.
Care 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 bonnet grill, 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 display elements, 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
-
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115
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLEner, 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.Caring for leather* and imitation
leather The leather and imitation leather used by
the manufacturer of your MINI are high
quality products processed using state-of-
the-art methods and will retain their qual
-
ity level for many years if cared for prop
-
erly.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 and
imitation leather surface.

This is why you should use a cloth or vac
-
uum cleaner to remove dust on a regular
basis.Since dirt and oil slowly destroy the protec
-
tive layer of the leather and imitation
leather, a treatment with a leather care
product is necessary twice a year. This pre
-
serves the quality of the leather and pre
-
vents 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. -
vertible top largely depend on the proper
care and operation of the convertible top.
You should therefore observe the following
notes in particular:>Whenever possible, park your vehicle in
the shade to protect it from intense sun
-
light>Do not fold the convertible top when it is
wet, dirty or frozen; otherwise water
marks, moisture stains and chafing could
result>If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed
area for a longer period of time, make
sure that there is sufficient ventilation>Remove bird droppings immediately
because they have corrosive properties.
Never use spot removers, paint thin
-
ner, solvents, cleaning fuel or similar
since these products can destroy the rubber
seals and cause leaks.<
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124
LAMPS AND BULBSRear fog lamp* With the space-saver spare tire option:Access to the lamp via the back or under
-
side of the bumper.1. Press the clips together2. Push the lamp out of the bumper3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left4. Remove and replace the bulb.Other equipment:
In the event of a malfunction, please contact your MINI Dealer or a work
-
shop that has specially trained personnel
working in accordance with the specifica
-
tions of your MINI manufacturer.<
License plate lamps 5 watt bulb By way of example, the illustration shows
the license plate lamp of the MINI.1. Apply a screwdriver to the recess and
lever out the lamp cover2. Replace the bulb.Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)Light-emitting diodes installed behind
translucent lenses serve as the light
sources for many of the controls and dis
-
plays in your vehicle. These light-emitting
diodes are related to conventional lasers,
and legislation defines them as light-emit
-
ting diodes, Class 1.
Do not remove the protective lenses and avoid staring directly at the unfil
-
tered beam for several hours, as inflamma
-
tion of the retina could result.<
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126
SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE
*
Removing the space-saver spare tireThe screw connection of the space-saver
spare tire is in the luggage compartment
under the floor mat, on the base of the
storage compartment for the tire change
set.1. Loosen the screw connection using the
special wrench2. Take out the cover panel
3.
Screw the lifting handle from the onboard tool kit onto the thread
4. Raise the lifting handle slightly
5.
Squeeze the securing spring
6. The space-saver spare tire is released
and must be held by the lifting handle7. Lower the space-saver spare tire with
the lifting handle8. Unscrew the lifting handle
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129
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM
*
MINI Mobility SystemThe MINI Mobility System is provided to
help you repair a flat tire. With the help of
this system you can apply a liquid sealant
on the inside of the tire, which seals the
damaged area and enables you to continue
to drive. Preparing for tire repair
Before using the MINI Mobility Sys
-
tem read the warning and danger
precautions on the equipment.<
If possible, leave objects in which have
been forced into the tire.Take off the tag regarding speed limits and
stick it onto the steering wheel.Using the MINI Mobility SystemIn order to repair a flat tire with the MINI
Mobility System, proceed as follows:>Pump in liquid sealant, refer to page
130
>Reinflate the tire, refer to page
130
>Distribute liquid sealant, refer to
page
131
>Check tire inflation pressure, refer to
page
131
>Drive on, refer to page
131
.
MINI Mobility System with onboard tools The MINI Mobility System with tire change
set and onboard tools is located in the lug
-
gage compartment under the floor mat:
1Jack2 Wheel stud wrench3 Hubcap remover4 Wrench, screwdriver/Phillips screw
-
driver, towing eyelet5 Compressor, hose with manometer and
plug for cigarette lighter socket6 Package with filling hose, valve remover
and valve core7 Filling canister8 Hex wrench/screwdriver9 Adapter for wheel lug lock
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