engine coolant MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2008 Owners Manual

3OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock 53
Starting the engine 53
Switching off the engine 54
Parking brake 54
Manual transmission 55
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Parking lamps/Low beams 60
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher 61
Instrument lighting 62
Fog lamps 62
Interior lamps 62
Washer/wiper system 63
Washer fluid64
Cruise control65
Everything under control:
Odometer 67
Clock 67
Fuel gauge 67
Coolant temperature gauge 68
Tachometer 69
Service interval display 69
Onboard computer70Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Driving stability control systems72
Flat Tire Monitor 74
Tire Pressure Monitor76
Airbags 79
Park Distance Control (PDC)81
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system82
Automatic climate control85
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment 88
Center armrest89
Drinks holders, ashtray 89
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply 90
Integrated universal remote control91
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment in the MINI 93
Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible 94
Loading cargo 95
Roof-mounted luggage rack98
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCESpecial operating instructions:
Break-in procedures 102
General driving notes 102
Refueling105
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 108
Tire coding 112
Tire condition 113
Run-Flat Tires115
New wheels and tires 116
Snow chains117

CONTENTS
4
In the engine compartment:
Bonnet 118
Engine compartment:
MINI COOPER and
MINI COOPER Convertible119
MINI COOPER S and
MINI COOPER S Convertible120
Engine oil 121
Coolant 122
Brake system 124
Maintenance and care:
MINI Maintenance System 125
Socket for Onboard Diagnostics
OBD 126
Caring for your vehicle 126
Vehicle storage 129
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURESReplacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 132
Wiper blades 132
Lamps and bulbs 133
Repairing a flat tire 137
Space-saver spare tire137
Changing tires 139
MINI Mobility System141
Vehicle battery144
Fuses 145
Giving and receiving assistance:
Jump-starting146
Towing and tow-starting 147
TECHNICAL DATAEngine data 152
Dimensions:
MINI153
MINI Convertible154
Weights:
MINI155
MINI Convertible156
Capacities 157

13
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
1Tachometer69
with indicator and warning lamps,
page16ff
2 Display for onboard computer70
without onboard computer:
Display of outside temperature and cur-
rent speed
3 Speedometer with indicator and warn-
ing lamps, page16 ff4Indicator for
>Odometer67
>Trip odometer67
>Service interval69
>Program indicator for automatic
transmission with Steptronic57
>Clock
5 Trip odometer, reset to zero67
Setting the clock676 Fuel gauge68
7 Engine coolant temperature gauge68DISPLAY ELEMENTS

15
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
DISPLAY ELEMENTS WITH NAVIGATION SYSTEM
* OR COCKPIT CHRONO PACK
*
1 Indicator and warning lamps, page16 ff
2 Fuel gauge68
For more information about the navigation
system, refer to the Owner's Manual for
Navigation System.3 Engine oil temperature
4 Engine oil pressure
5 Coolant temperature6 Indicator and warning lamps, page16 ff
7 Fuel gauge68

16
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPSTechnology that monitors itselfThe system runs a check on the indicator
and warning lamps marked by
+ when you
turn the key in the ignition lock. 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 your MINI
Dealer.
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
+
The engine oil pressure is too low.
Pull over immediately and switch
off the engine. Please contact your MINI
Dealer.
Do not continue driving; otherwise,
the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Brake warning lamp
+
Lights up although the parking
brake is released. The brake fluid
level is too low. Before driving further, be
sure to comply with the information on
page124. Have the system checked imme-
diately.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
If equipped with a navigation system or
Cockpit Chrono Pack:
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in the navigation system or
Cockpit Chrono Pack+
Lights up while driving:
engine is too hot. Pull over to the side of
the road immediately, switch off the
engine and allow it to cool down, refer also
to page68. Have the system checked
immediately.

68
FUEL GAUGE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE In the navigation system*
Please also comply with the instruc-
tions in the previous section.<
If the LED changes from orange to red,
there are approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters of fuel
left in the tank.
Coolant temperature gaugeDepending on the equipment version, a
coolant temperature gauge is located in
the speedometer or the Cockpit Chrono
Pack.
Low temperature:
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.
Center position:
Normal operating temperature of the
engine.
High temperature:
As soon as there is a deviation from the
center position upwards or to the left:
Drive with moderation and at low engine
speeds. If necessary, switch off the engine
and allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, refer to page122.Temperature warning LED 1 comes on while the vehicle is in
motion: engine is too hot. Switch off the
engine immediately and allow it to cool
down.
When you switch on the ignition, the LED 1
lights up briefly to confirm that the system
is operational.Equipment with navigation system* or
Cockpit Chrono Pack*
Coolant temperature warning
lamp 2 comes on while the vehicle
is in motion: engine is too hot.
Switch off the engine immediately and
allow it to cool down.

119
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
1 Reservoir for windshield and rear
window washer system
*
64
2 Vehicle identification number
3 Coolant expansion tank1224 Engine oil filler neck121
5 Battery144
6 Brake fluid reservoir1247 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system
*
64
8Engine oil dipstick121
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER AND MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE

120
1 Reservoir for windshield and rear
window washer system
*
64
2 Vehicle identification number3 Coolant expansion tank122
4 Engine oil filler neck121
5 Auxiliary terminal for
jump-starting1466 Brake fluid reservoir124
7 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system
*
64
8 Engine oil dipstick121
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER S AND MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE

122
ENGINE OIL COOLANTApproved engine oilsThe quality of the engine oil selected has
critical significance for the operation and
service life of an engine. Based on exten-
sive testing, the manufacturer of your MINI
approves only certain grades of engine oil.
Only use High Performance Synthetic Oil
approved by the manufacturer of your
MINI.
If MINI High Performance Synthetic Oil is
not available, you can add small quantities
of another synthetic oil in between oil
changes. Only use oils with a specification
of API SH or higher.
If you have any further questions
regarding MINI High Performance
Synthetic Oil or approved synthetic oils,
your MINI Dealer will be glad to advise
you.<
Do not use any oil additives, as they
could cause engine damage under
some circumstances. and is classified into SAE grades.
The correct SAE grade for your MINI is
determined by the climatic conditions of
the region in which you normally drive your
MINI.
Approved oils feature the SAE grades
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
These oils can be used for driving at all out-
side temperatures.
Do not open the cooling system 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.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of coolant additives.<

123
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COOLANTAs an example, the illustration shows 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:
Slightly unscrew the cap of the expan-
sion tank 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 tank
4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill
5. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con-
vertible:
Reattach the cap and press it down
firmly
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-
vertible:
Screw the cap back on and tighten it
firmly
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.