brake pads MINI Coupe 2012 Owner's Manual

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
106
Things to remember when driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. Equipment is also described
that is not available because of, for example,
selected options or coun try version. This also
applies to safety relate d functions and systems.
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full
traction potential until af ter an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously
during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distan ce driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Ground clearance
When driving, ensure that there is suffi-
cient ground clearance, such as when
entering underground parking garages, driving
over curbs or when driving in winter; otherwise
damage to the vehicle may result. <
Close the tailgate
Only drive with the tailgate closed. Failure
to do so may endanger passengers or
other road users or may damage the vehicle in
the event of an accident or a braking and
evasive maneuver. In a ddition, exhaust gas may
flow into the passenger compartment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely
necessary to drive with the tailgate open:
1. Coupe: close all windows.
2. Switch off the recirculated-air mode and
switch the airflow contro l of the heating, air
conditioner, or automa tic climate control to
high, refer to page 95 or97.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG

Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
107
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various se ctions of the exhaust
system, and never apply undercoating to them.
Make sure that when driving, idling or when
parking, no easily flamma ble materials, such as
hay, leaves, grass, etc. come into contact with
the hot exhaust system. Such contact could lead
to a fire, with the risk of serious personal injuries
and property damage. Do not touch hot exhaust
tail pipes. Otherwise, there is a risk of burns. <
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form betw een tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, can
cause partial or complete loss of tire contact
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be
steered or braked properly. <
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread
depth on page 151.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. <
Parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise, greater clutch wear will result. <
For information on drivin g off using Hill Assist,
refer to page 78.
Braking safely
Your MINI is equipped with ABS. If you are in a
situation which requires full braking, it is best to
brake using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle maintains steeri ng responsiveness, you can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with
the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates that
ABS is functioning properly.
Objects in the movement range of the
pedals
Keep floor mats, carp
et, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhi bit the function of the
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an
existing one or onto other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the fl oor mats are securely
fastened again after they have been removed,
e.g. for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or ther e is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this process
helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that.
Then full braking force will be immediately
available when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheatin g and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mo de of the automatic transmis-
sion, page 59.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
108
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine
braking action will not be present or there will be
no power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can
assume the form of a sudden blowout. could damage the vehicle.
<
MINI Coupe: cargo area cover
Do not place any objects on the cover;
otherwise, they could endanger the car's
occupants, e.g. in the case of braking or sudden
swerving, or they may damage the cover. <
Your MINI Coupe is equipped with two cargo
area covers. When you open the tailgate, the
rear cargo area cover is raised.
The cargo area covers can be removed
individually.
Front cargo area cover
Pull cargo area cover back out of the holders,
arrow 1.
Rear cargo area cover
1. Pull release, arrow 1, left and right.
2. Pull cargo down out of the holders arrow 2.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG

Indicator and warning lampsMOBILITY
187
Display in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too lowBraking action is reduced, stop with
care. Contact your nearest MINI
dealer.
Display in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Display in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads
checked without delay.
Display in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your MINI dealer.
Display in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey.
Contact your MINI dealer.
12Cause What to do
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG

Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
207
Bar, refer to Tow-starting, towing away 179
Base plate for telephone or mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter 136
Battery 175
– disposal 33,176
– jump-starting 177
– temporary power failure 176
Battery renewal
– remote control 33
Being towed 179
Belts, refer to Safety belts 48
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety belts 48
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders 101
Black ice, refer to External temperature warning 66
Blower, refer to Air flow rate 95,97
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating 130
Bottle holders, refer to Cupholders 101
Brake Assist 76
Brake fluid, refer to Service requirements 71
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs 169
Brake pads, breaking in 106
Brake rotors 108
– brakes 106
– breaking in 106
Brakes
– ABS 76
– breaking in 106
– MINI Maintenance System 159
– parking brake 57
– refer to Braking safely 107
– service requirements 71
Brake system 106
– breaking in 106
– disc brakes 108
– MINI Maintenance System 159 Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance 177
Breaking in the clutch 106
Break-in period 106
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps and bulbs 166
Button for starting the
engine 55
Buttons on the steering wheel 11
C
California Proposition 65
warning 5
Call ending 134
Calling, refer to Phone numbers, dialing 134
Calling, refer to Telephone 100
Can holders, refer to Cupholders 101
Capacities 205
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery 175
Car care 161
Care 161
– car-care products 161
– car washes 161
– CD/DVD drives 164
– high-pressure washers 162
– leather 164
– manual washing 162
– upholstery and fabrics 163
– windows 162
– wiper blades 162
Cargo, securing 111
Cargo area 108
– capacity 203
– Comfort Access 32
– emergency operation, see manual unlocking 28
– lamp 92
– opening from outside 28
Cargo area lid, refer to Tailgate 28 Cargo loading
110
– securing cargo 111
– stowing cargo 111
– vehicle 108
Car key, refer to Keys/remote controls 22
Carpets, care 164
Car phone
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 100
– refer to Telephone 100,128
Car radio, refer to Radio 16
Car wash, care 161
Car washes 161
Catalytic converter, refer to Hot exhaust system 107
CD player 121
– changing the track 121
– fast forward/reverse 121
– playing a track 122
– random order 121
– volume 116
Center armrest 100
Ce

nter brake lamp 170
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console 14
Central locking system 23
– Comfort Access 31
– from inside 27
– from outside 23
Changing bulbs 166
Changing wheels 173
Charging the battery 175
Chassis number, refer to Engine compartment 155
Check Control 73
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 52
Child restraint systems 51
Child seats 51
Chrome parts, care 163
Chrome parts, refer to Care 161
Cigarette lighter 101
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 786 - \251 07/12 BMW AG