tow bar MINI Coupe 2012 Owner's Manual

Technology for driving comfort and safetyCONTROLS
75
Technology for driving comfort and
safety
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 count ry version. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Park Distance Control
PDC
The concept
PDC assists you with parking in reverse. Acoustic
signals warn you of the presence of an object
behind the vehicle. To measure the distance,
there are four ultrasonic sensors in either
bumper.
However, an acoustic warning does not sound
until an object is approx. 24 in/60 cm from the
corner sensors, or approx. 5 ft/1.50 m from the
center sensors.
PDC is a parking aid that can indicate
objects when they are approached slowly,
as is usually the case when parking. Avoid
approaching an object at high speed; otherwise,
physical circumstances ma y lead to the system
warning being issued too late.<
Automatic mode
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, the system is activated automatically after
approx. 1 second when you engage reverse
gear or move the automatic transmission selec-
tor lever to position R. Wait this short period
before driving.
Acoustic signals
As the distance between vehicle and object
decreases, the intervals between the tones
become shorter. If the distance to the nearest
object falls to below roughly 1 ft/30 cm, then
a continuous tone sounds.
If the distance remains constant, e.g. when
driving parallel to a wall, the acoustic signal
stops after approx. 3 seconds.
Adjustments
The volume of the acoustic signals can be set,
refer to page 116.
Malfunction
Indicator lamp lights up. PDC has failed.
Have the system checked.
To avoid this problem, keep the sensors
clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure
that they will continue to operate effectively.
When using a high-pressure cleaner, do not
direct the jet toward the sensors for lengthy
periods and only spray from a distance of at least
4in/10cm.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final re sponsibility for esti-
mating the distance between the vehicle
and any obstructions always remains with the
driver. Sensors, too, ha ve blind spots in which
objects cannot be detected. Moreover, ultra-
sonic detection can reach its physical limits with
objects such as trailer tow bars and couplings,
thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low
objects already indicated, such as curbs, may
enter the sensors' blind spots before or after a
continuous audible signal is given. Higher, pro-
truding objects, such as wall ledges, may not be
detectable. Therefore, al ways drive cautiously;
otherwise, there is a risk of personal injury or
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MOBILITYReplacing components
172
4.Unscrew the dust cap from the valve of the
defective wheel and screw the filling hose 2
of the sealant bottle onto the valve.
5. Ensure that the compre ssor is switched off.
6. Insert the plug 5 into the lighter socket/
power socket in the vehicle interior,
page 102.
7. With the engine running:
Switch on the compressor and let run for
about 3 to 8 minutes in order to add the
sealant and to achieve an inflation pressure
of about 1.8 bar/26 psi.
When adding the sealant, the filling
pressure can temporarily increase up
to about 5 bar/73 psi. Do not switch off the
compressor during this phase. <
Do not run the comp ressor for longer
than 10 minutes; otherwise, the
device will overheat and possibly be
damaged.<
8. Switch off the compressor.
If an inflation pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is not
reached:
1. Unscrew the filling hose 2 from the wheel
and drive the vehicle forward and backward
approx. 33 ft/10 m to distribute the liquid
sealant in the tire evenly.
2. Inflate the tire again with the compressor.
If an inflation pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is
not reached, then the tire is too badly
damaged. Please contact the nearest MINI
dealer. <
Stowing Mobility Kit
1.Unscrew filler hose 2 of the sealant bottle
from the wheel.
2. Unscrew connecting hose of the
compressor 6 from the sealant bottle.
3. Connect the filler hose 2 of the sealant
bottle to the unoccupied connection on
the sealant bottle.
This prevents the rest of the sealant from
escaping from the bottle.
4. Wrap the empty sealant bottle in suitable
material to avoid dirtying the cargo area.
5. Stow Mobility Kit back in the vehicle.
Distributing the sealant.
Immediately drive appr ox. 3.1 miles/5 km so
that the sealant evenly distributes itself.
Do not exceed speeds of 50 mph/
80 km/h.
If possible, do not drop below 10 mph/
20 km/h. <
Adjusting the tire pressure
1.After driving approx. 3.1 miles/5 km or
10 minutes, stop at a suitable location.
2. Screw the connection hose 6 of the com-
pressor directly onto the tire valve.
3. Insert the plug 5 into the power socket in
the vehicle interior.
4. Adjust tire pressure to 1.8 bar/26 psi. With
the engine running:
> To increase the inflatio n pressure: switch on
the compressor. To ch eck the current infla-
tion pressure, switch off the compressor.
Do not run the compressor for longer
than 10 minutes; otherwise, the
device will overheat and possibly be
damaged. <
> To decrease the inflat ion pressure: press the
release button 9.
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Giving and receiving assistanceMOBILITY
179
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the MINI.
It is stored in the toolkit in the cargo area under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side,
page165.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the
recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the bottom of the cover panel of the
towing eye in the bumper, arrow.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page55; otherwise, the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals, and windshield
wipers may be unavailable. Do not tow the
vehicle with just the rear axle raised, as this
would allow the steering to turn. <
There is no power assist while the engine is off.
Thus, braking and steering will require increased
effort.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers,
depending on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Tow vehicles with automatic transmission
only with a tow truck or with the front
wheels lifted; otherwise, the transmission can be
damaged. <
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may
be impossible to maintain control. <
The tow fittings used should be on the same side
on both vehicles. Should it prove impossible to
avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please
observe the following:
> Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
> The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
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MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
180
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
lead to damage. <
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other pa rts of the vehicle could
result in damage. <
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI transported by a tow truck with a
so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift vehicle by tow fitting or body
and chassis parts, otherwise damage may
result. <
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page 177.
Vehicles with a catalyti c converter should only
be tow-started when the engine is cold, vehicles
with an automatic transmission cannot be tow-
started at all.
1. Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2. Switch on the ignition, page 55.
3. Shift into 3rd gear.
4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. Afte r the engine starts, immediately depress the clutch completely
again.
5. Stop at a suitable lo cation, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard
warning flashers.
6. Have the vehicle checked.
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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
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Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
215
T
Tachometer65
Tailgate 28
– Comfort Access 32
– emergency operation 29
– emergency unlocking 29
– manually releasing 28
– opening/closing 28
– opening from outside 28
– unlocking with remote control 26
Tail lamp, refer to Tail
lamps 169
– replacing bulb 169
Tail lamps 169
Tank volume, refer to Capacities 205
Technical data 196
Technical modifications 4
Telephone 128
– hands-free system 136
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 100
Temperature display
– setting the units 70
Temperature of coolant, refer to Coolant temperature 158
Temperature setting
– air conditioner 95
– automatic climate control 97
Tempomat, refer to Cruise control 63
Tensioning straps, refer to Securing cargo 111
Third brake lamp, refer to
Center brake lamp 170
Three-point safety belt 48
Tightening the lug bolts
– keys 165
– torque 175
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening lug bolts 175
Time
– setting 117
Tire change set
– space-saver spare tire 165Tire failure
– Flat Tire Monitor
81
– indicator/warning lamp 81
– MINI Mobility Kit 171
– run-flat tires 81
– space-saver spare tire 173
– Tire Pressure Monitor 82
Tire inflation pressure 143
– loss 81
– space-saver spare tire 143
Tire pressure mo nitoring, refer
to Flat Tire Monitor 80
Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 82
– limitations of system 82
–

resetting system 82
– warning lamp 83
Tire Quality Grading 150
Tires
– age 152
– breaking in 106
– changing, refe r to Changing
wheels 173
– condition 151
– damage 151,152
– inflation pressure 143
– inflation pressure loss 83
– minimum tread depth 151
– new tires 153
– pressure monitoring, refer to Flat Tire Monitor 80
– pressure monitoring, refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM 82
– puncture 81
– size 150
– wear indicators, refer to
Minimum tread depth 152
– winter tires 153
– with emergency operation
properties 152
Tires with emergency operation properties, refer to
Run-flat tires 152
Tires with safety features, refer
to Run-flat tires 152
Tone
– middle setting 117 Toolkit
165
Tools, refer to Toolkit 165
Torque 196
– lug bolts 175
Tow bar 179
Tow fitting 179
– screw thread 179
Tow fittings for tow-starting and towing away 179
Towing 178
– car with automatic transmission 179
– methods 179
Tow rope 180
Tow-starting 178
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor 82
Track width, refer to Dimension 197
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control DSC 76
Trailer operation
– trailer loads and gross vehicle weight 203
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptron
ic57
– manual transmission 57
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic 59
Transporting children safely 51
Transport securing devices, refer to Securing cargo 111
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread 151
"TRIP" 71
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer 66
Triple turn signal activation 60
Trip odometer 66
Trunk, refer to Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible 109
Turning circle, refer to Dimensions 197
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