tow MINI Coupe 2013 Owner's Guide

Minimum tread depth
Wear indicators in the tread base are distrib‐
uted around the circumference of the tire and
are marked on the tire sidewall with TWI, Tread
Wear Indicator. When the tire tread has been
worn down to the wear indicators, a tread has
reached a depth of 0.063 in/1.6 mm.
Tire damage
General information Inspect your tires often for damage, foreign ob‐
jects lodged in the tread, and tread wear.
Notes
Driving over rough or damaged road surfaces,
as well as debris, curbs and other obstacles can
cause serious damage to wheels, tires and sus‐
pension parts. This is more likely to occur with
low-profile tires, which provide less cushioning
between the wheel and the road. Be careful to
avoid road hazards and reduce your speed, es‐
pecially if your vehicle is equipped with low-
profile tires.
Indications of tire damage or other vehicle de‐
fects:
▷Unusual vibrations during driving.▷Unusual handling such as a strong ten‐
dency to pull to the left or right.
Damage can be caused by driving over curbs,
road damage and similar situations.
In case of tire damage
If there are indications of tire damage, re‐
duce your speed immediately and have the
wheels and tires checked right away; other‐
wise, there is the increased risk of an accident.
Drive carefully to the next service center or tire
shop.
If necessary, have the vehicle towed.
Otherwise, tire damage can present a life-
threatening hazard to vehicle occupants and
other road users. ◀
Repair of tire damage
For safety reasons, the manufacturer of
your vehicle recommends that you do not have
damaged tires repaired; they should be re‐
placed. Otherwise, damage can occur as a re‐
sult. ◀
Tire age RecommendationFor several reasons, among other things be‐
cause of beginning brittleness, the manufac‐
turer of your MINI recommends mounting new
tires at the latest after six years, regardless of
the actual wear.
Manufacture date The date of manufacture of the tires is specified
in the tire label:
DOT … 1012: the tire was manufactured in
week 10 of 2012.Seite 230MobilityWheels and tires230
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▷If a warning triangle or portable hazard
warning lamp is required, set it up on the
roadside at an appropriate distance from
the rear of the vehicle. Comply with all
safety guidelines and regulations. ◀
The procedure to correct a flat tire depends on
the equipment in the vehicle:
▷Run-flat tires, refer to page 232.▷MINI Mobility System, refer to page 233.▷Wheel change with a compact wheel, refer
to page 249.
MINI Mobility System
Notes
▷Follow the instructions on using the Mobi‐
lity System found on the compressor and
sealant bottle.▷Use of the Mobility System may be ineffec‐
tive if tire damage is greater than approx.
1/8 in/4 mm in size.▷Contact the nearest service center if the tire
cannot be made drivable.▷If possible, do not remove foreign bodies
that have penetrated the tire.▷Pull the speed limit sticker off the sealant
bottle and apply it to the steering wheel.
Sealant and compressor
1Sealant bottle and speed limit sticker2Filling hose
Note the use-by date on the sealant bottle.3Holder for the sealant bottle4Compressor5Connector and cable for the lighter socket/
socket in passenger compartment   114.6Connection hose for connecting the com‐
pressor and sealant bottle or the compres‐
sor and wheel7On/off switch8Pressure gauge for displaying the tire infla‐
tion pressure9Release button for reducing the tire infla‐
tion pressure
The connector, cable, and connecting hose are
stowed in the compressor housing.
Using the Mobility System
To repair a flat tire with the Mobility System,
proceed as follows:
▷Filling the tire with sealant▷Distributing the sealant▷Correcting the tire inflation pressure
Filling the tire with sealant
Adhere to the specified sequence
Adhere to the specified sequence of the
steps; otherwise, sealant may escape under
high pressure. ◀
1.Shake the sealant bottle.2.Pull the connection hose 6 fully out of the
compressor housing and screw it onto the
sealant bottle connection. Ensure that the
connection hose is not kinked.Seite 233Wheels and tiresMobility233
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3.Insert the sealant bottle into the compres‐
sor housing in a vertical position.4.Unscrew the dust cap off of the valve of the
defective wheel and screw the filling hose 2
of the sealant bottle onto the valve.5.Ensure that the compressor is switched off.6.Insert connector 5 into the lighter socket/
socket in the passenger compartment, refer
to page 114.7.When the engine is running:
Switch on the compressor and let it run for
approx. 3 to 8 minutes to fill sealant into
the tire and achieve a tire inflation pressure
of approx. 1.8 bar/26 psi.
While sealant is being filled, the inflation
pressure may intermittently rise to approx.
5 bar/73 psi. Do not switch off the com‐
pressor in this phase.8.Switch off the compressor.
Do not allow the compressor to run too
long
Do not allow the compressor to run longer than
10 minutes; otherwise, the device will overheat
and may be damaged. ◀
If an air pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is not
reached:
1.Unscrew the filling hose 2 from the wheel
and drive forward and back approx.
33 ft/10 m to evenly distribute the sealant
in the tire.2.Inflate the tire again using the compressor.If the inflation pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is still
not reached, the tire is too heavily damaged.
Contact the nearest service center.
Stowing the Mobility System1.Unscrew the filling hose 2 of the sealant
bottle from the wheel.2.Unscrew the compressor connection hose 6
from the sealant bottle.3.Connect the filling hose 2 of the sealant
bottle with the free connector on the seal‐
ant bottle.
This prevents left-over sealant from escap‐
ing from the bottle.4.Wrap the empty sealant bottle in suitable
material to avoid dirtying the cargo area.5.Stow the Mobility System back in the vehi‐
cle.
Distributing the sealant
Drive approx. 3.1 miles/5 km to evenly distrib‐
ute the sealant.
Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. If
possible, do not drop below a speed of
10 mph/20 km/h.
Correcting the tire inflation pressure
1.After driving approx. 3.1 miles/5 km, or
about 10 minutes, stop in a suitable loca‐
tion.2.Screw the connection hose 6 of the com‐
pressor directly onto the tire valve.3.Insert the connector 5 into the power
socket in the passenger compartment.4.Correct the tire inflation pressure to
1.8 bar/26 psi. When the engine is running:▷To increase the inflation pressure:
switch on the compressor. To check the
currently set inflation pressure, switch
off the compressor.▷To reduce the inflation pressure: press
the release button 9.Seite 234MobilityWheels and tires234
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Engine oilVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Engine oil General information
Engine oil consumption depends on the driving
style and the conditions of use. A highly sporty
driving style, for example, results in considera‐
bly higher engine oil consumption.
Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level
after refueling.
Checking the oil level with a dip stick1.Park the vehicle on level ground when the
engine is at operating temperature, i.e., af‐
ter driving continuously for at least
6 2 miles/10 km.2.Switch the engine off.3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull out the dip
stick and wipe it off with a lint-free cloth,
paper towel, etc.4.Carefully insert the dip stick all the way into
the measuring tube and pull it out again.The oil level must be between the two
marks on the dip stick.
The oil quantity between the two marks on the
dip stick equals approx. 1 US quart/1 liter.
Do not exceed the high mark.
Do not exceed the high mark of the dip
stick. Overfilling oil damages the engine. ◀
Adding engine oil
Filler neck
Add a maximum quantity of 1 US quart/1 liter
of oil only after the corresponding message ap‐
pears on the Control Display or, in diesel en‐
gines, after the oil level is just above the low
mark of the dip stick, refer to page 238.
Add oil promptly
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km;
otherwise, engine damage could result. ◀
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Replacing componentsVehicle equipmentThis chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Tool kit Depending on the vehicle equipment, your ve‐
hicle contains a special onboard vehicle tool kit
that is stowed under the flat loading floor in the
cargo area.
With Mobility System1Sealant bottle2Hex key3Pulling hook4Vehicle jack5Lug bolts wrench6Screwdriver/cross-head, tow fitting7CompressorWith run-flat tires or compact wheel
The onboard vehicle tool kit contains a pouch
holding a plastic bag in which you can stow the
defective wheel.1Folding wheel chock and cover for the de‐
fective wheel2Pulling hook3Lug bolts wrench4Vehicle jack5Special wrench for releasing the compact
wheel6Screwdriver/cross-head7Tow fitting8Lifting handle
Wiper blade replacement
General information Do not fold down the wipers withoutwiper blades
Do not fold down the wipers if wiper blades
have not been installed; this may damage the
windshield. ◀
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MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: replacing
the wiper blades1.Fold up and hold the wiper arm.2.Squeeze the locking spring, arrows 1, and
fold out the wiper blade, arrow 2.3.Take the wiper blade out of the catch
mechanism toward the front.4.Press the new wiper blade into the fixation
until it engages audibly.5.Fold down the wiper arm.
Risk of damage
Before opening the hood, ensure that the
wiper arms with wiper blades are folded onto
the window; otherwise, damage may occur. ◀
MINI Convertible: replacing the wiper
blades
1.Fold up and hold the wiper arm.2.Squeeze the locking spring, arrows 1.3.While squeezing the locking spring, pull the
wiper blade off of the wiper arm, arrow 2.4.Slide the new wiper blade onto the wiper
arm until it engages audibly.5.Fold down the wiper arm.
Risk of damage
Before opening the hood, ensure that the
wiper arms with wiper blades are folded onto
the window; otherwise, damage may occur. ◀
Lamp and bulb replace‐
ment
Notes
Lamps and bulbs Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribu‐
tion to vehicle safety. Therefore, exercise cau‐
tion when handling lamps and bulbs.
The manufacturer of the vehicle recommends
that you entrust corresponding procedures to
the service center if you are unfamiliar with
them or they are not described here.
You can obtain a selection of replacement
bulbs at the service center.
Danger of burns
Only change bulbs when they are cool;
otherwise, there is the danger of getting
burned. ◀
Working on the lighting system
When working on the lighting system,
you should always switch off the lights affected
to prevent short circuits.
To avoid possible injury or equipment damage
when replacing bulbs, observe any instructions
provided by the bulb manufacturer. ◀
Do not touch the bulbs
Do not touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare hands, as even minute amounts of
contamination will burn into the bulb's surface
and reduce its service life.
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▷Mount the compact wheel, refer to
page 251.▷Tighten the lug bolts, refer to page 252.▷Drive with the compact wheel, refer to
page 250.
Removing the compact wheel
The screw fitting of the compact wheel is lo‐
cated in the cargo area under the floor mat, on
the floor of the storage compartment holding
the wheel change set.
1.Release the screw fitting with the special
wrench.2.Take out the cover.3.Screw the lifting handle from the onboard
vehicle tool kit onto the thread.4.Raise the lifting handle slightly.5.Squeeze the locking spring.6.Lower the compact wheel with the lifting
handle.7.Lower the compact wheel with the lifting
handle.8.Unscrew the lifting handle again.9.Pull the compact wheel out from under the
vehicle toward the back.10.Lay the compact wheel down with the
valve facing up.11.Unscrew the valve extension from the valve
of the compact wheel.12.Unscrew the dust cap from the extension
and attach it to the valve of the compact
wheel.
The defective wheel cannot be stowed in the
compact wheel holder because it has a differ‐
ent size.
Driving with compact wheel Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
Drive conservatively and do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Otherwise, changes in the
driving characteristics could result, for example
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the battery, or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Body ground:
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at a slightly in‐
creased idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Notes Observe applicable laws and regulations
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing. ◀
No additional passengers
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. ◀
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front
or rear of the MINI.
Tow fitting, information on use▷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, damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle can occur. ◀
Access to the screw thread Push out the tow fitting cover at the appropri‐
ate recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the tow fitting cover in the bumper in
the lower section, arrow.
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Being towedFollow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions, or vehicle
damage or accidents may occur. ◀
▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and
steering.▷▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission Towing vehicles with an automatic trans‐
mission
Only transport vehicles with an automatic
transmission on tow trucks or with raised front
wheels; otherwise, the transmission may be
damaged. ◀
Towing with a tow bar
Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than your vehicle, or it will not be possible to
control vehicle response. ◀
Correctly attach the tow bar
Only secure the tow bar on the tow fit‐
tings; damage can occur when it is secured on
other parts of the vehicle. ◀
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 offset 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.
Towing with a tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure
that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is
secured on other parts of the vehicle. ◀
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Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result. ◀
Tow-starting
If possible, do not tow-start the vehicle but
start the engine by jump-starting, refer to
page 254. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 64.3.Shift into 3rd gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch depressed and then slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi‐
ately depress the clutch completely again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard
warning system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 258MobilityBreakdown assistance258
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