MINI Coupe 2014 Owner's Manual

Conform to Federal Safety Requirements
All passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition to
these grades. ◀
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov‐
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving hab‐
its, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under control‐
led conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hy‐
droplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the ma‐
terial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to
a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehi‐cle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum re‐
quired by law.
Temperature grade for this tire
The temperature grade for this tire is es‐
tablished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla‐
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure. ◀
RSC – Run-flat tires
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall, refer to
page 164.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter properties than
summer tires.
XL
Designation for specially reinforced tires.
Tire treadSummer tiresThe tread depth should not be less than
0.12 in/3 mm, although European legislation,
for example, requires a minimum tread depth
of only 0.063 in/1.6 mm. At tread depths less
than 0.12 in/3 mm, there is a great danger of
hydroplaning even in low water depths and at
raised speeds.
Winter tires
The suitability of winter tires for winter driving
is reduced noticeably when their tread depth
becomes less than 0.16 in/4 mm.Seite 161Wheels and tiresMobility161
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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 … 2313: the tire was manufactured in
week 23 of 2013.Seite 162MobilityWheels and tires162
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Changing wheels and
tires
Mounting Information on mounting tires
Have mounting and balancing performed
only by a service center or tire specialist.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards. ◀
Wheel and tire combination Information on the right wheel and tire combi‐
nation and rim version for your vehicle can be
obtained from the service center.
Incorrect wheel and tire combinations impair
the function of a variety of systems such as ABS
or DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle re‐
sponse, use only tires with a single tread con‐
figuration from a single manufacturer.
Following tire damage, have the original wheel
and tire combination remounted on the vehicle
as soon as possible.
Approved wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle recom‐
mends that you use only wheels and tires that
have been approved for your particular vehicle
model.
For example, despite having the same official
size ratings, variations can lead to body contact
and with it, the risk of severe accidents.
The manufacturer of your vehicle cannot evalu‐
ate non-approved wheels and tires to deter‐
mine if they are suited for use, and therefore
cannot ensure the operating safety of the vehi‐
cle if they are mounted. ◀Wheels with electronics for TPM Tire
Pressure Monitor
When mounting new tires or changing from
summer to winter tires or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, the
Tire Pressure Monitor will not be able to detect
a flat tire, refer to page 85. Your service center
will be glad to advise you.
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your ve‐
hicle recommends certain tire brands. These
are indicated by the clearly visible marking on
the tire sidewall.
With proper use, these tires meet the highest
standards for safety and handling.
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle does not rec‐
ommend the use of retreaded tires.
Retreaded tires
Possibly substantial variations in the de‐
sign and age of the tire casing structures can
limit service life and have a negative impact on
road safety. ◀
Winter tires The manufacturer of your vehicle recommends
winter tires for winter roads or at temperatures
below +45 ℉/+7 ℃.
Although so-called all-season M+S tires do pro‐
vide better winter traction than summer tires,
they do not provide the same level of perform‐
ance as winter tires.
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Maximum speed of winter tires
If the maximum speed of the vehicle is higher
than the permissible speed for the winter tires,
then display a corresponding sign in the field of
vision. You can obtain this sign from the tire
specialist or from your service center.
Maximum speed for winter tires
Do not exceed the maximum speed for
the winter tires; otherwise, tire damage and ac‐
cidents can occur. ◀
Run-flat tires When mounting new tires or changing fromsummer to winter tires or vice versa, use run-
flat tires for your own safety. Also, a compact
wheel is not available in case of a flat tire. Your
service center will be glad to advise you.
Rotating wheels between axles
Different wear patterns occur on the front and
rear axles, depending on the individual condi‐
tions of use.
To ensure even wear on the tires, the wheels
can be rotated between the axles. Your service
center will be glad to advise you.
After changing the tires, check the tire inflation
pressure and correct it if necessary.
Storage Store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place with
as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres‐
sure indicated on the side wall of the tire.Run-flat tires
Label
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-flat tires are tires with special rims that
support themselves for a limited period of time.
The sidewall reinforcement ensures that the
tire can continue to be used to a limited extent
if it has lost pressure and even if it has become
completely depressurized.
For continued driving in the event of a flat tire,
refer to page 84.
Correcting a flat tire Safety measures in case of a breakdown
▷Park the vehicle as far as possible
from passing traffic and on solid
ground. Switch on the hazard warn‐
ing system.▷Let the steering wheel lock engage with the
wheels in the straight-ahead position, set
the handbrake, and engage first gear or re‐
verse, or engage selector lever position P.▷Have all vehicle occupants get out of the
vehicle and ensure that they remain out‐
side the immediate area in a safe place,
such as behind a guardrail.Seite 164MobilityWheels and tires164
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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 164.▷MINI Mobility System, refer to page 165.▷Wheel change with a compact wheel, refer
to page 181.
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   102.6Connection 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 165Wheels and tiresMobility165
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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 102.7.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 166MobilityWheels and tires166
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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 the inflation pressure is not maintained, take
the vehicle on another drive, distributing the
sealant, refer to page 166. Then repeat steps
1 to 4 once.
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.
Continuing the trip Note the maximum speed
Do not exceed the maximum speed of
50 mph/80 km/h; otherwise, accidents can oc‐
cur. ◀
Replace the defective tire as soon as possible
and have the wheel balanced.
Have the Mobility System refilled.
Snow chains
Only certain fine-link snow chains have been
tested by MINI, classified as safe for use, and
recommended. Consult your service center for more information.
Use only in pairs on the front wheels, equipped
with tires of the following size:▷175/65 R 15 M+S▷175/60 R 16 M+S
John Cooper Works:
▷185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph or 50 km/h when using snow chains.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if snow
chains are mounted; otherwise, the instrument
might issue an incorrect reading. When driving
with snow chains, it may be useful to tempora‐
rily deactivate DSC or activate DTC, refer to
page 89.Seite 167Wheels and tiresMobility167
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Engine compartmentVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it alsodescribes 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.
Important features in the engine compartment
1Vehicle identification number2Battery, under the cover   1843Dip stick for engine oil  1704Engine oil filler neck  1705Coolant expansion tank   1726Reservoir for washer fluid for the headlamp
and window washer system   617Engine compartment fuse box   185Hood
Notes Working in the engine compartment
Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without the
necessary professional technical training.If you are unfamiliar with the statutory guide‐
lines, have any work on the vehicle performed
only by a service center.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards. ◀Seite 168MobilityEngine compartment168
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To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are resting against the wind‐
shield before you open the engine compart‐
ment. Do not open the engine hood before the
engine has cooled down; otherwise, injuries
may result. ◀
Unlocking and opening the hood1.Pull the lever.2.Lift the hood all the way.3.Press the release handle and open the
hood.
Danger of injury when the hood is open
There is a danger of injury from protrud‐
ing parts when the hood is open. ◀
Closing the hood
Close the hood from a height of ap‐
prox. 16 in/40 cm with momentum. It must be
clearly heard to engage.
Hood open when driving
If you see any signs that the hood is not
completely closed while driving, pull over im‐
mediately and close it securely. ◀
Danger of pinching
Make sure that the closing path of the
hood is clear; otherwise, injuries may result. ◀
Seite 169Engine compartmentMobility169
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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 170.
Add oil promptly
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km;
otherwise, engine damage could result. ◀
Seite 170MobilityEngine oil170
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