tow MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2006 User Guide

88
LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE MINI
Luggage compartment cover
When the tailgate is opened, the luggage
compartment cover is also raised.
Never place any heavy or hard objects
on the luggage compartment cover;
otherwise occupants could be injured dur-
ing braking maneuvers.<
Removal
To load bulky luggage, the compartment
cover can be removed.
1. Remove the retaining straps on the tail-
gate
2. Pull the luggage compartment cover out
towards the rear.
Foldable rear backrest
1. Pull lever
2. Fold the rear backrest forwards.
When folding the backrest back into
its original position, always ensure
that the catch engages securely. A loose
backrest might fail to prevent cargo from
entering the passenger compartment dur-
ing sudden braking or evasive maneuvers,
posing a potential hazard to occupants.<

91
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LOADING CARGO
Determining cargo limit
1. Locate the following statement on your
vehicle's placard:
The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or YYY lbs, as this could
otherwise result in damage to the vehi-
cle and unstable driving conditions.<
2. Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be riding
in your vehicle
3. Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passenger from XXX kilo-
grams or YYY pounds
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity.
For example, if the YYY amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be four 150 lbs.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount
of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 800 lbs.:
1,400 lbs. minus 600 lbs. = 800 lbs.
5. Determine the combined weight of lug-
gage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step 4
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for
transporting a trailer to determine how
this may reduce the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Cargo and luggage load capacity
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo.
The greater the weight of the occupants,
the less cargo can be transported.

92
LOADING CARGO
Stowing cargo
>Place heavy cargo as far forward as possi-
ble, directly behind the backrests, and as
low as possible
>Cover sharp edges and corners
>Do not pile objects higher than the top
edges of the backrests.
For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is
unoccupied, fasten each safety belt in the
opposite buckle. This provides additional
stabilization for the backrests.Securing the load
As an example, the illustration shows the
luggage compartment of the MINI.
>Secure smaller and lighter items using
the luggage compartment net
* or elas-
tic straps
>Secure larger and heavier items with
load-securing devices
*. Lashing eyelets
are provided at the inner corners of the
luggage compartment for attaching
these load-securing devices.
Comply with the information enclosed
with the load-securing devices.

93
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LOADING CARGO ROOF-MOUNTED LUGGAGE RACK*
Always position and secure the load
as described above. If you do not, it
can pose a danger to the passengers during
braking and evasive maneuvers, for exam-
ple.
Do not exceed the permissible gross weight
and axle load, refer to page149 ff; other-
wise the vehicle's operating safety is no
longer assured and it will not be in compli-
ance with the certification regulations.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment without first
securing them. Otherwise they would be
thrown around during braking and evasive
maneuvers and endanger the occupants. gage rack on the MINI, make sure
that there is sufficient space for the move-
ment of the glass sunroof and that no
objects protrude into the swiveling area of
the tailgate; otherwise damage can occur.
Do not secure the roof-mounted luggage
rack to the MINI's trim strips or to the MINI
Convertible top. Otherwise, the lack of a
secure hold could lead to damage or acci-
dents.<
Special roof-mounted luggage racks
for your MINI are available as acces-
sories from your MINI Dealer.<

100
REFUELING
Do not use leaded gasoline; other-
wise the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant
differences in fuel quality: volatility, com-
position, additives, etc., among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. Fuels containing up to and includ-
ing 10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, that is, 15 %
MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent, will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may
result in driveability, starting and
stalling problems especially under certain
environmental conditions such as high
ambient temperature and high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommenda-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte-
nance.<
Manual release with the MINI
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manu-
ally.
1. Remove the side trim panel on the left-
hand side of the luggage compartment
2. Pull the white lever toward the rear.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.
Manual release with the MINI
Convertible
In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manu-
ally.
1. Remove the cover of the side trim panel
on the left-hand side, see arrow 1
2. Pull the green strap toward the rear, see
arrow 2.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.

107
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TIRE CONDITION
Wear indicators in the tread-groove base
are spread around the circumference of the
tire and are marked on the sidewall of the
tire with TWI, Tread Wear Indicator. When
tire tread is worn down to the level of the
wear indicators, the remaining tread depth
is 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Wheel/tire damage
Due to low-profile tires, please note
that wheels, tires and suspension
parts are more susceptible to road hazards
and consequential damage.
Unusual vibrations while driving can indi-
cate tire damage or other damage to the
vehicle. This may be caused, for example,
by driving over a curb. This is also true for
abnormalities in the vehicle's handling
characteristics, such as a pronounced ten-
dency to pull to the left or right.
In such situations, reduce your speed
immediately. Drive carefully to the nearest
MINI Dealer or tire dealer, or have the vehi-
cle towed there, if necessary.
Tire damage can endanger the lives of both
the vehicle occupants and other road
users.<

114
ENGINE OIL
Measuring the oil level
1. With the vehicle's engine at normal
operating temperature, i.e. after unin-
terrupted driving for at least 6 miles/
10 km, park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch off the engine
3. Pull the dipstick out after approx.
5minutes and wipe it off with a lint-free
cloth, paper towel, or similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out again.
The oil level should be between the two
marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is
directly influenced by your driving style and
vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks
MIN, MAX on the dipstick corresponds to
approx. 1.1 quarts/1 liter.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on
the dipstick. Excess oil will damage
the engine.<
Adding engine oil
Only top up oil when the oil level has
dropped to just above the lower mark
of the dipstick. However, never allow the
level to drop below the lower mark.<
Add oil within the next 30 miles/
50 km, otherwise the engine could be
damaged.<
Always store oil, grease, etc., out of
reach of children. Comply with all
warning labels and information on lubri-
cant containers, otherwise health risks may
result.<
Oil change
Have the oil changed only by a MINI Dealer
or a workshop that has specially trained
personnel working in accordance with the
specifications of the MINI manufacturer.

126
ONBOARD TOOL KIT WIPER BLADES
The picture shows as an example the tire
change set with onboard tools for vehicles
with the space-saver spare tire.
Depending on the equipment version, your
vehicle is equipped with a special onboard
tool kit stored at the locations described
below:
Tire change set with onboard tools for
space-saver spare tire
In the luggage compartment under the
floor mat.
MINI Mobility System with tire change
set and onboard tools
In the luggage compartment under the
floor mat.
Tire change set and onboard tool kit
with Run Flat tires
MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Convert-
ible:
>In the luggage compartment under the
floor mat.
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-
vertible:
>Tire change set:
In the luggage compartment in a sepa-
rate pouch
>Onboard tool kit:
In the luggage compartment under the
floor mat.
Windshield wiper
1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out
from the windshield
2. Set the wiper blade at an angle
3. Press the securing spring, see arrow
4. Unhook the wiper blade towards the
windshield
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top
6. Insert the new wiper blade
7. Press into position until you hear it
engage.

129
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
LAMPS AND BULBS
Side turn signal indicators
5watt bulb
1. Slide the lamp toward the rear of the
vehicle and remove
2. Remove and replace the bulb.
Tail lamps
Turn signal indicator 1: 21 watts
Rear lamp 2: 21/5 watt bulb
Backup lamp 3: 16 watts
1 Turn signal indicator yellow
2 Rear lamp/Brake lamp red
3 Backup lamp white
Replacing bulbs
To access the bulb holder, remove the cover
on the side panel in the luggage compart-
ment for MINI and MINI Convertible.
1. Unplug the power supply, arrow 1
2. Squeeze the retaining clips together, see
arrows 2, and remove the bulb holder
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while
turning it to the left
4. Remove and replace the bulb
5. Press the bulb holder into position until
you hear it engage
6. Plug in the power supply.

131
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE*
Safety measures in the event of a flat
tire:
Stop the vehicle as far as possible from
passing traffic. Switch on the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
Turn the steering wheel to the straight-
ahead wheel position and engage the
steering lock. Engage the parking brake and
shift into 1st or reverse gear – selector lever
in P.
All passengers should be outside the vehi-
cle and well away from your immediate
working area – behind a guardrail, for
instance.
If a portable hazard warning lamp is avail-
able, set it up on the roadside at an appro-
priate distance from the rear of the vehicle.
Comply with all safety guidelines and regu-
lations.<
In the event of a flat tire, different proce-
dures should be followed depending on the
equipment included in your vehicle:
>Vehicles with Run Flat tires, refer to
page108
>Vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
refer to the following section
>Vehicles with MINI Mobility System,
refer to page135.To change a space-saver spare tire, proceed
as follows:
>Remove space-saver spare tire, refer to
the section after the next one
>Prepare for tire change, refer to page133
>Jack up the vehicle, refer to page134
>Mount the space-saver spare tire, refer
to page134
>Tighten the lug bolts, refer to page134
>Drive with space-saver spare tire, refer to
page133.
Tire change set
On vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,
the tire change set with onboard tools is
stored in the luggage compartment under
the floor mat.
1 Chock, folding
2 Hubcap remover
3 Wheel stud wrench
4Jack
5 Special wrench for removing the space-
saver spare tire
6 Towing eyelet
7 Lifting handle
The onboard tool kit includes a pouch with
a plastic bag in which you can place the
damaged wheel.