brakes MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2007 Owner's Manual

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
37
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and lower
the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the parking brake
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake
lever.
Otherwise, excessive force could lead to over-
braking and loss of traction, i.e. fishtailing, at the
rear axle.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear.<
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission*
with Steptronic
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can
shift gears manually using Steptronic, page38.
Parking the vehicle
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always
select position P and apply the parking
brake before leaving the vehicle with the engine
running.<
Removing the key
1.Move the selector lever to position P.
2.Switch off the engine.
3.Remove the key.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the tachometer
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the
current gear in the manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
>With the ignition switched on or the engine
running, the selector lever can be moved out
of position P: interlock.

Driving
42
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Always keep it well away from sparks and
open flames, and store it in the tightly closed
original container, well out of the reach of chil-
dren. Comply with the instructions on the con-
tainer.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 2.6 US quarts/2.5 liters.
With headlamp washer system:
Approx. 4.8 US quarts/4.5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available for use at speeds
above approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then
stores and maintains the speed that you specify
using the button on the steering wheel.
Do not use cruise control when driving at
constant speed is prevented by adverse
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice
or loose surfaces. Otherwise you could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident as a
result.<
Activating
1Resuming cruise control
2Activating/deactivating cruise control
3Maintaining, storing and increasing speed
4Maintaining, storing and decreasing speed
The indicator lamp in the speedometer comes
on. Cruise control is ready and can be activated.
Activating/deactivating cruise control
Press button 2.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When the brakes are applied
>When the clutch is depressed
>When the automatic transmission is in selec-
tion lever position N
>When the driving stability control system is
active
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved
again and maintained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is
switched off.
Maintaining current speed
Press button3.
The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine braking effect
is not sufficient, the controlled speed may be
exceeded. On uphill grades vehicle speed may
drop if the engine output is insufficient.

Everything under control
50
Possible displays
1Button for selecting information
2Engine oil
3Front brakes
4Rear brakes
5Vehicle check6Roadworthiness test
7Brake fluid
8Exit display47
9Next setting or item of information47
More information on the MINI Maintenance Sys-
tem can be found on page98.
Clock
Setting the time
To set the 12h/24h mode, refer to Formats and
units of measure on page47.
1.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.2.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
3.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the
symbol and "SET" are displayed.
4.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
5.Press the button to set the hours.

Things to remember when driving
76
Things to remember when driving
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:
>4,500/min or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down 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 trac-
tion potential until after 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 distance 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
Close the tailgate
Drive the vehicle only when the tailgate is
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the tailgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2.Increase the air flow rate of the air condi-
tioner or automatic climate control consid-
erably, page65 or66.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact between
the hot exhaust system and any highly flamma-
ble materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such
contact could lead to a fire, with the risk of seri-
ous personal injuries and property damage. Do
not touch hot exhaust tail pipes. Otherwise
there is a risk of burns.<
Mobile phones in the vehicle
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you do not use mobile
devices, e.g. mobile phones, inside the vehicle
without directly connecting them to an outside
antenna. Otherwise, the vehicle electronics and
mobile communications device can influence
one another. In addition, there is no assurance

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
77
that the radiation which results from transmis-
sion will be dissipated from the vehicle inte-
rior.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between 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 page91.
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 driving off using Hill Start
Assist
*, refer to page55.
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 steering 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 actively taking effect.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there 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 avail-
able when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheating 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 mode of the automatic transmis-
sion, page38.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in idle 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 operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants 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

Care
100
Care
Suitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care products
available at your MINI Dealer.<
Cleaning agents may contain hazardous
or health-damaging substances. Follow
the warning and hazard instructions on the
packaging. For interior cleaning, always open
the doors or windows of the vehicle.
Do not use any products that are not intended
for cleaning the vehicle.<
Washing your vehicle
You can wash your new MINI in an automatic car
wash from the first day. Preference should be
given to cloth car washes. If, due to lack of avail-
ability, brush car washes must be used, modern
systems with soft brushes should be given pref-
erence.
When using steam jets or high-pressure
washers, ensure that you maintain a suffi-
cient distance to the vehicle. If the jet is too close
or the pressure is too high, this can lead to dam-
age or initial damage that can develop into more
serious damage. Water that enters vehicle com-
ponents can lead to damage over the long term.
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them, otherwise water can reduce
braking efficiency over the short term and the
brake rotors can corrode.
Switch the rain sensor off when passing through
an automatic car wash, page40. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by undesired
wiper activation.<
Rod antenna
If necessary, for example before entering a car
w a s h o r a g a r a g e w i t h a n e l e v a t o r r a m p , r e m o v e
the rod antenna.
Headlamps
Do not wipe dry and do not use abrasive or cor-
rosive cleaning agents. Remove dirt and con-
tamination, such as insects, by soaking with
shampoo and then rinsing with plenty of water. Always use a deicer spray to remove accumu-
lated ice and snow; never use a scraper. Use
window de-icers.
Vehicle paintwork
Regular care contributes greatly to driving safety
and value retention.
Environmental influences varying from one
region to the next can affect the vehicle paint-
work. Base the frequency and scope of car care
on these various influences.
Care of upholstery
Depressions that come about on the upholstery
material of the seats in daily use can be brushed
out using a slightly damp brush against the
grain.
The fact that velour lays down is not a quality
defect but rather is inevitable, as it is with home
textiles or clothing.
In the case of strong sunlight and longer parking
periods, cover the seats or all windows to pre-
vent discoloration.
Care of special parts
Light-alloy wheels*
Especially in the winter months, care for the
wheel rims with wheel rim cleaner. Do not use
acidic, strongly alkaline and abrasive cleaning
agents or steam jets. Follow the manufacturer's
instructions.
Chrome parts*
Carefully clean vehicle parts such as the radiator
grill and door handles with copious quantities of
water and, if necessary, a shampoo additive,
especially when contaminated with road salt.
For additional treatment, use chrome polish.
Rubber parts
Treat only with water or rubber care products.

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
135
Battery111
– charging111
– disposal26,111
– jump starting112
– temporary power failure111
Battery renewal
– remote control26
Being towed114
Belts, refer to Safety belts30
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts30
Beverage holders, refer to Cup
holders72
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate65,66
Bonnet94
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders72
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements49
Brake lamps
– replacing bulb105
Brake pads, breaking in76
Brake rotors77
– brakes76
– breaking in76
Brakes
– ABS54
– breaking in76
– MINI Maintenance System98
– parking brake37
– service requirements49
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely77
Brake system76
– breaking in76
– disc brakes77
– MINI Maintenance System98
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance112
Breaking in the clutch76
Break-in period76
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs102
Button for starting the
engine35
Buttons on the steering
wheel11C
California Proposition 65
warning6
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders72
Capacities133
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery111
Car care100
Car-care products, refer to
Suitable car-care
products100
Care100
Cargo, securing80
Cargo area78
– capacity132
– convenient access24
– cover78
– lamp62
– lid, refer to Tailgate23
– opening from outside23
Cargo area, expanding78
Cargo loading
– securing cargo80
– stowing cargo79
– vehicle78
Car jack
– jacking points110
Car key, refer to Key/remote
control18
Carpets, care101
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest71
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car wash78
Car wash, refer to Care100
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system76
CBS Condition Based
Service98
CDs/DVDs, care101
Cell phones, use inside the car,
refer to Mobile phone in the
vehicle76
Center armrest71
Center brake lamp106Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking system19
– convenient access24
– from inside22
– from outside19
Changing bulbs102
Changing wheels108
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment95
Check Control51
Child's seats33
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH34
Child-restraint systems33
Chock, folding
– space-saver spare tire108
Chrome parts, care100
Chrome parts, refer to
Care100
Cigarette lighter72
Cleaning headlamps41
– washer fluid42
Clock44
– 12h/24h mode47
– setting time50
Closing
– from inside22
– from outside19
Clothes hooks72
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine36
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access24
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock35
Computer45
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked77
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Confirmation signals for
vehicle locking/unlocking20