Get OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE -> Caring for your vehicle Guide for Mini Cooper 2 Door First Generation (2001-2005)

OBD SOCKET

CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

An illuminated lamp informs you

of the need for service, not of the

need to stop the vehicle.

Suitable car-care products

Use the cleaning and car-care prod-

ucts available at your MINI Dealer.<

However, the system should be checked by

your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible

opportunity.

Washing your vehicle

You can wash your new MINI or MINI Con-

vertible in automatic car washes from the

beginning. Preference should be for cloth

car washes. If, due to lack of availability,

Display of the malfunction

described above in Canadian mod-

els.

Under certain conditions, the indicator will brush car washes must be used, modern

blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe systems with soft brushes should be given

level of engine misfire. When this occurs,

you should reduce speed and consult the

nearest MINI Dealer as soon as possible.

Severe engine misfire over only a short

preference.

The Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) interface

socket is located on the left of the driver's

side under the instrument panel and under

a cover.

When using steam cleaners or high-

pressure cleaners, maintain sufficient

period of time can seriously damage emis- distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a

The cover has the letters OBD on it.

sion control components, especially the

catalytic converter.

maximum temperature of 1407/ 606. If

the jet is too close or the pressure is too

high, this can lead to damage or initial

damage that can develop into more serious

damage. Water that enters vehicle compo-

The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure

proper operation of the emission control

system for the vehicle's lifetime. The sys-

tem monitors emission-related compo-

nents for deterioration and malfunction.

When the gas cap is not properly

tightened, the OBD system can

detect the vapor leak and the indicator will nents can lead to damage over the long

light up. If the cap is subsequently tight-

ened, the indicator lamp should go out

within a few days.<

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, refer to

page 59. Failure to do so could result in

113

CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

damage caused by undesired wiper activa-

Vehicle paintwork

Care of special parts

tion.<

Regular care contributes greatly to driving >Light-alloy wheels*:

safety and value retention.

Use wheel cleaner especially during the

Rod antenna

winter months, but do not use any

aggressive, acidic, strong alkali or rough

cleansers or steam jets above 140 7 /

60 6. Observe the manufacturer's

instructions

Environmental influences varying from one

region to the next can affect the vehicle

paintwork. Please base the frequency and

scope of car care on these various influ-

ences.

If necessary, for example before

entering a car wash or a garage with

elevator ramp, remove the rod antenna.

To do so, grip the rod antenna at the base

and unscrew it from the antenna foot by

turning it to the left.<

>Chrome parts* such as bonnet grill, door

handles, etc.:

Care of upholstery

Especially if exposed to road salt, care-

fully clean these parts with plenty of

water and possibly with a shampoo addi-

tive. For additional treatment, use

chrome polish

>Rubber parts:

Treat only with water or rubber care

products.

Depressions that come about on the uphol-

stery material of the seats in daily use can

be brushed out using a slightly damp brush

against the grain.

Headlamps

When cleaning the headlamps,

please observe the following: do not

rub them dry, and never use abrasives or

strong solvents. Remove dirt and contami-

nation, such as insects, by soaking with

shampoo and then rinsing with plenty of

water. Always use a deicer spray to remove

accumulated ice and snow; never use a

scraper.<

The fact that velour lays down is not a qual-

ity defect, but rather is inevitable in the

case of home textiles or clothing materials.

In the case of strong sunlight and longer

parking periods, cover the seats or all win-

dows to prevent discoloration.

Do not use silicon sprays or other

silicon-containing care products,

otherwise noise and damage could

occur.<

>Plastic parts, imitation leather surfaces,

headliner, lamp glass, covering glass for

the display elements, as well as matt

black molded parts:

Clean with water and, if necessary, plas-

tic care products. Do not dampen seats

and the headliner.

Never use solvents such as lacquer thin-

114

CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

ner, heavy-duty grease remover, fuel or

similar

ity level for many years if cared for prop-

erly.

You should therefore observe the following

notes in particular:

>Wood paneling*:

Regular cleaning and care are necessary, as >Whenever possible, park your vehicle in

Please clean wood paneling and other

wood parts only with a damp cloth. Dry

off with a soft cloth

>Safety belts:

Only clean using mild soap, leaving the

belts fitted.

Do not dry clean, as the fabric can be

destroyed.

Always roll up safety belts only when

dry.

Dirty safety belts prevent unrolling and

thus negatively affect safety

>Floor carpets and floor mats*:

If heavily soiled, clean using interior

cleaner. Floor mats can be removed to

allow the interior to be cleaned

>Wiper blades:

Clean with soapy water. Replace wiper

blades twice a year, before and after the

cold season. This is particularly impor-

tant on vehicles fitted with a rain sensor.

dust and road dirt scratch in pores and

creases and lead to heavy wear as well as

premature brittleness of the leather and

imitation leather surface.

This is why you should use a cloth or vac-

uum cleaner to remove dust on a regular

basis.

the shade to protect it from intense sun-

light

>Do not fold the convertible top when it is

wet, dirty or frozen; otherwise water

marks, moisture stains and chafing could

result

>If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed

area for a longer period of time, make

sure that there is sufficient ventilation

>Remove bird droppings immediately

because they have corrosive properties.

Since dirt and oil slowly destroy the protec-

tive layer of the leather and imitation

leather, a treatment with a leather care

product is necessary twice a year. This pre-

serves the quality of the leather and pre-

vents electrostatic charging.

Never use spot removers, paint thin-

ner, solvents, cleaning fuel or similar

since these products can destroy the rubber

seals and cause leaks.<

Cleaning agents can contain hazard-

ous or health-damaging substances.

For this reason, always observe the warn-

ings on the package. 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.<

Caring for leather* and imitation

leather

Care of the MINI Convertible's top

The leather and imitation leather used by

the manufacturer of your MINI are high

quality products processed using state-of-

the-art methods and will retain their qual-

The appearance and service life of the con-

vertible top largely depend on the proper

care and operation of the convertible top.

115

OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE -> Caring for your vehicle for Your Mini Cooper 2 Door First Generation (2001-2005)

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