2001-2005 Mini Cooper 2 Door OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES User Manual
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OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES for Your Mini Cooper 2 Door First Generation (2001-2005)

OVERVIEW  
CONTROLS  
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE  
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES  
TECHNICAL DATA  
INDEX  
Repairs  
119  
ONBOARD TOOL KIT  
WIPER BLADES  
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 tools for  
Run Flat tires  
Windshield wiper  
The picture shows as an example the tire  
change set with onboard tools for vehicles  
with the space-saver spare tire.  
>Tire change set:  
In the luggage compartment in a sepa-  
rate pouch  
1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out  
from the windshield  
2. Set the wiper blade at an angle  
3. Press the securing spring, arrow  
4. Unhook the wiper blade towards the  
windshield  
Depending on the equipment version, your  
vehicle is equipped with a special onboard  
tool kit stored at the locations described  
below:  
>Onboard tool kit:  
On the left-hand side of the luggage  
compartment behind the side trim  
panel.  
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.  
120  
WIPER BLADES  
LAMPS AND BULBS  
Lamps and bulbs are an important compo-  
nent of vehicle safety. Therefore, proceed  
carefully when handling bulbs.  
To replace bulbs which are not described  
here, please contact a MINI Dealer or a  
workshop that has specially trained per-  
sonnel working in accordance with the  
specifications of the MINI manufacturer.  
Whenever working on the electrical  
system, switch off the electrical  
accessory you are working on or disconnect  
the cable from the negative terminal of the  
battery. Failure to do this could result in  
short circuits.  
To prevent injuries and damage, comply  
with any instructions provided by the bulb  
manufacturer.<  
Do not touch the glass portion of a  
new bulb with your bare hands since  
even small amounts of impurities burn into  
the surface and reduce the service life of  
the bulb. Use a clean cloth, paper napkin, or  
similar material, or hold the bulb by its  
metallic base.<  
Rear window wiper*  
1. Rotate the wiper arm completely out  
from the windshield  
2. Turn the wiper blade as far as it will go  
to the rear  
3. Press the wiper blade against the limit  
and thus out of the mounting  
4. Press the new wiper blade into the  
mounting.  
A replacement bulb set can be obtained at  
your MINI Dealer.  
121  
LAMPS AND BULBS  
3. Disconnect the cable connector from the  
bulb socket and pull out the bulb  
4. Place the bulb holder on the lower edge  
of the mounting and press it in until it  
engages in the bulb socket  
5. Reconnect the cable connector and  
install the headlamp cover again.  
Xenon lamps*  
The service life of these bulbs is very long  
and the probability of a failure is very low,  
provided that they are not switched on and  
off an unusual number of times. If one of  
these bulbs should nevertheless fail, it is  
possible to continue driving with great cau-  
tion using the fog lamps, provided traffic  
laws in your area do not prohibit this.  
1 Low beams  
Turn signal indicators, front  
H7 bulb, 55 watts  
21 watt bulb  
1. Open the bonnet  
2. Reach into the opening for the turn sig-  
nal indicators from above  
2 High beams  
H7 bulb, 55 watts  
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb holder  
while turning it to the left  
4. Remove and replace the bulb.  
The H7 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,  
wear safety glasses and protective  
gloves. If the lamp is damaged there is a  
risk of injury.<  
Have any work on the xenon lamp  
system, including bulb replacement,  
carried out only by a MINI Dealer or a work-  
shop that has specially trained personnel  
working in accordance with the specifica-  
tions of the MINI manufacturer. Due to  
high voltage, there is a risk of fatal injury if  
work on the xenon lamps is carried out  
improperly.<  
Parking lamps and standing lamps  
5 watt bulb  
Replacing bulbs  
The parking lamps and standing lamps are  
integrated in the lamp housing of the turn  
signal indicator.  
The headlamps are integrated into the  
engine compartment.  
1. Gently pull the retaining wire of the  
headlamp cover and guide it outwards  
2. Fold down the headlamp cover  
1. Turn the bulb holder to the left and pull  
out  
2. Remove and replace the bulb.  
122  
LAMPS AND BULBS  
Side turn signal indicators  
Tail lamps  
Replacing bulbs  
5 watt bulb  
Turn signal indicator 1:  
Rear lamp 2:  
21 watts To access the bulb holder, remove the cover  
on the side panel in the luggage compart-  
21/5 watt bulb  
1. Slide the lamp toward the rear of the  
vehicle and remove  
2. Remove and replace the bulb.  
ment.  
Backup lamp 3:  
16watts  
1. Unplug the power supply, arrow 1  
2. Squeeze the retaining clips together,  
arrows 2, and remove the bulb holder  
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while  
turning it to the left  
1 Turn signal indicator  
2 Rear lamp/Brake lamp  
3 Backup lamp  
yellow  
red  
white  
4. Remove and replace the bulb  
5. Press the bulb holder into position until  
you hear it engage  
6. Plug in the power supply.  
123  
LAMPS AND BULBS  
Do not remove the protective lenses  
and avoid staring directly at the unfil-  
tered beam for several hours, as inflamma-  
tion of the retina could result.<  
Rear fog lamp*  
License plate lamps  
With the space-saver spare tire option:  
5 watt bulb  
Access to the lamp via the back or under-  
side of the bumper.  
By way of example, the illustration shows  
the license plate lamp of the MINI.  
1. Press the clips together  
2. Push the lamp out of the bumper  
1. Apply a screwdriver to the recess and  
lever out the lamp cover  
3. Apply gentle pressure to the bulb while 2. Replace the bulb.  
turning it to the left  
4. Remove and replace the bulb.  
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  
Light-emitting diodes installed behind  
translucent lenses serve as the light  
Other equipment:  
In the event of a malfunction, please sources for many of the controls and dis-  
contact your MINI Dealer or a work-  
shop that has specially trained personnel  
working in accordance with the specifica-  
tions of your MINI manufacturer.<  
plays in your vehicle. These light-emitting  
diodes are related to conventional lasers,  
and legislation defines them as light-emit-  
ting diodes, Class 1.  
124  
REPAIRING A FLAT TIRE  
SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE*  
Safety measures in the event of a flat To change a space-saver spare tire, proceed  
tire:  
as follows:  
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.  
>Remove space-saver spare tire, refer to  
the section after the next one  
>Prepare for tire change, refer to page 127  
>Jack up the vehicle, refer to page 128  
>Mount the space-saver spare tire, refer  
to page 128  
>Tighten the lug bolts, refer to page 128  
>Drive with space-saver spare tire, refer to  
page 127.  
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.  
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.<  
1 Chock, folding  
2 Hubcap remover  
3 Wheel stud wrench  
4 Jack  
In the event of a flat tire, different proce-  
dures should be followed depending on the  
equipment included in your vehicle:  
5 Special wrench for removing the space-  
saver spare tire  
>Vehicles with Run Flat tires, refer to  
page 101  
>Vehicles with a space-saver spare tire,  
refer to the following section  
>Vehicles with MINI Mobility System,  
refer to page 129.  
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.  
125  
SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE*  
Removing the space-saver spare tire  
3. Screw the lifting handle from the  
onboard tool kit onto the thread  
4. Raise the lifting handle slightly  
5. Squeeze the securing spring  
6. The space-saver spare tire is released  
and must be held by the lifting handle  
7. Lower the space-saver spare tire with  
the lifting handle  
The screw connection of the space-saver  
spare tire is in the luggage compartment  
under the floor mat, on the base of the  
storage compartment for the tire change  
set.  
8. Unscrew the lifting handle  
1. Loosen the screw connection using the  
special wrench  
2. Take out the cover panel  
126  
SPACE-SAVER SPARE TIRE*  
CHANGING TIRES  
Additional safety measures in the  
event of a tire change:  
Change the tire only on a level, firm surface  
which is not slippery.  
Driving with the space-saver spare tire  
Drive cautiously. Do not exceed a speed of  
50 mph / 80 km/h.  
You must expect changes in vehicle han-  
dling such as lower track stability during  
braking, longer braking distances and  
changes in self-steering properties when  
close to the handling limit. These effects  
are more pronounced when driving with  
winter tires.  
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways  
on soft or slippery support surfaces, such as  
snow, ice, flagstones, etc..  
Do not use a wooden block or similar object  
as a support base for the jack, as this would  
prevent it from extending to its full support  
height and reduce its load-carrying capac-  
ity.  
Only one space-saver spare tire may  
be mounted at one time. Reinstall a  
wheel and tire of the original size as soon  
as possible.<  
9. Pull out the space-saver spare tire  
towards the rear underneath the vehi-  
cle  
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the  
engine when the vehicle is supported by  
the jack – risk of fatal injury.<  
10. Position the space-saver spare tire with  
the valve facing upwards  
Preparing for a tire change  
Check the tire inflation pressure at  
the earliest opportunity and correct it  
if necessary. Replace the defective tire as  
soon as possible and have the new wheel/  
tire assembly balanced.<  
11. Unscrew the valve extension from the  
valve of the space-saver spare tire  
12. Unscrew the dust cap from the exten-  
sion and place it on the valve of the  
space-saver spare tire.  
Observe the safety precautions  
regarding flat tires on page 125.<  
1. For vehicles with a space-saver spare  
tire:  
Place the folding chock behind the front  
wheel on the other side of the vehicle;  
on downward inclines, place it in front of  
this wheel. If the wheel is changed on a  
surface with a more severe slope, take  
additional precautions to secure the  
vehicle from rolling  
Due to its different dimensions, the  
damaged wheel cannot be placed in  
the recess for the space-saver spare tire.<  
2. Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.  
127  
CHANGING TIRES  
6. Tighten all the lug bolts firmly in a diag-  
onal pattern  
7. Lower the vehicle  
8. Remove the jack.  
Tightening the lug bolts  
Tighten the lug bolts in a diagonal pattern.  
As soon as possible, have the secure  
seating of the lug bolts, tightening  
torque 88.5 lb ft / 120 Nm, checked using a  
calibrated torque wrench. Otherwise, a  
wheel coming loose can lead to a severe  
accident.<  
Jacking up the vehicle  
2. During jacking up, insert the jack head in  
the square recess of the jacking point  
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you  
are changing is raised from the ground.  
1. Place the jack at the jacking point closest  
to the wheel.  
The jack base must be perpendicular to  
the surface beneath the jacking point  
Replace the defective tire as soon as possi-  
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly  
balanced.  
Mounting a wheel  
The vehicle jack is designed for  
changing wheels only. Do not  
1. Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the  
wheel  
attempt to raise another vehicle model  
with it or to raise any load of any kind. To  
do so could cause accidents and personal  
injury.<  
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt  
from the mounting surfaces of the  
wheel and hub. Clean the lug bolts  
3. Mount the new wheel  
4. Screw at least two lug bolts finger-tight  
into opposite bolt holes  
5. Screw in the remaining bolts  
128  
MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM*  
1 Jack  
MINI Mobility System  
The MINI Mobility System is provided to  
help you repair a flat tire. With the help of  
this system you can apply a liquid sealant  
on the inside of the tire, which seals the  
damaged area and enables you to continue  
to drive.  
2 Wheel stud wrench  
3 Hubcap remover  
4 Wrench, screwdriver/Phillips screw-  
driver, towing eyelet  
5 Compressor, hose with manometer and  
plug for cigarette lighter socket  
Preparing for tire repair  
6 Package with filling hose, valve remover  
and valve core  
Before using the MINI Mobility Sys-  
tem read the warning and danger  
precautions on the equipment.<  
7 Filling canister  
MINI Mobility System with onboard  
tools  
8 Hex wrench/screwdriver  
9 Adapter for wheel lug lock  
If possible, leave objects in which have  
been forced into the tire.  
The MINI Mobility System with tire change  
set and onboard tools is located in the lug-  
gage compartment under the floor mat:  
Take off the tag regarding speed limits and  
stick it onto the steering wheel.  
Using the MINI Mobility System  
In order to repair a flat tire with the MINI  
Mobility System, proceed as follows:  
>Pump in liquid sealant, refer to page 130  
>Reinflate the tire, refer to page 130  
>Distribute liquid sealant, refer to  
page 131  
>Check tire inflation pressure, refer to  
page 131  
>Drive on, refer to page 131.  
129  
MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM*  
7. Hold the filling canister with the cap  
down and squeeze.  
Squeeze the entire contents of the canis-  
ter into the tire  
8. Remove filling hose  
9. Screw valve core into the tire valve with  
the valve remover.  
In the event of a lost or dirty valve  
core you will find another valve core  
in a package with the filling hose.  
Please remember that the liquid canister  
must be replaced every four years if the  
equipment has not been used.<  
Pumping in liquid sealant  
Reinflating the tire  
1. Shake the filling canister  
2. Screw the filling hose onto the filling  
canister  
3. Unscrew the dust protection cap from  
the valve of the defective tire  
1. Screw hose 1 with manometer onto the  
tire valve  
2. Connect plug 3 to the cigarette lighter  
socket in the vehicle interior, refer to  
page 82  
4. Screw out the valve core with the valve  
remover. The valve remover is located in  
a package with the filling hose.  
3. Ignition key in position 1:  
Turn on compressor 2  
4. Inflate the tires to at least 26 psi /  
180 kPa, but not to more than 36 psi /  
250 kPa.  
Place the valve core and valve  
remover only on clean surfaces.<  
To check the current air pressure, shut  
off the device for a short time.  
5. Remove the cap from the filling hose  
6. Push the filling hose onto the tire valve  
Do not run the compressor for  
longer than 6 minutes, otherwise  
the device will overheat and possibly be  
damaged.<  
130  
MINI MOBILITY SYSTEM*  
If an air pressure of 26 psi /  
180 kPa cannot be reached,  
Checking tire inflation pressure  
Driving on  
Do not exceed the permitted maxi-  
mum speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h;  
1. After driving for approx. 10 minutes, pull  
over at a suitable location  
2. Screw hose with manometer back onto otherwise an accident could happen.<  
the tire valve  
3. Check the tire inflation pressures.  
unscrew the hose 1 and drive back and  
forth about 33 ft / 10 m so that the liq-  
uid sealant is distributed in the tire.  
Afterwards repeat the procedure.  
If an air pressure of 26 psi / 180 kPa is  
still not reached, the tire is too badly  
damaged. Please contact the nearest  
MINI Dealer.<  
Replace the defective tire as soon as  
possible and have the new wheel/tire  
assembly balanced. Have the MINI Mobility  
System refilled.<  
The tire inflation pressure must be  
at least 18 psi / 130 kPa. If it is not,  
do not continue driving.<  
If 18 psi / 130 kPa are displayed:  
5. Turn off compressor 2  
Tire change set  
4. Ignition key position 1:  
6. Unscrew hose 1 from the tire valve  
7. Store the MINI Mobility System back in  
the vehicle.  
When changing a tire, always observe the  
safety measures and the procedure for  
changing tires starting on page 125.  
Turn on compressor 2. Correct the tire  
inflation pressure to the specified value,  
refer to the tire inflation pressure table  
on page 98  
The instructions for using the MINI  
Mobility System are also given on the  
equipment.<  
In case of a flat tire the tire change  
set is not needed due to the availabil-  
ity of the MINI Mobility System.<  
5. Replace the tire as soon as possible.  
The use of the MINI Mobility System  
may be ineffective with tire damage  
Distributing liquid sealant  
1
larger than approx. / in / 4 mm. Please  
6
Immediately drive for approx. 10 minutes,  
so that the liquid sealant is uniformly dis-  
tributed.  
contact the nearest MINI Dealer if the tire  
cannot be made drivable with the MINI  
Mobility System.<  
Do not exceed a speed of 40 mph /  
60 km/h.  
If possible do not drive at a speed lower  
than 10 mph / 20 km/h.<  
131  
BATTERY  
Storage location  
Disposal  
After replacing old batteries, return  
the used batteries to your MINI  
Power failure  
MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Convert-  
ible:  
After a temporary power failure, e.g. due to  
a discharged battery, some of your vehicle's  
Dealer or to a recycling point. Maintain the equipment will function only to a limited  
battery in an upright position for transport extent and must be reinitialized or read-  
and storage. Secure the battery to prevent justed. Individual settings are also lost and  
The battery is located in the engine com-  
partment. Exact location, refer to page 106.  
it from tilting during transport.<  
must be reprogrammed:  
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-  
vertible:  
>Time:  
Must be reset, refer to page 63  
>Electric power windows:  
Must be reinitialized, refer to page 32  
>Radio*:  
The stations must be reset, refer to the  
Owner's Manual for Radio  
>Navigation system*:  
It may take some time for its operability  
to be restored, refer to the Owner's Man-  
ual for Navigation System.  
The battery is located in the luggage com-  
partment under the floor mat.  
Battery care  
The battery is absolutely maintenance-free,  
that is, the original electrolyte will normally  
last for the service life of the battery under  
moderate climatic conditions. Your MINI  
Dealer will be glad to advise you if you have  
any questions regarding the battery.  
Charging the battery  
Only charge the battery in the vehicle via  
the terminals in the engine compartment  
with the engine switched off, refer to  
'Jump-starting', page 134 ff.  
132  
FUSES  
Do not attempt to repair a blown  
fuse or replace it with a fuse of a dif-  
ferent color or Ampere rating. To do this  
could cause a fire in the vehicle resulting  
from a circuit overload.<  
If a second fuse blows in the same cir-  
cuit, have the cause rectified by your  
MINI Dealer.<  
A fuse allocation diagram is located on the  
inside of the fuse box cover panel.  
In the engine compartment  
In the vehicle interior  
Plastic tweezers and spare fuses can be  
found in the fuse box in the vehicle interior,  
refer to the column after next.  
In the MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER On the left side of the footwell in the side  
Convertible to the right of the battery.  
In the MINI COOPER S and the MINI COO-  
PER S Convertible to the right of the air fil-  
ter box.  
trim panel.  
Open the fuse box lid. To do so, press the  
fastener.  
Open the fuse box lid. To do so, press the  
clip fastener.  
133  
JUMP-STARTING  
When your battery is discharged, you can  
use two jumper cables to start your vehicle  
with power from the battery in a second  
vehicle. Correspondingly you can help start  
another vehicle. Only use jumper cables  
with fully insulated handles on the termi-  
nal clamps.  
1. Check whether the battery of the sup-  
port vehicle has 12 Volts and approxi-  
mately the same capacity measured in  
Ah. These data are printed on the bat-  
tery  
2. Switch off the engine of the support  
vehicle  
3. Switch off any electrical systems and  
components in both vehicles.  
Preparing for jump-starting  
Do not touch live wiring and cables  
on a running engine. There is a risk of  
fatal injury if you do this. Carefully observe  
the following instructions to avoid per-  
sonal injury and/or damage to either vehi- to observe this procedure can lead to spark-  
cle or both vehicles. Make sure that there is ing and pose an injury hazard.<  
no contact between the bodywork of the  
Connect the jumper cables  
Always adhere to this sequence when  
connecting the jumper cables; failure  
The illustration shows the auxiliary jump-  
starting terminal on the MINI COOPER S  
and the MINI COOPER S Convertible. In the  
MINI COOPER S and the MINI COOPER S  
Convertible, the auxiliary jump-starting  
terminal, arrow 1, acts as the positive bat-  
tery terminal, refer to view of engine com-  
partment on page 107. The cover is marked  
with a +.  
two vehicles to avoid a short circuit haz-  
ard.<  
1. Remove the cover of the battery or open  
the cover of the auxiliary jump-starting  
terminal:  
>MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con-  
vertible:  
Remove the battery cover.  
To do so, press the two clips simulta-  
neously.  
134  
JUMP-STARTING  
>MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S  
Convertible:  
Open the cover of the auxiliary jump-  
starting terminal, arrow 1  
Performing the jump-start  
1. Start the engine of the support vehicle  
and allow it to run at a fast idle speed for  
several minutes  
2. Connect one terminal clamp of the  
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive bat-  
tery terminal or to an auxiliary jump-  
starting terminal of the support vehicle  
3. Connect the other terminal clamp of the  
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive bat-  
tery terminal or to an auxiliary jump-  
starting terminal of the vehicle to be  
started  
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle in  
the usual manner.  
If the first start attempt is not success-  
ful, wait a few minutes before another  
attempt in order to allow the discharged  
battery to recharge  
3. Allow the engines of both vehicles to run  
for several minutes  
On the MINI or MINI Convertible:  
Before disconnecting the jumper  
cables, switch on the lighting, the rear  
window defroster and the highest  
blower speed to prevent a voltage surge  
from the regulator to the electrical sys-  
tems and components.<  
Engine or body ground in your MINI or MINI  
Convertible: arrow 2.  
4. Connect one terminal clamp of the  
minus/– jumper cable to the negative  
battery terminal or to an engine or body  
ground of the support vehicle  
5. Connect the second terminal clamp of  
the minus/– jumper cable to the nega-  
tive terminal of the battery or to the  
engine or body ground of the vehicle to  
be started.  
4. Then disconnect the jumper cables in  
the reverse order.  
If necessary have the battery checked and  
completely charged at a MINI Dealer.  
Do not use spray starter fluids to start  
the engine.<  
135  
TOWING AND TOW-STARTING  
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if  
required by national regulations. If the  
electrical system has failed, clearly identify  
the vehicle being towed, e.g. by placing a  
sign or a warning triangle in the rear win-  
dow.  
Using the towing eyelet  
The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the  
onboard tool kit, refer to page 120; be sure  
that it remains with the vehicle at all times.  
It can be attached at the front or rear of  
your vehicle.  
MINI or MINI Convertible with manual  
transmission:  
To prevent damage to the towing  
eyelet and the vehicle, please observe  
the following instructions:  
Put the manual gearshift lever in Neutral.  
Use only the towing eyelet supplied with  
the vehicle and screw it in firmly until it  
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing on  
paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the  
towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not  
lift the vehicle using the towing eyelet.<  
MINI or MINI Convertible with Continu-  
ously Variable automatic Transmission  
(CVT):  
Access to the threaded socket  
The illustration shows by way of example  
the MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER  
Convertible.  
Only tow vehicles with Continuously  
Variable automatic Transmission  
(CVT) with a tow truck, otherwise the trans-  
mission can be damaged, refer to  
page 137.<  
Pry out the cover in the front or rear  
bumper by inserting a screwdriver into the  
recess.  
Being towed  
Towing methods  
Make sure that the ignition key is in  
position 1; otherwise the steering  
In some countries, it is not permitted to  
tow the vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope  
on public roads.  
lock could engage and prevent the vehicle  
from being steered. There is no power  
assist while the engine is off. Therefore,  
you will need to exert more force to brake  
and steer the vehicle.<  
Familiarize yourself with the applicable  
towing regulations for the country in which  
you are driving.  
136  
TOWING AND TOW-STARTING  
With a tow bar:  
Tow-starting  
Do not tow-start vehicles with Con-  
tinuously Variable automatic Trans-  
mission (CVT).  
The towing vehicle must not be  
lighter than the vehicle being towed;  
otherwise, vehicle handling can no longer  
be controlled.<  
Jump-starting, refer to page 134.<  
The towing eyelets of both vehicles should  
be on the same side. If the tow bar can only  
be used in a diagonal position, please note  
the following:  
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic con-  
verters if the engine is cold. It is better to  
have the engine jump-started, refer to  
page 134.  
>Clearance and maneuverability will be  
strictly limited in corners  
>The inclination of the tow bar produces  
lateral force.  
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers;  
comply with national regulations  
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2  
3. Engage the 3rd gear  
4. Have the vehicle towed with the clutch  
pedal completely depressed and then  
slowly release the clutch pedal. After the  
engine has started, immediately depress  
the clutch pedal again completely  
5. Pull over at a suitable location, remove  
the tow bar or tow rope, and turn off the  
hazard warning flashers  
With a tow truck:  
Have the MINI or MINI Convertible trans-  
ported by a tow truck with a lift sling, or on  
a flatbed.  
Only attach the tow bar to the towing  
eyelets. Other parts of the vehicles  
could otherwise be damaged.<  
Only tow vehicles with Continuously  
Variable automatic Transmission  
(CVT) with the front wheels raised or on a  
special transport vehicle, otherwise the  
transmission can be damaged.  
Do not lift the vehicle by the towing eyelet,  
nor by parts of the body or chassis. Other-  
wise damage could result.<  
With a tow rope:  
When the towing vehicle is driving off,  
make sure that the tow rope is taut.  
6. Have the vehicle checked.  
Use nylon ropes or straps for towing  
because they prevent sudden jerking  
movements. Attach the tow rope only to  
the towing eyelets. Other parts of the vehi-  
cles could otherwise be damaged.<  
137  
138  

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