Get MOBILITY -> Giving and receiving assistance Guide for Mini Cooper 2 Door Second Generation (2006-2015)

Giving and receiving assistance

Roadside Assistance

Jump-starting

Roadside Assistance is available by phone 24

hours a day in many countries. You can receive

assistance there in the event of an emergency.

If the car's own battery is flat, your MINI's engine

can be started by connecting two jumper cables

to another vehicle's battery. You can also use

the same method to help start another vehicle.

Only use jumper cables with fully-insulated

clamp handles.

Phone numbers for Roadside Assistance are

listed in the Contact brochure.

Do not touch any electrically live parts

when the engine is running, or a fatal acci-

dent may occur. Carefully adhere to the follow-

ing sequence, both to prevent damage to one or

both vehicles, and to guard against possible per-

sonal injuries.<

First aid pouch*

Some of the articles contained in the first aid

pouch have a limited service life. Therefore,

check the expiration dates of the contents regu-

larly and replace any items in good time, if nec-

essary.

Preparation

1. Check whether the battery of the other vehi-

cle has a voltage of 12 volts and approxi-

mately the same capacitance in Ah. This

information can be found on the battery.

2. Switch off the engine of the support vehicle.

3. Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.

There must not be any contact between

the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise,

there is a danger of shorting.<

The first aid pouch is located on the cargo bay

floor by the left side trim panel or under the level

load floor.

Connecting jumper cables

Connect the jumper cables in the correct

order, so that no sparks which could cause

injury occur.<

Warning triangle*

1. Open the battery cover in the engine com-

partment to access the positive terminal of

your MINI.

In the cargo bay under the loading sill.

Open the center lock to take it out.

124

2. Release the tabs of the positive terminal

cover* on the left and right, arrows 1, and

lift the cover to open, arrow 2.

If the first start attempt is not successful,

wait a few minutes before another attempt

in order to allow the discharged battery to

recharge.

3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.

4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing

the above connecting sequence.

If necessary, have the battery checked and

recharged.

Never use spray fluids to start the

engine.<

3. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+

jumper cable to the positive terminal of the

battery or to a starting-aid terminal of the

vehicle providing assistance.

Tow-starting, towing

away

4. Attach the second terminal clamp of the

plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal

of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of

the vehicle to be started.

Observe the applicable laws and regula-

tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-

cles.<

Do not transport any passengers other

than the driver in a vehicle that is being

towed.<

5. Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–

jumper cable to the negative terminal of the

battery or to an engine or body ground of

the assisting vehicle.

Using a tow fitting

Body ground in MINI:

The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried

in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or

rear of the MINI.

It is stored in the onboard vehicle tool kit in the

cargo bay underneath the cover on the right-

hand side, page 114.

Use only the tow fitting provided with the

vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the

tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid

lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift

the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the tow

fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<

6. Attach the second terminal clamp of the

minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-

nal of the battery or to the engine or body

ground of the vehicle to be started.

Access to screw thread

Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the

recess in the bumper.

Starting the engine

1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and

allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly

increased idle speed.

2. Start the engine of the other vehicle in the

usual manner.

125

Front

Towing with a tow bar

The towing vehicle must not be lighter

than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may

be impossible to maintain control.<

The tow fittings used should be on the same side

on both vehicles. Should it prove impossible to

avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please

observe the following:

>

Clearance and maneuvering capability will

be sharply limited during cornering.

>

The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is

attached offset.

Rear

Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,

as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle

could result in damage.<

Towing with a tow rope

When starting off in the towing vehicle, make

sure that the tow rope is taut.

To avoid jerking and the associated

stresses on vehicle components when

towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.

Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as

attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could

result in damage.<

Being towed

Make sure that the ignition is switched on,

refer to page 38; otherwise, the low

beams, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and

windshield wipers may be unavailable. Do not

tow the vehicle with just the rear axle raised, as

this would allow the steering to turn. <

Towing with a tow truck

There is no power assist while the engine is off.

Thus, braking and steering will require increased

effort.

Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-

ing on local regulations.

Manual transmission

Gearshift lever in neutral position.

Have the MINI Clubman transported with a tow

truck with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.

Automatic transmission

Tow vehicles with automatic transmission

only with a tow truck or with the front

wheels lifted; otherwise, the transmission can be

damaged.<

Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or

body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-

age may result.<

126

Tow-starting

Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-

ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page 124.

Vehicles with a catalytic converter should only

be tow-started when the engine is cold, vehicles

with an automatic transmission cannot be tow-

started at all.

1. Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply

with local regulations.

2. Switch on the ignition, page 38.

3. Shift into 3rd gear.

4. Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch

completely depressed and then slowly

release the clutch. After the engine starts,

immediately depress the clutch completely

again.

5. Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow

bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-

ing flashers.

6. Have the vehicle checked.

127

MOBILITY -> Giving and receiving assistance for Your Mini Cooper 2 Door Second Generation (2006-2015)

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