BMW MINI Countryman Cooper, Owner'S Handbook Manual

Page: 94 / 214

DRIVING HINTS
Driving precautions
92
Driving precautions
Running in
Moving parts need a certain time to achieve
maximum operating efficiency as a unit. Comply
with the following instructions, which are
intended to ensure that your car achieves its
optimum operating life and economy.
Engine and final drive
Observe the speed limits in the country where
you are driving.
Up to 2000 km, approx. 1200 miles
Drive at varying road and engine speeds, but do
not exceed the following values:
> Petrol engine
4500 rpm, or 160 km/h, approx. 100 mph
> Diesel engine
3500 rpm, or 150 km/h, approx. 90 mph
Avoid full throttle and do not use the automatic
transmission kick-down.
From 2000 km, approx. 1200 miles,
onwards
Engine and road speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tyres
New tyres do not achieve their full road
grip immediately, for production reasons. You
should therefore drive in a restrained manner
for the first 300 km, approx. 200 miles.
Brake system
Brake pads and discs do not achieve a favoura-
ble wear and contact pattern until the car has
covered about 500 km, approx. 300 miles. Drive
with caution during this running in period.
Clutch
The clutch needs to be run in for about 500 km,
approx. 300 miles, before it will operate with
maximum efficiency. Operate the clutch gently
while running it in.
After fitting new parts
The same running in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
car's operating life.
General driving notes
Closing the tailgate
Drive only with the tailgate closed. If the
tailgate is not closed, in the event of an
accident or during braking or when taking eva-
sive action, the safety of passengers and other
road users could be put at risk and the vehicle
may sustain damage. Furthermore, exhaust
gases could enter the passenger compart-
ment.
<
If it is nevertheless necessary to travel with the
tailgate open, observe the following precau-
tions:
1. Close all windows and the glass roof
*
.
2. Switch off recirculated-air mode and signifi-
cantly increase the air flow rate of the air
conditioning or automatic air conditioning,
page
83 or 85 .
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures occur in the exhaust
system of all vehicles. Never remove the
heat shields protecting the exhaust system, nor
apply underseal to them. Make sure that when
the vehicle is driven or parked and when the
engine is idling, no easily flammable material
such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. comes into con-