You love your new Mini Cooper: the look, the driving capability, and the fun of your new Mini Cooper. So how do you maintain it to keep your car running like new?
Read on to learn about the basics of Mini Cooper maintenance.
Table of Contents
Read the Owner’s Manual
The owner’s manual for your specific car will give you the manufacturer’s car maintenance tips, including what schedule to follow, what fuel to use, and what oil to use. A Mini Cooper needs high-octane gasoline and premium oil–if you use inferior products, you may increase wear and tear on your car.
While the owner’s manual recommends relatively long intervals between oil changes and fluid changes, you may want to have the car serviced more frequently.
Check for Alerts
The Mini Cooper computer provides recommendations for services. You can check your car’s maintenance updates by navigating on the dashboard screen to Vehicle Status, Service Required. Here you’ll find alerts for engine oil, brake fluid, vehicle inspection, emission inspection, and vehicle check.
If the battery is disconnected for long-term repair, you may need your dealer to reset the calendar to make sure the car continues to track maintenance recommendations on the right schedule.
Change the Oil Regularly
As with every car, you will want to change the oil regularly to keep the engine running smoothly and prevent damage. While the manufacturer advertises that you drive the car for about 10,000 miles before you change the oil, some say that this interval is too long. Instead, you may want to change the oil every 5000 to 7000 miles to keep the oil clean and protect the engine.
When you have the oil changed, ask the technician to check for broken seals or oil leaks. Some older Mini models have been known to leak or burn oil.
Perform Maintenance at Oil Changes
At every oil change, you should check the cabin microfilters, engine air filters, and spark plugs. The ventilation microfilter should be changed about every 20,000 miles, the intake air cleaner about every 40,000 miles, and the spark plugs about every 60,000 miles.
The washer fluid level, coolant level, and brake fluid level also need to be checked frequently.
Maintain the Tires
Keep your tires at the recommended air pressure. If you let your tires lose too much air pressure, the tire has less grip, and the car uses more fuel, and you risk having a tire blow out. If you overinflate your tires, you can damage the suspension.
Rotate your tires at regular intervals to keep them wearing evenly.
Check the Brakes
You should have your Mini Cooper brake pads checked regularly. The Mini maintenance system will send alerts on a specific schedule, or you have them checked at every service visit. Remember that Mini Cooper car parts may wear at different rates, so you may not need to change front and rear pads at the same time.
Perform Mini Cooper Maintenance
Watch your mileage and schedule regular Mini Cooper maintenance visits. Check updates, get the oil changed, maintain your tires, and check the brakes frequently to keep your car running smoothly. You’ll take good care of the engine, brakes, and tires, and you’ll help your car take care of you.
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