Being Towed - Mini Cooper Owner's Manual

Using a tow fitting
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 toolkit in the
cargo area underneath the cover on the right-
hand side, page 146.
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
Access to screw thread
Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the
recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear

Being towed

Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page 41; otherwise, the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signals, and windshield
wipers may be unavailable. Do not tow the vehi-
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 326 - © 03/11 BMW AG Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 326 - © 03/11 BMW AG
Giving and receiving assistance
cle with just the rear axle raised, as this would
allow the steering to
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.
Automatic transmission
damaged.<
wheels lifted; otherwise, the transmission can be
damaged.<
Towing with a tow bar
be impossible to maintain
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:
>
>
lead to
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
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
turn.<
Tow vehicles with automatic transmission
only with a tow truck or with the front
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle; otherwise, it may
Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Only attach the tow bar to the tow fittings,
as attachment to other vehicle parts can
damage.<
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
damage.<
MOBILITY
control.<
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