Does anyone have a service schedule for the 2nd gen MINI? I'm looking through the manual but all it tells me is "your MINI will tell you when it needs serviced".

When it does need things like the transmission or brake fluid changed is it going to tell me that specifically? Or is it just going to have a generic light come on that only the dealer can read?

Once my free maintenance is over, my dad (a Honda/Acura mechanic) will be maintaing my MINI.

Just wondering because I saw on the MOTD checklist that it suggested to change your brake fluids every 25k but MINI suggests every 2 years. I'm at 21,500 right now and will probably be hitting 25k shortly after returning from The Dragon. So my MINI will be hitting the 25k long before that 2 years is up.

 

Scrolling on your tach display to SET/INFO, then SERVICE INFO will show you when your computer thinks a variety of services should be performed. Snapshot from the owners manual giving brief overview is attached.

 

thanks! I guess I'm wondering if this information can be trusted? I know most of us agree that waiting to change the oil until the car 'says so' isn't really recommended.

 

I don't think it would hurt at all to set your own maintenance schedule.
Your dad should have a good idea for preventive type maint.
I like to change running gear fluids at about 25K. Cheap insurance, and the fluids get recycled anyway. That old 'you can pay me now, or pay me later' statement comes to mind. Good luck.

 

Yes......

Oil Change ... 1 Year or CBS
Brake Fluid ... 2 Years or CBS
Micro-Filter ... 2 Years
Air Filter ... 2 Years or Every 2nd Oil Change or CBS
Tires ... 6 Years
Spark Plugs ... 60K
Transmission Service ... 100K
Oxygen Sensor ... 120K
Coolant N/S ... ("Long-term rated. Change at system repairs only").
V-Belt ... N/S
Fuel Filter ... N/S
Power Steering Fluid ... N/S

 

I'd like to meet the person who gets 6 years out of those oem tires. My fronts lasted a couple months (9k).

 

what's "CBS"?

 

not sure what the exact letters stand for, but he means when the car's service lights come on.

 

CBS= Computer Based Service interval.....

If you have a turbo motor, I'd change oil every 7,500 - which works out to twice a year for me, spring and fall. Not just because the oil additives or whatever, there have been more than a few turbos lost to oil sludging and blockage of the oil return line, clean fresh oil regularly should prevent this. Pay me now, or pay me later, as the man says.....

Change brake fluid every two years - but your dealer will do this the first time under your free maint.

Cabin filter - as needed. It's easy to see the back side of it by looking thru the battery compartment, if it's dirty, change it. It's easy and not expensive.

Brakes, tires etc, as needed - mileage and the type of use determine how long these last, not time - but 6 years is the industry recommendation if your tire's tread is still good due to aging of the rubber compounds by the sun.

If you have a 2008 or 2009 S and haven't had your chain tensioner replaced, you should strongly consider doing so, it's not expensive and might save some real grief and $$$$ later on.

If you have a 2010, put a wrench on your tensioner and make sure it's tight!

 

Columbia Broadcasting System

Dave

 

I pulled that out of the owner's / maintenance manuals when we got the rig, well even before while it was on the boat since the manuals are online.

Will follow it except oil changes at 6 month intervals. She's a short trip grocery getter for the most part. First rig where brake fluid changes are recommended I have owned.

 

Could you please let me know what kind of tires your running. I would love to have a set that lasts 6 years.

 

Found this on some board recently. Provides some service interval information.

 

Wow! That is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!! pdf saved!

 

I hear that - see my sig - Michelins do tend to go a lot of miles. But doubt they will be on there 6 years even at only 10,000 miles a year. Especially if you take the manuals recommendation and don't rotate them.

 

The manual recommends not rotating the tires????

 

Yes some years the manual did say that rotating tires was not recommended. But i think that was maybe like 07, 08, 09, But i know the )* Clubman Manual does say that rotation is NOT recommended.

 

My 2008 manual says swapping tires between axles is not recommended. Whether this means rotation is not recommended is unclear. The language in subsequent years has varied and iirc, either the 2010 or 2011 manual now indicates owners may rotate in order to extend the life of tires.

 

Not close to worrying about transmission fluid, but in no way would I wait till CBS tells me to perform my first (break-in) engine oil change. Just did mine myself at 2800 miles.

Regarding tire rotation - the intentional back tire negative camber throws the whole rotation benefit concept off. As jcauseyfd indicated, this means you shouldn't rotate across axels (i.e., front to back) since the front tire camber should be neutral. I personally intend to swap the front tires and swap the rear tires at some point down the line.

 

I actually ignored the owner's manual and rotated my tires on a regular basis of 5k - 6k miles. Since my tires have been unidirectional, the rotations have always been moving front to rear and rear to front on the same side. Thus far, I haven't had the variance between front and rear vary by more than 1/32nd.

 

I change my oil every 7K-8K, and do the other bits and pieces as the car tells me to do them. I cannot wait to get the MINI brake pads off the car and get some Carbotechs. (Less dust).

Jeff, do you have a step by step somewhere on doing the tranny fluid?? I want to get that done soon, but I cannot find the post you did anywhere.

 

R56 MT fluid change DIY on my blog. There is a link at the end to a PDF version handy for printing.

 

Is there anyone here with a turbo that only changes the oil when the car tells you to? If so, what's the oil look like? I'm at 13,000 with 4000 to go. I was going to change it earlier but some co-workers who use synthetic told me they were comfortable changing it every 15,000. I'm changing mine next week regardless. I'm gettin nervous.

 

I try to split the difference in between the free oil changes and do one around 6-7k between.

 

I posted this on another similar thread but it might get more views here and maybe someone will know if this is possible.

" My salesman told me I would be eligible for my first oil change in either 15K miles or one year, whichever came first, but looking at the service indicator in my car it reads that my oil change is due either at 15K or in March of 2013 which puts it two years out, not one year.

Is there any way I can reset that date and change it to April of 2012 so that it's accurate and I can get the oil change at one year without any hassle?"