Maintenance Tips for Owning a Mini Cooper.
A Mini Cooper is a popular type of car because it is compact, stylish and fun to drive. With the proper care this precision vehicle will give you a lot of enjoyment for many years to come.
It is important to find a mechanic who specialises in Mini service. They will be knowledgeable about your vehicle and how it works, so that they can provide you with the best care. It is also a good idea to be aware of the common problems that usually crop up with Mini Coopers, so you know how to avoid them.
On most Mini Cooper models there will be a service interval display on your speedometer that will calculate the next recommended service, as well as how many miles are left before you need your next service. If you leave it past the mileage point, the display will begin to flash and you will need to take the car to a qualified auto repair shop as soon as possible.
Some models of Mini Cooper will have an enhanced monitoring system that is known as “Condition Based Service” or CBS. This makes maintenance easier, because the car will have an array of sensors that are constantly monitoring fluids, coolant, oil, brake pads and other wear and tear on the vehicle. This will help you to make sure that your vehicle is being maintained perfectly at all times.
Of course, you don’t have to rely on the technology to tell you when something is wrong. If your vehicle starts to show strange symptoms, you should take it into the mechanic and have it checked – especially there are strange sounds or smells coming from the vehicle. If you solve the problem quickly it will be a minor issue but if you leave it too long it can become a serious and very expensive repair. Make sure that you look into car repairs cost comparison so that you can be confident that you are getting the best possible deal.
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Common Mini Cooper Maintenance Problems
There are a few problems with maintenance that are common in the Mini Cooper. Here are some of the issues that you should watch out for:
Premature Clutch Wear
There are reports that the clutch might wear prematurely on some of the cars that are equipped with manual transmissions. Make sure you have your clutch looked at by a mechanic so that you can see if it needs replacing.
Electric Power Steering Pump Fail
The electric power steering pump is prone to failure on the Mini, so make sure that you have it replaced. It is also a good idea to have the cooling fan inspected because it is usually the cause of the failure.
Transmission Issues
The manufacturer might say that the transmission doesn’t need fluid changes, but not changing this fluid will cause it to fail early. Make sure that you are changing the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 40,000 miles, as this will save thousands of dollars in repairs.
Rattling Timing Chains
Sometimes the timing chains in the Mini can start to rattle, especially when the engine is idle. This should be a minor repair, but do not ignore it or you will end up with major problems.
Variable Valve Timing Issues
These problems can occur when the oil in the car is not changed frequently enough. The variable valve timing will require a good flow of oil to operate the system. When the oil doesn’t get changed, the sludge will build up and block all of the tiny passages. If this occurs, change the oil in the vehicle so that the detergent in the oil can clean all of the passages. To avoid this problem in the future, you should be changing the oil as soon as it gets dirty – even if it has only been a couple of thousand miles.
Malfunctioning Electric Door Locks
There have been a lot of reports of electric door locks on the Mini Cooper malfunctioning. Keep an eye on these locks and have them repaired if necessary.
Damage to the Front Radiator
The front radiator support on the Mini Cooper is made of plastic and it supports the fan, radiator and condenser. It doesn’t take a lot of damage to dent this plastic piece, even simply bumping into a high curb. Make sure that you are very careful when parking your car to avoid this damage.
These are just a few of the issues that tend to occur when you are driving a Mini Cooper. Be aware of these issues and watch out for them so that you can keep your vehicle in tip top shape.
