Technical data

Driving precautions DRIVING HINTS
101
1. Remove the cover stopper of the mounting
by pulling it downwards and stow it in the
vehicle.
2. Insert the ball head from below into the
mounting with the shaft and push upwards
until it snaps into place.
3. Lock the lock in the handwheel.
4. Attach cover to lock.
Checking the lock is closed
Before driving with a caravan or trailer,
check whether the ball head is correctly
locked, as otherwise it can lead to instability
when driving and accidents.<
By shaking the ball head, make sure that this is
securely mounted.
If the ball head is not securely mounted, check
the following points:
> Green marking on the handwheel points to
the white area on the ball head.
> Handwheel is flush against the ball head.
> The lock is closed and the key removed.
If all points have been fulfilled and the ball head
is despite this not firmly mounted, do not use
the trailer coupling and get it checked by Serv-
ice.
Removing the ball head
1. Remove cover cap from the lock.
2. Insert the key and open the lock in the hand-
wheel.
The key is clamped in the lock.
3. Hold ball head steady.
4. Pull out the handwheel, arrow 1 and turn in
arrow direction 2, as far as it will go.
5. Take ball head out of the mounting by pull-
ing downwards.
6. Insert cover stopper in the mounting.
7. Stow ball head in luggage compartment
again.
Note care instructions on page 155.
Before a journey
Trailer nose weight
Do not undercut the minimum trailer nose
weight of 25 kg, approx. 55 lb. The nose weight
limit is given on page 190. The nose weight
should be kept close to this limit.
The nose weight affects the vehicle and thus
increases its weight. The weight of the trailer
tow hitch and the nose weight reduce the maxi-
mum payload of your MINI. Please ensure that
these do not cause the gross weight limit of the
towing vehicle to be exceeded if a trailer is being
towed.
Loads
When loading the trailer, make sure that
the weight is kept as low as possible and stowed
if possible close to the axle.
A low centre of trailer gravity makes the outfit
much more stable and safe to drive.
Do not exceed either the trailer's permitted
gross weight or the specified permitted towing
load for the vehicle. The smaller value is the limit
which should be adhered to.
Tyre pressures
Check the vehicle's and the trailer's tyre pres-
sures carefully. For the car, the tyre inflation
pressures for heavy loads apply, page 142. After
each correction of the tyre pressures, reinitialise
the Run Flat Indicator, see page 72. For the
trailer, comply with the manufacturer's specifi-
cations.
Run Flat Indicator
Reinitialise the Run Flat Indicator after a trailer
has been attached or detached, see page 72.
Exterior mirrors
Two exterior mirrors which bring both rear cor-
ners of the trailer into your field of view are
required by law. Mirrors of this kind can be
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 512 - © 03/11 BMW AGOnline Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 607 512 - © 03/11 BMW AG