Do you own a MINI and have questions about its routine maintenance, such as when to change the oil, or even what oil type? Perhaps you've been wondering how often to change the fluids in your MINI or how often to get it serviced, check the brakes and other common checks. Our MINI routine maintenace guide comes straight from our best-selling MINI manual for 2006 to 2013 petrol and diesel engines and has all the information you need!
Modern cars and vans need much less maintenance than the vehicles of 25 years ago, but they still have needs. You no longer have to do a service every 6 months, or change the oil every 3 months, but regular fluid changes are still essential to your vehicle’s longevity.
What follows is our quick reference guide to many of the recommended routine maintenance tasks MINI (2006 to 2013 petrol and diesel engines), most of which you can do yourself at home. If you need more guidance or step-by-step instructions, check out our video tutorials in our online manual, or get our traditional printed manual.
Oil Change
| Engine Oil Type | MINI Long-life 04 (eg. Castrol Edge Professional). SAE 0W-30 or SAE 5W-30 (fully synthetic) to ACEA A3 may be used for topping up only |
| Engine Oil Capacity (including oil filter) | 4.25 litres (petrol engines) |
| 3.7 litres (W16 diesel engines) | |
| 5.2 litres (N47 diesel engines) | |
| Oil Drain Plug Torque | 30 Nm (petrol engines) |
| 30 Nm (W16 diesel engines) | |
| 25 Nm (N47 diesel engines) | |
| Oil Filter Cover Torque | 25 Nm (all engines) |
Transmission Fluid Change
| Manual Transmission Fluid Type* | MTF94 Lifetime transmission oil (turbocharged engines) |
| MTF-LT-4 Lifetime transmission oil (non-turbo engines) | |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Type* | ATF JWS-3309 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.7 litres |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 4.5 litres (drain and refill) |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Filler/Level Plug Torque | 43 Nm |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Drain Plug Torque | 43 Nm |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Filler plug Torque | 25 Nm |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Drain Plug Torque | 25 Nm |
*Refer to your MINI dealer for brand name and type recommendations
Coolant Renewal
| Coolant Type* | 50/50 mix of water and Long-life ethylene glycol based antifreeze |
| Coolant System Capacity | 5.2 litres (petrol engines) |
| 5.4 litres (diesel engines) |
*Refer to your MINI dealer for brand name and type recommendations
Other Miscellaneous Fluid Types
| Brake And Clutch Fluid Type | DOT 4 brake fluid |
Other Miscellaneous Torque Specs
| Roadwheel Bolts | 140 Nm |
| Front Caliper Guide Bolts | 35 Nm* |
| Front Caliper Mounting Bracket Bolts | 110 Nm* |
| Rear Caliper Guide Pin Bolts | 35 Nm* |
| Rear Caliper Mounting Bracket Bolts | 65 Nm* |
| ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Bolts | 8 Nm |
MINI 2006 to 2013 Petrol and Diesel Engines Maintenance Schedule
Condition based service
The service intervals are tailored according to the operating conditions, driving style, time elapsed and mileage covered, instead of set distance/time limits. These factors are taken into account, and the maintenance requirements are calculated by the vehicle's on-board systems, then a symbol representing the item requiring attention is displayed in the instrument cluster. Consequently, the intervals listed below are guidelines, starting values/interval forecasts, or our recommendations. For more details, refer to the Owners Handbook supplied with the vehicle.
Petrol engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery
- Check the condition of the wiper blades
The following items have a flexible interval dependant on conditions etc. The maximum recommend mileage/time interval (where applicable) is also given.
- Engine oil service – at least every 15 000 miles or 2 years (whichever comes first). This includes handbrake check, and pollen filter renewal. On every 2nd oil change, renew the air filter element and spark plugs.
- Vehicle check – at least every 30 000 miles or 4 years (whichever comes first)
- Front brake service – at least every 30 000 miles
- Rear brake service – at least every 30 000 miles
- Renew the brake fluid – every 2 years
- Reset the service interval display – after each item above has been serviced
The following items have no specific recommendation concerning their inspection or renewal. However, we consider it prudent to carry out these tasks at least every 4 years.
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt(s), and adjust/renew if necessary
- Coolant renewal
- Remote control battery renewal
Diesel engine models
Every 250 miles
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the coolant level
- Check the screenwash fluid level
- Check the brake fluid level
- Check the tyres and tyre pressures
- Check the condition of the battery
- Check the condition of the wiper blades
The following items have a flexible interval dependant on conditions etc. The maximum recommend mileage/time interval (where applicable) is also given.
- Engine oil service – at least every 12 000 miles or 2 years (whichever comes first). This includes handbrake check, and pollen filter renewal. On every 2nd oil change, renew the air filter element and fuel filter element.
- Vehicle check – at least every 30 000 miles or 4 years (whichever comes first)
- Front brake service – at least every 30 000 miles
- Rear brake service – at least every 30 000 miles
- Renew the brake fluid – every 2 years
- Reset the service interval display – after each item above has been serviced
- Replenish the diesel fuel additive – every 125 000 miles
- Renew the timing belt – every 60 000 miles or 5 years
Note: Although the MINI interval for timing belt renewal is 125 000 miles, it is strongly recommended that the timing belt renewal interval is reduced to 60 000 miles. The actual renewal interval is therefore up to the individual owner, but bear in mind that severe engine damage will result if the belt breaks.
The following items have no specific recommendation concerning their inspection or renewal. However, we consider it prudent to carry out these tasks at least every 4 years.
- Check the condition of the auxiliary drivebelt(s), and adjust/renew if necessary
- Coolant renewal
- Remote control battery renewal