MINI Cooper Maintenance You Can DIY  (browse maintenance parts)


Properly Maintaining Your MINI..

  • Prevents Breakdowns
  • Saves You Money
  • Ensures Maximum Performance
  • Extends the Life of Your Vehicle
  • Can Increase Resell Value

Perform Your Own Inspection
Look over your MINI periodically so you can catch issues that look out of the ordinary. Check your lights, tire pressure and treads, oil level and listen for any strange sounds. If you notice anything, take appropriate action.



Check Your Fluids
You may not want to change fluids yourself but learning how to check fluid levels is a good idea. Read your owner's manual, look up videos on checking levels on your specific MINI model. Open your hood and spend some time observing and learning where all your various holding tanks are located. If your fluids are low add more or change them/have them changed...and don't ignore leaks!
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Visually Inspect Your Timing and Serpentine Belts
The general consensus is that timing belts need to be replaced approximately every 60,000 miles, and the serpentine belt every 40,000 miles. Your owner's manual will offer more specific numbers. Use these numbers as a guideline. It's good to keep an eye on them as you get near the mileage your manual recommends. Symptoms that you may need replacements soon include belt cracking, abrasion, glazing (a shininess on the belt's underside or a high pitched screech when you start your MINI. If you notice any of these symptoms take it to a mechanic.
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Check Oil and Change Regularly
One of the most important maintenance tasks to do on any vehicle. Check the level and color of your oil often. Muddy, murky oil after you've changed your it is a sign that something is wrong with your engine. Again, read your owner's manual for MINI factory suggestions.

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Check Your Battery & Clean Contacts
Luckily, most batteries nowadays don't need much in the way of maintenance but you should know where it is, how to clean the contacts, how to remove and put it in and how to jump start. Keep a battery cleaning brush and jumper cables in your trunk and you'll never find yourself stuck on the side of the road because of battery issues that could have been easily fixed.
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Replace Your Windshield Wipers
When your windshield gets streaky while using your wipers it's time to replace them. Try aftermarket silicone blades, water beads off easily. Your visibility is important for your safety and the safety of others.
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Change Your Cabin Air Filter
This is a routine maintenance item that many people overlook. The designers at MINI took the time to create a 'clean' environment in your cab by using an interior air filtration system. Unfortunately, like any other filter, it must be replaced in order to continue providing clean filtered interior air. Replacement interval depends greatly on the type of environment where you drive your MINI. Dusty or heavy pollen areas can clog the filter in as little as a couple months! Check the filter at least 2 or 3 times a year.

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Change Your Engine Air Filter
You should change the air filter on your MINI at least once a year or every 20,000 miles. If you drive in dusty or sandy conditions, it should be changed more frequently. A dirty air filter can cause your MINI to lose 1 to 3 mpg depending on how you drive. There are tons of videos online that show how to change your MINI's air filter.

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Get Your Tires Rotated and Balanced, and Alignment Checked
To be sure your tires wear evenly and that your MINI drives smoothly it is important to get the rotated and balanced regularly. It will also make your tires last much longer, saving you a lot of money. Your alignment is just as important.

Pep Boys Free Tire Rotation


Change Your Spark Plugs
Your engine isn't working effectively when your spark plugs are worn out or covered in buildup. This will cost you more money in fuel and can lead to a breakdown. Consider replacing your MINI's spark plugs every 50,000 miles and ignition coils every 100,000 miles for trouble-free performance. Iridium plugs will last longer and save you money in the long run.

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If you have MINI maintenance questions feel free to contact us at 1-800-946-2642 or email us here. we're happy to help!

What maintenance tasks do you DIY? How much money do you estimate it saves you? Let us know in the comment section below.