Hi,

As a newbie Mini owner i have some more daft questions.....Can anyone answer some basic questions:

What is the best oil to use? I have a 2011 Cooper Convertible used on UK roads.
Any tips on reading the dipstick?....I find it really difficult to read....so I feel like the dipstick!
On the engine what is the round shaped item on the side of the cyclinder head, right hand side as viewed from the front, seems to run off the exhaust side cam shaft. It has a black plastic pipe that comes out of the top and seems to go into the vehicle via the bulkhead. The pipe is similar to the ones used for fuel. When the engine runs this item ticks away. No problems just intrigued to know what it does.

Cheers

Plod45

I find the trick is wipe the dipstick by twisting it in the rag/paper, not by wiping along its length as you do with all other dipsticks. Get it properly oil-free between the top and bottom ridges and reading it becomes easy.

Thanks. I have tried again and it is difficult as the stick rubs on the tube on the way
back up picking up other traces of oil.......why do they make such an important routine check so difficult ?