2002 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Owner's Manual

39
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELYYour vehicle has one of two different types
of child-restraint anchor fittings on the
back of the rear seats, see arrows 1 or 2.
Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area, attach
the tether strap to the corresponding
anchorage point to secure the child-
restraint system.
Adjust the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturerÕs instructions.
Anchor fitting 1 is shown above.
Anchor fitting 2 is shown in the next
column.<
Both seating positions are fitted with a
head restraint. Lift the head restraint and
pass the tether strap between the head
restraint and the seat back. It is recom-
mended to readjust the head restraint into
the lowest possible position.
Adjust the tether strap according to
the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions. Before installing any child-
restraint device or child seat, please read
the following:
Never install a rearward-facing child-
restraint system in the front passenger seat
of this vehicle.
Your vehicle is equipped with an airbag
supplemental restraint system for the front
passenger. Because the backrest on any
rearward-facing child-restraint system Ð
of the kind designed for infants under
1 year and 20 Ibs./9 kg Ð would be within
the airbag's deployment range, you should
never mount such a device in the front
passenger seat, since the impact of the
airbag against the child restraint's backrest
could lead to serious or fatal injuries.
If it is necessary for a child Ð not an infant Ð
to ride in the front seat, certain precautions
should be taken. First, move the passenger
seat as far away from the instrument panel
as possible. This important precaution is
intended to maximize the distance
between the airbag and the child. Older
children should be tightly secured with a
safety belt, after they have outgrown a
booster seat that is appropriate for their
age, height and weight. Younger children
should be secured in an appropriate

40
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELYforward-facing child-restraint system that
has first been properly secured with a
safety belt. Never install a rearward-facing
child-restraint system in the front
passenger seat.
We strongly urge you to carefully read and
comply with the instructions for installa-
tion and use provided by the child
restraint's manufacturer whenever you use
such a device.
Be sure that all occupants Ð of all ages Ð
remain properly and securely restrained at
all times.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seats than in the front seating posi-
tions.<
All rear seats in your vehicle conform to the
guidelines defined in SAE J1819, an
industry recommended practice for
securing child-restraint systems in motor
vehicles.
Child seat securityAll of the rear belt retractors and the front
passenger's safety belt can be locked for
mounting and securing child-restraint
systems.
Information regarding this is located near
the buckle latch of each safety belt.
To lock the belt Pull the entire length of the belt from the
belt retractor. Allow the reel to retract the
belt somewhat and engage the buckle,
then tighten the belt against the child-
restraint system. The retraction mecha-
nism is now locked. To unlock the belt Release the buckle, remove the child-
restraint system and allow the belt
retractor to reel the belt completely in.

41
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN VEHICLE MEMORY LATCH child-restraint systemOpen the cover.
The illustration is an example showing
the mounts for the LATCH (Lower Anchors
and Tethers for Children) child-restraint
mounting system at the right rear.
The system is also available at the left rear
position.
Always follow all manufacturer's
instructions and observe all safety
precautions when installing the LATCH
child-restraint system.<
How the system functionsDoubtless you have often reflected on how
great it would be if you could configure
your vehicle's various adjustment settings
to meet your own personal requirements.
In developing this vehicle, the manufac-
turer has incorporated a number of options
that your MINI center can program to
reflect your individual preferences. What the system can doYour MINI center can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle
Memory system.
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Signals an acknowledgement when
locking or unlocking your vehicle
>Automatic locking after starting off
>Automatic unlocking when the parking
brake is applied
>Selective central locking
First open the driver's door, then the
whole car
>Automatic opening/closing of sliding/tilt
sunroof
>Opening/closing windows and/or
sliding/tilt sunroof via remote control
>Speed-dependent windshield wiper>Automatic activation of windshield
wipers on cleaning
>"Follow me home" lamps
Low beams light up for a short time after
the engine has been switched off
>Locking when engine is running (with
second key)
>Stop function of power windows on
opening/closing
>Activating/deactivating daytime driving
lamps
*
>Switching on interior lamps via remote
control.
This symbol draws your attention to
other Vehicle Memory functions
described in the Owner's Manual.<

42
IGNITION LOCK STARTING THE ENGINE 0 Steering locked
1 Steering unlocked
2 Ignition switched on
3 Starting the engine0 Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in this
position only.
To lock the steering:
1. Remove the key
2. Turn the steering wheel slightly to the
left or right until the lock engages.
Vehicles with Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission (CVT):
Do not move the selector lever from posi-
tion "P" until the engine is running.
Your vehicle is equipped with an interlock.
Therefore, the ignition key cannot be
turned to position 0 and removed until the
selector lever is in position "P" (Interlock).<
1 Steering unlocked Individual electrical accessories are ready
for operation.
You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position 0 to posi-
tion 1 when you move the steering wheel
slightly to help disengage the lock.2 Ignition switched onAll electrical accessories are ready for oper-
ation.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from
starting if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not allow the engine to warm up with
the vehicle at a standstill. Move off imme-
diately at a moderate engine speed.
Do not allow the engine to run in
enclosed spaces. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.
Breathing the exhaust gases poses an
extreme health risk, and can lead to uncon-
sciousness and death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine represents a poten-
tial safety hazard. When driving, standing
at idle or when parking, take precautions to
avoid contact between the hot exhaust
system and easily flammable materials
(grass, hay or leaves, for example). Such
contact could lead to a fire, resulting in
serious personal injury and property
damage.<

43
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
STARTING THE ENGINE SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE StartingWhen starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not actuate the starter for too
short a time. Do not turn it for more
than approx. 20 seconds. Release the igni-
tion key immediately when the engine
starts.
Extended starting attempts, characterized
by excessively frequent or long periods
with the starter engaged, can lead to
damage in the catalytic converter.<
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt (the engine is very hot or cold, for
instance):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter.
Cold starts at extremely low temperatures
(as of approx. +5 7(Ð15 6)):
>Press the accelerator pedal halfway
down while engaging the starter
>For the initial start attempt, allow the
starter to remain engaged somewhat
longer (approx. 10 seconds).
Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Put the manual gearshift lever in neutral
3. Press the clutch pedal
4. Start the engine.Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)*1. Press the footbrake
2. Put the selector lever in position P or N
3. Starting the engine.
Move the selector lever to position N
and engage the parking brake before
leaving your vehicle with the engine
running.
Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running. An unattended vehicle with a
running engine represents a potential
safety hazard.<
You should never remove the ignition
key when the vehicle is in motion, as
the steering lock could engage.
When you leave the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and engage the steering
lock.
When you park on downward slopes,
engage the parking brake.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)*Engage selector lever position P, turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 0.

44
PARKING BRAKE The parking brake is designed primarily to
prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.To engageLever automatically locks in position.
The warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on when the ignition key is in posi-
tion 2, see page 16.To release1. Pull up slightly
2. Press the button
3. Push the lever downwards.
If, in exceptional circumstances,
it should be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is
in motion, do not pull the lever with
excessive pressure. Keep your thumb
pressed against the release button while
carefully pulling the lever up to apply
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking
and loss of traction (fishtailing) at the rear
axle.
The brake lamps do not come on when the
parking brake is engaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when
parking on hills and inclined surfaces, as
first gear or reverse may not provide
adequate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with CVT:
Place the selector lever in P.<

45
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
MANUAL TRANSMISSION The manual gearshift lever neutral plane
lies in the gear plane of the 3rd/4th gear.
When shifting from each gear into
"Neutral", the manual gearshift lever
springs back automatically into the gear-
shift lever neutral plane.6-speed transmission*
When changing gear in the 5th/6th
gear plane, press the gearshift lever
to the right to prevent shifting to a gear of
the 3rd/4th gear plane.<
Reverse Before selecting reverse gear, ensure the
vehicle is stationary; then, fully press the
clutch pedal and pause briefly before
moving the gearshift lever into position.
As you do this, the backup lamps will turn
on automatically when the ignition key is
in position 2.
5-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever to the right and to
the back.
6-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever to the left to over-
come the slight resistance and press
forwards.
As you do this, the backup lamps will turn
on automatically when the ignition key is
in position 2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on
slopes by slipping or "riding" the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead.
Riding the clutch causes the clutch
assembly to wear out sooner.<

46
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
You can drive with a steplessly shifting CVT.
In addition, you can also shift manually.
When you move the selector lever from the
D position to the right into the M/S + Ð
range, the performance-oriented shift
programs of the CVT are engaged. Step-
tronic enters the manual selection mode
and executes the desired shift whenever
you tap the selector lever in the direction
indicated by "+" or "Ð" .
Whenever you want to use automatic
again, just move the selector lever toward
the left to position D.
In positition D, you achieve the
lowest fuel consumption for average
driving.<
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + Ð
Range selectionInadvertent engaging of certain selector
lever positions is prevented by a lock.
Press the button on the front side of the
selector lever knob. The lock is released.
While the vehicle is stationary and
before shifting out of P or N, press
the brake pedal in order to disengage the
selector lever lock mechanism (Shiftlock).
If the engine speed is too high when the
vehicle is at a standstill, the selector lever
is also blocked to protect the transmission.
Hold the brake pedal down until starting
off. Otherwise the vehicle will "creep" when
a drive position is engaged.<
To prevent the vehicle from starting
off on its own, always move the
selector lever to position P or N and engage
the parking brake before leaving your
vehicle with the engine running.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. An unattended vehicle
with a running engine represents a poten-
tial safety hazard.<
If the selector lever is not placed in
position P when the vehicle is parked,
the position display of the selector lever
stays on. This can lead to battery
discharge.<