3
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock 42
Starting the engine 42
Switching off the engine 43
Parking brake 44
Manual transmission 45
Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT) 46
Parking lamps/Low beams 49
Indicator/Headlamp flasher 49
Instrument lighting 50
Fog lamps 50
Interior lamps 50
Light-emitting diodes 51
Washer/Wiper system 51
Cruise control 53
Everything under control:
Odometer 55
Tachometer 55
Fuel gauge 55
Coolant temperature gauge 56
Service Interval Display 57
Clock 57
Computer 58
Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T) 60
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 61
Flat Tire Monitor 62
Park Distance Control (PDC) 63
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioner system 64
Automatic climate control 67
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment 70
Ashtray/Beverage holder 70
Cigarette lighter 70
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment cover 71
Foldable rear backrest 71
Loading cargo 72
Roof-mounted luggage rack 73
Care and maintenance
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures 76
General driving notes 76
Refueling 77
Fuel specifications 78
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 78
Brake system 79
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 80
Tire condition 82
Tire replacement 83
Wheel and tire combinations 84
Winter tires 85
Snow chains 85
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.<
47
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
P Park
Select "P" only when the vehicle is
completely stopped. Transmission locks to
prevent rear wheels from turning.R ReverseSelect "R" only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.N NeutralSelect "N" only if your journey is inter-
rupted for a long period.D Drive (CVT driving position)This position is designed for driving under
all normal operating conditions. "Kickdown"In "kickdown", you achieve maximum
acceleration and maximum speed in posi-
tion D.
Press the accelerator pedal past the
increased resistance point at the full-
throttle position.
M/S +
Ð Manual mode and Sport
program
Switch from D into M/S + Ð:
Activates the Sport program and indicates
SD in the gear indicator in the speedo-
meter.
>Press briefly:
CVT shifts from the Sport program to the
manual mode
>Press selector lever briefly towards "+":
Transmission shifts upwards
>Press selector lever briefly towards "Ð":
Transmission shifts back.
1 to 6 appear in the gear indicator.
The transmission will only execute upshifts
and downshifts that will result in a plau-
sible combination of vehicle speed and
engine rpm, for instance, downshifts that
would result in excessive engine speed are
not executed.
Switching from M/S + Ð into the selector
lever positions P, R and N and switching
from manual mode back into the Sport
program is only possible via D.
48
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
Available displays
P R N D SD 1 2 3 4 5 6 EP
Electronic transmission control moduleIf there is a malfunction in the transmission
system, EP appears in the display.
All selector lever positions can still be
selected. In positions for driving forward:
The vehicle can now only be driven with a
limited gear selection.
Avoid high engine loads. Proceed to
the nearest MINI center.<
Do not work in the engine compart-
ment when a drive gear (forward or
reverse) is engaged. If you do this, the
vehicle could move.<
Jump-starting and towing, refer to
pages 113, 115.<