Page 5 of 140

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
Page 6 of 140
CONTENTS
4
In the engine compartment:
Hood 86
Engine compartment Ð
MINI COOPER 87
Engine compartment Ð
MINI COOPER S 88
Washer fluid 89
Engine oil 89
Coolant 91
Brake fluid 92
Maintenance and care:
MINI Maintenance System 93
Caring for your vehicle 94
Vehicle immobilization 96
Laws and regulations:
OBD interface socket 96
Technical modifications 96
California Proposition 65 Warning 97
Owner Service Procedures
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 100
Windshield wiper blades 100
Lamps and bulbs 101
Repairing a flat tire 106
Changing tires Ð MINI
with space-saver spare tire 106
Flat tire Ð safety tires 110
Battery 111
Fuses 112
Giving and receiving assistance:
Warning triangle 113
First-aid kit 113
Jump-starting 113
Tow-starting and towing 115
Technical data
Engine data 120
Dimensions 121
Weights 122
Capacities 123
Electrical system 124
Page 15 of 140
13
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
DISPLAY ELEMENTS
1 Tachometer 55
with indicator and warning lamps, see
from page 15
2 Display for computer 58
3 Speedometer with indicator and warning
lamps, see from page 154 Indicator for
>
Odometer 55
>
Trip odometer 55
>
Service Interval 57
>
Program display for Continuously
Variable Transmission (CVT) 485 Trip odometer, reset to zero 55
6 Fuel gauge 55
7 Engine coolant temperature gauge 56
Page 17 of 140

15
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
Technology
that monitors itself
The system runs a check on the warning
and indicator lamps marked by "
l
" each
time you switch on the ignition. They each
light up once for different periods of time.
If a malfunction should occur in one of
these systems, the corresponding lamp
does not go out after the engine is started
or it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see how to react correctly to this
below.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
l
The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective alter-
nator drive belt or a problem with the
charge circuit. Please contact the nearest
MINI center.
If this lamp lights up, the power-assist for
steering can be deactivated.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could be
damaged due to overheating. When the
power-assist is deactivated, increased
steering effort is required.
<
Engine oil pressure
l
Stop immediately. Switch off
engine. Check the engine oil and
top up as required. Please contact the
nearest MINI center.
Do not continue driving, otherwise,
the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.
<
Brake warning lamp
l
If the lamp comes on when the
parking brake is not engaged:
Check the brake fluid level. Before driving
further, be sure to comply with the infor-
mation on pages 79, 57 and 92.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models.
With navigation system option:
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in the speedometer
l
If the lamp comes on while oper-
ating the vehicle, the engine has over-
heated. Switch off the engine immediately
and allow to cool down, see also page 56.
Page 58 of 140

56
FUEL GAUGE TEMPERATURE GAUGE In the navigation system
Please also comply with the instruc-
tions in the previous column.<
Once indicator lamp 1 switches from
orange to red, there are still approx.
2.1 gallons (8 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
Low temperatureThe needle is located at the bottom or on
the right.
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate
engine and vehicle speeds.Center positionNormal operating temperature of the
engine.High temperatureAs soon as there is a deviation from the
center position upwards or to the left:
Drive moderately and at low engine speed,
if necessary, switch off the engine and
allow to cool down.
Checking coolant level, see page 91.
1 Red indicator lamp When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp 1 comes on briefly to confirm that the
system is operational.
If the lamp comes on while operating the
vehicle, the engine has overheated. Switch
off the engine immediately and allow it to
cool down.Navigation system option
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in the tachometer.
If the lamp comes on while oper-
ating the vehicle, the engine has over-
heated. Switch off the engine immediately
and allow it to cool down.
Page 89 of 140
87
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ENGINE COMPARTMENT Ð MINI COOPER1 Reservoir for windshield washer
system 89
2 Coolant expansion tank 913 Engine oil filler neck 90
4 Battery 111
5 Brake fluid reservoir 926 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system 89
7 Engine oil dipstick 89
Page 90 of 140
88
ENGINE COMPARTMENT Ð MINI COOPER S1 Reservoir for windshield washer
system 89
2 Coolant expansion tank 913 Engine oil filler neck 90
4 Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting 113
5 Brake fluid reservoir 926 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system 89
7 Engine oil dipstick 89
Page 93 of 140

91
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COOLANT
Do not add coolant to the cooling
system when the engine is hot.
Escaping coolant can cause burns.
To avoid the possibility of damage later on,
never use anything other than factory-
approved, nitrite and amino-free extended-
duty antifreeze with corrosion inhibitor.
Every MINI center is aware of these.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor contains the flammable
substance ethylene-glycol. For this reason,
do not spill extended-duty antifreeze with
corrosion inhibitor on hot engine parts. It
could catch fire and cause serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor.<
The illustration shows an example of the
coolant tank on the MINI COOPER.Checking coolant level Correct coolant level for cold engine
(approx. 68 7/20 6):
Up to the mark "MAX" of the transparent
expansion tank.
Only open the cap of the expansion
tank when the engine has cooled
down. The needle on the coolant tempera-
ture gauge in the instrument cluster must
be no higher than in the first quarter,
otherwise there is a danger of scalding.<
To add coolantMINI COOPER:
1. Slowly open the cap by turning it with
the tab to allow accumulated pressure
toescape.
2. Pull open the cap completely.
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached Ð do not
overfill.
MINI COOPER S:
1. Open the cap by turning it slightly coun-
terclockwise to allow accumulated pres-
sure to escape.
2. Unscrew the cap completely and open.
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached Ð do not
overfill.
The coolant consists of water and
extended-duty antifreeze with corrosion
inhibitor. The mixing ratio of 50 to 50 must
be maintained all the year round due to the
required corrosion resistance. No other
additives are required.
Replace the coolant every 4 years.