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
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12
COCKPIT
1
>
Parking lamps/Low beams 49
>
Turn signal indicators 49
>
Standing lamps 49
>
High beams 49
>
Headlamp flasher 49
>
Computer 582 Washer/Wiper system 51
3 Instrument lighting 50
4 Outside mirror adjustment 36
5 Hazard warning flashers6 Hood release 86
7 Horn 18
8 Steering wheel adjustment 35
9 OBD interface socket 96
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17
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Flat Tire Monitor
l
Stays lit: the system is defective.
Please have the system inspected
at your MINI center.
More information on page 62
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
l
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able. Please have the system inspected
at your MINI center.
More information on page 78
ABS indicator lamp for Canadian
models.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC)
l
Indicator lamp flashes:
System active: drive and braking forces are
regulated.
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T/DSC switched off with button or
defective. In the event of a defect: please
have the system inspected at your MINI
center.
More information on pages 60, 61
Service Engine Soon
l
If the warning lamp comes on
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a malfunction in the
emissions-related electronic systems.
Although the vehicle remains operational,
you should have the systems checked by
your MINI center at the earliest possible
opportunity.
"Service Engine Soon" warning
lamp for Canadian models
.
Engine electronics
*
l
Malfunction in the engine elec-
tronics. You can continue to drive
with reduced engine output or engine
speed. Please have the system inspected at
your MINI center.
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when turn signal indicator
is on, also for trailer towing.
Rapid flashing: the system is defective.
More information on page 49
Cruise control
*
Lights up when the cruise control is
activated. Operation via the multi-
function steering wheel.
More information on page 53
Blue: for your information
High beams
Comes on when the high beams
are on or the headlamp flasher is
actuated.
More information on page 49
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49
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
PARKING LAMPS/LOW BEAMS SIGNAL/HEADLAMP FLASHER Switching on the parking lampsTurn to the first position.
The front, rear and side vehicle lighting is
switched on.
One-sided standing lamps, see next
column.Switching on the low beamsTurn to the second position.
With the low beams on and with the igni-
tion switched off, only the parking lamps
will remain on."Follow me home" lampsIf you switch off the engine with the low
beams on, and then switch off the low
beams, they remain lit for approx. one
minute.
You can also have this function acti-
vated.<
Switching on the standing lampsFor parking, you can activate lights on one
side of the vehicle (observe local laws).
In ignition key position 0:
Move the lever into the relevant turn signal
indicator position."Lights on" warningIf the lights have not been switched off and
the ignition key is in position 0, an acoustic
signal sounds for a few seconds when you
open the driver's door to remind you that
the lights have not been switched off.Daytime driving lamps*If you desire, the light switch can be left in
the second position:
When the ignition is switched off, the
external lighting is also switched off.
You can have this function set by
your MINI center.<
1 Turn signal indicator (green indicator
accompanied by periodic clicking sound
from the relay)
2 High beams/Headlamp flasher (blue
indicator lamp)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the
detent.
If the indicator lamp of the indicators
and the clicking from the relay are
both faster than normal: one of the turn
signal indicators has failed.<
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51
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES WASHER/WIPER SYSTEM Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) installed
behind translucent lenses serve as the light
source for many of the controls and
displays in your vehicle. These light-emit-
ting diodes are related to conventional
lasers, and legislation defines them as
"light-emitting diodes, Class 1".
Do not remove the protective lens
and avoid staring directly at the unfil-
tered beam for several hours, as inflamma-
tion of the iris could result.<
0 Wipers parked
1 Intermittent operation or rain sensor
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wiper speed
4 Brief wipe
5 Clean windshield and headlampsIntermittent operation(not on vehicles with rain sensor)
The interval varies depending on the speed
being driven.
You can have this function set by
your MINI center.<
Rain sensor*The rain sensor is located on the wind-
shield, directly in front of the interior rear-
view mirror. When the rain sensor is
activated, the windshield wipers are auto-
matically controlled depending on the
amount of water (or snow) landing on the
windshield.
To activate the rain sensor:
From ignition key position 1:
Lever in position 1.
The wipers move across the windshield
once.
To deactivate the rain sensor:
Put lever in position 0.
Switch the rain sensor off when
passing through an automatic car
wash. Failure to do so could result in
damage caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.
switch automatically to normal wiper
speed.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI center.<
Page 54 of 140
52
WASHER/WIPER SYSTEMCleaning windshield and headlamps* The system sprays washer fluid against the
windshield. The wipers are automatically
activated for a brief period.
When the vehicle lighting is on, the head-
lamps are also cleaned at appropriate inter-
vals.
Do not use the washers if there is any
danger that the fluid will freeze on
the windshield. If you do so, your vision
could be obscured. For this reason, use an
antifreeze agent, see page 89.
Do not use the washers when the reservoir
is empty, since this could cause damage to
the washing pump.
automatically when the ignition key is in
position 2.
Rear window wiper6 Intermittent operation:
Turn the cap to position 6
The rear window wiper moves across the
window a number of times before
switching to intermittent operationCleaning the rear window7 Intermittent operation:
Turn the cap to position 7 and hold in
place
8 In lever position 0:
Turn the cap to position 8 and hold in
place
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