
47
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE PARKING BRAKE
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.
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
position 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, i.e. 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 ade-
quate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with CVT:
Place the selector lever in P.<
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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.
Parking light on one side, see following
column.Switching on the low beamsTurn to the second position. With the low
beams on and with the ignition 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 a set length of
time.
You can have this function set by
your MINI Dealer.<
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 Dealer.<
1Turn signal indicator – green indicator
lamps and periodic clicking sound from
the relay
2High beams/Headlamp flasher – blue
indicator lampTo signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the
point of resistance.
If the blinking of the indicator lamp
and the clicking from the relay are
both faster than normal: one of the turn
signal indicators has failed.<
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59
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUEL GAUGE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE In the navigation system
Please also comply with the instruc-
tions in the previous section.<
If the indicator light 1 changes from orange
to red, there are approx. 2.1 gallons /
8 liters of fuel in the tank.
Low temperatureThe needle is at the bottom or on the right
of the range.
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 it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, see page 96.
1 Red indicator lamp When you switch on the ignition, warning
lamp 1 comes on briefly to confirm that the
system is operational.
Lights up while driving:
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.Navigation system option
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in tachometer lights up while
driving:
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.
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97
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COOLANT BRAKE FLUIDTo add coolant
MINI COOPER:
1. Slowly open the cap by pulling at the tab
to allow accumulated pressure to
escape.
2. Pull open the cap completely.
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached – 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 and open the cap completely.
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached – do not
overfill.
The coolant is made up of water and an
antifreeze with corrosion resistance. The
mixture ratio of 50 to 50 must be kept the
entire year due to the required anti-corro-
sion property. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every three years.
Warning lamp
If the brake warning lamp comes
on with the parking brake released:
The brake fluid level is too low, see
page 15.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Adding brake fluidTo add brake fluid or to determine and cor-
rect the cause of brake fluid loss, consult
your MINI Dealer. Your MINI Dealer is famil-
iar with the specifications for factory-
approved brake fluids – DOT 4.
Brake fluid loss may result in extended
brake pedal travel. If this occurs, refer to
the information on page 84.
Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that is, it
absorbs moisture from the air over
time.
In order to ensure the brake system's safety
and reliability, have the brake fluid
changed every two years by a MINI Dealer,
see also the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet for US models or the Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for Canadian
models. Brake fluid is toxic and also dam-
ages vehicle paintwork. Always store brake
fluid in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Do not spill the brake fluid and do not fill
the brake fluid reservoir beyond the MAX
mark. The brake fluid could ignite upon
contact with hot engine parts and cause
serious burns.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of brake fluid.<
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102
OBD SOCKET The interface socket for onboard diagnos-
tics is located on the driver's side, behind a
cover located beneath the instrument
panel. The cover has the letters OBD on it.
The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control
system for the vehicle‘s lifetime. The sys-
tem monitors emission-related compo-
nents for deterioration and malfunction.
An illuminated lamp informs you of
the need for service, not of the
need to stop the vehicle.
However, the system should be checked by
your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce speed and consult the
nearest MINI Dealer as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short
period of time can seriously damage emis-
sion control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
Service Engine Soon warning lamp
for Canadian models.
When the filler cap is not properly
tightened, the OBD system can detect
the vapor leak and the indicator will light
up. If the filler cap is subsequently tight-
ened, the indicator lamp should go out
within a few days.<
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125
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
JUMP-STARTINGPreparing for jump-starting1. Check whether the battery of the sup-
port vehicle has 12 Volts and approxi-
mately the same capacity – measured in
Ah, printed on the battery
2. Switch off the engine of the support
vehicle
3. Switch off any electrical systems and
components in both vehicles – except
for the hazard warning flashers of the
support vehicle.
>Do not disconnect the discharged bat-
tery from the vehicle electrical system
>Make certain that there is no contact
between the bodywork of the two
vehicles – short circuit hazard!
4. With the battery of the MINI COOPER,
remove the cover panel. To do so, press
both clips at the same time
or
with the MINI COOPER S, open the cover
of the positive terminal connection for
jump-starting
*, see arrow 1.
Connect the jumper cables
Adhere to the sequence also when
providing support for other vehicles;
failure to observe this procedure can lead
to sparks at the terminals and pose an
injury hazard.<
1. On the MINI COOPER S, the positive ter-
minal connection for jump-starting, see
arrow 1, functions as the positive bat-
tery terminal.
Make a connection with the "+" jumper
cable between the positive terminal of
the discharged battery and the positive
terminal of the support battery
2. Use the second, "–" jumper cable to set
up the connection between the negative
terminals of both vehicles.
To do so:
>Connect one terminal clamp to the
negative terminal and/or to an engine
or body ground of the support vehicle
>Connect the second terminal clamp to
the negative terminal of the battery
and/or to an engine or body ground of
the vehicle to be started. For the MINI,
see arrow 2.
Performing the jump-start1. Start the engine of the vehicle providing
the current and allow to run at a fast idle
speed for several minutes
2. Start the engine on the vehicle with the
discharged battery in the usual manner.
>If the first start attempt is not suc-
cessful, wait a few minutes before
another attempt in order to allow the
discharged battery to recharge
On the MINI:
Before disconnecting the jumper
cables, switch on the lighting, rear window
defroster and the highest blower speed as
well as the engine for at least approx.
10 seconds to prevent a voltage surge from
the regulator to the electrical systems and
components.<
3. Then disconnect the jumper cables in
the reverse order.
If necessary have the battery checked and
completely charged at a MINI Dealer.
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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
136
A
ABS (Antilock Brake
System)16,17,83
Accessories7,99
Activated-charcoal filter72
Adjusting
backrest35
steering wheel38
Air conditioner operation
air conditioning system68
automatic climate
control71
Air conditioning system67
Air distribution
air conditioning system68
automatic climate
control71,72
Air outlets, ventilation69
Air pressure85
Air recirculation68,71
Air supply
air conditioning system68
automatic climate
control71
Air vents69,72
Air, dry68
Air, drying71
Airbags16,33,40
Airing out69
Alarm system31
All-season tires89 Antenna99
Antifreeze96
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)16,17,83
Anti-theft system31
Aquaplaning, see
Hydroplaning81
ASC+T (Automatic Stability
Control plus
Traction)16,17,62
Ashtray73
AUTO Program, see Automatic
air distribution71
Auto washing99
Automatic
air distribution71
air supply71
cruise control56
Automatic car wash99
Automatic climate control70
Automatic Stability Control
plus Traction
(ASC+T)16,17,62
Average fuel consumption61
Average speed61
Axle loads132
B
Backrest, adjusting35
Backup lamps48
bulb replacement109 Bar, towing126
Battery124
charge current15
charging122
disposal122
maintenance122
Battery, remote control22
Belts33,38
Beverage holder73
Blower71
BMW6
Bonnet16,91
Bore130
Brake fluid level15,84,97
Brake hydraulic system15
Brake lamp
bulb replacement109
Brake pads80,84
Brake rotors80
Brake system80,84
brake fluid97
Brakes81,84
Braking system16
Breaking-in80
Bridging124
Bulb replacement
backup lamps109
brake lamp, center110
cargo area lamps111
footwell lamps111
front fog lamps108 front turn signal
indicators108
glove compartment
lamp111
interior lamps110
license plate lamp110
parking lamps108
reading lamps110
rear lamps109
side turn signal
indicators108
standing lamps108
tail lamps109
vanity mirror111
C
California Proposition
65 warning103
Capacity
fuel tank133
Car care99
Car wash99
Car-care products99
Care99
chrome parts100
floor mats100
imitation leather100
leather101
light-alloy wheels100
plastic parts100
rubber parts100
Hilfsrahmen für Querverweise
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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
138
Defrosting windows69,72
air conditioning system69
automatic climate
control72
Dimensions131
Dimming
interior mirror39
Dipstick, engine oil94
Dirt on the paintwork99
Disc brakes84
Displacement130
Display elements13,14
coolant thermometer59
fuel gauge58
indicator and warning
lamps15
odometer58
service interval display60
with navigation system14
Display lighting53
Distance remaining61
Doors
keys22
locking24
manual operation25
unlocking24
DOT quality grades87
Driving lamps52
Driving notes, general81
Dry air68,71 DSC (Dynamic Stability
Control)16,63
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)16,63
E
Easy entry35
EBD (Electronic Brake Force
Distribution)16,83
Electric power windows28
Electrical defect
driver's door25
sliding/tilt sunroof30
tailgate27
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)16,83
Electronic transmission control
module
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)51
Emergency operation
driver's door25
sliding/tilt sunroof30
tailgate27
Engine80
electronics17
power output17
speed17,58
starting46 Engine compartment
MINI COOPER92
MINI COOPER S93
Engine oil94
additives95
consumption94
dipstick94
High Performance
Synthetic Oil96
level94
pressure15
recommended grades of
oil95
viscosities96
Entry to the rear35
Exterior finish, care99
Exterior mirrors39
Eyelets, towing126
F
Failure, tires64
False alarm32
Fans68
Fastening safety belts16,38
Filling canister118,119
Filling hose118
First-aid kit124
Flat116 Flat tire64,112
MINI Mobility System118
Run Flat tires116
space-saver spare tire112
Flat Tire Monitor16,17,64
Floor coverings, floor
carpets100
Fluid capacities
fuel tank133
headlamp washer
system133
windshield washer
system133
Fog lamps53
Foldable rear backrest74
"Follow me home" lamps52
Foot mats100
Footbrake84
Footwell lamps53
bulb replacement111
Front airbags40
Front fog lamps
bulb replacement108
Front seat adjustment34
Fuel
consumption61
consumption display58
preparation130
quality83
tank capacity82,133
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