45
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
IGNITION LOCK 0Steering locked
1Steering unlocked
2Ignition switched on
3Starting the engine0Steering 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.
A sound alarm goes off if the key
remains in the ignition after opening
the driver's door.<
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI Dealer.<
Vehicles with Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission (CVT):
Do not move the selector lever from
position 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.<
1Steering 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
position 1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the lock.2Ignition switched onAll electrical accessories are ready for oper-
ation.3Starting 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.<
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46
STARTING THE ENGINE 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 unconsciousness and
death.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. This is a safety hazard.
When driving, standing at idle or parking
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact
between the hot exhaust system and flam-
mable materials – e.g. hay, leaves, grass,
etc. Such contact could lead to a fire, result-
ing in serious personal injury and property
damage.<
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 dam-
age in the catalytic converter.<
If the engine does not start on the first
attempt, for instance if the engine is very
hot or cold:
>When starting the engine, press the gas
pedal down halfway.
When first starting the engine at very low
temperatures – from +5 7 / –15 6:
>When starting the engine, press the gas
pedal down halfway
>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. Start the engine.
Move the selector lever to position P
and engage the parking brake before
leaving your vehicle with the engine run-
ning.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. This is a safety haz-
ard.<
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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 gearshift lever neu-
tral plane.6-speed transmission*
When changing gear in the 5th/6th
gear plane, press the gearshift lever
to the right to prevent inadvertently shift-
ing to a gear of the 3rd/4th gear plane.<
Reverse Before selecting reverse gear, ensure the
vehicle is stationary; then, fully depress the
clutch pedal and pause briefly before mov-
ing the gearshift lever into position.
5-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever to the right and to
the back.
6-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever towards the left.
Thereby overcome the slight resistance and
press forward.
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 assem-
bly to wear out sooner.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CRUISE CONTROL
*
To cancel the cruise control
When the system is activated, press
button 2.
The indicator lamp stays lit.
You can use the cruise control again as
required.
In addition, cruise control is canceled auto-
matically
>when the brakes are applied
>when you apply pressure to the clutch
pedal, or when you move the CVT selec-
tor lever from D to P, N or R
>or if the cruise speed is either exceeded
or not met for an extended length of
time, for example if you press the accel-
erator pedal and exceed the stored
speed.
To continue cruise controlPress button 1.
The vehicle accelerates to and maintains
the last speed stored. If you turn the igni-
tion key to position 0, the stored speed is
deleted and the system is deactivated.To deactivate the systemPress button 2 repeatedly until the indica-
tor lamp goes out.
The stored speed is cleared.
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80
BREAK-IN PROCEDURESTo ensure that your vehicle provides maxi-
mum economy throughout a long service
life, we request that you comply with the
following information: EngineUp to 1,250 miles / 2,000 km:
Constantly vary both vehicle and engine
speed during these initial miles while
remembering not to exceed 4,500 rpm /
4500/min and/or vehicle speeds of over
95 mph / 150 km/h.
Absolutely avoid using the full-throttle or
kickdown position for the accelerator.
After 1,250 miles / 2,000 km, the rpm and
vehicle speed can be increased gradually.
You should also comply with these break-in
procedures if the engine has to be replaced
at a later point.
TiresDue to technical factors associated with
their manufacture, tires do not achieve
their full traction potential until after an
initial break-in period. Therefore drive care-
fully during the first 200 miles / 300 km.Brake systemApprox. 300 miles / 500 km must be driven
before the brake pads and rotors achieve
the optimum pad-surface and wear pat-
terns required for trouble-free operation
and an extended service life.ClutchRoughly 300 miles / 500 km must be driven
before the clutch starts to operate at opti-
mum efficiency. Remember to engage the
clutch carefully during this initial period.
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84
BRAKE SYSTEMBrake fluid level If the brake fluid level is too low and brake
pedal travel has become longer, there may
be a defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest MINI Dealer.
Higher brake application pressure
may be necessary under these conditions,
there may be a slight pull to one side, and
brake pedal travel may be longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Disc brakesWhen the vehicle is driven only occasion-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten-
dency for corrosion of the brake rotors and
accumulation of contamination on the
brake pads. This occurs because the mini-
mal pressure that must be exerted by the
pads to clean the rotors by brake applica-
tions is not reached.
Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by a
running or pulsation during braking; even
extended subsequent braking will not cure
this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the
brakes with a gentle application when driv-
ing in rain and on wet roads. Monitor traffic
conditions to ensure that this maneuver
does not endanger other road users. The
resulting heat dries the brake rotor and the
brake pads. Then if braking effect is
needed, it is immediately available.
Extended or steep mountain descents
should be driven in the gear or in the driv-
ing position in which only minimal periodic
brake application is required. This helps
avoid placing excessive loads on the brake system. Stay within the allowable speed
range, refer to page 58.
Do not coast with the clutch pressed
or with the transmission or selector
lever in Neutral. Do not coast with the
engine switched off. The engine provides
no braking effect when the transmission is
in Neutral, and there is no power-assist for
braking when the engine is switched off.<
Brake pads
For your own safety: use brake pads
which the manufacturer of your MINI
has approved for your particular vehicle
model. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved brake pads to
determine if they are suitable for use, and
therefore cannot ensure the operating
safety of the vehicle in the event of their
use.<
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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
137
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
safety belts100
upholstery material99
wiper blades100
wood parts100
Cargo
stowing75
Cargo area75
cover74
lamps53,111
opening, remote control
volume132
Caring for your vehicle99
Carpets100
Cassette player, see separate
Owner's Manual
CD changer, see separate
Owner's Manual
CD player, see separate
Owner's Manual
Center high-mount brake lamp
bulb replacement110
Central locking
system23,26
Changing battery, remote
control22
Changing bulbs107
Changing lamps107
Changing tire
space-saver spare tire112
tire change
set112,117,121 Checking oil level94
Checking tire inflation
pressure121
Child seat41
Child seat fastening system
LATCH43
Child-restraint systems41
Chrome parts100
Cigarette lighter73
socket73
Cleaning headlamps99
Cleaning rear window55
Cleaning windshield55
Clock60
Closing
from inside26
from outside23
Clothes hooks81
Clutch80
Cockpit12
Combination of wheels/
tires89
Compact Disc player, see
separate Owner's Manual
Compression ratio130
Compressor118,120
Computer60
average fuel
consumption61
average speed61 cruising range61
outside temperature61
Condensation68,71
Consumption61
Consumption display, see
Fuel gauge58
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)49
electronic transmission
control module EP51
gear display51
ignition45
interlock45
manual mode50
parking50
reverse gear50
selector lever shift-
lock45,49
shiftlock49
sport program50
towing127
transmission
malfunction51
Control elements12
Convenience opening
from inside26
Convenience operation
sliding/tilt sunroof25,29
windows25 Coolant96
level96
thermometer59
Cooling68,71
Copyright2
Cosmetic mirror, see
Vanity mirror39
Cruise control18,19,56
Cruising range61
Cup holder, see Beverage
holder73
Curb weight132
Currency of the Owner's
Manual7
CVT (Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission)49
Cylinders130
D
Dashboard12
Data
dimensions131
engine130
technical130
weight132
Daytime driving lamps52
Deep water, see Water on
roadways81
Defrost setting69
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