2003 MINI COOPER ignition

3
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX

Driving:
Ignition lock45
Starting the engine46
Switching off the engine47
Parking brake47
Manual transmission48
Continuously Variable automatic Trans-
mission (CVT)49
Parking lamps/Low beams52
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher52
Instrument lighting53
Fog lamps53
Interior lamps53
Light-emitting diodes54
Washer/wiper system54
Cruise control56
Everything under control:
Odometer58
Tachometer58
Fuel gauge58
Coolant temperature gauge59
Service interval display60
Clock60
Computer60
Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction
(ASC+T)62
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)63
Flat Tire Monitor64
Park Distance Control (PDC)66
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system67
Automatic climate control70
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment73
Ashtray/Beverage holder73
Cigarette lighter/12 V power supply73
Loading and transporting cargo:
Cargo area cover74
Foldable rear backrest74
Loading cargo75
Roof-mounted luggage rack76

Operation, care, maintenance
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures80
General driving notes81
Refueling82
Fuel specifications83
Antilock Brake System (ABS)83
Brake system84
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure85
Tire condition87
Tire replacement87
Wheel and tire combinations89
Winter tires89
Snow chains90
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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
●
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 below the correct way to react
to this.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
●
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 Dealer.
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


●
Stop immediately. Switch off
engine. Check the engine oil and fill
as needed. Please contact the nearest MINI
Dealer.
Do not continue driving, otherwise,
the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.
<

Brake warning lamp
●
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 84 and 97.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models.
With navigation system option:
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in the speedometer
●
Lights up while driving:
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow to cool down, see
also page 59.

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KEYSDepending on the how the vehicle is
equipped, your MINI has up to four keys:
1Master key with remote control and bat-
tery
If the battery is discharged, please
consult your MINI Dealer. Battery
changing, see next column.<
2Door and ignition key
The doors can only be opened mechani-
cally with this key
3Spare key to keep in a safe place, e.g. in
your wallet. This key is not intended for
constant use
Changing batteryReplace if it is no longer possible to unlock
the vehicle via the remote control.
Only use a battery of the type speci-
fied on the battery – CR 2032 – and
make absolutely sure that it is fitted in the
correct position.<
1. Apply a screwdriver at the recess
2. Use the screwdriver to lever out the
cover.
Return used batteries to a recycling
point or your MINI Dealer.<
Initializing the master key with remote
controlWhen you activate a master key with
remote control – for example a replace-
ment or additional key, or after a battery
change – it must be initialized.
This initialization can be performed in two
ways:
Press button 1 or button 2, see page 24,
four times in succession
or
if the vehicle is unlocked:
1. Switch the ignition on briefly –
position 2 – and then off
2. Within 10 seconds, press button 1 and
button 2, see page 24, in succession.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your MINI Dealer. You
can also obtain replacement keys and bat-
teries there.<
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OPENING AND CLOSING – FROM INSIDE With this switch, you operate the central
locking system when the doors are closed.
The doors and tailgate are unlocked or
locked only. The anti-theft system is not
activated.
Also, the fuel filler door remains unlocked
to allow refueling.
If the remote control has been used
to unlock only the driver's door, see
page 24, and you touch the switch when
the driver's door is open, the other door, the
tailgate, and the fuel filler door are
unlocked.
If the driver's door is closed, touching the
switch locks it.<
To unlock and open the doors1. Touch the switch for the central locking
system
2. Pull the door handle above the armrest
or
pull the door handle for each door twice: to
unlock first and then open.Convenience opening modeFrom ignition key position 1:
Hold the switch in the Unlock position.
The windows and sliding/tilt sunroof open.
Convenience opening mode is simul-
taneously deactivated via the Vehicle
Memory when convenience opening mode
is deactivated via the door lock; refer to
page 25.<
Convenience closing is not possible
by means of this switch. You should
therefore close all the windows and the
sliding/tilt sunroof individually.<
To lockTouch the switch for the central locking
system
or
press the individual safety lock buttons
down.
The central locking automatically
secures your MINI as soon as you
start to drive.<
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI Dealer.<
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. Always take
the vehicle's keys with you so that you can
open the vehicle again from the outside at
any time.<
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ELECTRIC POWER WINDOWSTo open and close windowsFrom ignition key position 1:
To open:
Press the switch downwards.
The window opens until you release the
switch
or
briefly press the switch downwards.
The window opens automatically.
Pressing the switch again stops the opera-
tion.
To close:
Press the switch upwards.
The window closes until you release the
switch.
The window on the front passenger
side cannot be closed automati-
cally.<
Watch during the closing process to
be sure that no one is injured.<
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can use the electric power windows as
long as no one opens any of the doors.
If a door is opened during operation, the
opening/closing process stops immedi-
ately.
When leaving the vehicle, always
remove the ignition key from the lock
and remember to close the doors, e.g. to
prevent children from operating the power
windows and injuring themselves.<
For the convenience mode via the door
lock, refer to page 25.
To initialize power windows
If the battery is disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
re-initialize the power windows. Other-
wise the windows will not be lowered
when the door is opened.<
1. Close the doors
2. Close both windows
3. Hold both switches of the power win-
dows up for approx. one second.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your MINI Dealer.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
SLIDING/TILT SUNROOF
*
To prevent injuries, exercise care
when closing the sliding/tilt sunroof
and keep it in your field of vision until it is
shut. Make sure that the closing path of the
sliding/tilt sunroof is clear.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key from the lock and remem-
ber to close the doors, e.g. to prevent chil-
dren from operating the sunroof and injur-
ing themselves.
Be sure that adequate clearance is main-
tained for the opening path of the sliding/
tilt sunroof, otherwise damage can occur.<
For convenience operation via the door
lock, refer to page 25.
Raising – Opening – ClosingFrom ignition key position 1:To raisePress the switch
or
push the switch backwards to the resis-
tance point.To open and close1. Push the switch in the desired direction
until you feel resistance, and hold in this
position
2. Release the switch when the desired
sunroof position has been reached.
Do not use force to close the sliding/
tilt sunroof in its raised position, as
damage to the mechanism could result.<
After the ignition has been switched off:
You can still operate the sliding/tilt sunroof
for up to one minute, as long as no one
opens any of the doors.
If a door is opened during operation, the
opening/closing stops immediately.
Automatic openingPush the switch back past the point of
resistance:
The sunroof opens completely.
Touching the switch briefly during opening
stops the movement immediately.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ALARM SYSTEM
*
The concept
The alarm system reacts if:
>A door, the bonnet or the tailgate is
opened
>There is any movement inside the vehicle
– interior motion sensor
>There is a change in the tilt angle of the
vehicle, e. g. during attempts to steal
wheels or tow away the vehicle
>There is interruption of the battery volt-
age.
Depending on the country-specific version,
the alarm system signals unauthorized
entry or tampering in different ways:
>Acoustic alarm for 30 seconds
>Turning on the hazard warning flashers
for approx. five minutes.
To arm and disarm the alarm systemWhen the vehicle is locked or unlocked via
the driver's door lock or with the remote
control, the alarm system is also simulta-
neously armed or disarmed.
The interior motion and tilt alarm sensors
are also activated with the closing action.
The alarm system cannot be armed if
the driver's door is not properly
closed.
In some country-specific versions the alarm
system can only be operated with the
remote control.
Unlocking these vehicles with the key trig-
gers the alarm.
To stop the alarm:
Press button 1 – unlock –
or
turn the ignition key to position 1.<
Indicator lampAlarm system:
>Indicator lamp in the wiper system lever
changes after 10 seconds from fast blink-
ing to constant flashing:
The system is activated
>Indicator lamp does not react:
Doors, bonnet or tailgate are not prop-
erly closed.
Even if these are not closed any more,
the alarm system is activated and
secures the remaining part of the vehi-
cle. If everything is closed, the indicator
lamp changes after 10 seconds from fast
blinking to constant flashing
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ALARM SYSTEM
*
>Indicator lamp goes out when the sys-
tem is disarmed:
No tampering with your vehicle has been
detected
>Indicator lamp continues to flash at a
slow rate after the system is disarmed:
Your vehicle has been tampered with.
The indicator lamp will not go out until
the ignition key is turned in the ignition
lock or the alarm system is re-armed.
Interior motion sensor:
>Indicator lamp does not react:
Doors or tailgate are not properly closed
>Indicator lamp flashes constantly:
Only driver/passenger window and slid-
ing/tilt sunroof is open.
Interior motion sensor is not activated.
Alarm system is armed
>Indicator lamp is lit somewhat longer
and then flashes constantly:
Window and/or sliding/tilt sunroof were
closed after the system was armed:
interior motion sensor is not activated.
Avoiding unwanted alarm The tilt alarm and interior motion sensors
may be turned off at the same time. This
will prevent unwanted alarms, e.g. in
duplex garages or when on car transport
trains:
Lock the vehicle twice – activating:
Press button 2 of the remote control twice
in succession, see page 25
or
lock with the key twice, see page 25.
The indicator lamp goes from fast blinking
to regular blinking. After approx. ten sec-
onds the indicator lamp changes to con-
stant flashing. The tilt alarm and interior
motion sensors are deactivated until the
system is disarmed.
Interior motion sensorTransmitter and receiver of the interior
motion sensor system are found under a
cover in the vehicle roof.
For the interior motion sensor to function
properly, the windows, sliding/tilt sunroof
and doors must be closed.
Turn off the interior motion sensor – see
previous column – if
>children or animals remain in the vehicle
>windows or the sliding/tilt sunroof
remain open.
The tilt alarm and interior motion
sensors are inadvertently turned off if
the convenience closing of windows and
sliding/tilt sunroof is interrupted in the
first 10 seconds and then restarted. The
alarm must then be disarmed and reacti-
vated.<
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