CONTENTS
2
© 2003 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 157 644
US English VIII/03
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper,
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.
NOTES
About this Owner's Manual6
Symbols used6
Your individual vehicle6
Editorial notice7
For your own safety7
Symbol on vehicle parts8
Service and warranty8
Reporting safety defects9
OVERVIEW
Cockpit12
Display elements13
Display elements with navigation
system14
Indicator and warning lamps15
Multifunction steering wheels18
CONTROLS
Opening and closing:
Keys22
Central locking system23
Opening and closing: from outside23
Opening and closing: from inside26
Tailgate27
Electric power windows28
Glass sunroof, electric29
Roller sun blind30
Adjustments:
Safe seating position31
Seat adjustment32
Head restraints33
Entry to the rear34
Safety belts35
Seat heating35
Steering wheel36
Mirrors36
Vehicle Memory37
Transporting children safely38
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock41
Starting the engine41
Switching off the engine43
Parking brake43
Manual transmission44
Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)45
Parking lamps/Low beams48
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher49
Instrument lighting49
Fog lamps49
Interior lamps50
Washer/wiper system50
Cruise control52
Everything under control:
Odometer54
Tachometer54
Fuel gauge54
Coolant temperature gauge55
Service interval display56
Clock56
Onboard computer57
Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
All Season traction Control (ASC)59
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)60
Antilock Brake System (ABS)61
Flat Tire Monitor62
Park Distance Control (PDC)64
Airbags65
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system67
Automatic climate control70
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment73
Ashtray, beverage holders74
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply74
Loading and transporting cargo:
Cargo area75
Loading cargo76
Roof-mounted luggage rack78
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
Special operating instructions:
Break-in procedures82
General driving notes83
Refueling84
Fuel specifications85
Brake system86
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure87
Tire coding89
Tire condition91
Wheel and tire replacement92
Run Flat tires93
Snow chains94
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Flat Tire Monitor
+
Stays lit: the system is defective.
Please have the system inspected
at your MINI Dealer.
More information on page 62.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
+
ABS has been deactivated in
response to system malfunction.
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able. Please have the system inspected at
your MINI Dealer.
More information on page 61.
ABS indicator lamp for Canadian
models.
All Season traction Control (ASC)/
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
+
Indicator lamp flashes:
System active: drive and braking forces are
regulated.
The indicator lamp stays lit: ASC/DSC
switched off with button or defective. In
the event of a defect: please have the sys-
tem inspected at your MINI Dealer.
More information on pages 59, 60.
Service Engine Soon
+
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 Dealer at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Service Engine Soon warning lamp
for Canadian models.
Engine electronics
*
+
Malfunction in the engine electron-
ics. You can continue to drive with
reduced engine output or engine speed.
Please have the system inspected at your
MINI Dealer.
Check Gas Cap
*
+
This indicator lamp comes on
when the fuel gas cap is loose or
missing. Close the gas cap tightly:
Refer to page 85.
Depending on the level of equipment,
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of
the navigation system.
<
Green: for your information
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when turn signal indicator
is on.
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 or multifunction
sports steering wheel.
More information on page 52.
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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KEYSThe key set of your MINI consists of three
keys.
1Two master keys with remote control
If the battery is discharged, please
consult your MINI Dealer. For
changing the battery, refer to the next
section.<
2Spare key
For keeping in a safe place, e.g. in your
wallet. This key is not intended for con-
stant 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 or button , refer to
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
and button , refer to page 24, in suc-
cession.
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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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM OPENING AND CLOSING: FROM OUTSIDEThe conceptThe central locking system is ready for
operation whenever the driver's door is
closed. The doors, the tailgate and the fuel
filler door are unlocked or locked.
The central locking system secures your
MINI:
>When operated from the outside via the
remote control as well as via the door
lock
>When operated from the inside via a
switch.
If operated from outside, the anti-theft sys-
tem is activated at the same time. This pre-
vents the doors from being unlocked via
safety lock buttons or door handles.
In the event of an accident, the central lock-
ing system unlocks automatically. The haz-
ard warning system and interior lamps are
also switched on.
Via remote controlThe remote control gives you an exception-
ally convenient method for unlocking and
locking your vehicle. It also offers addi-
tional functions:
>To open the power windows and the
glass sunroof, refer to page 24.
Locking/unlocking the vehicle automati-
cally activates/deactivates the anti-theft
system and switches the interior lamps off/
on.
If the vehicle has been properly locked
using the remote control, the hazard warn-
ing system flashes once.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the hazard
warning system does not react.
Children might be able to lock the
doors from the inside. Always take
the vehicle keys with you so that the vehi-
cle can be opened again from the outside at
any time.<
For US owners only The transmitter and receiver units comply
with part 15 of the FCC, Federal Communi-
cations Commission, regulations. Opera-
tion is governed by the following:
FCC ID: LX8765S
LX8765E
LX8CAS
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or
changes to these devices could void
the user's authority to operate this equip-
ment.<
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OPENING AND CLOSING: FROM OUTSIDE1Unlocking and convenience opening
2Locking and securing
If the remote control does not react,
the battery is discharged.
In the event of a system malfunction,
please contact your MINI Dealer. You can
also obtain replacement keys and batteries
there.
Battery changing, refer to page 22.<
Unlocking1. Press button once to unlock the
driver's door only.
The interior lamps are switched on and
the hazard warning flashers flash twice
*
2. Press button a second time to
unlock the other door as well as the tail-
gate and the fuel filler door.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI Dealer.<
If none of the vehicle doors are
opened within 2 minutes, the central
locking system locks the vehicle automati-
cally. The anti-theft system is not activated.
To deadlock the vehicle, refer to the next
column.<
You can have the vehicle's automatic
locking feature activated/deacti-
vated.<
Convenience opening modePress and hold button .
The power windows and glass sunroof are
opened.
You can have the opening of the win-
dows and glass sunroof with the
remote control activated/deactivated.<
Convenience closing is not possible
by means of the remote control.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
OPENING AND CLOSING: FROM OUTSIDEMalfunctionsExternal systems or devices may cause local
interference in the functions of the remote
control.
In this case, unlock the vehicle via the door
lock.
Via the door lock1. One turn of the key in the driver's
door lock unlocks the driver's door only
2. Turning the key a second time unlocks
the other door, the tailgate and the fuel
filler door.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI Dealer.<
If the vehicle has been properly locked, the
hazard warning system flashes once.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the hazard
warning system flashes twice
*.
Manual operationIn the event of electrical malfunction:
The driver's door can be locked or unlocked
by turning the key in the door lock all the
way to the left or right.Convenience closing via the door lockYou can also close the power windows and
the glass sunroof via the door lock.
With the door closed, hold the key in the
locking position.
You can have the closing of the win-
dows and glass sunroof via the door
lock activated/deactivated.<
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OPENING AND CLOSING: FROM INSIDEWith 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.
If the remote control has been used
to unlock only the driver's door, refer
to 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 lockBriefly press the switch downward
or
push down the safety lock buttons on the
doors.
After you have driven off, the central
locking system automatically locks
your MINI once a certain speed has been
reached.<
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI Dealer.<
Do not lock the safety lock buttons
while driving, since these doors will
not unlock automatically in the event of an
accident. 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.<
To unlock and open the doors1. Briefly press the switch upward
2. Pull the door handle above the armrest
or
pull the door handle for each door twice:
to unlock first and then open.
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