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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14
DISPLAY ELEMENTS WITH NAVIGATION SYSTEM
*
1Tachometer54
with indicator and warning lamps,
page 15 ff
2Additional indicator and warning lamps,
page 16 ff, display for onboard computer
in navigation system, refer to separate
Owner's Manual 3Speedometer with indicator and warning
lamps, page 15 ff
4Trip odometer, reset to zero545Indicator for
>
Odometer54
>
Trip odometer54
>
Service interval56
>
Program display for Continuously Vari-
able automatic Transmission
(CVT)47
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15
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
Technology that monitors itself
The system runs a check on the indicator
and warning 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
+
Lights up although parking brake is
released: check the brake fluid
level. Before driving further, be sure to
comply with the information on pages 86
and 101.
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, also
refer to page 55.
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16
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
Yellow: stop immediately
Flat Tire Monitor
+
Flashes: tire failure.
Reduce speed immediately and
stop the vehicle.
With Run Flat tires:
Carefully reduce the driving speed to below
50 mph / 80 km/h and continue to a safe
location.
In both cases, avoid hard brake applications
and steering maneuvers. Check the tire
inflation pressures.
Conduct in the event of a flat tire, refer to
pages 93, 116, 117, 121.
General information on the system, refer to
page 62.
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
Brake warning light together with
yellow indicator lamp for ABS, CBC,
EBD and ASC/DSC:
The control system ABS, CBC, EBD
and ASC/DSC has failed. Drive cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid full
brake applications.
Please have the system checked by
your MINI Dealer as soon as possible.
More information on pages 59, 60.
Brake warning lamp together with
the yellow indicator warning lamps
ABS, CBC, EBV and ASC/DSC for
Canadian models.
Red: an important reminder
Brake warning lamp
with parking brake applied.
More information on the parking
brake on page 43.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian
models.
Fasten safety belts
+
Lights up for several seconds or, de-
pending on the version, until after
the safety belts are fastened. A signal
*
also
sounds depending on the version.
More information on page 35.
Depending on the level of equipment,
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of
the navigation system.
<
Airbags
+
Please have the system inspected
at your MINI Dealer.
More information on page 65.
Depending on the level of equipment,
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of
the navigation system.
<
Bonnet/Tailgate
Lights up when the bonnet and/or
tailgate are open.
More information on pages 27, 95.
Brake pads
Have the condition of the brake
pads checked.
More information on page 86.
Depending on the level of equipment,
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of
the navigation system.
<
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17
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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55
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUEL GAUGE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGEIn 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 temperature The 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, refer to page 100.
1Red indicator lampWhen 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 the speedometer lights up
while driving:
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine
immediately and allow it to cool down.
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57
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ONBOARD COMPUTER
*
Mode selection
With the ignition key in position 1 and higher,
you can use the button in the turn signal indi-
cator lever to retrieve information from the
onboard computer for display in the tachom-
eter. By pressing the button briefly, you can
call up a new function for display.
The displays appear in the following order:
Outside temperature, range, average con-
sumption and current consumption, aver-
age speed and current speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, the
last active setting is displayed.
If the vehicle is equipped with a navi-
gation system, you will find more
information on the onboard computer in
the navigation system Owner's Manual.<
Outside temperature If the vehicle is equipped with a tachome-
ter, but not with an onboard computer, the
outside temperature is displayed.
You can have the units 6 or 7 set
by your MINI Dealer.<
Ice warning If the outside temperature falls below
approx. 37 7 / +36, the onboard com-
puter automatically switches to the outside
temperature display.
In addition, an acoustic signal can be heard
and the display flashes for a short time.
The ice warning does not exclude the
possibility that surface ice can form
at temperatures above 37 7 / +36, e.g.
on bridges and shaded roads.<
With navigation system option:
The temperature is displayed in the status
line of the navigation system, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the navigation system.Current vehicle speedIf the vehicle is equipped with a tachome-
ter, but not with an onboard computer, the
current vehicle speed is displayed.
With the ignition key in position 1 and
higher, you can use the button in the turn
signal indicator lever to call this up in the
tachometer display. Briefly press the but-
ton to switch the display from the outside
temperature to the current vehicle speed.
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EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
140
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit 12
Convenience operation
from outside 24, 25
glass sunroof, electric 29
window 28
Coolant 100
indicator lamp 15
level 100
temperature 55
Coolant temperature gauge 55
Cooling system, refer to
Capacities 135
Cooling, refer to Air
conditioning 68, 71
Copyright 2
Cornering Brake Control
(CBC) 61
warning lamp 16
Cosmetic mirror, refer to
Illuminated vanity mirror 36
Cruise control 52
indicator lamp 17
multifunction steering
wheel 18
sports steering wheel 18
Cup holders, refer to Beverage
holders 74
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 134 Current fuel consumption
setting units 58
Cylinders, refer to Engine
data 132
D
Daily odometer, refer to Trip
odometer 54
Dashboard lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 49
Data, technical
dimensions 133
engine data 132
weights 134
Date of the Owner's Manual 7
Daytime driving lamps 48
Deep water, refer to Water on
roadways 83
Defrost setting, refer to
Defrosting and demisting
windows 69, 72
Defrosting and demisting
windows
air conditioning system 69
automatic climate control 72
Defrosting windows 69, 72
air conditioning system 68
automatic climate control 71
Defrosting windshield, refer to
Defrosting and demisting
windows 69, 72 Demisting windows 69, 72
Digital clock 56
Dimensions 133
Dimming interior rearview
mirror 37
Dipstick, engine oil 98
Directional turn signal,
refer to Turn signal
indicators 49
Disc brakes 86
Displacement, refer to Engine
data 132
Display elements 13
with navigation system 14
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 49
Disposal
oil 99
remote control battery 22
vehicle battery 124
Distance covered, refer to
Odometer 54
Door keys 24
Door lock 25
Doors, locking and unlocking
from inside 26
from outside 24
DOT quality grades 89
Draft-free ventilation 69, 72
Drink holders, refer to Beverage
holders 74 Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/Low beams 48
Driving notes 83
break-in procedures 82
Driving stability control 59, 60
Dry air, refer to Air
conditioning 68, 71
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 60
indicator lamp 16
DVD changer, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) 60
indicator lamp 16
Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) 60
E
Easy entry to the rear 34
EBD Electronic Brake Force
Distribution 61
indicator lamp 16
Electric glass sunroof 29
Electric power windows 28
initializing 28
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