3
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
27
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TAILGATE To open from the outsidePush the button in the strip handle and
open the tailgate.
For information on unlocking via the cen-
tral locking system, refer to page 26.
To unlock manually In the event of an electrical malfunction,
you can also unlock the tailgate manually.
1. Fold the rear seat bench upwards
2. Pull the ring.
The tailgate is unlocked.
To closeThe handle recesses in the interior trim
panel of the tailgate make it easier to pull
the lid down.
To avoid injuries, be sure that the
travel path of the tailgate is clear
when it is closed, as with all closing proce-
dures.
Operate the vehicle only when the tailgate
is closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<
Should it be absolutely necessary to oper-
ate the vehicle with the tailgate open:
1. Close all windows and the glass sunroof
2. Sharply increase the air supply for the air
conditioning or automatic climate con-
trol, refer to page 67 or 70.
37
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
MIRRORS VEHICLE MEMORY Interior mirror, automatic dimming*This mirror dims automatically as required.
The mirror becomes clear again when you
engage reverse gear or select position R on
the selector lever.
Keep the photocells free and clean to
ensure that the mirror functions perfectly.
There is one photocell in the mirror frame;
the other is on the back of the mirror.
Do not cover the area between the
inside rearview mirror and the wind-
shield, and do not place stickers or toll tags
on the windshield in front of the mirror.<
How the system functionsNo doubt you have often reflected on how
great it would be if you could configure
your vehicle's various adjustment settings
to meet your own personal requirements.
In developing this vehicle, the manufac-
turer of the MINI has incorporated a num-
ber of options that you or your MINI Dealer
can program to suit your individual prefer-
ences. What the system can doYour MINI Dealer can provide you with
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle
Memory system.
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Automatic locking if none of the vehicle
doors are opened, refer to page 24
>Automatic locking after starting to drive,
refer to page 26
>Selective central locking system, refer to
pages 24, 25
>Convenience operation, refer to
pages 24, 25
>'Follow-me-home' lamps, refer to
page 48
>Daytime driving lamps, refer to page 49
>Speed-dependent windshield wipers,
refer to page 51>Setting units for outside temperature
and fuel consumption display, refer to
page 57
>Setting units for display of temperatures
specified for automatic climate control
system, refer to page 71
>Volume control PDC, refer to page 64
>Acoustic alarm for starting PDC activa-
tion, refer to page 64.
This symbol alerts you to Vehicle
Memory functions in the Owner's
Manual.<
After memory functions have been
reconfigured, your vehicle may oper-
ate slightly differently from the descrip-
tions used in this Owner's Manual. If you
decide to sell your MINI one day, please
remember to have the memory functions
reset to their default configuration.<
70
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
*
1Air onto the windshield and onto the
side windows
2Air for the upper body area72
3Air for the front and rear footwells
4Rear window defroster and windshield
heating715Interior temperature sensor,
please keep clear and unobstructed
6Recirculated air mode71
7Air conditioning71
8Automatic air distribution and
supply71
9Switching the automatic climate control
on/off7110 Temperature71
11 Display for temperature and air
supply71
12 Blower for air supply72
13 Defrosting and demisting the wind-
shield and side windows72
14 Individual air distribution72
71
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
*
Automatic air distribution and supply
Automatic program (AUTO):
Indicator lamp lights up.
Automatic adjustment of the air distribu-
tion and supply, and adaptation of the
specified temperatures to external influ-
ences, i.e. outside temperature and sun-
light.
In the automatic program (AUTO), the air
conditioner is activated automatically.
You can change the unit from 6 to
7 by keeping extended pressure on
the button.<
Switching the automatic climate
control on/off
The blower, heating and air condi-
tioner are switched off.
To switch the automatic climate control on
again: Press any button of the automatic
climate control.
Air conditioning
Air conditioner switched on: indi-
cator lamp lights up.
The air is cooled and dehumidified and –
depending on the temperature setting –
rewarmed.
In the automatic program (AUTO), the air
conditioner is activated automatically.
Condensation on the windows is reduced
when the air conditioning is turned on.
Condensation forms in the air condi-
tioning system during operation, and
then exits under the vehicle. Traces of con-
densed water on the ground are therefore
normal.
cle is blocked: indicator lamp lights
up.
The air within the vehicle is recirculated.
In the automatic program (AUTO) in hot
weather conditions, the recirculated air
mode is activated temporarily to enable
faster cooling.
Do not run the recirculated air mode
over a longer period of time, as the air
quality in the vehicle's interior will other-
wise diminish.<
If the windows fog up in the recircu-
lated air mode, turn the recirculated
air mode off and if necessary increase the
air supply.<
Rear window defroster and windshield
heating*
Rear window defroster and wind-
shield heating switched on:
Indicator lamp lights up.
As long as the indicator lamp is lit, the
heating operates at high power output –
rapid defrosting.
Indicator lamp goes out.
The heating continues to run with reduced
power output and then switches itself off
automatically.
Temperature
Setting the temperature:
Move or turn the wheel in the
appropriate direction to increase
the temperature step by step.
The figures in the display provide a general
indication of interior temperature. When
you start the vehicle, the system ensures
that the selected temperature is achieved
as quickly as possible and then maintained.
Permanent heating with maximum
power output at temperature selec-
tion HI. Permanent cooling at LO.<
72
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL
*
Air supply
Press the left or right half of the
button: the air supply varies.
Defrosting and demisting windows
Press the button briefly.
The indicator lamp flashes.
Ice and condensation are rapidly removed
from the rear window, windshield and side
windows. Condensation is removed from
the windows more quickly by activating the
air conditioning.
The rear window defroster/windshield
heating is switched on automatically. It can
be switched off again separately.
Press the button for a longer period.
The indicator lamp stays lit. Permanent air
supply to the windshield and side windows.
The air supply can be directed both to the
windows and to the footwell simulta-
neously.
The rear window defroster/windshield
heating is switched off.
Individual air distribution
Combine the air distribution your-
self. This switches off the auto-
matic program.
Draft-free ventilation Air supply for the upper body area:
Button 1: air outlets can be opened and
closed by turning.
The points indicate the position in each
case.
Vent 2: change the direction of the airflow
by swiveling.
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filterThe microfilter removes dust and pollen
from the incoming or recirculated air. The
activated-charcoal filter provides addi-
tional protection by filtering gaseous pol-
lutants from the outside air.
Your MINI Dealer replaces this combined
filter as a standard part of your scheduled
maintenance. A substantial reduction in
the air supply indicates that the filter must
be replaced before scheduled maintenance.
73
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
GLOVE COMPARTMENT To open:
Pull the handle.
The light goes on.
To close:
Fold the door up.
To prevent injury in the event of an
accident, close the glove compart-
ment immediately after use.<
VentilationTurn the rotary switch to a horizontal posi-
tion:
The vents are open.
Turn the rotary switch to a vertical position,
see arrow:
The vents are closed.
Depending on the temperature set-
ting of the air conditioning or the
automatic climate control, high tempera-
tures may result in the glove compart-
ment.<
89
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TIRE CODINGKnowing the tire code on the tire's sidewall
makes it easier for you to choose and iden-
tify the correct tires.Tire sizee.g. 205/45 R 17 84 V
Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional
ratio in %
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load index,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter,
in front of the R on ZR tires
Speed code letters:
Q= bis 105 mph / 160 km/h
T= up to 118 mph / 190 km/h
H= up to 131 mph / 210 km/h
V= up to 150 mph / 240 km/h
W= up to 167 mph / 270 km/hTire Identification NumberTires with DOT codes meet the guidelines
of the U.S. Department of Transportation. DOT code:
e.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3603
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and
tire version
Tire age
Tire ageThe manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends replacing all tires, including the
space-saver spare tire, regardless of actual
wear, after 6 years at the latest.
The date on which the tire was manufac-
tured is indicated by the code on the side-
wall:
DOT … 3603 indicates that the tire was
manufactured in Week 36 of the year 2003.Uniform Tire Quality GradingQuality grades can be found where applica-
ble on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width.
For example:
DOT quality grades Treadwear 200
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.< Tread wearThe tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half, 1 γ times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.