Page 5 of 152

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
Page 6 of 152
CONTENTS
4
In the engine compartment:
Bonnet95
Engine compartment: MINI COOPER96
Engine compartment: MINI COOPER S97
Washer fluid98
Engine oil98
Coolant100
Brake fluid101
Maintenance and care:
MINI Maintenance System102
Caring for your vehicle103
Vehicle storage105
Laws and regulations:
OBD socket106
California Proposition 65 warning107
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
Replacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit110
Windshield wiper blades110
Lamps and bulbs111
Repairing a flat tire116
Changing tires: MINI with space-saver
spare tire117
MINI Mobility System121
Battery124
Fuses125
Giving and receiving assistance:
Jump-starting126
Towing128
TECHNICAL DATA
Engine data132
Dimensions133
Weights134
Capacities135
Page 15 of 152
13
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
DISPLAY ELEMENTS
1Tachometer54
with indicator and warning lamps,
page 15 ff
2Display for onboard computer57
If there is no onboard computer:
Display of outside temperature and cur-
rent vehicle speed
3Speedometer with indicator and warning
lamps, page 15 ff4Indicator for
>
Odometer54
>
Trip odometer54
>
Service interval56
>
Program display for Continuously Vari-
able automatic Transmission
(CVT)47
5Trip odometer, reset to zero546Fuel gauge54
7Engine coolant temperature gauge55
Page 17 of 152

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.
Page 57 of 152

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.
Page 98 of 152
96
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER1Reservoir for windshield washer
system98
2Coolant expansion tank1003Engine oil filler neck99
4Battery124
5Brake fluid reservoir1016Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system98
7Engine oil dipstick98
Page 99 of 152
97
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ENGINE COMPARTMENT: MINI COOPER S1Reservoir for windshield washer
system98
2Coolant expansion tank1003Engine oil filler neck99
4Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting126
5Brake fluid reservoir1016Reservoir for headlamp cleaning
system98
7Engine oil dipstick98
Page 102 of 152

100
COOLANT
Do not add coolant to the cooling sys-
tem when the engine is hot. Escaping
coolant can cause burns.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
hazardous to health. Always store these
agents in tightly-closed original containers
kept well away from the reach of children.
Antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents are
flammable. Therefore, do not spill them
over hot engine parts; otherwise they may
ignite and cause burns. Always observe the
instructions for use provided on the con-
tainer.<
Comply with the applicable environ-
mental laws regulating the disposal
of antifreeze and anti-corrosion agents.<
The illustration shows as an example the
coolant tank on the MINI COOPER.Checking coolant level Correct coolant level with cold engine,
approx. 687/206:
Up to the MAX mark of the transparent
expansion tank.
Only open the cap of the expansion
tank when the engine has cooled
down. The needle on the coolant tempera-
ture gauge in the display elements must be
no higher than in the first quarter; other-
wise there is a danger of scalding.<
To add coolantMINI COOPER:
1. Slowly open the cap by pulling at the tab
to allow accumulated pressure to escape
2. Pull open the cap completely
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached; do not
overfill.
MINI COOPER S:
1. Open the cap by turning it slightly coun-
terclockwise to allow accumulated pres-
sure to escape
2. Unscrew and open the cap completely
3. If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant
until the correct level is reached; do not
overfill.
The coolant is made up of water and an
antifreeze with corrosion resistance. The
mixture ratio of 50 to 50 must be kept the
entire year due to the required anti-corro-
sion property. No other additives are
required.
Replace the coolant every four years.