2005 MINI COOPER Owners Manual

47
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
MIRRORS
VEHICLE MEMORY
Interior rearview mirror To reduce glare from vehicles behind you
when you are driving at night:Turn the knob.Illuminated vanity mirror From ignition key position
1:
1. Fold down the sun visor2. Fold the cover panel upwards.Sun visorsCan be swung sideways.An additional sun visor is provided on the
driver's side to better protect the driver
from being blinded.
Interior mirror, automatic dimming* While the vehicle is being driven forward,
these mirrors dim light through an infi
-
nitely variable range depending on the
light's incidence. Two photocells in the
interior rearview mirror serve this purpose.
One is positioned on the underside of the
mirror frame, while the other is slightly off
-
set on the back of the mirror.In order for the photocells to work opti
-
mally, keep them clean and do not cover
the area between the interior rearview mir
-
ror and the windshield. Do not place stick
-
ers 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 which can be programmed
specifically for your vehicle. 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
26
>Automatic locking after starting to drive,
refer to page
28
>Selective central locking system, refer to
pages
26, 27
>Convenience operation, refer to
pages
26, 27
>'Follow-me-home' lamps, refer to
page
57
>Daytime driving lamps, refer to page
58
>Speed-dependent windshield wipers,
refer to page
60
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48
VEHICLE MEMORY
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELY
>Setting units for outside temperature
and fuel consumption display, refer to
page
66
>Setting units for display of temperatures
specified for automatic climate control
system, refer to page
80
>Volume control PDC, refer to page
74
>Acoustic alarm for starting PDC activa
-
tion, refer to page
74.
This symbol alerts you to Vehicle Memory functions in the Owner's
Manual. -
ate slightly differently from the descrip
-
tions used in this Owner's Manual. If you
decide to sell your vehicle one day, please
remember to have the memory functions
reset to their default configuration.<
The proper place for childrenChildren should always sit in the rear:Accident research shows that the safest
place for children in a vehicle is in the rear
seat.Older children should be tightly secured
with a safety belt, after they have out
-
grown a booster seat that is appropriate for
their age, height and weight.
A child sitting in the rear seat and not properly restrained may place his or
her head on or near the airbag, if so
equipped. For example, a child – even
though belted in – may fall asleep with his
or her head against the side airbag. It may
be difficult for a driver to ensure that chil
-
dren in the rear seat will remain properly
positioned at all times and do not place
their heads on or near the side airbag.
Therefore, we recommend that the rear
side airbags, if provided, be deactivated if
you plan to transport children in the rear
seat. Children under 13
years of age and
children less than 5
ft / 150
cm tall
should always ride in the rear and the
restraint systems should be secured with
the vehicle's safety belts. appropriate forward-facing child-restraint
system that has first been properly
restrained. We strongly urge you to care
-
fully read and comply with the instructions
for installation and use provided by the
child-restraint's manufacturer whenever
you use such a device.All rear seating positions in your vehicle
meet the recommendations of SAE
J1819,
an industry-recommended practice for
securing child-restraint systems in motor
vehicles.
Exception for the front passenger seat
Should it one day be necessary to use a child-restraint system on the front
passenger seat, the airbags on the front
passenger side must be deactivated. Other
-
wise, there is a significant risk of injury to
children if the airbags deploy, even if they
are seated in a child-restraint system. Have
the front passenger airbags permanently
deactivated only by your MINI Dealer or a
workshop that has specially trained per
-
sonnel working in accordance with the
specifications of the MINI manufacturer.<
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49
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELYInstalling child-restraint systemsBefore installing any child-restraint system
or child seat, read the following:
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions concerning installation
and use; otherwise the system's protective
function could be impaired. After an acci
-
dent, have all parts of the child-restraint
system and the affected safety belt system
inspected and/or replaced. Have the neces
-
sary work on your MINI carried out only by
a MINI Dealer or a workshop that has spe
-
cially trained personnel working in accor
-
dance with the specifications of the MINI
manufacturer. -
tems are designed to be secured with a lap
belt or with the lap belt portion of a combi
-
nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or
inadequately installed restraint systems
can increase the risk of injury to children.
Always read and follow the instructions
that come with the system.
Child seat securityAll of the rear belt retractors and the front
passenger's safety belt can be locked for
mounting and securing child-restraint sys
-
tems.Information regarding this is located near
the buckle latch of each safety belt.
To lock the beltPull the entire length of the belt from the
belt retractor. Allow the reel to retract the
belt somewhat and engage the buckle,
then tighten the belt against the child-
restraint system.

The retraction mechanism is now locked. To unlock the beltRelease the buckle, remove the child-
restraint system and allow the belt retrac
-
tor to reel the belt completely in.
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50
TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELYChild-restraint system with tether strapAs an example, the illustration shows the
MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER S.If you use a child-restraint system with a
tether strap:Depending on the location selected for
seating in the rear passenger area, attach
the tether strap to the corresponding
anchorage point to secure the child-
restraint system.
Both seating positions are fitted with a head restraint. Lift the head restraint and pass the tether
strap between the head restraint and the
seat back. It is recommended to readjust
the head restraint into the lowest possible
position.Adjust the tether strap according to the
child-restraint manufacturer's instructions.
LATCH child-restraint mounting system Open the cover.The illustration is an example showing the
mounts for the LATCH, Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren, child-restraint mount
-
ing system at the right rear.

The system is also available at the left rear
position.The LATCH anchorage points are identified
by buttons, see illustration.
Always follow all manufacturer's instructions and observe all safety
precautions when installing the LATCH
child-restraint system.<
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51
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
IGNITION LOCK
STARTING THE ENGINE
0 Steering locked
The key can be inserted or removed in this
position only.To lock the steering:1. Remove the key2. Turn the steering wheel slightly to the
left or right until the lock engages.A sound alarm goes off if the key remains in
the ignition after opening the driver's door.Interlock Vehicles with Continuously Variable auto
-
matic Transmission (CVT):

The ignition key cannot be turned to
position
0 and removed until the selector
lever is in position
P.
1 Steering unlocked
Individual electrical accessories are ready
for operation.You will find that it is often easier to turn
the ignition key from position
0 to
position
1 when you move the steering
wheel slightly to help disengage the lock.
2 Ignition switched on
All electrical accessories are ready for oper
-
ation.3 Starting the engine
Vehicles with manual transmission:

Step on the clutch when starting the
vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from
starting if the clutch is not depressed.<
Do not allow the engine to run in enclosed spaces. Breathing the nox
-
ious exhaust gases can lead to uncon
-
sciousness and death. The exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and
colorless, but highly toxic gas.

Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. This is a safety hazard.

When driving, standing at idle, and parking
the vehicle, take care to avoid contact
between the hot exhaust system and flam
-
mable materials, e.g. hay, grass, leaves, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire resulting in
serious personal injury and property dam
-
age. accelerator pedal.Do not let the engine warm up with the
vehicle at a standstill. Move off immedi
-
ately at a moderate engine speed.
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52
STARTING THE ENGINE
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE
StartingWhen starting the engine, do not press the
accelerator pedal.
Do not stop the starting procedure too early, and do not continue it for
more than approx. 20
seconds. Release the
ignition key immediately when the engine
starts.

Extended starting attempts, characterized
by excessively frequent or long periods
with the starter engaged, can lead to dam
-
age in the catalytic converter. attempt, for instance if the engine is very
hot or cold:When starting the engine, press the gas
pedal down halfway.Cold start at very low temperatures, above
approx. +5
7
/ –15
6, at high altitudes
above 3,300
ft / 1,000 m:
>For the initial start attempt, allow the
starter to remain engaged somewhat
longer, approx. 10
seconds.
>When starting the engine, press the gas
pedal down halfway.
Manual transmission1. Engage the parking brake2. Put the manual gearshift lever in neutral3. Depress the clutch pedal, especially at
low temperatures4. Start the engine.
Move the gearshift lever to neutral position and engage the parking
brake before leaving your vehicle with the
engine running.

Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. This is a safety haz
-
ard. Transmission (CVT)1. Press the footbrake2. Put the selector lever in position
P or N
3. Start the engine.
Move the selector lever to position
P
and engage the parking brake before
leaving your vehicle with the engine run
-
ning.

Do not leave the vehicle unattended with
the engine running. This is a safety haz
-
ard.<
You should never remove the ignition key when the vehicle is in motion, as
the steering lock could engage.

When you leave the vehicle, always remove
the ignition key and engage the steering
lock.

When parking on inclines, engage the park
-
ing brake, or the vehicle could roll. 1 or 0.
Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)Engage selector lever position
P, turn the
ignition key to position
1 or 0.
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53
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
PARKING BRAKE
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The parking brake is designed primarily to prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.To engageLever automatically locks in position.

The indicator lamp in the instrument clus
-
ter lights up from ignition key position
2,
refer to page
17.
To release1. Pull up slightly2. Press the button3. Push the lever downwards.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it should be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull the lever with excessive
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed against
the release button while carefully pulling
the lever up to apply moderate pressure.

Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking
and loss of traction, i.e. fishtailing, at the
rear axle. The brake lamps do not come on
when the parking brake is engaged.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided braking, apply the parking brake
lightly from time to time when coasting to
a standstill, for instance at a traffic light,
provided that it is safe to do so.<
6-speed transmission*
When changing gear in the 5th/6th gear plane, press the gearshift lever
to the right to prevent inadvertently shift
-
ing to a gear of the
3rd/4th gear plane.<
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54
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
Reverse gearBefore selecting reverse gear, ensure the
vehicle is stationary; then, fully depress the
clutch pedal and pause briefly before mov
-
ing the gearshift lever into position.5-speed transmission: Press the gearshift lever to the right and to
the back.6-speed transmission: Press the gearshift lever towards the left.
Thereby overcome the slight resistance and
press forward.As you do this, the backup lamps will come
on automatically when the ignition key is
in position
2.
Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes by slipping or 'riding' the
clutch. Use the parking brake instead. Oth
-
erwise, a high degree of clutch wear could
result.<
In addition to the fully automatic mode,
you can shift gears manually using Step
-
tronic, refer to page
55.
Selector lever positionsP R N D M/S
+ –
Range selection Inadvertent engaging of certain selector
lever positions is prevented by a lock.Press the button on the front side of the
selector lever knob. The lock is released.
While the vehicle is stationary, and before shifting out of P or N, press the
brake pedal in order to disengage the selec
-
tor lever lock mechanism, shiftlock.

If the engine speed is too high when the
vehicle is at a standstill, the selector lever is
also blocked to protect the transmission.

Hold the brake pedal down until starting
off. Otherwise the vehicle will 'creep' when
a drive position is engaged.<
To prevent the vehicle from starting off on its own, always move the
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