
136
TOWING AND TOW-STARTINGUsing the towing eyelet The screw-in towing eyelet is stored in the
onboard tool kit, refer to page
120
; be sure
that it remains with the vehicle at all times.
It can be attached at the front or rear of
your vehicle.
To prevent damage to the towing eyelet and the vehicle, please observe
the following instructions:
Use only the towing eyelet supplied with
the vehicle and screw it in firmly until it
stops. Use the towing eyelet for towing on
paved roads only. Avoid subjecting the
towing eyelet to lateral loads, e.g. do not
lift the vehicle using the towing eyelet.<
Access to the threaded socket The illustration shows by way of example
the MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER
Convertible.Pry out the cover in the front or rear
bumper by inserting a screwdriver into the
recess.Being towed
Make sure that the ignition key is in position
1; otherwise the steering
lock could engage and prevent the vehicle
from being steered. There is no power
assist while the engine is off. Therefore,
you will need to exert more force to brake
and steer the vehicle.<
Turn on the hazard warning flashers, if
required by national regulations. If the
electrical system has failed, clearly identify
the vehicle being towed, e.g. by placing a
sign or a warning triangle in the rear win
-
dow.MINI or MINI Convertible with manual
transmission:Put the manual gearshift lever in Neutral.MINI or MINI Convertible with Continu
-
ously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT):
Only tow vehicles with Continuously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT) with a tow truck, otherwise the trans
-
mission can be damaged, refer to
page
137
.<
Towing methodsIn some countries, it is not permitted to
tow the vehicle with a tow bar or tow rope
on public roads.Familiarize yourself with the applicable
towing regulations for the country in which
you are driving.

137
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
TOWING AND TOW-STARTINGWith a tow bar:
The towing vehicle must not be lighter than the vehicle being towed;
otherwise, vehicle handling can no longer
be controlled.<
The towing eyelets of both vehicles should
be on the same side. If the tow bar can only
be used in a diagonal position, please note
the following:>Clearance and maneuverability will be
strictly limited in corners>The inclination of the tow bar produces
lateral force.
Only attach the tow bar to the towing eyelets. Other parts of the vehicles
could otherwise be damaged.<
With a tow rope: When the towing vehicle is driving off,
make sure that the tow rope is taut.
Use nylon ropes or straps for towing because they prevent sudden jerking
movements. Attach the tow rope only to
the towing eyelets. Other parts of the vehi
-
cles could otherwise be damaged.<
With a tow truck:Have the MINI or MINI Convertible trans
-
ported by a tow truck with a lift sling, or on
a flatbed.
Only tow vehicles with Continuously Variable automatic Transmission
(CVT) with the front wheels raised or on a
special transport vehicle, otherwise the
transmission can be damaged.
Do not lift the vehicle by the towing eyelet,
nor by parts of the body or chassis. Other
-
wise damage could result.<
Tow-starting
Do not tow-start vehicles with Con
-
tinuously Variable automatic Trans
-
mission (CVT).
Jump-starting, refer to page
134
.<
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic con
-
verters if the engine is cold. It is better to
have the engine jump-started, refer to
page
134
.
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers;
comply with national regulations2. Turn the ignition key to position
2
3. Engage the 3rd
gear
4. Have the vehicle towed with the clutch
pedal completely depressed and then
slowly release the clutch pedal. After the
engine has started, immediately depress
the clutch pedal again completely5. Pull over at a suitable location, remove
the tow bar or tow rope, and turn off the
hazard warning flashers6. Have the vehicle checked.

143
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
WEIGHTS: MINI
MINI COOPER
MINI COOPER
S
Curb weight, with all optional special equipmentwith manual transmissionwith Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)
lbs
/ kg
lbs
/ kg
2,524 / 1,1452,557 / 1,160
2,678 / 1,215
–
Approved gross vehicle weightwith manual transmissionwith Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)
lbs
/ kg
lbs
/ kg
3,340 / 1,5153,373 / 1,530
3,494 / 1,585
–
Cargo and luggage load capacity
lbs
/ kg
816 / 370
816 / 370
Approved front axle load
lbs
/ kg
1,918 / 870
1,962 / 890
Approved rear axle load
lbs
/ kg
1,609 / 730
1,698 / 770
Approved roof load, with special MINI roof rack
lbs
/ kg
165 / 75
165 / 75
Luggage compartment volumewith rear backrest folded down
cu ft / liters
cu ft / liters
5.3 / 15023.7 / 670
5.3 / 15023.7 / 670

144
WEIGHTS: MINI CONVERTIBLE
MINI COOPER Convertible
MINI COOPER
S Convertible
Curb weight, with all optional special equipmentwith manual transmissionwith Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)
lbs
/ kg
lbs
/ kg
2,700 / 1,2252,734 / 1,240
2,844 / 1,290
–
Approved gross vehicle weightwith manual transmissionwith Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)
lbs
/ kg
lbs
/ kg
3,472 / 1,5753,505 / 1,590
3,616 / 1,640
–
Cargo and luggage load capacity
lbs
/ kg
771 / 350
771 / 350
Approved front axle load
lbs
/ kg
1,918 / 870
1,962 / 890
Approved rear axle load
lbs
/ kg
1,697 / 770
1,763 / 800
Approved roof load, with special MINI roof rack
lbs
/ kg
–
–
Luggage compartment volumewith luggage compartment cover folded upwith rear backrest folded down
cu ft / liters
cu ft / liters
cu ft / liters
4.2 / 1205.8 / 16521.4 / 605
4.2 / 1205.8 / 16521.4 / 605

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
148
A ABS Antilock Brake System
70
indicator lamp
17, 18
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle
6
Activated-charcoal filter
80
Adjusting interior
temperature
76, 79
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air mode
76, 79
Air conditioning
air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Air conditioning system
75
Air distribution
air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation
77, 80
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure
97
Air volume
air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Airbags
72
safe seating position
41
warning lamp
18
AKI, refer to Fuel quality
94
All Season traction Control
(ASC)
68
indicator lamps
17, 18
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires
103
Antenna
114
Antifreeze
coolant
110
washer fluid
108
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
70
indicator lamp
17, 18
Anti-theft system
24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights
143
, 144
Approved engine oils
109
Approved gross vehicle weight,
refer to Weights
143
, 144
ASC All Season traction
Control
68
indicator lamps
17, 18
Ashtray
81
Assistant systems, refer to
All Season traction Control
(ASC)
68
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
69
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution
79
Automatic
air distribution
79
air volume
79
cruise control
61
Automatic car washes
113
Automatic climate control
78
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic
indicator lamp
56
interlock
51
selector lever lock
54
shiftlock
54
towing
136
tow-starting
137
Average consumption
67
setting units
67
Average speed
67
setting units
67
Axle loads, refer to
Weights
143
, 144
B Backrests, refer to
Adjusting seats
43
Backup lamp
54
bulb replacement
123
Bar, towing
137
Battery
132
charging
132
disposal
132
indicator lamp
16
jump-starting
134
power failure
132
Battery care
65, 112
Belts, refer to Safety belts
45
Beverage holders
81
Blower
air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Blower, refer to Air volume
76
Blowers, refer to Draft-free
ventilation
77, 80
Bonnet
105
indicator lamp
17
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders
81
Brake discs
brake system
96
break-in procedures
92
Brake fluid
111
adding
111
level
96
warning lamp
16
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement
123
Brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
warning lamp
18
Brake system
96
brake fluid
96
brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
disc brakes
96
warning lamp
17
Brake wear warning
brake pads
96
warning lamp
18

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
149
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Brakes
96
ABS
70
brake fluid
111
brake pads
96
break-in procedures
92
handbrake
53
indicator/warning
lamps
16, 17, 18
Breaking in
92
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs
121
Buttons in multifunction
steering wheel
20
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
56
C California Proposition 65
warning
7
Capacities
145
Car care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle
113
Car keys, refer to Keys
24
Car radio, refer to separate Owner's Manual
Car telephone, refer to separate Owner's Manual
Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting, refer to Cigarette
lighter socket
82
Car wash
113
Car wash, refer to Washing
your vehicle
113
Car-care products
113
Care of plastics
114
Care of synthetic leather
114
Care, vehicle
113
Cargo area cover, refer to
Luggage compartment
cover
85
Cargo area, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
85
Cargo area, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible
86
Carpet care
115
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system
93
CBC Cornering Brake Control
70
CD changer, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio
CD operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio
Central locking system
24
interior
28
Changing bulbs
121
Changing the wiper
blades
120
, 121
Changing tires
127
space-saver spare tire
125
Charge-current indicator
light
16
Child seat, refer to Installing
child-restraint systems
49
Children, transporting
48
Child-restraint mounting
system, LATCH
50
Child-restraint systems
48
Chock, folding
space-saver spare tire
125
Chrome parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle
114
Chrome-plated parts, care
114
Cigarette lighter
82
Cigarette lighter socket
82
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated air mode
76, 79
Cleaning the rear window
60
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle
113
Clock
63
12-hour/24-hour mode
63
changing the time
63
Closing
from inside
28
from outside
25
Clothes hooks
93
Clutch
51
break-in procedures
92
Cockpit
12
Coding, tires
99
Cold start, refer to
Starting the engine
52
Compact disk operation, refer to Owner's Manual for Radio
Compartments
81
Computer, refer to Onboard
computer
66
Condensed water, refer to Air
conditioning
76, 79
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory
47
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption
67
Current fuel consumption
67
Contents
2
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
54
ignition
51
indicator lamp
56
interlock
51
selector lever lock
54
shiftlock
54
towing
136
tow-starting
137
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit
12

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
151
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Electric glass sunroof
33
Electric power windows
31
initializing
32
Electrical malfunction
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
56
convertible top
37
door lock
27
driver's door
27
fuel filler door
95
glass sunroof, electric
34
tailgate
30
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)
70
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)
69
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
convertible top
37
driver's door
27
fuel filler door
95
glass sunroof, electric
34
tailgate
30
transmission lock for
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
54
Engine
break-in procedures
92
data
140
electronics
18
indicator lamp
18
speed
65
starting
51
switching off
52
Engine compartment
MINI COOPER and MINI
COOPER Convertible
106
MINI COOPER S and MINI
COOPER S Convertible
107
Engine coolant
110
Engine data
140
Engine oil
108
capacity
145
indicator/warning lamp
16
recommended oils
109
specified oil grades
109
viscosities
109
Engine oil level
108
indicator/warning lamp
16
Engine oil level, checking
108
Engine oil pressure, indicator/
warning lamp
16
Engine output, refer to Engine
data
140
Entry to the rear
44
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)
69
Exhaust system, refer to
Hot exhaust system
93
Exterior mirrors
46
folding in and out
46
Eyelet, for towing and tow-
starting
136
F Failure of an electrical
consumer
132
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts
45
Filling canister, refer to MINI
Mobility System
130
Filling hose, refer to MINI
Mobility System
130
Filter, refer to
Microfilter
77
Microfilter/Activated-
charcoal filter
80
Flat tire
Flat Tire Monitor
71, 72
MINI Mobility System
129
Run Flat tires
101
space-saver spare tire
125
Flat Tire Monitor
71
indicator lamp
17
Flat tire, refer to Changing
tires
127
Flat tire, refer to Tires,
condition
100
Floor mats
115
Fog lamps
58
indicator lamp
58
Foldable rear backrest
85, 86
Folding roof
35
'Follow me home' lamps
57
Foot brake, refer to General
driving notes
93
Front airbags
72
Front turn signal indicators,
bulb replacement
122
Fuel
94
average consumption
67
gauge
63, 64
quality
94
tank capacity
145
Fuel filler door
94
unlocking in the event of
electrical malfunction
95
Fuel tank capacity
145
Fuses
133
G Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control
83

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
152
Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel
gauge
63, 64
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality
94
Gear indicator, with
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
56
Gearshift lever
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
54
manual transmission
53
Gearshifts, with Continuously
Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)
54
General driving notes
93
Glass sunroof, electric
33
convenience operation
27
opening and closing in the
event of an electrical
malfunction
34
remote control
26
Glove compartment
81
Gross weight, refer to
Weights
143
, 144
H Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake
53
Hazard warning flashers
12
Head airbags
72
Head restraints
43
Headlamp flasher
58
indicator lamp
19
Headlamp range control,
dynamic, xenon lamps
57
Headlamp washer
reservoir
108
capacity, refer to
Capacities
145
Headlamp washer system
cleaning headlamps
60
washer fluid
108
Headlamps
bulb replacement
122
care
114
Heated mirrors
46
Heated rear window
air conditioning system
76
automatic climate control
79
Heating
75
exterior mirrors
46
rear window
76, 79
seats
46
windshield
76, 79
Heavy load, refer to Loading
88
Height adjustment
seats
42
steering wheel
46
Height, refer to
Dimensions
141
, 142
High beams
58
bulb replacement
122
headlamp flasher
58
indicator lamp
19
High Performance Synthetic
Oil, refer to Engine oil
109
alternative oils
109
capacity
145
recommended oils
109
specified oils
109
Holders for beverages
81
Horn
12
Hot exhaust system
93
Hydraulic brake
96
Hydroplaning
93
I Ice warning
66
Ignition
51
Ignition key
24
Ignition lock
51
Illuminated vanity mirror
47
Imitation leather
114
Imprint
2
Index
148
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview
16
Indicator/warning lamp
Airbags
73
ASC
68
brakes
111
coolant temperature
64
DSC
69
fasten safety belts
45
Flat Tire Monitor
72
fog lamps
58
reserve fuel capacity
63, 64
Individual air distribution
80
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory
47
Inflation pressure monitor,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor
71
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure
97
Inspection
65
Instrument cluster, refer to
Display elements
13
Instrument lighting
58
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit
12
Integrated universal remote
control
83
Interior lamp, remote
control
26
Interior lamps
59
Interior rearview mirror
47
automatic dimming
47