7OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Editorial noticeThe manufacturer pursues a policy of con
-
tinuous, ongoing development that is con
-
ceived to ensure that MINI vehicles con
-
tinue to embody the highest quality and
safety standards combined with advanced,
state-of-the-art technology. For this rea
-
son, the features described in this Owner's
Manual could, in rare cases, differ from
those in your vehicle.For your own safetyFuels:
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels containing up to and including 10
%
ethanol or other oxygenates with up to
2.8
% oxygen by weight, i.e. 15
% MTBE or
3
% methanol plus an equivalent amount of
co-solvent, will not void the applicable war
-
ranties with respect to defects in materials
or workmanship. Field experience has indi
-
cated significant differences in fuel quality,
i.e. volatility, composition, additives, etc.,
among gasolines offered for sale in the
United States and Canada. The use of poor-
quality fuels may result in driveability,
starting and stalling problems especially
under certain environmental conditions,
such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob
-
lems which you suspect could be related to
the fuel you are using, we recommend that
you respond by switching to a recognized
high-quality brand.
Failure to comply with these recommenda
-
tions may result in unscheduled mainte
-
nance.
Obey pertinent safety rules when you are
handling gasoline.
-
mance electronics, requires specially
adapted maintenance and repair methods.
Therefore, only have corresponding work
on your MINI carried out by a MINI Dealer
or a workshop that works according to
MINI repair procedures with correspond
-
ingly trained personnel. If work is carried
out improperly there is a danger of conse
-
quential damage and the related safety
risks.<
California Proposition 65 warning:California laws require us to state the fol
-
lowing warning.
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automobile components and parts,
including components found in the interior
furnishings in a vehicle, contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu
-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod
-
ucts of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
Battery posts, terminals and related acces
-
sories contain lead and lead compounds.
Batteries also contain other chemicals
known to the State of California to cause
cancer. Wash your hands after handling.
Used engine oil contains chemicals that
have caused cancer in laboratory animals.
Always protect your skin by washing thor
-
oughly with soap and water.<
NOTES
8
NOTESParts and accessories:
For your own safety, use genuine parts and accessories approved by
the manufacturer of the MINI.
When you purchase accessories tested
and
approved by the manufacturer of the
MINI and Original MINI Parts, you simulta
-
neously acquire the assurance that they
have been thoroughly tested by the manu
-
facturer of the MINI to ensure optimum
performance when installed on your vehi
-
cle.
The manufacturer of the MINI warrants
these parts to be free from defects in mate
-
rial and workmanship.
The manufacturer of the MINI will not
accept any liability for damages resulting
from installation of parts and accessories
not approved by the manufacturer
of the
MINI.
The manufacturer of the MINI cannot test
every product from other manufacturers to
verify if it can be used on a MINI safely and
without risk to either the vehicle, its opera
-
tion, or its occupants.
Original MINI Parts, MINI Accessories and
other products approved by the manufac
-
turer of the MINI, together with profes
-
sional advice on using these items, are
available from all MINI Dealers.
Installation and operation of non-MINI
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels,
suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones, including operation of
any portable cellular phone from within
the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equip
-
ment, e.g. CB, walkie-talkie, ham radio or
similar, may cause extensive damage to the
vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere
with the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the MINI Limited Warranty.
See your MINI Dealer for additional infor
-
mation.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the emission control devices and
systems must be performed by an autho
-
rized MINI Dealership or individual using
certified MINI parts.
-
ual for information on a particular part or
assembly.
Service and warrantyThis manual is supplemented by a Service
and Warranty Information Booklet for US
models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.We recommend that you read this publica
-
tion thoroughly.Your MINI is covered by the following war
-
ranties:>New Vehicle Limited Warranty>Rust Perforation Limited Warranty>Federal Emissions System Defect War
-
ranty>Federal Emissions Performance War
-
ranty>California Emission Control System Lim
-
ited Warranty.Detailed information about these warran
-
ties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or in the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.
17
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPSYellow: stop immediately
Flat Tire Monitor
+
The warning lamp indicates a flat
tire or a system malfunction. In the
event of a flat tire, an acoustic signal also
sounds.
Reduce speed immediately and stop the
vehicle.It is possible that the acoustic signal was
not heard. In this case, in order to deter
-
mine if there is a flat tire or a system mal
-
function:1. Switch off the ignition, ignition key posi
-
tion 0
2. Switch the ignition back on, ignition key
position 2, or start the engine.If an acoustic signal sounds, you have a flat
tire. Otherwise, the system has a malfunc
-
tion or has failed.For instructions on how to proceed further,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor starting on
page
71.Depending on the equipment ver
-
sion, the indicator lamp is in the area
of the navigation system or the Cockpit
Chrono Pack.<
Red and yellow: continue driving
cautiously
Brake warning light
together with yellow indicator
lamp for ABS, CBC, EBD and ASC/
DSC:
The driving stability control has
failed. Drive cautiously and defen
-
sively. Avoid full brake applications.
Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
More information on pages
68, 69
.
Display of the malfunction described above in Canadian mod
-
els.
Red: an important reminder
Brake warning lamp
with parking brake applied.
More information on the parking
brake on page
53.
Warning lamp in Canadian models.
Fasten safety belts
+
Lights up for several seconds or
until the driver has fastened his or
her safety belt.
A signal
* also sounds depending on the
version.
More information on page
45.
Depending on the equipment ver
-
sion, the indicator lamp is in the area
of the navigation system or the Cockpit
Chrono Pack.
Lights up when the bonnet and/or
tailgate are open.
More information on pages
29, 105
.
26
OPENING AND CLOSING: FROM OUTSIDE 1Unlocking and convenience opening2 Locking and securing3 Unlocking the tailgateTo unlock1. Press the
button once.
The driver's door is unlocked.
The interior lamps are switched on and
the hazard warning flashers flash twice
*
2. Press the
button twice.
First the driver's door will unlock, then
the entire vehicle.
You can have this function activated/deactivated.
locking system locks the vehicle automati
-
cally. The anti-theft system is not activated.
To deadlock the vehicle, refer to the next
column.<
You can have the vehicle's automatic locking feature activated/deacti
-
vated.
period.
In the MINI, the windows and the glass
sunroof are opened.
In the MINI Convertible, the windows and
the folding roof are opened.To open the convertible top on the MINI
Convertible: release the button and press it
again until the convertible top is com
-
pletely open.
Convenience closing is not possible by means of the remote control.
vertible top activated/deactivated.<
Locking and securingPress button
.
The hazard warning system flashes once.Unlocking the tailgate Press the
button briefly.
The rear and side turn signal indicators
flash twice.The tailgate can be unlocked separately if
the vehicle has been locked via central lock
-
ing.
Open the tailgate within 20
seconds,
refer to page
29, or it will otherwise
be locked again automatically. The rear and
side turn signal indicators flash once.
If the tailgate was previously locked, then it
is locked again after it is closed.
Before and after each journey, make sure
that the tailgate was not opened acciden
-
tally.<
63
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ODOMETER
CLOCK
FUEL GAUGE
1 Trip odometer/clock
Resetting to zero when the trip odometer is
in the display:With ignition key in position
1, press the
button until the trip odometer is at zero.
To show the clock:Press the button briefly.2 Odometer
When the ignition key is not in the ignition
lock, you can activate the displays shown in
the illustration by pressing the button in
the display elements.
Setting 1. Press button
1 to display the clock
2. Press button
1 for approx. 5
seconds to
activate the clock-setting mode
3. Press button
1 to select 12-hour or 24-
hour mode
4. Wait approx. 5
seconds until the hours
display flashes
5. Press button
1 to set the hour
6. Wait approx. 5
seconds until the min
-
utes display flashes
7. Press button
1 to set the minute.
The set time is saved automatically after
approx. 1
minute.
In the speedometer or Cockpit Chrono Pack* If the indicator light
1 begins to be lit con
-
tinuously, there are approx. 2.1
gallons
/
8
liters of fuel in the tank.
Fuel tank capacity:
Approx. 13.2
gallons
/ 50
liters.
When you switch on the ignition, the indi
-
cator lamp lights up briefly to confirm that
the system is operational. If the angle of the vehicle varies, for exam
-
ple when you are driving in mountainous
areas, the needle may fluctuate slightly.
Refill the gas tank early. If you drive to the last drop of fuel, engine func
-
tions are not guaranteed and damage can
occur.<
94
REFUELING
Always switch off the engine before refueling. If you do not, fuel cannot
be filled into the tank and the SERVICE
ENGINE SOON lamp may come on.<
1. Open the fuel filler door2. Turn the gas cap counterclockwise3. Put the gas cap in the bracket attached
to the fuel filler door.
Always observe all applicable precau
-
tions and regulations when handling
fuels. Never carry spare fuel containers in
your vehicle. Whether empty or full, these
containers can leak, cause an explosion,
and lead to fire in the event of a collision.<
Observe the following when refueling
Always observe all safety precautions posted at the service station when
handling fuel.<
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle
completely into the filler pipe. Pulling the
nozzle out of the pipe during refueling:>Results in premature pump shutoff>Will reduce the effect of the fuel vapor
recovery system on the pump.As long as the filler nozzle is used properly,
the fuel tank is full whenever the nozzle
shuts off the first time.Closing the gas cap1. Put on gas cap 2. Turn gas cap clockwise until it clicks3. Close fuel filler door.
Close the gas cap carefully after
refuelling until a click is heard.
While closing, be sure not to squeeze the
strap which is fastened to the cap.<
US models only:
The warning lamp
* comes on.
The gas cap is not correctly closed
or missing. Check if the gas cap is
correctly closed.
Fuel tank volumeApprox. 13.2
gallons
/ 50
liters, of which
approx. 2.1
gallons
/ 8
liters are reserve
capacity.
Do not drive until the fuel tank is totally empty. Otherwise engine
operations are not guaranteed and damage
could occur.<
Fuel specification The engine uses lead-free gasoline only.Required fuel Premium Unleaded Gasoline,
Minimum Octane Rating: 91.Minimum Octane Rating corresponds to
the Anti Knock Index (AKI) and is deter
-
mined according to the so-called (R+M)/2
method.
96
BRAKE SYSTEMBrake fluid levelIf the brake fluid level is too low and brake
pedal travel has become longer, there may
be a defect in one of the brake system's
hydraulic circuits.
Proceed to the nearest MINI Dealer. Higher brake application pressure
may be necessary under these conditions,
there may be a slight pull to one side, and
brake pedal travel may be longer. Please
remember to adapt your driving style
accordingly.<
Disc brakesWhen the vehicle is driven only occasion
-
ally, during extended periods when the
vehicle is not used at all, and in operating
conditions where brake applications are
less frequent, there is an increased ten
-
dency for corrosion of the brake rotors and
accumulation of contamination on the
brake pads. This occurs because the mini
-
mal pressure that must be exerted by the
pads to clean the rotors by brake applica
-
tions is not reached. Corrosion on brake rotors is signaled by a
running or pulsation during braking; even
extended subsequent braking will not cure
this phenomenon.
It is a good idea to periodically dry the
brakes with a gentle application when driv
-
ing in rain and on wet roads.
Monitor traffic conditions to ensure that
this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The resulting heat dries the
brake rotors and pads. Then if the braking
force is needed, it is immediately available.Driving downhill
To prevent overheating and the resulting reduced efficiency of the
brake system, drive down extended or
steep mountain gradients in the gear
which requires the least brake applications.
Otherwise, even light but consistent pedal
pressure can lead to high temperatures,
brake wear and possibly even brake fail
-
ure.
ther utilized by downshifting, to first gear if
necessary, in the manual mode of the auto
-
matic transmission, refer to page
55. This
protects the brakes from excessive loads.
Do not coast with the clutch pedal pressed or with the transmission or
selector lever in Neutral. Do not coast with
the engine switched off. The engine pro
-
vides no braking effect when the transmis
-
sion is in Neutral, and there is no power-
assist for braking or steering when the
engine is switched off.
Make sure that there are no floor mats,
floor carpets or other objects in the vicinity
of the brake or accelerator pedal, as the
travel path of the pedals could otherwise
be impeded.
the rear axle monitor the brake pad condi
-
tion. When the brake pads reach the wear
limit, the brake wear warning lights up,
refer to page
18.
Use brake pads which the manufac
-
turer of your MINI has approved for
your particular vehicle model. The manu
-
facturer of your MINI cannot evaluate non-
approved brake pads to determine if they
are suitable for use, and therefore cannot
ensure the operating safety of the vehicle
in the event of their use.<
103
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
NEW WHEELS AND TIRESThe correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your vehicle
recommends mounting only wheels
and tires that it has specifically tested and
approved for use on your particular model.
Although other wheels and tires may theo
-
retically have the same dimensions, varia
-
tions in factors such as manufacturing tol
-
erances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to seri
-
ous accidents. The manufacturer of your
vehicle cannot evaluate non-approved
wheels and tires to determine if they are
suited for use, and therefore cannot ensure
the operating safety of the vehicle if they
are fitted.
and tread configuration. In the event of a
flat tire, remount the previous wheel and
tire combination as soon as possible.Recommended tire sizes and brands:For each tire size, certain tire brands have
been tested, classified as road safe and
approved by the manufacturer of your
vehicle. You can find out about these from
a professional tire center, preferably your
MINI Dealer. Observe any local regulations,
e.g. on making a corresponding entry in the
vehicle documents. The factory-approved radial belt tires are
matched to your vehicle and provide opti
-
mum safety and driving comfort when
used properly.Run Flat tires:If your vehicle is equipped with Run Flat
tires, refer to Run Flat tires, please note the
following: when mounting new tires or
replacing summer tires with winter tires, or
vice versa, use only Run Flat tires since no
spare wheel is available in the event of a
flat. The manufacturer of your vehicle will
be glad to advise you.Special characteristics of winter tires The manufacturer of your vehicle recom
-
mends winter tires for driving in adverse
winter road conditions. While all-season
tires with the M+S designation provide bet
-
ter winter traction than summer tires, they
generally do not achieve the full perfor
-
mance of winter tires. Observing speed ratings:
Never exceed the maximum speed for which the winter tires are rated.
Unprofessional attempts by laymen to ser
-
vice tires can lead to damage and acci
-
dents. Have this work performed by skilled
professionals only. The technicans at your
MINI Dealer will be glad to assist you with
the required professional knowledge and
specialized equipment.
-
tect the tires against contact with oil,
grease and fuel. Do not exceed the tire
inflation pressure specified on the tire side
-
wall.