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.
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.
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.
Continuously Variable automatic
Transmission (CVT)Engage selector lever position
P, turn the
ignition key to position
1 or 0.
95
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
REFUELING
Do not use leaded gasoline, as other
-
wise the lambda probe and catalytic
converter will be permanently damaged.<
Use high-quality brandsField experience has indicated significant
differences in fuel quality: volatility, com
-
position, additives, etc., among gasolines
offered for sale in the United States and
Canada. Fuels containing up to and includ
-
ing 10
% ethanol or other oxygenates with
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight, that is, 15
%
MTBE or 3% methanol plus an equivalent
amount of co-solvent, will not void the
applicable warranties with respect to
defects in materials or workmanship.
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.<
Manual release with the MINI In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manu
-
ally.1. Remove the side trim panel on the left-
hand side of the luggage compartment2. Pull the white lever toward the rear.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.
Manual release with the MINI Convertible In the event of an electrical malfunction,
the fuel filler door can be unlocked manu
-
ally.1. Remove the cover of the side trim panel
on the left-hand side, arrow
1
2. Pull the green strap toward the rear,
arrow
2.
The fuel filler door is released
3. Open the fuel filler door.
113
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
OBD SOCKET
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE
The Onboard Diagnostic (OBD) interface socket is located on the left of the driver's
side under the instrument panel and under
a cover.
The cover has the letters OBD on it.The purpose of the OBD system is to ensure
proper operation of the emission control
system for the vehicle's lifetime. The sys
-
tem monitors emission-related compo
-
nents for deterioration and malfunction.
An illuminated lamp informs you of the need for service, not of the
need to stop the vehicle.
However, the system should be checked by
your MINI Dealer at the earliest possible
opportunity.
Display of the malfunction described above in Canadian mod
-
els.
Under certain conditions, the indicator will
blink or flash. This indicates a rather severe
level of engine misfire. When this occurs,
you should reduce speed and consult the
nearest MINI Dealer as soon as possible.
Severe engine misfire over only a short
period of time can seriously damage emis
-
sion control components, especially the
catalytic converter.
When the gas cap is not properly tightened, the OBD system can
detect the vapor leak and the indicator will
light up. If the cap is subsequently tight
-
ened, the indicator lamp should go out
within a few days.<
Suitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care prod
-
ucts available at your MINI Dealer.<
Washing your vehicleYou can wash your new MINI or MINI Con
-
vertible in automatic car washes from the
beginning. Preference should be for cloth
car washes. If, due to lack of availability,
brush car washes must be used, modern
systems with soft brushes should be given
preference.
When using steam cleaners or high-pressure cleaners, maintain sufficient
distance to the vehicle and do not exceed a
maximum temperature of 140
7/ 60
6. If
the jet is too close or the pressure is too
high, this can lead to damage or initial
damage that can develop into more serious
damage. Water that enters vehicle compo
-
nents can lead to damage over the long
term.
After washing the vehicle, apply the brakes
briefly to dry them, otherwise water can
reduce braking efficiency over the short
term and the brake rotors can corrode.
Switch the rain sensor off when passing
through an automatic car wash, refer to
page
59. Failure to do so could result in
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