CONTENTS
2
© 2004 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 158 427
US English VI/04
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper,
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.NOTES About this Owner's Manual
6
Additional sources of information
6
Symbols used
6
Your individual vehicle
6
Editorial notice
7
For your own safety
7
Symbol on vehicle parts
8
Service and warranty
8
Reporting safety defects
9
OVERVIEWCockpit
12
Display elements
13
Display elements with navigation system
or Cockpit Chrono Pack
14
Indicator and warning lamps
16
Multifunction steering wheels
20
CONTROLSOpening and closing:Keys
24
Central locking system
24
Opening and closing: from outside
25
Opening and closing: from inside
28
Tailgate
29
Electric power windows
31
Glass sunroof, electric
33
Roller sun blind
34
Folding roof
35
Convertible top
35
Wind deflector
39
Adjustments:Safe seating position
41
Seat adjustment
42
Head restraints
43
Entry to the rear
44
Safety belts
45
Seat heating
46
Steering wheel
46
Mirrors
46
Vehicle Memory
47
Transporting children safely
48
41
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
SAFE SEATING POSITIONThe ideal seating position can make a vital
contribution to relaxed, relatively fatigue-
free driving. Together with the safety belts
and airbags, the seating position also plays
an important role in providing occupants
with maximum levels of passive safety in
an accident. To ensure that the safety sys
-
tems operate with optimal efficiency, we
strongly urge you to observe the instruc
-
tions contained in the following section.For additional information about trans
-
porting children safely, refer to page
48.
Sitting safely with airbags
Always maintain an adequate dis
-
tance between yourself and all of the
airbags. Always hold the steering wheel by
the rim with the hands at the 9 and
3
o'clock positions to keep any chance of
injury to hands or arms to an absolute min
-
imum, should the airbag be deployed.
No one and nothing is to come between
the airbags and the seat occupant. Do not
use the front passenger airbag cover as a
storage surface for objects of any kind.
Ensure that the front passenger is correctly
seated, i.e. that no feet or legs are propped
against the dashboad. Otherwise, leg injury
could result if the front passenger airbag
suddenly deployed. Never let an occupant's
head rest near or on a side airbag because
the inflating airbag could cause a serious or
fatal injury.
circumstances injury may result from con
-
tact with the airbags. In sensitive individu
-
als, the ignition and inflation noise may
induce a mild hearing loss that is usually
temporary. For airbag locations and additional infor
-
mation on airbags, refer to page
72.
Safe seating position with safety belt Fasten your safety belt before each drive.
Airbags are an additional safety device and
work in conjunction with the safety belts,
but do not replace them.Your vehicle is equipped with four seats,
each of which is provided with a safety belt.
At all times, occupants should sit upright and be properly restrained –
infants and small children in appropriate
child-restraint systems; larger children and
adults using the safety belts.
Expectant mothers should always wear
their safety belts, taking care to position
the lap belt against the lower hips, where it
will not exert pressure against the abdomi
-
nal area.
Never allow more than one person to wear
a single safety belt. Never allow infants or
small children to ride in a passenger's lap.
Do not route the belt across your neck, or
run it across sharp edges. Be sure that the
belt does not become caught or jammed.
Avoid twisting the belt while routing it
firmly across the hips and shoulder; wear it
as snugly against your body as possible and
do not allow it to rest against sharp or frag
-
ile objects. Otherwise, the belt could slide
over your hips in the event of a frontal
impact and cause abdominal injury. Avoid
wearing bulky clothing and pull on the lap
belt periodically to retension it over your
shoulder. Otherwise, the safety belt's
restraint effectiveness could be reduced.
45.
45
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
SAFETY BELTS To closeMake sure you hear the lock engage in the
belt buckle.Indicator lamp
Lights up for several seconds or until the driver has fastened his or
her safety belt.
A signal
* also sounds depending on the
version.
To release1. Press the red button in the belt buckle2. Hold the belt3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
Safety belt height adjustment in the MINI Use the height adjustment mechanism to
adapt the safety belt to the ideal position
for your own body:Press the button and at the same time push
the entire unit upwards or downwards.Also observe the instructions on adjusting
the seats on page
41.
Safety belt height in the MINI
Convertible The seat belt height is adapted to your
body size if you are sitting correctly.
Damaged safety belts
If the safety belts are damaged or stretched in an accident: have the
safety belts including the seat-belt tension
-
ers and any child-restraint systems
replaced, and have the belt anchorages
checked. Have the necessary work carried
out only by a MINI Dealer or a workshop
that has specially trained personnel work
-
ing in accordance with the specifications of
the MINI manufacturer.<
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.
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.
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.<
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.
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.<
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
153
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Interlock, refer to Steering
locked
51
Intermittent operation of the
wipers
59
Interval
display, service
112
J Jack
125
, 129
points
128
Jack, refer to Tire change set
MINI Mobility System
129
Run Flat tires
102
space-saver spare tire
125
Jacking points
128
Jets, refer to Ventilation
77, 80
Jets, refer to Windshield
washer jets
60
Jump-starting
134
K Keys
24
Kickdown
55
Knock control
94
L Lamp defect
121
Lamp replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs
121
Lamps and bulbs
121
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams
57
Lashing eyelets, refer to
Securing the load
88
LATCH child-restraint
mounting system
50
Leather care
115
LEDs light-emitting diodes
124
Length, refer to
Dimensions
141
, 142
License plate lamp, bulb
replacement
124
Lifting handle, space-saver
spare tire
125
Light switch
57
Light-alloy wheels, care
114
Light-emitting diodes
(LEDs)
124
Lighter
82
Lighting of the instruments
58
'Lights on' warning
57
Load securing devices, refer to
Securing the load
88
Loading the vehicle
86
Loads, refer to Loading cargo
86
Locking
from inside
28
from outside
26
Locking/unlocking the vehicle,
acknowledgment
signals
26, 27
Low beams
57
bulb replacement
122
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support
43
Luggage compartment
cover
85
emergency operation, refer
to Manual release
30
opening from the outside
29
opening with the remote
control
26
opening/closing, refer to
Tailgate
29
tailgate
29
volume
143
, 144
Luggage compartment in the
MINI
85
Luggage compartment lid
emergency operation, refer
to Manual release
30
opening, remote control
26
Luggage compartment lid, refer
to Tailgate
29
Luggage compartment net
88
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack
89
Lumbar support
43
M M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires
103
Maintenance system
112
Make-up mirror, illuminated
47
Malfunction
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
56
convertible top
37
door lock
27
fuel filler door
95
glass sunroof, electric
34
tailgate
30
Manual air distribution
76
Manual operation
door lock
27
driver's door
27
fuel filler door
95
glass sunroof, electric
34
power convertible top
37
tailgate
30
transmission lock for
Continuously Variable
automatic Transmission
(CVT)
54
Manual transmission
53
Master keys with remote
control
24
Maximum cooling
79
Maximum speed, with winter
tires
103
MC operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio