
97
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
GENERAL DRIVING NOTES
Safe braking
Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a stan-
dard feature. If you are in a situation which
requires full braking, it is best to brake
using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle remains maneuverable, you can still
go around any obstacles with the smallest
possible steering movements.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together
with the sound of hydraulic regulation,
indicates to you that ABS is actively taking
effect.
Wet roads:
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 hinder other road users. The
resulting heat dries 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 pres-
sure on the brake can lead to high tempera-
tures, brake wear and possibly even brake
failure.<
The braking effect of the engine can be
increased by downshifting in the manual
mode of the automatic transmission, to
first gear if necessary, refer to page58. This
protects the brakes from excessive loads.
Do not coast with the clutch
depressed, the transmission in idle or
the engine switched off. Otherwise, the
engine provides no braking effect, and
there is no power-assist for braking or
steering.
Make sure that there are no floor mats,
floor carpets or other objects in the vicinity
of the pedals; otherwise pedal function
could be impeded.<
Corrosion on the brake rotors:
When 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.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a
wedge of water can form between tires
and road surface. This phenomenon is char-
acterized by a partial or complete loss of
contact between the tires and the road sur-
face. The ultimate results are loss of steer-
ing and braking control.<

143
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
TOWING AND TOW-STARTING
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 featuring auto-
matic transmission with Steptronic
with the front wheels raised or on a special
transport vehicle; otherwise the transmis-
sion 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 featuring
automatic transmission with Step-
tronic.
Jump-starting, refer to page140.<
Only tow-start vehicles with catalytic con-
verters if the engine is cold. It is better to
have the engine jump-started, refer to
page140.
1. Turn on the hazard warning flashers;
comply with national regulations
2. Turn the ignition key to position 2
3. Engage the 3rd gear
4. Have the vehicle towed with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. After the engine has
started, immediately depress the clutch
again completely
5. Pull over at a suitable location, remove
the tow bar or tow rope, and turn off the
hazard warning flashers
6. Have the vehicle checked.

149
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
WEIGHTS: MINI
MINI COOPER MINI COOPER S
Curb weight, with all optional special equipment
with manual transmission
automatic transmission with Steptroniclbs/kg
lbs/kg2,524/1,145
2,557/1,1602,679/1,215
2,723/1,235
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
automatic transmission with Steptroniclbs/kg
lbs/kg3,340/1,515
3,373/1,5303,494/1,585
3,538/1,605
Cargo and luggage load capacity lbs/kg816/370 816/370
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 volume
with rear backrest folded downcu ft/liters
cu ft/liters5.3/150
23.7/6705.3/150
23.7/670

150
WEIGHTS: MINI CONVERTIBLE
MINI COOPER Convertible MINI COOPER S Convertible
Curb weight, with all optional special equipment
with manual transmission
automatic transmission with Steptroniclbs/kg
lbs/kg2,700/1,225
2,734/1,2402,844/1,290
2,888/1,310
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
automatic transmission with Steptroniclbs/kg
lbs/kg3,472/1,575
3,505/1,5903,616/1,640
3,660/1,660
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 volume
with luggage compartment cover hooked in above
with rear backrest folded downcu ft/liters
cu ft/liters
cu ft/liters4.2/120
5.8/165
21.4/6054.2/120
5.8/165
21.4/605

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
154
A
ABS Antilock Brake System71
indicator lamp17,18
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle6
Activated-charcoal filter83
Adjusting interior
temperature79,82
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air mode79,82
Air conditioning system78
Air distribution
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation80,83
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure101
Air volume
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Airbags75
passenger airbag status
lamp76
safe seating position42
warning lamp18
AKI, refer to Fuel quality99
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
indicator lamps17,18 All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires110
Antenna120
Antifreeze
coolant115
washer fluid63
Antilock Brake System (ABS)71
indicator lamp17,
18
Anti-theft system24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights149,150
Approved engine oils115
Approved gross vehicle weight,
refer to Weights149,150
ASC All Season traction
Control71
indicator lamps17,18
Ashtray85
Assistant systems, refer to
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution82
Automatic
air distribution82
air volume82
cruise control64
Automatic car washes119
Automatic climate control81 Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
ignition53
indicator lamp57
interlock53
selector lever lock56
shiftlock56
towing142
tow-starting143
Average consumption70
setting units70
Average speed70
setting units70
Axle loads, refer to
Weights149,150
B
Backrests, refer to
Adjusting seats44
Backup lamp
bulb replacement129
Bar, towing142
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone84
Battery138
charging138
disposal138
indicator lamp16
jump-starting140
power failure138
Battery care68,118 Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Beverage holders85
Black ice, refer to Temperature
warning69
Blower
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Blower, refer to Air volume79
Blowers, refer to Draft-free
ventilation80,83
Bonnet111
indicator lamp17
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders85
Brake discs
brake system97
break-in procedures96
Brake fluid117
level117
warning lamp16
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement129
Brake pads117
break-in procedures96
warning lamp18
Brake system117
brake fluid117
brake pads117
break-in procedures96
disc brakes97
warning lamp17

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
155
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Brake wear warning
brake pads117
warning lamp18
Brakes117
ABS71
brake fluid117
brake pads117
break-in procedures96
handbrake54
indicator/warning
lamps16,17,18
Breaking in96
Bulb replacement, refer to
Lamps and bulbs127
Buttons on multifunction
steering wheel20
automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
C
California Proposition 65
warning7
Capacities151
Car care, refer to Caring for your
vehicle119
Car keys, refer to Keys24
Car radio, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Car telephone, refer to separate
Owner's Manual Car vacuum cleaner,
connecting, refer to Cigarette
lighter socket85
Car wash119
Car wash, refer to Washing
your vehicle119
Car-care products119
Care of plastics120
Care of synthetic leather120
Care, vehicle119
Cargo area
opening from the outside29
opening with the remote
control26
volume149,
150
Cargo area cover, refer to
Luggage compartment
cover88
Cargo area lid, refer to
Tailgate29
Cargo area, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI88
Carpet care121
Cassette operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system98
CD changer, refer to Owner's
Manual for Radio
CD operation, refer to
Owner's Manual for Radio Center armrest84
Central locking system24
interior28
Changing bulbs127
Changing the wiper
blades126,127
Changing tires133
space-saver spare tire131
Charge-current indicator
light16
Child seat, refer to Installing
child-restraint systems50
Children, transporting50
Child-restraint fixing system,
LATCH52
Child-restraint systems50
Chock, folding
space-saver spare tire131
Chrome parts, refer to Caring
for your vehicle120
Chrome-plated parts, care120
Cigarette lighter85
Cigarette lighter socket85
Cigarette tray, refer to
Ashtray85
Circulation of air, refer to
Recirculated air mode79,82
Cleaning the rear window63
Cleaning the vehicle, refer to
Caring for your vehicle119 Clock66
12-hour/24-hour mode66
changing the time66
Closing
from inside28
from outside25
Clothes hooks98
Clutch53
break-in procedures96
Cockpit12
Coding, tires105
Compact disk operation, refer
to Owner's Manual for Radio
Compartments84
Computer, refer to Onboard
computer69
Condensed water, refer to Air
conditioning79,82
Configuring settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory49
Consumption, refer to
Average consumption70
Current fuel consumption70
Contents2
Control elements, refer to
Cockpit12
Convenience operation
convertible top37
from outside26,27
glass sunroof, electric33
windows31

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
157
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control71
indicator lamp17
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
indicator lamp17
E
Easy entry to the rear45
EBD Electronic Brake Force
Distribution71
Electric glass sunroof33
Electric power windows31
initializing32
Electrical malfunction
automatic transmission with
Steptronic58
convertible top38
door lock27
driver's door27
fuel filler door100
glass sunroof, electric34
tailgate30
Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)71
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP), refer to
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71 Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
convertible top38
driver's door27
fuel filler door100
glass sunroof, electric34
tailgate30
transmission lock, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic56
Engine
break-in procedures96
data146
electronics18
indicator lamp18
speed68
starting53
switching off54
Engine compartment
MINI COOPER and MINI
COOPER Convertible112
MINI COOPER S and MINI
COOPER S Convertible113
Engine coolant115
Engine data146
Engine oil114
capacity151
indicator/warning lamp16
recommended oils115
specified oil grades115 Engine oil level114
indicator/warning lamp16
Engine oil level, checking114
Engine oil pressure, indicator/
warning lamp16
Engine output, refer to Engine
data146
Entry to the rear45
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC)71
Exhaust system, refer to
Hot exhaust system98
Exterior mirrors48
folding in and out48
Eyelet, for towing and tow-
starting141
F
Failure of an electrical
consumer138
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts46
Filling canister, refer to MINI
Mobility System136
Filling hose, refer to MINI
Mobility System136
Filter, refer to
Microfilter80
Microfilter/Activated-
charcoal filter83 Flat
Run Flat tires
74
Flat tire
Flat Tire Monitor73,74
MINI Mobility System135
space-saver spare tire131
Flat Tire Monitor73
indicator lamp17
Flat tire, refer to Changing
tires133
Flat tire, refer to Tire
condition106
Floor mats121
Fog lamps61
indicator lamp61
Foldable rear backrest88,89
Folding roof, refer to
Convertible top with
integrated sliding sunroof35
Foot braking, refer to General
driving notes97
Front airbags75
Front turn signal indicators,
bulb replacement128
Fuel99
average consumption70
gauge66,67
quality99
tank capacity151

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
158
Fuel filler door99
unlocking in the event of
electrical malfunction100
Fuel tank capacity151
Fuses139
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control86
Gas, refer to Average
consumption70
Gas, refer to Fuel quality99
Gasoline gauge, refer to Fuel
gauge66,67
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality99
Gear indicator, for automatic
transmission with
Steptronic57
Gear shifts, automatic
transmission with
Steptronic56
Gearshift lever
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
manual transmission55
General driving notes96 Glass sunroof, electric33
convenience operation27
opening and closing in the
event of an electrical
malfunction34
remote control26
Glove compartment84
Gross weight, refer to
Weights149,150
H
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake54
Hazard warning flashers12
Head airbags75
Head restraints44
Headlamp flasher60
indicator lamp19
Headlamp washer reservoir63
capacity, refer to
Capacities151
Headlamp washer system
cleaning headlamps63
washer fluid63
Headlamps
bulb replacement128
care120
Heated mirrors48
Heated rear window
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82 Heating78
exterior mirrors48
rear window79,82
seats47
windshield79,82
Heavy load, refer to Loading92
Height adjustment
seats43
steering wheel47
Height, refer to
Dimensions147,148
High beams60
bulb replacement128
headlamp flasher60
indicator lamp19
High Performance Synthetic
Oil, refer to Engine oil115
capacity151
recommended oils115
specified oils115
Holders for beverages85
Horn12
Hot exhaust system98
Hydraulic brake117
Hydroplaning
97
I
Ignition53
Ignition key24
Ignition key positions, refer to
Ignition lock53 Ignition lock53
Illuminated vanity mirror48
Imitation leather120
Imprint2
Index154
Indicator and warning lamps,
overview16
Indicator/warning lamp
airbags76
ASC72
brakes117
coolant temperature67
DSC72
fasten safety belts46
Flat Tire Monitor74
fog lamps61
reserve fuel capacity66,67
Individual air distribution83
Individual settings, refer to
Vehicle Memory49
Inflation pressure monitor,
refer to Flat Tire Monitor73
Inflation pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure101
Inspection68
Instrument cluster, refer to
Display elements13
Instrument lighting61
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit12