3OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock53
Starting the engine53
Switching off the engine54
Parking brake54
Manual transmission55
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Parking lamps/Low beams60
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher61
Instrument lighting62
Fog lamps62
Interior lamps62
Washer/wiper system63
Washer fluid64
Cruise control65
Everything under control:
Odometer67
Clock67
Fuel gauge67
Coolant temperature gauge68
Tachometer69
Service interval display69
Onboard computer70Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Driving stability control systems72
Flat Tire Monitor74
Airbags76
Park Distance Control (PDC)78
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system79
Automatic climate control82
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment85
Center armrest85
Drinks holders, ashtray86
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply87
Integrated universal remote control88
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment in the MINI90
Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible91
Loading cargo92
Roof-mounted luggage rack95
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCESpecial operating instructions:
Break-in procedures98
General driving notes98
Refueling101
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure104
Tire coding108
Tire condition109
Run-Flat Tires111
New wheels and tires112
Snow chains113
13
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
1Tachometer69
with indicator and warning lamps,
page16ff
2 Display for onboard computer70
without onboard computer:
Display of outside temperature and cur-
rent speed
3 Speedometer with indicator and warn-
ing lamps, page16 ff4Indicator for
>Odometer67
>Trip odometer67
>Service interval69
>Program indicator for automatic
transmission with Steptronic57
>Clock
5 Trip odometer, reset to zero67
Setting the clock676 Fuel gauge68
7 Engine coolant temperature gauge68DISPLAY ELEMENTS
14
1Tachometer69
with indicator and warning lamps,
page16ff
2 Display for onboard computer3 Speedometer with indicator and warn-
ing lamps, page16 ff
4 Trip odometer, reset to zero67
Setting the clock675Indicator for
>Odometer67
>Trip odometer67
>Service interval69
>Program indicator for automatic
transmission with Steptronic57
>ClockDISPLAY ELEMENTS WITH NAVIGATION SYSTEM
* OR COCKPIT CHRONO PACK
*
42
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 page50.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, e.g. that no feet or legs are propped
against the dashboard. Otherwise, leg
injury could result if the front passenger
airbag suddenly deployed.
Make sure that passengers do not lean
their heads against the side or head airbag,
as injuries could result if the side airbags
were triggered.<
Even if all these instructions are followed, it
cannot entirely be ruled out that in some
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 page76.Head restraintA correctly adjusted head restraint reduces
the risk of injury to the cervical spine in the
event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a
way that it is centered roughly at ear
level. Otherwise, there is an increased risk
of injury in the event of an accident.
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.
Never allow more than one person to
wear a single safety belt. Never allow
infants or small children to ride in a passen-
ger's lap. Make sure that the belt in the lap
area sits low across the hips and does not
press against the abdomen. The safety belt
must not rest against the throat, run across
sharp edges, pass over hard or fragile
objects or be pinched. Fasten the safety
belt so that it is not twisted and sits as
snugly as possible against the lap and
shoulder. Otherwise the belt could slide
over the hips and injure the abdomen in
the event of a frontal collision. Avoid wear-
ing bulky clothing and pull the belt in the
upper-body area upward periodically to
retension it. Otherwise, the restraining
effect of the safety belt could be dimin-
ished.<
For information on using the safety belts,
refer to page46.
67
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ODOMETER CLOCK FUEL GAUGE 1 Trip odometer/clock
2OdometerTrip odometer/clockTo switch between the trip odometer and
the clock:
Press the button.
To reset the trip odometer to zero:
Press the button until the trip odometer
shows zero.
To set the clock, refer to the information
below.OdometerWhen 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 The clock must be shown on the display.
1. If necessary, 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 is shown
5. Press button 1 to set the hour
6. Wait approx. 5 seconds until the min-
utes display is shown
7. Press button 1 to set the minute.
The time entered is stored automatically
after approx. 1 minute.
In the speedometer or Cockpit Chrono
Pack*If the LED begins to be lit continuously,
there are approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters of fuel
left in the tank.
Fuel tank capacity:
Approx. 13.2 gallons/50 liters.
When you switch on the ignition, the LED
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.<
101
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
REFUELING
Always switch off the engine before
refueling; otherwise no fuel can be
added to the tank and the SERVICE ENGINE
SOON lamp may come on.<
1. Open the fuel filler door
2. Turn the gas cap counterclockwise
3. Put the gas cap in the bracket attached
to the fuel filler door.
Always observe all applicable precau-
tionary measures and regulations
when handling fuels. Do not carry any
spare fuel containers in the vehicle. They
can leak and cause an explosion or fire in
the event of an accident.<
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. Insert gas cap
2. Turn gas cap clockwise until it clicks
3. Close fuel filler door.
Insert the cap and turn it clockwise
until it audibly clicks.
Do not jam the strap between the gas cap
and the vehicle. The following message is
displayed if the cap is loose or missing.<
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.
line; otherwise the catalytic con-
verter will be permanently damaged. Do
not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel contain-
ing 85 % ethanol, nor with flex fuel. Other-
wise the engine and fuel supply system will
be damaged.<
Required fuelSuper Premium gasoline/AKI 91
119
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COOLANTAs an example, the illustration shows the
coolant tank of the MINI COOPER and the
MINI COOPER Convertible.Checking coolant level 1. The engine must be at ambient temper-
ature
2. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con-
vertible:
Slowly pull the cap of the expansion
tank by the tab until the excess pressure
can escape. Then remove the cap com-
pletely.
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-
vertible:
Slightly unscrew the cap of the expan-
sion tank counterclockwise until the
excess pressure can escape. Then
remove the cap completely
3. The coolant level is correct if it is
between the MIN and MAX markings on
the transparent expansion tank
4. If necessary, slowly add coolant until the
correct level is reached; do not overfill
5. MINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Con-
vertible:
Reattach the cap and press it down
firmly
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-
vertible:
Screw the cap back on and tighten it
firmly
6. Have the cause of the coolant loss
removed as soon as possible.
140
VEHICLE BATTERYStorage locationMINI COOPER and MINI COOPER Convert-
ible:
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment, refer to page115.
MINI COOPER S and MINI COOPER S Con-
vertible:
The battery is located in the luggage com-
partment under the floor mat.Battery careThe battery is absolutely maintenance-free,
that is, the original electrolyte will normally
last for the service life of the battery under
moderate climatic conditions. Your MINI
Dealer will be glad to advise you if you have
any questions regarding the battery.Charging the batteryOnly charge the battery in the vehicle via
the terminals in the engine compartment
with the engine switched off, refer to
'Jump-starting', page142.
Disposal
After replacing old batteries, return
the used batteries to your MINI
Dealer or to a recycling point. Maintain the
battery in an upright position for transport
and storage. Secure the battery to prevent
it from tilting during transport.<
Power failureAfter a temporary power failure, e.g. due to
a discharged battery, some of your vehicle's
equipment will function only to a limited
extent and must be reinitialized or read-
justed. Individual settings are also lost and
must be reprogrammed:
>The clock must be reset, refer to page67
>The power windows must be reinitial-
ized, refer to page32
>Radio
*:
The stations must be reset, refer to the
Owner's Manual for Radio
>Navigation system
*:
It may take some time for its operability
to be restored, refer to the Owner's Man-
ual for Navigation System.