16
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPSTechnology that monitors itselfThe system runs a check on the indicator
and warning lamps marked by
+ when you
turn the key in the ignition lock. They each
light up once for different periods of time.
If a malfunction should occur in one of
these systems, the corresponding lamp
does not go out after the engine is started
or it lights up while the vehicle is moving.
You will see below the correct way to react
to this.
Red: stop immediately
Battery charge current
+
The battery is no longer being
charged. Indicates a defective alter-
nator drive belt or a problem with the
charge circuit. Please contact your MINI
Dealer.
If the drive belt is defective, do not
continue driving. The engine could be
damaged due to overheating. When the
power-assist is deactivated, increased
steering effort is required.<
Engine oil pressure
+
The engine oil pressure is too low.
Pull over immediately and switch
off the engine. Please contact your MINI
Dealer.
Do not continue driving; otherwise,
the engine could be damaged
because of inadequate lubrication.<
Brake warning lamp
+
Lights up although the parking
brake is released. The brake fluid
level is too low. Before driving further, be
sure to comply with the information on
page120. Have the system checked imme-
diately.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
If equipped with a navigation system or
Cockpit Chrono Pack:
Coolant temperature warning
lamp in the navigation system or
Cockpit Chrono Pack+
Lights up while driving:
engine is too hot. Pull over to the side of
the road immediately, switch off the
engine and allow it to cool down, refer also
to page68. Have the system checked
immediately.
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, page75 ff.
Red and yellow: continue to drive, but
use great caution
Brake warning lamp together with
yellow indicator lamps for ABS,
CBC, EBD and ASC/DSC:
driving stability control has failed.
Drive cautiously and defensively.
Avoid full brake applications.
Have the system checked as soon
as possible.
More information on page72.
Canadian models display these
warning lamps.
Red: an important reminder
Brake warning lamp with parking
brake applied.
More information on the parking
brake on page54.
Warning lamp in Canadian models.
Fasten safety belts
+
Lights up for several seconds or
until the safety belt has been fas-
tened.
A signal* also sounds depending on the
version.
More information on page46.
Bonnet/tailgate/sliding sunroof
*
Comes on if the bonnet, tailgate or
sliding sunroof is open.
More information on pages29, 35, 114.
18
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPSRed: have it checked soon
Airbags
+
There is a malfunction in the airbag
system. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
More information on page77.
Brake pads
The brake pads have reached the
minimum safe limit for lining wear.
Have the brake pads replaced immediately.
More information on page99.
Yellow: have it checked soon
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
+
The ABS has failed. Conventional
braking efficiency is available. Have
the system checked as soon as possible.
More information on page72.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
Automatic Stability Control plus
Traction ASC/Dynamic Stability
Control DSC
+
Indicator lamp flashes:
System active: drive and brake forces are
regulated.
Indicator lamp lights up continuously:
ASC/DSC has been deactivated at the but-
ton or is malfunctioning.
If there is a malfunction: have the system
checked as soon as possible.
More information on page72.
Engine
+
The exhaust emissions have deteri-
orated.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Canadian models display this
warning lamp.
Engine electronics
* +
The engine electronics are mal-
functioning. You can continue to
drive with reduced engine output or engine
speed. Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible.
37
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CONVERTIBLE TOP WITH INTEGRATED SLIDING SUNROOFChecking>The LED lights up during convertible top
operation until the opening or closing
procedure is completely finished
>The LED flashes for approx. 60 seconds
after the button is released. The opening
or closing procedure has not yet been
completed. The procedure can be contin-
ued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate button
>The LED flashes rapidly. The convertible
top cannot be operated.
The luggage compartment cover is not in
its lower position, refer to page91, or the
loading aid is not correctly locked, refer
to page91.
InterruptionThe automatic movement is immediately
interrupted when the buttons for convert-
ible top operation are released. The proce-
dure can be continued in the desired direc-
tion by pressing the appropriate buttons.
If the opening or closing procedure is inter-
rupted by releasing the respective button,
the convertible top stays in its current posi-
tion for several seconds before it slowly
moves into a more stable position. The pro-
cedure can be continued by pressing the
appropriate button.
Movement is also interrupted when there
is a mechanical blockage. In this case, in
order to operate the convertible top again:
1. Turn off the ignition and then switch it
on again
2. Press the button to continue the proce-
dure in the desired direction.Opening and closing procedure
Do not interrupt and restart the clos-
ing procedure several times one after
another, or the convertible top mechanism
could be damaged.<
If the convertible top can be moved in
only one direction after several con-
secutive attempts to operate it, the con-
vertible top system has overheated. Allow
the system to cool down for approx.
20 minutes.<
If the battery is disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
reinitialize the power windows, refer to
page32. Otherwise the windows will not
be lowered when the convertible top is
opened.
tion via the door lock refer to page27.
46
SAFETY BELTS
Comply with the instructions on
page42, or the occupants' personal
safety will be diminished.<
Make sure every occupant fastens his or
her safety belt. Airbags are an additional
safety device and work in conjunction with
the safety belts, but do not replace them.
To closeMake sure you hear the lock engage in the
belt buckle.
Safety belt reminder for the front seats
The indicator lamp flashes or lights
up. A signal also sounds. Check if
the safety belts have been properly
fastened.
The safety belt reminder is operational
above a speed of approx. 5 mph / 8 km/h.
The reminder can also occur if objects are
on the front passenger seat.
To release1. Press the red button in the belt buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
Safety belt height adjustment in the
MINIPress the button and at the same time push
the entire unit upwards or downwards.
Also observe the instructions on adjusting
the seats on page42.Safety belt height in the MINI
ConvertibleThe seat belt height is adapted to your
body size if you are sitting correctly.
54
STARTING THE ENGINE SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE PARKING BRAKEManual transmission1. Engage the parking brake
2. Gearshift lever in idle position
3. Depress the clutch
4. Start the engine.Automatic transmission with
Steptronic1. Press the footbrake
2. Put the selector lever in position P or N
3. Start the engine.Special starting conditionsIn the following situations, depress the
accelerator pedal halfway and continue
starting the engine for up to approx.
10 seconds:
>If the engine does not start on the first
attempt, for instance if the engine is very
hot or cold.
>The engine is started at very low temper-
atures, below approx. +57/–156, at
high altitudes above 3,300 ft/1000 m.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.<
Manual transmissionTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.Automatic transmission with
SteptronicEngage selector lever position P, turn the
ignition key to position 1 or 0.
The parking brake is designed primarily to
prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.To engageLever automatically locks in position.
The indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter lights up from ignition key position 2,
refer to page17.To release1. Pull up slightly
2. Press the button
3. Push the lever downwards.
If, in exceptional circumstances, it
should be necessary to engage the
parking brake while the vehicle is in
motion, do not pull the lever with excessive
60
PARKING LAMPS/LOW BEAMS1Parking lamps
2Low beams
3 Automatic headlamp control
*
Parking lamps
Turn the light switch to position 1.
The front, rear and side vehicle
lighting is switched on.
For the additional option of activating the
lights on one side of the vehicle for parking,
refer to Switching on the standing lamps,
page60.
The parking lamps discharge the bat-
tery.
Avoid using them for longer periods of
time; otherwise, you may not be able to
start the engine.<
Low beams
Turn the light switch to position 2.
With the low beams on and with
the ignition switched off, only the
parking lamps will remain on.
Automatic headlamp control*
In switch position 3, the system
automatically activates and can-
cels the low beams in response to
changes in ambient light, for example in
tunnels, at dusk, and when there is precipi-
tation.
When driving into a tunnel with bright
overhead lights, there may be a delay
before the low beams come on.
The low beams may also come on when the
sun is sitting low on a blue sky.
When you switch on the fog lamps,
the low-beam headlamps remain on
regardless of the ambient light. When the
daytime running lamps are activated, refer
to page61, the low beams come on and
remain lit when the switch is in position 1
and the ignition is switched on.<
Automatic headlamp control cannot
serve as a substitute for the driver's
judgement in determining when the vehi-
cle lights should be switched on. For exam-
ple, the sensors are not able to detect fog or
hazy weather. To avoid safety risks, you
should respond to these kinds of low-visi-
bility situations by switching the head-
lamps on manually.<
You can have the sensitivity of your
vehicle's automatic headlamp con-
trol adjusted.
lights, the low beams will stay lit for a pre-
set period of time.
You can have this function pro-
grammed.
In ignition key position 0:
Move the lever to the adequate turn signal
indicator position.
The standing lamps discharge the
battery. Avoid using them for longer
61
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
PARKING LAMPS/LOW BEAMS TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR/HEADLAMP FLASHERperiods of time; otherwise, you may not be
able to start the engine.<'Lights on' warning If the lights have not been switched off and
the ignition key is in position 0, an acoustic
signal sounds for a few seconds when you
open the driver's door to remind you that
the lights have not been switched off.Daytime running lamps*If convenient, the light switch can be left in
position 2.
When the ignition is switched off, the
external lights go out.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated.<
1 Turn signal indicators
2 High beams/Headlamp flasherTo signal brieflyGently push the lever up to the point of
resistance and hold it there, if necessary.
The indicator lamp flashes and the
relay clicks faster than normal: flash-
ing bulb has failed.<