ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
3
Contents
The fastest way to find information on a particu-
lar topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page134.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
At a glance
10Cockpit
Controls
18Opening and closing
28Adjustments
33Transporting children safely
35Driving
44Everything under control
53Technology for driving comfort and safety
59Lamps
64Climate
69Practical interior accessories
Driving tips
76Things to remember when driving
Mobility
84Refueling
86Wheels and tires
94Under the bonnet
98Maintenance
100Care
102Replacing components
112Giving and receiving assistance
116Indicator and warning lamps
Reference
130Technical data
134From A to Z
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Reference
At a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
11
1Folding exterior mirrors in and out*31
6Ignition lock35
7Buttons
* on right of steering wheelButtons
* on left of steering wheel
8Horn: the entire surface
9Adjusting the steering wheel32
10Releasing the bonnet94 2
Parking lamps59
Low beams59
Automatic headlamp control
*59
Turn signals39
High beams, headlamp flasher61
Roadside parking lamps
*61
Computer
*45
3Tachometer12
Instrument lighting62
4
Wiper system40
5Switching the ignition on/off and
starting/stopping the engine35
Continuing cruise control
*42
Storing speed and accelerating or
decelerating
Activating/deactivating cruise
control
*42
Telephone*:
>Press: accepting and ending a
call, starting dialing
* of
selected phone number and
redialing if no phone number is
selected
>Press longer: redialing
Volume
Activating/deactivating voice com-
mand system
*
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling through phone book and
lists with stored phone numbers
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ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
41
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time
between wipes is controlled automatically and
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The sen-
sor is mounted on the windshield, directly in
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermittent wipe or rain
sensor
Press the lever upward once, arrow1.
Deactivate the rain sensor before entering
an automatic car wash. Failure to do so
could result in damage caused by undesired
wiper activation.<
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain
sensor
Press the lever downward once, arrow4.
Brief wipe
Press the lever downward once, arrow4.
Switching on wipers
Press the lever upward.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press twice, arrow2.
The system switches to intermittent operation
when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press three times or press beyond the pressure
point, arrow3.
The system switches to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 5.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and
the wipers are operated for a short time.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on,
the headlamps are cleaned at regular and
appropriate intervals.In cars equipped with an alarm system, the
headlamps cannot be cleaned when the bonnet
is open.
Do not use the washers when the washer
fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you will
damage the washer pump.
Only use the washers if the bonnet has been
completely closed, otherwise the headlamp
washer system
* may be damaged. Do not use
the washers if there is any danger that the fluid
will freeze on the windshield. If you do, your
vision could be obscured. For this reason, use
antifreeze.<
Window washer nozzles
The window washer nozzles are heated auto-
matically while the engine is running or the igni-
tion is switched on
*.
Rear window wiper
6Intermittent operation:
Turn the cap to level6.
Operation is continuous in reverse gear.
Cleaning the rear window
7Intermittent operation:
Turn the cap further to level7 and hold it
there.
8Wiper parked:
Turn the cap to level8 and hold it there.
Do not use the washers when the washer
fluid reservoir is empty, otherwise you will
damage the washer pump.<
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Under the bonnet
94
Under the bonnet
Do not work on the car unless you possess
the necessary technical knowledge. If you
are not familiar with the regulations to be
observed, have the necessary work on your
vehicle carried out only by a MINI Dealer or a
workshop that has specially trained personnel
working in accordance with the specifications of
the MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried
out properly, there is a danger of subsequent
damage and related safety hazards.<
Bonnet
Releasing
Pull the lever.
Do not clean the windshield and head-
lamps if the bonnet is unlocked as this
may damage the headlamp washer system
*.<
Opening
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the bonnet.<
Press the release handle and open the bonnet.
Closing
Close the bonnet from a height of approx. 16 in/
40 cm with momentum. It must be clearly heard
to engage.
If you notice any signs while driving your
vehicle that the bonnet is not completely
closed, stop at once and close it securely.
Make sure that the closing path of the bonnet is
clear, otherwise injuries may result.<
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Under the bonnet
96
Adding engine oil
Add no more than 1 US quart/1 liter of oil after
the following message appears in the tachome-
ter or when the oil level has fallen to near the
bottom mark on the dipstick, page95.
Add oil within the next 125 miles/200 km,
otherwise the engine could be dam-
aged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of
children and comply with the warnings on
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may
result.<
Oil change
Have the oil changed only by a MINI Dealer or a
workshop that has specially trained personnel
working in accordance with the specifications of
the MINI manufacturer.
Approved engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. Based on extensive testing, the man-
ufacturer of your MINI approves only certain
grades of engine oil on a regular basis.
Only use High Performance Synthetic Oil
approved by the manufacturer of your MINI.If MINI High Performance Synthetic Oil is not
available, you can add small quantities of
another synthetic oil in between oil changes.
Only use oils with the API SH specification or
higher.
If you have any further questions regard-
ing MINI High Performance Synthetic Oil
or approved synthetic oils, your MINI Dealer will
be glad to advise you.<
Do not use any oil additives, as they could
cause engine damage under some cir-
cumstances.<
Viscosity grades
Viscosity is a measure of an oil's flow rating and
is categorized in SAE classes.
The correct SAE grade for your MINI is deter-
mined by the climatic conditions of the region in
which you normally drive your MINI.
Approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and
5W-30 classes.<
These oils can be used for driving at all outside
temperatures.
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns.<
Coolant is a mixture of water and an additive.
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your MINI. Your MINI Dealer knows
which additives are suitable and will be glad to
advise you.
Only use suitable additives, otherwise
engine damage may result. The additives
are hazardous to your health.<
Comply with the appropriate environmen-
tal protection regulations when disposing
of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Let the engine cool down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated
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Replacing components
102
Replacing components
Onboard tool kit
The onboard tool kit is stored in a compartment
underneath the cargo area floor panel.
Wiper blades
Changing the front wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Position the wiper blade horizontally.
3.Press the securing spring, arrow.
4.Unhook the wiper blade toward the wind-
shield.
5.Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top.
6.Insert the new wiper blade.
7.Press into position until you hear it engage.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the bonnet.<
Changing rear wiper blade
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Rotate the wiper blade toward the back as
far as it will go, arrow.
3.Press the wiper blade against the limit and
thus out of the mounting.
4.Press the new wiper blade into the fixture
until it engages audibly.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, be
handled carefully. The manufacturer of your
MINI recommends having your MINI Dealer per-
form any work that you do not feel competent to
perform yourself or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contamination will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs
at your MINI Dealer.
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question, otherwise short circuits could
result. To avoid possible injury or equipment
damage when replacing bulbs, observe any
instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer.<
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ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
117
Ignition switched on and driver's door
openSwitch off the ignition, page35, or
close the driver's door.
Lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps on
Door open
Bonnet open
Tailgate open
Gas cap missing or loose Make sure that the gas cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between
the gas cap and the vehicle.
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
page42.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the
start/stop button is touched, possibly
without the brake or clutch being
depressed
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with convenient access, not
detectedThe engine cannot be started. Have
the remote control checked, if neces-
sary.
Battery in remote control discharged Use the remote control for a longer
journey or, in cars with convenient
access, replace the battery.
12Cause What to do
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ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
119
Indication in Canadian models
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in dam-
age to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the vehicle
checked without delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse
effect on exhaust emissionsYou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the vehicle
checked as soon as possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop,
switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down. Do not open the bonnet,
otherwise there would be a risk of
injury by scalding. Contact your MINI
Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged.
Alternator malfunctionSwitch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the battery checked
without delay.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery
aged or not securely connectedHave the battery checked as soon as
possible.
12Cause What to do
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