
Everything under control
44
Everything under control
Odometer, outside tem-
perature display, clock
1Outside temperature display and clock or 
current speed
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Resetting the trip odometer
Units of measure
Select the respective units of measure, miles or 
km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for the 
outside temperature, page47.
Outside temperature display, time
Setting the time, refer to page50.
Outside temperature warning
When the displayed temperature sinks to 
approx. +377/+36, a signal sounds and a 
warning lamp lights up. There is an increased 
risk of black ice.
Black ice can also form at temperatures 
above +377/+36. You should therefore 
drive carefully on bridges and shaded roads, for 
example, otherwise there is an increased risk of 
an accident.<
Current vehicle speed
To have the current speed shown in the upper 
display for the outside temperature and time.
Press and hold the button in the turn indicator 
lever until the display changes.The outside temperature then appears in the 
bottom display.
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting the trip odometer
With the ignition switched on, press knob 3 in 
the tachometer.
When the vehicle is parked
To display the time, outside temperature and 
odometer briefly after the key is removed from 
the ignition lock:
Press knob 3 in the tachometer.
Tachometer
Never operate the engine with the needle in the 
red overspeed zone of the gauge. In this range, 
the fuel supply is interrupted to protect the 
engine.
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and 
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. 
Check coolant level, refer to page96. 

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
 59
Lamps
Parking lamps/low beams
0Lamps off and daytime running lamps
1Parking lamps and daytime running lamps
2Low beams
3Automatic headlamp control
*
Parking lamps
Turn the light switch to position 1. 
The front, rear and side vehicle lighting is 
switched on.
Activation of lights on one side of the vehicle for 
parking, page61.
The parking lamps will discharge the bat-
tery. Therefore, do not leave them on for 
unduly long periods of time, otherwise the bat-
tery might not have enough power to start the 
engine.<
Low beams
Turn the light switch to position 2.
The low beams come on when the ignition is on.
The exterior lamps are automatically switched 
off after the vehicle is parked.
Switch on the parking lamps separately if 
needed.
Automatic headlamp control*
When the switch is in position3, the low beams 
are switched on and off automatically depend-
ing on ambient light conditions, e.g. in a tunnel, 
in twilight, or if there is precipitation.The headlamps may also come on when the sun 
is sitting low on a blue sky.
When driving into tunnels with bright overhead 
lights, there may be a delay before the head-
lamps come on.
The low beams remain switched on indepen-
dent of the ambient lighting conditions when 
you switch on the fog lamps
*.
If the daytime running lamps are activated, 
page60, the low beams are always switched on 
with the light switch in position 3 and the igni-
tion on. The exterior lamps are automatically 
switched off after the vehicle is parked.
The automatic headlamp control cannot 
serve as a substitute for your personal 
judgment in determining when the lamps 
should be switched on in response to ambient 
lighting conditions. For example, the system 
cannot detect fog or hazy weather. To avoid 
safety risks, you should respond to these kinds 
of low-visibility situations by switching the head-
lamps on manually.<
Welcome lamps
If you leave the light switch in the low beam or 
automatic headlamp control position when you 
switch off the ignition, the parking lamps and 
interior lamps come on for a certain time as soon 
as the vehicle is unlocked.
Pathway lighting
If you activate the headlamp flasher after park-
ing the car, with the lights switched off, the low 
beams come on and remain on for a certain 
time.
The setting is stored for the remote control in 
use, refer to Personal Profile, page18. 

Indicator and warning lamps
116
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps appear in indicator 
area 1 and on display 2. See the table for infor-
mation on causes and how to react. Note 
whether a lamp comes on alone or in combina-tion with another. Some lamps can light up in 
different colors. Corresponding distinctions are 
made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher 
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to 
page31.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Danger  of  icy  roads Drive cautiously, refer also to page44.
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 l of fuel 
remain in the tank
Remains on: 
Cruising range is no more than 
30 miles/50 km, page45
Engine  refuses  to  start Depress the brake or clutch in order to 
start the engine, page35. 

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 

Indicator and warning lamps
118
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system 
failedHave the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Steering response will be 
markedly different. Have the system 
checked without delay.
Lights up:
Emergency calling system failed or 
malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine  malfunction Stop the car and switch off the engine. 
You cannot continue your journey. 
Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the engine 
checked as soon as possible.
Indication in US 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.
12Cause What to do 

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 

Indicator and warning lamps
120
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Brake pedal travel may be markedly 
longer. Stop immediately. Contact 
the nearest MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Hill Start Assist failed. The car will not 
be held in place after the brake is 
releasedHave the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Brake pedal travel may be markedly 
longer. Stop immediately. Contact 
the nearest MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Hill Start Assist failed. The car will not 
be held in place after the brake is 
releasedHave the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Indication in US models
Brake pads  worn Have the condition of the brake pads 
checked without delay.
12Cause What to do 

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
 121
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads 
checked without delay.
Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. 
Contact your MINI Dealer.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. 
Contact your MINI Dealer.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. 
Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked 
without delay.
>Starter failed or
>ignition malfunctioning. Engine 
restart only possible when brake 
is depressed or
>lighting system failed. Low 
beams/tail lamps and brake 
lamps still operational. All other 
lamps failedThe engine cannot be restarted.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed 
or
>fuel supply malfunctioningYou can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the system in ques-
tion checked without delay.
12Cause What to do