2008 MINI Hardtop 2 Door steering

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
129
Tow-starting, towing
away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing vehi-
cles.<
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed.<
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or
rear of the MINI.
It is stored in the onboard tool kit in the cargo
bay underneath the cover on the right-hand
side, page114.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise the tow
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged.<
Access to screw thread
Push out the rectangular cover panel in the
bumper at the recesses.
Front
Rear
Being towed
M a k e s u r e t h a t t h e i g n it i o n is s w it c h e d o n ,
refer to page39, otherwise the low
beams, tail lamps, turn signal indicators and
windshield wipers may be unavailable. Do not
tow the vehicle with just the rear axle raised, as
this would allow the steering to turn. There is no
power assist while the engine is off. Thus, brak-
ing and steering will require increased effort.<
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, depend-
ing on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Tow vehicles with automatic transmission
only with a tow truck or with the front
wheels lifted; otherwise the transmission can be
damaged.<
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than the towed vehicle, otherwise it may
be impossible to maintain control.<

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
133
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
page46.
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.
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.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
140
Selector lever position P not engaged.
Ignition cannot be switched offEngage selector lever position P when
you wish to switch off the ignition,
page39.
Lights up in red:
Electric steering wheel lock malfunc-
tioningThe engine can no longer be started. If
applicable, do not switch off the
engine. Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Electric steering wheel lock engaged Move the steering wheel before start-
ing the engine.
Cruise control system failed Have the system checked.
Park Distance Control failed Have the system checked.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failed Have the exterior lighting checked as
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp
failedHave the lamps checked as soon as
possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps
checked.
Rear fog lamp failed Have the rear fog lamp checked.
Headlamp beam throw adjustment
system failedHave the headlamp beam throw
adjustment system checked.
Coolant level too low Add coolant immediately, page108.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI Dealer.
12Cause What to do

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
151
Belts, refer to Safety belts33
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts33
Beverage holders, refer to Cup
holders80
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate72,73
Bonnet106
Bottle holders, refer to Cup
holders80
Brake Assist58
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements53
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs in MINI118
– replacing bulbs in MINI
Clubman118
Brake pads, breaking in84
Brake rotors85
– brakes84
– breaking in84
Brakes
– ABS58
– breaking in84
– MINI Maintenance
System110
– parking brake40
– service requirements53
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely85
Brake system84
– breaking in84
– disc brakes85
– MINI Maintenance
System110
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance127
Breaking in the clutch84
Break-in period84
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs115
Button for starting the
engine39
Buttons on the steering
wheel11C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to Cup
holders80
Capacities148
Capacity of cargo bay146
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery125
Car care112
Car-care products, refer to
Suitable car-care
products112
Care112
Cargo, securing89
Cargo area
– capacity147
Cargo area partition net, refer
to Partition net in MINI
Clubman87
Cargo bay86
– capacity146
– convenient access26
– cover86
– doors, refer to Splitdoor23
– lamp69
– lid, refer to Tailgate23
– opening from outside24
– volume146
Cargo bay, expanding86
Cargo bay doors, refer to
Splitdoor23
Cargo bay lamp69
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Tailgate23
Cargo bay partition net, refer
to Partition net in MINI
Clubman87
Cargo loading
– securing cargo89
– stowing cargo88
– vehicle86
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls18
Carpets, care113Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest78
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car wash86
Car wash, care112
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system84
Center armrest78
Center brake lamp119
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking system19
– convenient access26
– from inside22
– from outside19
Changing bulbs
115
Changing wheels122
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment107
Check Control55
Child's seats36
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH37
Child-restraint systems36
Chock, folding
– space-saver spare tire122
Chrome parts, care113
Chrome parts, refer to
Care112
Cigarette lighter80
Cleaning headlamps45
– washer fluid46
Clock48
– 12h/24h mode51
– setting time54
Closing
– from inside22
– from outside19
Clothes hooks79
Clubdoor23
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine39
Comfort access, refer to
Convenient access26

From A to Z
154
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– manual transmission41
General driving notes84
Glass sunroof, electric27
– convenient operation20,22
– opening, closing28
– raising28
– remote control20
Glove compartment77
Grills, refer to Air vents71
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights146,147
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulb115
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake40
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
Head airbags64
Headlamp control,
automatic66
Headlamp flasher43
– indicator lamp11,131
Headlamps
– replacing bulb115
Headlamps, care112
Head restraints32
– sitting safely30
Heated
– mirrors34
– rear window72,74
– seats33
Heating71
– mirrors34
– rear window72,74
– seats33
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo88
Height, refer to
Dimensions145
Height adjustment
– seats31
– steering wheel34High beams68
– headlamp flasher68
– indicator lamp131
– replacing bulb115
High water, refer to Driving
through water85
Hills85
Hill Start Assist59
Holders for cups80
Homepage4
Horn10
Hot exhaust system84
Hydroplaning84
I
Ice warning48
Icy roads, refer to Outside
temperature warning48
Ignition39
– switched off39
– switched on39
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control18
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness39
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on39
Ignition lock39
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13,131
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM62
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting69
Individual air distribution73
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM61
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM60
– glass sunroof, electric28
Instrument cluster, refer to
Displays12
Instrument lighting69Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Displays12
Integrated key18
Integrated universal remove
control76
Interior lamps69
– remote control21
Interior rearview mirror34
– automatic dimming
feature34
Interlock41
Intermittent mode of the
wipers44
Internet page4
J
Jacking points124
Jets, refer to Window washer
nozzles46
Jumpering, refer to Jump
starting128
Jump starting128
K
Key, refer to Keys/remote
controls18
Keyless go, refer to Convenient
access26
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Convenient
access26
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile18
Kick-down42
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
Knock control95
L
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams66
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs115

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
155
Lashing eyes, refer to Securing
cargo89
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system37
LEDs light-emitting diodes115
Length, refer to
Dimensions145
Level load floor in MINI
Clubman87
License plate lamp
– replacing bulbs in MINI119
– replacing bulbs in MINI
Clubman119
Light-alloy wheels, care112
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs115
Lighter80
– socket80
Lighting
– lamps and bulbs115
– of the instruments69
– of vehicle, refer to Lamps66
Light switch66
Limit141
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo89
Lock buttons of doors, refer to
Locking22
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal20
– from inside22
– from outside20
– without remote control, refer
to Convenient access26
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals20
– from inside22
– from outside19
Low beams66
– automatic66
– replacing bulb115
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support31
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay23
Luggage compartment doors,
refer to Splitdoor23Luggage compartment lid,
refer to Tailgate23
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack89
Lumbar support31
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires105
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system110
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control55
Manual air distribution73
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
Manual operation
– door lock22
– fuel filler door94
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission43
Manual transmission41
Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control18
Maximum cooling74
Maximum speed
– with winter tires105
Medical assistance, refer to
First aid pouch127
Microfilter
– for air conditioner73
– for automatic climate
control75
– MINI Maintenance
System110
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– MINI Maintenance
System110
Microphone for telephone14
MINI Internet page4
MINI Maintenance System110
Mirror dimming feature34Mirrors33
– exterior mirrors33
– heating34
– interior rearview mirror34
Mobile phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest78
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest78
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobility System120
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety4
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor59
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher43
– refer to Wiper system44
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints32
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments79
New tires104
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data144
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope130
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket for
Onboard Diagnosis110
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications95
Odometer48
Oil, refer to Engine oil107
Oil consumption107

ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
157
RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to Run-
Flat Tires104
Rubber parts, care113
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-Flat
Tires104
Run-Flat Tires104
– flat tire60
– new tires104
– tire inflation pressure96
– winter tires105
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-Flat
Tires104
S
Safety belts33
– damage33
– indicator lamp33
– reminder33
– sitting safely30
Safety belts, care113
Safety systems
– airbags64
– All-Season Traction Control
ASC58
– Antilock Brake System
ABS58
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC58
– safety belts33
Safety tires, refer to Run-Flat
Tires104
Screw thread for tow
fitting129
Seat adjustment
– mechanical31
Seats30
– adjusting the seats31
– heating33
– sitting safely30
Securing the vehicle
– from inside22
– from outside19
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock41
– overriding manually43
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance127
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance127
Service data in the remote
control110
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS110
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS110
Service requirements53
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode51
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic42
– manual transmission41
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions41
Side airbags64
Side door, rear, refer to
Clubdoor23
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb117
Side windows, refer to
Windows28
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely30
– airbags30
– safety belts30
– with head restraint30
Size, refer to Dimensions145
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric27
Slot for remote control39Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray80
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment78
Snow chains105
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances80
Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD110
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires122
– inflation pressure96
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire122
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils108
Speed144
– with winter tires105
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control46
Speedometer12
Splitdoor23
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay86
Sport button59
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems57
Start/stop button39
– starting the engine39
– switching off the engine40
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine39
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump starting128
Starting the engine
– start/stop button39
Start-off assistance, refer to
– ASC58
– DSC58
– Hill Start Assist59
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel34
– adjustment34
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock
39
– shift paddles42