2008 MINI Hardtop 2 Door warning light

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
131
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in var-
ious combinations and colors in indicator area 1 or2. See the table for information on causes and
how to react. Note whether a lamp comes on
alone or in combination with another. Some
lamps can light up in different colors. Corre-
sponding distinctions are made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/headlamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Rear fog lamp switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to
page33.
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 page48.

Indicator and warning lamps
132
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, page49
Engine refuses to start Depress the brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, page39.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
openSwitch off the ignition, page39, or
close the driver's door.
Lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps on
Door open
Clubdoor open
Splitdoor 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.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
134
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 car 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.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
136
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.
Flashing:
Automatic Stability Control ASC or
Dynamic Stability Control DSC is con-
trolling drive and braking forces, refer
also to page57
Automatic Stability Control ASC or
Dynamic Stability Control DSC deacti-
vated, refer also to page57Driving stability limited during accel-
eration and cornering.
Driving style must be adjusted.
12Cause What to do

Indicator and warning lamps
138
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor*
Light up in yellow and red:
>Tire damageCarefully bring the car to a stop.
Observe the information starting on
page59.
>Flat Tire Monitor not initializedInitialize Flat Tire Monitor, page60.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicatedHave the system checked.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
*
Light up in yellow and red:
>There is a flat tire or substantial
loss in tire pressureCarefully bring the car to a stop.
Observe the information starting on
page61.
>Tire Pressure Monitor not initial-
izedInitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor,
page62.
Light up in yellow:
Tire Pressure Monitor failed. Punc-
tures are not indicatedHave the system checked. Observe
the information starting on page63.
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

From A to Z
150
From A to Z
Index
A
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle4
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control75
Additives
– coolant108
– engine oil108
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Air
conditioner72
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control73
Airbags64
– sitting safely30
– warning lamp65
Air conditioner71
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner72
– automatic climate control73
– ventilation75
Air distribution
– automatic74
– individual73
– manual73
Air flow rate72,73
– air conditioning system72
– automatic climate control73
– heating, ventilation72
Airing, refer to Ventilation75
Air outlets, refer to Air vents71
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure96
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode72,74
Air supply
– air conditioner72
– automatic climate control73
– ventilation75
Air vents71AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications95
Alarm system24
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires105
All-Season Traction Control
ASC58
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode72,74
Ambient lighting70
Antenna, care112
Antifreeze
– coolant108
– washer fluid46
Antilock Brake System ABS58
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system24
Anti-theft system19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights146,147
Approved engine oils108
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to
Weights146,147
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest78
Arrival time
– computer50
Ashtray80
Assistant systems, refer to
– All-Season Traction Control
ASC58
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC58
AUC Automatic recirculated-
air control74
Audio device, external78
Automatic
– air distribution74
– air flow rate74
– cruise control46
– headlamp control66Automatic climate control71
– automatic air distribution74
Automatic recirculated-air
control AUC74
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic41
– interlock41
– overriding selector lever
lock43
– shiftlock41
– sport program42
AUTO program for automatic
climate control74
AUX-In, refer to External audio
device78
Average fuel consumption49
– setting the units51
Average speed50
Axle loads, refer to
Weights146,147
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting70
Backrests, refer to Seats30
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb117
– replacing bulbs in MINI118
– replacing bulbs in MINI
Clubman118
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch127
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away129
Battery125
– charging125
– disposal27,125
– jump starting128
– temporary power failure125
Battery renewal
– remote control27
Being towed129