2009 MINI Convertible fuel

Everything under control
54
Fuel gauge
Fuel tank capacity
Approx. 13.2 US gallons/50 liters.
You can find information on refueling on
page102.
If the tilt of the vehicle varies for a longer period,
when you are driving in mountainous areas, for
example, the indicator may fluctuate slightly.
Reserve
Once the fuel level has fallen to the reserve zone
of approx. 2.1 gallons/8 liters, the remaining
indicator lamps change from orange to red,
arrow. The tachometer
displays the remaining
cruising range. An indicator lamp comes on
when the remaining range is less than approx.
30 miles/50 km.
If the range displayed is less than
30 miles/50 km, be sure to refuel; other-
wise engine functions are not guaranteed and
damage could occur.<
Computer*
Displays in tachometer
Press the button in the turn indicator lever
repeatedly to call up various items of infor-
mation.
The following items of information are displayed
in the order listed:
>Cruising range
>Average fuel consumption
>Current fuel consumption
>Average speed
>Current vehicle speed
>MINI Convertible: Always Open Timer
To set the corresponding units of measure, refer
to Formats and units of measure on page57.
Cruising range
Displays the estimated cruising range available
with the remaining fuel. The range is calculated
on the basis of the way the car has been driven
over the last 18 miles/30 km and the amount of
fuel currently in the tank.
If the range displayed is less than
30 miles/50 km, be sure to refuel; other-
wise engine functions are not guaranteed and
damage could occur.<
Average fuel consumption
Calculated for the time the engine has been
running.
To reset average fuel consumption: press the
button in the turn indicator lever for approx.
2seconds.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
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Current fuel consumption
Displays the current fuel consumption to allow
you to see whether your current driving style is
conducive to fuel economy with minimum
exhaust emissions.
Average speed
Periods with the vehicle parked and the engine
switched off are not included in the calculations
of average speed.
To reset average speed: press the button in the
turn indicator lever for approx. 2 seconds.
Current vehicle speed
To have the current speed shown in the upper
display otherwise serving for the outside tem-
perature display and clock.
1.Press the button in the turn indicator lever
repeatedly until the current speed appears
in the lower display.
2.Wait for the speed display to automatically
move to the upper display.
The outside temperature then appears in the
lower display of the computer.
Always Open Timer
If driving the MINI Convertible with its soft top
down, the driving times are displayed digitally
on the tachometer.
The following driving times are displayed:
>"Trip": actual driving time
>Total driving time
To reset the "Trip" display:
Push the button on the turn signal lever or the
Reset trip distance button for approx. 2 seconds,
refer to page12.To reset the total driving time, contact your
MINI Dealer.
Analog Always Open Timer
The analog Always Open Timer indicates the
number of hours and minutes that you drove
with the convertible top down. A maximum of
6 hours and 59 minutes can be displayed.
The total driving time is displayed digitally in the
tachometer.
1LED hour display
2Minute display

Everything under control
58
> Fuel consumption: l/100 km,
mpg, km/l
*
> Distance covered: mls, km
> Time: 12h, 24h mode
> Date: day.month dd.mm,
month/day mm/dd
> Temperature: 7, 6
7.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
8.Press the button briefly to change the for-
mat or unit of measure.
9.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
The settings are stored.
Resetting to factory settings
The settings for formats and units of measure
can be reset to the factory settings. The settings
are stored for the remote control currently in
use, refer also to Personal Profile on page18.
1.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
2.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.3.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the
symbol and "SET" are displayed.
4.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
5.Briefly press the button repeatedly until
"RESET" is displayed.
6.Press and hold the button until the display
changes to the first setting.
The settings are reset.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date of
the next scheduled service are briefly displayed
immediately after you start the engine or switch
on the ignition.

Technology for driving comfort and safety
70
Declaration according to
NHTSA/FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure
Monitoring Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the vehi-
cle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation pres-
sure for those tires. As an added safety feature,
your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pres-
sure monitoring system TPMS that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires are significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat
and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not reached
the level at which the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously lit. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle startups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi-
cator is illuminated, the system may not be able
to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of replace-
ment or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle
that prevent the TPMS from functioning prop-
erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale
after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.

Things to remember when driving
98
You can find the applicable data under Weights
on page159.
Saving fuel
Fuel consumption depends on a number of dif-
ferent factors. The implementation of certain
measures, your driving style and regular mainte-
nance can have an influence on fuel consump-
tion and on the environmental impact.
Remove unnecessary cargo
Additional weight increases fuel consumption.
Remove attached parts no longer in use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof- or rear-mounted
luggage racks whenever you are not using
them.
Attached parts on the vehicle affect its aerody-
namics and increase fuel consumption.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct tire inflation
pressure at least twice a month and before start-
ing on a long trip.
Low inflation pressure increases rolling resis-
tance and thus leads to greater fuel consump-
tion and tire wear.
Drive off immediately
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds. This is the
fastest way for the cold engine to reach its oper-
ating temperature.
Think ahead while driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking by
maintaining a suitable distance to the vehicle
driving ahead.
Driving smoothly and anticipating impending
traffic situations reduces fuel consumption.
Avoid high engine speeds
Use first gear only for driving off. In second and
higher gears, accelerate smoothly to a suitable
engine and road speed. In doing so, avoid high
engine speeds and shift up early.
When you reach your desired traveling speed,
shift to the highest suitable gear and drive at
constant speed.
As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red traffic light, take your
foot off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast
to a halt in the highest suitable gear.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the
accelerator and let the vehicle coast in a suit-
able gear.
Fuel supply is shut off automatically when the
vehicle is coasting.
Switch off the engine during
lengthy stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings or
in traffic congestions.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to achieve
good economy and a long vehicle life. The man-
ufacturer of your MINI recommends having the
vehicle serviced by a MINI Dealer. Also note the
MINI Maintenance System, page120.

Refueling
102
Refueling
Switch off the engine before refueling,
otherwise fuel cannot be added to the
tank and a message will be displayed.<
Take all precautionary measures and
observe all applicable regulations when
handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the
event of an accident.<
Fuel filler door
Opening
1.Open fuel filler door.
2.Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to
the fuel filler door.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly
hear a click.
Do not pinch the band attached to the
cap, otherwise the cap cannot be closed
properly and fuel vapors can escape. A message
will be displayed if the gas cap is loose or
missing.<
Manually releasing the fuel filler door
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can
manually unlock the fuel filler door:1.Remove the cover from the left-hand side-
wall of the cargo bay.
MINI:
MINI Convertible:
2.Pull on the green knob with the fuel pump
symbol. The fuel filler door is released.
By way of example, the illustration shows the
sidewall of the cargo compartment in the MINI.
Observe the following when refueling
Take all precautionary measures and
observe all applicable regulations when
handling fuel, otherwise there is a danger of per-
sonal injury and property damage.<

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103
When refueling, insert the filler nozzle com-
pletely into the filler pipe. Avoid lifting the filler
nozzle while filling the tank, as that would lead
to
>premature pump shutoff
>reduced efficiency of the fuel-vapor recov-
ery system.
The fuel tank is full when the filler nozzle clicks
off the first time.
Fuel tank capacity
If the range displayed is less than
30 miles/50 km, be sure to refuel; other-
wise engine functions are not guaranteed and
damage could occur.<
Approx. 13.2 US gallons/50 liters, including the
reserve capacity of 2.1 US gallons/8 liters.
Fuel specifications
Do not use leaded gasoline, otherwise
permanent damage to the catalytic con-
verter will result.
Do not fill the tank with E85, i.e. fuel containing
85% ethanol, nor with FlexFuel. Otherwise, the
engine and fuel supply system will be dam-
aged.<
Required fuel
Super Premium gasoline/AKI 91
This gasoline is highly recommended.
However, you may also use gasoline with less
AKI. The minimum AKI Rating is:
>Cooper S, John Cooper Works: 89
>Cooper: 87
If you use gasoline with this minimum AKI Rat-
ing, the engine may produce knocking sounds
when starting at high outside temperatures. This
has no effect on the engine life.
Do not use any gasoline below the speci-
fied minimum fuel grade. Otherwise the
engine could be damaged.<
Use high-quality brands
Field experience has indicated significant differ-
ences in fuel quality: volatility, composition,
additives, etc., among gasolines offered for sale
in the United States and Canada. Fuels contain-
ing up to and including 10 % ethanol or other
oxygenates with up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight,
that is, 15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an
equivalent amount of co-solvent, will not void
the applicable warranties with respect to defects
in materials or workmanship.
The use of poor-quality fuels may result in
drivability, starting and stalling problems
especially under certain environmental condi-
tions such as high ambient temperature and
high altitude.
Should you encounter drivability problems
which you suspect could be related to the fuel
you are using, we recommend that you respond
by switching to a recognized high-quality brand
such as gasoline that is advertised as Top Tier
Detergent Gasoline.
Failure to comply with these recommendations
may also result in unscheduled maintenance.<

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Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends certain tire brands. They are
marked with a clearly visible MINI designation
on the sidewall of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Run-Flat Tires*
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires and vice versa, mount
Run-Flat Tires for your own safety. Keep in mind
that no space-saver spare tire is available in the
event of a flat. Your MINI Dealer will be glad to
advise you.
Special characteristics of winter tires
The manufacturer of MINI recommends the use
of winter tires on snowy roads or if temperatures
drop below 457/ +76. Although all-season
M+S tires provide better winter traction than
summer tires, they generally fail to provide the
same levels of cold-weather performance as
winter tires.
Pay attention to speed
Always comply with the speed limit for
the winter tires mounted on your car;
failure to do so could result in tire damage and
accidents.<
If the car is capable of speeds higher than that
permitted for the winter tires, a label stating the
maximum permitted speed for the mounted
tires must be displayed in your field of view.
Specialist tire dealers and your MINI Dealer can
supply these labels.
Storage
Always store wheels and tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible.
Always protect tires against all contact with oil,
grease and fuels.
Do not exceed the maximum tire inflation pres-
sure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.
Swapping wheels among the axles
Depending on the individual use, front and rear
tires may exhibit different wear and tear.
In order to maintain an even wear and tear, the
wheels may be rotated between the axles. Your
MINI Dealer will be glad to advise you.
Always check the inflation pressure after the tire
rotation, if necessary change the pressure.
Snow chains*
Only certain types of fine-link snow chains have
been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI,
classified as road-safe and recommended. Con-
tact your MINI Dealer for more details.
Only attach snow chains in pairs to the front
wheels with the following tires.
>175/65 R 15 M+S
>175/60 R 16 M+S
John Cooper Works:
>185/50 R 17 86 H M+S XL RSC
Observe the manufacturer's instructions when
mounting snow chains. Do not exceed a speed
of 30 mph or 50 km/h.
Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor if
snow chains are mounted, otherwise the
instrument might issue an incorrect reading.
When driving with snow chains, it can be useful
to briefly deactivate the DSC or activate the DTC,
refer to page65.<