2010 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE brakes

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
45
Starting the engine
Do not allow the engine to run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, inhalation of the noxious
exhaust gases can lead to loss of consciousness
and death. Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic
gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle with the
engine running; otherwise, such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car while the engine is run-
ning, place the transmission in neutral or move
the selector lever to position P and forcefully
apply the parking brake to prevent the car from
moving.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is
not burned or inadequately burned and there is
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Do not let the engine warm up with the vehicle
at a standstill. Move off immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
When starting the engine, do not depress the
accelerator pedal.
Manual transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with Com-
fort Access, refer to page26.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Depress the clutch.
3.Press the start/stop button.
Automatic transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with Com-
fort Access, refer to page26.1.Depress the brake.
2.Shift the selector lever into position P or N.
3.Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain
time, and stops automatically as soon as the
engine has started.
Switching off the engine
Always take the key with you when you
leave the vehicle.
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll.<
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the start/
stop button.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selector
lever to position P.
2.Press the start/stop button.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Before driving into a car wash
By following these steps, the vehicle is able to
roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort
Access, in the ignition lock.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.

Driving
52
Activating
1Resuming cruise control
2Activating/deactivating cruise control
3Maintaining, storing and increasing speed
4Maintaining, storing and decreasing speed
Indicator lamp in the speedometer lights up. The
cruise control system is ready and can be acti-
vated.
Activating/deactivating cruise control
Press button 2.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When the brakes are applied
>When the clutch is depressed
>When the automatic transmission is in selec-
tion lever position N
>When the driving stability control system is
active
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved
again and maintained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is
switched off.
Maintaining current speed
Press button3.
The system maintains and stores the current
vehicle speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine braking effect
is not sufficient, the controlled speed may be
exceeded. On uphill grades vehicle speed may
drop if the engine output is insufficient.
Increasing speed
Press button3 repeatedly until the desired
speed is reached. Every time you press the but-
ton, the speed increases by approx. 1 mph or
2km/h.
Accelerating using the button
Press and hold button3.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on the
accelerator pedal. After the button is released,
the driving speed is maintained and stored.
Decreasing speed
Press button4 repeatedly until the desired
speed is reached.
The functions here are the same as for increas-
ing the speed or accelerating, except that the
speed will be decreased.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press button 1.
The last speed stored is achieved again and
maintained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is
switched off.
Display in tachometer*
Selected speed is displayed briefly.
If --- mph or --- km/h is displayed briefly in
the tachometer, the conditions necessary
for operation may not be fulfilled.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp in the tachometer
lights up if the system fails.

Controls overview
60
Possible displays
1Button for selecting information
2Engine oil
3Front brakes
4Rear brakes
5Vehicle check6Roadworthiness test
7Brake fluid
8Exit display57
9Next setting or item of information57
More information on the MINI Maintenance Sys-
tem can be found on page119.
Clock
Setting the time
To set the 12h/24h mode, refer to Formats and
units of measure on page57.
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.Press the button to set the hours.

Things to remember when driving
92
Things to remember when driving
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
>Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distance driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Close the liftgate
Drive the vehicle only when the liftgate is
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could
penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the liftgate open:
1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof
*.
2.Switch off the recirculated-air mode and sig-
nificantly increase the air flow rate of the air
conditioner or automatic climate control,
page80 or82.
Hot exhaust system
In all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated in the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sections of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact between
the hot exhaust system and any highly flamma-
ble materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such
contact could lead to a fire, with the risk of seri-
ous personal injuries and property damage. Do
not touch hot exhaust tail pipes. Otherwise,
there is a risk of burns.<
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form between tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, can
cause partial or complete loss of tire contact
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be
steered or braked properly.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
93
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread
depth on page113.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise, greater clutch wear will result.<
For information on driving off using Hill Assist
*,
refer to page65.
Braking safely
Your MINI is equipped with ABS. If you are in a
situation which requires full braking, it is best to
brake using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle maintains steering responsiveness, you
can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with
the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates that
ABS is actively taking effect.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this process
helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that
Then full braking force will be immediately avail-
able when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mode of the automatic transmis-
sion, page47.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
121
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care helps to maintain the
value of your MINI.
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends
using manufacturer-approved products to clean
and care for your vehicle.
MINI Service would be pleased to advise you on
cleaning and care products and services for your
MINI.
The ingredients of original MINI Care Prod-
ucts have been tested, and the products
have been tested in the laboratory and in prac-
tice. They offer optimum care and protection for
your vehicle.<
Do not use any cleansers containing alco-
hol or solvents as these may cause dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents may contain hazardous
or health-damaging substances. Follow
the warning and hazard instructions on the
packaging. For interior cleaning, always open
the doors or windows of the vehicle.
Do not use any products that are not intended
for cleaning the vehicle.<
External care
Washing your vehicle
Especially during the winter months the
vehicle should be frequently washed. Dirt
and road salt can damage the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise,
water can reduce braking efficiency over the
short term and the brake rotors can corrode.<
Car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.Do not use automatic high-pressure car
washes; otherwise, water may drip into
the vehicle around the windows.<
Before driving into the car wash, check if the sys-
tem is suitable for your MINI. Observe the fol-
lowing points:
>Dimensions of the vehicle, page155
>If necessary: fold in the outside mirrors,
page 39.
>Maximum permissible tire width
Avoid car washes with tracks higher than
4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the chassis could
be damaged.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Deactivate the rear window wiper
* and pro-
tect it from damage. Ask the car wash oper-
ator about measures that can be taken to
protect the wipers.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g. spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that
the vehicle can roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort
Access, in the ignition lock.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Insert the remote control in the ignition lock
so that the vehicle can roll.

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
161
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders88
Brake Assist64
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements58
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs129
Brake pads, breaking in92
Brake rotors93
– brakes92
– breaking in92
Brake system92
– breaking in92
– disc brakes93
– MINI Maintenance
System119
Brakes
– ABS64
– breaking in92
– MINI Maintenance
System119
– parking brake45
– service requirements58
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely93
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance136
Break-in period92
Breaking in the clutch92
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs125
Button for starting the
engine44
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders88
Capacities158
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery134
Car care121
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls18Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest86
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car wash, care121
Car washes121
Care121
– car washes121
– car-care products121
– CD/DVD drives124
– external121
– high-pressure washers122
– internal123
– leather123
– manual washing122
– upholstery and fabrics123
– windows122
– wiper blades122
Cargo area
– capacity157
Cargo bay94
– Comfort Access27
– cover94
– lamp77
– opening from outside24
Cargo bay, expanding94
Cargo bay lamp77
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Liftgate24
Cargo loading95
– securing cargo96
– stowing cargo96
– vehicle94
Cargo, securing96
Carpets, care123
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system92
Center armrest86
Center brake lamp129
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking system19
– Comfort Access26
– from inside23
– from outside19
Changing bulbs
125
Changing wheels132Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment117
Check Control61
Child restraint systems41
Child seats41
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH42
Chock, folding
– space-saver spare tire132
Chrome parts, care123
Chrome parts, refer to
Care121
Cigarette lighter88
Cleaning headlamps50
– washer fluid51
Clock53
– 12h/24h mode57
– setting time60
Closing
– from inside23
– from outside19
Clothes hooks87
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine45
Comfort Access26
– replacing the battery28
– what to observe before
entering a car wash27
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock44
Computer54
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked93
Condition Based Service
CBS119
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting electrical
appliances88
Consumption, refer to Average
fuel consumption54
Control Display
– settings56
Controls and displays10