
Giving and receiving assistance
138
Access to screw thread
Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the
recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on,
refer to page46; 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, braking 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.<
The tow fittings used should be on the same side
on both vehicles. Should it prove impossible to
avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please
observe the following:
>Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.
>The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is
attached offset.
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI or MINI Convertible transported
by a tow truck with a so-called lift sling or on a
flatbed.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
143
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detectedThe engine cannot be started.
Have the remote control checked,
if necessary.
Remote control battery is discharged Use the remote control for a longer
journey or, in cars with Comfort
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 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.
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.
12Cause What to do

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
161
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders89
Brake Assist65
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements60
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs129
Brake pads, breaking in92
Brake rotors93
– brakes92
– breaking in92
Brake system92
– breaking in92
– disc brakes93
– MINI Maintenance
System119
Brakes
– ABS65
– breaking in92
– MINI Maintenance
System119
– parking brake47
– service requirements60
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
engine46
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders89
Capacities158
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery135
Car care121
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls20Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest87
– 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 Access29
– cover94
– lamp78
– opening from outside26
Cargo bay, expanding94
Cargo bay lamp78
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Tailgate26
Cargo loading95
– securing cargo96
– stowing cargo96
– vehicle94
Cargo, securing96
Carpets, care123
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system92
Center armrest87
Center brake lamp129
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking system21
– Comfort Access28
– from inside25
– from outside21
Changing bulbs
125
Changing wheels132Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment117
Check Control62
Child restraint systems43
Child seats43
Child-restraint fixing system
LATCH44
Chock, folding
– space-saver spare tire132
Chrome parts, care123
Chrome parts, refer to
Care121
Cigarette lighter89
Cleaning headlamps52
– washer fluid53
Clock55
– 12h/24h mode59
– setting time62
Closing
– from inside25
– from outside21
Clothes hooks88
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine47
Comfort Access28
– replacing the battery30
– what to observe before
entering a car wash29
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock46
Computer56
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked93
Condition Based Service
CBS119
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile20
Confirmation signals for
vehicle locking/unlocking23
Connecting vacuum cleaner,
refer to Connecting electrical
appliances89
Consumption indicator
– average fuel consumption56

From A to Z
164
Glove compartment86
Grills, refer to Air vents80
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights157
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulb126
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake47
Hands-free system14
Hazard warning flashers14
Head airbags72
Head restraints39
– sitting safely37
Headlamp control,
automatic75
Headlamp flasher50
– indicator lamp11,140
Headlamps
– replacing bulb126
Headlamps, care122
Heated
– mirrors41
– rear window81,83
– seats40
Heating80
– mirrors41
– rear window81,83
– seats40
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo96
Height adjustment
– seats38
– steering wheel42
Height, refer to
Dimensions155
High beams77
– headlamp flasher77
– indicator lamp140
– replacing bulb126
High water, refer to Driving
through water93
Hill Assist66
Hills93
Holders for cups89
Homepage4Horn10
Hot exhaust system92
Hydroplaning92
I
Ice warning55
Icy roads, refer to Outside
temperature warning55
Ignition46
– switched off46
– switched on46
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness46
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on46
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control20
Ignition lock46
Imprint2
Indicator and warning
lamps13,140
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM70
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting78
Individual air distribution82
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile20
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM69
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM67
– glass sunroof, electric30
Instrument cluster, refer to
Displays12
Instrument lighting78
Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Displays12
Integrated key20
Integrated universal remote
control85
Interior lamps78
– remote control23Interior rearview mirror41
– automatic dimming
feature42
Interlock48
Intermittent mode of the
wipers51
Internet page4
J
Jacking points134
Jets, refer to Window washer
nozzles53
Jumpering, refer to Jump-
starting136
Jump-starting136
K
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile20
Key, refer to Keys/remote
controls20
Keyless go, refer to Comfort
Access28
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort Access28
Kickdown49
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
Knock control103
L
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs125
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams75
Lashing eyes, refer to Securing
cargo96
LATCH child-restraint fixing
system44
Leather care123
LEDs light-emitting diodes126
Length, refer to
Dimensions155
License plate lamp
– bulb replacement129

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
165
Light switch75
Light-alloy wheels, care123
Light-emitting diodes
LEDs126
Lighter89
– socket89
Lighting
– lamps and bulbs125
– of the instruments78
– of vehicle, refer to Lamps75
Limit151
Load95
Load securing equipment,
refer to Securing cargo96
Lock buttons of doors, refer to
Locking25
Locking
– adjusting confirmation
signal23
– from inside25
– from outside22
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access28
Locking and unlocking doors
– confirmation signals23
– from inside25
– from outside21
Low beams75
– automatic75
– replacing bulb126
Lower back support, refer to
Lumbar support38
Luggage compartment
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual release26
– increasing the capacity95
– opening from the inside26
Luggage compartment lid
– emergency operation, refer
to Manual release26
Luggage compartment lid,
refer to Tailgate26
Luggage compartment, refer
to Cargo bay26
Luggage rack, refer to Roof-
mounted luggage rack97
Lumbar support38M
M+S tires, refer to Winter
tires115
Maintenance, refer to Service
Booklet
Maintenance system119
Malfunction
– convertible top34
– trunk lid26
Malfunction warnings, refer to
Check Control62
Manual air distribution82
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
Manual operation
– door lock24
– fuel filler flap102
– power convertible top34
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission50
– trunk lid26
Manual transmission48
Manual washing122
Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control20
Maximum cooling83
Maximum speed
– with winter tires115
Medical assistance, refer to
First aid pouch136
Microfilter
– for air conditioner82
– for automatic climate
control84
– MINI Maintenance
System119
Microfilter/activated-charcoal
filter
– MINI Maintenance
System119
Microphone for telephone14
MINI Internet page4
MINI Maintenance System119
Mirror dimming feature42Mirrors41
– exterior mirrors41
– heating41
– interior rearview mirror41
Mobile phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest87
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Mobile phone, installation
location, refer to Center
armrest87
Mobile phone, refer to the
separate Owner's Manual
Mobility System130
Modifications, technical, refer
to For your own safety5
Monitoring system for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor67
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/
headlamp flasher50
– refer to Wiper system51
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel11
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints39
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments88
New tires114
Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data154
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope138
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket for
Onboard Diagnosis119
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel
specifications103
Odometer55

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
167
Rubber parts, care123
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-flat
tires114
Run-flat tires114
– flat tire68
– new tires114
– tire inflation pressure104
– winter tires115
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-flat
tires114
S
Safety belts40
– damage41
– indicator lamp41
– reminder41
– sitting safely37
Safety belts, care124
Safety systems
– airbags72
– Antilock Brake System
ABS65
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC65
– safety belts40
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat
tires114
Screw thread for tow
fitting138
Seat adjustment
– mechanical38
Seats37
– adjusting the seats38
– heating40
– sitting safely37
Securing the vehicle
– from inside25
– from outside21
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic48
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock48
– overriding manually50Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic48
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance136
Service data in the remote
control119
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS119
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance136
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS119
Service requirements60
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode59
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
– manual transmission48
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions48
Side airbags72
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb128
Side windows, refer to
Windows31
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely37
– airbags37
– safety belts
37
– with head restraint37
Size, refer to Dimensions155
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric30
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector35
Slot for remote control46
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray89
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment87Snow chains115
Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD119
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances89
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires132
– inflation pressure104
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire132
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils118
Speed154
– with winter tires115
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control53
Speedometer12
Split rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading system95
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay94
Sport button67
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems64
Start/stop button46
– starting the engine47
– switching off the engine47
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump-starting136
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine47
Starting the engine
– start/stop button46
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC65
– Hill Assist66
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel42
– adjustment42
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock46
– shift paddles49
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic48