
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 3
CONTENTS
The fastest way to find information on a particu-
lar topic or item is by using the index, refer to 
page160.
Using this Owner's Manual
4Notes
6Reporting safety defects
AT A GLANCE
10Cockpit
CONTROLS
20Opening and closing
37Adjustments
43Transporting children safely
46Driving
55Controls overview
64Technology for driving comfort and safety
75Lamps
80Climate
85Practical interior accessories
DRIVING TIPS
92Things to remember when driving
MOBILITY
102Refueling
104Wheels and tires
116Under the bonnet
119Maintenance
121Care
125Replacing components
136Giving and receiving assistance
140Indicator and warning lamps
REFERENCE
154Technical data
160From A to Z 

REFERENCE
AT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 11
3Always Open Timer57
7Ignition lock46
8Buttons
* on steering wheel
9Horn: the entire surface
10Adjusting the steering wheel42
11Releasing the bonnet116 4Tachometer12
Instrument lighting78
Resetting the trip odometer55
5
Wiper system51
6Switching the ignition on/off and 
starting/stopping the engine46
Continuing cruise control
*53
Right:
Storing speed and accelerating or 
decelerating
Left:
Increase or reduce volume
Activating/deactivating cruise 
control
*54
Telephone
*:
Accepting and ending a call, start-
ing dialing
* of selected phone 
number and redialing if no phone 
number is selected
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
*
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling through phone book and 
lists with stored phone numbers 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 27
The handle recesses on the interior trim panel of 
the tailgate make it easier to pull it down.
Alarm system*
The concept
The alarm system, when activated, reacts if:
>A door, the engine compartment lid or the 
tailgate is opened
>There is movement inside the car
>The car's inclination changes, for instance if 
an attempt is made to jack it up and steal the 
wheels or to raise it prior to towing away
>There is an interruption in the power supply 
from the battery
The alarm system briefly indicates unauthorized 
entry or tampering by means of:
>An acoustic alarm
>Switching on the hazard warning flashers
Arming and disarming
Whenever the car is locked or unlocked, the 
alarm system is armed or disarmed.
Even when the alarm system is armed, you can 
open the tailgate by means of the   button 
on the remote control.
When you subsequently close the tailgate it is 
again locked and monitored.
In certain market-specific versions, 
unlocking via the door lock triggers the 
alarm.<
Panic mode*
You can activate the alarm system if you find 
yourself in a dangerous situation.
Press the   button for at least two seconds.
Switching off the alarm: 
Press any button.
Switching off an alarm
>Unlock the car with the remote control.
>Insert the key fully into the ignition lock.
>In cars with Comfort Access
*, press the but-
ton on the door lock.
Display on the revolution counter
When the system is armed, all LEDs pulse. After 
approx. 16 minutes one LED flashes.
>LEDs pulse or LED flashes: system is armed.
>One LED flashes at short intervals:
A door, the bonnet or the tailgate is not 
properly closed. Even if these are not closed 
fully, the remaining items are deadlocked 
and the LEDs pulse after approx. 10 seconds 
for approx. 16 minutes. Afterwards, one LED 
flashes.
The interior movement detector is not acti-
vated.
>LEDs go out after the vehicle is unlocked:
No attempt was made to tamper with 
the car.
>LEDs flash after unlocking until the key is 
inserted in the ignition, but for no longer 
than approx. 5 minutes: an attempt was 
made to tamper with the car. 

Driving
52
Intermittent wipe or rain sensor*
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the 
intermittent-wipe time is preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the time 
between wipes is controlled automatically and 
depends on the intensity of the rainfall. The rain 
sensor is mounted on the windshield, directly in 
front of the interior rearview mirror.
Activating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press button, arrow3.
Deactivate the rain sensor before entering 
an automatic car wash. Failure to do so 
could result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Adjusting the sensitivity of the rain 
sensor
1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page46.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
4.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
symbol and "SET" are displayed.5.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
6.Press the button to select the desired sensi-
tivity.
7.Wait, or press and hold the button until the 
display changes.
The settings are stored.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain 
sensor
Press the button again, arrow3.
Brief wipe
Press the lever downward once, arrow2.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and 
the wipers are operated briefly.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on, 
the headlamps are cleaned at regular and 
appropriate intervals.
In cars equipped with an alarm system, the 
headlamps cannot be cleaned when the bonnet 
is open.
Do not use the washers when the washer 
fluid reservoir is empty; otherwise, you will 
damage the washer pump. 
Only use the washers if the bonnet has been 
completely closed; otherwise, the headlamp 
washer system
* may be damaged. Do not use 
the washers if there is any danger that the fluid 
will freeze on the windshield. If you do, your 
vision could be obscured. For this reason, use 
antifreeze.< 

Under the bonnet
116
Under the bonnet
Do not work on the car unless you possess 
the necessary technical knowledge. If you 
are not familiar with the regulations to be 
observed, have the necessary work on your 
vehicle carried out only by a MINI dealer or a 
workshop that has specially trained personnel 
working in accordance with the specifications of 
the MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried 
out properly, there is a danger of subsequent 
damage and related safety hazards.<
Bonnet
Releasing
Pull the lever.
Do not clean the windshield and head-
lamps if the bonnet is unlocked as this 
may damage the headlamp washer system
*.<
Opening
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the bonnet.<
Press the release handle and open the bonnet.
Closing
Close the bonnet from a height of approx. 16 in/
40 cm with momentum. It must be clearly heard 
to engage.
If you notice any signs while driving your 
vehicle that the bonnet is not completely 
closed, stop at once and close it securely.
Make sure that the closing path of the bonnet is 
clear; otherwise, injuries may result.< 

Under the bonnet
118
Adding engine oil
Do not add the maximum quantity of 1 US 
quart/1 liter of engine oil until the oil level has 
dropped to just above the lower mark on the 
dipstick, page117.
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km; 
otherwise, the engine could be 
damaged.<
Keep oils, greases, etc. out of the reach of 
children and comply with the warnings on 
the containers. Otherwise, health hazards may 
result.<
Oil change
Have the oil changed only by a MINI dealer or a 
workshop that has specially trained personnel 
working in accordance with the specifications of 
the MINI manufacturer.
Oil types
Do not use oil additives as this could result 
in engine damage.<
Approved engine oils
Your dealer can advise you on which engine oils 
have been approved by the manufacturer of 
your MINI.
The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the 
engine.
Only use approved High Performance oil.
The approved oils are SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 
5W-40 and 5W-30.<
Alternative oil types
If the approved engine oils are not available, up 
to 1 US quart/1 liter of another oil with the fol-
lowing specification may be used:
API SM or higher
Coolant
Do not add coolant to the cooling system 
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant 
can cause burns.<
Coolant consists of half water and half additive. 
Not all commercially available additives are suit-
able for your MINI. Your MINI dealer knows 
which additives are suitable and will be glad to 
advise you.
Only use suitable additives; otherwise, 
engine damage may result. Because addi-
tives are harmful to your health, it is important 
to follow the instructions on the containers.<
Comply with the appropriate environmen-
tal protection regulations when disposing 
of coolant additives.<
Checking coolant level
1.Do not open the hood until the engine has 
cooled down.
2.Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little 
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated 
pressure to escape, then continue turning 
to open.
3.The coolant level is correct if it is between 
the Min and Max markings.
4.If the coolant is low, slowly add coolant up to 
the specified level; do not overfill.
5.Turn the cap until there is an audible click.
6.Have the reason for the coolant loss elimi-
nated as soon as possible. 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 125
Replacing components
Onboard vehicle tool kit
Your vehicle comes with an onboard vehicle tool 
kit that varies with the equipment version; it is 
stored underneath the level load floor.
>Mobility System with onboard vehicle tool 
kit and tire change set
*130
>Tire change set with onboard vehicle tool kit 
for space-saver spare tire132
Wiper blades
Changing the front wiper blades
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Position the wiper blade horizontally.
3.Press the securing spring, arrow.
4.Unhook the wiper blade toward the wind-
shield.
5.Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm 
toward the top.
6.Insert the new wiper blade.7.Press into position until you hear it engage.
8.Fold down the wiper arm.
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the bonnet.<
MINI: Changing the rear wiper blade
1.Fold up the wiper arm.
2.Rotate the wiper blade toward the back as 
far as it will go, arrow.
3.Press the wiper blade against the limit and 
thus out of the mounting.
4.Press the new wiper blade into the fixture 
until it engages audibly.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution 
to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, be 
handled carefully. The manufacturer of your 
MINI recommends having your MINI dealer per-
f o r m  a n y  w o r k  t h a t  y o u  d o  n o t  f e e l  c o m p e t e n t  t o  
perform yourself or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute 
amounts of contamination will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or something similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selection of replacement bulbs 
at your MINI dealer. 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 141
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, page56
Engine  refuses  to  start Depress the brake or clutch in order to 
start the engine, page46.
Ignition switched on and driver's 
door openSwitch off the ignition, page46, or 
close the driver's door.
Lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps on
Door open
Bonnet open
Tailgate open
Luggage compartment roller cover 
in the MINI ConvertibleConvertible top cannot be activated. 
Bring cargo bay cover in required 
position, refer to page95.
Lights up in red:
Convertible top not locked Convertible top cannot be activated. 
Complete open/close of convertible 
top before continuing drive, refer to 
page33.
12Cause What to do