
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 29
To unlock
Press button 1.
Convenient opening with the remote control, 
refer to page22.
Locking
Press button 1.
For Convenient closing, press and hold button 1.
The power windows and the glass sunroof
* are 
closed.
M I N I  C o n v e r t i b l e :  I f  a  r e m o t e  c o n t r o l  i s  i n s i d e  t h e  
vehicle, windows and convertible top can be 
opened and closed as soon as the remote is 
operational.
Unlocking the tailgate separately
Press the button on the outside of the tailgate.
If the vehicle detects that a remote control 
has been accidentally left inside the 
locked vehicle's cargo bay after the tailgate is 
closed, the tailgate will reopen slightly. The haz-
ard warning flashers flash and an acoustic sig-
nal
* sounds.<
Windows and glass sunroof, electric*
If the engine is switched off, you can still operate 
the windows and glass sunroof so long as a door 
or the tailgate has not been opened.
If the doors and tailgate are closed again and the 
remote control is located inside the vehicle, the 
windows and the glass sunroof can be operated 
again.
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock to 
be able to operate the windows or glass sunroof 
when the engine is switched off and the doors 
are open.
Switching on radio readiness
Switch on radio readiness by briefly pressing the 
start/stop button, page46.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; 
otherwise, the engine will start.<
Starting the engine
The engine can be started or the ignition can be 
switched on when a remote control is inside the 
vehicle. It is not necessary to insert a remote 
control into the ignition lock, page46.
Switching off the engine in cars with 
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in position P, page47.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition lock.
Before driving a vehicle with automatic 
transmission into a car wash
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
Comfort Access may malfunction due to local 
radio waves.
If this happens, open or close the vehicle via the 
buttons on the remote control or using the inte-
grated key. 
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock 
and start the engine. 

Driving
46
Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting the key into the ignition lock
Insert the key all the way into the ignition lock.
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Removing the key from the ignition lock
Press in the key briefly. It is ejected slightly.
At the same time:
>The ignition is switched off if it was on 
beforehand.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the key unless the selector 
lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Press the start/stop button to switch radio readi-
ness or the ignition on and off. Do not depress 
the brake or clutch while doing so.When you press the start/stop button and 
depress the clutch if the car has manual 
transmission or the brake if the car has auto-
matic transmission, the engine starts.<
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. The 
time and outside temperature are displayed in 
the tachometer.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
>When the key is removed from the 
ignition lock
>When using Comfort Access
* by pushing the 
button on the door handle or the   but-
ton on the remote control, refer to Locking 
on page29
>After a certain has elapsed
Ignition on
Most indicator and warning lamps in indicator 
area 1, page13, light up for varying lengths 
of time.
When the engine is off, switch off the igni-
tion and any unnecessary electrical con-
sumers in order to preserve the battery.<
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the displays 
go out.
The ignition automatically turns off
* when the 
driver's door is opened. Pressing the start/stop 
button again switches the ignition back on.
The ignition is not switched off in situations such 
as the following:
>The clutch or brake is depressed
>The low beams are switched on 

Driving
48
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and lower 
the lever.
In exceptional cases, if the parking brake 
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do 
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake 
lever.
Otherwise, excessive force could lead to over-
braking and loss of traction, i.e. fishtailing, at the 
rear axle.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear.<
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission* 
with Steptronic
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can 
shift gears manually using Steptronic, page49.
Parking the vehicle
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always 
select position P and apply the parking 
brake before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running.<
Removing the key
1.Move the selector lever to position P.
2.Switch off the engine.
3.Remove the key.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the tachometer
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the 
current gear in the manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
>The selector lever can only be moved out of 
position P if the ignition is switched on or the 
engine is running: interlock.
>Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise, the selector lever will 
refuse to move: shiftlock. 

Driving
54
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 
approx. 2 km/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.  

Technology for driving comfort and safety
66
Dynamic Traction Control DTC*
DTC is a type of DSC that is propulsion optimized 
for special road conditions such as uncleared 
snowy roads. The system ensures maximum 
propulsion though with restricted driving stabil-
ity. You therefore need to drive with suitable 
caution.
In the following exceptional situations, it can be 
useful to briefly activate DTC:
>when driving on snow-covered inclines, in 
slush, or on uncleared snowy roads
>when rocking the vehicle free, driving out of 
deep snow or on loose surfaces
>when driving with snow chains
Activating DTC
Press the button: the DTC indicator lamps 
come on.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes: 
DTC controls the driving and breaking 
forces.
If the indicator lamps are on: 
DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC
Press the button again: the DSC indicator lamps 
go out.
Deactivating both DTC and DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds: the DSC 
indicator lamps in the display elements come 
on. The Dynamic Traction Control DTC and 
Dynamic Stability Control DSC are both deacti-
vated. There will be no more stabilizing inter-
ventions.
Interventions (differential lock
*) in braking 
occur to improve propulsion when drive wheels 
are rotating unevenly, even when the DSC is 
deactivated.
Activating DSC
Press the button again: the indicator lamps 
go out.
Hill Assist
Hill Assist aids you in comfortably driving off on 
inclines. It is not necessary to use the parking 
brake for this.
1.Hold the MINI with the brake.
2.Release the brake and immediately 
drive off.
Hill Assist holds the car in place for approx. 
2 seconds after the brake is released.
Depending on the load and gradient, the 
vehicle can roll backward slightly during 
this period. After you release the brake, immedi-
ately start driving since the Hill Assist only holds 
the vehicle for about 2 seconds, and it will start 
to roll backwards.< 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 93
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be 
steered or braked properly.<
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 page66.
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.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
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, page49.
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
 123
In some regions, environmental factors can 
affect the vehicle paintwork and damage it. It is 
therefore important to adjust the frequency and 
extent of vehicle care correspondingly.
Immediately remove aggressive materials such 
as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake fluid, tree sap 
or bird droppings to prevent damage to the 
paintwork.
Removing paintwork damage
Depending on the severity of the damage, 
immediately repair stone damage or 
scratches to prevent rusting.<
The manufacturer of the MINI recommends 
repairing paint damage professionally according 
to factory specifications with original MINI 
paints.
Preservation
Preservation is necessary when water no longer 
beads on the clean paint surface. To preserve 
the paint, only use preservatives that contain 
carnauba or synthetic waxes.
Rubber seals
Only treat with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon sprays or other silicon-
containing care products on rubber seals; 
otherwise, noise and damage could occur.<
Chrome parts*
Carefully clean vehicle parts such as the radiator 
grill and door handles with copious quantities of 
water and, if necessary, a shampoo additive, 
especially when contaminated with road salt. 
For additional treatment, use chrome polish.
Light-alloy wheels*
The system produces brake dust that collects on 
the light alloy wheels. Clean them regularly with 
acid-free wheel cleaner.
Do not use aggressive, acid-containing 
highly alkaline or abrasive cleansers or 
steam jets above 1407/606 as they may 
cause damage.<
External sensors
Keep the outside sensors on the vehicle 
such as the Park Distance Control clean 
and ice-free to ensure that they function 
properly.<
Internal care
Upholstery/fabrics
Regularly use a vacuum cleaner to remove sur-
face dirt.
In case of serious spots such as liquid stains, use 
a soft sponge or lint-free microfiber cloth and 
suitable interior cleaners. Observe the instruc-
tions on the packaging.
Clean upholstery up to the seams. Do not 
rub forcefully.<
Velcro fasteners on pants or other items of 
clothing can damage seat covers. Make 
sure that all Velcro fasteners are closed.<
Leather/leather coverings*
The leather processed by the manufac-
turer of your MINI is a high-quality natural 
product. Light variations in the grain is one of 
the typical properties of natural leather.<
Dust and road grit in the pores and folds of the 
leather have an abrasive effect, leading to 
increased wear and causing the leather surface 
to become brittle prematurely. Use a cloth or 
vacuum cleaner to remove dust on a regular 
basis.
Especially when the leather has a light color, it 
should be cleaned regularly since it tends to get 
heavily soiled.
Treat the leather twice a year using a leather 
lotion since dirt and grease will gradually attack 
the leather's protective layer.
Carpets/floor mats*
You can use a vacuum cleaner on carpets and 
floor mats, or clean them with interior cleaners 
when they are very dirty. 

Indicator and warning lamps
140
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 
page40.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Outside  temperature  warning Drive cautiously, refer also to page55.