
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
 15
1MINI: Microphone for voice processing sys-
tem
* and for hands-free telephone*
MINI Convertible: Microphone in the steer-
ing column
2Indicator/warning lamp
* for front passen-
ger airbags73
4Hazard warning flashers
5Speedometer12
6Drive for audio CDs
7Switching audio sources on/off and adjust-
ing volume
8Air conditioner or automatic climate 
control
*
9Switches in center console
10AUX-IN port, USB audio interface
*87
11Driving stability control systems
>Dynamic Stability Control DSC65
>Dynamic Traction Control
 DTC* 66
12Sport button
*67 3
Reading lamps
*79
Color of ambient lighting
*79
Glass sunroof, electric
*30
MINI Convertible: opening and clos-
ing the sliding/tilting roof32
Interior lamps78
Temperature, 83 81
Recirculated-air mode, 83 81
Air distribution for air 
conditioner82
Air distribution to the 
windshield
*83
Air distribution to the upper 
body area
*83
Air distribution to the footwell
*83
Automatic air distribution and 
flow rate
*83
Maximum cooling
*83
Cooling function, 84 81
Defrosting windows
*, 83 82
Rear window defroster, 83 81 
Windshield heating
*, 84 82
Air flow rate, 82 81
Seat heating
*40
Power windows31
MINI Convertible: central power 
window unit31
Rear fog lamp
*77
Fog lamps
*77
Central locking system, inside25 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 21
>Response of the central locking system 
when the car is being unlocked21
>Automatic locking of the vehicle25
>Triple turn signal activation50
>Settings for the displays in the speedometer 
and tachometer:
>12h/24h mode of the clock, refer to For-
mats and units of measure59
>Date format, refer to Formats and units 
of measure59
>Units of measure for fuel consumption, 
distance covered/remaining distances 
and temperature, refer to Formats and 
units of measure59
>Light settings:
>Pathway lighting75
>Daytime running lights76
>Automatic climate control
*: activating/
deactivating the AUTO program, setting the 
temperature, air volume and air 
distribution82
>Entertainment:
>Audio volume, refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
>Speed-dependent volume, refer to sepa-
rate Owner's Manual
Central locking system
The concept
The central locking system is ready for operation 
whenever the driver's door is closed.
The system simultaneously engages and 
releases the locks on the following:
>Doors
>Tailgate
>Fuel filler flap
Operating from outside
>Via the remote control
>Via the door lock
*
>In cars with Comfort Access*, via the door 
handles on the driver's and passenger's 
sides.
The anti-theft system is also operated at the 
same time. It prevents the doors from being 
unlocked using the lock buttons or door han-
dles. The remote control can also be used to 
switch on/off the welcome lamps and interior 
lamps. The alarm system
* is also activated or 
deactivated, page27.
Operating from inside
Button for central locking system, page25.
In the event of a sufficiently severe accident, the 
central locking system unlocks automatically. In 
addition, the hazard warning flashers and inte-
rior lamps come on.
Opening and closing: 
from outside
Persons or animals in a parked vehicle 
could lock the doors from the inside. Take 
the key with you when you leave the vehicle 
so that the vehicle can be opened from the 
outside.<
Using the remote control
Unlocking
Press the   button.
The welcome lamps and interior lamps come on.
Unlocking mode
You can also set which parts of the car are 
unlocked. The setting is stored for the remote 
control in use. 

Climate
80
Climate
Equipment versions
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, your 
MINI contains an air conditioner
 or an automatic 
climate control
*.
1Air conditioner
2Automatic climate control
*
Air vents
3Airflow directed toward the windshield and 
side windows
4Air to the upper body area
5Air to the footwell 

Climate
82
Air distribution
Direct the flow of air to the win-
dows  , to the upper body area 
 or to the footwell  . Interme-
diate settings are possible.
Windshield heating*
The windshield heating is switched 
off automatically after a short time.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
1.Set air flow rate to the maximum level.
2.Set air distribution to position  .
Condensation is removed from the windows more quickly when the cooling function
* is 
also activated.
3.Set to the highest temperature, red.
4.Deactivate recirculated-air mode.
5.Turn on windshield heating if necessary.
6.Turn on rear window defroster if necessary.
Microfilter
The microfilter captures dust and pollen. The 
microfilter is changed by your MINI dealer dur-
ing routine maintenance work.
Automatic climate control*
1Air flow rate, manual
2AUTO program
3Recirculated-air mode
4Maximum cooling
5Air distribution, manual6Temperature
7Defrosting windows and removing conden-
sation
8Cooling function
9Rear window defroster
10Windshield heating
*
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program2 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below. All you need to do is 
select an interior temperature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail about 
how to adjust the settings.Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile set-
tings on page20.
Air flow rate, manual
Press the – button to reduce air flow. Press 
the + button to increase it.
You can reactivate the automatic mode 
for the air flow rate with the AUTO button. 

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 83
The air flow rate is lowered or switched off 
entirely to save on battery power. The display 
remains the same.
Switching the system on/off
Reduce the air flow by pressing the – button 
repeatedly until the system is switched off. All 
indicators go out.
Press the AUTO button to switch the automatic 
climate control back on.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, towards the upper body area and 
into the footwell for you. The air flow rate and 
your temperature specifications will be adapted 
to outside influences in accordance with sea-
sonal changes, e.g. sunlight.
The cooling function is automatically switched 
on along with the AUTO program.
Convertible Program
If the soft top is open, the Convertible Program is 
activated. During the Convertible Program, the 
automatic climate control is optimized for driv-
ing with the soft top down. Furthermore, with 
increasing vehicle speed, the airflow is also 
increased.
If attaching the wind reflector, the perfor-
mance of the Convertible Program can be 
significantly improved.<
Recirculated-air mode
Recirculated-air mode: the supply 
of outside air is permanently shut 
off. The system then recirculates 
the air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the 
inside window surfaces, press the AUTO 
button or switch off the recirculated-air mode 
and, if necessary, increase the air flow rate.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time; otherwise, the 
air quality inside the car will deteriorate contin-
uously.<
Maximum cooling
At outside temperatures above 
327/06 and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum 
cooling effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control goes into recircu-
lated-air mode at the lowest temperature. Air 
flows at maximum rate from the vents for the 
upper body area. You should therefore open 
them for maximum cooling.
Air distribution, manual
The flow of air is directed to the 
windows, to the upper body area or 
to the footwell as selected.
You can switch the automatic air 
distribution back on by pressing the AUTO 
button.
Temperature
Set the desired temperature individually.
The automatic climate control achieves 
this temperature as quickly as possible 
regardless of the season, using maximum 
cooling or heating power if necessary, and then 
maintains it.
If you switch between different tempera-
ture settings in quick succession, the auto-
matic climate control does not have enough 
time to achieve the set temperature.<
Rear window defroster
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time. 
Depending on your vehicle's equip-
ment, the upper wires serve as an 
antenna and are not part of the rear window 
defroster.
Defrosting windows and removing 
condensation
Quickly removes ice and condensa-
tion from the windshield and front 
side windows. 
For this purpose, also switch on the 
cooling function. 

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 87
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent, close the glove compartment after 
use while the vehicle is being driven.<
MINI Convertible: Locking
Use the integrated key to lock the remote con-
trol system, refer to page20.
Ventilation*
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, it may 
be possible to ventilate the glove compartment.
Opening
Rotate the switch in the direction of the arrow.
Closing
Rotate the switch in the opposite direction of the 
arrow until it is in the vertical position.
Depending on the temperature setting of the air 
conditioning or the automatic climate control, 
high temperatures may result in the glove com-
partment.
Center armrest*
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats con-
tains either a compartment or the cover for the 
mobile phone base plate
* or the snap-in 
adapter
*.
Opening
The cover slides along guide rails and can be 
opened fully by pushing it back and lifting it.
Closing
Push the cover forwards.
Connection for external 
audio device
>iPods/iPhones or USB devices such as MP3 
players and USB memory sticks: Connect via 
the USB audio interface.
>iPhone/mobile phone music players: Con-
nect via the snap-in adapter
*, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual. Playback is only 
possible if there is no device connected to 
the USB audio interface.
Connecting via the USB audio interface
1Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8 in/3.5 mm
2USB interface
* 

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 tailgate
Drive the vehicle only when the tailgate is 
closed. Otherwise, exhaust fumes could 
penetrate the interior of the vehicle.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the tailgate 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, 
page81 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