
Cockpit
12
Displays
1Tachometer55
with indicator and warning lamps13
2Display for
>Clock55
>Outside temperature55
>Current vehicle speed55
>Indicator and warning lamps13
3Resetting the trip odometer554Display for
>Position of automatic transmission
*48
>Computer
*56
>Date of next scheduled service, and 
remaining distance to be driven60
>Odometer and trip odometer55
>Initializing the Flat Tire Monitor
*67
>Resetting the Tire Pressure Monitor
*69
>Settings and information58
>Personal Profile settings20
5Instrument lighting78
6Speedometer
with indicator and warning lamps13
7Fuel gauge56
8Radio display, refer to separate Owner's 
Manual
9Radio, refer to separate Owner's Manual 

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. 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 37
Adjustments
Sitting safely
The ideal sitting position can make a vital contri-
bution to relaxed, fatigue-free driving. In con-
junction with the safety belts, the head restraints 
and the airbags, the seated position has a major 
influence on your safety in the event of an acci-
dent. To ensure that the safety systems operate 
with optimal efficiency, we strongly urge you to 
observe the instructions contained in the follow-
ing section.
For additional information on transporting chil-
dren safely, refer to page43.
Airbags
Always maintain an adequate distance 
between yourself and the airbags. Always 
grip the steering wheel on the rim, with your 
hands in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions, to 
minimize the risk of injury to the hands or arms 
in the event of the airbag being triggered off. 
No one and nothing should come between the 
airbags and the seat occupant. 
Do not use the cover of the front airbag on the 
front passenger side as a storage area. Ensure 
that the front passenger is correctly seated, e.g. 
that no feet or legs are propped against the 
dashboard. Otherwise, leg injury could result if 
the front airbag suddenly deployed.
Make sure that passengers keep their heads 
away from the side airbag and do not lean 
against the cover of the head airbag in the MINI; 
otherwise, serious injuries can result if the airbag 
deploys. <
Even if you follow all the instructions, injuries 
resulting from contact with airbags cannot be 
fully excluded, depending on the circumstances. 
The ignition and inflation noise may provoke a 
mild hearing loss in extremely sensitive individ-
uals. This effect is usually only temporary.
For airbag locations and additional information 
on airbags, refer to page72.
Head restraint
A correctly adjusted head restraint reduces the 
risk of neck injury in the event of an accident.
Adjust the head restraint in such a way 
that its center is at approx. ear level. Oth-
erwise, there is an increased risk of injury in the 
event of an accident.<
Head restraints, refer to page39.
Safety belt
Before every drive, make sure that all occupants 
wear their safety belts. Airbags complement the 
safety belt as an additional safety device, but 
they do not represent a substitute.
Never allow more than one person 
to wear a single safety belt. Never 
allow infants or small children to ride in a pas-
senger's lap.
Make sure that the belt in the lap area sits low 
across the hips and does not press against the 
abdomen. The safety belt must not rest against 
the throat, run across sharp edges, pass over 
hard or fragile objects or be pinched. Fasten the 
safety belt so that it is pulled taut across the lap 
and shoulder, fitting the body snugly without 
any twists. Otherwise, the belt could slide over 
the hips in the event of a frontal collision and 
injure the abdomen. Avoid wearing bulky cloth-
ing and regularly pull the belt in the upper-body 
area taut; otherwise, its restraining effect could 
be impaired.<
Safety belts, refer to page40.
Seats
Note before adjusting
Never attempt to adjust your seat while 
the vehicle is moving. The seat could 
respond with unexpected movement, and the 
ensuing loss of vehicle control could lead to an 
accident. 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 55
Controls overview
Odometer, outside 
temperature display, 
clock
1Outside temperature display and clock or 
current speed
2Odometer and trip odometer
3Resetting the trip odometer
Units of measure
Select the respective units of measure, miles or 
km for the odometer as well as 7 or 6 for the 
outside temperature, page59.
Outside temperature display, time
Setting the time, refer to page62.
Outside temperature warning
When the displayed temperature sinks to 
approx. +377/+36, a signal sounds and a 
warning lamp lights up. There is an increased 
risk of black ice.
Black ice can also form at temperatures 
above +377/+36. Therefore, drive 
carefully, e.g. on bridges and sections of road in 
the shade; otherwise, there is an increased acci-
dent risk.<
Current vehicle speed
To have the current speed shown in the upper 
display otherwise serving for the outside tem-
perature display and clock.1.Press the button in the turn indicator lever 
repeatedly until the current speed appears 
in the lower display.
2.Wait for the speed display to automatically 
move to the upper display.
The outside temperature then appears in the 
lower display.
Odometer and trip odometer
Resetting the trip odometer
With the ignition switched on, press knob 3 in 
the tachometer.
When the vehicle is parked
To display the time, outside temperature and 
odometer briefly after the key is removed from 
the ignition lock:
Press knob 3 in the tachometer.
Tachometer
Never operate the engine with the needle in the 
red overspeed zone of the gauge. In this range, 
the fuel supply is interrupted to protect the 
engine.
Coolant temperature
A warning lamp will come on if the coolant, and 
therefore the engine, becomes too hot. 
Check coolant level, refer to page118. 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 57
Current vehicle speed
To have the current speed shown in the upper 
display otherwise serving for the outside tem-
perature display and clock.
1.Press the button in the turn indicator lever 
repeatedly until the current speed appears 
in the lower display.
2.Wait for the speed display to automatically 
move to the upper display.
The outside temperature then appears in the 
lower display of the computer.
Always Open Timer
If driving the MINI Convertible with its soft top 
down, the driving times are displayed digitally 
on the tachometer.
The following driving times are displayed:
1Total driving time
2Current driving time
To reset the display2:
Press the button on the turn signal lever or the 
button to reset the trip odometer, page 12, for 
approx. 2 seconds.
To reset the total driving time, contact your MINI 
dealer.
Analog to Always Open Timer
The analog Always Open Timer indicates the 
number of hours and minutes that you drove 
with the convertible top down. A maximum of 
6 hours and 59 minutes can be displayed.
The total driving time is displayed digitally in the 
tachometer.1LED hour display
2Minute display 

Controls overview
62
Clock
Setting the time
To set the 12h/24h mode, refer to Formats and 
units of measure on page59.
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.
6.Wait for the display to change to minutes.
7.Press the button to set the minutes.
8.Wait for the display to change.
The settings are stored.
Date
Setting the date
To set the dd/mm or mm/dd date format, refer 
to Formats and units of measure on page59.1.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 day of the month.
6.Wait for the display to change to month.
7.Set the month and year in the same way.
8.Wait for the display to change.
The settings are stored.
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors vehicle functions 
and alerts you to any malfunctions in the sys-
tems monitored. Check Control messages 
involve indicator or warning lamps in the dis-
plays and, in some circumstances, an acoustic 
signal. To adjust the volume of the signal, refer 
to the Owner's Manual for Radio.  

Refueling
102
Refueling
Switch off the engine before refueling; 
otherwise, fuel cannot be added to the 
tank and a message will be displayed.<
Take all precautionary measures and 
observe all applicable regulations when 
handling fuel. Do not carry any spare fuel con-
tainers in your vehicle. They can develop a leak 
and cause an explosion or cause a fire in the 
event of an accident.<
Fuel filler flap
Opening
1.Open the fuel filler flap.
2.Turn the gas cap counterclockwise.
3.Place the gas cap in the bracket attached to 
the fuel filler flap.
Closing
Fit the cap and turn it clockwise until you clearly 
hear a click.
Do not pinch the band attached to the 
cap; otherwise, the cap cannot be closed 
properly and fuel vapors can escape. A message 
will be displayed if the gas cap is loose or 
missing.<
Manually releasing the fuel filler flap
In the event of an electrical malfunction, you can 
manually unlock the fuel filler flap:
1.Remove the cover from the left-hand side-
wall of the cargo bay.
MINI:
MINI Convertible:
2.Pull on the green knob with the fuel pump 
symbol. The fuel filler flap is released.
By way of example, the illustration shows the 
sidewall of the cargo compartment in the MINI. 

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.