
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
50
If you do not shift gears with the shift paddles or 
accelerate for a certain amount of time, the 
transmission automatically returns to D, auto-
matic drive.
>Pull one of the shift paddles.
Transmission shifts up.
>Push one of the shift paddles.
Transmission shifts down.
M1 to M6 is displayed in the gear indicator.
Manually unlock the selector lever lock
Should the selector lever refuse to move out of 
position P even though the ignition is switched 
on, the brake is depressed and the button on the 
selector lever is pressed, the selector lever lock 
can be overridden:
1.Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2.Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever 
until the sleeve is inside out. Disconnect the 
cable connector if necessary.
3.Take the hub cover remover1 out of the 
onboard vehicle tool kit and insert it in the 
loop on the front passenger side.
4.Pull the loop up.
5.Move the selector lever into the desired 
position by pressing the button on the front 
of the selector lever.Only unlock the selector lever lock manu-
ally when the vehicle is to be towed. Do 
not forget to firmly apply the parking brake prior 
to the tow; otherwise, the vehicle may roll 
away.<
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1Turn signal indicator
2Headlamp flasher
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, press the lever to the resis-
tance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator 
lamp indicates that an indicator bulb has 
failed.<
Indicating a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for 
as long as you wish to indicate a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
You can set whether the turn signal is to flash 
once or three times. 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 117
Important parts of the engine compartment
1Battery, under the cover137
2Engine oil dipstick117
3Engine oil filler neck1184Coolant expansion tank118
5Reservoir for washer fluid for the headlamp 
and window washer system53
6Engine compartment fuse box135
Engine oil
The engine oil consumption is dependent on 
driving style and driving conditions.
Checking engine oil level
1.With the vehicle's engine at normal operat-
ing temperature, i.e. after uninterrupted 
driving for at least 6 miles/10 km, park the 
vehicle on a level surface.
2.Switch off the engine.
3.Pull the dipstick out after approx. 5 minutes 
and wipe it off with a lint-free cloth, paper 
towel or similar material.
4.Carefully push the dipstick all the way into 
the guide tube and pull it out again. 
The oil level should be between the two 
marks on the dipstick.The oil quantity corresponding to the difference 
between the two marks on the dipstick is 1 US 
quart/1 liter.
Do not fill beyond the upper mark on the 
dipstick. Excess oil will damage the 
engine.< 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 135
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is 100 % maintenance-free, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate 
climate.
Battery replacement
Only use vehicle batteries that have been 
approved for your vehicle by the manu-
facturer; otherwise, the vehicle could be dam-
aged and systems or functions may not be fully 
available.<
After a battery replacement, have the battery 
registered on the vehicle by your dealer to 
ensure that all comfort functions are fully 
available.
Charging the battery
Only charge the battery in the vehicle when the 
engine is off. Connections, refer to Jump-start-
ing on page136.
Disposal
After replacing old batteries, return the 
used batteries to your MINI dealer or to a 
recycling point. Maintain the battery in an 
upright position for transport and storage. 
Always secure the battery against tipping over 
during transport.<
Power failure
After a temporary power loss, some equipment 
may not be fully functional and may require ini-
tialization. Individual settings are also lost and 
must be reprogrammed:
>Time and date 
These values must be updated, page62.
>Radio 
Stations must be stored again, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual for Radio.
>Glass sunroof
*, electric
It may only be possible to raise the sunroof, 
if applicable. The system must be initialized. 
Contact your nearest MINI dealer.
Fuses
Do not attempt to repair a blown fuse or 
replace it with a fuse of a different color or 
Ampere rating. To do this could cause a fire in 
the vehicle resulting from a circuit overload. 
Have the fuse changed only by a MINI dealer or 
a workshop that has specially trained personnel 
working in accordance with the specifications of 
the MINI manufacturer.<
A fuse allocation diagram is located on the inside 
of the fuse box cover panels.
In the engine compartment
Opening the cover
Press the latch.
In the vehicle interior
On the right side of the footwell.
Opening the cover
Press out at the recess. 

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 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 163
Engine
– breaking in92
– data154
– overheated, refer to Coolant 
temperature55
– speed154
– starting47
– starting, Comfort Access28
– switching off47
Engine compartment117
Engine coolant, refer to 
Coolant118
Engine oil
– adding118
– additives, refer to Approved 
engine oils118
– alternative oil types118
– approved engine oils118
– capacity118
– checking level117
– dipstick117
– intervals between changes, 
refer to Service 
requirements60
– MINI Maintenance 
System119
Engine oil level, checking117
Engine output, refer to Engine 
data154
Engine starting, refer to 
Starting the engine47
Error messages, refer to Check 
Control62
ESP Electronic Stability 
Program, refer to Dynamic 
Stability Control DSC65
Exhaust system, refer to Hot 
exhaust system92
Exterior mirrors41
– adjusting41
– automatic heating41
– folding in and out41
External audio device87
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing 
away137
– for tying down loads96F
Failure messages, refer to 
Check Control62
Failure of an electrical 
consumer135
Fasten safety belts reminder, 
refer to Seat belt 
reminder41
Fastening safety belts, refer to 
Safety belts40
Filter
– microfilter for air 
conditioner82
– microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control84
Fine wood, care124
First aid pouch136
Fixture for remote control, 
refer to Ignition lock46
Flash when locking/
unlocking23
Flat tire
– run-flat tires114
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM69
Flat Tire Monitor FTM67
– indicating a flat tire68
– initializing the system67
– snow chains67
– system limits67
Flat tires, refer to Tire 
condition113
Floor mats, care123
Fog lamps
– replacing bulb127,129
Folding rear seat backrest94
Folding roof, refer to 
Convertible top with 
integrated sliding sunroof32
Footbrake, refer to Braking 
safely93
Footwell lamps78
For your own safety5
Front airbags72
Front fog lamps77,78
– indicator lamp140
– replacing bulb127Front seat adjustment37
Frost on windows, refer to 
Defrosting windows82,83
FTM, refer to Flat Tire 
Monitor67
Fuel103
– gauge56
– high-quality brands103
– quality103
– specifications103
– tank capacity158
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel 
gauge
56
Fuel display, refer to Fuel 
gauge56
Fuel filler flap102
– releasing in the event of 
electrical malfunction102
Fuses135
G
Garage door opener, refer to 
Integrated universal remote 
control85
Gasoline
– refer to Average 
consumption56
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel 
gauge56
Gasoline, refer to Required 
fuel103
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic48
Gear shifting
– automatic transmission48
– manual transmission48
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with 
Steptronic48
– manual transmission48
General driving notes92
Glass sunroof, electric30
– convenient operation22,24
– opening, closing30
– raising30
– remote control22