
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
53
Window washer nozzles
The window washer nozzles are heated auto-
matically
* while the engine is running or the
ignition is switched on.
MINI: Rear window wiper
0Rear wipers parked
1To switch on intermittent wipe :
Turn the cap to level1.
Operation is continuous in reverse gear.
Cleaning the rear window
2To clean the rear window during intermit-
tent wipe :
Turn the cap further to level2 and hold it
there.
3To clean the rear window when wipers are
parked :
Turn the cap to level3 and hold it there.
Do not use the washers when the washer
fluid reservoir is empty; otherwise, you will
damage the washer pump.<
Washer fluid
Washer fluid antifreeze is flammable.
Therefore, keep it away from ignition
sources, store it only in the closed original con-
tainer and keep it out of reach of children; oth-
erwise, there is a risk of personal injury. Comply
with the instructions on the container.<
Washer fluid reservoir
Only refill washer fluid that contains anti-
freeze when the engine is cool, to avoid
contact with hot engine parts. Otherwise, fluid
spills constitute a fire hazard and a risk to per-
sonal safety.<
Fill with water and, if required, with a washer
antifreeze, according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
Mix the water and antifreeze before filling
the washer fluid reservoir to make sure
the correct concentration is maintained.<
Capacity
Approx. 2.6 US quarts/2.5 liters.
With headlamp washer system:
Approx. 4.8 US quarts/4.5 liters.
Cruise control*
The concept
Cruise control is available at vehicle speeds of at
least approx. 20 mph or 30 km/h. The car then
stores and maintains the speed that you specify
using the button on the steering wheel.
Do not use cruise control when driving at
constant speed is prevented by adverse
conditions, e.g. winding roads, dense traffic or
poor road conditions due to, e.g., snow, rain, ice
or loose surfaces. Otherwise, you could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and cause an accident as a
result.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
65
in hazardous driving thereby running the risk of
an accident.<
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during brak-
ing. Safe steering response is maintained even
during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
Braking safely, refer to page93.
Among others, ABS includes the following func-
tions:
>Cornering Brake Control CBC
>Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
>Brake Assist
Cornering Brake Control CBC
Driving stability and steering characteristics are
further enhanced while braking in turns or dur-
ing a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake Assist
Rapidly depressing the brake causes this system
to automatically develop maximum braking
force. Thus, the system helps keep braking dis-
tance to a minimum. At the same time, all the
benefits provided by ABS are exploited.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or accel-
erate. The system also recognizes unstable driv-
ing conditions, for example if the rear of the car
is about to swerve or if momentum is acting at
an angle past the front wheels. In these cases,
DSC helps the vehicle maintain a safe course
within physical limits by reducing engine output
and through braking actions at the individual
wheels.DSC also encompasses the following functions:
>Antilock Brake System ABS
>Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
>Brake Assist
>Cornering Brake Control CBC
>Hill Assist
Deactivating DSC
Press the button repeatedly until the DSC indica-
tor lamps come on. DSC is deactivated. Stabiliz-
ing and propulsion promoting actions are no
longer executed.
When driving with snow chains or to 'rock free'
in snow, it can be helpful to switch off DSC for a
brief period.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the button again: the DSC indicator lamps
go out.
For better control
If the indicator lamp flashes:
The DSC controls the driving and break-
ing forces.
If the indicator lamps are on:
DSC is deactivated.

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
67
Sport button*
Pressing the button causes your MINI to respond
even more sportily.
>Engine responds more spontaneously to
movements of the accelerator.
>Steering response is more direct.
With automatic transmission:
>More rapid gear shifting in Sport program.
Activating the system
Press the SPORT button.
The LED lights up.
SPORT is briefly displayed in the tachometer.
Deactivating the system
>Press the SPORT button again.
>Switch off the engine.
Flat Tire Monitor FTM*
The concept
The Flat Tire Monitor detects pressure loss in a
tire by comparing the rotating speeds of the
individual tires while moving.
If a tire loses pressure, its rolling circumference
changes, and this in turn alters the speed of
rotation. This change is detected and is reported
as a flat tire.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat
tire, the system must be initialized for the cor-
rect tire inflation pressure.Each time you correct the pressure in a
tire, or change a wheel or tire, the system
must be reinitialized.<
System limitations
The Flat Tire Monitor is unable to warn the driver
of sudden, severe tire damage caused by exter-
nal factors, nor can it identify the gradual loss of
pressure that will inevitably occur in all four tires
over a lengthy period of time.
In the following situations, the system could be
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip in
the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration
>Snow chains are attached
When the vehicle is driven with a space-saver
spare tire
*, page133, the Flat Tire Monitor can-
not function.
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time.
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically.
Do not initialize the system if you are driving
with snow chains or a space-saver spare tire
*.<

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
167
Rubber parts, care123
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-flat
tires114
Run-flat tires114
– flat tire68
– new tires114
– tire inflation pressure104
– winter tires115
Runflat Tyres, refer to Run-flat
tires114
S
Safety belts40
– damage41
– indicator lamp41
– reminder41
– sitting safely37
Safety belts, care124
Safety systems
– airbags72
– Antilock Brake System
ABS65
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC65
– safety belts40
Safety tires, refer to Run-flat
tires114
Screw thread for tow
fitting138
Seat adjustment
– mechanical38
Seats37
– adjusting the seats38
– heating40
– sitting safely37
Securing the vehicle
– from inside25
– from outside21
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic48
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock48
– overriding manually50Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic48
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance136
Service data in the remote
control119
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS119
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance136
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS119
Service requirements60
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode59
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic49
– manual transmission48
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions48
Side airbags72
Side turn signal indicator
– replacing bulb128
Side windows, refer to
Windows31
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely37
– airbags37
– safety belts
37
– with head restraint37
Size, refer to Dimensions155
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric30
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector35
Slot for remote control46
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray89
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment87Snow chains115
Socket for Onboard Diagnosis
OBD119
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances89
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires132
– inflation pressure104
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire132
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils118
Speed154
– with winter tires115
Speed control, refer to Cruise
control53
Speedometer12
Split rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading system95
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo bay94
Sport button67
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems64
Start/stop button46
– starting the engine47
– switching off the engine47
Starting assistance, refer to
Jump-starting136
Starting, refer to Starting the
engine47
Starting the engine
– start/stop button46
Start-off assistance, refer to
– DSC65
– Hill Assist66
Status of this Owner's Manual
at time of printing4
Steering wheel42
– adjustment42
– buttons on steering wheel11
– lock46
– shift paddles49
Steptronic, refer to Automatic
transmission with
Steptronic48