
REFERENCE
AT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 11
3Always Open Timer57
7Ignition lock46
8Buttons
* on steering wheel
9Horn: the entire surface
10Adjusting the steering wheel42
11Releasing the bonnet116 4Tachometer12
Instrument lighting78
Resetting the trip odometer55
5
Wiper system51
6Switching the ignition on/off and 
starting/stopping the engine46
Continuing cruise control
*53
Right:
Storing speed and accelerating or 
decelerating
Left:
Increase or reduce volume
Activating/deactivating cruise 
control
*54
Telephone
*:
Accepting and ending a call, start-
ing dialing
* of selected phone 
number and redialing if no phone 
number is selected
Activating/deactivating voice acti-
vation system
*
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling through phone book and 
lists with stored phone numbers 

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 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 47
Starting the engine
Do not allow the engine to run in enclosed 
areas; otherwise, inhalation of the noxious 
exhaust gases can lead to loss of consciousness 
and death. Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic 
gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running; otherwise, such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car while the engine is run-
ning, place the transmission in neutral or move 
the selector lever to position P and forcefully 
apply the parking brake to prevent the car from 
moving.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which 
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
not burned or inadequately burned and there is 
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Do not let the engine warm up with the vehicle 
at a standstill. Move off immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
When starting the engine, do not depress the 
accelerator pedal.
Manual transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with Com-
fort Access, refer to page28.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Depress the clutch.
3.Press the start/stop button.
Automatic transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with Com-
fort Access, refer to page28.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Shift the selector lever into position P or N.
3.Press the start/stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Switching off the engine
Always take the key with you when you 
leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll.<
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the start/
stop button.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selector 
lever to position P.
2.Press the start/stop button.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Before driving into a car wash
By following these steps, the vehicle is able 
to roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort 
Access, in the ignition lock.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
68
Using the button in the turn indicator 
lever
1.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
4.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
corresponding symbol and "RESET" are dis-
played.
5.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
6.Start driving.
Initialization is completed while the car is on 
the move, without any feedback.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow 
and red. An acoustic signal also sounds. 
There is a flat tire or substantial loss of 
tire pressure.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with cau-
tion. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped 
with normal tires or run-flat tires.
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is 
a circle with the letters RSC on the 
sidewall, refer to run-flat tires, page114.<
Normal tires
1.Determine which tire is damaged.
If this cannot be determined, contact 
your MINI dealer.<
2.Repair the flat tire, refer to page130, or 
change the damaged tire, refer to page132.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph 
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle is 
not equipped with run-flat tires, 
page114; otherwise, a serious accident 
could result.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor 
might not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km 

REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 69
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons 
without luggage: 
approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
4 persons, load compartment full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h; otherwise, 
an accident may occur. In the event of pressure 
loss, vehicle handling changes. This includes 
reduced tracking stability in braking, extended 
braking distance and altered natural steering 
characteristics. 
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce the vehi-
cle speed and stop as soon as possible. Other-
wise, sections of the tire may come loose and 
cause accidents. Do not continue driving and 
contact your MINI dealer.<
Tire Pressure 
Monitor TPM*
The concept
TPM checks the inflation pressures of the four 
mounted tires during a trip. The system notifies 
you if there is a significant loss of pressure in one 
or more tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be reset while all tire infla-
tion pressures are correct.
Always use wheels with TPM electronics. Other-
wise, the system may malfunction.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has 
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been 
changed, reset the system.<
System limitations
TPM cannot warn you in advance of sud-
den severe tire damage caused by outside 
influences.<
The system does not work correctly if it has not 
been reset; for example, a flat tire may be indi-
cated even though the tire inflation pressures 
are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat 
tire if a wheel without TPM electronics, such as a 
compact spare wheel
*, has been mounted, or if 
TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to other 
systems or devices using the same radio fre-
quency.
Resetting the system
Each time a tire inflation pressure has 
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been 
changed, reset the system.<
Using the button in the turn indicator 
lever
1.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
4.Repeatedly press the button briefly until the 
symbol for Tire Pressure Monitor and 
"ACTIVE" are displayed. 

Technology for driving comfort and safety
70
The Tire Pressure Monitor can be reset using 
"RESET".
5.Press and hold the button until "RESETTING" 
appears.
6.Start driving.
After driving a few minutes, the set inflation 
pressures in the tires are accepted as the tar-
get values to be monitored. The system 
reset is completed during your drive, and 
c a n  b e  i n t e r r u p t e d  a t  a n y  t i m e .  W h e n  d r i v i n g  
resumes, the reset is continued automati-
cally. The indicator lamp goes out after the 
system reset is completed.
Message for low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamps come on in yellow 
and red. An acoustic signal also sounds. 
There is a flat tire or substantial loss of 
tire pressure.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with cau-
tion. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped 
with normal tires or run-flat tires.
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is 
a circle with the letters RSC on the 
sidewall, page114.<
Normal tires
1.Determine which tire is damaged.
If this cannot be determined, contact 
your MINI dealer.<
2.Repair the flat tire or change the damaged 
tire, refer to page132.
Run-flat tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle is 
not equipped with run-flat tires; oth-
erwise, a serious accident could result.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons 
without luggage: 
approx. 94 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
4 persons, load compartment full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h; otherwise, an 
accident may occur. In the event of pressure 
loss, vehicle handling changes. This includes 
reduced tracking stability in braking, extended 
braking distance and altered natural steering 
characteristics. 
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce the vehi-
cle speed and stop as soon as possible. Other-
wise, sections of the tire may come loose and 
cause accidents. Do not continue driving and 
contact your MINI dealer.< 

Lamps
78
MINI Convertible
>Turn on fog lamps:
Press the button upwards.
>Turn on rear fog lamp:
Press the button downwards.
When turning the lamps off, push the respective 
button again upwards or downwards.
Fog lamps*
The parking lamps or low beams must be 
switched on for the fog lamps to operate. The 
green indicator lamp comes on when the fog 
lamps are switched on.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the fog 
lamps are switched off when you activate the 
headlamp flasher or switch on the high beams.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Rear fog lamp*
The low beams or parking lamps with fog lamps 
must be switched on. The yellow indicator lamp 
comes on when the rear fog lamp is switched on.
Instrument lighting
You can adjust the brightness of the instrument 
lighting only when the parking lamps or the low 
beams are on.
Increasing brightness
Press and hold the button until the desired 
brightness is reached.
Reducing brightness
Press the button briefly.
The brightness decreases every time the button 
is pressed briefly.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, the footwell lamps* and the 
cargo bay lamp are controlled automatically.
To avoid draining the battery, all lamps 
inside the car are switched off about 
8 minutes after the ignition is switched off, refer 
to Start/stop button on page46.<
Switching interior lamps on/off manually
To switch the interior lamps on/off.
Press the switch.
To switch off the interior lamps permanently, 
press the button for about 3 seconds.