MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT
39
NAVIGATION REFERENCE
>The indicator lamp Convertible top not
locked lights up and a message is indicated
on the Control Display.
Interruption
A convertible top which is not completely
open or closed is hazardous.<
The automatic movement is immediately inter-
rupted when the button for the convertible top
operation is released. The procedure can be
continued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate button.
If the opening or closing procedure is inter-
rupted by releasing the respective button, the
convertible top stays in its current position for
several seconds before it slowly moves into a
more stable position. The procedure can be con-
tinued by pressing the appropriate button.
The opening and closing procedure is also inter-
rupted in case of a mechanical blockage. In this
case, in order to operate the convertible top
again:
1.Turn off the ignition and then switch it on
again.
2.Press the button to continue the procedure
in the desired direction.
Opening and closing procedure
Do not interrupt and restart the closing
procedure several times one after
another, or the convertible top mechanism
could be damaged.<
If the convertible top can be moved in only
one direction after several consecutive
attempts to operate it, the convertible top sys-
tem has overheated. Allow the system to cool
down for approx. 4 minutes.<
If the battery was disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
reinitialize the power windows, refer to page36.
Otherwise, the windows cannot be lowered or
the convertible top cannot be opened.<
Convenient operation
For convenient operation using the remote con-
trol, refer to page27; for operation via the door
lock, refer to page29.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction
Only close the convertible top manually if
it is absolutely necessary. Never open it
manually. Improper handling of the convertible
top can result in damage. The closing procedure
must be completely finished. Otherwise, dam-
age or injury could result.<
Before closing
1.Remove allen key and screwdriver from
vehicle tools, refer to page185.
2.Pry out luggage compartment lamp from
the left side trim using the screwdriver.
3.Use the screwdriver and turn the gold-col-
ored screw, see arrow, one and a half turns
in the direction of the arrow.
Releasing the convertible top
1.Push cover panel forward, see arrow1.
2.In order to unlock the convertible top use
the allen key to loosen the screws of the
locking devices, see arrows 2.
Technology for driving comfort and safety
76
5.If necessary, move the highlight marker to
the uppermost field. Select "PDC".
6.Select "PDC display on".
The PDC display is activated. It is shown on
the Control Display as soon as PDC is activated.
The setting is stored for the remote control
in use.
System limitations
Even with PDC, final responsibility for esti-
mating the distance between the vehicle
and any obstructions always remains with the
driver. Sensors, too, have blind spots in which
objects cannot be detected. Moreover, ultra-
sonic detection can reach its physical limits with
objects such as trailer tow bars and couplings,
thin and wedge-shaped objects, etc. Low
objects already indicated, such as curbs, may
enter the sensors' blind spots before or after a
continuous audible signal is given. Higher, pro-
truding objects, such as wall ledges, may not be
detectable. Therefore, always drive cautiously;
otherwise, there is a risk of personal injury or
property damage. Loud sound sources outside
or inside the car can drown out the PDC signal.<
Driving stability control
systems
Your MINI has a number of systems that help to
maintain the vehicle's stability even in adverse
driving conditions.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with driving stability control systems.
An appropriate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Therefore do not reduce the additional safety margin by engaging
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 page103.
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.
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NAVIGATION REFERENCE
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.
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.
Things to remember when driving
102
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
automatic climate control, page92.
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
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be
steered or braked properly.<
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NAVIGATION REFERENCE
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread
depth on page173.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged.<
Parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise, greater clutch wear will result.<
For information on driving off using Hill Assist*,
refer to page78.
Braking safely
Your MINI is equipped with ABS. If you are in a
situation which requires full braking, it is best to
brake using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle maintains steering responsiveness, you
can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with
the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates that
ABS is actively taking effect.
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this process
helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that
Then full braking force will be immediately avail-
able when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheating and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure.
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mode of the automatic transmis-
sion, page54.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired.<
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in operating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail
to cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.
Wheels and tires
174
For various reasons, such as the development of
brittleness, the manufacturer of your MINI rec-
ommends tire replacement after no more than
6 years, regardless of the actual wear of the
tires.
Run-flat tires*
The symbol identifying run-flat tires is a circle
with the letters RSC on the sidewall.
Run-flat tires comprise a conditionally self-sup-
porting tire and a special rim. The reinforcement
in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can con-
tinue to be used subject to certain restrictions,
even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page79.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by your MINI dealer or a specialized tire
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with the specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety hazards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced.<
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you avoid using retreaded
tires, as this could impair driving safety. The
causes for this include potentially different tire
casing structures and often wide variations
in tire age, which can result in a limited
service life.<
Correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends mounting only wheels and tires
that it has specifically approved for use on your
particular model. Although other wheels and
tires may theoretically have the same dimen-
sions, variations in factors such as manufactur-
ing tolerances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved wheels and tires to
determine if they are suited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of the
vehicle if they are mounted.<
Your MINI dealer will be glad to inform you
about the correct wheel and tire combination for
your vehicle.
The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been dam-
aged, mount the previous wheel and tire combi-
nation again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, the Tire
Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect a
puncture, refer to page82. Your MINI dealer will
be glad to advise you.
From A to Z
212
From A to Z
INDEX
"..." Identifies Control Display
texts used to select
individual functions and
refers you to the page where
these texts can be found.
A
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle4
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control93
"Add to destination
list"117,119
Additives
– coolant178
– engine oil178
Address for navigation
– deleting123
– entering114,117,122
– selecting122
– storing122
– storing current position122
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control92
Adjusting the sound during
audio playback, refer to Tone
control139
Air conditioning mode
– automatic climate control92
– ventilation93
Air distribution
– automatic92
Air flow rate92
– automatic climate control92
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure164
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air mode92Air supply
– automatic climate control92
– ventilation93
Air vents91
Airbags84
– sitting safely42
– warning lamp86
Airing, refer to Ventilation93
AKI, refer to Fuel
specifications163
Alarm system32
"All channels"147
"All stations" on the radio141
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires175
Always Open Timer62
"AM", waveband138
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air mode92
Ambient lighting90
Antenna, care181
Antifreeze
– coolant178
– washer fluid57
Antilock Brake System ABS76
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system
32
Anti-theft system27
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights205
Approved engine oils178
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights205
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest96
Arrival time
– computer62,63
– destination guidance126
"Arrow display" in
navigation127
Ashtray97Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC76
Audio138
– controls138
– switching on/off138
– tone control139
– volume139
Audio device, external96
AUTO program for automatic
climate control92
Automatic
– air distribution92
– air flow rate92
– cruise control58
– headlamp control87
– storing of stations142
Automatic climate control91
– automatic air distribution92
Automatic station search142
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic53
– interlock53
– overriding selector lever
lock55
– shiftlock53
– sport program54
"Autostore"
– on the radio143
"AUX"155,157
– AUX-IN port155
– USB audio interface156
AUX-IN port155
AUX-IN, refer to External audio
device96
Average fuel consumption61
– setting the units65
Average speed62
"Avoid ferries" in
navigation124
213
MOBILITYAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS ENTERTAINMENT NAVIGATION REFERENCE
"Avoid highways" in
navigation124
Avoid highways in
navigation124
"Avoid tollroads" in
navigation124
Axle loads, refer to
Weights205
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting90
Backrests, refer to Seats42
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb188,189
Balance, tone control139
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch196
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away198
Bass sounds, refer to Tone
control139
Bass sounds, refer to Treble
and bass139
Bass, tone control139
Battery195
– charging195
– disposal35,195
– jump-starting196
– temporary power failure195
Battery renewal
– remote control35
Being towed198
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts45
Belts, refer to Safety belts45
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders97
Blower, refer to Air flow rate92
Bonnet176
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders97
Brake Assist76
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements65Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs189
Brake pads, breaking in102
Brake rotors103
– brakes102
– breaking in102
Brake system102
– breaking in102
– disc brakes103
– MINI Maintenance
System179
Brakes
– ABS76
– breaking in102
– MINI Maintenance
System179
– parking brake52
– service requirements65
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely103
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance196
Break-in period
102
Breaking in the clutch102
"Brightness"on the Control
Display74
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs185
Button for starting the
engine51
Buttons on the steering
wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders97
Capacities206
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery195
Car care181
"Car Data"63
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls26Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest96
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car radio, refer to Radio141
Car wash, care181
Car washes181
Care181
– car washes181
– car-care products181
– CD/DVD drives184
– external181
– high-pressure washers182
– internal183
– leather183
– manual washing182
– upholstery and fabrics183
– windows182
– wiper blades182
Cargo area
– capacity205
Cargo bay104
– Comfort Access34
– cover104
– lamp89
– opening from outside31
Cargo bay, expanding104
Cargo bay lamp89
Cargo bay lid, refer to
Tailgate31
Cargo loading105
– securing cargo106
– stowing cargo106
– vehicle104
Cargo, securing106
Carpets, care183
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system102
"Categories"147
"CD"138,149