CONTENTS
The fastest way to find information on a particu-
lar topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page180.
NOTES
4 Notes
6 Reporting safety defects
AT A GLANCE
10Cockpit
16 Radio MINI Boost CD
CONTROLS
20Opening and closing
32 Adjustments
38 Transporting children safely
41 Driving
51 Controls overview
60 Technology for drivin g comfort and safety
72 Lamps
78 Climate
83 Practical interior accessories
DRIVING TIPS
90Things to remember when driving
ENTERTAINMENT
100Radio MINI Boost CD
COMMUNICATIONS
112Telephone
MOBILITY
126Refueling
128 Wheels and tires
136 Under the hood
140 Maintenance
142 Care
146 Replacing components
157 Giving and receiving assistance
161 Indicator and warning lamps
REFERENCE
176Technical data
180 Everything from A to Z
Opening and closingCONTROLS
27
Alarm system*
The concept
The alarm system, when activated, reacts if:
>A door, the engine compartment lid or the
liftgate is opened
> There is movement inside the car
> The car's inclination changes, for instance if
an attempt is made to jack it up and steal the
wheels or to raise it prior to towing away
> There is an interruption in the power supply
from the battery
The alarm system briefly indicates unauthorized
entry or tampering by means of:
> An acoustic alarm
> Switching on the hazard warning flashers
Arming and disarming
Whenever the car is locked or unlocked, the
alarm system is armed or disarmed.
Even when the alarm syst em is armed, you can
open the liftgate by means of the button
on the remote control.
When you subsequently close the liftgate it is
again locked and monitored.
In certain market-specific versions,
unlocking via the door lock triggers the
alarm. <
Panic mode*
You can activate the alarm system if you find
yourself in a da ngerous situation.
Press the button for at least two seconds.
Switching off the alarm:
Press any button.
Switching off an alarm
> Unlock the car with the remote control.
> Insert the key fully into the ignition lock.
> In cars with Comfort Access
*, press the but-
ton on the door lock.
Display on the revolution counter
When the system is armed, all LEDs pulse. After
approx. 16 minutes one LED flashes.
> LEDs pulse or LED flashes: system is armed.
> One LED flashes at short intervals:
A door, the hood or the liftgate is not prop-
erly closed. Even if these are not closed fully,
the remaining items are deadlocked and the
LEDs pulse after approx. 10 seconds for
approx. 16 minutes. Afterwards, one LED
flashes.
The interior movement detector is not acti-
vated.
> LEDs go out after the vehicle is unlocked:
No attempt was made to tamper with the
car.
> LEDs flash after unlocking until the key is
inserted in the ignition, but for no longer
than approx. 5 minutes: an attempt was
made to tamper with the car.
Tilt alarm sensor
The vehicle's inclination is monitored. The alarm
is triggered, for instance, if an attempt is made
to steal the car's wheels or tow it away.
Interior movement detector
Before the interior mo vement detector can
operate correctly, the windows and glass roof
must be closed.
Avoiding false alarms
The tilt alarm sensor an d the interior movement
detector can be switched off together.
CONTROLSDriving
48
4.Press the button as often as necessary until
the symbol and "SET" are displayed.
5. Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
6. Press the button to se lect the desired sensi-
tivity.
7. Wait, or press and hold the button until the
display changes.
The settings are stored.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain
sensor
Press the button again, arrow 3.
Brief wipe
Press the lever downward once, arrow 2.
Cleaning windshield and headlamps*
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
Washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshield and
the wipers are operated briefly.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched on,
the headlamps are cleaned at regular and
appropriate intervals. In cars equipped with an alarm system, the
headlamps cannot be cleaned when the hood is
open.
Do not use the washers when the washer
fluid reservoir is emp ty; otherwise, you will
damage the washer pump.
Only use the washers if the hood has been com-
pletely closed; otherwise, the headlamp washer
system
* may be damaged. Do not use the
washers if there is any danger that the fluid will
freeze on the windshield. If you do, your vision
could be obscured. For this reason, use anti-
freeze. <
Window washer nozzles
The window washer nozzles are heated auto-
matically
* while the engine is running or the
ignition is switched on.
Rear window wiper
0 Rear wipers parked
1 To switch on intermittent wipe :
Turn the cap to level 1.
Operation is continuous in reverse gear.
The rear wiper does not move if the cap is in
interval stage 1 before the ignition is switched
on.
Cleaning the rear window
2 To clean the rear window during intermit-
tent wipe :
Turn the cap further to level 2 and hold it
there.
3 To clean the rear window when wipers are
parked :
Turn the cap to level 3 and hold it there.
MOBILITYUnder the hood
136
Under the hood
Never attempt to perform any service or
repair operations on your vehicle without
the required professional technical training. If
you are not familiar with the regulations to be
observed, have the necessary work on your
vehicle carried out only by a MINI dealer or a
workshop that has specially trained personnel
working in accordance with the specifications of
the MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried
out properly, there is a danger of subsequent
damage and related safety hazards. <
Hood
Releasing
Pull the lever.
Do not clean the windshield and head-
lamps if the hood is unlocked as this may
damage the headlamp washer system
*. <
Opening
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the hood. <
Press the release handle and open the hood.
Closing
Close the hood from a height of approx. 16 in/
40 cm with momentum. It must be clearly heard
to engage.
If you notice any signs while driving your
vehicle that the hood is not completely
closed, stop at once and close it securely.
Make sure that the closing path of the hood is
clear; otherwise, injuries may result. <
Under the hoodMOBILITY
139
Coolant
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. <
Coolant temperature
If the coolant, and therefore the engine, should
overheat, then a warning li ght will go on, refer to
page 164.
Checking coolant level
Do not add coolant to the cooling system
when the engine is hot. Escaping coolant
can cause burns. <
Do not open the hood until the engine has
cooled down.
The coolant level is correct if it is between the
Min and Max markings.
Topping off
1. Turn the cap of the expansion tank a little
counterclockwise to allow any accumulated pressure to escape, then continue turning to
open.
2. Slowly fill to the correct fluid level; do not
overfill.
3. Close by turning the cap.
Have the reason for the coolant loss eliminated
as soon as possible.
Replacing componentsMOBILITY
147
4.Unhook the wiper blade toward the wind-
shield.
5. Pull the wiper blade past the wiper arm
toward the top.
6. Insert the new wiper blade.
7. Press into position until you hear it engage.
8. Fold down the wiper arm.
To avoid damage, make sure that the
wiper arms are against the windshield
before you open the hood. <
Changing the rear wiper blade
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2. Press together the locking spring, arrow 1,
and fold out the wiper blade.
3. Pull the wiper blade away from and out of
the catch mechanism, arrow 2.
4. Press the new wiper blade into the fixture
until it engages audibly.
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution
to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, be
handled carefully. The manufacturer of your
MINI recommends having your MINI dealer per-
form any work that you do not feel competent to
perform yourself or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with
your bare fingers, as even minute
amounts of contaminatio n will burn into the
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a clean tissue, cloth or some
thing similar, or hold
the bulb by its base.<
You can obtain a selectio n of replacement bulbs
at your MINI dealer.
When working on electrical systems,
always begin by switching off the con-
sumer in question; otherwise, short circuits
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe
any instructions provided by the bulb manufac-
turer. <
Caring for headlamps, refer to page 143.
For any bulb replacement not described
below, contact a MINI dealer or a work-
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with th e specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. <
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your MINI dealer. <
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light sources for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes are related to conven-
tional laser diodes, and legislation defines them
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source
for several hours; otherwise, this could cause
irritation of the retina. <
Headlamp glass lens
In cool or humid weather, condensation may
occur on the interior of outside lights. The con-
densation disappears a short time after the light
is switched on. The headlamp glasses do not
need to be changed. If a lot of moisture is
present, e.g. water droplets in the light, have
them checked by your service center.
MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
162
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters of fuel are
still in the tank
Remains on:
Cruising range is no more than 50 km,
page51
Engine refuses to start Depress th e brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, page 41.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
open Switch off the ignition, page
41, or
close the driver's door.
Lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps on
Door open
Club Door open
Split Rear Barn Doors open
Hood open
Fuel cap missing or loose Make sure that the fuel cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between
the fuel cap and the vehicle.
12Cause What to do
MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
164
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunctionStop the car and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available Y ou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the engine
checked as soon as possible.
Indicator lamp 1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load.
High engine load will result in dam-
age to the catalytic converter You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the vehicle
checked without delay.
Indicator lamp 1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse
effect on exhaust emissions You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the car checked as
soon as possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down. Do not open the hood;
otherwise, there is a risk of injury from
scalding. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
12Cause What to do