2011 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE towing

151
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Attach the tow bar to the tow fittings only,
as attaching it to other parts of the vehicle
could result in damage.<
Towing with a tow rope
When starting off in the towing vehicle, make
sure that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated
stresses on vehicle components when
towing, always use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attach the tow rope to the tow fittings only, as
attaching it to other parts of the vehicle could
result in damage.<
Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI or MINI Convertible transported
by a tow truck with a so-called lift sling or on a
flatbed.
Do not lift the vehicle by a tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, dam-
age may result.<
Tow-starting
Avoid tow-starting the vehicle whenever possi-
ble; instead, jump-start the engine, page148.
Vehicles with a catalytic converter should only
be tow-started when the engine is cold, vehicles
with an automatic transmission cannot be tow-
started at all.
1.Switch on hazard warning flashers, comply
with local regulations.
2.Switch on the ignition, page44.
3.Shift into 3rd gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the clutch
completely depressed and then slowly
release the clutch. After the engine starts,
immediately depress the clutch completely
again.
5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope and switch off the hazard warn-
ing flashers.
6.Have the vehicle checked.

Everything from A to Z
172
Everything from A to Z
INDEX
A
ABS Antilock Brake System63
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle4
Acknowledgment signals for
locking/unlocking vehicle21
Activated-charcoal filter for
automatic climate control82
Adaptive Light Control75
Additives
– coolant129
– engine oil129
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Air
conditioner79
Adjusting temperature inside
the car, refer to Automatic
climate control80
Air conditioner78
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control80
– ventilation82
Air distribution
– automatic81
– individual80
– manual80
Air flow rate79,81
– air conditioning system79
– automatic climate control81
– heating, ventilation79
Air outlets, refer to Air vents78
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure118
Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode79,81
Air supply
– air conditioner79
– automatic climate control80
– ventilation82
Air vents78Airbags70
– sitting safely35
– warning lamp72
Airing, refer to Ventilation82
AKI, refer to fuel grade117
Alarm system25
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires126
Always Open Timer55
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode79,81
Ambient lighting77
Antenna, care133
Antifreeze
– coolant129
– washer fluid
51
Antilock Brake System ABS63
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system25
Anti-theft system19
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights169
Approved engine oils129
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights169
Armrest, refer to Center
armrest85
Ashtray87
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
Audio device, external85
AUTO program for automatic
climate control81
Automatic
– air distribution81
– air flow rate81
– cruise control51
– headlamp control73
Automatic climate control78
– automatic air distribution81Automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– interlock46
– overriding selector lever
lock48
– shiftlock46
– sport program47
AUX-IN, refer to External audio
device85
Average fuel consumption54
– setting the units57
Average speed54
Axle loads, refer to
Weights169B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting77
Backrests, refer to Seats36
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb140,141
Band-aids, refer to First aid
pouch148
Bar, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away150
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone
– refer to Snap-in adapter113
Battery146
– charging147
– disposal28,147
– jump-starting148
– temporary power failure147
Battery renewal
– remote control28
Being towed150
Belt tensioner, refer to Safety
belts38
Belts, refer to Safety belts38
Beverage holders, refer to
Cupholders87

173
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Black ice, refer to Outside
temperature warning53
Blower, refer to Air flow
rate79,81
Bluetooth, activating/
deactivating104
Bottle holders, refer to
Cupholders87
Brake Assist63
Brake fluid, refer to Service
requirements58
Brake lamps
– replacing bulbs141
Brake pads, breaking in92
Brake rotors93
– brakes92
– breaking in92
Brake system92
– breaking in92
– disc brakes93
– MINI Maintenance
System131
Brakes
– ABS63
– breaking in92
– MINI Maintenance
System131
– parking brake45
– service requirements58
Brakes, refer to Braking
safely93
Breakdown service, refer to
Roadside Assistance148
Break-in period92
Breaking in the clutch92
Bulb changing, refer to Lamps
and bulbs137
Button for starting the
engine44
Buttons on steering wheel11
C
California Proposition 65
warning5
Call
– accepting108
– ending108
– rejecting108Calling, refer to Phone
numbers, dialing108
Can holders, refer to
Cupholders87
Capacities170
Car battery, refer to Vehicle
battery146
Car care133
Car key, refer to Keys/remote
controls18
Car phone
– installation location, refer to
Center armrest85
– refer to separate Owner's
Manual
Car phone, refer to
Telephone102
Car wash, care133
Car washes133
Care133
– car washes133
– car-care products133
– CD/DVD drives136
– external133
– high-pressure washers134
– internal135
– leather135
– manual washing134
– upholstery and fabrics135
– windows134
– wiper blades134
Cargo area94
– capacity169
– Comfort Access27
– cover94
– lamp77
– opening from outside24
Cargo area, expanding94
Cargo area lamp77
Cargo area lid, refer to
Liftgate24
Cargo loading96
– securing cargo97
– stowing cargo96
– vehicle94
Cargo, securing97
Carpets, care136
Catalytic converter, refer to
Hot exhaust system92Center armrest85
Center brake lamp141
Center console, refer to
Around the center
console14
Central locking system19
– Comfort Access26
– from inside23
– from outside19
Changing bulbs137
Changing wheels144
Chassis number, refer to
Engine compartment128
Check Control60
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH42
Child restraint systems41
Child seats41
Chock, folding
– space-saver spare tire144
Chrome parts, care135
Chrome parts, refer to
Care133
Cigarette lighter87
Cleaning headlamps50
– washer fluid51
Clock
– 12h/24h mode57
– setting time60
Closing
– from inside23
– from outside19
Clothes hooks87
Cockpit10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine45
Comfort Access26
– replacing the battery28
– what to observe before
entering a car wash27
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock44
Computer54
Condensation, refer to When
the vehicle is parked94

175
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– convertible top32
– door lock22
– fuel filler flap116
– liftgate24
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission48
Emergency services, refer to
Roadside Assistance148
Engine
– breaking in92
– data166
– overheated, refer to Coolant
temperature53
– speed166
– starting45
– starting, Comfort Access26
– switching off45
Engine compartment128
Engine coolant, refer to
Coolant129
Engine oil
– adding129
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils129
– alternative oil types129
– approved engine oils129
– capacity129
– checking level128
– dipstick128
– intervals between changes,
refer to Service
requirements58
– MINI Maintenance
System131
Engine oil level, checking128
Engine output, refer to Engine
data166
Engine starting, refer to
Starting the engine45
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC63
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system92Exterior mirrors39
– adjusting39
– automatic heating39
– folding in and out39
External audio device85
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away150
– for tying down loads97
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control60
Failure of an electrical
consumer147
Fastening safety belts, refer to
Safety belts38
Fault messages, refer to Check
Control60
Filter
– microfilter for air
conditioner80
– microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic
climate control82
Fine wood, care136
First aid pouch148
Fixture for remote control,
refer to Ignition lock44
Flash when locking/
unlocking21
Flat tire
– run-flat tires125
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM67
Flat Tire Monitor FTM65
– indicating a flat tire66
– initializing the system65
– snow chains65
– system limits65
Flat tires, refer to Tire
condition124
Floor mats, care136
Fog lamps
– replacing bulb139,141
Folding rear seat backrest94
Folding roof, refer to
Convertible top with
integrated sliding sunroof30Footbrake, refer to Braking
safely93
Footwell lamps77
For your own safety5
Front airbags70
Front fog lamps76
– indicator lamp152
– replacing bulb139
Front seat adjustment36
Frost on windows, refer to
Defrosting windows80,82
FTM, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor65
Fuel117
– gauge53
– high-quality brands117
– quality117
– specifications117
– tank capacity170
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge53
Fuel consumption display
– average fuel consumption54
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge53
Fuel filler flap116
– releasing in the event of
electrical malfunction116
Fuses147
G
Garage door opener, refer to
Integrated universal remote
control83
Gasoline
– refer to Average fuel
consumption54
Gasoline display, refer to Fuel
gauge53
Gasoline, refer to Required
fuel117
Gear indicator
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Gear shifting
– automatic transmission46
– manual transmission46

Everything from A to Z
176
Gearshift lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– manual transmission46
General driving notes92
Glass sunroof, electric28
– Convenient operation20,22
– opening, closing28
– remote control20
– tilting28
Glove compartment85
Grills, refer to Air vents78
Gross vehicle weight, refer to
Weights169
H
Halogen lamps
– replacing bulb138
Handbrake, refer to Parking
brake45
Hands-free system14,110
Hazard warning flashers14
Head airbags70
Head Light, refer to Adaptive
Light Control75
Head restraints37
– sitting safely35
Headlamp control,
automatic73
Headlamp flasher48
– indicator lamp11,152
Headlamps
– replacing bulb138
Headlamps, care134
Headlight glass lens138
Heated
– mirrors39
– rear window79,82
– seats38
Heating78
– mirrors39
– rear window79,82
– seats38
Heavy loads, refer to Stowing
cargo96
Height adjustment
– seats36
– steering wheel40Height, refer to
Dimensions167
High beams75
– headlamp flasher75
– indicator lamp152
– replacing bulb138
High water, refer to Driving
through water93
Hill Assist64
Hills93
Holders for cups87
Homepage4
Hood127
Horn10
Hot exhaust system92
Hydroplaning93I
Ignition44
– switched off44
– switched on44
Ignition key position 1, refer to
Radio readiness44
Ignition key position 2, refer to
Ignition on44
Ignition key, refer to
Integrated key/remote
control18
Ignition lock44
Imprint2
Incoming call108
Indicator and warning
lamps13,152
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM68
Indicator lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting76
Individual air distribution80
Individual settings, refer to
Personal Profile18
Inflation pressure monitoring,
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor
TPM67
Initializing
– Flat Tire Monitor FTM65
– glass sunroof, electric29
Instrument cluster, refer to
Displays12
Instrument lighting76Instrument panel, refer to
Cockpit10
Instrument panel, refer to
Displays12
Integrated key18
Integrated universal remote
control83
Interior lamps77
– remote control21
Interior rearview mirror40
– automatic dimming
feature40
Interlock46
Intermittent mode of the
wipers49
Internet page4
J
Jacking points146
Jets, refer to Window washer
nozzles51
Jumpering, refer to Jump-
starting148
Jump-starting148
K
Key Memory, refer to Personal
Profile18
Key, refer to Keys/remote
controls18
Keyless opening and closing,
refer to Comfort Access26
Keyless-Go, refer to Comfort
Access26
Keypad dialing108
Kickdown47
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic47
Knock control117
L
Lamps and bulbs, replacing
bulbs137
Lamps, refer to Parking lamps/
Low beams73

179
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Restraint systems
– for children41
– refer to Safety belts38
Reverse gear
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic47
– manual transmission46
Roadside Assistance148
Roadside parking lamps75
– replacing bulb139
Roadworthiness test, refer to
Service requirements58
Roof load capacity169
Roof-mounted luggage
rack97
Rope, refer to Tow-starting,
towing away151
RSC Run-flat System
Component, refer to Run-flat
tires125
Rubber parts, care135
Run-flat System Component
RSC, refer to Run-flat
tires125
Run-flat tires125
– flat tire66
– tire inflation pressure118
– tire replacement125
– winter tires126
S
Safety belt
– number35
Safety Belt Reminder39
Safety belts38
– damage39
– indicator lamp39
– reminder39
– sitting safely35
Safety belts, care136
Safety systems
– airbags70
– Antilock Brake System
ABS63
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
– safety belts38Safety tires, refer to Run-flat
tires125
Screw thread for tow
fitting150
Seat adjustment
– mechanical36
Seats36
– adjusting the seats36
– heating38
– sitting safely35
Securing the vehicle
– from inside23
– from outside19
Selector lever
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Selector lever lock
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic, refer to
Shiftlock46
– overriding manually48
Selector lever positions
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
Service car, refer to Roadside
Assistance148
Service data in the remote
control131
Service Interval Display, refer
to Condition Based Service
CBS131
Service, refer to Roadside
Assistance148
Service requirement display,
refer to Condition Based
Service CBS131
Service requirements58
Settings
– clock, 12h/24h mode57
Shifting gears
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic47
– manual transmission46
Shiftlock
– automatic transmission, refer
to Changing selector lever
positions46
Side airbags70Side turn signal
– replacing bulb140
Side windows, refer to
Windows29
Signal horn, refer to Horn10
Sitting safely35
– airbags35
– safety belts35
– with head restraint35
Size, refer to Dimensions167
Sliding/tilt sunroof
– refer to Glass sunroof,
electric28
Slipstream deflector, refer to
Wind deflector33
Slot for remote control44
Smokers' package, refer to
Ashtray87
Snap-in adapter
– inserting/removing113
– use102
Snap-in adapter, refer to
Center armrest storage
compartment85
Snow chains126
Socket for On-Board Diagnosis
OBD131
Socket, refer to Connecting
electrical appliances87
Space-saver spare tire
– changing tires144
– inflation pressure118
Spare wheel, refer to Space-
saver spare tire144
Special oils, refer to Approved
engine oils129
Speed166
– with winter tires126
Speedo, refer to
Speedometer12
Speedometer12
Split rear backrest, refer to
Through-loading system95
Split rear seat backrest, refer to
Expanding the cargo area94
Sport button64
Stability control, refer to
Driving stability control
systems62

181
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Tow bar150
Tow fitting150
– screw thread150
Tow fittings for tow-starting
and towing away150
Tow rope151
Towing150
– car with automatic
transmission150
– methods150
Tow-starting150
TPM, refer to Tire Pressure
Monitor67
Track width, refer to
Dimension167
Traction control, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC63
Trailer operation
– trailer loads and gross vehicle
weight169
Transmission
– automatic transmission with
Steptronic46
– manual transmission46
– overriding selector lever lock
for automatic transmission
with Steptronic48
Transport securing devices,
refer to Securing cargo97
Transporting children safely41
Tread depth, refer to Minimum
tire tread124
Trip odometer53
Trip-distance counter, refer to
Trip odometer53
Triple turn signal activation48
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible95
Turn signal48
– front, replacing bulb139
– indicator lamp12
– rear, replacing bulb140
– side, replacing bulb140
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions167
Tying down loads, refer to
Cargo loading97U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
UTQR123
Units
– average fuel consumption57
– temperature57
Universal garage door opener,
refer to Integrated universal
remote control83
Universal remote control83
Unlatching, refer to
Unlocking27
Unlocking
– from inside23
– from outside19
– liftgate27
– without remote control, refer
to Comfort Access26
Upholstery, care135
USB audio interface86
V
Valve
– dust cap145
Vehicle
– battery146
– breaking in92
– cargo loading94
– dimensions167
– identification number, refer
to Engine compartment128
– parking45
– storage136
– weight169
Vehicle jack144
– jacking points146
Ventilation
– air conditioner82
Vents, refer to Air vents78
Vents, refer to Ventilation82
Voice commands
– telephone111
Voice phone book112
Volume
– mobile phone108
Volume of cargo area169
W
Warning and indicator
lamps13,152
Warning messages, refer to
Check Control60
Warning triangle148
Washer fluid51
– capacity of reservoir51
Washer fluid reservoir51
Waste tray, refer to Ashtray87
Water on roads, refer to
Driving through water93
Waterfall lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting77
Wear indicators in tires, refer to
Minimum tread depth124
Weights169
Welcome lamps73
Wheel stud wrench
– space-saver spare tire144
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions167
Wheels and tires118
Wheels, new125
Width, refer to
Dimensions167
Wind deflector33
Window washer, refer to
Washer fluid51
Window washer reservoir,
refer to Washer fluid
– volume, refer to
Capacities170
Window washer system49
– washer fluid51
– washer jets51
Windows29
– closing29
– Convenient operation20
– opening29
– pinch protection system30
Windshield
– cleaning50
– defrosting and removing
condensation80,82
Windshield wiper blades,
changing137