
 15
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
1MINI: microphone for voice processing sys-
tem
* and for hands-free telephone*
MINI Convertible: microphone in the steer-
ing column
2Indicator/warning lamp
* for front passen-
ger airbags71
4Hazard warning flashers
5Speedometer12
6Radio/CD, refer to separate owner's manual
7Air conditioner or automatic climate 
control
*788Switches in the center console
9AUX-IN port, USB audio interface*85
10Driving stability control systems
>Dynamic Stability Control DSC63
>Dynamic Traction Control
 DTC* 63
11Sport button
*64 3
Reading lamps
*77
Color of ambient lighting
*77
Glass sunroof, electric
*28
MINI Convertible: opening and clos-
ing the sliding/tilting roof30
Interior lamps77
Temperature
Recirculated-air mode
Air distribution for air conditioner
Air distribution to the windshield
*
Air distribution to the upper body 
area
*
Air distribution to the footwell*
Automatic air distribution and flow 
rate
*
Maximum cooling*
Cooling function
Defrosting windows
*
Rear window defroster 
Windshield heating
*
Air flow rate
Seat heating
*38
Power windows29
MINI Convertible: central power 
window unit29
Rear fog lamp
*76
Fog lamps
*76
Central locking system, inside23 

 69
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Continued driving with a flat tire
When driving with a damaged tire:
1.Avoid sudden braking and steering maneu-
vers.
2.Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
3.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If the inflation pressure is correct in all four 
tires, then the Tire Pressure Monitor may not 
have been reset. The system must then be 
reset.
Possible driving distance with complete loss of 
tire inflation pressure:
The distance it is possible to drive with a flat tire 
depends on the load and the stress on the vehi-
cle while driving.
With an average load, it may be possible to drive 
for approx. 50 miles/80 km.
When driving with damaged tires, the handling 
characteristics change, e.g. the vehicle will skid 
sooner when braking, braking distances will be 
longer, or self-steering response will change. 
Adapt your driving style accordingly. Avoid turn-
ing abruptly and driving over obstacles such as 
curbs, potholes, etc.
Since the possible driving distance depends to a 
considerable degree on the strain exerted on 
the vehicle while driving, it can be shorter or, 
with a gentle driving style, can also be longer, 
depending on the speed, road condition, out-
side temperature, vehicle load, etc.
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h.
A loss of tire inflation pressure results in a 
change in the handling characteristics, e.g. 
reduced lane stability during braking, a longer 
braking distance and altered self-steering prop-
erties.<
Vibrations or loud noises while driving can 
indicate complete failure of the tire. 
Reduce your speed and bring the vehicle to a 
stop; otherwise, pieces of tire may come off, 
which could result in an accident. Do not con-
tinue driving and contact your MINI center.<
Malfunction
The small warning lamp flashes in yel-
low and then lights up continuously; the 
larger warning lamp comes on in yel-
low. No punctures can be detected.
This type of message is shown in the following 
situations:
>If there is a malfunction.
Have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics has been 
mounted.
>If TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to 
other systems or devices using the same 
radio frequency.
Message for unsuccessful system reset
Both warning lamps come on in yellow. 
The system is not reset after a tire has 
been changed, for example.
Check the tire inflation pressure and 
reset the system, page67.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be 
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the 
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle 
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a 
different size than the size indicated on the vehi-
cle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you 
should determine the proper tire inflation pres-
sure for those tires. As an added safety feature, 
your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pres-
sure monitoring system TPMS that illuminates a 
low tire pressure telltale when one or more of 
your tires are significantly underinflated. 
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale 
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires 
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the 
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly 
underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat 
and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also 
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and 
may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping 
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substi- 

Climate
78
Climate
Equipment versions
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, your 
MINI contains an air conditioner
 or an automatic 
climate control
*.
1Air conditioner
2Automatic climate control
*
Air vents
3Airflow directed toward the windshield and 
side windows
4Air to the upper body area, draft-free venti-
lation
5Air to the footwell 

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AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Air conditioner
1Air flow rate
2Cooling function
3Recirculated-air mode
4Temperature5Rear window defroster
6Air distribution
7Windshield heating
*
Air flow rate
Adjust the air flow rate. The higher the 
rate, the more effective the heating or 
cooling will be.
The air flow rate is lowered or switched off 
entirely to reduce the drain on the battery.
Switching the system on/off
Turn the air flow rate rotary switch to 0. Blower 
and air conditioner are completely switched off 
and the air supply is cut off.
Set any desired air flow rate to switch on the air 
conditioner.
Cooling function*
When the cooling function is on, 
the air is cooled, dried, then 
reheated according to the temper-
ature setting. This function is only available 
while the engine is running.
The cooling function helps prevent condensa-
tion on the windows or removes it quickly.
Depending on the weather, the windshield may 
fog over briefly when the engine is started.
To cool the air more quickly and intensely 
when the outside temperature is high, you 
can switch on the recirculated-air mode.<
Recirculated-air mode
If the air outside the car has an 
unpleasant odor or contains pollut-
ants, shut off the supply to the inte-
rior of the car temporarily. The system then 
recirculates the air currently within the vehicle.
If the windows fog in recirculated-air 
mode, switch off the recirculated-air 
mode and increase the air volume if necessary.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time; otherwise, the 
air quality in the passenger compartment will 
deteriorate continuously.<
Temperature
Turn upward, red, to increase the temper-
ature.
Turn downward, blue, to decrease the 
temperature.
Rear window defroster
The defroster is switched off auto-
matically after a certain time.
The rear window heating is lowered 
or switched off entirely to reduce the drain on 
the battery. 

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AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Comfortable interior climate
AUTO program2 offers the ideal air distribution 
and air flow rate for almost all conditions, refer 
to AUTO program below. All you need to do is 
select an interior temperature which is comfort-
able for you.
The following sections inform you in detail about 
how to adjust the settings.
Most settings are stored for the remote control 
currently in use, refer also to Personal Profile set-
tings on page19.
Air flow rate, manual
Press the – button to reduce air flow. Press 
the + button to increase it.
You can reactivate the automatic mode 
for the air flow rate with the AUTO button.
The air flow rate is lowered or switched off 
entirely to reduce the drain on the battery. The 
display remains the same.
Switching the system on/off
Reduce the air flow by pressing the – button 
repeatedly until the system is switched off. All 
indicators go out.
Press the AUTO button to switch the automatic 
climate control back on.
AUTO program
The AUTO program adjusts the air 
distribution to the windshield and 
side windows, toward the upper body area and 
into the footwell for you. The air flow rate and 
your temperature specifications will be adapted 
to outside influences in accordance with sea-
sonal changes, e.g. sunlight.
The cooling function is automatically switched 
on along with the AUTO program.
Convertible Program
If the soft top is open, the Convertible Program is 
activated. During the Convertible Program, the 
automatic climate control is optimized for driv-
ing with the soft top down. Furthermore, with 
increasing vehicle speed, the airflow is also 
increased.If attaching the wind reflector, the perfor-
mance of the Convertible Program can be 
significantly improved.<
Recirculated-air mode
Recirculated-air mode: the supply 
of outside air is permanently shut 
off. The system then recirculates 
the air currently within the vehicle.
If condensation starts to form on the 
inside window surfaces, press the AUTO 
button or switch off the recirculated-air mode 
and, if necessary, increase the air flow rate.
The recirculated-air mode should not be used 
over an extended period of time; otherwise, the 
air quality in the passenger compartment will 
deteriorate continuously.<
Maximum cooling
At outside temperatures above 
327/06 and when the engine is 
running, you obtain a maximum 
cooling effect as soon as possible.
The automatic climate control goes into recircu-
lated-air mode at the lowest temperature. Air 
flows at maximum rate from the vents for the 
upper body area. You should therefore open 
them for maximum cooling.
Air distribution, manual
The flow of air is directed to the 
windows, to the upper body area or 
to the footwell as selected.
You can switch the automatic air 
distribution back on by pressing the AUTO but-
ton.
Temperature
Set the desired temperature individually.
The automatic climate control achieves 
this temperature as quickly as possible 
regardless of the season, using maximum 
cooling or heating power if necessary, and then 
maintains it.
If you switch between different tempera-
ture settings in quick succession, the auto- 

 85
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Glove compartment
Opening
Press the button to open the cover. 
The light in the glove compartment comes on.
Closing
Fold cover up.
To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent, close the glove compartment after 
use while the vehicle is being driven.<
MINI Convertible: locking
Use the integrated key to lock the remote con-
trol system, refer to page18.
Ventilation*
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the 
glove compartment can be ventilated and, if the 
cooling function
* is switched on, can also be 
cooled.
Opening
Rotate the switch in the direction of the arrow.
Closing
Rotate the switch in the opposite direction of the 
arrow until it is in the vertical position.
Depending on the temperature setting of the air 
conditioning or the automatic climate control, 
high temperatures may result in the glove com-
partment.
Center armrest*
Storage compartment
The center armrest between the front seats con-
tains either a compartment or the cover for the 
mobile phone base plate
* or the snap-in 
adapter
*.
Opening
The cover slides along guide rails and can be 
opened fully by pushing it back and lifting it.
Closing
Push the cover forward.
Connection for external 
audio device
>iPods/iPhones or USB devices such as MP3 
players and USB memory sticks: connect via 
the USB audio interface.
>iPhone/mobile phone music players: con-
nect via the snap-in adapter
*, refer to the 
separate Owner's Manual. Playback is only 
possible if there is no device connected to 
the USB audio interface. 

Things to remember when driving
92
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 liftgate
Only drive with the liftgate closed. Failure 
to do so may endanger passengers or 
other road users or may damage the vehicle in 
the event of an accident or a braking and eva-
sive maneuver. In addition, exhaust gas may 
flow into the passenger compartment.<
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the liftgate 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 air 
conditioner or automatic climate control, 
page79 or81. 
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated on 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.< 

 93
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
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.<
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining 
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread 
depth on page124.
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 page64.
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 functioning properly.
Objects in the movement range of the 
pedals
Keep floor mats, carpet, and other objects 
out of the movement range of the pedals; 
otherwise, they may inhibit the function of the 
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an exist-
ing one or onto other objects.
O n l y  u s e  f l o o r  m a t s  t h a t  h a v e  b e e n  a p p r o v e d  f o r  
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.Make sure that the floor mats are securely fas-
tened again after they have been removed, e.g. 
for cleaning.<
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.<
You can increase the engine's braking effect by 
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing 
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mode of the automatic transmis-
sion, page47.
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