
 133
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Care
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care helps to maintain the 
value of your MINI.
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends 
using manufacturer-approved products to clean 
and care for your vehicle.
MINI Service would be pleased to advise you on 
cleaning and care products and services for your 
MINI.
The ingredients of original MINI Care Prod-
ucts have been tested, and the products 
have been tested in the laboratory and in prac-
tice. They offer optimum care and protection for 
your vehicle.<
Do not use any cleansers containing alco-
hol or solvents as these may cause dam-
age.<
Cleaning agents may contain hazardous 
or health-damaging substances. Follow 
the warning and hazard instructions on the 
packaging. For interior cleaning, always open 
the doors or windows of the vehicle. 
Do not use any products that are not intended 
for cleaning the vehicle.<
External care
Washing your vehicle
Especially during the winter months the 
vehicle should be frequently washed. Dirt 
and road salt can damage the vehicle.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them; otherwise, 
water can reduce braking efficiency over the 
short term and the brake rotors can corrode.<
Car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use automatic high-pressure car 
washes; otherwise, water may drip into 
the vehicle around the windows.<
Before driving into the car wash, check if the sys-
tem is suitable for your MINI. Observe the fol-
lowing points:
>Vehicle dimensions, page167
>If necessary: fold in the outside mirrors, 
page39.
>Maximum permissible tire width
Avoid car washes with tracks higher than 
4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the chassis could 
be damaged.<
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
>Unscrew the rod antenna.
>Deactivate the rain sensor
* to prevent unin-
tentional wiping.
>Deactivate the rear window wiper
* and pro-
tect it from damage. Ask the car wash oper-
ator about measures that can be taken to 
protect the wipers.
>Remove additional attachments, e.g. spoil-
ers or telephone antennas, if there is a pos-
sibility that they could be damaged.
Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
the vehicle can roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort 
Access, in the ignition lock.
2.Move the selector lever to position N.
3.Release the parking brake.
4.Switch off the engine.
5.Insert the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll. 

 135
AT A GLANCE REFERENCEMOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Paintwork, care
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value 
and protects the paint from the long-term 
effects of aggressive substances.
In some regions, environmental factors can 
affect the vehicle paintwork and damage it. It is 
therefore important to adjust the frequency and 
extent of vehicle care correspondingly.
Immediately remove aggressive materials such 
as spilled fuel, oil, grease, brake fluid, tree sap or 
bird droppings to prevent damage to the paint-
work.
Removing paintwork damage
Depending on the severity of the damage, 
immediately repair stone damage or 
scratches to prevent rusting.<
The manufacturer of the MINI recommends 
repairing paint damage professionally according 
to factory specifications with original MINI 
paints.
Preservation
Preservation is necessary when water no longer 
beads on the clean paint surface. To preserve 
the paint, only use preservatives that contain 
carnauba or synthetic waxes.
Rubber seals
Only treat with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon sprays or other silicon-
containing care products on rubber seals; 
otherwise, noise and damage could occur.<
Chrome parts*
Carefully clean vehicle parts such as the radiator 
grill and door handles with copious quantities of 
water and, if necessary, a shampoo additive, 
especially when contaminated with road salt. 
For additional treatment, use chrome polish.
Light-alloy wheels*
The system produces brake dust that collects on 
the light alloy wheels. Clean them regularly with 
acid-free wheel cleaner.Do not use aggressive, acid-containing, 
highly alkaline, or abrasive cleansers or 
steam jets hotter than 1407/606 as they may 
cause damage.<
External sensors
Keep the outside sensors on the vehicle 
such as the Park Distance Control clean 
and ice-free to ensure that they function prop-
erly.<
Internal care
Upholstery/fabrics
Regularly use a vacuum cleaner to remove sur-
face dirt.
In case of serious spots such as liquid stains, use 
a soft sponge or lint-free microfiber cloth and 
suitable interior cleaners. Observe the instruc-
tions on the packaging.
Clean upholstery up to the seams. Do not 
rub forcefully.<
Velcro fasteners on pants or other items of 
clothing can damage seat covers. Make 
sure that all Velcro fasteners are closed.<
Leather/leather coverings*
The leather processed by the manufac-
turer of your MINI is a high-quality natural 
product. Light variations in the grain is one of 
the typical properties of natural leather.<
Dust and road grit in the pores and folds of the 
leather have an abrasive effect, leading to 
increased wear and causing the leather surface 
to become brittle prematurely. Use a cloth or 
vacuum cleaner to remove dust on a regular 
basis.
Especially when the leather has a light color, it 
should be cleaned regularly since it tends to get 
heavily soiled.
Treat the leather twice a year using a leather 
lotion since dirt and grease will gradually attack 
the leather's protective layer. 

Everything from A to Z
178
N
Neck support, refer to Head 
restraints37
Nets, refer to Storage 
compartments86
New tires125
Number of cylinders, refer to 
Engine data166
Number of safety belts35
Nylon rope, refer to Tow 
rope151
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket for 
On-Board Diagnosis131
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel 
specifications117
Odometer53
Oil consumption128
Oil level128
Oil, refer to Engine oil128
Oil types129
Old batteries, refer to 
Disposal147
On-board vehicle tool kit137
Opening and closing
– Comfort Access26
– from inside23
– from outside19
– using the door lock22
– using the remote control19
Opening and unlocking
– from inside23
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation82
Outlets, refer to Air vents78
Output, refer to Engine 
data166
Outside temperature display
– change units of measure57
– in the onboard computer57
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control81
Overheated engine, refer to 
Coolant temperature53
P
Paintwork, care135
Park Distance Control PDC62
Parking
– vehicle45
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control PDC62
Parking brake45
Parking lamps, replacing 
bulb139
Parking lamps/low beams73
Parts and accessories, refer to 
Your individual vehicle4
Pathway lighting73
Personal Profile18
Phone numbers
– dialing108
Pinch protection system
– windows30
Plastic parts, care136
Pollen
– refer to Microfilter for air 
conditioner80
– refer to Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter for automatic 
climate control82
Power convertible top30
Power failure147
Power windows29
Power windows, refer to 
Windows29
Pressure monitoring of tires, 
refer to Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM67
Pressure monitoring, tires65
– Flat Tire Monitor65
Pressure, tires118
Protective function, refer to 
Pinch protection system
– windows30
Puncture
– Flat Tire Monitor65
R
Radio key, refer to Integrated 
key/remote control18Radio position, refer to Radio 
readiness44
Radio readiness44
– switched off44
– switched on44
Rain sensor49
Range, refer to Cruising 
range54
Reading lamps77
Rear fog lamp76
– indicator lamp152
– replacing bulb141
Rear lamps
– bulb replacement141
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps140
Rear seat backrest, folding94
Rear seats
– folding the backrests94
Rear window defroster79,82
Rearview mirror, refer to 
Mirrors39
Recirculated-air mode79,81
Recirculation of air, refer to 
Recirculated-air 
mode79,81
Reclining seat, refer to 
Backrest36
Refueling116
Releasing
– hood127
Remote control18
– battery renewal28
– Comfort Access26
– garage door opener83
– liftgate21
– malfunctions22,27
– service data131
Replacement remote 
control18
Replacing bulbs, refer to 
Lamps and bulbs137
Replacing tires, refer to New 
wheels and tires125
Reporting safety defects6
Reserve warning, refer to Fuel 
gauge53
Reservoir for washer 
systems51