
 27
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Repeat the opening or closing procedure, if nec-
essary.<
To unlock
Press button 1.
Depending on the setting, refer to Unlocking 
mode on page19, only the driver's door or the 
entire vehicle is unlocked.
Press the button again to lock the vehicle 
again.<
Convenient opening with the remote control, 
refer to page20.
Locking
Press button 1.
MINI Convertible: if a remote control is inside the 
vehicle, windows and convertible top can be 
opened and closed as soon as the remote is 
operational.
Unlocking the liftgate separately
Press the button on the outside of the liftgate.
If the vehicle detects that a remote control 
has been accidentally left inside the 
locked vehicle's cargo area after the liftgate is 
closed, the liftgate will reopen slightly. The haz-
ard warning flashers flash and an acoustic sig-
nal
* sounds.<
Windows and glass sunroof, electric*
If the engine is switched off, you can still operate 
the windows and glass sunroof so long as a door 
or the liftgate has not been opened.
If the doors and liftgate are closed again and the 
remote control is located inside the vehicle, the 
windows and the glass sunroof can be operated 
again.Insert the remote control into the ignition lock to 
be able to operate the windows or glass sunroof 
when the engine is switched off and the doors 
are open.
Switching on radio readiness
Switch on radio readiness by briefly pressing the 
Start/Stop button, page44.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; 
otherwise, the engine will start.<
Starting the engine
The engine can be started or the ignition can be 
switched on when a remote control is inside the 
vehicle. It is not necessary to insert a remote 
control into the ignition lock, page44.
Switching off the engine in cars with 
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in position P, page45.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition lock.
Before driving a vehicle with automatic 
transmission into a car wash
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
Comfort Access may malfunction due to local 
radio waves.
If this happens, open or close the vehicle via the 
buttons on the remote control or using the inte-
grated key. 
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock 
and start the engine. 

Driving
44
Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting the key into the ignition lock
Insert the key all the way into the ignition lock.
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Removing the key from the ignition lock
Press in the key briefly. It is ejected slightly.
At the same time:
>The ignition is switched off if it was on 
beforehand.
Automatic transmission
The key can only be removed if the selector lever 
is in position P: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Press the Start/Stop button to switch radio readi-
ness or the ignition on and off. Do not depress 
the brake or clutch while doing so.If the start/stop button is pressed while the 
clutch is depressed in the manual trans-
mission or the brake pedal is depressed in the 
automatic transmission, the engine starts.<
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. The 
time and outside temperature are displayed in 
the tachometer.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
>When the key is removed from the ignition 
lock
>When using Comfort Access
* by pushing the 
button on the door handle or the 
button on the remote control, refer to 
Locking on page27
>After a certain has elapsed
Ignition on
Most indicator and warning lamps in indicator 
area 1, page13, light up for varying lengths of 
time.
When the engine is off, switch off the igni-
tion and any unnecessary electrical con-
sumers in order to preserve the battery.<
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the displays 
go out.
The ignition automatically turns off
* when the 
driver's door is opened. Pressing the Start/Stop 
button again switches the ignition back on.
The ignition is not switched off in situations such 
as the following:
>The clutch or brake is depressed
>The low beams are switched on 

 45
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
Starting the engine
Do not allow the engine to run in enclosed 
areas; otherwise, inhalation of the noxious 
exhaust gases can lead to loss of consciousness 
and death. Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic 
gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running; otherwise, such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car while the engine is run-
ning, place the transmission in neutral or move 
the selector lever to position P and forcefully 
apply the parking brake to prevent the car from 
moving.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which 
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
not burned or inadequately burned and there is 
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Do not let the engine warm up with the vehicle 
at a standstill. Move off immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
When starting the engine, do not depress the 
accelerator pedal.
Manual transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with Com-
fort Access, refer to page26.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Depress the clutch.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
Automatic transmission*
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with Com-
fort Access, refer to page26.1.Depress the brake.
2.Shift the selector lever into position P or N.
3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Switching off the engine
Always take the key with you when you 
leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully; otherwise, the vehicle could begin to roll.<
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the Start/
Stop button.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Automatic transmission*
1.With the car at a stop, move the selector 
lever to position P.
2.Press the Start/Stop button.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Before driving into a car wash
By following these steps, the vehicle is able to 
roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort 
Access, in the ignition lock.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically. 

Driving
52
Activating
1Resuming cruise control
2Activating/deactivating cruise control
3Maintaining, storing and increasing speed
4Maintaining, storing and decreasing speed
Indicator lamp in the speedometer lights up. The 
cruise control system is ready and can be acti-
vated.
Activating/deactivating cruise control
Press button 2.
In addition, the system is automatically deacti-
vated:
>When the brakes are applied
>When the clutch is depressed
>When the automatic transmission is in selec-
tion lever position N
>When the driving stability control system is 
active
Cruise control is not deactivated by depressing 
the accelerator pedal. Once the accelerator 
pedal is released, the stored speed is achieved 
again and maintained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is 
switched off.
Maintaining current speed
Press button3.
The system maintains and stores the current 
vehicle speed.
If, on a downhill grade, the engine braking effect 
is not sufficient, the controlled speed may be 
exceeded. On uphill grades vehicle speed may 
drop if the engine output is insufficient.
Increasing speed
Press button3 repeatedly until the desired 
speed is reached. Every time you press the but-
ton, the speed increases by approx. 1 mph or 
2km/h.
Accelerating using the button
Press and hold button3.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on the 
accelerator pedal. After the button is released, 
the driving speed is maintained and stored.
Decreasing speed
Press button4 repeatedly until the desired 
speed is reached.
The functions here are the same as for increas-
ing the speed or accelerating, except that the 
speed will be decreased.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand
Press button 1.
The last speed stored is achieved again and 
maintained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is 
switched off.
Display in tachometer*
Selected speed is displayed briefly.
If --- mph or --- km/h is displayed briefly in 
the tachometer, the conditions necessary 
for operation may not be fulfilled.<
Malfunction
The warning lamp in the tachometer 
lights up if the system fails.  

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  

 105
AT A GLANCE REFERENCE MOBILITYCONTROLS DRIVING TIPS COMMUNICATIONS
2.
Press the button.
Pairing and connecting
Only pair the mobile phone when the 
vehicle is stopped; otherwise, inattention 
may lead to endangerment of passengers or 
other road users.<
Switching on ignition
1.Insert the remote control as far as possible 
into the ignition lock.
2.Switch on the ignition; to do so, press the 
start/stop button without stepping on the 
brake or clutch pedal.
Preparation on the radio display
3.Press the button.
4.
Press the button.
5.
Press the button.
6.
Press the button.
Press the right rotary knob to display the Blue-
tooth name of your vehicle on the display.
Preparation with mobile phone
7.Other operations must be performed on the 
mobile phone and differ depending on the 
type of mobile phone, refer to owner's man-
ual of the mobile phone, e.g. under Con-necting or coupling Bluetooth device. The 
Bluetooth name of the vehicle appears on 
the mobile phone display.
8.Select the Bluetooth name of the vehicle on 
the mobile phone display.
Pairing
The mobile phone or the radio display will 
prompt you to enter the same Bluetooth pass-
key.
Depending on the mobile phone, you have 
approx. 30 seconds to enter the Bluetooth pass-
key using the mobile phone and the radio dis-
play.
If the Bluetooth passkey can be entered using 
the radio, then the following appears on the dis-
play:
:
9.Enter the Bluetooth passkey using the num-
ber buttons of the mobile phone.
10.
Press the button to enter the Blue-
tooth passkey using the radio.
11.Using the function buttons 0-9, enter the 
same Bluetooth passkey that was entered 
into the mobile phone.
To delete the last digit:
Press the button.
12.
Press the button to confirm the 
Bluetooth passkey.
The following display will appear after a few 
seconds: 

 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.