
Things to remember when driving
96
When folding the backrest back into its 
original position, always ensure that the 
catch engages securely. A loose backrest might 
fail to prevent cargo from entering the passen-
ger compartment during sudden braking or eva-
sive maneuvers, posing a potential hazard to 
occupants.
The belt guide loop, refer to page39, must be 
closed.<
Determining cargo limit
1.Locate the following statement on your 
vehicle's placard
*:
The combined weight of occupants 
and cargo should never exceed 
XXX kg or YYY lbs. Otherwise, this could 
damage the vehicle and produce unstable 
vehicle operating conditions.<
2.Determine the combined weight of the 
driver and passengers that will be riding in 
your vehicle.
3.Subtract the combined weight of the driver 
and passengers from XXX kilograms or YYY 
pounds.
4.The resulting figure equals the available 
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. 
For example, if the XXX amount equals 
1,400 lbs. and there will be four 150 lbs. pas-
sengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 
650 lbs: 
1,400 lbs. minus 750 lbs. = 650 lbs.5.Determine the combined weight of luggage 
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That 
weight may not safely exceed the available 
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated 
in step 4.
6.I f  y o u r  v e h icl e  w i ll  be  t o w i n g  a  t r a il e r ,  pa r t  o f  
the load from your trailer will be transferred 
to your vehicle. Consult the manual for 
transporting a trailer to determine how this 
may reduce the available cargo and luggage 
load capacity of your vehicle.
Load
The permissible load is the sum of the occu-
pants' weights and the weight of the cargo. The 
greater the weight of the occupants, the less 
cargo/luggage can be transported.
Stowing cargo
>Position heavy objects as low and as far for-
ward as possible, ideally directly behind the 
rear seat backrests.
>Cover sharp edges and corners.
>For very heavy cargo when the rear seat is 
not occupied, secure each safety belt in the 
respective opposite buckle.
>Do not stack higher than the top edge of the 
backrests. 

 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 

 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