
Practical interior accessoriesCONTROLS
91
If the LED2 does not flash rapidly after
approx. 60 seconds, alter the distance and
repeat this step.
Canada: if the LED is not flashing rapidly
after 60 seconds, change the distance and
repeat the step or, if the programming was
interrupted by the hand-held transmitter,
press and hold the memory button and
press the button on the hand-held transmit-
ter for 2 seconds and release several times.
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
accident, close the glove compartment
after use while the vehi cle is being driven.<
MINI Convertible: locking
Use the integrated key to lock the remote
control system, refer to page20.
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
conditioner or the automatic climate control,
high temperatures may result in the glove
compartment.
Connection for external
audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player an d play audio tracks over
the vehicle's speaker system, refer to the Enter-
tainment chapter, page 113.

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
96
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
traction potential until af ter 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 distan ce 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 addi tion, exhaust gas may
flow into the passenger compartment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely
necessary to drive with the liftgate open:
1. Close all windows and the glass roof
*.
2. Switch off the recirculated-air mode and sig-
nificantly increase the air flow rate of the air
conditioner or automa tic climate control,
page 85 or 87.
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.
Make sure that when driving, idling or when
parking, no easily flamma ble materials, such as
hay, leaves, grass, etc. come into contact with
the hot exhaust system. Such contact could lead
to a fire, with the risk of serious personal injuries
and property damage. Do not touch hot exhaust
tail pipes. Otherwise, there is a risk of burns. <

DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
98
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 contaminan ts accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying ca pacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can
assume the form of a sudden blowout. <
Avoid fluid spills in the cargo area as they
could damage the vehicle. <
MINI: cargo area
Cargo area cover
Do not place any objects on the cover;
otherwise, they could endanger the car's
occupants, e.g. in the case of braking or sudden
swerving, or they may damage the cover.
To load bulky luggage, the cover can be
removed.
1.
Unhook the lift straps from the liftgate.
2. Pull the cover out of the holders toward the
rear.
Expanding the cargo area
The rear set backrest is split. Both sides can be
folded separately to expand the cargo area.
1. Pull the lever.
2. Fold rear seat backrests forward.
When folding the backrest back up, make
sure that the seat's locking mechanisms
engage properly. Otherwise, cargo could be
thrown around in the event of sharp braking or
swerving and endanger the occupants.<

MOBILITYWheels and tires
142
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines of the
US Department of Transportation.
DOT code:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Tread wear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT Quality Grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B CAll passenger car tires must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition
to these grades. <
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 γ) times as
well on the government co urse as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditio ns of their use, how-
ever, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not incl ude acceleration, corner-
ing, hydroplaning, or pe ak traction characteris-
tics. <
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest, B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor labo ratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corre sponds to a level of
performance which all pa ssenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent lev-
els of performance on the laboratory test wheel
that exceed the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overlo aded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combin ation, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. <
RSC - run-flat tires*
You will recognize run-flat tires by a circular
symbol containing the letters RSC on the side of
the tire, page 144.
For instance:
Manufacturer's
code for tire make
Tire size and tire design
Tire age
DOT xxxx xxx 0211

194
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
INDEX
A
ABS Antilock Brake System67
Accessories, refer to Your individual vehicle 4
Acknowledgment signals for
locking/unlocking vehicle 23
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate control 88
Adaptive Light Control 80
Additives
– coolant 149
– engine oil 149
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 85
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 86
Airbags 75
– sitting safely 37
– warning lamp 77
Air conditioner 84
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 85
– automatic cl imate control86
– ventilation 88
Air distribution
– automatic 87
– individual 86
– manual 86
Air flow rate 85,87
– air conditioning system 85
– automatic cl imate control87
– heating, ventilation 85
Airing, refer to Ventilation88
Air outlets, refer to Air vents 84
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure 134Air recirculation, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 85,87
Air supply
– air conditioner 85
– automatic climate control 86
– ventilation 88
Air vents 84
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 133
Alarm system 27
All-season tires, refer to Winter tires 145
Always Open Timer 58
Ambient air, refer to Recirculated-air
mode 85,87
Ambient lighting 83
Antenna, care 153
Antifreeze
– coolant 14
9
– washer fluid 53
Antilock Brake System ABS 67
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system 27
Anti-theft system 21
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights 191
Approved engine oils 149
Approved gross vehicle
weight, refer to Weights 191
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 92
Ashtray 93
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 67
Audio device, external 91Automatic
– air distribution
87
– air flow rate 87
– cruise control 54
– headlamp control 78
Automatic climate control 84
– automatic air distribution 87
Automatic station search 107
Automatic station storage 108
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 48
– interlock 49
– overriding selector lever lock 50
– shiftlock 49
– sport program 49
AUTO program for automatic climate control 87
Auto radio, refer to Radio MINI Boost CD 106
AUX-IN, refer to External audio device 91
AUX In connection 106
Average fuel consumption 57
– setting the units 61
Average speed 57
Axle loads, refer to Weights 191
B
Background lighting, refer to
Ambient lighting 83
Backrests, refer to Seats 38
Backup lamps
– replacing bulb 161,162
Band-aids, refer to First aid pouch 169
Bar, refer to Tow-starting, towing away 172

REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
196
Chassis number, refer to Engine compartment 147
Check Control 64
Child restraint fixing system
LATCH 44
Child restraint systems 43
Child seats 43
Chrome parts, care 155
Chrome parts, refer to Care 153
Cigarette lighter 93
Cleaning headlamps 53
– washer fluid 54
Clock
– 12 h/24 h mode 61
– setting time 63
Closing
– from inside 25
– from outside 21
Clothes hooks 92
Cockpit 10
Cold start, refer to Starting the
engine 47
Comfort Access 28
– replacing the battery 30
– what to observe before entering a car wash 29
Comfort area, refer to Around
the center console 14
Compartment for remote
control, refer to Ignition
lock 46
Compressed audio files 111
Computer 57
Condensation, refer to When the vehicle is parked 98
Condition Based Service CBS 151
Configuring settings, refer to
Personal Profile 20
Connecting vacuum cleaner, refer to Connecting electrical
appliances 93
Consumption, refer to Average fuel consumption 57
Control Display
– settings 59 Controls and displays
10
Convenient access, refer to Comfort Access 28
Convenient operation
– convertible top 24
– windows 22
Convenient start, refer to
Starting the engine 47
Convertible top 32
Coolant 149
– checking level 149
– filling 149
Coolant temperature 149
Cooling, maximum 87
Cooli
ng fluid, refer to
Coolant 149
Copyright 2
Cornering light, refer to Adaptive Light Control 80
Cruising range 57
Cupholders 93
Curb weight, refer to
Weights 191
Current fuel consumption 57
D
Dashboard, refer to Cockpit 10
Dashboard instruments, refer to Displays 12
Dashboard lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 82
Data 188
– capacities 193
– dimensions 189
– engine 188
– weights 191
Data memory 152
Date
– setting 64
Date setting 107
Daytime running lights 79
DBC Dynamic Brake Control, refer to Brake Assist 67
Deactivating front passenger
airbags 76 Deadlocking, refer to
Locking 22
Defect
– door lock 25
– fuel filler flap 132
Defogging windows 86,88
Defrosting windows 86,88
Defrosting windows and removing condensation
– air conditioner 86
– automatic climate control 88
Defrosting windshield, refer to Defrosting windows 86,88
Defrost positi on, refer to
Defrosting windows 86,88
Differential, breaking in 96
Digital radio, refer to HD Radio 109
Dimensions 189
Dipstick, engine oil 147
Directional indicators, refer to Turn signals 51
Displacement, refer to Engine data 188
Display lighting, refer to
Instrument lighting 82
Displays 12
– instrument cluster 12
Displays, care 156
Displays and controls 10
Disposal
– of coolant 149
– remote control battery 30
– vehicle battery 168
Distance remaining to service, refer to Service
requirements 62
Distance warning, refer
to Park
Distance Control PDC 66
Door key, refer to Integrated key/remote control 20
Door lock 24
Door lock, confirmation signals 23
Doors, manual operation 25
DOT Quality Grades 142

Everything from A to ZREFERENCE
197
Drinks holders, refer to Cupholders 93
Drive-off assistan t, refer to Hill
Assist 69
Driving dynamics control, refer to Sport button 69
Driving lamps, refer to Parking
lamps/low beams 78
Driving notes 96
Driving off on inclines, refer to
Hill Assist 69
Driving stability control systems 67
Driving through water 97
Driving tips, refer to Driving notes 96
Dry air, refer to Cooling function 88
DSC Dynamic Stability
Control 67
DTC Dynamic Traction Control 68
Dynamic Brake Control DBC, refer to Brake Assist 67
Dynamic Stability Control
DSC 67
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 68
E
Eject button 112
Electrical malfunction
– convertible top 34
– door lock 25
– fuel filler flap 132
– liftgate 26
Electric power windows
– initializing 31
Electronic brake-force distribution 67
Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 67Emergency operation, refer to
Manual operation
– convertible top 34
– door lock 25
– fuel filler flap 132
– liftgate 26
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission 50
Emergency services, refer to Roadside Assistance 169
Engine
– breaking in 96
– data 188
– overheated, refer to Coolant temperature 149
– speed 188
– starting 47
– starting, Comfort Access 28
– switching off 47
Engine compartment 147
Engine coolant, refer to Coolant 149
Engine oil
– adding 148
– additives, refer to Approved
engine oils 149
– alternative oil types 149
– approved engine oils 149
– capacity 148
– checking level 147
– dipstick 147
– intervals between changes, refer to Service
requirements 62
– MINI Maintenance System 151
Engine oil level, checking 147
Engine output, refer to Engine data 188
Engine starting, refer to Starting the engine 47
ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to Dynamic
Stability Control DSC 67
Exhaust system, refer to Hot
exhaust system 96 Exterior mirrors
41
– adjusting 41
– automatic heating 41
– folding in and out 41
External audio
device91,106
External temperature display
– change units of measure 61
– in the on-board computer 61
Eyes
– for tow-starting and towing
away 171
– for tying down loads 101
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 64
Failure of an electrical consumer 168
Fastening safety be lts, refer to
Safety belts 40
Fast forward
– CD 112
Fault messages, refer to Check
Control 64
Filter
– microfilter/activated- charcoal filter for automatic
climate control 88
– microfilter for air
conditioner 86
Fine wood, care 156
First aid pouch 169
Fixture for remote control, refer to Ignition lock 46
Flash when locking/
unlocking 23
Flat tire
– run-flat tires 144
– Tire Pressure Monitor TPM 72
Flat Tire Monitor FTM 69
– indicating a flat tire 71
– initializing the system 70
– snow chains 70
– system limits 70
Flat tires, refer to Tire condition 143

REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
200
M
M+S tires, refer to Winter tires 145
Maintenance, refer to Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models and
Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models
Maintenance system 151
Malfunction
– convertible top 34
– liftgate 26
Malfunction warn ings, refer to
Check Control 64
Manual air distribution 86
Manual mode
– automatic transmission with Steptronic 49
Manual operation
– door lock 25
– fuel filler flap 132
– liftgate 26
– power convertible top 34
– transmission lock, automatic
transmission 50
Manual station search 107
Manual transmission 48
Manual washing 154
Master key, refer to Integrated
key/remote control 20
Maximum cooling 87
Maximum speed
– with winter tires 145
Medical assistance, refer to First aid pouch 169
Microfilter
– for air conditioner 86
– for automatic climate
control 88
– MINI Maintenance System 151
Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
– MINI Maintenance
System 151
Microphone for telephone 14MINI Internet page
4
MINI Maintenance System 151
Mirror dimming feature 42
Mirrors 41
– exterior mirrors 41
– heating 41
– interior rearview mirror 42
Mobile phone
– adjusting volume 124
– connecting, refer to Mobile
phone, pairing 120
– installation location, refer to Center armrest 92
– pairing 120
– refer to separate Owner's Manual
– What to do if… 123
Mobile phone, installation location, refer to Center
armrest 92
Mobil
e phone, refer to
separate Owner's Manual
Mobility System 163
Modifications, technical, refer to For your own safety 5
Monitoring syst em for tire
pressures, refer to Flat Tire
Monitor 69
MP3 111
Multifunctional steering
wheel, refer to Buttons on
the steering wheel 11
Multifunction switch
– refer to Turn signals/ headlamp flasher 51
– refer to Wiper system 52
Music tracks
– playing a track 112
– random order 112
N
Neck support, refer to Head
restraints 39
Nets, refer to Storage
compartments 92
New tires 144 Number of cylinders, refer to
Engine data 188
Number of safety belts 37
Nylon rope, refer to Tow
rope 172
O
OBD socket, refer to Socket for
On-Board Diagnosis 152
Octane ratings, refer to Fuel specifications 133
Odometer 56
Oil, refer to Engine oil 147
Oil consumption 147
Oil level 147
Oil types 148
Old batteries, refer to Disposal 168
Onboard vehicle toolkit 157
Opening and closing
– Comfort Access 28
– from inside 25
– from outside 21
– using the door lock 24
– using the remote control 21
Opening and unlocking
– from inside 25
Outlets
– refer to Ventilation 88
Outlets, refer to Air vents 84
Output, refer to Engine data 188
Outside-air mode
– automatic climate control 87
Overheated engine, refer to
Coolant temperature 149
P
Paintwork, care155
Park Distance Control PDC 66
Parking
– vehicle 47
Parking aid, refer to Park
Distance Control PDC 66
Parking brake 48