Page 95 of 210

Practical interior accessoriesCONTROLS
93
Cupholders and ashtray*
Cupholders
Two cupholders are located in the front of the
center console; another is in the rear at the back
of the center console.Use lightweight, nonbreakable containers
and do not transport hot beverages.
Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury
in the event of an accident. <
Do not push unsuitable containers forcibly
into the cupholder. Otherwise, you may
damage it. <
Ashtray*
The ashtray is located in one of the cupholders in
the center console.
Emptying
Remove the entire ashtray.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be pulled out as soon as it pops
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in
other areas could result in burns.
When leaving the car, always remove the key
so that children cannot operate the cigarette
lighter and burn themselves. <
Connecting electrical
appliances
In your MINI, when the engine is running or if the
ignition is switched on, you can use electrical
devices such as flashlights, car vacuum cleaners,
etc., up to approx. 140 watts at 12 volts, as long
as one of the following sockets is available.
Avoid damaging the sockets by attempting to
insert plugs of unsui table shape or size.
Cigarette lighter socket
Remove the lighter* or cover from the socket.
Power socket in cargo area
MINI
Pull out the cover.
MINI Convertible
Pull out the cover.
Page 105 of 210

Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
103
Remove attached parts no longer in use
Remove auxiliary mirrors, roof- or rear-mounted
luggage racks whenever you are not using
them.
Attached parts on the vehicle affect its aerody-
namics and increase fuel consumption.
Check tire inflation pressure regularly
Check and, if necessary, correct tire inflation
pressure at least twic e a month and before
starting on a long trip.
Low inflation pressure increases rolling resis-
tance and thus leads to greater fuel consump-
tion and tire wear.
Drive off immediately
Do not wait for the engine to warm up while the
vehicle remains stationary. Start driving right
away, but at moderate engine speeds. This is the
fastest way for the cold engine to reach its
operating temperature.
Think ahead while driving
Avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking by
maintaining a suitable di stance to the vehicle
driving ahead.
Driving smoothly and anticipating impending
traffic situations redu ces fuel consumption.
Avoid high engine speeds
Use first gear only for dr iving off. In second and
higher gears, accelerate smoothly to a suitable
engine and road speed. In doing so, avoid high
engine speeds and shift up early.
When you reach your desired traveling speed,
shift to the highest suitable gear and drive at
constant speed.
As a rule: driving at lo w engine speeds lowers
fuel consumption and reduces wear.
Coasting
When approaching a red traffic light, take your
foot off the accelerator and let the vehicle coast
to a halt in the highest suitable gear.
On a downhill gradient, take your foot off the
accelerator and let the vehi cle coast in a suitable
gear.
Fuel supply is shut off automatically when the
vehicle is coasting.
Switch off the engine during lengthy
stops
Switch off the engine when stopping for lengthy
periods, e.g. at traffic lights, railroad crossings or
in traffic jams.
Have the vehicle serviced
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to achieve
good economy and a long vehicle life. The man-
ufacturer of your MINI recommends having the
vehicle serviced by a MINI dealer. Also note the
MINI Maintenance System, page 151.
Page 161 of 210

Replacing componentsMOBILITY
159
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light sources for many of
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These
light-emitting diodes are related to conven-
tional laser diodes, and legislation defines them
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source
for several hours; otherw ise, this could cause
irritation of the retina. <
Headlamp glass lens
In cool or humid weather, condensation may
occur on the interior of outside lights. The con-
densation disappears a short time after the light
is switched on. The headlamp glasses do not
need to be changed. If a lot of moisture is
present, e.g. water droplets in the light, have
them checked by your service center.
Xenon lamps*
The service life of these bulbs is very long and
the probability of failure very low, provided that
they are not switched on and off an excessive
number of times. If a xenon lamp fails neverthe-
less, switch on the fog lamps and continue the
journey with great care, provided that local
legislation does not prohibit this.
Have any work on the xenon lamp system,
including bulb replac ement, carried out
only by a MINI dealer or a workshop that has
specially trained personnel working in accor-
dance with the specifications of the MINI manu-
facturer. Due to high voltage, there is a risk of
fatal injury if work on the xenon lamps is carried
out improperly. <
Halogen low beams and high beams
H13 bulb, 60/55 watts
The H13 bulb is pressurized. Therefore,
wear safety glasses and protective gloves.
Otherwise, there is a risk of injury if the bulb is
damaged. <
Be careful when inst alling the cover;
otherwise, leaks could occur and cause
damage to the headlamp system. <
Accessing the lamp from the engine
compartment
The low-beam/high-beam bulb can be changed
from the engine compartment.
Removing the cover:
1.Press the tab.
2. Flip open the cover and take it out of the
holder.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to
reattach the cover.
Be careful when inst alling the cover;
otherwise, leaks could occur and cause
damage to the headlamp system. <
Page 164 of 210

MOBILITYReplacing components
162
Lamp access
MINI:
Remove the cover from the sidewall of the cargo
area.
MINI Convertible:
Move the convertible top to its uppermost posi-
tion, refer to Loading aid page 99, and remove
the cover of the luggage compartment side wall.
Changing
1. Unscrew the desired bulb counterclockwise,
arrows 1.
Another bulb is located behind the luggage
compartment side wall, arrow 2.
2. To insert the new bulb and replace the
cover, proceed in reverse order.
Rear fog lamps*/Reverse lights
Bulbs 16 Watt, W 16W
Access the lamps via the rear or underside of the
bumper.
1.Press fastening clips, arrows, together and
remove the lamp holder.
2. Unscrew bulb coun terclockwise and
replace.
3. To insert the new bulb and bulb holder,
proceed in reverse order.
4. Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly
clicks into place.
License plate lamps
5 watt bulb, C 5 W
1.Using a screwdriver, push the lamp to the
left in the tab of the lamp housing, arrow 1.
2. Remove the lamp, arrow 2 .
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Insert the lamp.
Page 175 of 210
Indicator and warning lampsMOBILITY
173
Indicator and warning lamps
Indicator and warning lamps can light up in var-
ious combinations and colors in indicator area 1 or
2. Refer to the table for information on causes
and how to react. Note wh ether a lamp lights up
alone or in combinatio n with another. Some
lamps can light up in different colors. Corre-
sponding distinctions are made in the text.
12Cause What to do
Turn signals
High beams/head lamp flasher
switched on
Fog lamps switched on
Rear fog lamp switched on
Fasten safety belts Fasten your safety belt, refer also to page41.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied Release the parking brake.
External temperature wa rningDrive cautiously, refer also to page 57.
Page 176 of 210
MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
174
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters of fuel are
still in the tank
Remains on:
Cruising range is no more than
30 miles/50 km, page56
Engine refuses to start Depress th e brake or clutch in order to
start the engine, page 46.
Ignition switched on and driver's door
open Switch off the ignition, page
46, or
close the driver's door.
Lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps on
Door open
Hood open
Liftgate open
Cargo area cover in the MINI
Convertible Convertible top cannot be activated.
Bring cargo area cover in required
position, re
fer to page 99.
Lights up in red:
Convertible top not locked Convertible top cannot be activated.
Complete open/close of convertible
top before continuing drive, refer to
page 33.
12Cause What to do
Page 177 of 210

Indicator and warning lampsMOBILITY
175
Sliding/tilting sunroof or soft top of
MINI ConvertibleExcessive vehicle speed, activation
not possible, reduce speed and
continue activation.
Lights up in red:
Control system for convertible top
failed! Position of convertible top and locking
mechanism not recognized. If con-
vertible top securely locked, drive
may be continued. Manually close
convertible top/sliding roof, refer to
page
34. Have your MINI dealer
inspect the system.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive of convertible top overheated! Let drive of convertible top cool down,
refer to page 34.
Sliding/tilting sunroof or soft top of
MINI Convertible Control system of convertible top/tilt
roof malfunctioning. Close convertible
top/tilt roof ma
nually, refer to
page 34. Contact your MINI Service.
Tailgate of MINI Convertible not
closed Close the tailgate.
Fuel cap missing or loose Make sure that the fuel cap is correctly
positioned and close it until it audibly
clicks. Do not jam the strap between
the fuel cap and the vehicle.
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible,
page 53.
12Cause What to do
Page 178 of 210

MOBILITYIndicator and warning lamps
176
Lights up in red:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.Check service requirements, page,
151.
Lights up in yellow:
The next time that the Start/Stop
button is pressed, the engine starts,
possibly even without a foot on the
brakes or without depressing the
clutch
Remote control malfunctioning or, in
cars with Comfort Access, not
detected The engine cannot be started. Have
the remote control
checked, if neces-
sary.
Remote control battery is discharged Use the remote control for a longer journey or, in cars with Comfort
Access, replace the battery.
Belt tensioners and/ or airbag system
failed Have the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Steering response will be
markedly different. Have the system
checked without delay.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction Stop the car and switch off the
engine. You cannot continue your
journey. Contact your MINI dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available Y ou can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the engine
checked as soon as possible.
12Cause What to do