DrivingCONTROLS
51
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the tachometer
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the
current gear in the manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
>The selector lever can only be moved out of
position P when the ignition is switched on
or the engine is running.
> Before moving the lever away from P or N
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the
brake; otherwise, the selector lever will
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping
after you select a driving position,
depress the brake until you are ready to
start. <
A lock prevents accidental shifting into selector
lever positions R and P.
Overriding the selector lever lock
Press the button on the front of the selector
lever, arrow.
P Park
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
The front wheels are blocked.
R Reverse
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary.
N Neutral
Select this when you are in a car wash, for exam-
ple. The vehicle can roll.
D Drive, automatic position
Position for normal vehi cle operation. All for-
ward gears are selected automatically.
Under normal operating conditions, the fuel
consumption is lowest when driving in position
D.
Kickdown
Kickdown enables you to achieve maximum
performance.
Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the full-
throttle resistance point.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG
CONTROLSDriving
52
Sport program and manual mode M/S
Move the selector lever from position D to the
left into the M/S shifting slot:
The Sport program is activated and DS is dis-
played. This position is recommended for a
performance-oriented driving style.
To deactivate the Sport program or manual
mode M/S, move the selector lever to the right
into position D.
Shifting with the selector lever
Push the selector lever forward or pull it back to
activate manual operation. Steptronic shifts the
gear.
> Pull the selector lever in the + direction.
Transmission shifts up.
> Push the selector leve r in the – direction.
Transmission shifts down.
The selected gear is displayed in the tacho-
meter, e.g. M1.
To use the automatic mode again, move the
selector lever to the right into position D.
Upshifts and downshifts are executed only when
they will result in a plausible combination of
engine and vehicle speed; thus, for example, a
downshift that would cause the engine to over-
rev will not be executed by the system. The
selected gear is displayed briefly, followed by
the current gear.
Shifting on the steering wheel
With the selector lever in position D, automatic
drive, you can shift gears using the shift paddles
on the steering wheel. The transmission auto-
matically switches to manual mode. If you do not shift gears with the shift paddles or
accelerate for a certai
n amount of time, the
transmission automatically returns to D, auto-
matic drive.
> Pull one of the shift paddles.
Transmission shifts up.
> Push one of the shift paddles.
Transmission shifts down.
M1 through M6 are displayed in the tachometer.
Manually releasing the selector lever
lock
Should the selector lever refuse to move out of
position P even though the ignition is switched
on, the brake is depressed and the button on the
selector lever is pressed, the selector lever lock
can be overridden:
1. Unclip the sleeve of the selector lever.
2. Pull the sleeve up over the selector lever
until the sleeve is insi de out. Disconnect the
cable connector if necessary.
3. Insert extractor hook 1 into the loop on the
passenger's side.
The extractor hook is in the onboard
document holder or in the pouch for
the tire-changing set, page 222.<
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG
DrivingCONTROLS
53
4.Pull the loop up.
5. Move the selector le ver into the desired
position by pressing the button on the front
of the selector lever.
Before manually unlocking the selector
lever lock, firmly set the parking brake to
prevent the vehicle from rolling away. <
Turn signals/
headlamp flasher
1Turn signal
2 Headlamp flasher
Using turn signals
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To turn off manually, pre ss the lever to the resis-
tance point.
Unusually rapid flashi ng of the indicator
lamp indicates that an indicator bulb has
failed. <
Signaling a turn briefly
Press the lever as far as the resistance point for
as long as you wish to signal a turn.
Triple turn signal activation
Press the lever as far as the resistance point.
You can set whether the turn signal flashes once
or three times.
1. "Settings"
2. "Lighting"
3. "Triple turn signal" The setting is stored for the remote control
currently in use.
Wiper system
Do not turn on the wipers when they are
frozen; otherwise, the wiper blades and
the windshield wiper motor may be damaged. <
Do not use the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry; otherwise the wiper
blades may wear out faster or be damaged. <
1 Switching on wipers
2 Switching off wipers or brief wipe
3 Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or
rain sensor
4 Cleaning windshield and headlamps
Switching on wipers
Press the lever upward, arrow 1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial posi-
tion when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press once.
The system switches to intermittent operation
when the vehicle is stationary.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG
CONTROLSControls overview
62
1."Settings"
2. "Language/Units"
3. Select the desired menu item.
4. Select the desired unit.
Service requirements
The remaining driving distance and the date of
the next scheduled service are briefly displayed
immediately after you start the engine or switch
on the ignition.
The extent of service work required can be
read out from the remote control by your
MINI dealer. <
Possible displays
1Button for selecting information
SymbolFunction
Engine oil
Front brakes
Rear brakes
Road worthiness test
Vehicle check
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG
Controls overviewCONTROLS
63
More information on the MINI Maintenance
System can be found on page 209.
More information
Detailed information on service
requirements
You can have further information on the scope
of maintenance displayed on the Control Dis-
play, refer to page16.
1. "Vehicle Info"
2. "Vehicle status"
3. "Service required"
Required maintenance procedures and legally
mandated inspections are displayed. You can request more de
tailed information on
every entry:
Select an entry and press the MINI joystick.
To exit from the menu:
Move the MINI joystick to the left. A list of
selected maintenance schedules and, if
required, legally mandated inspections, is
shown.
Symbols
No service is currently required.
The deadline for service or a legally man-
dated inspection is approaching. Please
schedule a service appointment.
The service deadline has already passed.
Entering deadlines for legally required
inspections
Make sure the date on the Control Display is
always set correctly, page 65; otherwise, the
effectiveness of Condition Based Service CBS is
not ensured.
1. "Vehicle Info"
2. "Vehicle status"
3. "Service required"
Brake fluid
Exit display
61
Next setting or item of
information 61
SymbolFunction
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG
CONTROLSTechnology for driving comfort and safety
70
enter the sensors' blind spots before or after a
continuous audible signal is given. Higher, pro-
truding objects, such as wall ledges, may not be
detectable. Therefore, always drive cautiously;
otherwise, there is a risk of personal injury or
property damage. Loud sound sources outside
or inside the car can drown out the PDC signal. <
Driving stability control
systems
Your MINI has a number of systems that help to
maintain the vehicle's stability even in adverse
driving conditions.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed,
even with driving stability control systems.
An appropriate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Therefore do not
reduce the additional safe t y m a r g i n b y e n g a g i n g
in hazardous driving thereby running the risk of
an accident. <
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during brak-
ing. Safe steering response is maintained even
during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
Braking safely, refer to page 103.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine.
Cornering Brake Control CBC
Driving stability and stee ring characteristics are
further enhanced while braking in turns or
during a lane change.
Electronic brake-force distribution EBV
The system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
Brake Assist
Rapidly depressing the brake causes this system
to automatically develop maximum braking force. Thus, the system helps keep braking dis-
tance to a minimum. At the same time, all the
benefits provided by ABS are exploited.
Do not reduce the pressure on the brake for the
duration of the full braking application.
Dynamic Stability Control DSC
The concept
DSC prevents the driving wheels from losing
traction when you pull away from rest or
accelerate.
DSC also detect
s unstable driving conditions
such as when the vehicle's rear end fishtails or
the vehicle is sliding on its front wheels. In these
cases, DSC helps the ve hicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through braking actions at the indi-
vidual wheels.
Every time that the engine is started, DSC is
ready to operate.
Deactivating DSC
Press the button until the DSC OFF indicator
lamp on the speedometer is on and DSC OFF is
displayed on the tachometer. DSC is deacti-
vated. Stabilizing and propulsion promoting
actions are no longer executed.
When driving with snow chains or to 'rock free'
in snow, it can be helpfu l to switch off DSC for a
brief period.
To increase vehicle stabil ity, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG
CONTROLSTechnology for driving comfort and safety
72
Deactivating both DTC and DSC
Press the button for at least 3 seconds; the indi-
cator lamp DSC OFF on the speedometer comes
on and DSC OFF is displayed on the tachometer.
The Dynamic Traction Control DTC and Dynamic
Stability Control DSC are both deactivated. There
will be no more stabilizing interventions.
Interventions (differential lock) in braking occur
to improve propulsion when drive wheels are
rotating unevenly, even when DSC is deacti-
vated.
Activating DSC
Press the button again: the indicator lamps go
out.
Hill Assist
Hill Assist aids you in co mfortably driving off on
inclines. It is not necessary to use the parking
brake for this.
1. Hold the MINI with the brake.
2. Release the brake and immediately drive
off.
Hill Assist holds the car in place for approx.
2 seconds after the brake is released. Depending on the load and gradient, the
vehicle can roll backwa rd slightly during
this period. After you release the brake, immedi-
ately start driving since the Hill Assist only holds
the vehicle for about 2 seconds, and it will start
to roll backward. <
ALL4 all-wheel drive system
ALL4 is the all-wheel driv e system of your MINI.
The combined effects of ALL4 and DSC further
optimize the traction and dynamic driving
characteristics. The ALL4 all-wheel drive system
variably distributes the drive force to the front
and rear axle depending on the driving situation
and prevailing road conditions.
Sport button
Pressing the button causes your MINI to respond
even more sportily.
> Engine responds more spontaneously to
movements of the accelerator.
> Steering response is more direct.
> Cooper S, John Cooper Works: the engine
sounds more sporty in coasting mode.
With automatic transmission:
> More rapid gear shifting in Sport program.
Activating the system
Press the button.
The LED lights up.
SPORT is briefly displayed in the tachometer.
Deactivating the system
>Press the button again.
> Switch off the engine.
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG
Practical interior accessoriesCONTROLS
95
Center armrest rear
Removing
The center armrest in the rear can be removed
to increase the amo unt of storage room.
1. Turn handwheel counterclockwise until it
reaches the stop, arrow 1.
2. Push center armrest in the base plate gently
towards the back, arrow 2.
3. Raise the armrest in front and swing out.
Installing
1.Insert center armrest in the back into the
rear recess of the base plate, arrow 1.
2. Push to rear and sw ing down in front,
arrow 2.
3. Push center armrest in the base plate for-
ward.
4. Tighten handwheel by turning clockwise.
Ensure that the center armrest engages properly
when it is installed; ot herwise, it may be dam-
aged, for example, during braking maneuvers.
Storage compartments
Do not put any unsecured objects into the
interior of the vehicle; otherwise these
may endanger the occupants, e.g., during
braking and evasive maneuvers. <
Do not use the instrument panel as a shelf,
for example with non-slip mats; other-
wise, it could be damaged. <
In the vehicle interior
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find storage compartments in the front and
rear doors and in the center console.
Pockets
are provided on the backrest rear
panels of the front seats.
Center Rail
Various accessory parts ca n be attached to the
Center Rail and installed in different positions.
Do not use accessory parts near the hand
brake; otherwise these could be damaged
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 849 - \251 07/12 BMW AG