2012 MINI COUPE ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE ABS

Opening and closingCONTROLS
41
Operating while driving
The convertible top may be opened or closed
while driving not faster than 20 mph/30 km/h.
While operating the convertible top, pay
close attention to the surrounding traffic;
otherwise, an accident may happen. Try to avoid
operating the convertible top while reversing
the vehicle since the rear view is very limited
during the convertible top's movement. Do not
operate the convertible top when driving on
winding and rough roads or during windy
conditions. <
For better control
>The LED lights up during convertible top
operation until the opening or closing
procedure is completely finished.
> The LED flashes after releasing the switch.
The opening or closing procedure has not
yet been completed. The procedure can be
continued in the desired direction by press-
ing the appropriate switch.
> The Convertible top not locked indicator
lamp lights up and a message appears on
the Control Display.
Interruption
A convertible top which is not completely
open or closed is hazardous. <
The automatic movement is immediately inter-
rupted when the switch for the convertible top
operation is released. The procedure can be
continued in the desired direction by pressing
the appropriate switch.
If the opening or closing procedure is inter-
rupted by releasing the respective switch, the
convertible top stays in its current position for
several seconds before it slowly moves into a
more stable position. The procedure can be
continued by pressing the appropriate switch.
The opening and cl osing procedure is also inter-
rupted in case of a mech anical blockage. In this
case, in order to operate the convertible top
again: 1.
Switch off the ignition and then switch it on
again.
2. Press the switch to continue the procedure
in the desired direction.
Opening and closing procedure
Do not interrupt and restart the closing
procedure several times one after
another, or the convertible top mechanism
could be damaged. <
If the convertible top can be moved in only
one direction after several consecutive
attempts to operate it, the convertible top
system has overheated. Allow the system to cool
down for approx. 4 minutes. <
If the battery was disconnected, e.g. for
changing batteries or vehicle storage,
reinitialize the power windows, refer to page 39.
Otherwise, the windows cannot be lowered or
the convertible top cannot be opened. <
Convenience operation
For convenience operation using the remote
control, refer to page30; for operation via the
door lock, refer to page 31.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction
Only close the convertible top manually if
it is absolutely necessary. Never open it
manually. Improper handling of the convertible
top can result in damage. The closing procedure
must be completely finished. Otherwise,
damage or injury could result.<
Before closing
1.Remove Allen key and screwdriver from
vehicle tools, refer to page 231.
2. Pry out luggage compartment lamp from
the left side trim using the screwdriver.

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CONTROLSOpening and closing
48
If the convertible top has been open
for a longer time, a greater force for
locking may be necessary. <
4. Fold the handle back in.
5. If necessary, close windows.
Manual closing in the event of an
electrical malfunction
Only close the convertible top manually if
it is absolutely nece ssary. Never open it
manually. Improper handling of the convertible
top can result in damage . The closing procedure
must be completely finished. Otherwise,
damage or injury could result. <
Before closing
Move the side windows slightly down, stop the
engine and switch off the ignition.
1. Remove the cover plate, see page117.
2. Remove luggage area tray, arrow.
3. Using the Allen wrench from the tool kit,
turn the gold-colored screw, see arrow, in
the direction of the arrow by about four or
five rotations all the way to the stop.
Closing
1.Grasp the convertible top by the convertible
top frame and guide to the windshield
frame.
2. Unfold the handle and rotate counter-
clockwise all the way to the stop.
3. Pull the convertible top onto the windshield
frame,
4. Turn handle clockwise until there is an
audible click.
The convertible top is locked.
MINI Roadster:
Wind deflector
With the convertible top open, the wind deflec-
tor keeps air movement in the passenger
compartment to a minimum, thus providing you
with a pleasant drive, even at higher speeds.
Do not let the wind deflector come into
contact with pointy objects as these may
damage the net. <
Before installing
1.Take the wind deflector out of the storage
pouch.
2. Fold the wind deflector open, arrow.

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Technology for driving comfort and safetyCONTROLS
83
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 st ability 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 safety margin by engaging
in hazardous driving thereby running the risk of
an accident. <
Antilock Brake System ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels during
braking. Safe steering response is maintained
even during full braking. Active safety is thus
increased.
Braking safely, refer to page 115.
ABS is operational every time you start the
engine.
Cornering Brake Control CBC
Driving stability and steering characteristics
are further enhanced while braking in turns or
during a lane change.
Electronic brake-forc e 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
distance 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 detects 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 vehicle maintain a safe
course within physical limits by reducing engine
output and through br aking actions at the
individual 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 stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.

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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
114
Things to remember when driving
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and
optional equipment that is offered in the model
range is described. Equipment is also described
that is not available because of, for example,
selected options or coun try version. This also
applies to safety relate d functions and systems.
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 tailgate
Only drive with the t ailgate 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 tailgate open:
1. Coupe: close all windows.
2. Switch off the recirculated-air mode and
switch the airflow contro l of the heating, air
conditioner, or automa tic climate control to
high, refer to page 102 or104.

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Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
115
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 se ctions of the exhaust
system, 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. <
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form betw een 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 page 218.
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 drivin g off using Hill Assist,
refer to page 85.
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 stee
ring responsiveness,
you can still avoid possi ble obstacles with a
minimum 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, carp et, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhi bit the function of the
pedals during driving.
Do not place additional floor mats onto an
existing one or onto other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved for
the vehicle and can be appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the floo r mats are securely fas-
tened again after they have been removed, e.g.
for cleaning.<
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or ther e 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
available when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheatin g 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 mo de of the automatic transmis-
sion, page 64.

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Wheels and tiresMOBILITY
219
in the sidewalls ensures that the tire can con-
tinue to be used subject to certain restrictions,
even if depressurized.
For information on continuing to drive with a flat
tire, refer to Indication of a flat tire, page88.
New wheels and tires
Have new wheels and tires mounted only
by your MINI dealer or a specialized tire
shop that has specially trained personnel work-
ing in accordance with th e specifications of the
MINI manufacturer. If this work is not carried out
properly, there is a danger of subsequent dam-
age and related safety ha zards. Make sure that
the new wheels are balanced. <
Retreaded tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends that you avoid using retreaded
tires, as this could impair driving safety. The
causes for this include potentially different tire
casing structures and of ten wide variations in
tire age, which can result in a limited service
life.<
Correct wheels and tires
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends mounting only wheels and tires
that it has specifically approved for use on your
particular model. Although other wheels and
tires may theoretically have the same dimen-
sions, variations in factors such as manufactur-
ing tolerances can result in contact between tire
and bodywork, ultimately leading to serious
accidents. The manufacturer of your MINI can-
not evaluate non-approved wheels and tires to
determine if they are su ited for use, and there-
fore cannot ensure the operating safety of the
vehicle if they are mounted. <
Your MINI dealer will be glad to inform you
about the correct wheel an d tire combination for
your vehicle. The correct combination of wheels and tires is
also necessary to ensure
reliable operation of
various vehicle systems such as ABS and DSC.
To maintain good handling and vehicle
response, use only tires of a single brand and
tread configuration. After a tire has been
damaged, mount the previous wheel and tire
combination again as soon as possible.
Wheels with Tire Pressure Monitor TPM
electronics
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires, or vice versa, only use
wheels with TPM electronics; otherwise, the Tire
Pressure Monitor may not be able to detect a
puncture, refer to page 90. Your MINI dealer will
be glad to advise you.
Recommended tire brands
For each tire size, the manufacturer of your MINI
recommends certain tire brands. They are
marked with a clearly visible MINI designation
on the sidewall of the tire.
When properly used, these tires meet the high-
est standards in terms of safety and handling
characteristics.
Run-flat tires
When mounting new tires or changing over from
summer to winter tires and vice versa, mount
run-flat tires for your ow n safety. Keep in mind
that no space-saver spare tire is available in the
event of a flat. Your MINI dealer will be glad to
advise you.

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MOBILITYGiving and receiving assistance
244
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order, so that no sparks which could cause
injury occur.<
1. Open the battery cover in the engine com-
partment to access the positive terminal of
your MINI.
2. Release the tabs on the left and right sides of
the positive terminal cover, arrows 1, and lift
the cover to open, arrow 2.
3. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or to a starting-aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance.
4. Attach the second terminal clamp of the
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of
the vehicle to be started.
5. Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/–
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the
battery or to an engine or body ground of
the assisting vehicle. Body ground in MINI:
6.
Attach the second te rminal clamp of the
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle in the
usual manner.
If the first start attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before another attempt
in order to allow the discharged battery to
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and
recharged. Never use spray fluids to start the
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing
away
Observe the applicable laws and
regulations for tow-starting and towing
vehicles. <
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. <

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268
REFERENCEEverything from A to Z
Everything from A to Z
Index
A
ABS Antilock Brake System83
Accessories, see Vehicle equipment 4
Acknowledgment signals for
locking/unlocking vehicle 30
Activated-charcoa l filter for
automatic climate
control 105
Adaptive Light Control 97
Adding engine oil 223
Additives
– coolant 224
– engine oil 223
Address, entering 132
Address for navigation
– entering 126,132
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Air
conditioner 102
Adjusting temperature inside the car, refer to Automatic
climate control 103
Adjusting the tone during audio operation, refer to
Tone control 147
Airbags 93
– sitting safely 50
– warning lamp 94
Air conditioner 101
Air conditioning mode
– air conditioner 102
– automatic climate control 103
– ventilation 106
Air distribution
– automatic 104
– individual 103
– manual 103 Air flow rate
102,104
– air conditioning system 102
– automatic climate
control 104
– heating, ventilation 102
Airing, refer to Ventilation106
Air outlets, refer to Air vents 101
Air pressure, checking, refer to
Tire inflation pressure 209
Air recirculation, refer to Recirculated-air
mode 102,104
Air supply
– air conditioner 102
– automatic climate control 103
– ventilation 106
Air vents 101
AKI, refer to Fuel grade 207
Alarm system 34
All-season tires, refer to Winter
tire
s220
Always Open Timer 72
AM, wa

veband 149
Ambient air, refer to
Recirculated-air
mode 102,104
Ambient lighting 100
Antenna, care 227
Antifreeze
– coolant 224
– washer fluid 67
Antilock Brake System ABS 83
Anti-theft alarm system, refer
to Alarm system 34
Anti-theft system 29
Approved axle loads, refer to
Weights 257 Approved engine oils
223
Approved gross vehicle weight, refer to Weights257
Armrest, refer to Center armrest 108
Arrival time
– computer 73
– route guidance 135
Ashtray 109
Assistant systems, refer to
– Dynamic Stability Control DSC 83
Audio 146
– controls 146
– switching on/off 146
– tone control 147
– volume 147
Audio device, external 108
Automatic
– air distribution 104
– air flow rate 104
– cruise control 68
– headlamp control 96
Automatic climate control 101
– automatic air distribution 104
Automatic rear spoiler 85
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 62
– Interlock 63
– overriding selector lever lock 64
– Shiftlock 63
– sport program 64
AUTO program for automatic
climate control 104
Auxiliary phone 182
AUX-In, refer to External audio
device 108
AUX-In connection 159

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