Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
105
If special circumstances make it absolutely nec-
essary to drive with the tailgate open:
1. Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2. Switch off recirculated -air mode and switch
the airflow control of the air conditioner or
automatic climate control to high, refer to
page 88 or 90.
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 sect ions of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact between
the hot exhaust system and any highly flamma-
ble materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc. Such
contact could lead to a fire, with the risk of seri-
ous 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 211.
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 driving off using Hill Assist,
refer to page 74.
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 steeri ng responsiveness, you
can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum 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 appropri-
ately fastened. Make sure that the floor mats are
securely fastened again after they have been
removed, e.g. for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there 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 avail-
able when it is needed.
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
106
Hills
To prevent overheating 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 mode of the automatic transmis-
sion, page 54.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants 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 capacity, 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. <
Expanding 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. <
When you open the tailgate, the roll-up cover is
raised.
To load bulky luggage, the cover can be
removed.
1. Unhook the lift straps from the tailgate.
2. Lift the cover slightly, arrow 1, and pull it
rearward out of the bracket, arrow 2.
MINI Countryman:
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
112
Securing cargo
MINI Countryman:
MINI Paceman:
>Secure smaller and lighter items using
retaining or draw
straps.
> Heavy-duty cargo straps for securing larger
and heavier objects are available at your
MINI dealer.
> These cargo straps are fastened using eight
securing eyes.
Two of them are located on the side wall,
arrows 1, of the cargo area.
Two of them are located on the rear wall,
arrows 2, of the cargo area.
To use the lower lashing eyes, raise or remove
the pull-out floor panel.
Comply with the information enclosed with the
load-securing devices.
Always position and secure the cargo as
described above, so that it cannot endan-
ger the car's occupants, for example if sudden
braking or swerves are necessary.
Do not exceed the approved gross vehicle
weight and axle loads, page 248; otherwise, the vehicle's operating safety is no longer assured
and the vehicle will not be in compliance with
the construction and use regulations.
Heavy or hard objects should not be carried
loose inside the car, since they could be thrown
around, for example as a result of heavy braking,
sudden swerves, etc., and endanger the occu-
pants. Do not secure cargo using the fastening
points for the tether strap, page
47; they may
become damaged. <
Roof-mounted luggage
rack
A special rack system is av ailable as an option for
your MINI. Your MINI dealer will be glad to
advise you. Comply with the installation instruc-
tions supplied with the rack system.
Loading roof-mounted luggage rack
Because roof racks raise the vehicle's center of
gravity when loaded, they have a major effect
on vehicle handling and steering response.
You should therefore always remember not to
exceed the approved roof load capacity, the
approved gross vehicle we ight or the axle loads
when loading the rack.
You can find more information under Weights in
the technical specifications.
The roof load must be distributed uniformly and
should not be too large in area. Heavy items
should always be placed at the bottom.
When loading, make sure that there is sufficient
space for the movement of the glass roof.
Fasten roof-mounted cargo correctly and
securely to prevent it from shifting or falling off
during the trip.
Drive smoothly. Avoid su dden acceleration and
braking maneuvers, and take corners gently.
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EntertainmentOn/off and tone
140
On/off and tone
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.
General information
The following audio source s have shared control
elements and setting options:
> Radio
> CD player
> External devices, e.g. MP3 player
Controls
The audio sources can be operated using:
>Buttons near the CD player
> Onboard computer
> Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to
page 10
Buttons near the CD player
1Drive for audio CDs
2 Selecting waveband
3 Changing the audio source 4
Sound output for ente rtainment on/off, vol-
ume
> Press: switch on/off.
When you switch on the unit, the radio
station or track set most recently is
played.
> Turn: adjust volume.
5 Station scan/track search
>Change radi o station.
> Selecting a track
6 Ejecting CD
Switching on/off
Entertainment audio output
Press the knob.
This symbol at the upper edge of the Control
Display indicates that the sound output is
switched off.
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On/off and toneEntertainment
141
Adjusting volume
Turn the knob to the desired volume.
The volume can also be adjusted on the steering
wheel, refer to page10.
The setting is stored for the remote control cur-
rently in use; refer to Personal Profile, page 26.
Setting tone controls
Various tone settings can be changed, e.g. treble
and bass or the speed-dependent volume con-
trol.
The tone settings are set for all audio sources at
once.
The settings are stored for the remote control
currently in use; refer to Personal Profile,
page 26.
Treble, bass, balance, fader
> "Treble": treble adjustment.
> "Bass": bass adjustment.
> "Balance": volume distribution right/left.
> "Fader": volume distribution front/back.
Adjustments
1."CD/Multimedia", "Rad io" or "Settings".
2. "Tone"
3. Select the desired tone setting.
4. To adjust: turn the MINI joystick.
5. To store: press the MINI joystick.
Volume levels
>"Speed volume": vo lume is adapted
depending on the speed
> "PDC": volume of the PDC acoustic signal
relative to the entertainment sound output
> "Gong": volume of the acoustic signal, e.g.
for the acoustic Safety Belt Reminder rela-
tive to the entertainment sound output
Mobile phone preparation Bluetooth
> "Microphone": volume of the microphone
during a phone conversation.
> "Loudspeak.": volume of the speaker during
a phone conversation.
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RadioEntertainment
143
Radio
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 count ry version. This also
applies to safety related functions and systems.
General information
Your radio is designed for reception of the fol-
lowing stations:
> FM and AM
> HD Radio
> Satellite radio
AM/FM station
Selecting a station
Press the knob if the sound output is switched
off. 1.
"Radio"
2. "FM" or "AM"
3. Select the desired station.
The selected station is stored for the remote
control current ly in use.
Changing stations
Turn and press the MINI joystick
or
Press the button for the corresponding
direction
or
Press the buttons on the steering wheel, refer to
page10.
Selecting a station manually
Station selection via the frequency.
1. "Radio"
2. "FM" or "AM"
3. "Manual"
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EntertainmentExternal devices
156
3.Select the or symbol.
4. Select desired category, e.g. "Genre", "Art-
ist".
All entries are displayed in a list.
>Open "A-Z search" and enter the desired
input. When a letter is entered, the
results are filtered using this letter as the
first letter. If multiple letters are entered,
all results that contain that sequence are
displayed.
> Select the desired entry from the list.
5. Select additional ca tegories if desired.
Not all categories need to be selected. For
example, if all of the tracks by a certain artist
are to be displayed, call up that artist only.
All of the tracks by that artist are then dis-
played.
6. "Play"
Restarting a track search
"New search"
Playback lists
To open playback lists.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2. "External devices"
3. Select the or symbol.
4. "Playlists"
Current playback
List of tracks curre ntly being played.
1. "CD/Multimedia"
2. "External devices"
3. Select the or symbol.
4. "Current playback"
Random play sequence
The current list of tracks is played in random
sequence.
1."CD/Multimedia"
2. "External devices"
3. Open "Options".
4. "Random"
Fast forward/reverse
Buttons on the steering wheel or CD player:
Press and hold the button for the corre-
sponding direction.
Video playback
Overview
Video playback is only possible with an iPod/
iPhone. To connect, use a video adapter cable or
possibly a snap- in adapter.
Playback
The video image on the is displayed control dis-
play when the vehicle is standing still, in some
countries only when the hand brake is engaged
or if the transmission selector lever is in the P
position.
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COMMUNICATIONSHands-free device Bluetooth
164
Hands-free device Bluetooth
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.
Overview
The concept
Mobile phones can be connected to the vehicle
through Bluetooth.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Blue-
tooth® SIG, Inc.
After being paired once, when the ignition is
switched on, these devices are automatically
detected as soon as they are present in the vehi-
cle and can be controlled via the onboard com-
puter, the buttons on the steering wheel, and by
voice.
Up to four mobile phones can be paired.
It may be necessary for some functions to be
activated by the mobile phone provider.
Only make entries when traffic conditions
permit. Do not hold the mobile phone in
your hand while you are driving; use the hands-
free system instead. If you do not observe this
precaution, your being distracted can endanger
vehicle occupants and other road users.
Suitable mobile phones
Precise information as to which mobile phones
are supported by the hands-free device can be
found at www.mini.com/connectivity.
With a certain software version, these suitable
mobile phones support the vehicle functions
described below. With other mobile phones
or software versions,
malfunctions may occur.
A mobile phone that is connected to the vehicle
should not be operated via the mobile phone
keypad; otherwise, ma lfunctions may occur.
Displaying vehicle identification number
and software part number
To check which mobile phones are supported by
the hands-free device, th e vehicle identification
number and the software part number will be
required. The software version of the mobile
phone may also be required.
1. "Telephone"
2. Open "Options".
3. "Bluetooth® info"
4. "Display system information"
Notes
Do not expose your mobile phone to extreme
ambient conditions, for example, very high tem-
peratures; otherwise, fu nctions on your mobile
phone may not work. Follow the operating
instructions for yo ur mobile phone.
Pairing/unpairing mobile
phone
Requirements
>Suitable mobile phone, refer to page 164.
> Mobile phone operational.
> Bluetooth activated in vehicle, refer to
page 165, and in the mobile phone.
> Bluetooth presets in the mobile phone are
required, e.g. connection not confirmed or
visible, refer to Ow ner's Manual for the
mobile phone.
2 Q O L Q H ( G L W L R Q I R U 3 D U W Q R