2014 MINI Countryman Automatic light

The indicator lamp in the speedometer
lights up and TRACTION appears in the
tachometer.
DTC is activated.
Hill drive-off assistant This system supports driving away on gradients.
The handbrake is not required.
1.Hold the vehicle in place with the foot
brake.2.Release the foot brake and drive away
without delay.
Driving off without delay
After releasing the foot brake, start driv‐
ing without delay, since the drive-off assistant
will not hold the vehicle in place for more than
approx. 2 seconds and the vehicle will begin
rolling back. ◀
ALL4 all-wheel system
ALL4 is the all-wheel system of your MINI. The
combined effects of ALL4 and DSC further opti‐
mize the traction and dynamic driving charac‐
teristics. The ALL4 all-wheel system variably
distributes the drive forces to the front and rear
axles depending on the driving situation and
prevailing road conditions.
Sport button
When this button is pressed, the vehicle re‐
sponds in an even sportier manner.▷The engine responds more spontaneously
to accelerator movements.▷The steering responds more directly.▷Cooper S, John Cooper Works: the engine
sounds sportier when coasting.▷For automatic transmissions: more rapid
gear changes in the Sport program.
Activating the system
Press the switch; the LED in the button lights up
and SPORT is displayed briefly in the tachome‐
ter.
Deactivating the system
▷Press the switch again.▷Switch the engine off.Seite 83Driving stability control systemsControls83
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Driving comfortVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it also
describes equipment that may not be found in
your vehicle, for instance due to the selected
special equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
Cruise control The concept
The system is functional at speeds beginning at
approx. 20 mph/30 km/h.
The vehicle stores and maintains the speed
specified using the controls on the steering
wheel.
Do not use cruise control
Do not use the system if unfavorable con‐
ditions make it impossible to drive at a constant
speed, for instance:▷On curvy roads.▷In heavy traffic.▷On slippery roads, in fog, snow or rain, or
on a loose road surface.
Otherwise, you could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident. ◀
Controls
At a glance1Maintaining, storing, and increasing the
speed2Activating/deactivating cruise control3Maintaining, storing, and reducing the
speed4Resuming cruise control
Switching on
Press button 2.
The indicator lamp lights up in thespeedometer. Cruise control is ready to
operate and can be activated.
Switching off Press button 2.
▷When activated: press twice.▷When interrupted: press once.
The displays go out. The stored target speed is
cleared.
Interrupting Press button 2.
The system is interrupted automatically if
▷The brakes are applied.▷The clutch pedal is depressed.Seite 84ControlsDriving comfort84
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Avoid driving quickly with PDC
PDC is a parking aid that can display ob‐
jects when the vehicle approaches them slowly,
as is the case during parking maneuvers. Avoid
driving toward an object quickly as the system
may then be too late in issuing a warning for
technical reasons. ◀
Automatic operation
The system is activated after approx. one sec‐ ond when reverse gear or selector lever posi‐
tion R is engaged while the engine is running or
the ignition is switched on. Await this short pe‐
riod before setting the vehicle into motion.
Signal tones
The closer the vehicle is to the object, the
shorter the intervals become. If the distance to
a detected object is less than approx.
12 in/30 cm, a continuous tone is sounded.
If the distance remains constant, for example
when driving parallel to a wall, the signal tone
is stopped after approx. 3 seconds.
Volume
The signal tone volume can be adjusted.
Radio MINI Boost CD, refer to page 124.
System limits Check the traffic situation as well
PDC cannot serve as a substitute for the
driver's personal judgment of the traffic situa‐
tion. Check the traffic situation around the ve‐
hicle with your own eyes. Otherwise, an acci‐
dent could result from road users or objects
located outside of the PDC detection range.
Loud noises from outside and inside the vehicle
may prevent you from hearing the PDC's signal
tone. ◀Malfunction
The warning lamp lights up. PDC is mal‐functioning or has failed. Have the sys‐
tem checked.
To ensure full functionality of the sensors, keep
the sensors clean and free of ice. When using
high-pressure washers, do not spray the sen‐
sors for long periods and maintain a distance of
at least 12 in/30 cm.Seite 86ControlsDriving comfort86
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Opening
Turn the switch in the direction of the arrow.ClosingMove the switch to the vertical position by
turning it in the opposite direction of the arrow.
Depending on the temperature setting of the
air conditioning or automatic climate control,
high temperatures may occur in the glove com‐
partment.
Center armrest
The center armrest between the front seats
contains a storage compartment or a cover for
the snap-in adapter, refer to page 143, de‐
pending on the equipment.
The center armrest between the rear seats con‐
tains a storage compartment.
Do not position tall accessory parts directly on
the center rail of the center armrest; otherwise, they may be damaged when the center arm‐
rest is opened or closed.
Center armrest front
Opening
Press the button, arrow, and pull up the lid.MINI Paceman: center armrest, rear
Removing
The rear center armrest can be removed to en‐
large the loading area.
1.Turn the handwheel counterclockwise all
the way to open it, arrow 1.2.Push the center armrest back slightly in the
base plate, arrow 2.3.Lift the center armrest at the front and
pivot it out.Seite 103Storage compartmentsControls103
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Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode.
Do not let your foot rest on the brake
pedal
Do not drive with your foot resting on the brake
pedal. Even light but consistent pedal pressure
can lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure. ◀
Objects in the area around the pedals No objects in the area around the pedals
Keep floor mats, carpets, and any other
objects out of the area of motion of the pedals;
otherwise, the function of the pedals could be
impeded while driving
Do not place additional floor mats over existing
mats or other objects.
Only use floor mats that have been approved
for the vehicle and can be properly fixed in
place.
Ensure that the floor mats are securely fastened
again when they are returned after being re‐
moved, such as 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.
Ensure that this action does not endanger other
road users.
The heat generated in this process helps dry
the brake discs and pads.
In this way braking efficiency will be available
when you need it.
HillsDrive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Oth‐
erwise, the brake system may overheat, result‐
ing in a reduction in the brake system effi‐
ciency.You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, going all the way to first gear, if
necessary.
Downshifting in manual mode of the automatic
transmission, refer to page 57.
Avoid load on the brakes
Avoid placing excessive load on the brake
system. Light but consistent brake pressure can
lead to high temperatures, brake wear and
possibly even brake failure. ◀
Do not drive in neutral
Never drive with the transmission in neu‐
tral, with the engine switched off or with the
clutch depressed; otherwise, you will have nei‐
ther the braking action of the engine or nor its
power assistance when braking or steering. ◀
Brake disc corrosion Corrosion on the brake discs and contamina‐
tion on the brake pads are furthered by:▷Low mileage.▷Extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all.▷Infrequent use of the brakes.
Corrosion occurs when the minimum pressure
that must be exerted by the pads during brake
applications to clean the discs is not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake discs, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating ef‐
fect that generally cannot be corrected.
When the vehicle is parked
When using the automatic climate control, con‐
densation water develops that exits under‐
neath the vehicle.
Therefore, traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are normal.
After the engine is switched off, the coolant
pump may continue running for some time in
the MINI Cooper S. This causes noises in the en‐
gine compartment.
Seite 112Driving tipsThings to remember when driving112
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Switch off the engine during longer
stops
Switch off the engine during longer stops, e.g.,
at traffic lights, railroad crossings or in traffic
congestion.
Fuel savings are already achieved after the en‐
gine is turned off for as little as 4 seconds.
Automatic Engine Start/Stop Function
The Automatic Engine Start/Stop Function auto‐
matically switches the engine off during a stop.
If the engine is stopped and then started again,
fuel consumption and emissions drop com‐
pared to an engine that runs permanently.
Stopping the engine even for just a few sec‐
onds can result in savings.
In addition, fuel consumption depends on other
factors as well, such as driving style, road con‐
ditions, maintenance, and environmental fac‐
tors.
Switch off any functions that are not currently needed
Functions such as seat heating and the rear
window defroster require a lot of energy and
consume additional fuel, especially in city and
stop-and-go traffic.
Therefore, switch off these functions if they are
not actually needed.
Have maintenance carried out
Have vehicles maintained regularly to achieve
optimal vehicle economy and operating life.
Have the maintenance carried out by the serv‐
ice center.
Please also note the MINI maintenance system,
refer to page 169.Seite 119Saving fuelDriving tips119
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MINI Countryman: rear
MINI Paceman: rear
Being towedFollow the towing instructions
Follow all towing instructions, or vehicle
damage or accidents may occur. ◀
▷Make sure that the ignition is switched on;
otherwise, the low beams, tail lamps, turn
signals, and windshield wipers may be un‐
available.▷Do not tow the vehicle with the rear axle
tilted, as the front wheels could turn.▷When the engine is stopped, there is no
power assist. Consequently, more force
needs to be applied when braking and
steering.▷Larger steering wheel movements are re‐
quired.▷Switch on the hazard warning system, de‐
pending on local regulations.Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in neutral position.
Automatic transmission Towing vehicles with an automatic trans‐
mission
Only transport vehicles with an automatic
transmission on tow trucks or with raised front
wheels; otherwise, the transmission may be
damaged. ◀
Towing with a tow bar Light towing vehicle
The towing vehicle must not be lighter
than your vehicle, or it will not be possible to
control vehicle response. ◀
Correctly attach the tow bar
Only secure the tow bar on the tow fit‐
tings; damage can occur when it is secured on
other parts of the vehicle. ◀
The tow fittings used should be on the same
side on both vehicles.
Should it prove impossible to avoid mounting
the tow bar at an offset angle, please observe
the following:▷Clearance and maneuvering capability will
be sharply limited during cornering.▷The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it
is attached offset.
Towing with a tow rope
When starting to tow the vehicle, make sure
that the tow rope is taut.
To avoid jerking and the associated stresses on
the vehicle components when towing, always
use nylon ropes or nylon straps.
Attaching the tow rope correctly
Only secure the tow rope on the tow fit‐
ting; otherwise, damage can occur when it is
secured on other parts of the vehicle. ◀
Seite 183Breakdown assistanceMobility183
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12CauseHow to respondLights up in red:The engine is overheating.Carefully bring the car to a stop,
switch off the engine and allow it to
cool down. Do not open the hood;
otherwise, there would be a risk of
injury due to scalding. Contact your
service center.Lights up in yellow:The engine is too hot.Continue driving at more moderate
speed so that the engine can cool
down. Have the engine checked
without delay if the situation reoc‐
curs.Lights up in red:Battery is no longer being charged. Alterna‐
tor malfunction.Switch off all unnecessary electrical
consumers. Have the power supply
system checked without delay.Lights up in yellow:The battery charge level is very low, the bat‐
tery is old or is not securely connected.Charge the battery by taking a long
drive or using an external charger.
If necessary, switch off automatic
power consumers. Have the battery
checked as soon as possible.Indication in US models
The handbrake is set.Indication in Canadian models
The handbrake is set.Indication in US models
The handbrake is set while driving.Release the handbrake.Indication in Canadian models
The handbrake is set while driving.Release the handbrake.Seite 193Indicator/warning lampsMobility193
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