your skin by washing thoroughly with soap and
water.
Service and warranty
We recommend that you read this publication
thoroughly. Your vehicle is covered by the fol‐
lowing warranties:▷New Vehicle Limited Warranty.▷Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.▷Federal Emissions System Defect Warranty.▷Federal Emissions Performance Warranty.▷California Emission Control System Limited
Warranty.
Detailed information about these warranties is
listed in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models or in the Warranty and
Service Guide Booklet for Canadian models.
Your vehicle has been specifically adapted and
designed to meet the particular operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements in your
country and continental region in order to de‐
liver the full driving pleasure while the vehicle is
operated under those conditions. If you wish to
operate your vehicle in another country or re‐
gion, you may be required to adapt your vehi‐
cle to meet different prevailing operating con‐
ditions and homologation requirements. You
should also be aware of any applicable war‐
ranty limitations or exclusions for such country
or region. In such case, please contact Cus‐
tomer Relations for further information.
Maintenance
Maintain the vehicle regularly to sustain the
road safety, operational reliability and the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Specifications for required maintenance meas‐
ures:
▷MINI Maintenance system▷Service and Warranty Information Booklet
for US models▷Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian modelsIf the vehicle is not maintained according to
these specifications, this could result in serious
damage to the vehicle. Such damage is not
covered by the MINI New Vehicle Limited War‐
ranty.
Data memory
Numerous electronic components in your vehi‐
cle contain data memories that store technical
information on the vehicle condition, events and faults, either temporarily or permanently.This technical information generally documents
the state of a component, a module, a system
or the environment.▷Operating conditions of system compo‐
nents, such as filling levels.▷Status messages from the vehicle and its in‐
dividual components, such as wheel rpm/
speed, motion delay, transverse accelera‐
tion.▷Malfunctions and defects in important sys‐
tem components, such as lights and brakes.▷Vehicle responses to special driving situa‐
tions, such as airbag deployment, use of
the stability control systems.▷Ambient conditions, such as the tempera‐
ture.
These data are of a technical nature only and
are used to detect and eliminate faults and to
optimize vehicle functions. Travel profiles of
routes driven with the vehicle cannot be cre‐
ated from these data. If services are used, for
instance in the event of repairs, service proc‐
esses, warranty cases, quality assurance, etc.,
this technical information can be read out from
the event and fault data memories by service
personnel, including the manufacturer, using
special diagnosis tools. This service personnel
can provide you with more information if
needed. After troubleshooting, the information
in the fault memory is cleared or overwritten
continuously.
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If a remote control accidentally left in the cargo
area is detected in the locked vehicle after the
tailgate is closed, the tailgate opens again
slightly. The hazard warning system flashes and
an acoustic signal sounds.
Power windows and electrical glass
sunroof
When the engine is switched off, the windows
and the sunroof can be operated as long as
neither the doors nor the tailgate are opened.
When the door and tailgate are closed again
and the remote control is detected inside the
vehicle, the windows and the sunroof can be
operated again.
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock
to be able to operate the windows and the sun‐
roof while the engine is switched off and the
doors are open.
Switching on the radio ready state Press the Start/Stop button to switch on the
radio ready state, refer to page 49.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch; other‐
wise, the engine will start.
Starting the engine The engine can be started or the ignition can
be switched on, refer to page 49, when a re‐
mote control is inside the vehicle. It is not nec‐
essary to insert a remote control into the igni‐
tion lock.
Switching off the engine in cars with
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off with the
selector lever in position P, refer to page 56.
To switch off the engine with the selector lever
in position N, the remote control must be in‐
serted in the ignition lock.Before driving a vehicle with automatic
transmission into a car wash1.Insert the remote control into the ignition
switch.2.Depress the brake pedal.3.Move the selector lever to position N.4.Switch the engine off.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction The Comfort Access functions can be disturbed
by local radio waves, such as by a mobile
phone in the immediate vicinity of the remote
control or when a mobile phone is being
charged in the vehicle.
If this occurs, open or close the vehicle using
the buttons on the remote control or use the
integrated key in the door lock.
To start the engine afterward, insert the remote
control into the ignition switch.
Warning lamps The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when you attempt to
start the engine: the engine cannot be
started.
The remote control is not in the vehicle or has a
malfunction. Take the remote control with you
inside the vehicle or have it checked. If neces‐
sary, insert another remote control into the ig‐
nition switch.
The warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up while the engine is run‐
ning: the remote control is no longer in‐
side the vehicle.
After switching off the engine, the engine can
only be started again within approx. 10 sec‐
onds if no door has been opened.
The indicator lamp lights up: replace
the remote control battery.
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DrivingVehicle equipmentThis 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.
Ignition lock Insert the remote control into the
ignition lock
Insert the remote control all the way into the
ignition lock.
Radio ready state is switched on. Individual
electrical consumers can operate.
Removing the remote control from the
ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control
out of the ignition lock
Do not forcibly pull the remote control out of
the ignition lock as this may cause damage. ◀
Before removing the remote control, push it all
the way in to release the locking mechanism.
The ignition is switched off if it was on.
Automatic transmission
You can only take out the remote control if
transmission position P is engaged: interlock.
Start/Stop button
Pressing the Start/Stop button switches the ig‐
nition on or off and starts the engine.
The engine starts when the Start/Stop button is
pressed and:
▷Manual transmission: the clutch is de‐
pressed.▷Automatic transmission: the brake is de‐
pressed.
Radio ready state
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Radio ready state is switched off automatically:
▷When the remote control is removed from
the ignition lock.▷With Comfort Access, refer to page 30, by
pressing the button on the door handle or
the
button on the remote control.
▷After a certain period of time.
Ignition on All electrical consumers can operate. Most indi‐
cator and warning lamps light up for different
lengths of time.
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Engine stop
General information Take the remote control with you
Take the remote control with you when
leaving the vehicle so that children, for exam‐
ple, cannot operate the windows and injure
themselves. ◀
Set the handbrake and further secure the
vehicle as required
Set the handbrake firmly when parking; other‐
wise, the vehicle may roll. On steep upward
and downward inclines, further secure the ve‐
hicle, for example, by turning the steering
wheel in the direction of the curb. ◀
Before driving into a car wash
To make it possible for the vehicle to roll in an
automatic car wash, follow the information on
Washing in automatic car washes, refer to
page 186.
Switching off the engine
Manual transmission1.With the vehicle at a standstill, press the
Start/Stop button.2.Shift into first gear or reverse.3.Set the handbrake firmly.4.Remove the remote control from the igni‐
tion lock.
Automatic transmission
1.Engage transmission position P with the ve‐
hicle stopped.2.Press the Start/Stop button.3.Set the handbrake firmly.4.Remove the remote control from the igni‐
tion lock.Handbrake
The concept
The handbrake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked; it brakes
the rear wheels.
Also follow the instructions under Switching off
the engine, refer to page 51.
Setting
The lever engages automatically.
Releasing
Pull up slightly, press the button, and lower the
lever.
Notes Using the handbrake while driving
If it should become necessary to use the
handbrake while driving, do not pull the hand‐
brake too forcefully. Keep the button on the
handbrake lever pressed at all times.
Excessive application of the handbrake can
block the rear wheels and lead to fishtailing of
the vehicle. ◀
The brake lamps do not light up when the
handbrake is pulled.
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All washer nozzles are supplied from one reser‐
voir.
The recommended minimum filling quantity is
0.2 US gal/1 liter.
Fill with a mixture of window washing concen‐
trate and water; if needed, add antifreeze ac‐
cording to the manufacturer instructions.
Mix the washer fluid before adding to maintain
the correct mixing ratio.
Do not fill in undiluted window washing con‐
centrate and do not fill in pure water; this could
damage the washer system.
Do not mix window washing concentrate from
different manufacturers; this could cause the
washer nozzles to clog.
Manual transmission
Pay attention to the shift plane
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, push
the gearshift lever to the right; otherwise inad‐
vertent shifting into the 3rd or 4th gear could
lead to engine damage. ◀
Reverse gear
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. When
the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a slight
resistance needs to be overcome.
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic
In addition to the fully automatic mode, gears
can also be shifted manually using Steptronic,
refer to page 57.
Parking the vehicle Secure the vehicle
Before leaving the vehicle with the en‐
gine running, move the selector lever to posi‐
tion P and set the handbrake; otherwise, the
vehicle will begin moving. ◀
Disengaging the remote control
To remove the remote control from the ignition
lock, first move the selector lever to position P
and switch off the engine: interlock. Remove
the remote control from the ignition lock, refer
to page 49.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the tachometer
The selector lever position is displayed and the
engaged gear, such as M4, is displayed in
manual mode.
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SymbolFunctionRoadworthiness testFront brake padsRear brake padsBrake fluidExit the display, refer to
page 62Next setting or information, re‐
fer to page 62
Check Control
The concept
The Check Control monitors vehicle functions
and alerts you to any malfunctions in the sys‐
tems being monitored.
A Check Control message consists of indicator
and warning lamps in the instrument cluster
and, in some circumstances, an acoustic signal.
Indicator/warning lamps
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
a variety of combinations and colors in display
area 1 or 2.
Several of the lamps are checked for proper
functioning and light up temporarily when the
engine is started or the ignition is switched on.
The symbol indicates that Check Control
messages have been stored. The Check Control
messages can be displayed later.
What to do in case of a malfunction
The meaning of each lamp in the event of a
malfunction and tips on how to respond are
provided in the list, refer to page 190.
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Driving stability control systemsVehicle 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.
Antilock Brake System
ABS
ABS prevents locking of the wheels duringbraking.
Steerability is maintained even during full brak‐
ing. This increases active driving safety.
ABS is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Electronic brake-force distribution EBVThe system controls the brake pressure in the
rear wheels to ensure stable braking behavior.
CBC Cornering Brake Control
When braking in curves or during a lane
change, driving stability and steering response
are improved further.
Brake assistant When the brakes are applied rapidly, this sys‐
tem automatically produces the maximum
braking force boost. In this way, the system
helps keep the braking distance as short as
possible. This system utilizes all of the benefits
provided by ABS.Do not reduce the pressure on the brake pedal
for the duration of full braking.
Dynamic Stability Con‐
trol DSC
The concept
DSC prevents traction loss in the driving wheels
when driving away and accelerating.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi‐
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. Subject
to physical limits, DSC helps to keep the vehicle
on a steady course by reducing engine speed
and by applying brakes to the individual
wheels.
DSC is operational every time you start the en‐
gine.
Adjust your driving style to the situation
An appropriate driving style is always the
responsibility of the driver.
The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even
with DSC.
Do not reduce the additional safety margin
with a risky driving style, as otherwise there is a
risk of an accident. ◀
Deactivating DSC
Press the switch until the DSC OFF indicator
lamp lights up in the speedometer and DSC OFF
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appears in the tachometer. DSC is deactivated.
Intervening measures to stabilize the vehicle
and give it forward momentum are no longer
executed.
When driving with snow chains or to rock the
vehicle free of snow, it may be useful to deacti‐
vate DSC temporarily.
To increase vehicle stability, activate DSC again
as soon as possible.
Activating DSC
Press the switch again; the DSC indicator lamps
in the display elements go out.
Indicator/warning lamps The indicator lamp in the tachometer
flashes: DSC is controlling the drive
forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC and DTC has
failed.
The indicator lamp in the speedometer
lights up and DSC OFF appears in the
tachometer.
DSC and DTC deactivated.
Dynamic Traction Con‐
trol DTC
The concept
The DTC system is a version of the DSC in which
forward momentum is optimized.
The system ensures maximum forward mo‐
mentum on special road conditions, e.g., unp‐
lowed snowy roads, but driving stability is lim‐
ited.
It is therefore necessary to drive with appropri‐
ate caution.
You may find it useful to briefly activate DTC
under the following special circumstances:▷When driving in sand, on snowy inclines, in
slush, or on unplowed, snow-covered road
surfaces▷When rocking a vehicle free or starting off
in deep snow, sand, or on loose ground▷When driving with snow chains.
Activating DTC
Press the switch; the DSC OFF indicator lamp
lights up in the speedometer and TRACTION
appears in the tachometer. Dynamic Stability
Control DSC is deactivated, Dynamic Traction
Control DTC is activated.
Deactivating DTC Press the switch again; the DSC OFF indicator
lamp in the speedometer and TRACTION in the
tachometer go out.
Indicator/warning lamps The indicator lamp in the tachometer
flashes: DTC is controlling the drive
forces and brake forces.
The indicator lamp lights up: DSC and DTC has
failed.
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