Use a clean tissue, cloth or something similar,
or hold the bulb by its base. ◀
Caring for the headlamps, refer to page 192.
For bulb replacement that is not described
here, please contact the service center or a
workshop that works according to the repair
procedures of the manufacturer with corre‐
spondingly trained personnel.
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim,
please contact your MINI dealer.
Light-emitting diodes LEDs Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu‐
cent lenses serve as the light source for many
of the controls and displays in the vehicle.
These light-emitting diodes, which operate us‐
ing a concept similar to that applied in conven‐
tional lasers, are officially designated as Class 1
light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers
Do not remove the covers, and never
stare into the unfiltered light for several hours;
otherwise, irritation of the retina could result. ◀
Headlamp glass
Condensation can form on the inside of the
headlamps in cool or humid weather. When the
light is switched on, the condensation evapo‐
rates after a short time. The headlamps do not
need to be changed.
If the condensation in the headlamps does not
evaporate after trips with the lights switched
on, and the amount of moisture in the head‐
lamps increases, for example if water droplets
form, have them checked by your service cen‐
ter.
Bi-xenon headlamps These bulbs have a very long life and the likeli‐
hood of failure is very low, provided that they
are not switched on and off excessively. If a
bulb should nevertheless fail, you can continuedriving cautiously with the front fog lamps, pro‐
vided this is permitted by local laws.
Do not perform work/bulb replacement
on xenon headlamps
Have any work on the xenon lighting system,
including bulb replacement, performed only by
a service center.
Due to the high voltage present in the system,
there is the danger of fatal injuries if work is
carried out improperly. ◀
Front lamps, bulb replacement
Halogen low beams and high beams
Bulb H13, 60/55 watt
Wear protective goggles and gloves
Halogen bulbs are pressurized. Therefore,
wear protective goggles and gloves. Otherwise,
there is a danger of injuries if the bulb is acci‐
dentally damaged during replacement. ◀
Attach the cover carefully
When attaching the cover, proceed care‐
fully; otherwise, leaks may occur, causing dam‐
age to the headlamp system. ◀
Access to the bulbs through the engine
compartment
Follow the general instructions on lamps and
bulbs, refer to page 176.
Low beam/high beam bulbs can be changed
from the engine compartment.Seite 177Replacing componentsMobility177
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▷Tighten the lug bolts, refer to page 184.▷Drive with the compact wheel, refer to
page 182.
Removing the compact wheel
The screw fitting of the compact wheel is lo‐
cated in the cargo area under the floor mat, on
the floor of the storage compartment holding
the wheel change set.
1.Release the screw fitting with the special
wrench.2.Take out the cover.3.Screw the lifting handle from the onboard
vehicle tool kit onto the thread.4.Raise the lifting handle slightly.5.Squeeze the locking spring.6.Lower the compact wheel with the lifting
handle.7.Lower the compact wheel with the lifting
handle.8.Unscrew the lifting handle again.9.Pull the compact wheel out from under the
vehicle toward the back.10.Lay the compact wheel down with the
valve facing up.11.Unscrew the valve extension from the valve
of the compact wheel.12.Unscrew the dust cap from the extension
and attach it to the valve of the compact
wheel.
The defective wheel cannot be stowed in the
compact wheel holder because it has a differ‐
ent size.
Driving with compact wheel Do not exceed a speed of
50 mph/80 km/h.
Drive conservatively and do not exceed a speed
of 50 mph/80 km/h. Otherwise, changes in the
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the battery, or to the engine or body
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Body ground:
Starting the engine
Never use spray fluids to start the engine.
1.Start the engine of the assisting vehicle and
let it run for several minutes at a slightly in‐
creased idle speed.2.Start the engine of the vehicle being started
in the usual way.
If the first starting attempt is not successful,
wait a few minutes before making another
attempt in order to allow the discharged
battery to recharge.3.Let both engines run for several minutes.4.Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse
order.
Check the battery and recharge if necessary.
Tow-starting and towing
Notes Observe applicable laws and regulations
Observe applicable laws and regulations
for tow-starting and towing. ◀
No additional passengers
Do not transport any passengers other
than the driver in a vehicle that is being
towed. ◀
Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried
in the vehicle. It can be screwed in at the front
or rear of the MINI.
Tow fitting, information on use▷Use only the tow fitting provided with
the vehicle and screw it all the way in.▷Use the tow fitting for towing on paved
roads only.▷Avoid lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g.,
do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting.
Otherwise, damage to the tow fitting and the
vehicle can occur. ◀
Access to the screw thread Push out the tow fitting cover at the appropri‐
ate recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the tow fitting cover in the bumper in
the lower section, arrow.
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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. ◀
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Caring for the convertible top
The appearance and life of the convertible top
depend on proper care and operation.
Adhere to the following instructions:▷Do not fold the convertible top and stow it
in the convertible top box while it is wet or
frozen; otherwise, water marks, fabric
stains, and chafing may occur.▷If water marks nevertheless occur on the
headliner, these can be removed using a
microfiber cloth and interior cleaner.▷When parking the vehicle in an enclosed
space for lengthy periods, ensure that the
area is adequately ventilated.▷Remove bird droppings immediately as
their corrosive properties may damage the
convertible top and the rubber seals.
Stain removal
To remove stains from the convertible
top, do not use stain remover, paint thinner,
solvents, benzine, or similar substances. These
agents can destroy the rubber coating. Im‐
proper care and cleaning can cause the
convertible top and its seams to become per‐
meable to water. ◀
To remove severe soiling, use a special
convertible top cleaner.
Follow the instructions for use from the manu‐
facturer.
Treat the convertible top with an impregnating
agent once a year.
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: rear spoiler
box
To ensure that proper functioning of the rear
spoiler is not impaired, for example due to
leaves, snow or ice, clean the rear spoiler box
at regular intervals.
Vehicle paint
Regular care contributes to vehicle value reten‐
tion and protects the paintwork against the
long-term effects of paint-damaging substan‐
ces.
Environmental influences in areas with higher
air pollution or natural contaminants, such as
tree resin or pollen, can have an impact on the
vehicle paint. Therefore, it is important to tailor
the frequency and extent of your car care to
these influences.
Immediately remove especially aggressive sub‐
stances, such as spilled fuel, oil, grease, or bird
droppings, to prevent damage to the paint‐
work.
Correcting paint damage
Depending on the severity of the damage, re‐
pair stone impact damage or scratches imme‐
diately to prevent rust formation.
The manufacturer recommends having paint
damage corrected with a professional repair
paint job according to factory specifications us‐
ing original MINI paint materials.
Preservation
Preservation is needed when water no longer
beads off of the clean paint surfaces. Only use
paint preservation products that contain car‐
nauba or synthetic waxes.
Leather care The leather processed by the manufacturer is a
high quality natural product. Light graininess is
a typical feature of natural leather.
Particles of dust and road grime chafe in pores
and folds, and lead to increased wear and pre‐
mature degradation of the leather surface.
Therefore, remove dust from the leather regu‐
larly, using a cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Make especially sure that light-colored leather
is cleaned regularly as it is more susceptible to
soiling.
Twice a year, treat the leather with a leather lo‐
tion as dirt and grease will attack the protective
layer of the leather.Seite 193CareMobility193
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Upholstery material care
Vacuum regularly with a vacuum cleaner to re‐
move superficial soiling.
In case of heavy soiling, e.g., beverage stains,
use a soft sponge or lint-free microfiber cloth in
combination with a suitable interior cleaner.
Follow the instructions on the container.
Clean the upholstery material down to the
seams using large sweeping motions. Avoid
rubbing the material vigorously.
Damage from Velcro® fasteners
Open Velcro® fasteners on pants or other
articles of clothing can damage the seat covers.
Ensure that any Velcro® fasteners are closed. ◀
Caring for special components Interior plastic parts
These include:▷Imitation leather surfaces▷Lamp lenses▷Indicator covers▷Matte components
Clean with water and a solvent-free plastic
cleaner if necessary.
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol
or solvents
Do not use cleansers that contain alcohol or
solvents, such as lacquer thinners, heavy-duty
grease removers, fuel, or such; this could lead
to surface damage. ◀
Rubber seals Only treat with water or a rubber care product.
When cleaning rubber seals, do not use silicone
sprays or other care products containing sili‐
cone; otherwise, noise and damage may result.
Chrome surfaces
Carefully clean components such as the radia‐
tor grille or door handles with an ample supply
of water, possibly with shampoo added, partic‐
ularly when they have been exposed to road
salt. For additional treatment, use a chrome
polish.
Light-alloy wheels
When cleaning the wheels on the vehicle, only
use a neutral wheel rim cleaner with a pH value
of 5 to 9.
Do not use abrasive cleaners or a steam jet hot‐
ter than 140 ℉/60 ℃; otherwise, damage may
result. Adhere to the manufacturer instructions.
Aggressive, acidic, or alkaline cleaners may de‐
stroy the protective coating of neighboring
components such as the brake disc.
Exterior sensors The sensors on the outside of the vehicle, such
as for Park Distance Control, must be kept clean
and free of ice to ensure that they remain fully
functional.
Decorative trim
Clean decorative trims and fine wood compo‐
nents with a moist cloth only. Then dry with a
soft cloth.
Safety belts Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and
thus have a negative impact on safety.
No chemical cleaning
Do not clean chemically; this can destroy
the webbing. ◀
Carpets/floor mats 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.Seite 194MobilityCare194
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Indicator/warning lampsVehicle equipment
This chapter describes all series equipment as
well as country-specific and special equipment
offered for this model series.Therefore, it alsodescribes 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.
Overview
The indicator and warning lamps can light up in
a variety of combinations and colors in display
area 1 or 2. The table contains information on
causes and how to respond. Note whether a
lamp lights up alone or in combination with an‐
other. Some lamps can light up in different col‐
ors. Corresponding distinctions are made in the
text. 12CauseHow to respondTurn signalThe high beams/headlamp flasher are
switched on.The front fog lamps are switched on.The rear fog lamps are switched on.Fasten safety belts.Fasten safety belt, refer to page 47.External temperature warningDrive conservatively, refer to
page 65.Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gal/8 liters of fuel remain in
the tank.
Remains on:
The remaining range is no more than
30 miles/50 km, refer to page 66.Seite 196MobilityIndicator/warning lamps196
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12CauseHow to respondThe engine refuses to start.Depress the brake or clutch to start
the engine, refer to page 56.The ignition is switched on and driver's
door is open.Switch off the ignition, refer to
page 55, or close the driver's door.The lights are still switched on.Switch off the lights, refer to
page 74.The roadside parking lamps are still on.Switch off the roadside parking
lamps, refer to page 75.A door is open.The hood is open.The tailgate is open.Trunk cover in the MINI ConvertibleThe convertible top cannot be oper‐
ated. Move the trunk cover into the
required position, refer to page 104.Lights up in red:The convertible top is not locked.The convertible top is not locked.
Fully open or close the convertible
top before continuing to drive, refer
to page 34.Sliding sunroof/convertible top.Permissible speed for operation ex‐
ceeded; slow the vehicle and con‐
tinue operating.Lights up in red:Seite 197Indicator/warning lampsMobility197
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