ContentsThe fastest way to find information on a partic‐
ular topic or item is by using the index, refer to
page 218.6Notes
AT A GLANCE
12Cockpit
CONTROLS
20Opening and closing45Adjusting51Transporting children safely56Driving66Displays75Lamps81Safety91Driving stability control systems96Driving comfort99Climate105Interior equipment109Storage compartments
DRIVING TIPS
114Things to remember when driving118Loading121Saving fuel
ENTERTAINMENT
126Radio MINI Boost CD
COMMUNICATION
140TelephoneMOBILITY152Refueling154Fuel156Wheels and tires170Engine compartment172Engine oil174Coolant175Maintenance177Replacing components189Breakdown assistance194Care199Indicator/warning lamps
REFERENCE
214Technical data218Everything from A to Z
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 961 029 - II/15
sary to adapt your vehicle to potentially differ‐
ing operating conditions and permit
requirements. If your vehicle does not comply
with the homologation requirements in a cer‐
tain country you cannot lodge warranty claims
for your vehicle there. Further information can
be obtained from your Service Center.
Maintenance and repairs Advanced technology, e.g., the use of modern
materials and high-performance electronics,
requires suitable maintenance and repair
methods.
Therefore, have this work performed only by a
MINI service center or a workshop that works
according to MINI repair procedures with ap‐
propriately trained personnel.
If this work is not carried out properly, there is
the danger of subsequent damage and related
safety hazards.
Parts and accessories
For your own safety, it is recommended that
you use genuine parts and accessories ap‐
proved by MINI. When you purchase accesso‐
ries tested and approved by MINI and Genuine
MINI Parts, you simultaneously acquire the as‐
surance that they have been thoroughly tested
by MINI to ensure optimum performance when
installed on your vehicle. MINI warrants these
parts to be free from defects in material and
workmanship. MINI will not accept any liability
for damage resulting from installation of parts
and accessories not approved by MINI. MINI
cannot test every product made by other man‐
ufacturers to verify if it can be used on a MINI
safely and without risk to either the vehicle, its
operation, or its occupants. Genuine MINI Parts,
MINI Accessories and other products approved
by MINI, together with professional advice on
using these items, are available from all MINI
centers. Installation and operation of non MINI
approved accessories such as alarms, radios,
amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels, suspension
components, brake dust shields, telephones,including operation of any mobile phone from
within the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equipment,
for instance, CBs, walkie-talkies, ham radios or
similar accessories, may cause extensive dam‐
age to the vehicle, compromise its safety, inter‐
fere with the vehicle's electrical system or af‐
fect the validity of the MINI Limited Warranty.
See your MINI center for additional informa‐
tion. Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
the emission control devices and systems may
be performed by any automotive repair estab‐
lishment or individual using any certified auto‐
motive part.
California Proposition 65 Warning California laws require us to state the following
warning:
Engine exhaust and a wide variety of automo‐
bile components and parts, including compo‐
nents found in the interior furnishings in a vehi‐
cle, contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and birth de‐
fects and reproductive harm. In addition, cer‐
tain fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other repro‐
ductive harm. Battery posts, terminals and re‐
lated accessories contain lead and lead com‐
pounds. Wash your hands after handling. Used
engine oil contains chemicals that have caused
cancer in laboratory animals. Always protect
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.Seite 7Notes7
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After the ignition is switched off
The windows can be operated for approx. 1 mi‐
nute after the remote control is removed or the
ignition is switched off.
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 power windows and in‐
jure themselves. ◀
MINI Convertible:
convertible top with
integrated sliding sun‐ roof
If possible, conserve the battery by only operat‐
ing the convertible top while the engine is run‐
ning.
Before closing the convertible top, remove all
foreign objects from the windshield frame as
these could prevent the top from closing prop‐
erly.
Opening and closing the sliding sunroof
To open:
Press the switch back until the desired position
or the end position is reached.
To close:
Press the switch forward.
The sliding sunroof can be opened or closed at
vehicle speeds up to 74 mph/120 km/h.
Electrical convertible top
The fully-automatic convertible top combines
reliable weather protection with simple and
convenient operation.
To ensure that you will continue to enjoy your
MINI Convertible, here are a few tips:▷It is advisable that you close the convertible
top when you park the vehicle. Not only
does the closed convertible top protect the
vehicle interior against unanticipated
weather damage, it also offers a certain
amount of theft protection. However, even
when the convertible top is closed, valua‐
bles should only be stored in the locked
cargo area.▷Do not attach roof rack systems to the
convertible top.▷If you open the convertible top while it is
wet, e.g., after driving in the rain, water
may drip into the cargo area. If necessary,
remove items from the cargo area before‐
hand to avoid water stains or soiling.
Safety notes on the convertible top
▷At temperatures below +10 ℉/-12 ℃,
do not move the convertible top or
else damage could result.▷Do not leave the convertible top open for
longer than one day while it is wet; other‐
wise, damage could be caused by the mois‐
ture.▷Do not place any objects on the convertible
top; otherwise, they could fall during oper‐
ation of the convertible top and cause
damage or injury.▷The convertible top pivots up when it is
opened and closed. When moving the
convertible top in places like garages, en‐
sure that there is a minimum height of
79 inches/2 meters; otherwise, damage
could result.▷When the rollover protection system is ex‐
tended, do not move the convertible top
under any circumstances.Seite 34CONTROLSOpening and closing34
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immediately after you start the engine or
switch on the ignition.
The current service requirements can be read
out from the remote control by the service spe‐
cialist.
Displaying the vehicle check
For certain maintenance operations, you can
view the distance remaining or the due date for
that operation in the tachometer.1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 56.2.Press the button on the turn indicator lever
repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is displayed.3.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.4.Press the button repeatedly until the corre‐
sponding symbol and "SERVICE-INFO" are
displayed.5.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.6.Press the button to display the individual
service requirement items.Possible displays1Button for selecting the information.SymbolFunctionService requirementsEngine oilRoadworthiness testFront brake padsRear brake padsBrake fluidSeite 72CONTROLSDisplays72
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In the interest of better forward momentum,
brake intervention is performed in the manner
of a differential lock when the drive wheels spin
unevenly even when DSC/DTC is deactivated.
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.
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 parking brake 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. ◀
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 Steptronic transmissions: more rapid
gear changes in the Sport program.
Activating the system
Press the button; the LED in the button
lights up and SPORT is displayed briefly
in the tachometer.
Deactivating the system
▷Press the button again.▷Switch the engine off.
MINI Coupe, MINI Road‐
ster: automatic rear
spoiler
General information The automatic rear spoiler increases the driving
stability of the vehicle.
Seite 93Driving stability control systemsCONTROLS93
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Note the area of movement
Make sure that the area of movement of
the rear spoiler is clear; otherwise, damage or
injuries may result. ◀
Do not use the rear spoiler for pushing, or else
it could be damaged.
Notes on the car washes and care, refer to
page 194.
Automatic operation
If the rear spoiler is retracted, it is in automatic
mode when the engine is started. In this case,
the system is initialized when the vehicle is set
into motion; this may cause a short noise to be heard.
Automatic extension:
When the vehicle exceeds a speed of ap‐
prox. 50 mph/80 km/h.
Automatic retraction:
When the vehicle drops below a speed of ap‐
prox. 38 mph/60 km/h.
The rear spoiler cannot be manually retracted
in automatic mode at speeds above
38 mph/60 km/h.
Manual mode Manual mode can, for example, be used to
clean the rear spoiler when the ignition is
switched on or the engine is running. In manual
mode, the LED in the switch is lit.
If the rear spoiler stops in an intermediate posi‐
tion after it is extended and retracted multiple
times, the system is overheated. The rear
spoiler can be operated again after a short
cooling period.
Extending the rear spoiler
Press the switch back.
Retracting the rear spoiler If the rear spoiler was manually extended and a
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h has not been ex‐
ceeded, the rear spoiler can be retracted again.
Otherwise, it can only be retracted after the
speed drops to below 38 mph/60 km/h.
▷Speed range between 12 mph/20 km/h and
50 mph/80 km/h: press the switch forward
briefly or hold.▷Speed below 12 mph/20 km/h: press the
switch forward and hold.
Malfunction
The indicator lamp lights up briefly
when the ignition is switched on and an
acoustic signal is issued.
Display in the following situations:
▷The rear spoiler is extended.
Retract the rear spoiler manually, or it is re‐
tracted again automatically at ap‐
prox. 12 mph/20 km/h.▷The rear spoiler cannot be extended from
the rear spoiler box.
Check whether the rear spoiler is free of
snow or ice, for example. Clear the rear
spoiler or de-ice it.
The warning lamp lights up and an
acoustic signal is issued a number of
times.
Seite 94CONTROLSDriving stability control systems94
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Engine compartmentVehicle 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 selectedspecial equipment or the country version. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
When using the features and systems described
here, adhere to local regulations.
Important features in the engine compartment
1Vehicle identification number2Battery, under the cover 1873Dip stick for engine oil 1724Engine oil filler neck 1725Coolant expansion tank 1746Reservoir for washer fluid for the headlight
and window washer system 627Engine compartment fuse box 188Seite 170MOBILITYEngine compartment170
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Engine oilEngine oil
Vehicle 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.
When using the features and systems described
here, adhere to local regulations.
General information
Engine oil consumption depends on the driving
style and the conditions of use. A highly sporty
driving style, for example, results in considera‐
bly higher engine oil consumption.
Therefore, regularly check the engine oil level
after refueling.
Checking the oil level with a dip stick1.Park the vehicle on level ground when the
engine is at operating temperature, i.e., af‐
ter driving continuously for at least
6 2 miles/10 km.2.Switch the engine off.3.After approx. 5 minutes, pull out the dip
stick and wipe it off with a lint-free cloth,
paper towel, etc.4.Carefully insert the dip stick all the way into
the measuring tube and pull it out again.The oil level must be between the two
marks on the dip stick.
The oil quantity between the two marks on the
dip stick equals approx. 1 US quart/1 liter.
Do not exceed the high mark.
Do not exceed the high mark of the dip
stick. Overfilling oil damages the engine. ◀
Adding engine oil
Filler neck
Add a maximum quantity of 1 US quart/1 liter
of oil only after the corresponding message ap‐
pears on the Control Display or, in diesel en‐
gines, after the oil level is just above the low
mark of the dip stick, refer to page 172.
Add oil promptly
Add oil within the next 30 miles/50 km;
otherwise, engine damage could result. ◀
Seite 172MOBILITYEngine oil172
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