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.
When using the features and systems described
here, adhere to local regulations.
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.
Steptronic 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 pedal is de‐
pressed.▷Steptronic transmission: the brake pedal is
depressed.
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 29, by
pressing the button on the door handle or
the
button on the remote control.
▷After a certain period of time.Seite 56CONTROLSDriving56
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Ignition onAll electrical consumers can operate. Most indi‐
cator and warning lights light up for different
lengths of time.
To save battery power when the engine is off,
switch off the ignition and any unnecessary electronic systems/power consumers.
Radio ready state and ignition off All indicator and warning lights in the displays
go out.
The ignition switches off automatically when
the driver's door is opened. Pressing the Start/
Stop button again switches the ignition back
on.
For example, the ignition is not switched off in
the following situations:▷Depress the clutch or brake pedal.▷The low beams are switched on.
Starting the engine
General information Enclosed areas
Do not let the engine run in enclosed
areas; otherwise, breathing of exhaust fumes
may lead to loss of consciousness and death.
The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide,
an odorless and colorless but highly toxic gas. ◀
Unattended vehicle
Do not leave the car unattended with the
engine running; otherwise, it presents a poten‐
tial source of danger.
Before leaving the car with the engine running,
shift to neutral or engage transmission posi‐
tion P and set the parking brake firmly; other‐ wise, the vehicle may begin to roll. ◀
Frequent starting in quick succession
Avoid repeated futile attempts at starting
the car and avoid starting the car frequently in
quick succession. Otherwise, the fuel is not
burned or is inadequately burned, and there is
the danger of overheating and damaging the
catalytic converter. ◀
Do not wait for the engine to warm-up while
the vehicle remains stationary; start driving
right away, but at moderate engine speeds.
Do not depress the accelerator when starting
the engine.
Starting the engine
Manual transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or with
Comfort Access inside the vehicle, refer to
page 29.
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Depress the clutch pedal.3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
Steptronic transmission
Remote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 29.
1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Move the selector lever to position P or N.Seite 57DrivingCONTROLS57
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3.Press the Start/Stop button.
The ignition is activated automatically for a cer‐
tain time and is stopped as soon as the engine
starts.
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 parking brake and further secure
the vehicle as required
Set the parking brake firmly when parking; oth‐
erwise, 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 194.
Switching off the engine
Manual transmission
1.With the vehicle at a standstill, press the
Start/Stop button.2.Shift into first gear or reverse.3.Set the parking brake firmly.4.Remove the remote control from the igni‐
tion lock.Steptronic transmission1.Engage transmission position P with the ve‐
hicle stopped.2.Press the Start/Stop button.3.Set the parking brake firmly.4.Remove the remote control from the igni‐
tion lock.
Parking brake
The concept
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre‐
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it
brakes the rear wheels.
Also follow the instructions under Switching off
the engine, refer to page 58.
Setting The lever engages automatically.
Releasing
Pull up slightly, press the button, and lower the
lever.
Notes Using the parking brake while driving
If it should become necessary to use the
parking brake while driving, do not pull the
parking brake too forcefully. Keep the button
on the parking brake lever pressed at all times.
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Reverse gearSelect only when the vehicle is stationary. When
the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a slight
resistance needs to be overcome.
Steptronic transmission In addition to the fully automatic mode, gears
can also be shifted manually using Steptronic,
refer to page 64.
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 56.
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.
Changing selector lever positions▷With the ignition switched on or the engine
running, the selector lever can be moved
out of position P.▷When the vehicle is stationary, step on the
brake before shifting out of P or N; other‐
wise, the selector lever is locked: shiftlock.
Press on the brake pedal until you
start driving
To prevent the vehicle from creeping after
you select a driving position, maintain pres‐
sure on the brake pedal until you are ready
to start. ◀
A lock prevents accidental shifting into selector
lever positions R and P.
To override the lock, press the button on the
front of the selector lever, see arrow.
P Park
Select only when the vehicle is stationary. The
front wheels are blocked.
R is Reverse
Select only when the vehicle is stationary.
N is NeutralFor example, engage this position in a car
wash. The vehicle can roll.
D Drive Position for normal vehicle operation. All for‐
ward gears are selected automatically.
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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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Towing with a tow truck
Have the MINI transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
Do not lift the vehicle
Do not lift the vehicle by the tow fitting or
body and chassis parts; otherwise, damage
may result. ◀
Tow-starting
If possible, start the engine by jump-starting,
refer to page 189, it rather than tow-starting
the vehicle. Vehicles with a catalytic converter
should only be tow-started when the engine is
cold; vehicles with an automatic transmission
cannot be tow-started.
1.Switch on the hazard warning system and
comply with local regulations.2.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 56.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch is depressed and then slowly release
the clutch. After the engine starts, immedi‐
ately depress the clutch completely again.5.Stop at a suitable location, remove the tow
bar or rope, and switch off the hazard
warning system.6.Have the vehicle checked.Seite 193Breakdown assistanceMOBILITY193
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12CauseHow to respondThe small light flashes yellow and then
stays on, the large light lights up in yellow:Tire Pressure Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicated.Have the system checked.A wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted.Have the system checked.TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to
other systems or devices using the same
radio frequency.In vehicles with the Tire Pressure MonitorThe small light flashes yellow and then
stays on, the large light lights up in yellow:Tire Pressure Monitor failed. Punctures are
not indicated.Have the system checked.A wheel without TPM electronics is
mounted.Have the system checked.Lights up in red:Transmission limp-home program active
with restricted range of gears, possibly
with reduced acceleration.You can continue your journey, but
moderate your speed and exercise
due caution. Have the system
checked immediately.Gears can be engaged without depressing
the brake.Always depress the brake to engage
a gear.Automatic selector lever locked:Manually unlock the selector lever
lock, refer to page 65.Lights up in yellow:Have the system checked as soon as
possible.Automatic selector lever locked:
The selector lever is locked in position P
with the engine running or the ignition
switched on and the brake depressed orManually unlock the selector lever
lock, refer to page 65.Seite 208MOBILITYIndicator/warning lamps208
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Everything from A to ZIndexA
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 91
Acoustic signal, refer to Check Control 73
Activated charcoal filter with automatic climate con‐
trol 103
Adaptive Light Control 77
Additives, engine oil 173
Airbags 81
Airbags, indicator/warning light 83
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated air mode, air condi‐
tioner 100
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated air mode, automatic
climate control 102
Air conditioning 99
Air conditioning mode, air conditioner 99
Air conditioning mode, auto‐ matic climate control 101
Air distribution, air condi‐ tioner, manual 100
Air distribution, auto‐ matic 102
Air distribution, automatic cli‐ mate control, manual 103
Air distribution, individual 100
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 103
Air flow rate for air condi‐ tioner 100
Air flow rate with automatic climate control 102
Air pressure, refer to Tire infla‐ tion pressure 156
Air supply, air conditioner 99 Air supply, automatic climate
control 101
Alarm system 31
Alarm system, avoiding unin‐ tentional alarms 32
Alarm system, ending an alarm 31
Alarm system, interior motion sensor 32
Alarm system, tilt alarm sen‐ sor 32
Always Open Timer 68
Ambient lighting 79
Antifreeze, washer fluid 62
Antilock Brake System, ABS 91
Anti-slip control, refer to Dy‐ namic Stability Control
DSC 91
Anti-theft protection 21
Approved engine oils 173
Ashtray 105
Assistance, roadside 189
Assistance when driving off, refer to Hill drive-off assis‐
tant 93
Assistance with starting en‐ gine, refer to Jump-start‐
ing 189
Automatic air distribution 102
Automatic air flow 102
Automatic car wash 194
Automatic climate con‐ trol 101
Automatic climate control, au‐ tomatic air distribution 102
Automatic, cruise control 96
Automatic headlight con‐ trol 75
Automatic rear spoiler 93 Automatic transmission with
Steptronic 63
AUTO program with auto‐ matic climate control 102
AUX-IN port 134
Average fuel consumption 68
Average fuel consumption, setting the units 70
Average speed 68
Average speed, refer to Com‐ puter 67
B Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 46
Backrests, refer to Seats 45
Backup lights, bulb replace‐ ment 182
Battery disposal 31
Battery, refer to Vehicle bat‐ tery 187
Battery, remote control 20
Battery replacement, remote control 31
Belts, refer to Safety belts 47
Belt tensioners, refer to Safety belts 47
Bi-xenon headlights 179
Brake assistant 91
Brake discs, breaking in 114
Brake fluid, refer to Service re‐ quirements 71
Brake force distribution, elec‐ tronic 91
Brake pads, breaking in 114
Brake, refer to Parking brake 58
Brakes, MINI maintenance system 175 Seite 218REFERENCEEverything from A to Z218
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