For example, the sensors are unable to detect
fog or hazy weather. To avoid safety risks, you
should always switch on the lamps manually
under these conditions. ◀
The exterior lighting goes out automatically af‐
ter the vehicle is switched off.
High-beams/roadside parking lights1Turn signal/roadside parking light2Switching on the high-beams3Switching off the high-beams/headlight
flasher
To assist in parking, the vehicle can be illumi‐
nated on one side; note the country-specific
regulations.
The roadside parking lights drain the battery.
Therefore, do not leave them on for unduly
long periods of time; otherwise, the battery
might not have enough power to start the en‐
gine.
Switching on the roadside parking light
To switch on the roadside parking light on the
left or right, press the turn indicator lever up or
down after switching off the vehicle, arrow 1.
Switching off the roadside parking light
Press the lever up or down to the resistance
point.
Daytime running lights
The daytime running lights light up in switch
position 0, 1, or 3 when the ignition is switched
on.
The exterior lighting goes out automatically af‐
ter the vehicle is switched off.
In switch position 1, the parking lights light up
after the ignition is switched off.
Activating/deactivating
In some countries, driving with daytime run‐
ning lights is mandatory; for this reason, day‐
time running lights cannot be deactivated in
these cases.1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 48.2.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 sym‐
bol and "SET" are displayed.5.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.Seite 67LampsCONTROLS67
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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.
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. ◀
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.
Seite 83Driving stability control systemsCONTROLS83
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Closing the tailgateDrive with the tailgate closed
Only drive with the tailgate closed; other‐
wise, passengers and other road users may be
endangered or the vehicle may be damaged if
an accident occurs or during braking or swerv‐
ing. In addition, exhaust fumes may enter the
passenger compartment. ◀
If, despite this, the vehicle must be driven with
the tailgate open:▷Drive moderately.▷Close all windows and the glass sunroof.▷Switch off recirculated air mode and greatly
increase the blower speed.
Hot exhaust system
Hot exhaust system
High temperatures are generated in the
exhaust system.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that flammable materials, e. g. hay, leaves,
grass, etc. do not come in contact with the hot
exhaust system during driving, while in idle po‐
sition mode, or when parked. Such contact
could lead to a fire, and with it the risk of seri‐
ous personal injury as well as property damage.
Do not touch hot exhaust pipes; otherwise,
there is the danger of getting burned. ◀
Mobile communication devices in the
vehicle
Mobile communication devices in the ve‐
hicle
It is not recommended to use mobile phones,
such as mobile phones without a direct con‐
nection to an external aerial in the vehicle's
passenger compartment. Otherwise, the vehi‐
cle electronics and mobile communication de‐
vices can interfere with each other. In addition,
there is no assurance that the radiation gener‐
ated during transmission will be discharged
from the vehicle interior. ◀
Hydroplaning On wet or slushy roads, a wedge of water can
form between the tires and road surface.
This phenomenon is referred to as hydroplan‐
ing. It is characterized by a partial or complete
loss of contact between the tires and the road
surface, ultimately undermining your ability to
steer and brake the vehicle.
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads, re‐
duce your speed to prevent hydroplaning. ◀
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tire
tread depth decreases. Minimum tread depth,
refer to page 158.
Driving through water Drive though calm water only if it is not deeper
than 12 inches/30 cm and at this height, no
faster than walking speed, up to
6 mph/10 km/h.
Using the parking brake on inclines Using the parking brake
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle sta‐
tionary with a slipping clutch for extended pe‐
riod; use the parking brake instead. Otherwise, the clutch will be subject to increased wear. ◀
Support from the hill drive-off assistant, refer to
page 83.
Braking safely The vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standard
feature.
Applying the brakes fully is the most effective
way of braking in situations when this is neces‐
sary.
The vehicle maintains steering responsiveness.
You can still avoid any obstacles with a mini‐
mum of steering effort.Seite 111Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS111
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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 Steptronic
transmission, refer to page 56.
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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two jumper cables. In the same way, you can
help jump-start another vehicle. Only use
jumper cables with fully insulated clamp han‐
dles.
To prevent personal injury or damage to both
vehicles, adhere strictly to the following proce‐
dure.
Do not touch live parts
To avoid the risk of potentially fatal injury,
always avoid all contact with electrical compo‐
nents while the engine is running. ◀
Preparation1.Check whether the battery of the other ve‐
hicle has a voltage of 12 volts and approxi‐
mately the same capacitance in Ah. This in‐
formation can be found on the battery.2.Switch off the engine of the assisting vehi‐
cle.3.Switch off any electronic systems/power
consumers in both vehicles.
Bodywork contact between vehicles
There must not be any contact between
the bodies of the two vehicles, otherwise there
is a danger of shorting. ◀
Connecting jumper cables
Connecting order
Connect the jumper cables in the correct
order; otherwise, there is the danger of injury
from sparking. ◀1.Open the battery cover in the engine com‐
partment to access the positive terminal.2.Unlock the tabs of the positive terminal
cover on the left and right, arrows 1, and
raise the cover, arrow 2.3.Attach one terminal clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery or to a starting aid terminal of the
vehicle providing assistance.4.Attach the second clamp of the positive
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the
battery of the vehicle to be started.5.Attach one terminal clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal of
the battery, or to the corresponding engine
or body ground of the vehicle providing as‐
sistance.6.Attach the second clamp of the negative
jumper cable to the negative terminal ofSeite 182MOBILITYBreakdown assistance182
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Everything from A to ZIndexA
ABS, Antilock Brake Sys‐ tem 81
Acoustic signal, refer to Check Control 64
Activated charcoal filter with automatic climate con‐
trol 92
Adaptive Light Control 68
Additives, engine oil 167
Airbags 71
Airbags, indicator/warning light 74
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated air mode, air condi‐
tioner 89
Air circulation, refer to Recir‐ culated air mode, automatic
climate control 91
Air conditioning 88
Air conditioning mode, air conditioner 88
Air conditioning mode, auto‐ matic climate control 90
Air distribution, air condi‐ tioner, manual 89
Air distribution, automatic 91
Air distribution, automatic cli‐ mate control, manual 92
Air distribution, individual 89
Air drying, refer to Cooling function 92
Air flow rate for air condi‐ tioner 89
Air flow rate with automatic climate control 91
Air pressure, refer to Tire infla‐ tion pressure 152
Air supply, air conditioner 88 Air supply, automatic climate
control 90
Alarm system 30
Alarm system, avoiding unin‐ tentional alarms 31
Alarm system, ending an alarm 30
Alarm system, interior motion sensor 31
Alarm system, tilt alarm sen‐ sor 31
ALL4 all-wheel system 83
All-wheel drive, refer to ALL4 83
Alternating-code hand-held transmitter 95
Ambient lighting 70
Antifreeze, washer fluid 54
Antilock Brake System, ABS 81
Anti-slip control, refer to Dy‐ namic Stability Control
DSC 81
Anti-theft protection 21
Approved engine oils 167
Ashtray 98
Assistance, roadside 181
Assistance when driving off, refer to Hill drive-off assis‐
tant 83
Assistance with starting en‐ gine, refer to Jump-start‐
ing 181
Automatic air distribution 91
Automatic air flow 91
Automatic car wash 186
Automatic climate control 90
Automatic climate control, au‐ tomatic air distribution 91
Automatic, cruise control 85 Automatic headlight con‐
trol 66
Automatic transmission with Steptronic 55
AUTO program with auto‐ matic climate control 91
AUX-IN port 130
Average fuel consumption 60
Average fuel consumption, setting the units 61
Average speed 60
Average speed, refer to Com‐ puter 59
B Backrest curvature, refer to Lumbar support 36
Backrests, refer to Seats 35
Backup lights, bulb replace‐ ment 176
Battery disposal 30
Battery, refer to Vehicle bat‐ tery 179
Battery, remote control 20
Battery replacement, remote control 30
Belts, refer to Safety belts 37
Belt tensioners, refer to Safety belts 37
Bi-xenon headlights 172
Brake assistant 81
Brake discs, breaking in 110
Brake fluid, refer to Service re‐ quirements 63
Brake force distribution, elec‐ tronic 81
Brake pads, breaking in 110
Brake, refer to Parking brake 50 Seite 210REFERENCEEverything from A to Z210
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Brakes, MINI maintenancesystem 169
Brakes, service require‐ ments 63
Brake system, MINI mainte‐ nance system 169
Braking, notes 111
Braking, parking brake 50
Breakdown assistance, Road‐ side Assistance 181
Breaking in 110
Buckle tongue, height adjust‐ ment 38
Button for starting the engine, refer to Start/Stop button 48
C
California Proposition 65 Warning 7
Car battery, refer to Vehicle battery 179
Car care products 187
Care, displays 189
Care, vehicle 187
Cargo area, Comfort Ac‐ cess 28
Cargo area door, refer to Tail‐ gate 26
Cargo area, enlarging, cargo cover 100
Cargo area, flat loading floor 102
Cargo area light, refer to Inte‐ rior lights 69
Cargo area, multi-function hook 103
Cargo area, opening from the outside 26
Cargo area, partition net 102
Car horn, refer to Horn 12
Carpet, care 189
Car phone, refer to Tele‐ phone 136
Car wash 186 CBC, Cornering Brake Con‐
trol 81
CBS Condition Based Serv‐ ice 169
CD/DVD drives, care 190
Center armrest 105
Center console, refer to Around the center con‐
sole 15
Center rail 105
Center rail, refer to Storage compartments 105
Central locking, Comfort Ac‐ cess 28
Central locking from the in‐ side 25
Central locking system, con‐ cept 21
Central locking system, from the outside 21
Changes, technical, refer to Safety 6
Changing wheels/tires 159
Check Control 64
Children, transporting 43
Child restraint fixing system LATCH 44
Child restraint fixing sys‐ tems 43
Child restraint fixing systems, mounting 43
Child seat, mounting 43
Child seats, refer to Transport‐ ing children safely 43
Chrome parts, care 189
Circulation of air, refer to Re‐ circulated air mode, air con‐
ditioner 89
Circulation of air, refer to Re‐ circulated air mode, auto‐
matic climate control 91
Cleaning, displays 189
Cleaning, refer to Care 186
Climate 88
Climate mode, ventilation 93
Clock 58 Clock, 12h/24h mode 61
Closing from the inside 25
Closing, from the outside 22
Clutch, breaking in 110
Cockpit 12
Cold start, refer to Starting the engine 49
Combination instrument, refer to Displays 14
Combination switch, refer to Turn signal/high-beams/
headlight flasher 51
Combination switch, refer to Washer/wiper system 52
Comfort Access 28
Comfort Access, in the car wash 29
Comfort Access, replacing the battery 30
Comfort area, refer to Around the center console 15
Compartment for remote con‐ trol, refer to Ignition lock 48
Compass, digital 96
Computer 59
Computer, displaying informa‐ tion 59
Condition Based Service CBS 169
Confirmation signals for vehi‐ cle locking/unlocking 23
Consumption, refer to Aver‐ age fuel consumption 60
Control Display, care 189
Controls and displays 12
Control systems, driving stabil‐ ity 81
Convenient operation, win‐ dow 23
Coolant temperature 59
Cooling function, switching on and off 92
Cooling, maximum 91
Cornering Brake Control, CBC 81
Corrosion on brake discs 112 Seite 211Everything from A to ZREFERENCE211
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Cradle for telephone or mobilephone, refer to Snap-in
adapter 143
Cruise control 85
Cupholders 98
Current fuel consumption 60
Curve lights, refer to Adaptive Light Control 68
D Dashboard lighting, refer to Instrument lighting 69
Dashboard, refer to Cock‐ pit 12
Dashboard, refer to Dis‐ plays 14
Date, display format 61
Date, setting 62
Daytime running lights 67
Decorative trim, care 189
Defogging windows 89
Defroster, rear window, auto‐ matic climate control 92
Defroster, rear window, with air conditioner 89
Defrosting windows 89
Defrost setting, refer to De‐ frosting windows 89
Digital compass 96
Dip stick, engine oil 166
Directional indicators, refer to Turn signals 51
Display lighting, refer to In‐ strument lighting 69
Displays 14
Displays and controls 12
Displays, care 189
Displays, cleaning 189
Displays, refer to Instrument cluster 14
Disposal, remote control bat‐ tery 30
Distance warning, refer to Park Distance Control
PDC 86 Door key, refer to Remote
control with integrated
key 20
Door lock 24
Door lock, confirmation sig‐ nals 23
Doors, manual operation 25
Doors, unlocking and locking, confirmation signals 23
Doors, unlocking and locking from the inside 25
Doors, unlocking and locking, from the outside 22
DOT Quality Grades 156
Drive-off assistant, refer to Hill drive-off assistant 83
Driving notes, breaking in 110
Driving off on hills, refer to Hill drive-off assistant 83
Driving on poor roads 113
Driving stability control sys‐ tems 81
Driving tips, refer to Driving notes 110
Dry air, refer to Cooling func‐ tion 92
DSC Dynamic Stability Con‐ trol 81
DTC Dynamic Traction Con‐ trol 82
Dynamic Stability Control DSC 81
Dynamic Traction Control DTC 82
E
Electrical malfunction, door lock 25
Electrical malfunction, fuel filler flap 148
Electronic brake-force distri‐ bution 81 Electronic Stability Program
ESP, refer to Dynamic Stabil‐
ity Control DSC 81
Emergency operation, fuel filler flap, unlocking man‐
ually 148
Emergency operation, refer to Manual operation 25
Emergency operation, Step‐ tronic transmission, refer to
Selector lever lock, overrid‐
ing 57
Energy, saving, refer to Saving fuel 118
Engine, breaking in 110
Engine compartment 164
Engine oil, adding 166
Engine oil, additives, refer to Approved engine oils 167
Engine oil, alternative oil types 167
Engine oil change intervals, refer to Service require‐
ments 63
Engine oil, dip stick 166
Engine oil, filling capacity 209
Engine oil, MINI maintenance system 169
Engine oil types, alterna‐ tive 167
Engine oil types, ap‐ proved 167
Engine, overheating, refer to Coolant temperature 59
Engine start, assistance 181
Engine, starting 49
Engine, starting, Comfort Ac‐ cess 28
Engine, starting, Start/Stop button 48
Engine, stopping, Start/Stop button 48
Engine, switching off 50
Equipment, interior 94 Seite 212REFERENCEEverything from A to Z212
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