Unlocking
Press button 1.
Depending on the setting, either only the driv‐
er's door or the entire vehicle is unlocked, refer
to page 22.
Pressing the button again locks the entire vehi‐
cle again.
Convenient opening with the remote control,
refer to page 23.
Locking
Press button 1.
For Convenient closing, press and hold but‐
ton 1.
The windows and, if applicable, the glass sun‐
roof are closed in addition.
Unlocking the tailgate separately
Press the top half of the MINI emblem.
This corresponds to pressing the following but‐
ton on the remote control:
.
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 50.
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 50, 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
Steptronic transmission
The engine can only be switched off with the
selector lever in position P, refer to page 57.
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 Steptronic
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
Seite 29Opening and closingCONTROLS29
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DrivingVehicle features and op‐
tions
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. 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.
Steering wheel lock
Removing the remote control from the
ignition lock
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 28, 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 lights light up for different
lengths of time.
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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 DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or ventila‐
tion is insufficient, harmful exhaust gases can
enter into the vehicle. The exhaust gases con‐
tain carbon monoxide, an odorless and color‐
less but highly toxic gas. In enclosed areas, ex‐
haust gases can also accumulate outside of the
vehicle. There is danger to life. Keep the ex‐
haust pipe free and ensure sufficient ventila‐
tion. ◀
WARNING
An unsecured vehicle can put itself into
motion and roll away. There is risk of an acci‐
dent. Before exiting, secure the vehicle against
rolling.
In order to ensure that the vehicle is secured
against rolling away, observe the following:
▷Set the parking brake.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, turn the
front wheels in the direction of the curb.▷On uphill grades or on a slope, additionally
secure the vehicle, e.g. with a wheel
chock. ◀
CAUTION
In the case of repeated starting attempts
or repeated starting in quick succession, the
fuel is not burned or is inadequately burned.
The catalytic converter can overheat. There is
risk of property damage. Avoid repeated start‐
ing in quick succession. ◀
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 28.
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.
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The displays go out. The stored target speed is
cleared.
Interrupting Press button 2.
The system is interrupted automatically if▷The brakes are applied.▷The clutch pedal is depressed.▷The transmission position D is disengaged.▷DSC intervenes.
Maintaining, storing the current speed
WARNING
The desired speed can be incorrectly ad‐
justed or called up by mistake. There is risk of
an accident. Adjust the desired speed to the
traffic conditions. Watch traffic closely and ac‐
tively interfere in the respective situations. ◀
Press button 1 or button 3.
The current speed is maintained and stored. It
is displayed briefly in the tachometer.
On downhill gradients, it may prove impossible
to maintain the set speed if the engine braking
power is insufficient. On uphill gradients, it may
prove impossible to maintain the set speed if
the engine power output is insufficient.
Increasing speed
▷Press button 1 repeatedly until the desired
speed is reached.
Each time the button is pressed, the speed
increases by approx. 1 mph/1 km/h.▷Press and hold button 1 until the desired
speed is reached.
The vehicle accelerates without pressure on
the accelerator pedal. After the button is
released, the achieved speed is maintained
and stored.Decreasing speed
Press button 3 repeatedly or hold it until the
desired speed is reached.
The functions are the same those when the
speed is increased, only that the speed is re‐
duced.
Resuming a speed stored beforehand Press button 4.
The last stored speed is resumed and main‐
tained.
The stored speed is cleared when the ignition is
switched off.
Display in the tachometer
The selected speed is displayed briefly.
If the display --- mph or --- km/h appears
briefly, conditions may not be adequate to op‐
erate the system.
For better control The indicator lamp lights up in the
speedometer. Cruise control is ready to
operate and can be activated.
Malfunction The warning lamp in the tachometer
lights up.
The system is malfunctioning or has
failed.
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Things to remember when drivingVehicle features and op‐tions
This chapter describes all standard, country-
specific and optional features offered with the
series. It also describes features that are not
necessarily available in your car, e. g., due to
the selected options or country versions. This
also applies to safety-related functions and sys‐
tems.
When using the features and systems described
here, adhere to local regulations.
Breaking-in period
General information Moving parts need to be broken in to adjust to
each other.
The following instructions will help achieve a
long vehicle life and good economy.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 kmDrive at various engine and vehicle speeds, but
do not exceed:▷For a gasoline engine, 4,500 rpm and
100 mph/160 km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode for the initial
miles.
From 1,200 miles/2,000 km
The engine and vehicle speed can gradually be
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac‐
tion potential until after an initial breaking-in
period.
Drive conservatively for the first
200 miles/300 km.
Brake system Brakes require an initial break-in period of ap‐
prox. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and discs. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The clutch requires an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to function at an op‐
timal level.
During this break-in period, engage the clutch
gently.
Following part replacement
The same breaking in procedures should be ob‐
served if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Ground clearance CAUTION
If ground clearance is insufficient, there
might be contact with the front or rear spoiler
e.g. when driving over curbs or entering into
underground car parking garages. There is risk
of property damage. Ensure that there is suffi‐
cient ground clearance available. ◀Seite 112DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving112
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Closing the tailgateWARNING
An open tailgate protrudes from the vehi‐
cle and can endanger occupants and other traf‐
fic participants or damage the vehicle in the
event of an accident, braking or evasive ma‐
neuvers. In addition, exhaust fumes may enter
the vehicle interior. There is risk of injuries or
risk of property damage. Do not drive with the
tailgate open. ◀
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
WARNING
During driving operation, high tempera‐
tures can occur underneath the body, e.g.
caused by the exhaust gas system. If combusti‐
ble materials, such as leaves or grass, come in
contact with hot parts of the exhaust gas sys‐
tem, these materials can ignite. There is risk of
injuries or risk of property damage.
Do not remove the heat shields installed and
never apply undercoating to them. Make sure
that no combustible materials can come in con‐
tact with hot vehicle parts in driving operation,
idle or during parking. Do not touch the hot ex‐
haust system. ◀
Mobile communication devices in the vehicle
WARNING
The vehicle's performance may be af‐
fected by interference from high frequency
radio signals. These signals are emitted by a
series of transmission systems, such as from air
traffic beacons or relay stations for mobile tele‐
communications.
If you have problems of this nature, we recom‐
mend that you consult your dealer’s service
center or another qualified service center or re‐
pair shop. ◀
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.
The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tire
tread depth decreases. Minimum tread depth,
refer to page 160.
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 On inclines, do not hold the vehicle stationary
with a slipping clutch for extended period; use
the parking brake instead. Otherwise, the
clutch will be subject to increased wear.
Support from the hill drive-off assistant, refer to
page 86.
Braking safely The vehicle is equipped with ABS as a standardfeature.
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.
Pulsation of the brake pedal and sounds from
the hydraulic circuits indicate that ABS is in its
active mode.Seite 113Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS113
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With a tow truck: vehicles without ALL4all-wheel drive
CAUTION
When lifting the vehicle by the tow fitting
or body and chassis parts; damage can occur
on vehicle parts. There is risk of property dam‐
age. Lift vehicle using suitable means. ◀
MINI Countryman:
MINI Paceman:
Have the vehicle transported with a tow truck
with a so-called lift bar or on a flat bed.
With a tow truck: vehicle with ALL4 all-wheel drive
CAUTION
When lifting the vehicle by the tow fitting
or body and chassis parts; damage can occur
on vehicle parts. There is risk of property dam‐
age. Lift vehicle using suitable means. ◀
CAUTION
The vehicle can be damaged when tow‐
ing the vehicle with a single lifted axle. There is
risk of property damage. Only transport the ve‐
hicle on a flat-bed. ◀
MINI Countryman:
MINI Paceman:
Only transport the vehicle on a flat-bed.
Tow-starting
If possible, start the engine by jump-starting,
refer to page 184, 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 50.3.Engage third gear.4.Have the vehicle tow-started with the
clutch is depressed and then slowly releaseSeite 188MOBILITYBreakdown assistance188
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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 189Breakdown assistanceMOBILITY189
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