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3Hook for upper retaining strap4Mounting point5Cargo area floor6Backrest7Upper retaining strap of child restraint fix‐
ing system
Attaching the upper retaining strap to
the mounting point
1.Slide the head restraint upward.2.Center seat: fold the cargo area floor for‐
ward.3.Guide the upper retaining strap between
the supports of the head restraint.4.Attach the upper retaining strap to the
mounting point with the hook.5.Slide the head restraint into the bottom po‐
sition.6.Pull the upper retaining strap taut.
WARNING
If the rear backrest is not locked, the pro‐
tective effect of the child restraint system is lim‐
ited or there is none. In particular situations,
e.g. braking maneuvers or in case of an acci‐
dent, the rear backrest can fold forward. There
is risk of injuries or danger to life. Make sure
that the rear backrests are locked. ◀
MINI Countryman: lock‐
ing doors and windows
Rear doors
Push the locking lever on the rear doors down.
The door can now be opened from the outside
only.
Safety switch for power window This locks the rear window switches so that the
windows cannot be operated from the rear.
Press the safety switch, refer to page 35.
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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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Steptronic transmissionRemote control in the ignition lock or, with
Comfort Access, inside the vehicle, refer to
page 28.1.Depress the brake pedal.2.Move the selector lever to position P or N.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 WARNING
Unattended children or animals can move
the vehicle and endanger themselves and traf‐
fic, e.g. with the following actions:
▷Pressing the Start/Stop button.▷Releasing the parking brake.▷Opening and closing of doors or windows.▷Shifting the selector lever into neutral.▷Using vehicle equipment.
There is risk of accidents or injuries. Do not
leave children or animals unattended in the ve‐
hicle. Carry remote control along when exiting
and lock the vehicle. ◀
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. ◀
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 190.
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 transmission
1.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 52.
Setting The lever engages automatically.
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Releasing
Pull up slightly, press the button, and lower the
lever.
Information If for once use during driving is required, en‐
gage the parking brake slightly and hold the
button down.
The brake lights do not light up when the park‐
ing brake is pulled.
Turn signal, high-beams,
headlight flasher
1Turn signal2Switching on the high-beams3Switching off the high-beams/headlight
flasher
Turn signal
Press the lever beyond the resistance point.
To switch off manually, press the lever to the
resistance point.
Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator lamp
indicates that a turn signal bulb has failed.
Signaling a turn briefly Press the lever to the resistance point and hold
it there for as long as you want the turn signal
to flash.
Triple turn signal activation Press the lever to the resistance point.
The turn signal flashes three times.
This function can be activated or deactivated:1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 50.2.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 53DrivingCONTROLS53
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6.Press the button repeatedly until the sym‐
bol shown is displayed, arrow.7.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.8.Press the button to select:▷
Turn signal flashes once.▷
Triple turn signal.9.Press and hold the button until the display
changes.
Settings are stored for the remote control cur‐
rently in use.
Washer/wiper system
Information Do not use the wipers if the windshield is dry,
as this may damage the wiper blades or cause
them to become worn more quickly.
CAUTION
If the wipers are frozen to the windshield,
the wiper blades can be torn off and the wiper
motor overheat on switching on. There is risk of
property damage. Defrost the windshield prior
to switching the wipers on. ◀
Overview1Switching on wipers2Switching off wipers or brief wipe3Activating/deactivating intermittent wipe or
the rain sensor4Cleaning the windshield and headlights
Switching on wipers
Press the wiper lever upward, arrow 1.
The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
Normal wiper speed
Press up once.
The system switches to operation in the inter‐
mittent mode when the vehicle is stationary.
Fast wiper speed
Press up twice or press once beyond the resist‐
ance point.
The system switches to normal speed when the
vehicle is stationary.
Switching off wipers or brief wipe Press the wiper lever down, arrow 2.
The lever automatically returns to its initial po‐
sition when released.
▷Brief wipe: press down once.▷To switch off normal wipe: press down
once.▷To switch off fast wipe: press down twice.Seite 54CONTROLSDriving54
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Intermittent wipe or rain sensor
If the car is not equipped with a rain sensor, the
intermittent-wipe time is a preset.
If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, the
time between wipes is controlled automatically
and depends on the intensity of the rainfall.
The rain sensor is mounted on the windshield,
directly in front of the interior rearview mirror.
CAUTION
If the rain sensor is activated, the wipers
can accidentally start moving in car washes.
There is risk of property damage. Deactivate
the rain sensor in car washes. ◀
Activating intermittent wipe or rain sensor
Press the button, arrow 3.
The symbol is shown in the tachometer.
Setting the sensitivity of the rain sensor1.Switch on the ignition, refer to page 50.2.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.6.Press the button to select the desired sensi‐
tivity.7.Wait or hold the button until the display
changes.
The settings were stored.
Deactivating intermittent wipe or rain
sensor
Press the button again, arrow 3.
Cleaning the windshield and headlights
Pull the lever, arrow 4.
The system sprays washer fluid on the wind‐
shield and activates the wipers briefly.
When the vehicle lighting system is switched
on, the headlights are cleaned at regular and
appropriate intervals.
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WARNING
The washer fluid can freeze onto the win‐
dow at low temperatures and obstruct the
view. There is risk of an accident. Only use the
washer systems, if the washer fluid cannot
freeze. Use antifreeze if needed. ◀
CAUTION
When the wiper water container is empty,
the wash pump cannot work as intended.
There is risk of property damage. Do not use
the washer system when the wash water con‐
tainer is empty. ◀
CAUTION
Use of the washer system with the hood
open may damage the headlamp washer sys‐
tem. There is a risk of property damage. Only
use the washer system if the hood is fully
locked. ◀
Windshield washer nozzles The windshield washer nozzles are heated au‐
tomatically while the engine is running or the
ignition is switched on.
Rear window wiper0Resting position1Switching on intermittent wipe
Turn the cap to level 1.
When reverse gear is engaged, the system
switches to continuous operation.2Cleaning the rear window with intermittent
wipeTurn the cap further to level 2 and hold.3Cleaning the rear window in the resting po‐
sition
Turn the cap to level 3 and hold.
The rear window wiper does not move if the
cap is in position 1 before the ignition is
switched on.
To switch on the rear window wiper:
1.Move the cap to its basic position.2.Select the required position again.
CAUTION
When the wiper water container is empty,
the wash pump cannot work as intended.
There is risk of property damage. Do not use
the washer system when the wash water con‐
tainer is empty. ◀
Washer fluid General information WARNING
Some antifreeze agents can contain
harmful substances and are flammable. There
is risk of fire and risk of injuries. Observe the in‐
structions on the containers. Keep antifreeze
away from ignition sources. Do not refill oper‐
ating materials into different bottles. Store op‐
erating materials out of reach of children.
United States: The washer fluid mixture ratio is
regulated by the U.S. EPA and many individual
states; do not exceed the allowable washer
fluid dilution ratio limits that apply. Follow the
usage instructions on the washer fluid con‐
tainer.
Use of BMW’s Windshield Washer Concentrate
or the equivalent is recommended. ◀
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