2005 Mini Cooper Owners Manual

Interior mirror, automatic dimming* While the vehicle is being driven forward, these mirrors dim light through an infi- nitely variable range depending on the light's incidence. Two photocells in the interior rearview mirror serve this purpose. One is positioned on the underside of the mirror frame, while the other is slightly off- set on the back of the mirror. In order for the photocells to work opti- mally, keep them clean and do not cover the area between the interior rearview mir- ror and the windshield. Do not place stick- ers or toll tags on the windshield in front of the mirror.

VEHICLE MEMORY

How the system functions No doubt you have often reflected on how great it would be if you could configure your vehicle's various adjustment settings to meet your own personal requirements. In developing this vehicle, the manufac- turer of the MINI has incorporated a num- ber of options which can be programmed specifically for your vehicle.

What the system can do Your MINI Dealer can provide you with details on the capabilities of the Vehicle Memory system. Examples for Vehicle Memory: >Automatic locking if none of the vehicle

doors are opened, refer to page 26

>Automatic locking after starting to drive,

refer to page 28

>Selective central locking system, refer to

pages 26, 27

>Convenience operation, refer to

pages 26, 27

>'Follow-me-home' lamps, refer to

page 57

>Daytime driving lamps, refer to page 58
>Speed-dependent windshield wipers,

refer to page 60

47

VEHICLE MEMORY

TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELY

>Setting units for outside temperature and fuel consumption display, refer to page 66

>Setting units for display of temperatures

specified for automatic climate control system, refer to page 80

>Volume control PDC, refer to page 74
>Acoustic alarm for starting PDC activa-

tion, refer to page 74.

This symbol alerts you to Vehicle Memory functions in the Owner's

Manual.<

After memory functions have been reconfigured, your vehicle may oper-

ate slightly differently from the descrip- tions used in this Owner's Manual. If you decide to sell your vehicle one day, please remember to have the memory functions reset to their default configuration.<

The proper place for children Children should always sit in the rear: Accident research shows that the safest place for children in a vehicle is in the rear seat. Older children should be tightly secured with a safety belt, after they have out- grown a booster seat that is appropriate for their age, height and weight.

A child sitting in the rear seat and not properly restrained may place his or

her head on or near the airbag, if so equipped. For example, a child – even though belted in – may fall asleep with his or her head against the side airbag. It may be difficult for a driver to ensure that chil- dren in the rear seat will remain properly positioned at all times and do not place their heads on or near the side airbag. Therefore, we recommend that the rear side airbags, if provided, be deactivated if you plan to transport children in the rear seat.<

Child-restraint system in the rear

Children under 13 years of age and children less than 5 ft / 150 cm tall

should always ride in the rear and the

restraint systems should be secured with the vehicle's safety belts.<

Younger children should be secured in an appropriate forward-facing child-restraint system that has first been properly restrained. We strongly urge you to care- fully read and comply with the instructions for installation and use provided by the child-restraint's manufacturer whenever you use such a device. All rear seating positions in your vehicle meet the recommendations of SAE J1819, an industry-recommended practice for securing child-restraint systems in motor vehicles.

Exception for the front passenger seat Should it one day be necessary to use a child-restraint system on the front

passenger seat, the airbags on the front passenger side must be deactivated. Other- wise, there is a significant risk of injury to children if the airbags deploy, even if they are seated in a child-restraint system. Have the front passenger airbags permanently deactivated only by your MINI Dealer or a workshop that has specially trained per- sonnel working in accordance with the specifications of the MINI manufacturer.<

48

TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELY

Installing child-restraint systems Before installing any child-restraint system or child seat, read the following:

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions concerning installation and use; otherwise the system's protective function could be impaired. After an acci- dent, have all parts of the child-restraint system and the affected safety belt system inspected and/or replaced. Have the neces- sary work on your MINI carried out only by a MINI Dealer or a workshop that has spe- cially trained personnel working in accor- dance with the specifications of the MINI manufacturer.<

Commercially available child-restraint sys- tems are designed to be secured with a lap belt or with the lap belt portion of a combi- nation lap/shoulder belt. Improperly or inadequately installed restraint systems can increase the risk of injury to children. Always read and follow the instructions that come with the system.

Child seat security All of the rear belt retractors and the front passenger's safety belt can be locked for mounting and securing child-restraint sys- tems. Information regarding this is located near the buckle latch of each safety belt.

To lock the belt Pull the entire length of the belt from the belt retractor. Allow the reel to retract the belt somewhat and engage the buckle, then tighten the belt against the child- restraint system. The retraction mechanism is now locked.

To unlock the belt Release the buckle, remove the child- restraint system and allow the belt retrac- tor to reel the belt completely in.

49

TRANSPORTING CHILDREN SAFELY

Child-restraint system with tether strap As an example, the illustration shows the MINI COOPER and the MINI COOPER S. If you use a child-restraint system with a tether strap: Depending on the location selected for seating in the rear passenger area, attach the tether strap to the corresponding anchorage point to secure the child- restraint system.

Both seating positions are fitted with a head restraint. Lift the head restraint and pass the tether strap between the head restraint and the seat back. It is recommended to readjust the head restraint into the lowest possible position. Adjust the tether strap according to the child-restraint manufacturer's instructions.

LATCH child-restraint mounting system Open the cover. The illustration is an example showing the mounts for the LATCH, Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren, child-restraint mount- ing system at the right rear. The system is also available at the left rear position. The LATCH anchorage points are identified by buttons, see illustration.

Always follow all manufacturer's instructions and observe all safety precautions when installing the LATCH child-restraint system.<

50

1 Steering unlocked Individual electrical accessories are ready for operation. You will find that it is often easier to turn the ignition key from position 0 to position 1 when you move the steering wheel slightly to help disengage the lock.

2 Ignition switched on All electrical accessories are ready for oper- ation.

3 Starting the engine

Vehicles with manual transmission: Step on the clutch when starting the vehicle. A lockout prevents the engine from starting if the clutch is not depressed.<

STARTING THE ENGINE

Do not allow the engine to run in enclosed spaces. Breathing the nox-

ious exhaust gases can lead to uncon- sciousness and death. The exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic gas. Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. This is a safety hazard. When driving, standing at idle, and parking the vehicle, take care to avoid contact between the hot exhaust system and flam- mable materials, e.g. hay, grass, leaves, etc. Such contact could lead to a fire resulting in serious personal injury and property dam- age.<

When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator pedal. Do not let the engine warm up with the vehicle at a standstill. Move off immedi- ately at a moderate engine speed.

IGNITION LOCK

0 Steering locked The key can be inserted or removed in this position only.

To lock the steering: 1. Remove the key 2. Turn the steering wheel slightly to the

left or right until the lock engages.

A sound alarm goes off if the key remains in the ignition after opening the driver's door.

Interlock Vehicles with Continuously Variable auto- matic Transmission (CVT): The ignition key cannot be turned to position 0 and removed until the selector lever is in position P.

51

STARTING THE ENGINE

SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE

You should never remove the ignition key when the vehicle is in motion, as

the steering lock could engage. When you leave the vehicle, always remove the ignition key and engage the steering lock. When parking on inclines, engage the park- ing brake, or the vehicle could roll.<

Manual transmission Turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.

Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT) Engage selector lever position P, turn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.

Starting When starting the engine, do not press the accelerator pedal.

Manual transmission 1. Engage the parking brake 2. Put the manual gearshift lever in neutral 3. Depress the clutch pedal, especially at

Do not stop the starting procedure too early, and do not continue it for

low temperatures 4. Start the engine.

more than approx. 20 seconds. Release the ignition key immediately when the engine starts. Extended starting attempts, characterized by excessively frequent or long periods with the starter engaged, can lead to dam- age in the catalytic converter.<

If the engine does not start on the first attempt, for instance if the engine is very hot or cold: When starting the engine, press the gas pedal down halfway.

Cold start at very low temperatures, above approx. +5 7 / –15 6, at high altitudes above 3,300 ft / 1,000 m: >For the initial start attempt, allow the starter to remain engaged somewhat longer, approx. 10 seconds.

>When starting the engine, press the gas

pedal down halfway.

Move the gearshift lever to neutral position and engage the parking

brake before leaving your vehicle with the engine running. Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. This is a safety haz- ard.<

Continuously Variable automatic Transmission (CVT) 1. Press the footbrake 2. Put the selector lever in position P or N 3. Start the engine.

Move the selector lever to position P and engage the parking brake before

leaving your vehicle with the engine run- ning. Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. This is a safety haz- ard.<

52

PARKING BRAKE

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

pressure. Keep your thumb pressed against the release button while carefully pulling the lever up to apply moderate pressure. Excessive pressure can lead to overbraking and loss of traction, i.e. fishtailing, at the rear axle. The brake lamps do not come on when the parking brake is engaged.<

To avoid corrosion and one-sided braking, apply the parking brake

lightly from time to time when coasting to a standstill, for instance at a traffic light, provided that it is safe to do so.<

6-speed transmission*

When changing gear in the 5th/6th gear plane, press the gearshift lever to the right to prevent inadvertently shift- ing to a gear of the 3rd/4th gear plane.<

53

The parking brake is designed primarily to prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is parked. It operates against the rear wheels.

To engage Lever automatically locks in position. The indicator lamp in the instrument clus- ter lights up from ignition key position 2, refer to page 17.

To release 1. Pull up slightly 2. Press the button 3. Push the lever downwards.

If, in exceptional circumstances, it should be necessary to engage the

parking brake while the vehicle is in motion, do not pull the lever with excessive

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)*

In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can shift gears manually using Step- tronic, refer to page 55.

Selector lever positions P R N D M/S + –

Reverse gear Before selecting reverse gear, ensure the vehicle is stationary; then, fully depress the clutch pedal and pause briefly before mov- ing the gearshift lever into position. 5-speed transmission: Press the gearshift lever to the right and to the back. 6-speed transmission: Press the gearshift lever towards the left. Thereby overcome the slight resistance and press forward. As you do this, the backup lamps will come on automatically when the ignition key is in position 2.

Do not hold the vehicle in place on slopes by slipping or 'riding' the

clutch. Use the parking brake instead. Oth- erwise, a high degree of clutch wear could result.<

54

Range selection Inadvertent engaging of certain selector lever positions is prevented by a lock. Press the button on the front side of the selector lever knob. The lock is released.

While the vehicle is stationary, and before shifting out of P or N, press the brake pedal in order to disengage the selec- tor lever lock mechanism, shiftlock. If the engine speed is too high when the vehicle is at a standstill, the selector lever is also blocked to protect the transmission. Hold the brake pedal down until starting off. Otherwise the vehicle will 'creep' when a drive position is engaged.<

To prevent the vehicle from starting off on its own, always move the

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)*

selector lever to position P and engage the parking brake before getting out of your vehicle with the engine running. Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the engine running. This is a safety haz- ard.<

If the selector lever is not placed in position P when the vehicle is parked,

the position display of the selector lever stays on. This can lead to battery dis- charge.<

P Park Select only when the vehicle is completely stopped. The transmission locks to prevent the rear wheels from turning.

R Reverse Select only when the vehicle is completely stopped.

N Neutral Idle Engage this gear, for example, when you are in a car wash. The vehicle can roll.

D Drive: CVT driving position This position is designed for driving under all normal operating conditions.

Kickdown Kickdown can be used to achieve maxi- mum vehicle performance. Press the accelerator pedal past the increased resistance point at the full-throt- tle position.

55

M/S + – Manual mode and Sport program Switch from D into M/S + –: Activates the Sport program and displays SD in the gear indicator in the speedome- ter. Press selector lever once: Shifts from the Sport program to the man- ual mode.

Shifting with the selector lever >Press selector lever briefly towards +:

Transmission shifts upwards

>Press selector lever briefly towards –:

Transmission shifts downwards. 1 to 6 appear in the gear indicator.

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)*

In order to accelerate rapidly in the M/S + – Manual mode and in the Sport program, e.g. when passing, shift downwards manually or by kickdown.<

Whenever you want to return to automatic shifting, just move the selector lever toward the left to position D. Switching from M/S + – Manual mode into the selector lever positions P, R and N is only possible via D.

Shifting on the steering wheel* The shift paddles allow the gears to be changed rapidly and, above all, safely, since both hands can remain on the steering wheel. Use one of the two shift paddles to shift upwards or downwards: >Pull shift paddle toward body:

Transmission shifts upwards

>Push shift paddle away from body:

Transmission shifts downwards. 1 to 6 appear in the gear indicator. The transmission will only execute upshifts or downshifts that will result in a plausible combination of vehicle speed and engine rpm, e.g. downshifts that would result in excessive engine speed are not executed.

56

Available displays P R N D SD 1 2 3 4 5 6 EP

Malfunction EP appears on the display. The transmission system is malfunctioning. Avoid high loads. All selector lever positions can still be engaged; in the forward driving positions, however, the vehicle can only be driven with a limited gear selection. Have the system checked immediately. Jump-starting and towing, refer to pages 134, 136.

PARKING LAMPS/LOW BEAMS

Switching on the parking lamps Turn to the first position. The front, rear and side vehicle lighting is switched on. Standing lamps on one side, refer to next column.

Switching on the low beams Turn to the second position. With the low beams on and with the igni- tion switched off, only the parking lamps will remain on.

Daytime driving lamps* If convenient, the light switch can be left in position 0 or 1. The low beams switch on automatically in ignition key position 2 or higher. The exterior lamps go out when the igni- tion is switched off and the light switch is set to position 0. In position 1, the parking lamps are automatically switched on.

The dynamic headlamp range con- trol for xenon lamps only operates with the light switch in position 1 or 2.<

You can have the daytime driving lamp function activated/deacti-

vated.<

'Follow me home' lamps If you activate the headlamp flasher after having switched off the engine and the lights, the low beams will stay lit for a pre- set period of time.

You can have this function pro- grammed.<

Switching on the standing lamps For parking, you can activate lights on one side of the vehicle. Observe local laws. In ignition key position 0: Move the lever to the adequate turn signal indicator position.

The standing lamps discharge the battery. Avoid using them for longer periods of time; otherwise, you may not be able to start the engine.<

'Lights on' warning If the lights have not been switched off and the ignition key is in position 0, an acoustic signal sounds for a few seconds when you open the driver's door to remind you that the lights have not been switched off.

57

SIGNAL/HEADLAMP FLASHER INSTRUMENT LIGHTING

FOG LAMPS

1 Turn signal indicators 2 High beams/Headlamp flasher

To control the instrument lighting, press the button.

To signal briefly Gently push the lever up to the point of resistance and hold it there, if necessary. The lever returns to its center position once it is released.

The indicator lamp flashes and the relay clicks faster than normal: a turn

signal indicator has failed.<

To increase the illumination intensity Keep the button pressed until the desired brightness is reached.

To decrease the illumination intensity Press the button briefly. With each brief pressing of the button, the illumination intensity is reduced in steps.

When the parking lamps/low beams are switched on: Briefly press the switch upwards or down- wards. Briefly press once again to switch off.

Fog lamps*

The parking lamps or low beams must be switched on. The green indicator lamp lights up.

The fog lamps are switched on.

Rear fog lamp*

The low beams must be switched on. The yellow indicator lamp lights up. The rear fog lamp is

switched on. Observe all legal regulations concerning the use of fog lamps.

58

INTERIOR LAMPS

WASHER/WIPER SYSTEM

Switching the interior light in the MINI on and off manually Press button 1 briefly. Permanently turn off interior light: Keep button 1 pressed until the light goes out. To switch the light back on, press the but- ton once more.

Switching the interior light in the MINI Convertible on and off manually Press button 1 briefly. Permanently turn off interior light: Keep button 1 pressed until the light goes out. To switch the light back on, press the but- ton once more.

Switching the reading lamps on and off Press button 2.

0 Wipers parked 1 Intermittent operation or rain sensor 2 Normal wiper speed 3 Fast wiper speed 4 Brief wipe 5 Clean windshield and headlamps

Intermittent operation Not on vehicles with rain sensor. The interval time for the wipers is depen- dent on the vehicle speed.

Rain sensor* The rain sensor is located on the wind- shield, directly in front of the interior rear- view mirror. When the rain sensor is activated, the

59

WASHER/WIPER SYSTEM

windshield wipers are automatically con- trolled depending on the amount of mois- ture, including snow, on the windshield.

To activate the rain sensor: From ignition key position 1: Lever in position 1. The wipers move over the windshield once. To deactivate the rain sensor: Put lever in position 0.

Switch the rain sensor off when pass- ing through an automatic car wash.

Failure to do so could result in damage caused by undesired wiper activation.<

Normal wiper speed When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers switch automatically to intermittent wip- ing.

You can have this function activated/ deactivated.<

Fast wiper speed When the vehicle is stationary, the wipers switch automatically to normal wiper speed.

You can have this function activated/ deactivated.<

Cleaning windshield and headlamps* The system sprays washer fluid against the windshield. The wipers are automatically activated for a brief period. When the vehicle lighting is on, the head- lamps are also cleaned at appropriate inter- vals.

Do not use the washers if there is any danger that the fluid will freeze on

the windshield. For this reason, use an anti- freeze agent, refer to page 108. Do not use the washers when the reservoir is empty, since this could cause damage to the washing pump.<

Heated windshield washer jets* The windshield washer jets are heated automatically when the ignition key is in position 2.

60

Rear window wiper* 6 Intermittent operation:

Turn the cap to position 6. The rear window wiper moves across the window a number of times before switching to intermittent operation

Cleaning the rear window* 7 Intermittent operation:

Turn the cap to position 7 and hold in place

8 In lever position 0:

Turn the cap to position 8 and hold in place

CRUISE CONTROL*

On the multifunction steering wheel and sports steering wheel Above approx. 20 mph / 30 km/h the cruise control maintains and stores any desired speed.

Do not use cruise control on twisting roads, when high traffic density pre- vents driving at a constant speed, or when the road surface does not permit driving at a constant speed, e.g. due to snow, rain, ice, or loose surfaces.<

To activate via the multifunction steering wheel From ignition key position 1: Press button 2. The indicator lamp in the instrument clus- ter lights up. Cruise control is active.

To activate via the sports steering wheel 1. Start the engine 2. Press button 2. The indicator lamp in the instrument clus- ter lights up. Cruise control is active.

To deactivate Press button 2 repeatedly until the indica- tor lamp goes out. The cruise control is deactivated when the ignition key is turned to position 0. The stored speed is cleared.

To maintain and store speed or to accelerate Press button 3. The system maintains and stores the cur- rent vehicle speed. Every time you tap the button, the speed increases by approx. 1 mph / 2 km/h.

61

>When the brakes are applied >When the clutch pedal is depressed >If the cruising speed is either exceeded or not met for an extended length of time, for example if you press the accelerator pedal and exceed the stored speed.

The indicator lamp stays lit. You can use the cruise control again as required. On the multifunction steering wheel, the cruise control can be interrupted manually: When the system is activated, press button 2.

To continue cruise control Press button 1. The vehicle accelerates to and maintains the last speed stored.

CRUISE CONTROL*

Press and hold button 3. The vehicle accelerates without pressure on the accelerator pedal. When you release the button, the system maintains and stores the current speed.

If, on a downhill gradient, the engine braking effect is not sufficient, the

controlled speed may be exceeded. Speed can drop on uphill grades if the engine out- put is insufficient.<

To decelerate Press button 4. If you are already driving with active cruise control, the speed is decreased by approx. 1 mph / 2 km/h every time you briefly tap the button.

Press and hold button 4. With the cruise control active, the system automatically reduces the throttle opening to slow the vehicle. When you release the button, the system maintains and stores the current speed.

To cancel the cruise control The cruise control is automatically can- celed:

62

ODOMETER

CLOCK

FUEL GAUGE

1 Trip odometer/clock Resetting to zero when the trip odometer is in the display: With ignition key in position 1, press the button until the trip odometer is at zero. To show the clock: Press the button briefly.

2 Odometer When the ignition key is not in the ignition lock, you can activate the displays shown in the illustration by pressing the button in the display elements.

Setting 1. Press button 1 to display the clock 2. Press button 1 for approx. 5 seconds to

activate the clock-setting mode

3. Press button 1 to select 12-hour or 24-

hour mode

4. Wait approx. 5 seconds until the hours

display flashes

5. Press button 1 to set the hour 6. Wait approx. 5 seconds until the min-

utes display flashes

7. Press button 1 to set the minute. The set time is saved automatically after approx. 1 minute.

In the speedometer or Cockpit Chrono Pack* If the indicator light 1 begins to be lit con- tinuously, there are approx. 2.1 gallons / 8 liters of fuel in the tank. Fuel tank capacity: Approx. 13.2 gallons / 50 liters. When you switch on the ignition, the indi- cator lamp lights up briefly to confirm that the system is operational. If the angle of the vehicle varies, for exam- ple when you are driving in mountainous areas, the needle may fluctuate slightly.

Refill the gas tank early. If you drive to the last drop of fuel, engine func- tions are not guaranteed and damage can occur.<

63

FUEL GAUGE

COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE

Checking coolant level, refer to page 110.

Temperature warning 1 Red warning lamp When you switch on the ignition, warning lamp 1 comes on briefly to confirm that the system is operational. Lights up while driving: Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine immediately and allow it to cool down.

Equipment with navigation system* or Cockpit Chrono Pack*

Coolant-temperature warning lamp in the navigation system or Cockpit Chrono Pack, refer to Dis-

play elements on page 15. Lights up while driving: Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine immediately and allow it to cool down.

In the navigation system

Please also comply with the instruc- tions in the previous section.<

If the indicator light 1 changes from orange to red, there are approx. 2.1 gallons / 8 liters of fuel in the tank.

Coolant temperature gauge Depending on the equipment version, a coolant temperature gauge is located in the speedometer or the Cockpit Chrono Pack. Low temperature: The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate engine and vehicle speeds. Center position: Normal operating temperature of the engine. High temperature: As soon as there is a deviation from the center position upwards or to the left: Drive with moderation and at low engine speeds. If necessary, switch off the engine and allow it to cool down.

64

TACHOMETER

SERVICE INTERVAL DISPLAY

Do not operate the engine with the needle in the red overspeed zone of the gauge. To protect the engine, the power is reduced when you approach a certain engine speed in this sector.

Remaining distance for service The distance remaining before the next scheduled service is displayed in miles / kilometers for a short period with the igni- tion key in position 1 or higher. The display also indicates whether an engine oil service and/or an inspection is due.

The onboard computer bases its calcula- tions of the remaining distance on your driving style in the period immediately pre- ceding your data request. The remaining distance display counts backwards in steps of 35 miles / 50 km to the next service. A flashing message and a minus sign in front of the display that again begins counting forwards mean that the service interval has been exceeded. Please schedule an appointment with your MINI Dealer or a workshop that has spe- cially trained personnel working in accor- dance with the specifications of your MINI manufacturer. For more information on the service inter- val display, refer to page 112.

65

ONBOARD COMPUTER*

Mode selection From ignition key position 1, you can use the button in the turn signal indicator lever to retrieve information from the onboard computer for display in the tachometer. By pressing the button briefly, you can call up a new function for display. The displays appear in the following order: Outside temperature, range, average con- sumption and current consumption, aver- age speed and current speed. From ignition key position 1, the most recently selected setting is displayed.

If the vehicle is equipped with a navi- gation system, you will find more

information on the onboard computer in the Owner's Manual for Navigation Sys- tem.<

66

at temperatures above 37 7 / 3 6, e.g. on bridges and shaded roads.<

With navigation system option: The temperature is displayed in the status line of the navigation system, refer to the Owner's Manual for Navigation System.

Current vehicle speed If the vehicle is not equipped with an onboard computer, only the current speed is displayed. With the ignition key in position 1 or higher, you can use the button in the turn signal indicator lever to switch the display from outside temperature to current speed and vice versa.

Range The display shows a range estimate based on the available fuel. The amount of fuel remaining in the tank is measured, and the range is estimated from your driving style over the last 20 miles / 30 km.

If the range displayed is less than 35 miles / 50 km, be sure to refuel;

Outside temperature If the vehicle is not equipped with an onboard computer, only the outside tem- perature is displayed.

You can have the unit of measure set to 7 or 6.<

Ice warning If the outside temperature falls below approx. 37 7 / 3 6, the onboard com- puter automatically switches to the outside temperature display. In addition, an acoustic signal can be heard and the display flashes for a short time.

The ice warning does not exclude the possibility that surface ice can form

otherwise engine functions are not guaran- teed and damage could occur.<

ONBOARD COMPUTER*

Average speed, average fuel consumption Press the button in the turn signal indicator lever for a longer period. The displayed average values for speed and consumption are recalculated. Any time spent with the vehicle stationary and the engine shut off is ignored for the calculation.

If the vehicle is equipped with a navi- gation system, the displays are

shown in the area of the navigation sys- tem.<

You can have a different unit of mea- sure set.<

Current fuel consumption The current consumption value is calcu- lated and displayed on the basis of your driving style.

You can have a different unit of mea- sure set.<

67

ALL SEASON TRACTION CONTROL (ASC)*

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp will go out shortly after the ignition has been switched on, refer to pages 17, 18.

If the indicator lamp flashes: ASC controls the drive and braking forces. The indicator lamp stays lit: The system is defective or was turned off using the button. Have the system checked as soon as possible.

The concept This system optimizes driving stability and traction, especially when just starting off, when accelerating or when cornering. ASC recognizes the danger present in trac- tion loss and will increase driving stability and traction by reducing the engine's out- put and, if necessary, by applying the brakes to the front wheels. ASC is operational each time you start the engine. It contains the following functions: >Antilock Brake System (ABS) >Cornering Brake Control (CBC) >Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).

The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even with ASC. An appropri-

ate driving style always remains the responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the additional safety margin provided by the system as an excuse for taking unnecessary risks. Do not make any modifications to the ASC system. Allow only authorized technicians to perform service procedures on the ASC.<

68

To switch off the ASC Briefly press the switch. The indicator lamp stays lit. When driving with snow chains or to 'rock free' in snow, it can be helpful to switch off the ASC for a brief period.

To maintain vehicle stability, always drive with the ASC switched on

whenever possible.<

To switch the ASC back on Briefly press the switch once again. Indicator lamp goes out.

DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)*

The concept This system optimizes driving stability and traction, especially when just starting off, when accelerating or when cornering. It also maintains driving stability even in crit- ical driving situations. DSC recognizes unstable vehicle conditions, such as understeering or oversteering, and, as far as is possible within the laws of phys- ics, helps keep the vehicle on a steady course by reducing the rpms and by brake applications to the individual wheels. The DSC is operational every time you start the engine. It contains the following func- tions: >All Season traction Control (ASC) >Antilock Brake System (ABS) >Cornering Brake Control (CBC) >Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).

The laws of physics cannot be repealed, even with DSC. An appro-

priate driving style always remains the responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the additional safety margin provided by the system as an excuse for taking unnecessary risks. Do not make any modifications to the DSC system. Allow only authorized technicians to perform service procedures on the DSC.<

Indicator lamp

The indicator lamp will go out shortly after the ignition has been switched on, refer to pages 17, 18.

If the indicator lamp flashes: DSC controls the drive and braking forces. The indicator lamp stays lit: The system is defective or was turned off using the button. Have the system checked as soon as possible.

To switch off the DSC Briefly press the switch. The indicator lamp stays lit. When driving with snow chains, it may be effective to switch off the DSC for a brief period.

To maintain stability, always drive with the DSC switched on whenever

possible.<

To switch the DSC back on Briefly press the switch once again. Indicator lamp goes out.

69

ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)

The concept The ABS keeps the wheels from locking while braking, thereby enhancing active driving safety. ABS also includes Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).

Safe braking Your vehicle is equipped with ABS as a stan- dard feature. The best way to brake the vehicle in critical situations requiring brak- ing is to apply maximum pressure to the brake pedal: panic stop. Since the vehicle remains maneuverable, you can still go around any obstacles with the smallest possible steering movements. The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates to you that ABS is actively taking effect.

Cornering Brake Control (CBC) Cornering Brake Control (CBC) is an enhancement of ABS that improves vehicle stability especially when braking during cornering. When the vehicle is being braked, the rear wheels are relieved from load, and this can cause the vehicle to oversteer in curves. CBC counteracts this by making use of uni- lateral braking pressure to generate a sta- bilizing counter torque while braking out- side of the ABS control range.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) In order to achieve a short braking distance when the vehicle is fully loaded, your vehi- cle is equipped with relatively large brakes on the rear axle. EBV continuously moni- tors the speeds of the rear wheels in rela- tion to the front wheels in order to prevent overbraking of the rear wheels even when the vehicle has a light load. If the rear wheels tend to lock, the EBV controls their slip, ensuring operating stability.

70

FLAT TIRE MONITOR

The concept As you drive, the Flat Tire Monitor keeps track of the tire inflation pressure in all four tires. The system alerts you when there is a substantial pressure loss in one of the tires relative to another. The tire inflation pressures are monitored based on the speeds of the four wheels in relation to one another. A flat tire is detected as the result of differences in cer- tain speed ratios, and a warning is gener- ated.

System requirements So that the system can 'familiarize' itself with the correct inflation pressure, please do the following: 1. Check the tire inflation pressure in all

tires

2. Compare them with the inflation pres- sure table, refer to page 98, and adjust the pressures if necessary

3. Initialize the system.

System limitations

The Flat Tire Monitor cannot alert you to severe and sudden tire damage

caused by external factors, nor does it detect the gradual and minor loss of pres- sure in all four tires.<

On the other hand, the following situations could lead to a delayed detection of pres- sure loss or to the system not functioning: >Driving on snow-covered or slippery

roads

>Performance-oriented driving: slip at the drive wheels, high rates of lateral accel- eration

>When driving with snow chains, false

warnings and undetected pressure loss may occur

>When driving with a space-saver spare tire, the Flat Tire Monitor cannot func- tion.

71

Initializing the system

The system must be reinitialized immediately after changing a tire

and wheel, or after correcting the pressure in any tire. This requires a bit of driving.<

1. Before a journey, start the engine, but do

not start driving

2. Press the button long enough for the

indicator lamp in the display elements to light up for a few seconds

3. Drive off. It takes a few minutes before the Flat Tire Monitor can detect a flat tire and issue an alert.

FLAT TIRE MONITOR

AIRBAGS

Do not initialize the system if you are driving with snow chains or a space-

saver spare tire.<

Flat tire

The warning lamp lights up in yel- low. An acoustic signal also sounds. There is a flat tire or a siginificant

loss of pressure in a tire. 1. Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with caution. Avoid hard brake applications and steering maneuvers

2. Determine which tire is damaged

If this cannot be determined, con- tact your MINI Dealer.<

With Run Flat tires: 1. Reduce vehicle speed carefully to under

50 mph / 80 km/h. Avoid hard brake applications and steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph / 80 km/h

2. Check the tire inflation pressure in all

four tires at the earliest opportunity.

If the tire inflation pressure is cor- rect in all four tires, it is possible

that the Flat Tire Monitor was not initial- ized. In this case, initialize the system.< 3. To continue driving, follow the instruc- tions on driving with damaged tires on page 101.

3. Repair the flat tire, refer to page 125.

Malfunction

The warning lamp lights up in yel- low. There is a malfunction in the Flat Tire Monitor or the system has failed. Have the system checked as soon as possible.

72

The following airbags are located under the marked covers.

MINI 1 Side airbags in seat backrest on the

driver and front passenger side: front

2 Head airbags on the driver and passen- ger sides for both rows of seats: front/ rear

3 Front airbags on the driver and passen-

ger sides

MINI Convertible 1 Side/head airbags in the seat backrest on

the driver and front passenger sides: front

2 Front airbags on the driver and passen-

ger sides

Airbag system malfunctioning >The warning lamp does not come on starting from ignition key position 1

>The warning lamp stays lit >The warning lamp lights up while driv-

ing.

In the event of a malfunction, have the airbag system checked immedi-

ately. Otherwise, there is a risk that the sys- tem will not function as intended in response to a severe impact occurring within the system's normal triggering range.<

AIRBAGS

Protective effect The front airbags supplement the safety belts by providing additional protection for the driver and front passenger in the event of a frontal collision in which the protec- tion afforded by the belts alone may no longer be sufficient. When needed, the head and side airbags help to furnish pro- tection in the event of side impact. Each of the side airbags is designed to help support the seat occupant's upper body. The corre- sponding side/head airbag in the MINI Con- vertible or the head airbag in the MINI sup- ports the head. The airbags are designed to not be trig- gered in certain types of collisions, e.g. in minor accidents, certain kinds of vehicle rollover and rear impact. For information on the ideal seating posi- tion, refer to page 41.

Do not apply adhesive materials to the cover panels of the airbags, cover them or modify them in any other way. Do not fit covers, cushions or other items to the front seats that have not been specially approved for seats with side airbags. Do not hang clothing, e. g. jackets, over the backrests. Do not attempt to remove the airbag

restraint system from the vehicle. Do not touch the individual components directly after the system has been triggered, as oth- erwise there is a danger of burns. In the event of malfunctions, deactivation or deployment of the airbag restraint system, have the system checked, repaired or disas- sembled only by a MINI Dealer or a work- shop with specially trained personnel work- ing in accordance with the specifications of the MINI manufacturer and having the nec- essary permits for handling explosive devices. Unprofessional attempts to service the system could lead to failure in an emer- gency or undesired airbag activation, either of which could result in personal injury.<

Airbag warning information is also pro- vided on the sun visors.

Airbag system operational

The warning lamp in the display elements shows the status of the entire airbag system and the seat belt tensioners starting from ignition key position 1. The warning lamp goes out after several seconds.

73

PARK DISTANCE CONTROL (PDC)*

The concept The PDC assists you when you back into a parking space. A signal tone tells you the current distance to an object behind your vehicle. To do this, four ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper measure the distance to the nearest object. The sensors on each side have a range of approx. 2 ft / 60 cm, the middle sensors one of approx. 5 ft / 1.5 m.

PDC is a parking aid that can identify objects if they are approached slowly,

as is generally the case when parking. Avoid driving towards objects rapidly; due to underlying physical principles, the sys- tem may otherwise alert you too late for you to take evasive steps.<

Automatic function With the ignition key in position 2, the sys- tem starts to operate automatically about one second after you select reverse gear or place the selector lever in position R.

Wait for this one second before you drive backwards.<

You can have a signal tone set as a confirmation that PDC has been acti-

vated.<

Acoustical signals The distance to an object is indicated by a tone sounding at intervals. As the distance between vehicle and object decreases, the intervals between the tones become shorter. A continuous tone indicates the presence of an object less than 8 in / 20 cm away. The warning signal is canceled after approx. three seconds if the distance to the object remains constant during this time, for instance if you are moving parallel to a wall.

Malfunction A continuous high-pitched tone will sound during initial activation. The system is mal- functioning. Have the system checked.

Volume control The volume of the Park Distance Control signal can be adjusted from level 1, soft, to level 6, loud.

The system is deactivated when you shift away from Reverse.

You can have this function set.<

System limitations

Even with PDC, final responsibility for estimating the distance between the

vehicle and any objects always remains with the driver. Even when sensors are involved, there is a blind spot in which objects cannot be detected. Recognition of some objects can be beyond the limits of physical ultrasonic measurement, for example with towing bars or hitches or with thin or wedge- shaped objects. Moreover, low objects that have already been detected, such as a curb edge, can disappear out of the range of the sensors before a continuous tone sounds. Loud sources of sound outside and inside your vehicle can drown the PDC signal tone.<

Keep the sensors clean and free of ice or snow in order to ensure that they

will continue to operate effectively. Do not apply high pressure spray to the sensors for a prolonged period of time. Always maintain a distance which is greater than 4 in / 10 cm.<

74

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM*

1 Air onto the windshield and onto the

side windows

2 Air for the upper body area 77
3 Air for the front and rear footwells

4 Temperature 76
5 Windshield heating* 76
6 Air volume/Blower 76
7 Air conditioning 76

8 Air distribution 76
9 Recirculated air mode 76
10 Rear window defroster 76