engine MINI COOPER 2003 User Guide
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CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
PPark
Select "P" only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped. The transmission locks to 
prevent the rear wheels from turning.RReverseSelect "R" only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.NNeutralSelect "N" only if your journey is inter-
rupted for a long period.DDrive – CVT driving positionThis position is designed for driving under 
all normal operating conditions. KickdownIn "kickdown" mode, you achieve maxi-
mum acceleration and maximum speed in 
position D.
Press the accelerator pedal past the 
increased resistance point at the full-throt-
tle position.
M/S + – Manual mode and 
Sport programSwitch from D into M/S + –:
Activates the Sport program and displays 
SD in the gear indicator in the speedome-
ter. 
>Press briefly:
CVT shifts from the Sport program to the 
manual mode
>Press selector lever briefly towards +:
Transmission shifts upwards
>Press selector lever briefly towards – :
Transmission shifts back.
1 to 6 appear in the gear indicator.
The transmission will only execute upshifts 
and downshifts that will result in a plausi-
ble combination of vehicle speed and 
engine rpm. For instance, downshifts that 
would result in excessive engine speed are 
not executed.
Switching from M/S + – into the selector 
lever positions P, R and N and switching 
from manual mode back into the Sport pro-
gram is only possible via D.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (CVT)
*
Available displays 
P R N D SD 1 2 3 4 5 6 EP
Electronic transmission control moduleIf there is a malfunction in the transmission 
system, EP appears in the display.
All selector lever positions can still be 
selected. In positions for driving forward: 
the vehicle can now only be driven with a 
limited gear selection.
Avoid high engine loads. Proceed to 
the nearest MINI Dealer.<
Do not work in the engine compart-
ment when a drive gear – forward or 
reverse – is engaged. If you do this, the 
vehicle could move.<
Jump-starting and towing, refer to 
pages 124, 126.<
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PARKING LAMPS/LOW BEAMS  SIGNAL/HEADLAMP FLASHER Switching on the parking lampsTurn to the first position. The front, rear 
and side vehicle lighting is switched on. 
Parking light on one side, see following 
column.Switching on the low beamsTurn to the second position. With the low 
beams on and with the ignition switched 
off, only the parking lamps will remain on."Follow me home" lampsIf you switch off the engine with the low 
beams on, and then switch off the low 
beams, they remain lit for a set length of 
time. 
You can have this function set by 
your MINI Dealer.<
Switching on the standing lampsFor parking, you can activate lights on one 
side of the vehicle. Observe local laws.
In ignition key position 0:
Move the lever into the relevant turn signal 
indicator position."Lights on" warningIf 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.Daytime driving lamps*If you desire, the light switch can be left in 
the second position: 
When the ignition is switched off, the 
external lighting is also switched off.
You can have this function set by 
your MINI Dealer.<
1Turn signal indicator – green indicator 
lamps and periodic clicking sound from 
the relay
2High beams/Headlamp flasher – blue 
indicator lampTo signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the 
point of resistance. 
If the blinking of the indicator lamp 
and the clicking from the relay are 
both faster than normal: one of the turn 
signal indicators has failed.<
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CRUISE CONTROL
* 
Do not use cruise control on twisting 
roads, when high traffic density pre-
vents driving at a constant speed, when the 
road surface is slick, e.g. from snow, rain or 
ice, nor when the road surface is loose, 
e.g. from rocks or sand.<
To activate the system From ignition key position 1:
Press button 2.
The indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter lights up.
Cruise control is active.
To maintain and store speed or to 
accelerateThe vehicle maintains and stores any 
desired speed when driving above approx. 
20 mph / 30 km/h and, for manual trans-
missions, when the selector lever is in 3rd 
gear or higher.
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.
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 deceleratePress 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.
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ODOMETER TACHOMETER FUEL GAUGE 1Trip odometerTo set to zero:
With ignition key in position 1, press the 
button until the trip odometer is at zero.2Odometer You can activate the displays shown in the 
illustration, with the ignition key in 
position 0, by pressing the button in the 
instrument cluster.
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.
In the speedometerIf 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.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUEL GAUGE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE 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.
Low temperatureThe needle is at the bottom or on the right 
of the range.
The engine is still cold. Drive at moderate 
engine and vehicle speeds.Center positionNormal operating temperature of the 
engine.High temperatureAs soon as there is a deviation from the 
center position upwards or to the left:
Drive moderately and at low engine speed. 
If necessary, switch off the engine and 
allow it to cool down.
Checking coolant level, see page 96.
1 Red indicator 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.Navigation system option
Coolant temperature warning 
lamp in tachometer lights up while 
driving: 
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine 
immediately and allow it to cool down.
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SERVICE INTERVAL DISPLAY  CLOCK COMPUTER
*
Remaining distance for service
The displays shown in the illustration appear 
for a few seconds when the ignition key is in 
position 1 or after the engine is started.
The next service due appears in miles / kilo-
meters with the message "inspection" 
and/or "oil service", together with the dis-
tance remaining before the next scheduled 
service displayed in miles / km. The com-
puter bases its calculations of the remaining 
distance on your driving style in the period 
immediately preceding your data request.
A flashing message and a – in front of the 
number mean that the service interval has 
already been exceeded by the distance 
shown on the display. Please contact your 
MINI Dealer for an appointment.
For more information on the Service inter-
val display, see page 98.
SettingsFrom ignition key position 1:
Left button: hours
Right button: minutes.
Move forward in increments:
Press the button
or
fast forward:
Press and hold the button.
Changeover from 24-hour to 12 -hour 
mode:
Press both buttons at the same time for 
approx. 5 seconds.
Mode selectionWith the ignition key in position 1 and 
higher, you can use the button in the turn 
signal indicator lever to retrieve informa-
tion from the 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, cruising range, aver-
age fuel consumption, average vehicle 
speed.
Starting with ignition key position 1, the 
last active setting is displayed.
If the vehicle is equipped with a navi-
gation system, you will find more 
information on the computer in the naviga-
tion system Owner‘s Manual.<
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
COMPUTER
*
Outside temperature 
If the vehicle is equipped with a tachome-
ter, but not with a computer, the tempera-
ture is always displayed.
You can have the units 6 or 7 set 
by your MINI Dealer.<
Range The computer bases its calculations for the 
cruising range on the driving style and on 
the remaining fuel in the tank.
If the range displayed is less than 
35 miles / 50 km be sure to refuel, 
otherwise engine functions are not guaran-
teed and damage could occur.<
Average speed –
Average fuel consumption Press the button in the turn signal indicator 
lever for a longer period.
The displayed average speed value and 
consumption value are recalculated.
Any time spent when the vehicle is station-
ary and the engine is shut off is ignored for 
the calculation.
You can have other units set by your 
MINI Dealer.<
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AUTOMATIC STABILITY CONTROL PLUS TRACTION (ASC+T)
*
The concept
This system optimizes vehicle stability and 
traction, especially when just starting off, 
when accelerating or when cornering.
ASC+T recognizes the danger present in 
traction loss and will increase driving sta-
bility and traction by reducing the engine's 
output and, if necessary, by applying the 
brakes to the front wheels. ASC+T is opera-
tional each time you start the engine.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with ASC+T. 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 
ASC+T system. Allow only authorized tech-
nicians to perform service procedures on 
the ASC+T.<
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp on the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly 
after the ignition has been 
switched on, see pages 16, 17.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
ASC+T controls the drive and braking 
forces.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out 
after the engine is started, or if it 
comes on during normal driving and stays 
on:
The system is defective or was turned off 
using the button. 
The described stabilizing operations are no 
longer available. 
You can, however, drive the vehicle nor-
mally without ASC+T.
In the event of a malfunction, please see 
your MINI Dealer, see pages 16, 17.<
Switch off the ASC+TBriefly 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+T for a brief period.
To maintain vehicle stability, always 
drive with the ASC+T switched on 
whenever possible.<Switch the ASC+T back onBriefly press the switch once again.
Indicator lamp goes out.
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OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)
*
The concept
This system maintains driving stability 
even in critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability dur-
ing acceleration and when starting from a 
full stop, as well as optimizing traction. In 
addition, it recognizes unstable vehicle 
conditions, such as understeering or over-
steering, and, as far as is possible within 
the laws of physics, 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. DSC contains the functions 
Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic 
Brake Force Distribution (EBD), and ASC+T.
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the 
responsibility of the driver. We therefore 
urge you to avoid using the additional 
safety margin of the system as an excuse 
for taking 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 on the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly 
after the ignition has been 
switched on, see pages 16, 17.
If the indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking forces. 
If the indicator lamp fails to go out 
after the engine is started, or if it 
comes on during normal driving and stays 
on:
The system is defective or was turned off 
using the button. 
The described stabilizing operations are no 
longer available. 
The vehicle will remain completely opera-
tional, however, without DSC.
In the event of a malfunction, please see 
your MINI Dealer, see pages 16, 17.<
To switch off the DSCBriefly 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 DSC back onBriefly press the switch once again.
Indicator lamp goes out.
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