warning light MINI COOPER 2003 Owners Manual
Page 14 of 148
 
12 
COCKPIT
 
1 
> 
Parking lamps/Low beams52 
> 
Turn signal indicators52 
> 
Standing lamps52 
> 
High beams52 
> 
Headlamp flasher52 
> 
Computer602Washer/wiper system54
3Instrument lighting53
4Outside mirror adjustment39
5Hazard warning flashers6Bonnet release91
7Horn19
8Adjusting steering wheel38
9OBD interface socket102
 
ba.book  Seite 12  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 17 of 148
 
15 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Technology
that monitors itself  
The system runs a check on the warning 
and indicator lamps marked by  
● 
 each time 
you switch on the ignition. They each light 
up once for different periods of time. 
If a malfunction should occur in one of 
these systems, the corresponding lamp 
does not go out after the engine is started 
or it lights up while the vehicle is moving. 
You will see below the correct way to react 
to this. 
Red: stop immediately 
Battery charge current  
● 
The battery is no longer being 
charged. Indicates a defective alter-
nator drive belt or a problem with the 
charge circuit. Please contact the nearest 
MINI Dealer.
If this lamp lights up, the power-assist for 
steering can be deactivated.
If the drive belt is defective, do not 
continue driving. The engine could be 
damaged due to overheating. When the 
power-assist is deactivated, increased 
steering effort is required. 
< 
Engine oil pressure
 
  
● 
Stop immediately. Switch off 
engine. Check the engine oil and fill 
as needed. Please contact the nearest MINI 
Dealer.
Do not continue driving, otherwise, 
the engine could be damaged 
because of inadequate lubrication. 
<
 
Brake warning lamp  
●   
If the lamp comes on when the 
parking brake is not engaged: 
Check the brake fluid level. Before driving 
further, be sure to comply with the infor-
mation on pages 84 and 97.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
With navigation system option:
Coolant temperature warning 
lamp in the speedometer  
●  
Lights up while driving: 
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine 
immediately and allow to cool down, see 
also page 59.
 
ba.book  Seite 15  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 18 of 148
 
16 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Yellow: stop immediately 
Flat Tire Monitor  
● 
Flashes: tire failure. 
Reduce speed immediately and 
stop the vehicle. 
With Run Flat tires:
Carefully reduce the driving speed to below 
50 mph / 80 km/h and continue to a safe 
location.
In both cases, avoid hard brake applications 
and steering maneuvers. Check the tire 
inflation pressures.
Conduct in the event of a flat tire, refer to 
pages 112, 116.
General information on the system, refer to 
page 64 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously 
Brake warning lamp together with 
the gold indicator lamp for ABS, 
EBD and ASC+T/DSC:
The control system ABS, EBD and 
ASC+T/DSC has failed. Drive cau-
tiously and defensively. Avoid full 
brake applications. Please have the 
system checked by your MINI 
Dealer as soon as possible. 
More information on pages 62, 63
Brake warning lamp together with 
the yellow indicator warning lamps 
ABS, EBD and ASC+T/DSC for 
Canadian models. 
Red: an important reminder 
Brake warning lamp
with parking brake applied. 
More information on the parking 
brake on page 47 
  
Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Fasten safety belts  
● 
Lights up for several seconds or, 
depending on the version, until 
after the safety belts are fastened. A sig-
nal
 
* 
 also sounds depending on the version. 
More information on page 38
Depending on the level of equipment, 
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of 
the navigation system. 
< 
Airbags  
● 
Please have the system inspected 
at your MINI Dealer. 
More information on pages 33, 40
Depending on the level of equipment, 
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of 
the navigation system. 
< 
Bonnet/Tailgate
Lights up when the bonnet and/or 
tailgate are open.
More information on pages 27, 91
 
ba.book  Seite 16  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 20 of 148
 
18 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Green: for your information 
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when turn signal indicator 
is on. 
Rapid flashing: the system is defective.
More information on page 52
Cruise control 
* 
Lights up when the cruise control is 
activated: operation via the multi-
function steering wheel.
More information on page 56 
Blue: for your information 
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher is 
actuated. More information on page 52 
ba.book  Seite 18  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 25 of 148
23
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM OPENING AND CLOSING – FROM OUTSIDEThe conceptThe central locking system is ready for 
operation whenever the driver's door is 
closed. The doors, the tailgate and the fuel 
filler door are unlocked or locked.
The central locking system secures your 
MINI:
>When operated from the outside via the 
remote control as well as via the door 
lock
>When operated from the inside via a 
switch
>Automatically, as soon as you start driv-
ing.
If operated from outside, the anti-theft sys-
tem is activated at the same time. This pre-
vents the doors from being unlocked via 
safety lock buttons or door handles.
The alarm system is also armed or dis-
armed; refer to page 31.
In the event of an accident, the central lock-
ing system unlocks automatically. The haz-
ard warning system and interior lamps are 
also switched on.
Via remote controlThe remote control gives you an exception-
ally convenient method for unlocking and 
locking your vehicle. It also offers another 
function:
To open the tailgate, refer to page 24.
The tailgate will open slightly, the vehicle is 
unlocked at the same time.
Whenever you unlock/lock the vehicle, you 
simultaneously deactivate/activate the 
anti-theft system and optional alarm sys-
tem and the interior lamps are switched 
on/off.
If the vehicle has been properly locked 
using the remote control, the hazard warn-
ing system lights up once.
When the vehicle is unlocked, the hazard 
warning system does not react.
Children might be able to lock the 
doors from the inside. Always take 
the vehicle keys with you so that the vehi-
cle can be opened again from the outside at 
any time.<
For US owners only The transmitter and receiver units comply 
with part 15 of the FCC, Federal Communi-
cations Commission, regulations. Opera-
tion is governed by the following: 
FCC ID: LX8765S
LX8765E
LX8CAS 
Compliance statement:
This device complies with part 15 of the 
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions:
>This device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and
>this device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may 
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modifications or 
changes to these devices could void 
the user's authority to operate this equip-
ment.<
ba.book  Seite 23  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 26 of 148
24
OPENING AND CLOSING – FROM OUTSIDE1Unlocking and opening the tailgate
2Locking and securing
If the remote control does not react, 
the battery is discharged. In the event 
of a system malfunction, please contact 
your MINI Dealer. You can also obtain 
replacement keys and batteries there.
Battery changing, see page 22.<
To unlock1. Press button 1 once to unlock the dri-
ver's door only
2. Press button 1 a second time to unlock 
the other door as well as the tailgate and 
the fuel filler door.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI Dealer.<
When the vehicle is unlocked, the hazard 
warning system does not react.To open the tailgateHold button 1 pressed for approx. five sec-
onds. The tailgate opens slightly.
The vehicle is simultaneously 
unlocked, and the anti-theft system 
and optional alarm system are deactivated. 
After closing the tailgate the vehicle must 
be locked again and secured, see next col-
umn.<
You can have the opening of the tail-
gate with the remote control acti-
vated/deactivated.<
Before and after a trip, be sure that 
the tailgate was not opened uninten-
tionally.<
To lock and securePress button 2.
The hazard warning system flashes once.
ba.book  Seite 24  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 40 of 148
38
SAFETY BELTS STEERING WHEEL Drive with your safety belt onEven though there is an airbag, always fasten 
your seat belt before driving off, because air-
bags are designed to enhance the effective-
ness of the safety belts, not to replace them.To fastenMake sure you hear the lock engage in the 
belt buckle.
The warning lamp – Fasten safety 
belts – lights up for several seconds 
or until after the safety belts are 
fastened.To release1. Press the red button in the belt buckle
2. Hold the belt
3. Guide the belt back into its reel.
Safety belt height adjustmentUse the height adjustment mechanism to 
adapt the safety belt to the ideal position 
for your own body:
Press the button and at the same time push 
the entire unit upwards or downwards.
Also observe the instructions on adjusting 
the seats on page 33.
If the safety belts are damaged or 
stretched in an accident: have the 
safety belt system replaced by your MINI 
Dealer and the belt anchors checked, other-
wise the safety function can no longer be 
guaranteed. If a child-restraint system was 
in the vehicle during an accident, consult 
the manufacturer's instructions regarding 
replacement.<
To adjust the steering wheel height1. Push the locking lever downward
2. Adjust the desired steering wheel posi-
tion
3. Pull the lever back in.
Do not adjust the steering wheel 
while the vehicle is moving, other-
wise unexpected movement could increase 
the risk of accident.<
ba.book  Seite 38  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 46 of 148
44
VEHICLE MEMORY How the system functionsNo 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 that your MINI Dealer can 
program to reflect your individual prefer-
ences. 
What the system can doYour MINI Dealer can provide you with 
details on the capabilities of the Vehicle 
Memory system.
Examples for Vehicle Memory:
>Automatic locking after starting to drive, 
see page 26
>Selective central locking system, see 
pages 24, 25
>Automatically opening the sliding/tilt 
sunroof, see page 29
>Convenience opening, see pages 24, 
25, 26
>Delayed lighting shut off, "Follow-me-
home" lamps, see page 52
>Daytime driving lamps, see page 52
>Speed-dependent windshield wipers, see 
page 55
>Acoustic ignition key warning, 
see page 45
>Fuel consumption display, see page 61
>Temperature display, see page 61
>Volume control PDC, see page 66
>Acoustic alarm for starting PDC 
activation, see page 66This symbol alerts you to Vehicle 
Memory functions in the Owner's 
Manual<
ba.book  Seite 44  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 49 of 148
47
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
SWITCHING OFF THE ENGINE  PARKING BRAKE 
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 you park on downward slopes, 
engage the parking brake.<
Manual transmissionTurn 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.
The parking brake is designed primarily to 
prevent the vehicle from rolling when it is 
parked. It operates against the rear wheels.To engageLever automatically locks in position. 
The warning lamp in the instrument cluster 
comes on when the ignition key is in 
position 2, see page 16.To release1. 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 
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.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake when 
parking on hills and inclined surfaces, as 
first gear or reverse may not provide ade-
quate resistance to rolling.
Vehicles with CVT:
Place the selector lever in P.<
ba.book  Seite 47  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com 
Page 54 of 148
52
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.<
ba.book  Seite 52  Montag, 5. August 2002  8:09 20
ProCarManuals.com