MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2009 Owners Manual
Page 141 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 139
Lights up briefly:
Approx. 2.1 US gallons/8 l of fuel 
remain in the tank
Remains on: 
Cruising range is no more than 
30 miles/50 km, page53
Engine refuses to start Depress the brake or clutch in order to 
start the engine, page43.
Ignition switched on and driver's door 
openSwitch off the ignition, page43, or 
close the driver's door.
Lamps still on
Roadside parking lamps on
Door open
Bonnet open
Tailgate open
Luggage compartment roll-up cover 
in the MINI ConvertibleConvertible top cannot be activated. 
Bring luggage compartment cover in 
required position, refer to page93.
Sliding/tilting sunroof or soft top of 
MINI ConvertibleExcessive vehicle speed, activation 
not possible, reduce speed and con-
tinue activation .
12Cause What to do 
Page 142 of 172
Indicator and warning lamps
140
Lights up in red:
Control system for convertible top 
failed!Position of convertible top and locking 
mechanism not recognized. If con-
vertible top securely locked, drive 
may be continued.Manually close 
convertible top/sliding roof, refer to 
page32. Have your MINI Service 
inspect the system.
Lights up in yellow:
Drive of convertible top overheated! Let drive of convertible top cool down, 
refer to page31.
Sliding/tilting sunroof or soft top of 
MINI ConvertibleControl system of convertible top/tilt 
roof malfunctioning. Close convertible 
top/tilt roof manually, refer to 
page32. Contact your MINI Service.
Tailgate of MINI Convertible not 
closedClose tailgate.
Gas cap missing or loose Make sure that the gas cap is correctly 
positioned and close it until it audibly 
clicks. Do not jam the strap between 
the gas cap and the vehicle.
Window washer fluid level too low Add washer fluid as soon as possible, 
page50.
Lights up in yellow:
The engine will start the next time the 
start/stop button is touched, possibly 
without the brake or clutch being 
depressed
Remote control malfunctioning or, in 
cars with convenient access, not 
detectedThe engine cannot be started. Have 
the remote control checked, if neces-
sary.
Battery in remote control discharged Use the remote control for a longer 
journey or, in cars with convenient 
access, replace the battery.
12Cause What to do 
Page 143 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 141
Belt tensioners and/or airbag system 
failedHave the system checked immedi-
ately. Fasten the safety belts anyway.
Power steering failed You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Steering response will be 
markedly different. Have the system 
checked without delay.
Lights up:
Emergency calling system failed or 
malfunctioningHave the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Lights up in red:
Engine malfunction
Stop the car and switch off the 
engine. You cannot continue your 
journey. Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Full engine power no longer available You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the engine 
checked as soon as possible.
Indicator lamp1 flashes:
Engine malfunction under high load. 
High engine load will result in dam-
age to the catalytic converterYou can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the vehicle 
checked without delay.
Indicator lamp1 comes on:
Engine malfunction with adverse 
effect on exhaust emissionsYou can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the car checked as 
soon as possible.
12Cause What to do 
Page 144 of 172
Indicator and warning lamps
142
Lights up in red:
Engine overheating Carefully bring the car to a stop, 
switch off the engine and allow it to 
cool down. Do not open the bonnet, 
otherwise there would be a risk of 
injury by scalding. Contact your MINI 
Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Engine too hot Continue driving at more moderate 
speed so that the engine can cool 
down. Have the engine checked with-
out delay if the situation reoccurs.
Lights up in red:
Battery is no longer being charged. 
Alternator malfunctionSwitch off all unnecessary electrical 
consumers. Have the battery checked 
without delay.
Lights up in yellow:
Battery charge level very low, battery 
aged or not securely connectedHave the battery checked as soon as 
possible.
Indication in US models
Parking brake applied
Indication in Canadian models
Parking brake applied
12Cause What to do 
Page 145 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 143
Indication in US models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Brake pedal travel may be markedly 
longer. Stop immediately. Contact the 
nearest MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Hill Start Assist failed. The car will not 
be held in place after the brake is 
releasedHave the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Indication in Canadian models
Lights up in red:
Brake fluid level too low Brake pedal travel may be markedly 
longer. Stop immediately. Contact the 
nearest MINI Dealer.
Lights up in yellow:
Hill Start Assist failed. The car will not 
be held in place after the brake is 
releasedHave the system checked as soon as 
possible.
Indication in US models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads 
checked without delay.
Indication in Canadian models
Brake pads worn Have the condition of the brake pads 
checked without delay.
Indication in US models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. 
Contact your MINI Dealer.
12Cause What to do 
Page 146 of 172
Indicator and warning lamps
144
Indication* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. 
Contact your MINI Dealer.
Indication
* in Canadian models
Vehicle electronics failed You cannot continue your journey. 
Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in red: Have the system in question checked 
without delay.
>Starter failed or
>ignition malfunctioning. Engine 
restart only possible when brake 
is depressed or
>lighting system failed. Low 
beams/tail lamps and brake 
lamps still operational. All other 
lamps failedThe engine cannot be restarted.
Lights up in yellow:
>Control of the brake lamps failed 
or
>fuel supply malfunctioningYou can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the system in ques-
tion checked without delay.
Dynamic Traction Control activated, 
page 63
The Dynamic Stability Control DSC 
and Dynamic Traction Control DTC 
have failed.Driving stability limited during accel-
eration and cornering.
You can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the system 
checked as soon as possible.
12Cause What to do 
Page 147 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 145
Indication in US models
The driving stability control systems, 
including ABS and the Tire Pressure 
Monitor, have failed, refer also to 
page62Reduced braking and driving stability. 
Drive cautiously and think well ahead. 
Avoid braking with full force, driving 
on rough tracks, and depressing the 
accelerator pedal to full throttle or 
kick-down position. Have the system 
checked immediately.
Indication
* in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems, 
including ABS and the Flat Tire Moni-
tor or the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, 
have failed, refer also to page62Reduced braking and driving stability. 
Drive cautiously and think well ahead. 
Avoid braking with full force, driving 
on rough tracks, and depressing the 
accelerator pedal to full throttle or 
kick-down position. Have the system 
checked immediately.
Indication
* in Canadian models
The driving stability control systems, 
including ABS and the Flat Tire Moni-
tor or the Tire Pressure Monitor
*, 
have failed, refer also to page62Drive cautiously and think well ahead. 
Avoid braking with full force, driving 
on rough tracks, and depressing the 
accelerator pedal to full throttle or 
kick-down position. Have the system 
checked immediately.
Vehicles with Flat Tire Monitor
*
Light up in yellow and red:
>Tire damageCarefully bring the car to a stop. 
Observe the information starting on 
page65.
>Flat Tire Monitor not initializedInitialize Flat Tire Monitor, page65.
Light up in yellow:
Flat Tire Monitor failed. Punctures are 
not indicatedHave the system checked.
12Cause What to do 
Page 148 of 172
Indicator and warning lamps
146
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor*
Light up in yellow and red:
There is a flat tire or substantial loss 
in tire pressureCarefully bring the car to a stop. 
Observe the information starting on 
page66.
Vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitor
*
Light up in yellow:
Tire Pressure Monitor not initializedInitialize the Tire Pressure Monitor, 
page67.
The small lamp flashes yellow and 
then stays on, the large lamp lights 
up in yellow:
Tire Pressure Monitor failed. Punc-
tures are not indicatedHave the system checked. Observe 
the information starting on page68.
12Cause What to do 
Page 149 of 172
REFERENCEAT A GLANCE CONTROLS DRIVING TIPS MOBILITY
 147
Lights up in red:
>Transmission limp-home pro-
gram active with restricted range 
of gears, possibly with reduced 
accelerationYou can continue your journey, but 
moderate your speed and exercise 
due caution. Have the system 
checked without delay.
>Gears can be engaged without 
depressing the brakeAlways depress the brake to engage a 
gear.
>Automatic selector lever locked Manually unlock the selector lever 
lock, page47.
Lights up in yellow:  Have the system checked as soon as 
possible.
>Automatic selector lever locked: 
Selector lever locked in position P 
with engine running and brake 
depressed orManually unlock the selector lever 
lock, page47.
>brake signal malfunctioning: gear 
can be engaged without depress-
ing the brakeTo engage a gear while the vehicle is 
at a standstill, always depress the 
brake. Before leaving the vehicle, 
move the selector lever to position P 
and switch off the engine.
Lights up in red:
Transmission overheating Bring the car to a stop and move the 
selector lever to position P. Allow the 
transmission to cool down. You can 
continue your journey, but moderate 
your speed and exercise due caution. 
Have the system checked if the situa-
tion reoccurs.
Lights up in yellow:
Transmission too hot Avoid high engine loads. You can con-
tinue your journey, but moderate 
your speed and exercise due caution.
Selector lever position P not engaged. 
Vehicle not prevented from rolling 
12Cause What to do 
Page 150 of 172
Indicator and warning lamps
148
Selector lever position P not engaged. 
Ignition cannot be switched offEngage selector lever position P when 
you wish to switch off the ignition, 
page43.
Cruise control system failed Have the system checked.
Park Distance Control failed Have the system checked.
Bulb of exterior lighting system failedHave the exterior lighting checked as 
soon as possible.
Low-beam headlamp or fog lamp 
failedHave the lamps checked as soon as 
possible.
High-beam headlamp failed Have the high-beam headlamps 
checked.
Rear fog lamp failed Have the rear fog lamp checked.
Headlamp beam throw adjustment 
system failedHave the headlamp beam throw 
adjustment system checked.
Coolant level too low Add coolant immediately, page115.
Engine oil pressure too low Stop immediately and switch off the 
engine. You cannot continue your 
journey. Contact your MINI Dealer.
Lights up in red:
Service appointment overdue Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, page57.
Lights up in yellow:
Service due Arrange a service appointment.
Check service requirements, page57.
12Cause What to do