MINI Coupe 2012 Owner's Manual
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MOBILITYReplacing components
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Rear fog lamps/Reverse lights
Bulbs 16 Watt, W 16W
Access the lamps via the rear or underside of the 
bumper.
1.Press fastening clips, arrows, together and 
remove the lamp holder.
2. Remove the bulb and replace it.
3. To insert the new bulb and bulb holder, 
proceed in reverse order.
4. Re-engage the bulb holder so that it audibly 
clicks into place.
John Cooper Works: aerodynamic 
bumper
Access the lamps via the rear or underside of the 
bumper.
1.Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise, 
arrow.
2. Remove the bulb and replace it.
3. To insert the new bulb and bulb holder, 
proceed in reverse order.
License plate lamps
5 watt bulb, C 5 W
1.Using a screwdriver, push the lamp to the 
left in the tab of the lamp housing, arrow 1.
2. Remove the lamp, arrow 2 .
3. Replace the bulb.
4. Insert the lamp.
Center brake lamp
This lamp uses LED technology for operation. In 
the event of a malfunction, contact your MINI 
dealer or a workshop that has specially trained 
personnel working in  accordance with the 
specifications of your MINI manufacturer.
Repairing a flat tire
Safety measures in the event of a break-
down: 
Park the vehicle as far as possible from moving 
traffic and switch on the hazard warning 
flashers.
Turn the steering wheel until the front wheels 
are in the straight-ahead  position and engage 
the steering wheel lock. Engage the parking 
brake and shift into 1st or reverse gear or place 
the selector lever in position P.
All passengers should be outside the vehicle and 
in a safe place, e.g. behind a guardrail.
Erect a warning triangle or warning flasher at the 
appropriate distance if necessary. Comply with 
all safety guidelines and regulations. <
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In the event of a flat tire, different procedures 
should be followed depending on the equip-
ment included in your vehicle:
>MINI Mobility Kit, refer to the following 
section
> Run-flat tires, page 173
> Tire change with space-saver spare tire, 
page 173
MINI Mobility Kit
Preparations
Use of the MINI Mobility Kit may be ineffective if 
the tire puncture meas ures approx. 1/8 in/4 mm 
or more. Contact the nearest MINI dealer if the 
tire cannot be made driv able with the Mobility 
Kit.
Do not remove foreign bodies which have 
penetrated the tire if possible.
Follow the instructions on using the 
Mobility Kit found on the compressor 
and the sealant bottle. <
Remove the adhesive label for the speed limit 
from the sealant bottle and affix it to the 
steering wheel.
Sealant and compressor
1 Sealant bottle and adhesi ve label with speed 
limit
2 Filling hose
Note the use-by date on the sealant 
bottle. < 3
Holder for the sealant bottle
4 Compressor
5 Plug and cable for the socket in the vehicle 
interior, page 101
6 Connection hose to connect the compressor 
and sealant bottle or the compressor and 
wheel
7 On/off switch
8 Pressure gauge for indicating the tire 
inflation pressure
9 Release button for reduci ng the tire inflation 
pressure
Connector, cable and connection hose are 
stored in the compressor housing.
Using the Mobility Kit
To repair a tire puncture  with the Mobility Kit, 
proceed as follows:
> Filling the tire with sealant.
> Distributing the sealant.
> Correct the tire inflation pressure.
Filling the tire with sealant.
Proceed in the specified order; otherwise, 
sealant may emerge under high pres-
sure. <
1. Shake the sealant bottle.
2. Pull the connecting hose 6 completely out of 
the compressor housing and screw it onto 
the connector of the sealant bottle. Make 
sure that the hose is not kinked.
3. Insert the sealant bottle on the compressor 
housing in an upright position.
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4.Unscrew the dust cap from the valve of the 
defective wheel and screw the filling hose 2 
of the sealant bottle onto the valve.
5. Ensure that the compre ssor is switched off.
6. Insert the plug 5 into the lighter socket/
power socket in the vehicle interior, 
page 102.
7. With the engine running: 
Switch on the compressor and let run for 
about 3 to 8 minutes in order to add the 
sealant and to achieve  an inflation pressure 
of about 1.8 bar/26 psi.
When adding the sealant, the filling 
pressure can temporarily increase up 
to about 5 bar/73 psi. Do not switch off the 
compressor during this phase. <
Do not run the comp ressor for longer 
than 10 minutes; otherwise, the 
device will overheat and possibly be 
damaged.<
8. Switch off the compressor.
If an inflation pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is not 
reached:
1. Unscrew the filling hose 2 from the wheel 
and drive the vehicle forward and backward 
approx. 33 ft/10 m to distribute the liquid 
sealant in the tire evenly.
2. Inflate the tire again with the compressor.
If an inflation pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi is 
not reached, then the tire is too badly 
damaged. Please contact the nearest MINI 
dealer. <
Stowing Mobility Kit
1.Unscrew filler hose 2 of the sealant bottle 
from the wheel.
2. Unscrew connecting hose of the 
compressor 6 from the sealant bottle.
3. Connect the filler hose 2 of the sealant 
bottle to the unoccupied connection on 
the sealant bottle.
This prevents the rest of the sealant from 
escaping from the bottle.
4. Wrap the empty sealant bottle in suitable 
material to avoid dirtying the cargo area.
5. Stow Mobility Kit back in the vehicle.
Distributing the sealant.
Immediately drive appr ox. 3.1 miles/5 km so 
that the sealant evenly distributes itself.
Do not exceed speeds of 50 mph/ 
80 km/h.
If possible, do not drop below 10 mph/ 
20 km/h. <
Adjusting the tire pressure
1.After driving approx. 3.1 miles/5 km or 
10 minutes, stop at a suitable location.
2. Screw the connection hose 6 of the com-
pressor directly onto the tire valve.
3. Insert the plug 5 into the power socket in 
the vehicle interior.
4. Adjust tire pressure to 1.8 bar/26 psi. With 
the engine running:
> To increase the inflatio n pressure: switch on 
the compressor. To ch eck the current infla-
tion pressure, switch  off the compressor.
Do not run the compressor for longer 
than 10 minutes; otherwise, the 
device will overheat and possibly be 
damaged. <
> To decrease the inflat ion pressure: press the 
release button 9.
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If the tire cannot maintain the inflation 
pressure, drive the vehicle again, refer to 
Distributing the sealan t. Then repeat steps 
1to4.
If an inflation pressure of 1.8 bar/26 psi still 
cannot be reached, then the tire is too heavily 
damaged. Contact your nearest MINI dealer. <
Driving on
Do not exceed the permitted maximum 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h; doing so may 
result in an accident. <
Replace the defective tire  as soon as possible 
and have the new wheel/tire assembly 
balanced.
Have the Mobility Kit refilled.
Changing wheels
Run-flat tires
Tire change for run-flat tires:
> Prepare for tire change, page 174
> Jack up vehicle, page 174
> Tighten lug bolts, page 175
Space-saver spare tire
Tire change with space-saver spare tire:
>Remove the space-saver spare tire, 
page 173
> Prepare for tire change, page 174
> Jack up vehicle, page 174
> Mount space-saver spare tire, page 175
> Tighten lug bolts, page 175
> Drive with space-saver spare tire, page 174
Removing the space-saver spare tire
The screw connection of the space-saver spare 
tire is under the floor mat in the cargo area, on 
the base of the storage compartment for the tire 
change set. 1.
Unscrew the screw connection with the 
special wrench.
2. Take out the cover panel.
3. Screw the lifting handle from the toolkit onto 
the thread.
4. Raise the lifting handle slightly.
5. Squeeze the securing spring.
6. The space-saver spare tire is released and 
must be held by the lifting handle.
7. Lower the space-saver spare tire with the 
lifting handle.
8. Unscrew the lifting handle.
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9.Pull the space-saver spare tire underneath 
the vehicle out toward the rear.
10. Position the space-save r spare tire with the 
valve facing upward.
11. Unscrew the valve extension from the valve 
of the space-saver spare tire.
12. Unscrew the dust cap from the extension 
and place it on the valve of the space-saver 
spare tire.
Due to its different dimensions, the 
damaged wheel cannot be placed in the 
recess for the space-saver spare tire. <
Driving with the space-saver spare tire
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h. Changes may 
occur in vehicle handling such as lower track 
stability during braking, longer braking dis-
tances and changes in self-steering properties 
when close to the handling limit. These proper-
ties are more noticeable with winter tires. <
Only one space-saver spare tire may be 
mounted at one time. Mount a wheel and 
tire of the original size  as soon as possible, to 
avoid any safety risks. <
Check the tire inflat ion pressure at the 
earliest opportunity an d correct it if neces-
sary. Replace the defective  tire as soon as possi-
ble and have the new wheel/tire assembly bal-
anced. <
Preparing for a tire change
Observe the safety precautions regarding 
flat tires on page 170.< Additional safety measures when 
changing tires: 
Only change the tire wh en parked on a surface 
that is level, firm and not slippery.
The vehicle or the jack could slip sideways on 
soft or slippery support  surfaces, such as snow, 
ice, flagstones, etc. 
Do not use a wooden block  or similar object as a 
support base for the jack, as this would prevent 
it from extending to its  full support height and 
reduce its load-carrying capacity. 
Do not lie under the vehicle or start the engine 
when the vehicle is supported by the jack; other-
wise, there is a risk of fatal injury. <
1. Place the foldable chock behind the front 
wheel on the other side of the vehicle or in 
front of the wheel if the vehicle is on an 
incline. If the wheel is  changed on a surface 
with a more severe sl ope, take additional 
precautions to secure the vehicle from 
rolling.
2. Uncover the lug bolts if necessary.
3. Loosen the lug bolts by a half turn.
Jacking up the vehicle
The vehicle jack is designed for changing 
wheels only. Do not attempt to raise 
another vehicle model with  it or to raise any load 
of any kind. To do so could cause accidents and 
personal injury. <
1. Place the jack at the jacking point closest to 
the wheel.
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The jack base must be perpendicular to the 
surface beneath the jacking point.
2. During jacking up, insert the jack head in the 
square recess of the jacking point.
3. Jack the vehicle up until the wheel you are 
changing is raised off the ground.
Mounting the space-saver spare tire
1.Unscrew the lug bolts and remove the 
wheel.
2. Remove accumulations of mud or dirt from 
the mounting surfaces of the wheel and 
hub. Clean the lug bolts.
3. Lift the new wheel into place.
4. Screw at least two lug bolts finger-tight into 
opposite bolt holes.
5. Screw in the remaining bolts.
6. Tighten all the lug bolts firmly in a diagonal 
pattern.
7. Lower the vehicle.
8. Remove the jack.
Tightening the lug bolts
Tighten the lug bolts in  a diagonal pattern.
Immediately have the wheels checked 
with a calibrated torque wrench to ensure 
that the lug bolts are firmly seated. Otherwise, 
incorrectly tightened lug bolts can present a 
safety hazard. <
Tightening torque: 103.3 lb ft or 140 Nm.
Replace the defective tire  as soon as possible 
and have the new wheel/tire assembly 
balanced.
Vehicle battery
Maintenance
The battery is maintenance-free; that is, the 
electrolyte will last for the life of the battery 
when the vehicle is operated in a temperate 
climate.
Battery replacement
Only use vehicle batteries that have been 
approved for your vehicle by the manu-
facturer; otherwise, the vehicle could be 
damaged and systems or functions may not 
be fully available. <
After a battery replacement, have the battery 
registered on the vehicle by your MINI dealer to 
ensure that all convenie nce functions are fully 
available and, if nece ssary, the corresponding 
Check Control messages  are no longer dis-
played.
Charging the battery
Note
Do not connect battery chargers to the 
sockets installed in the vehicle at the 
factory; otherwise you may cause damage to 
the battery. <
Only charge the battery in the vehicle when 
the engine is off. Connections, refer to Jump-
starting on page 177.
General information
To guarantee the full service life of the battery, 
ensure that the battery is always properly 
charged.
It may be necessary to charge the battery in the 
following situations:
>If frequent short trips are taken.
> If the vehicle is frequently parked for more 
than a month.
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Disposal
After replacing old batteries, return the 
used batteries to your MINI dealer or to 
a recycling center. Maint ain the battery in an 
upright position for transport and storage. 
Always secure the battery against tipping over 
during transport. <
Power failure
After a temporary power  loss, some equipment 
may not be fully function al and may require ini-
tialization. Individual settings are also lost and 
must be reprogrammed:
> Time and date 
These values must be updated, page 73.
> Radio 
In some cases, statio ns may have to be 
stored again, page 118.
Fuses
Do not attempt to repair a blown fuse or 
replace it with a fuse of a different color or 
Ampere rating. To  do this could cause a fire in 
the vehicle resulting from a circuit overload. 
Have fuses replaced by your MINI dealer. <
A fuse assignment diag ram is located on the 
inside of the fuse box cover panels.
In the engine compartment
Opening the cover
Press the latch.
In the vehicle interior
On the right side of the footwell.
Opening the cover
Press out at the recess.
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Giving and receiving assistance
Vehicle equipment
In this chapter, all production, country, and 
optional equipment that is offered in the model 
range is described. Equipment is also described 
that is not available because of, for example, 
selected options or count ry version. This also 
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside Assistance is  available by phone 
24 hours a day in many countries. You can 
receive assistance there in the event of an 
emergency.
First aid pouch
Some of the articles co ntained in the first aid 
pouch have a limited se rvice life. Therefore, 
check the expiration dates of the contents 
regularly and replace any items in good time, 
if necessary.
The first aid pouch is located on the rear cargo 
well by the left side trim panel.
Warning triangle
The warning triangle is located at the bottom of 
the luggage compartment floor.
Jump-starting
If the car's own battery is flat, your MINI's engine 
can be started by connecting two jumper cables 
to another vehicle's battery. You can also use 
the same method to help start another vehicle. 
Only use jumper cables with fully-insulated 
clamp handles.
Do not touch any electrically live parts 
when the engine is running, or a fatal 
accident may occur. Ca refully adhere to the 
following sequence, both to prevent damage 
to one or both vehicles, and to guard against 
possible personal injuries. <
Preparation
1.Check whether the battery of the other vehi-
cle has a voltage of 12 volts and approxi-
mately the same capacitance in Ah. This 
information can be found on the battery.
2. Switch off the engine of the support vehicle.
3. Switch off any consumers in both vehicles.
There must not be any contact between 
the bodies of the two vehicles; otherwise, 
there is a danger of shorting. <
Connecting jumper cables
Connect the jumper cables in the correct 
o r d e r ,  s o  t h a t  n o  s parks which could cause 
injury occur. <
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1.Open the battery cover in the engine 
compartment to access the positive terminal 
of your MINI.
2. Release the tabs on the left and right sides of 
the positive terminal cover, arrows 1, and lift 
the cover to open, arrow 2.
3. Attach one terminal clamp of the plus/+ 
jumper cable to the positive terminal of the 
battery or to a starting-aid terminal of the 
vehicle providing assistance.
4. Attach the second terminal clamp of the 
plus/+ jumper cable to the positive terminal 
of the battery or a starting-aid terminal of 
the vehicle to be started.
5. Attach one terminal clamp of the minus/– 
jumper cable to the negative terminal of the 
battery or to an engine  or body ground of 
the assisting vehicle. Body ground in MINI:
6.
Attach the second te rminal clamp of the 
minus/– jumper cable to the negative termi-
nal of the battery or to the engine or body 
ground of the vehicle to be started.
Starting the engine
1. Start the engine of the donor vehicle and 
allow it to run for a few minutes at slightly 
increased idle speed.
2. Start the engine of the other vehicle in the 
usual manner. 
If the first start attempt is not successful, 
wait a few minutes before another attempt 
in order to allow the discharged battery to 
recharge.
3. Let the engines run for a few minutes.
4. Disconnect the jumper cables by reversing 
the above connecting sequence.
If necessary, have the battery checked and 
recharged. Never use spray fluids to start the 
engine. <
Tow-starting, towing 
away
Observe the applicable laws and regula-
tions for tow-starting and towing 
vehicles. <
Do not transport any passengers other 
than the driver in a vehicle that is being 
towed. <
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Using a tow fitting
The screw-in tow fitting must always be carried 
in the car. It can be screwed in at the front or 
rear of the MINI.
It is stored in the toolkit in the cargo area under-
neath the cover on the right-hand side, 
page165.
Use only the tow fitting provided with the 
vehicle and screw it all the way in. Use the 
tow fitting for towing on paved roads only. Avoid 
lateral loading of the tow fitting, e.g. do not lift 
the vehicle by the tow fitting. Otherwise, the tow 
fitting and the vehicle could be damaged. <
Access to screw thread
Push out the cover of the towing eye out of the 
recess in the bumper.
Front
Rear
John Cooper Works with aerodynamic bumper:
Pull out the bottom of the cover panel of the 
towing eye in the bumper, arrow.
Being towed
Make sure that the ignition is switched on, 
refer to page55; otherwise, the low 
beams, tail lamps, turn  signals, and windshield 
wipers may be unavailable. Do not tow the 
vehicle with just the rear axle raised, as this 
would allow the steering to turn. <
There is no power assist  while the engine is off. 
Thus, braking and steering will require increased 
effort.
Switch on the hazard warning flashers, 
depending on local regulations.
Manual transmission
Gearshift lever in  neutral position.
Automatic transmission
Tow vehicles with automatic transmission 
only with a tow truck or with the front 
wheels lifted; otherwise, the transmission can be 
damaged. <
Towing with a tow bar
The towing vehicle must not be lighter 
than the towed vehicle;  otherwise, it may 
be impossible to maintain control. <
The tow fittings used should be on the same side 
on both vehicles. Should  it prove impossible to 
avoid mounting the tow bar at an angle, please 
observe the following:
> Clearance and maneuvering capability will 
be sharply limited  during cornering.
> The tow bar will generate lateral forces if it is 
attached offset.
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