headlamp MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2002 Owner's Manual
Page 5 of 140
 
3 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
Driving:  
Ignition lock 42
Starting the engine 42
Switching off the engine 43
Parking brake 44
Manual transmission 45
Continuously Variable automatic 
Transmission (CVT) 46
Parking lamps/Low beams 49
Indicator/Headlamp flasher 49
Instrument lighting 50
Fog lamps 50
Interior lamps 50
Light-emitting diodes 51
Washer/Wiper system 51
Cruise control 53  
Everything under control:  
Odometer 55
Tachometer 55
Fuel gauge 55
Coolant temperature gauge 56
Service Interval Display 57
Clock 57
Computer 58  
Technology for safety and driving 
convenience:  
Automatic Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T) 60
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) 61
Flat Tire Monitor 62
Park Distance Control (PDC) 63  
Controlling the climate for pleasant 
driving:  
Air conditioner system 64
Automatic climate control 67  
Interior conveniences:  
Glove compartment 70
Ashtray/Beverage holder 70
Cigarette lighter 70  
Loading and transporting cargo:  
Luggage compartment cover 71
Foldable rear backrest 71
Loading cargo 72
Roof-mounted luggage rack 73
 
Care and maintenance 
Special operating instructions:  
Break-in procedures 76
General driving notes 76
Refueling 77
Fuel specifications 78
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 78
Brake system 79  
Wheels and tires:  
Tire inflation pressure 80
Tire condition 82
Tire replacement 83
Wheel and tire combinations 84
Winter tires 85
Snow chains 85 
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12 
COCKPIT
 
1 
> 
Parking lamps/Low beams 49 
> 
Turn signal indicators 49 
> 
Standing lamps 49 
> 
High beams 49 
> 
Headlamp flasher 49 
> 
Computer 582 Washer/Wiper system 51
3 Instrument lighting  50
4 Outside mirror adjustment  36
5 Hazard warning flashers6 Hood release 86
7 Horn 18
8 Steering wheel adjustment 35
9 OBD interface socket 96 
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17 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible 
Flat Tire Monitor  
l 
 
Stays lit: the system is defective. 
Please have the system inspected 
at your MINI center.
More information on page 62
Antilock Brake System (ABS)  
l 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able. Please have the system inspected 
at your MINI center. 
More information on page 78
ABS indicator lamp for Canadian 
models.
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC)  
l 
 
Indicator lamp flashes: 
System active: drive and braking forces are 
regulated. 
The indicator lamp stays lit: 
ASC+T/DSC switched off with button or 
defective. In the event of a defect: please 
have the system inspected at your MINI 
center.
More information on pages 60, 61
 
Service Engine Soon  
l 
If the warning lamp comes on 
either continuously or intermit-
tently, this indicates a malfunction in the 
emissions-related electronic systems. 
Although the vehicle remains operational, 
you should have the systems checked by 
your MINI center at the earliest possible 
opportunity. 
"Service Engine Soon" warning 
lamp for Canadian models 
. 
Engine electronics
 
* 
  
l 
Malfunction in the engine elec-
tronics. You can continue to drive 
with reduced engine output or engine 
speed. Please have the system inspected at 
your MINI center. 
Green: for your information 
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when turn signal indicator 
is on, also for trailer towing. 
Rapid flashing: the system is defective.
More information on page 49
Cruise control 
* 
Lights up when the cruise control is 
activated. Operation via the multi-
function steering wheel.
More information on page 53 
Blue: for your information 
High beams
Comes on when the high beams 
are on or the headlamp flasher is 
actuated. 
More information on page 49 
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49
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
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. 
One-sided standing lamps, see next 
column.Switching on the low beamsTurn to the second position.
With the low beams on and with the igni-
tion 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 approx. one 
minute. 
You can also have this function acti-
vated.<
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 center.<
1 Turn signal indicator (green indicator 
accompanied by periodic clicking sound 
from the relay)
2 High beams/Headlamp flasher (blue 
indicator lamp)To signal brieflyPress the lever up to but not beyond the 
detent. 
If the indicator lamp of the indicators 
and the clicking from the relay are 
both faster than normal: one of the turn 
signal indicators has failed.< 
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51
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
LIGHT-EMITTING DIODES WASHER/WIPER SYSTEM Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) installed 
behind translucent lenses serve as the light 
source for many of the controls and 
displays in your vehicle. These light-emit-
ting diodes are related to conventional 
lasers, and legislation defines them as 
"light-emitting diodes, Class 1".
Do not remove the protective lens 
and avoid staring directly at the unfil-
tered beam for several hours, as inflamma-
tion of the iris could result.<
0 Wipers parked
1 Intermittent operation or rain sensor
2 Normal wiper speed
3 Fast wiper speed
4 Brief wipe
5 Clean windshield and headlampsIntermittent operation(not on vehicles with rain sensor)
The interval varies depending on the speed 
being driven.
You can have this function set by 
your MINI center.<
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 windshield wipers are auto-
matically controlled depending on the 
amount of water (or snow) landing on the 
windshield. 
To activate the rain sensor:
From ignition key position 1:
Lever in position 1. 
The wipers move across the windshield 
once.
To deactivate the rain sensor:
Put lever in position 0.
Switch the rain sensor off when 
passing through an automatic car 
wash. Failure to do so could result in 
damage caused by undesired wiper activa-
tion.<Fast wiper speedWhen the vehicle is stationary, the wipers 
switch automatically to normal wiper 
speed.
You can have this function activated/
deactivated by your MINI center.< 
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52
WASHER/WIPER SYSTEMCleaning 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. If you do so, your vision 
could be obscured. For this reason, use an 
antifreeze agent, see page 89.
Do not use the washers when the reservoir 
is empty, since this could cause damage to 
the washing pump.<Windshield washer jets*The windshield washer jets are heated 
automatically when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Rear window wiper6 Intermittent operation:
Turn the cap to position 6
The rear window wiper moves across the 
window a number of times before 
switching to intermittent operationCleaning the rear window7 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 
Page 89 of 140
87
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ENGINE COMPARTMENT Ð MINI COOPER1 Reservoir for windshield washer 
system 89
2 Coolant expansion tank 913 Engine oil filler neck 90
4 Battery 111
5 Brake fluid reservoir 926 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning 
system 89
7 Engine oil dipstick 89 
Page 90 of 140
88
ENGINE COMPARTMENT Ð MINI COOPER S1 Reservoir for windshield washer 
system 89
2 Coolant expansion tank 913 Engine oil filler neck 90
4 Auxiliary terminal for jump-
starting 113
5 Brake fluid reservoir 926 Reservoir for headlamp cleaning 
system 89
7 Engine oil dipstick 89 
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89
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
WASHER FLUID ENGINE OILHeadlamp* and 
windshield washer systemCapacity approx. 2.6 quarts (2.5 liters) per 
reservoir.
Fill with water and Ð if required Ð with anti-
freeze (according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations).
We recommend that you mix the 
washer fluid before adding it to the 
reservoir.< 
Antifreeze agent for the washer 
systems is flammable. Always keep it 
well away from sparks and open flames, 
and store it in tightly closed containers well 
out of the reach of children. Always observe 
the instructions for use provided on the 
container.<
Measuring the oil level 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch off the warmed-up engine
3. Pull the dipstick out after approx. 
5 minutes and wipe it off with a lint-free 
cloth, paper towel, or similar material
4. Carefully push the dipstick all the way 
into the guide tube and pull it out again.
The oil level must be between the two 
marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption is 
directly influenced by your driving style and 
vehicle operating conditions.
The oil volume between the two marks on 
the dipstick ("MIN", "MAX") corresponds to 
approx. 1.1 quarts (1 liter). Do not fill 
beyond the upper notch on the dipstick. 
Excess oil will damage the engine. 
Page 96 of 140
94
CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLESuitable car-care products
Use the cleaning and car-care prod-
ucts available at your MINI center.<
Washing your vehicle You can wash your new MINI from the 
outset in automatic car washes, though 
you should use brushless car washes.
When using steam jets or high-pres-
sure washers, ensure that you keep 
the jets sufficiently far away from the 
vehicle. If the jet is too close or the pressure 
is too high, this can lead to damage or 
initial damage that can develop into more 
serious damage. Water that enters vehicle 
components can lead to damage over the 
long term.<
After washing the vehicle, apply the 
brakes briefly to dry them, otherwise 
water can reduce braking efficiency over 
the short term and the brake rotors can 
corrode. <
Switch the rain sensor off when 
passing through an automatic car 
wash, see page 51. Failure to do so could 
result in damage caused by undesired 
wiper activation.<
Rod antenna
If necessary, before entering a car 
wash or garage with elevator ramp 
for example, remove the rod antenna. To 
do so, grip the rod antenna at the base and 
unscrew it from the antenna foot by 
turning it to the left.<
Headlamps
When cleaning the headlamps, 
please observe the following: do not 
clean by wiping with a dry cloth (scratches). 
Never use abrasives or strong solvents to 
clean the covers. Remove dirt and contami-
nation (such as insects) by soaking with 
shampoo and then rinsing with plenty of 
water. Always use a deicer spray to remove 
accumulated ice and snow Ð never use a 
scraper.<
Vehicle paintwork Regular care contributes greatly to driving 
safety and value retention.
Environmental influences varying from one 
region to the next can affect the vehicle 
paintwork. Please base the frequency and 
scope of car care on these various influ-
ences.
Care of upholstery Depressions that come about on the uphol-
stery material of the seats in daily use can 
be brushed out using a slightly damp brush 
against the grain.
The fact that velour lays down is not a 
quality defect, but rather is inevitable in 
the case of home textiles or clothing mate-
rials.
In the case of strong sunlight and longer 
parking periods, cover the seats or all 
windows to prevent discoloration.Care of special parts >Light-alloy wheels:
Use wheel cleaner especially during the 
winter months, but do not use any 
aggressive, acidic, strong alkali or rough 
cleansers or steam jets above 140 7 
(60 6) (observe the manufacturer's 
operating instructions) 
>Chrome parts
* such as cooler grille, door 
handles, etc.:
Especially if exposed to road salt, care-
fully clean these parts with plenty of 
water and possibly with a shampoo addi-
tive. For additional treatment, use 
chrome polish