navigation system MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2004 Owner's Manual
Page 4 of 152
 
CONTENTS
 
2 
© 2003 Bayerische Motoren Werke 
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the 
written consent of BMW AG, Munich. 
Order No. 01 41 0 157 644
US English VIII/03
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper, 
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling. 
NOTES  
About this Owner's Manual6
Symbols used6
Your individual vehicle6
Editorial notice7
For your own safety7
Symbol on vehicle parts8
Service and warranty8
Reporting safety defects9 
OVERVIEW 
Cockpit12
Display elements13
Display elements with navigation 
system14
Indicator and warning lamps15
Multifunction steering wheels18 
CONTROLS 
Opening and closing:  
Keys22
Central locking system23
Opening and closing: from outside23
Opening and closing: from inside26
Tailgate27
Electric power windows28
Glass sunroof, electric29
Roller sun blind30  
Adjustments:  
Safe seating position31
Seat adjustment32
Head restraints33
Entry to the rear34
Safety belts35
Seat heating35
Steering wheel36
Mirrors36
Vehicle Memory37
Transporting children safely38 
Page 16 of 152
 
14 
DISPLAY ELEMENTS WITH NAVIGATION SYSTEM
 
*  
1Tachometer54
with indicator and warning lamps, 
page 15 ff
2Additional indicator and warning lamps, 
page 16 ff, display for onboard computer 
in navigation system, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual 3Speedometer with indicator and warning 
lamps, page 15 ff
4Trip odometer, reset to zero545Indicator for  
>  
Odometer54  
>  
Trip odometer54  
>  
Service interval56  
>  
Program display for Continuously Vari-
able automatic Transmission 
(CVT)47 
Page 17 of 152
 
15 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Technology that monitors itself 
The system runs a check on the indicator 
and warning 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  
+
 
   
Lights up although parking brake is 
released: check the brake fluid 
level. Before driving further, be sure to 
comply with the information on pages 86 
and 101.
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, also 
refer to page 55. 
Page 18 of 152
 
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 93, 116, 117, 121.
General information on the system, refer to 
page 62. 
Red and yellow: continue driving 
cautiously 
Brake warning light together with 
yellow indicator lamp for ABS, CBC, 
EBD and ASC/DSC:
The control system ABS, CBC, EBD 
and ASC/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 59, 60. 
Brake warning lamp together with 
the yellow indicator warning lamps 
ABS, CBC, EBV and ASC/DSC for 
Canadian models. 
Red: an important reminder 
Brake warning lamp
with parking brake applied. 
More information on the parking 
brake on page 43.
Brake warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Fasten safety belts  
+
 
Lights up for several seconds or, de-
pending on the version, until after 
the safety belts are fastened. A signal 
* 
 also 
sounds depending on the version. 
More information on page 35.
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 page 65.
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, 95.
Brake pads
Have the condition of the brake 
pads checked.
More information on page 86.
Depending on the level of equipment, 
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of 
the navigation system. 
< 
Page 19 of 152
 
17 
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
 
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible 
Flat Tire Monitor  
+
 
Stays lit: the system is defective. 
Please have the system inspected 
at your MINI Dealer.
More information on page 62.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)  
+
 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking efficiency is avail-
able. Please have the system inspected at 
your MINI Dealer. 
More information on page 61.
ABS indicator lamp for Canadian 
models.
All Season traction Control (ASC)/
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)  
+
 
Indicator lamp flashes: 
System active: drive and braking forces are 
regulated. 
The indicator lamp stays lit: ASC/DSC 
switched off with button or defective. In 
the event of a defect: please have the sys-
tem inspected at your MINI Dealer.
More information on pages 59, 60. 
Service Engine Soon  
+
 
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 Dealer at the earliest possible 
opportunity. 
Service Engine Soon warning lamp 
for Canadian models.
Engine electronics 
* 
  
+
 
Malfunction in the engine electron-
ics. You can continue to drive with 
reduced engine output or engine speed. 
Please have the system inspected at your 
MINI Dealer.
Check Gas Cap 
*  
+
 
This indicator lamp comes on 
when the fuel gas cap is loose or 
missing. Close the gas cap tightly: 
Refer to page 85.
Depending on the level of equipment, 
the indicator lamp is in the vicinity of 
the navigation system. 
<
 
Green: for your information 
Turn signal indicators
Flashes when turn signal indicator 
is on.
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 or multifunction 
sports steering wheel.
More information on page 52. 
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. 
Page 57 of 152
55
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
FUEL GAUGE  COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGEIn 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 temperature The 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, refer to page 100.
1Red indicator lampWhen 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 the speedometer lights up 
while driving: 
Engine is too hot. Switch off the engine 
immediately and allow it to cool down. 
Page 59 of 152
57
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
ONBOARD COMPUTER
* 
Mode selection
With the ignition key in position 1 and higher, 
you can use the button in the turn signal indi-
cator lever to retrieve information from the 
onboard computer for display in the tachom-
eter. By pressing the button briefly, you can 
call up a new function for display.
The displays appear in the following order:
Outside temperature, range, average con-
sumption and current consumption, aver-
age speed and current 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 onboard computer in 
the navigation system Owner's Manual.<
Outside temperature If the vehicle is equipped with a tachome-
ter, but not with an onboard computer, the 
outside temperature is displayed.
You can have the units 6 or 7 set 
by your MINI Dealer.<
Ice warning If the outside temperature falls below 
approx. 37 7 / +36, the onboard com-
puter automatically switches to the outside 
temperature display.
In addition, an acoustic signal can be heard 
and the display flashes for a short time.
The ice warning does not exclude the 
possibility that surface ice can form 
at temperatures above 37 7 / +36, e.g. 
on bridges and shaded roads.<
With navigation system option:
The temperature is displayed in the status 
line of the navigation system, refer to the 
Owner's Manual for the navigation system.Current vehicle speedIf the vehicle is equipped with a tachome-
ter, but not with an onboard computer, the 
current vehicle speed is displayed.
With the ignition key in position 1 and 
higher, you can use the button in the turn 
signal indicator lever to call this up in the 
tachometer display. Briefly press the but-
ton to switch the display from the outside 
temperature to the current vehicle speed. 
Page 142 of 152
EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
140
Control elements, refer to 
Cockpit 12 
Convenience operation 
from outside 24, 25 
glass sunroof, electric 29 
window 28 
Coolant 100 
indicator lamp 15 
level 100 
temperature 55 
Coolant temperature gauge 55 
Cooling system, refer to 
Capacities 135 
Cooling, refer to Air 
conditioning 68, 71 
Copyright 2 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC) 61 
warning lamp 16 
Cosmetic mirror, refer to 
Illuminated vanity mirror 36 
Cruise control 52 
indicator lamp 17 
multifunction steering 
wheel 18 
sports steering wheel 18 
Cup holders, refer to Beverage 
holders 74 
Curb weight, refer to 
Weights 134 Current fuel consumption 
setting units 58 
Cylinders, refer to Engine 
data 132 
D 
Daily odometer, refer to Trip 
odometer 54 
Dashboard lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting 49 
Data, technical 
dimensions 133 
engine data 132 
weights 134 
Date of the Owner's Manual 7 
Daytime driving lamps 48 
Deep water, refer to Water on 
roadways 83 
Defrost setting, refer to 
Defrosting and demisting 
windows 69, 72 
Defrosting and demisting 
windows 
air conditioning system 69 
automatic climate control 72 
Defrosting windows 69, 72 
air conditioning system 68 
automatic climate control 71 
Defrosting windshield, refer to 
Defrosting and demisting 
windows 69, 72 Demisting windows 69, 72 
Digital clock 56 
Dimensions 133 
Dimming interior rearview 
mirror 37 
Dipstick, engine oil 98 
Directional turn signal, 
refer to Turn signal 
indicators 49 
Disc brakes 86 
Displacement, refer to Engine 
data 132 
Display elements 13 
with navigation system 14 
Display lighting, refer to 
Instrument lighting 49 
Disposal 
oil 99 
remote control battery 22 
vehicle battery 124 
Distance covered, refer to 
Odometer 54 
Door keys 24 
Door lock 25 
Doors, locking and unlocking 
from inside 26 
from outside 24 
DOT quality grades 89 
Draft-free ventilation 69, 72 
Drink holders, refer to Beverage 
holders 74 Driving lamps, refer to Parking 
lamps/Low beams 48 
Driving notes 83 
break-in procedures 82 
Driving stability control 59, 60 
Dry air, refer to Air 
conditioning 68, 71 
DSC Dynamic Stability 
Control 60 
indicator lamp 16 
DVD changer, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual 
Dynamic Stability Control 
(DSC) 60 
indicator lamp 16 
Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC) 60 
E 
Easy entry to the rear 34 
EBD Electronic Brake Force 
Distribution 61 
indicator lamp 16 
Electric glass sunroof 29 
Electric power windows 28 
initializing 28  
Page 146 of 152
EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
144
Multifunction sports steering 
wheel 19 
Multifunction steering 
wheel 18 
Multifunction switch 
turn signal indicator/
headlamp flasher 49 
washer/wiper system 50 
N 
Navigation system, refer to 
separate Owner's Manual 
Neck restraints, refer to Head 
restraints 33 
New tires 92 
Non-smoker's equipment 
package, refer to Cigarette 
lighter socket 74 
Nylon rope 128 
O 
OBD interface socket 106 
Octane number, refer to Fuel 
quality 85 
Odometer 54 
Oil 56 
Oil change intervals, refer to 
Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet for US models, Warranty and 
Service Guide Booklet for 
Canadian models 
Oil consumption 99 
Oil filter change 135 
Oil level 98 
indicator/warning lamp 15 
Oil level, measuring 98 
Oil pressure 
indicator/warning lamp 15 
Oil, refer to Engine oil 
alternative oils 99 
capacity 135 
dipstick 98 
indicator/warning lamp 15 
recommended oils 99 
Onboard computer 57 
Onboard tool kit 110 
MINI Mobility System 121 
space-saver spare tire 117 
Opening and closing 
from inside 26 
from outside 23 
via remote control 23 
via the door lock 25 
Outlets, refer to 
Ventilation 67, 70 
Outside temperature 
display 57 
changing units 57 
in the onboard computer 57 P 
Paintwork care, refer to Vehicle 
paintwork 103 
Park Distance Control (PDC) 64 
Parking aid, refer to Park 
Distance Control (PDC) 64 
Parking brake 43 
warning lamp 16 
Parking lamps 48 
bulb replacement 112 
Parking lamps/Low beams 48 
Parking lock, refer to 
Transmission lock 46 
Parking the vehicle 83 
Parts and accessories, refer to 
Your individual vehicle 6 
PDC Park Distance Control 64 
Pinch protection 
glass sunroof, electric 30 
Plastic 104 
Pollen, refer to 
Microfilter 69 
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter 72 
Power output, refer to Engine 
data 132 
Power supply, refer to Cigarette 
lighter socket 74 
Power windows 28 
Pressure monitor, tires 
Flat Tire Monitor 62 Pressure, tires 87 
production using MINI 
Mobility System 122 
Pumping in liquid sealant 122 
Q 
Quality grades, refer to 
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading 89 
R 
Radiator, refer to Coolant 100 
Radio, refer to separate 
Owner's Manual 
Rain sensor 50 
Range 58 
Reading lamps 50 
bulb replacement 115 
Rear backrests 
folding 75 
Rear fog lamp 49 
bulb replacement 113 
indicator lamp 49 
Rear lamps, refer to Tail 
lamps 113 
bulb replacement 113, 114 
Rear seats 
adjusting head restraints 33 
Rear shelf, refer to Cargo area 
cover 75