traction control MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2006 Owner's Manual

18
INDICATOR AND WARNING LAMPS
Red: check as soon as possible
Airbags +
There is a malfunction in the airbag
system. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
More information on page76.
Brake pads
The brake pads have reached the
minimum safe limit for lining wear.
Have the brake pads replaced immediately.
More information on page117.
Yellow: check as soon as possible
Antilock Brake System (ABS) +
The ABS has failed. Conventional
braking efficiency is available. Have
the system checked as soon as possible.
More information on page71.
Display of the malfunction
described above in Canadian mod-
els.
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 deac-
tivated with button or defective.
In the event of a defect: have the system
checked as soon as possible.
More information on page71.
Engine+
The exhaust emissions have deteri-
orated.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble.
Display of the malfunction
described above in Canadian mod-
els.
Engine electronics
* +
The engine electronics are mal-
functioning. You can continue to
drive with reduced engine output or engine
speed. Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible.

55
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
PARKING BRAKE MANUAL TRANSMISSION
force. Keep your thumb pressed against the
release button while pulling the lever up
carefully.
Otherwise, excessive force could lead to
overbraking and loss of traction, i.e. fish-
tailing, at the rear axle.<
To avoid corrosion and one-sided
braking, apply the parking brake
lightly from time to time when coasting to
a standstill, for instance at a traffic light,
provided that it is safe to do so. The brake
lamps do not come on when the parking
brake is engaged.<
6-speed transmission*
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear,
press the gearshift lever to the right.
Otherwise, the engine could be damaged
by accidentally engaging 3rd or 4th gear.<
Reverse gear
Before selecting reverse gear, ensure the
vehicle is stationary; then, fully depress the
clutch and pause briefly before moving the
gearshift lever into position.
5-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever to the right and to
the back.
6-speed transmission:
Press the gearshift lever towards the left.
Thereby overcome the slight resistance and
press forward.

71
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
DRIVING STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMS
Your MINI or MINI Convertible is equipped
with a series of systems that help maintain
driving stability even in adverse driving sit-
uations.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
ABS keeps the wheels from locking during
braking. Steering stability is maintained
even during full brake applications. In this
way, active safety is enhanced.
ABS is operational each time the engine is
started. Braking safely, refer to page97.
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD)
The system controls brake-force applica-
tion at the rear wheels in order to obtain
increased stability in the vehicle's braking
response.
All Season traction Control (ASC)*
ASC prevents slip at the drive wheels while
starting off and accelerating the vehicle.
ASC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi-
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In
these cases, and subject to physical limits,
ASC helps to keep the vehicle on a steady
course by reducing engine speed and by
applying brakes at individual wheels. This
system optimizes driving stability and trac-tion, especially when just starting off,
when accelerating or when cornering.
The ASC is operational each time you start
the engine. It integrates the Antilock Brake
System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD).
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with ASC. An appropri-
ate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the
additional safety margin provided by the
system as an excuse for taking unnecessary
risks.
Do not make any modifications to the ASC
system. Allow only authorized technicians
to perform service procedures on the
ASC.<
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)*
DSC prevents slip at the drive wheels while
starting off and accelerating the vehicle.
DSC also recognizes unstable vehicle condi-
tions, such as fishtailing or nose-diving. In
these cases, and subject to physical limits,
DSC helps to keep the vehicle on a steady
course by reducing engine speed and by
applying brakes at individual wheels.
The DSC is operational every time you start
the engine. It integrates All Season traction
Control (ASC).
The laws of physics cannot be
repealed, even with DSC. An appro-
priate driving style always remains the
responsibility of the driver. Avoid using the
additional safety margin provided by the
system as an excuse for taking unnecessary
risks.
Do not make any modifications to the DSC
system. Allow only authorized technicians
to perform service procedures on the
DSC.<

105
OVERVIEW REPAIRSOPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TIRE CODING
Knowing the tire code on the tire's sidewall
makes it easier for you to choose and iden-
tify the correct tires.
Tire size
e.g. 205/45 R 17 84 V
Nominal width in mm
Cross-sectional
ratio in %
Radial belt construction
Rim diameter in inches
Load index,
not on ZR tires
Speed code letter,
in front of the R on ZR tires
Speed code letters:
Q = up to 100 mph / 160 km/h
T = up to 118 mph / 190 km/h
H = up to 131 mph / 210 km/h
V = up to 150 mph / 240 km/h
W= up to 167 mph / 270 km/h
Tire Identification Number
Tires with DOT codes meet the guidelines
of the US Department of Transportation.DOT code:
e.g. DOT xxxx xxx 3505
Manufacturer's code
for tire make
Tire size and
tire version
Tire age
Tire age
The date on which the tire was manufac-
tured is indicated by the code on the side-
wall:
DOT...3505 indicates that the tire was man-
ufactured in Week 35 of the year 2005.
The manufacturer of your MINI recom-
mends replacing all tires after 6 years at
the latest, even if a tire service life of
10 years is possible.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applica-
ble on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
DOT quality grades
Tread wear
Traction AA A B C
Temperature A B C
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.<
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one-half, 1γ, times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.

106
TIRE CODING TIRE CONDITION
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction per-
formance.
The traction grade assigned to this
tire is based on straight-ahead brak-
ing traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.<
Temperature
The temperature grades are A, the highest,
B and C, representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified indoor lab-
oratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the labora-
tory test wheel than the minimum required
by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire fail-
ure.<
RSC: Run Flat tires
You will recognize Run Flat tires by a circu-
lar symbol containing the letters RSC on
the side of the tire, refer to page108.
M+S
Winter and all-season tires.
These have better winter performance
properties than summer tires.
Inspect your tires frequently for tread wear,
signs of damage and for foreign objects
lodged in the tread. Check the tread depth.
Tire tread
Tread depth should not be allowed to go
below 1/8 in/3 mm even though in Europe,
for example, the legally specified minimum
tread depth is only 1/16 in/1.6 mm.
Below 1/8 in/3 mm tread depth, there is a
very high danger of hydroplaning at higher
speeds, even with only small amounts of
water on the road.
At tread depths below approx. 1/6 in/
4 mm, the ability of winter tires to cope
with winter driving conditions decreases
perceptibly. For safety reasons, new tires
should be mounted.

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
154
A
ABS Antilock Brake System71
indicator lamp17,18
Accessories, refer to Your
individual vehicle6
Activated-charcoal filter83
Adjusting interior
temperature79,82
Air circulation, refer to
Recirculated air mode79,82
Air conditioning system78
Air distribution
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Air outlets, refer to
Ventilation80,83
Air pressure, refer to Tire
inflation pressure101
Air volume
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Airbags75
passenger airbag status
lamp76
safe seating position42
warning lamp18
AKI, refer to Fuel quality99
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
indicator lamps17,18 All-season tires, refer to Winter
tires110
Antenna120
Antifreeze
coolant115
washer fluid63
Antilock Brake System (ABS)71
indicator lamp17,
18
Anti-theft system24
Approved axle load, refer to
Weights149,150
Approved engine oils115
Approved gross vehicle weight,
refer to Weights149,150
ASC All Season traction
Control71
indicator lamps17,18
Ashtray85
Assistant systems, refer to
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
AUTO program, refer to
Automatic air distribution82
Automatic
air distribution82
air volume82
cruise control64
Automatic car washes119
Automatic climate control81 Automatic transmission with
Steptronic
ignition53
indicator lamp57
interlock53
selector lever lock56
shiftlock56
towing142
tow-starting143
Average consumption70
setting units70
Average speed70
setting units70
Axle loads, refer to
Weights149,150
B
Backrests, refer to
Adjusting seats44
Backup lamp
bulb replacement129
Bar, towing142
Base plate for telephone or
mobile phone84
Battery138
charging138
disposal138
indicator lamp16
jump-starting140
power failure138
Battery care68,118 Belts, refer to Safety belts46
Beverage holders85
Black ice, refer to Temperature
warning69
Blower
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Blower, refer to Air volume79
Blowers, refer to Draft-free
ventilation80,83
Bonnet111
indicator lamp17
Bottle holders, refer to
Beverage holders85
Brake discs
brake system97
break-in procedures96
Brake fluid117
level117
warning lamp16
Brake lamps, bulb
replacement129
Brake pads117
break-in procedures96

warning lamp18
Brake system117
brake fluid117
brake pads117
break-in procedures96
disc brakes97
warning lamp17

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
161
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Pollen, refer to
Microfilter80
Microfilter/Activated-
charcoal filter83
Power convertible top35
Power failure138
Power output, refer to Engine
data146
Power supply, refer to Cigarette
lighter socket85
Power windows31
Pressure, tires101
reinflation using MINI
Mobility System136
Protective function, electric
glass sunroof34
Pumping in liquid sealant136
Q
Quality grades, refer to
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading105
R
Radiator, refer to Coolant115
Radio, refer to separate
Owner's Manual
Rain sensor62
Range69
Reading lamps62
Rear backrest, foldable88,89 Rear fog lamp61
bulb replacement130
indicator lamp61
Rear lamps, bulb
replacement129
Rear lamps, refer to Tail
lamps129
Rear seats, adjusting head
restraints44
Rear shelf, refer to Luggage
compartment cover88
Rear turn signal indicators, bulb
replacement129
Rear window wiper63,64
replacement
127
Rearview mirror48
Recirculated air mode
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Reclining seat, refer to Backrest
tilt44
Refueling99
fuel filler door99
Remaining distance for
service68
Remaining distance, refer to
Range69
Remote control25,26
garage door opener86
malfunction27 Remote control key, refer to
Master keys with remote
control24
Replacement key24
Replacement of tires
changing tires131
new wheels and tires109
Reporting safety defects9
Reserve indicator light, refer to
Fuel gauge66,67
Reservoir, washing systems63
Restraint systems
for children50
refer to Safety belts46
Retaining straps92
Reverse
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
manual transmission55
Roller sun blind34
Roof load, refer to
Weights149,150
Roof-mounted luggage rack93
Rope, refer to Towing and Tow-
starting142

RSC Runflat System
Component, refer to
Run Flat tires108 Run Flat tires108
puncture107
replacing109
tire inflation pressure102
winter tires109
Runflat System Component
RSC, refer to Run Flat
tires108
S
Safety belt height
adjustment46
Safety belts46
care121
height adjustment46
indicator lamp17,46
safe seating position42
Safety lock buttons, doors,
refer to Locking28
Safety systems, refer to
Airbags75
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
Antilock Brake System
(ABS)71
Brake system71
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
Safety tires, refer to
Run Flat tires108
Seat adjustment43

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
163
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Tail lamps, refer to Rear
lamps129
Tailgate29
emergency operation30
indicator lamp17
opening from the outside29
releasing manually30
remote control26
Tank capacity, refer to Fuel tank
capacity151
Tank gauge, refer to Fuel
gauge66,67
Technical data146
Technical modifications7
Technical modifications, refer
to For your own safety7
Telephone call, refer to the
Owner's Manual for the
telephone
Temperature
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Temperature display
ice warning69
outside temperature69
setting units69
Temperature grades106
Temperature warning69
Tempomat, refer to Cruise
control64 Threaded hole for towing
eyelet142
Three-point safety belt46
Through-loading system88,89
Tightening the lug bolts
keys131,135
torque134
Tightening torque, refer to
Tightening the lug bolts134
Tire change set
MINI Mobility System137
Run Flat tires108
space-saver spare tire131
Tire failure131
MINI Mobility System135
space-saver spare tire131
Tire inflation pressure101
reinflation136
Tire pressure monitor, refer to
Flat Tire Monitor73
Tire pressure monitoring, Flat
Tire Monitor73
Tire puncture
Run Flat tires74 Tires
age105
break-in procedures96
changing133
condition106
damage107
flat tire108,131
inflation pressure101
replacement109
size, refer to New wheels and
tires109
storage110
tread106
wear indicator, refer to Tire
tread106
winter tires110
Tires with emergency
properties, refer to Run Flat
tires108
Tools, refer to Onboard tool
kit126
Torque
engine146
lug bolts134
Tow bar142
Tow rope142
Towing141
with automatic
transmission142,143
Towing eyelet141
Tow-starting143 Track width, refer to
Dimensions147,148
Traction grades106
Transmission
automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
manual transmission55
Transmission lock, refer to
Range selection56
Transmission malfunction,
refer to Malfunction58
Transporting children safely50
Transporting securely, refer to
Securing the load92
Trap protection,
glass sunroof, electric34
Trash container, refer to
Ashtray85
Tread depth, refer to Tire
tread106
Treadwear grade105
Trip odometer66
Trunk, refer to Luggage
compartment in the MINI
Convertible89
Turn signal indicators60
indicator lamp19
Turn signal indicators on the
side, bulb replacement129
Turning circle, refer to
Dimensions147,148

EVERYTHING FROM A TO Z
164
U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading105
Units
average consumption70
average speed70
temperature69
Universal garage door
opener86
Universal remote control86
Unlocking
bonnet111
from inside28
from outside26
Used batteries, refer to
Disposal138
Using antifreeze63,115
V
Vacuum cleaner, connecting,
refer to Cigarette lighter
socket85
Valve
core135
dust cap133
remover135
spare135
Valve remover, refer to
Onboard tool kit135 Valve stem and replacement
valve, refer to Onboard tool
kit135
Vehicle
battery138
break-in procedures96
care119
dimensions147
loading cargo90
parking98
storage122
washing119
weight149,150
Vehicle battery138
Vehicle identification number,
refer to Engine
compartment112,113
Vehicle Memory49
Ventilation, draft-free80,83
Ventilation, refer to Draft-free
ventilation80,83
Volume
luggage
compartment149,150
W
Warning and indicator
lamps16
Washer fluid63
Washer fluid reservoir,
capacity151 Washer fluid reservoir, refer to
Washer/wiper system63
Washer systems63
Washer/wiper system62
Washing your vehicle119
Water on roadways, deep
water98
Wear indicators in the tires,
refer to Tire condition107
Weights149,150
Wheel stud wrench
MINI Mobility System135
space-saver spare tire131
Wheel/tire combination109
Wheelbase, refer to
Dimensions147,148
Wheels and tires109
Wheelslip control
All Season traction Control
(ASC)71
Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC)71
Width, refer to Dimensions147
Wind deflector40

Window washer reservoir63
capacity, refer to
Capacities151
Window washer system
washer fluid63
washer/wiper system62
Windows, convenience
operation26,27 Windscreen wipers
replacement126,127
Windshield heating
air conditioning system79
automatic climate control82
Windshield washer jets63
Windshield wiper blades
care121
replacement126,127
Windshield wipers
intermittent operation62
Windshield wipers, refer to
Washer/wiper system62
Windshield, cleaning63
Winter tires110
changing133
condition106
Run Flat tires109
storage110
Wood paneling121
Work in the engine
compartment111
Wrench/screwdriver, refer to
Onboard tool kit126
X
Xenon lamps
bulb replacement128
Y
Your individual vehicle6