service MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE 2008 Owners Manual

CONTENTS
2
© 2007 Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft
Munich, Germany
Reprinting, including excerpts, only with the
written consent of BMW AG, Munich.
Order No. 01 41 0 014 845
US English VIII/07
Printed in Germany
Printed on environmentally friendly paper,
bleached without chlorine, suitable for recycling.NOTES About this Owner's Manual 6
Additional sources of information 6
Symbols used 6
Your individual vehicle 6
Editorial notice 7
For your own safety 7
Symbol on vehicle parts 8
Service and warranty 8
Reporting safety defects 9
OVERVIEWCockpit 12
Display elements 13
Display elements with navigation system
or Cockpit Chrono Pack14
Indicator and warning lamps 16
Multifunction steering wheel20
CONTROLSOpening and closing:
Keys 24
Central locking system 24
Opening and closing: from outside 25
Opening and closing: from inside 28
Tailgate 29
Electric power windows 31
Glass sunroof, electric33
Roller sun blind34
Convertible top with integrated sliding
sunroof 35
Wind deflector39
Adjustments:
Safe seating position 42
Seat adjustment 43
Head restraints 44
Entry to the rear 45
Safety belts 46
Seat heating47
Steering wheel 47
Mirrors 48
Vehicle Memory 49
Transporting children safely 50

3OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
Driving:
Ignition lock 53
Starting the engine 53
Switching off the engine 54
Parking brake 54
Manual transmission 55
Automatic transmission with
Steptronic56
Parking lamps/Low beams 60
Turn signal indicator/Headlamp
flasher 61
Instrument lighting 62
Fog lamps 62
Interior lamps 62
Washer/wiper system 63
Washer fluid64
Cruise control65
Everything under control:
Odometer 67
Clock 67
Fuel gauge 67
Coolant temperature gauge 68
Tachometer 69
Service interval display 69
Onboard computer70Technology for safety and driving
convenience:
Driving stability control systems72
Flat Tire Monitor 74
Tire Pressure Monitor76
Airbags 79
Park Distance Control (PDC)81
Controlling the climate for pleasant
driving:
Air conditioning system82
Automatic climate control85
Interior conveniences:
Glove compartment 88
Center armrest89
Drinks holders, ashtray 89
Cigarette lighter, 12 V power supply 90
Integrated universal remote control91
Loading and transporting cargo:
Luggage compartment in the MINI 93
Luggage compartment in the MINI
Convertible 94
Loading cargo 95
Roof-mounted luggage rack98
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCESpecial operating instructions:
Break-in procedures 102
General driving notes 102
Refueling105
Wheels and tires:
Tire inflation pressure 108
Tire coding 112
Tire condition 113
Run-Flat Tires115
New wheels and tires 116
Snow chains117

CONTENTS
4
In the engine compartment:
Bonnet 118
Engine compartment:
MINI COOPER and
MINI COOPER Convertible119
MINI COOPER S and
MINI COOPER S Convertible120
Engine oil 121
Coolant 122
Brake system 124
Maintenance and care:
MINI Maintenance System 125
Socket for Onboard Diagnostics
OBD 126
Caring for your vehicle 126
Vehicle storage 129
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURESReplacement procedures:
Onboard tool kit 132
Wiper blades 132
Lamps and bulbs 133
Repairing a flat tire 137
Space-saver spare tire137
Changing tires 139
MINI Mobility System141
Vehicle battery144
Fuses 145
Giving and receiving assistance:
Jump-starting146
Towing and tow-starting 147
TECHNICAL DATAEngine data 152
Dimensions:
MINI153
MINI Convertible154
Weights:
MINI155
MINI Convertible156
Capacities 157

8
NOTESParts and accessories:
For your own safety, use genuine
parts and accessories approved by
the manufacturer of the MINI.
When you purchase accessories tested
and approved by the manufacturer of the
MINI and Original MINI Parts, you simulta-
neously acquire the assurance that they
have been thoroughly tested by the manu-
facturer of the MINI to ensure optimum
performance when installed on your vehi-
cle.
The manufacturer of the MINI warrants
these parts to be free from defects in mate-
rial and workmanship.
The manufacturer of the MINI will not
accept any liability for damages resulting
from installation of parts and accessories
not approved by the manufacturer
of the MINI.
The manufacturer of the MINI cannot test
every product from other manufacturers to
verify if it can be used on a MINI safely and
without risk to either the vehicle, its opera-
tion, or its occupants.
Original MINI Parts, MINI Accessories and
other products approved by the manufac-
turer of the MINI, together with profes-
sional advice on using these items, are
available from all MINI Dealers.
Installation and operation of non-MINI
approved accessories such as alarms,
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors, wheels,
suspension components, brake dust
shields, telephones, including operation of
any portable cellular phone from within
the vehicle without using an externally
mounted antenna, or transceiver equip-
ment, e.g. CB, walkie-talkie, ham radio or
similar, may cause extensive damage to the
vehicle, compromise its safety, interfere
with the vehicle's electrical system or affect
the validity of the MINI Limited Warranty.
See your MINI Dealer for additional infor-
mation.<
Maintenance, replacement, or repair
of the emission control devices and
systems must be performed by an autho-
rized MINI Dealership or individual using
certified MINI parts. Indicates that you should consult the
relevant section of this Owner's Man-
ual for information on a particular part or
assembly.
Service and warrantyThis manual is supplemented by a Service
and Warranty Information Booklet for US
models or a Warranty and Service Guide
Booklet for Canadian models.
We recommend that you read this publica-
tion thoroughly.
Your MINI is covered by the following war-
ranties:
>New Vehicle Limited Warranty
>Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
>Federal Emissions System Defect War-
ranty
>Federal Emissions Performance War-
ranty
>California Emission Control System Lim-
ited Warranty.
Detailed information about these warran-
ties is listed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or in the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models.

OVERVIEW
CONTROLS
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
INDEX TECHNICAL DATA
11
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX

13
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATION CONTROLS DATA INDEX
1Tachometer69
with indicator and warning lamps,
page16ff
2 Display for onboard computer70
without onboard computer:
Display of outside temperature and cur-
rent speed
3 Speedometer with indicator and warn-
ing lamps, page16 ff4Indicator for
>Odometer67
>Trip odometer67
>Service interval69
>Program indicator for automatic
transmission with Steptronic57
>Clock
5 Trip odometer, reset to zero67
Setting the clock676 Fuel gauge68
7 Engine coolant temperature gauge68DISPLAY ELEMENTS

14
1Tachometer69
with indicator and warning lamps,
page16ff
2 Display for onboard computer3 Speedometer with indicator and warn-
ing lamps, page16 ff
4 Trip odometer, reset to zero67
Setting the clock675Indicator for
>Odometer67
>Trip odometer67
>Service interval69
>Program indicator for automatic
transmission with Steptronic57
>ClockDISPLAY ELEMENTS WITH NAVIGATION SYSTEM
* OR COCKPIT CHRONO PACK
*

OVERVIEW
CONTROLS
OPERATION, CARE, MAINTENANCE
OWNER SERVICE PROCEDURES
INDEX TECHNICAL DATA
23
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
Controls

69
OVERVIEW REPAIRS OPERATIONCONTROLS DATA INDEX
TACHOMETER SERVICE INTERVAL DISPLAYDo not operate the engine with the needle
in the red overspeed zone of the gauge.
To protect the engine, the power is reduced
when you approach a certain engine speed
in this sector.
Remaining distance for serviceWith the ignition key in position 1 or
higher, the distance remaining before the
next scheduled service is displayed in miles
for a short period. The display also indicates
whether an engine oil service and/or an
inspection is due.
The remaining distance is calculated on the
basis of the preceding driving style. The dis-
play counts backwards in steps of 35 miles/
50 km to the next service. A flashing mes-
sage and a minus sign in front of the dis-
play that again begins counting forwards
mean that the service interval has been
exceeded.
Please schedule an appointment with your
MINI Dealer or a workshop that has spe-
cially trained personnel working in accor-
dance with the specifications of your MINI
manufacturer.
For more information on the service inter-
val display, refer to page125.

72
DRIVING STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEMSYour 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 page103.Cornering Brake Control CBCDriving stability and steering characteris-
tics are further enhanced while braking in
turns or during a lane change.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.<