MINI Countryman 2012 Owners Manual

CONTROLSPractical interior accessories
90
Glove compartment
Opening
Pull the handle to open the cover.
The light in the glove compartment comes on.
Closing
Fold cover up.To prevent injury in the event of an acci-
dent, close the glove compartment after
use while the vehicle is being driven.<
Ventilation
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the
glove compartment can be ventilated and, if the
cooling function is switched on, can also be
cooled.
Opening
Rotate the switch in the direction of the arrow.
Closing
Rotate the switch in the opposite direction of the
arrow until it is in the vertical position. Depending on the temperature setting of the air
conditioner or the automatic climate control,
high temperatures may result in the glove com-
partment.
Connection for external
audio device
You can connect an external audio device such
as a CD or MP3 player and play audio tracks over
the vehicle's speaker syst
em, refer to the Enter-
tainment chapter, page 115.
Center armrest
The center armrest between the front seats con-
tains either a compartment or the cover for the
snap-in adapter, see page 130.
In the center armrest between the back seats,
there is a storage compartment.
Opening
Press the button, arrow, and lift the cover.
Center armrest rear
Removing
The center armrest in the rear can be removed
to increase the amount of storage room.
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Practical interior accessoriesCONTROLS
91
1.Turn handwheel counterclockwise until it
reaches the stop, arrow 1.
2. Push center armrest in the base plate gently
towards the back, arrow 2.
3. Raise the armrest in front and swing out.
Installing
1.Insert center armrest in the back into the
rear recess of the base plate, arrow 1.
2. Push to rear and sw ing down in front,
arrow 2.
3. Push center armrest in the base plate
forward.
4. Tighten handwheel by turning clockwise.
Ensure that the center armrest engages properly
when it is installed; ot herwise, it may be dam-
aged, for example, during braking maneuvers.
Storage compartments
Do not put any unsecured objects into the
interior of the vehicle; otherwise these
may endanger the occupants, e.g., during brak-
ing and evasive maneuvers. < Do not use the instrument panel as a shelf,
for example with non-slip mats; other-
wise, it could be damaged. <
In the vehicle interior
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
will find storage compartments in the front and
rear doors and in the center console.
Pockets
are provided on the backrest rear
panels of the front seats.
Center Rail
Various accessory parts ca n be attached to the
Center Rail and installed in different positions.
Do not use accessory parts near the hand
brake; otherwise these could be damaged
when the hand brake lever is operated.
In addition, do not po sition accessory parts
directly behind the center armrest on the rail;
otherwise they could be damaged upon open-
ing the center armrest. <
Smartphone holder
The upper part of the smartphone holder can be
rotated by 360°.
When installing in the front of the rail, ensure
that there is sufficient space, e.g., away from the
seat; otherwise, damage may be caused when
rotating.
1.Pull the lever 1 up to unlock the mounts.
2. First install the smartp hone on the Center
Rail with the mounts 2.
3. To secure, push lever 1 down. Ensure that
the lever can lock it properly.
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CONTROLSPractical interior accessories
92
When connecting a smartphone to the USB
audio interface, see page115, guide the con-
nection cable under the smartphone holder.
Base plate
On the base plate, vari ous accessories can be
attached, such as cup holders, holders for sun-
glasses and cell phone holders.
Inserting base plate
The lever 3 can be locked in three positions.
0 Locking
1 Sliding along the rail
2 Inserting base plate
For inserting, move the lever into position 2.
Sliding and locking
1. Push lever 3 into position 1.
2. Slide the base plate.
3. Push the lever 3 down, into position 0, and
lock the base plate in place.
Lock the base plate in place before driv-
ing; otherwise, injuries may result in the
event of an accident. <
Example: cupholder
Put cupholder in the back between the rear
seats and push in.
Installing cupholder
1.Lock base plate in place if necessary, refer to
Sliding and locking.
2. Pull the lever 6 up to unlock the mounts. 3.
First insert the cupholder into the front
mounts 4 and then snap it into the rear
mounts 5.
Make sure that the lever 6 is situated
opposite the mount 4.<
Clothes hooks
There are clothes hooks on the grab handles in
the rear passenger compartment.
Items of clothing hung from the hooks
must not obstruct the driver's view. Do not
hang heavy objects from the hooks; otherwise,
they could endanger the car's occupants, e.g. in
case of heavy braking or sudden swerving. <
In the cargo area
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, you
have the following storage options:
>Storage compartment under the flat load
floor
> Bag holder on the support for the cargo area
cover
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Practical interior accessoriesCONTROLS
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Cupholders and ashtray
Cupholders
Use lightweight, nonbreakable containers
and do not transport hot beverages.
Otherwise, there is an increased risk of injury in
the event of an accident. <
Do not push unsuitable containers forcibly
into the cupholder. Otherwise, you may
damage it. <
Additional cupholders can be attached to the
Center Rail in the rear passenger compartment.
Ashtray
The ashtray is located in one of the cupholders in
the center console.
Emptying
Remove the entire ashtray.
Lighter
With the engine running or the ignition switched
on, press in the cigarette lighter.
The lighter can be pulled out as soon as it pops
back out.
Hold or touch the hot cigarette lighter by
the knob only. Holding or touching it in
other areas could result in burns.
When leaving the car, always remove the key so
that children cannot operate the cigarette
lighter and burn themselves. <
Connecting electrical
appliances
In your MINI, when the engine is running or if the
ignition is switched on, you can use electrical
devices such as flashlights, car vacuum cleaners,
etc., up to approx. 140 watts at 12 volts, as long
as one of the following sockets is available.
Avoid damaging the sockets by attempting to
insert plugs of unsui table shape or size.
Cigarette lighter socket
Remove the lighter or cover from the socket.
Sockets
In the rear passenger compartment
Pull out the cover.
In the cargo area
Pull out the cover.
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Drive Me.

Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 828 - © 07/12 BMW AG

AT A GLANCE
CONTROLS
ENTERTAINMENT
COMMUNICATIONS
MOBILITY
REFERENCE DRIVING TIPS

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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
96
Things to remember when driving
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 coun try version. This also
applies to safety relate d functions and systems.
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed the following:
> Gasoline engine
4,500 rpm or 100 mph/160 km/h
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kickdown mode.
After driving 1,200 miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Tires
Due to technical factors associated with their
manufacture, tires do not achieve their full trac-
tion potential until after an initial break-in
period. Therefore, drive cautiously during the
first 200 miles/300 km.
Brake system
Brakes require an initial break-in period of
approx. 300 miles/500 km to achieve optimized
contact and wear patterns between brake pads
and rotors. Drive cautiously during this break-in
period.
Clutch
The function of the clutch reaches its optimal
level only after a distan ce driven of approx.
300 miles/500 km. During this break-in period,
engage the clutch gently.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.
General driving notes
Ground clearance
When driving, ensure that there is suffi-
cient ground clearance, such as when
entering underground parking garages, driving
over curbs or when driving in winter; otherwise
damage to the vehicle may result. <
Closing tailgate
Only drive with the tailgate closed. Failure
to do so may endanger passengers or
other road users or may damage the vehicle in
the event of an accident or a braking and eva-
sive maneuver. In addi tion, exhaust gas may
flow into the passenger compartment. <
If special circumstances make it absolutely
necessary to drive with the tailgate open:
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Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
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1.Close all windows and the glass sunroof.
2. Switch off recirculated -air mode and switch
the airflow control of the air conditioner or
automatic climate control to high, refer to
page 82 or 84.
Hot exhaust system
As in all vehicles, extremely high tempera-
tures are generated on the exhaust sys-
tem. Do not remove the heat shields installed
adjacent to various sect ions of the exhaust sys-
tem, and never apply undercoating to them.
When driving, standing at idle and while park-
ing, take care to avoid possible contact between
the hot exhaust system and any highly flamm-
able materials such as hay, leaves, grass, etc.
Such contact could lead to a fire, with the risk of
serious personal injuries and property damage.
Do not touch hot exhaust tail pipes. Otherwise,
there is a risk of burns. <
Hydroplaning
When driving on wet or slushy roads,
reduce road speed. If you do not, a wedge
of water can form betw een tires and road sur-
face. This situation, known as hydroplaning, can
cause partial or complete loss of tire contact
with the road surface, so that the car cannot be
steered or braked properly. <
The risk of hydroplaning increases with declining
tread depth on the tires, refer also to Tread
depth on page 142.
Driving through water
Drive through water on the road only if it is
not deeper than 1 ft/30 cm, and then only
at walking speed at the most. Otherwise, the
vehicle's engine, the electrical systems and the
transmission may be damaged. <
Parking brake on inclines
On inclines, do not hold the vehicle with
the clutch; use the parking brake. Other-
wise, greater clutch wear will result. refer to page
67.
Braking safely
Your MINI is equipped with ABS. If you are in a
situation which requires full braking, it is best to
brake using maximum brake pressure. Since the
vehicle maintains steeri ng responsiveness, you
can still avoid possible obstacles with a mini-
mum of steering effort.
The pulsation of the brake pedal, together with
the sound of hydraulic regulation, indicates that
ABS is functioning properly.
Objects in the movement range of the
pedals
Keep floor mats, carp et, and other objects
out of the movement range of the pedals;
otherwise, they may inhi bit the function of the
pedals during driving. Do not place additional
floor mats onto an existing one or onto other
objects. Only use floor mats that have been
approved for the vehicle and can be appropri-
ately fastened. Make sure that the floor mats are
securely fastened again after they have been
removed, e.g. for cleaning. <
Driving in wet conditions
When roads are wet or there is heavy rain, briefly
exert gentle pressure on the brake pedal every
few miles. Monitor traffic conditions to ensure
that this maneuver does not endanger other
road users. The heat generated in this process
helps dry the pads and rotors to ensure that.
Then full braking force will be immediately avail-
able when it is needed.
Hills
To prevent overheatin g and the resulting
reduced efficiency of the brake system,
drive long or steep downhill gradients in the
gear in which the least braking is required. Even
light but consistent brake pressure can lead to
high temperatures, brake wear and possibly
even brake failure. <
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DRIVING TIPSThings to remember when driving
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You can increase the engine's braking effect by
shifting down, all the way to first gear if neces-
sary. This strategy helps you avoid placing
excessive loads on the brake system. Downshift-
ing in manual mode of the automatic trans-
mission, page49.
Never drive with the clutch held down,
with the transmission in neutral or with
the engine switched off; otherwise, engine brak-
ing action will not be present or there will be no
power assistance to the brakes or steering.
Never allow floor mats, carpets or any other
objects to protrude into the area around the
pedals; otherwise, pedal function could be
impaired. <
Corrosion on brake rotors
When the vehicle is driven only occasionally,
during extended periods when the vehicle is not
used at all, and in op erating conditions where
brake applications are less frequent, there is an
increased tendency for corrosion to form on
rotors, while contaminants accumulate on the
brake pads. This occurs because the minimum
pressure which must be exerted by the pads
during brake applications to clean the rotors is
not reached.
Should corrosion form on the brake rotors, the
brakes will tend to respond with a pulsating
effect that even extended application will fail to
cure.
When the vehicle is parked
Condensation forms while the automatic climate
control is in operation, and then exits under the
vehicle. Traces of condensed water under the
vehicle are therefore normal.
In the MINI Cooper S, the coolant pump may
continue to run for some time after the engine is
switched off. This will generate noise in the
engine compartment.
Cargo loading
To avoid loading the tires beyond their
approved carrying capacity, never over-
load the vehicle. Overloading can lead to over-
heating and increases the rate at which damage
develops inside the tires. The ultimate result can
assume the form of a sudden blowout. <
Avoid fluid spills in the cargo area as they
could damage the vehicle. <
Expanding cargo area
Cargo area cover
Do not place any objects on the cover;
otherwise, they could endanger the car's
occupants, e.g. in the case of braking or sudden
swerving, or they may damage the cover. <
When you open the tailgate, the roll-up cover is
raised.
To load bulky luggage, the cover can be
removed.
1. Unhook the lift straps from the tailgate.
2. Lift the cover slightly, arrow 1, and pull it
rearward out of the bracket, arrow 2.
Rear seat backrest
Before folding down the rear seat back-
rests, ensure that th e range of motion for
the backrests is unobstructed. Particularly with a
folded down middle section, ensure that there is
no one within the range of motion of the back-
rest and that no one re aches into that region.
Otherwise, injury or damage can result. <
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Things to remember when drivingDRIVING TIPS
99
To ensure that the safety systems con-
tinue to provide optimized protection,
observe the safety belt information on
page 37.<
5 seater: the rear seat back is divided in the
following proportions: 40-20-40. When the outer rear seat backs are folded
down, no one may sit in the middle posi-
tion. <
If necessary, remove the third head restraint,
refer to Removing head restraints, page 36.
Open the center belt and insert in the take-up
on the headliner, see page 38.
Expand the cargo area by raising the rear seat
backrests to a steeper angle.
The backrests can be adjusted as needed in
10 stages between a comfort position and a
transport position or can be folded down.
In the comfort position, the backrests are as far
back as possible; in the transport position, they
are in an approximatel y vertical position.
Before installing a ch ild restraint system,
observe the instructio ns starting on page41.
1. Hold on to the backrest near the top, for
example on the headrest, and pull on the
loop, arrow.
2. Lock backrest in the de sired position or fold
down.
Folding the backrests back into position
When folding the backrest, ensure that the
lock properly engages. Otherwise, for
example during braking and avoidance maneu-
vers, cargo can be thrown into the interior and
endanger the occupants. < If the rear seat backrests are positioned at
a steeper angle, do not install child
restraint systems in the rear of the vehicle as
their protective featur es may be ineffective.<
When backrests are folded back from the
folded-down position, they lock in the transport
position.
To set the desired backrest angle or a comfort-
able position, pull the lo op forward and adjust
the backrest.
Cargo area privacy screen
Between the cargo area an d the rear seat back-
rest, there is a cargo area privacy screen. It can
be folded down and used as a loading platform.
When the rear seat backrests are folded
down, do not fold the privacy screen
upright. In an accident, cargo could fold down
the privacy screen and damage it. <
Folding down the privacy screen
1.If necessary, remove the cargo area cover,
refer to page 98.
2. Fold the privacy screen up and to the rear,
arrow 1.
3. Release the locking mechanisms on the left
and right sides, arrows 2.
4. Grasp the outer sides of the privacy screen
and guide it downward.
Do not exceed the maximum load of
330 lbs/150 kg of the privacy screen when
it is in folded down into the loading platform
position; otherwise, damage may occur. <
Online Edition for Part no. 01 40 2 914 828 - \251 07/12 BMW AG