MINI Coupe 2012 Owner's Manual
Manufacturer: MINI, Model Year: 2012, Model line: Coupe, Model: MINI Coupe 2012Pages: 218, PDF Size: 3.84 MB
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Socket for On-Board 
Diagnosis OBD
The primary components that make up the 
emissions can be checked by a device via the 
OBD socket.
Emissions
The warning lamps come on. The vehicle 
is producing higher emissions. You can 
continue your journey, but moderate 
your speed and exercise due caution. 
Have the car checked as soon as possible.
Under certain circumstances, one of the lamps 
will flash or light up cont inuously. This indicates 
excessive misfiring or a malfunction in the 
engine. If this happens, reduce your speed and 
visit the nearest MINI dealer as soon as possible. 
Severe misfiring can quickly lead to serious 
damage of emissions-related components, 
especially the catalytic  converter. In addition, 
mechanical engine components can become 
damaged.
If the fuel cap is not properly tightened, 
the OBD system may conclude that fuel 
vapors are escaping, causing an indica-
tor to light up. If the fuel cap is then tightened, 
the indicator should go out within a few days.
Data memory
Your vehicle displays data about the operation, 
malfunctions, and user settings. These data are 
stored in the vehicle and can be partly stored in 
the remote control; the data can be read by 
suitable devices, in pa rticular at your MINI 
dealer. The data read out are used for 
supporting the service processes and repair 
or for optimization and development of 
vehicle functions.
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Care
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 count ry version. This also 
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Car-care products
Regular cleaning and care helps to maintain the 
value of your MINI.
The manufacturer of your MINI recommends 
using manufacturer-approved products to clean 
and care for your vehicle.
Your MINI dealer would be pleased to advise 
you on cleaning and care products and services 
for your MINI.
The ingredients of original MINI Care 
Products have been tested, and the 
products have been tested in the laboratory 
and in practice. They offer optimum care and 
protection for your vehicle. <
Do not use any cleansers containing 
alcohol or solvents as these may cause 
damage. <
Cleaning agents may contain hazardous 
or health-damaging substances. Follow 
the warning and hazard instructions on the 
packaging. For interior cleaning, always open 
the doors or windows of the vehicle. 
Do not use any products that are not intended 
for cleaning the vehicle. <
External care
Washing your vehicle
Especially during the winter months the 
vehicle should be frequently washed. Dirt 
and road salt can  damage the vehicle.<
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. <
Car washes
Preference should be given to cloth car washes.
Do not use automatic high-pressure car 
washes; otherwise, water may drip into 
the vehicle around the windows. <
Before driving into the car wash, check if the 
system is suitable for  your MINI. Observe the 
following points:
> Vehicle dimensions, page 197.
> If necessary: fold in the outside mirrors, 
page 49.
> Maximum permissible tire width.
Avoid car washes with tracks higher than 
4 in/10 cm; otherwise, the chassis could 
be damaged. <
Preparations for driving into the car wash:
> Unscrew the rod antenna.
> MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: retract spoiler.
> Deactivate the rain sensor to prevent 
unintentional wiping.
> Remove additional  attachments, e.g. 
spoilers or telephone antennas, if there is 
a possibility that they could be damaged.
> Insert the remote control into the ignition 
lock.
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Automatic transmission
Before driving into the car wash, make sure that 
the vehicle can roll:
1.Place the remote control, even with Comfort 
Access, in the ignition lock.
2. Move the selector lever to position N.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Switch off the engine.
5. Insert the remote control in the ignition lock 
so that the vehicle can roll.
Steam jets/high-pressure washers
When using steam jets or high-pressure 
washers, make sure that you maintain 
sufficient distance from  the vehicle and do not 
exceed a maximum temperature of 140 7/
60 6 .
If the distance is too close, the pressure too high, 
or the temperature too high, parts of the vehicle 
can be damaged, or water can penetrate. 
Observe the operating instructions for high-
pressure washers. <
Do not spray sensors, such as the Park 
Distance Control, with high-pressure 
washers for a long time or at a distance of less 
than 1 ft/30 cm. <
Manual washing
Use a great deal of water and, if necessary, car 
shampoo when washing your car by hand. Clean 
the vehicle with a sponge or a washing brush 
applying a slight amount of pressure.
Before cleaning the windshield, deacti-
vate the rain sensor or turn off the ignition 
to prevent unintentional wiping. <
Observe local regulations regarding 
washing vehicles by hand. <
Headlamps
Do not wipe dry and do not use abrasive or 
corrosive cleaning agents. Remove dirt and 
contamination, such as in sects, by soaking with 
shampoo and then washing with plenty of 
water. Do not remove accumulated ice and snow with 
an ice scraper; use window deicers instead.
Windows
Clean the outside and inside of the windows and 
mirrors with a window cleaner.
Do not clean the mirrors with cleaners 
containing quartz. <
Wiper blades
Clean with soapy water and change regularly to 
prevent the formation of streaks.
Wax, preservatives and dirt on the 
windows cause streaks when the wind-
shield wipers are on, and can cause premature 
wear of the wiper blades and interfere with the 
rain sensor. <
Care of the convertible top
The appearance and service life of the conver-
tible top largely depends on its proper care and 
operation.
Please follow these instructions:
>Never attempt to fold and stow the conver-
tible top in the convertible compartment 
when the top is wet or frozen. Otherwise, 
water stains, mildew, and chafe marks may 
occur.
> If water spots occur on the inside headliner 
despite precautions, remove them using a 
microfiber cloth and interior cleaner.
> If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area 
for a longer period of time, make sure that 
there is sufficient ventilation.
> Remove any bird droppings immediately, 
since they have corrosive properties which 
will corrode the conver tible top and damage 
the rubber seals.
When attempting to remove stains from 
the convertible top, do not use spot 
removers, paint thinners,  solvents, gasoline, or 
similar fluids. These cleaners may damage the 
rubber seals. The improper care or cleaning 
methods may cause the convertible top and its 
seams to leak. <
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Use special convertible top cleaning agents if 
attempting to remove heavy stains.
Always read and foll ow the manufacturer's 
instructions.
Use an impregnating agent to treat the conver-
tible top once a year.
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: rear spoiler 
compartment
So that the operation of  the rear spoiler is not 
compromised, e.g., by leaves, snow or ice, clean 
the rear spoiler compartment at regular inter-
vals.
Paintwork, care
Regular care helps your vehicle retain its value 
and protects the paint from the long-term 
effects of aggre ssive substances.
Environmental influences in areas with 
increased air pollution or natural contaminants, 
such as tree sap or pollen,  can affect the vehicle 
paintwork. It is therefor e important to adjust the 
frequency and extent of vehicle care corre-
spondingly.
Immediately remove any pa rticularly aggressive 
substances, such as fuel that has overflowed, oil, 
grease, brake fluid, or bi rd droppings; otherwise, 
paint damage can be caused.
Removing paintwork damage
Depending on the severity of the damage, 
immediately repair stone damage or 
scratches to prevent rusting. <
The manufacturer of the MINI recommends 
repairing paint damage pr ofessionally according 
to factory specifications  with original MINI 
paints.
Preservation
Preservation is necessary when water no longer 
beads on the clean paint surface. To preserve 
the paint, only use preservatives that contain 
carnauba or synthetic waxes.
Rubber seals
Only treat with water or rubber care products.
Do not use silicon spra ys or other silicon-
containing care products on rubber seals; 
otherwise, noise and damage could occur. <
Chrome parts
Carefully clean vehicle parts such as the radiator 
grill and door handles with copious quantities of 
water and, if necessary, a shampoo additive, 
especially when contaminated with road salt. 
For additional treatment, use chrome polish.
Light alloy wheels
The system produces brake dust that collects on 
the light alloy wheels. Clean them regularly with 
acid-free wheel cleaner.
Do not use aggressive, acid-containing, 
highly alkaline, or abrasive cleansers or 
steam jets hotter than 140 7/60 6 as they may 
cause damage. <
External sensors
Keep the outside sensors on the vehicle 
such as the Park Di stance Control clean 
and ice-free to ensure that they function 
properly. <
Internal care
Upholstery/fabrics
Regularly use a vacuum cleaner to remove 
surface dirt.
In case of serious spots such as liquid stains, use 
a soft sponge or lint-free microfiber cloth and 
suitable interior cleane rs. Observe the instruc-
tions on the packaging.
Clean upholstery up to the seams. Do not 
rub forcefully. <
Velcro fasteners on pants or other items of 
clothing can damage seat covers. Make 
sure that all Velcro fasteners are closed. <
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Leather/leather coverings
The leather processed by the manufac-
turer of your MINI is a high-quality natural 
product. Light variations in the grain is one of 
the typical properties of natural leather. <
Dust and road grit in th e pores and folds of the 
leather have an abrasive effect, leading to 
increased wear and causing the leather surface 
to become brittle prematurely. Use a cloth or 
vacuum cleaner to remo ve dust on a regular 
basis.
Especially when the leather has a light color, it 
should be cleaned regularl y since it tends to get 
heavily soiled.
Treat the leather twice  a year using a leather 
lotion since dirt and grease will gradually attack 
the leather's protective layer.
Carpets/floor mats
Keep floor mats, carpet, and other objects 
out of the movement range of the pedals; 
otherwise, they may inhibit 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 appropriately fastened.
Make sure that the fl oor mats are securely 
fastened again after they  have been removed, 
e.g. for cleaning. <
Floor mats can be removed to be cleaned.
If the carpets are very dirty, clean with a micro-
fiber cloth and water or  an interior cleaner. 
When doing so, rub forw ard and back in the 
driving direction; othe rwise, the carpet may 
become matted.
Interior plastic parts
These include:
> Plastic surfaces
> Lamp glass
> Display panes
> Mat parts Only clean with water and, if necessary, solvent-
free plastic cleaners.
Do not use solvents such as alcohol, 
lacquer thinner, cold cleaners, fuel, or 
similar, as these will damage the surfaces. <
Decorative strips
Only clean decorative strips and fine wood parts 
with damp cloths. Wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Safety belts
Dirty belt straps impede the reeling action and 
thus have a negative impact on safety.
Do not clean chemically, as this may 
destroy the webbing. <
Displays
To clean displays, such  as the radio or display 
elements, use an anti-static microfiber cloth.
Avoid pressing too hard when cleaning 
the display as this can cause damage. <
Do not use chemical or abrasive house-
hold cleaning agents. Keep fluids of any 
kind away from the device. Surfaces or electrical 
components may otherwise become corroded 
or damaged. <
CD/DVD drives
Do not use cleaning CDs as this could 
damage parts of the drive. <
Vehicle storage
If you park your vehicle longer than three 
months, ask your MINI dealer to advise you.
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Replacing components
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 count ry version. This also 
applies to safety related functions and systems.
Toolkit
Your vehicle comes with a toolkit that varies 
with the equipment version; it is stored under-
neath the flat load floor.
With Mobility Kit
1 Sealant bottle
2 Hexagon wrench
3 Extractor hook
4 Vehicle jack
5 Wheel stud wrench
6 Flat screwdriver/Phillips  screwdriver, towing 
eyelet
7 Compressor
Run-flat tires or space-saver spare tire
The toolkit includes a pouch with a plastic bag in 
which you can place the damaged wheel. 1
Folding chock and cove r for defective wheel
2 Extractor hook
3 Wheel stud wrench
4 Vehicle jack
5 Special wrench for removing the space-
saver spare tire
6 Flat screwdriver/Phillips screwdriver
7 Towing eyelet
8 Lifting handle
Wiper blades
Do not place windshield wipers on the 
windshield if wiper blades are not 
installed; otherwise, the windshield may be 
damaged. <
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster: wiper blade 
replacement
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
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2.Press together the lo cking spring, arrows1, 
and fold out the wiper blade, arrow 2.
3. Pull the wiper blade forward and out of the 
catch mechanism.
4. Press the new wiper blade into the fixture 
until it engages audibly.
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the hood. <
MINI Convertible: wiper blade 
replacement
1.Fold out the wiper arm and hold it.
2. Press locking spring  together, arrows1.
3. Hold locking spring  pressed together and 
pull wiper blade from wiper arm, arrow  2.
4. Slide the new wiper blade onto the wind-
shield wiper arm until it audibly engages.
5. Fold down the wiper arm.
To avoid damage, make sure that the 
wiper arms are against the windshield 
before you open the hood. <
Lamps and bulbs
Lamps and bulbs make an essential contribution 
to vehicle safety. They should, therefore, be 
handled carefully. The manufacturer of your 
MINI recommends having your MINI dealer per-
form any work that you do not feel competent to 
perform yourself or that is not described here.
Never touch the glass of new bulbs with 
your bare fingers, as even minute  amounts of contaminatio
n will burn into the 
bulb's surface and reduce its service life. Use a 
clean tissue, cloth or some thing similar, or hold 
the bulb by its base. <
You can obtain a selectio n of replacement bulbs 
at your MINI dealer.
Only replace bulbs after they have cooled 
down; otherwise, you may burn your 
fingers. <
When working on electrical systems, 
always begin by switching off the 
consumer in question; ot herwise, short circuits 
could result. To avoid possible injury or equip-
ment damage when replacing bulbs, observe 
any instructions provided by the bulb manu-
facturer. <
Caring for headlamp s, refer to page162.
For any bulb replacement not described 
below, contact a MINI dealer or a work-
shop that has specia lly trained personnel 
working in accordance wi th the specifications 
of the MINI manufacturer. <
For checking and adjusting headlamp aim, 
please contact your MINI dealer. <
Light-emitting diodes LEDs
Light-emitting diodes installed behind translu-
cent lenses serve as the light sources for many of 
the controls and displays in your vehicle. These 
light-emitting diodes are related to conven-
tional laser diodes, and legislation defines them 
as Class 1 light-emitting diodes.
Do not remove the covers or expose the 
eyes directly to the unfiltered light source 
for several hours; otherw ise, this could cause 
irritation of the retina. <
Headlamp glass lens
In cool or humid weather, condensation may 
occur on the interiors of the headlamps. The 
condensation disappears a short time after the 
light is switched on. The headlamps do not need 
to be changed.
Do not remove the condensation from head-
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lamps, despite driving with lights on, and if 
condensation increases, e.g., because of water 
droplets, have this checked by your MINI dealer.
Xenon lamps
The service life of these bulbs is very long and 
the probability of failure very low, provided that 
they are not switched on and off an excessive 
number of times. If a xenon lamp fails neverthe-
less, switch on the fog  lamps and continue the 
journey with great care, provided that local 
legislation does not prohibit this.
Work on the xenon lighting system, 
including lamp replacem ent, is only to be 
carried out only by your MINI dealer. Due to high 
voltage, there is a risk of  fatal injury if work on 
the xenon lamps is carried out improperly. <
Halogen low beams and high beams
H13 bulb, 60/55 watts
The H13 bulb is pressurized. Therefore, 
wear safety glasses an d protective gloves. 
Otherwise, there is a risk of injury if the bulb is 
damaged. <
Be careful when inst alling the cover; 
otherwise, leaks co uld occur and cause 
damage to the headlamp system. <
Accessing the lamp from the engine 
compartment
The low-beam/high-beam bulb can be changed 
from the engine compartment. Removing the cover:
1.
Press the tab.
2. Flip open the cover and take it out of the 
holder.
Follow the same steps in reverse order to 
reattach the cover. Be careful when inst alling the cover; 
otherwise, leaks could occur and cause 
damage to the headlamp system. <
Replacing the bulb
1.Turn the lamp counterclockwise, arrow 1, 
and remove it, arrow 2.
2. Push on the catch, arrow  1, and disconnect 
the connector, arrow 2.
3. To insert the new bulb and replace the 
cover, proceed in reverse order.
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Turn signals, parking lamps, roadside 
parking lamps, and fog lamps
Accessing the lamps via the wheel well
1Turn signal
2 Parking/roadside  parking/fog lamps
Replacing a turn signal bulb
21 watt bulb, PY 21 W
1.Turn in the wheel.
2. Remove cover  1.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
3. Remove the inside cover.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
4. Unscrew the bulb counterclockwise. 5.
To insert the new bulb and replace the 
covers, proceed in reverse order.
Replacing a parking/roadside parking 
lamp bulb
5 watt bulb, W 5 W
1.Turn in the wheel.
2. Remove cover  2.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
3. Unscrew the upper bulb  counterclockwise.
4. To insert the new bulb and replace the 
cover, proceed in reverse order.
Replacing a fog lamp bulb
H8 bulb, 35 watts
1.Turn in the wheel.
2. Remove cover  2.
To do so, turn the cover counterclockwise.
3. Pull the cable connector.
4. Unscrew the lower bulb  counterclockwise.
5. To insert the new bulb and replace the 
cover, proceed in reverse order.
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Side turn signals
5watt bulb, W5W
1.Push the lamp with  the ventilation grate 
forward and remove.
2. Unscrew the bulb holder counterclockwise.
3. Pull out and replace the bulb.
4. To insert the new bulb and replace the 
cover, proceed in reverse order.
Tail lamps
Turn signals: 21 watt bulb, PY 21 W
Brake light: bulb 21 Watt/5 Watt, W 5 W
Other lights: bulb 21 Watt, P 21 W
1Turn signal
2 Tail lamp LED
3 Brake light
Changing
1.Remove the cover from the sidewall of the 
cargo area.
MINI Coupe, MINI Roadster:
MINI Convertible:
Move the convertible top to its uppermost 
position, refer to Loading aid page 109, and 
remove the cover of the luggage compart-
ment side wall.
2. Unscrew the desired bulb counterclockwise, 
arrows 1.
Another bulb is located behind the luggage 
compartment side wall, arrow 2.
3. To insert the new bulb and replace the 
cover, proceed in reverse order.
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