stop start MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2008 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: MINI, Model Year: 2008, Model line: Hardtop 2 Door, Model: MINI Hardtop 2 Door 2008Pages: 164, PDF Size: 2.66 MB
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Reference
At a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
 11
6Ignition lock39
7Buttons
* on steering wheel
8Horn: the entire surface
9Adjusting the steering wheel34
10Releasing the bonnet106 3Tachometer12
Instrument lighting69
Resetting the trip odometer48
4
Wiper system44
5Switching the ignition on/off and 
starting/stopping the engine39
Continuing cruise control
*46
Right:
Storing speed and accelerating or 
decelerating
Left:
Volume
Activating/deactivating cruise 
control
*47
Telephone
*:
Accepting and ending a call, start-
ing dialing
* of selected phone 
number and redialing if no phone 
number is selected
Activating/deactivating voice com-
mand system
*
Changing radio station
Selecting music track
Scrolling through phone book and 
lists with stored phone numbers 
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ReferenceAt a glance Controls Driving tips Mobility
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Switching on radio readiness
Switch on radio readiness by briefly pressing the 
start/stop button, page39.
Do not depress the brake or the clutch, 
otherwise the engine will start.<
Starting the engine
The engine can be started or the ignition can be 
switched on when a remote control is inside the 
vehicle. It is not necessary to insert a remote 
control into the ignition lock, page39.
Switching off the engine in cars with 
automatic transmission
The engine can only be switched off when the 
selector lever is in position P, page40.
To switch the engine off when the selector lever 
is in position N, the remote control must be in 
the ignition lock.
Before driving a vehicle with automatic 
transmission into a car wash
1.Insert remote control into ignition lock.
2.Depress the brake.
3.Move the selector lever to position N.
4.Switch off the engine.
The vehicle can roll.
Malfunction
Convenient access may malfunction due to local 
radio waves.
If this happens, open or close the vehicle via the 
buttons on the remote control or using the inte-
grated key. 
Insert the remote control into the ignition lock 
and start the engine.
Warning lamps
The warning lamp comes on when an 
attempt is made to start the engine: the 
engine cannot be started. The remote 
control is not inside the vehicle or is malfunc-
tioning. Take the remote control with you inside 
the vehicle or have it checked. If necessary, insert another remote control into the ignition 
lock.
The warning lamp comes on when the 
engine is running: the remote control is 
no longer inside the vehicle. After the 
engine is switched off, the engine can only be 
restarted within approx. 10 seconds.
The indicator lamp comes on: replace 
the battery in the remote control.
Replacing the battery
The remote control for convenient access con-
tains a battery that will need to be replaced from 
time to time.
1.Remove the cover.
2.Insert the new battery with the plus side fac-
ing up.
3.Press the cover on to close.
Take the old battery to a battery collection 
point or to your MINI Dealer.<
Glass sunroof, electric*
To prevent injuries, exercise care when 
closing the glass sunroof and keep it in 
your field of vision until it is shut.
Take the key with you when you leave the car, 
otherwise children could operate the sunroof 
and possibly injure themselves.< 
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Driving
Ignition lock
Inserting the key into the ignition lock
Insert the key all the way into the ignition lock.
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate.
Removing the key from the ignition lock
Press in the key briefly. It is ejected slightly.
At the same time:
>The ignition is switched off if it was on 
beforehand.
Automatic transmission
You cannot take out the key unless the selector 
lever is in the P position: interlock.
Start/stop button
Press the start/stop button to switch radio readi-
ness or the ignition on and off. Do not depress 
the brake or clutch while doing so.When you press the start/stop button and 
depress the clutch if the car has manual 
transmission or the brake if the car has auto-
matic transmission, the engine starts.<
Radio readiness
Individual electrical consumers can operate. The 
time and outside temperature are displayed in 
the tachometer.
Radio readiness is switched off automatically:
>When the key is removed from the ignition 
lock
>When using convenient access
* by pushing 
the button on the door handle or the   
button on the remote control, refer to Lock-
ing on page26
Ignition on
Most indicator and warning lamps in indicator 
area 1, page13, light up for varying lengths of 
time.
When the engine is off, switch off the igni-
tion and any unnecessary electrical con-
sumers in order to preserve the battery.<
Radio readiness and ignition off
All indicator and warning lamps in the displays 
go out.
The ignition is switched off automatically when 
the driver's door is opened. Pressing the start/
stop button again switches the ignition back on.
The ignition is not switched off in situations such 
as the following:
>The clutch or brake is depressed
>The low beams are switched on
Starting the engine
Do not allow the engine to run in enclosed 
spaces; otherwise inhalation of the nox-
ious exhaust gases can lead to unconsciousness  
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Driving
40
and death. Exhaust gases contain carbon mon-
oxide, an odorless and colorless, but highly toxic 
gas. Never leave an unattended vehicle with the 
engine running, otherwise such a vehicle repre-
sents a potential safety hazard.
Before leaving the car while the engine is run-
ning, place the transmission in neutral or move 
the selector lever to position P and forcefully 
apply the parking brake to prevent the car from 
moving.<
Avoid frequent starting in quick succes-
sion or repeated start attempts in which 
the engine does not start. Otherwise, the fuel is 
not burned or inadequately burned and there is 
a danger of overheating and damaging the cat-
alytic converter.<
Do not let the engine warm up with the vehicle 
at a standstill. Move off immediately at a moder-
ate engine speed.
When starting the engine, do not depress the 
accelerator pedal.
Manual transmission
Key in ignition lock or inside vehicle with conve-
nient access, refer to page26.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Depress the clutch.
3.Press the start/stop button.
Automatic transmission
Key in ignition lock or in vehicle with convenient 
access, refer to page26.
1.Depress the brake.
2.Move the selector lever to position P.
3.Press the start/stop button.The starter operates automatically for a certain 
time, and stops automatically as soon as the 
engine has started.
Switching off the engine
Always take the key with you when you 
leave the vehicle. 
When parking, apply the parking brake force-
fully, otherwise the vehicle could begin to roll.<
Manual transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, press the start/
stop button.
2.Shift into first gear or reverse.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Automatic transmission
1.With the car at a standstill, move the selector 
lever to position P.
2.Press the start/stop button.
3.Forcefully apply the parking brake.
Parking brake
The parking brake is primarily intended to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling while parked; it 
brakes the rear wheels.
Applying
The lever locks in position automatically.
Releasing
Pull slightly upwards, press the button and lower 
the lever. 
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In exceptional cases, if the parking brake 
has to be used to slow or stop the car, do 
not pull the lever up too hard. In doing so, con-
tinuously press the button of the parking brake 
lever.
Otherwise, excessive force could lead to over-
braking and loss of traction, i.e. fishtailing, at the 
rear axle.<
Manual transmission
When shifting into 5th or 6th gear, press 
the gearshift lever to the right. Otherwise 
the engine could be damaged if you inadvert-
ently shift into 3rd or 4th gear.<
Reverse gear
Select this only when the vehicle is stationary. 
When the gearshift lever is pressed to the left, a 
slight resistance has to be overcome.
Automatic transmission* 
with Steptronic
In addition to the fully automatic mode, you can 
shift gears manually using Steptronic, page42.
Parking the vehicle
To prevent the vehicle from rolling, always 
select position P and apply the parking 
brake before leaving the vehicle with the engine 
running.<
Removing the key
1.Move the selector lever to position P.
2.Switch off the engine.3.Remove the key.
Selector lever positions
P R N D M/S + –
Displays in the tachometer
P R N D DS M1 to M6
The selector lever position is displayed, or the 
current gear in the manual mode.
Changing selector lever positions
>The selector lever can only be moved out of 
position P if the ignition is switched on or the 
engine is running: interlock.
>Before moving the lever away from P or N 
with the vehicle stationary, first depress the 
brake; otherwise the selector lever will 
refuse to move: shiftlock.
To prevent the vehicle from creeping 
after you select a driving position, 
depress the brake until you are ready to 
start.<
A lock prevents accidental shifting into selector 
lever positions R and P. 
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In the following situations, the system could be 
delayed or malfunction:
>System has not been initialized
>Driving on snowy or slippery road surface
>Performance-oriented style of driving: slip in 
the drive wheels, high lateral acceleration
>Snow chains are attached
When the vehicle is driven with a space-saver 
spare tire
*, page124, the Flat Tire Monitor can-
not function.
Initializing the system
The initialization is completed during driv-
ing, which can be interrupted at any time. 
When driving resumes, the initialization is con-
tinued automatically. 
Do not initialize the system if you are driving 
with snow chains or a space-saver spare tire
*.<
1.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
4.Briefly press the button repeatedly until the 
corresponding symbol and "RESET" are dis-
played.5.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
6.Start driving.
Initialization is completed while the car is on 
the move, without any feedback.
Indication of a flat tire
The warning lamps come on in yellow 
and red. An acoustic signal also sounds. 
There is a flat tire or substantial loss of 
tire pressure.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with cau-
tion. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped 
with normal tires or Run-Flat Tires.
The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires 
is a circle with the letters RSC on the 
sidewall, refer to Run-Flat Tires, page104.<
Normal tires
1.Determine which tire is damaged.
If this cannot be determined, contact 
your MINI Dealer.<
2.Repair the flat tire, refer to page119, or 
change the damaged tire, refer to page122.
Run-Flat Tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph 
or 80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and 
steering maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed 
of 50 mph or 80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle is 
not equipped with Run-Flat Tires, 
page104, otherwise a serious accident 
could result.<
2.At the next opportunity, check the air pres-
sure in all four tires.
If all four tires are inflated to the cor-
rect pressures, the Flat Tire Monitor 
might not have been initialized. The system 
must then be initialized.<
3.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible  
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distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo bay full, or 4 persons 
without luggage: 
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
4 persons, cargo area full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph or 80 km/h, otherwise an 
accident may occur. In the event of pressure 
loss, vehicle handling changes. This includes 
reduced tracking stability in braking, extended 
braking distance and altered natural steering 
characteristics. 
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce the vehi-
cle speed and stop as soon as possible. Other-
wise, sections of the tire may come loose and 
cause accidents. Do not continue driving and 
contact your MINI Dealer.<
Malfunction
The warning lamps light up in yellow. 
There is a malfunction in the Flat Tire 
Monitor or the system has failed. Have 
the system checked as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Monitor 
TPM*
The concept
TPM checks the inflation pressures of the four 
mounted tires. The system notifies you if there is 
a significant loss of pressure in one or more tires.
Functional requirement
In order to assure the reliable reporting of a flat 
tire, the system must be reset while all tire infla-
tion pressures are correct.Always use wheels with TPM electronics. Other-
wise, the system may malfunction.
Each time a tire inflation pressure has 
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been 
changed, reset the system.<
System limitations
TPM cannot warn you in advance of sud-
den severe tire damage caused by outside 
influences.<
The system does not work correctly if it has not 
been reset; for example, a flat tire may be indi-
cated even though the tire inflation pressures 
are correct.
The system is inactive and cannot indicate a flat 
tire if a wheel without TPM electronics, such as a 
compact spare wheel
*, has been mounted, or if 
TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to other 
systems or devices using the same radio fre-
quency.
Resetting the system
Each time a tire inflation pressure has 
been corrected or a wheel or tire has been 
changed, reset the system.<
Using the button in the turn indicator 
lever
1.Start the engine, but do not start driving.
2.Briefly press the button in the turn indicator 
lever repeatedly until "SET/INFO" is dis-
played.
3.Press and hold the button until the display 
changes.
4.Repeatedly press the button briefly until the 
symbol for Tire Pressure Monitor and  
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Technology for driving comfort and safety
62
"ACTIVE" are displayed.
The Tire Pressure Monitor can be reset using 
"RESET".
5.Press and hold the button until "RESETTING" 
appears.
6.Start driving.
After driving a few minutes, the set inflation 
pressures in the tires are accepted as the tar-
get values to be monitored. The system 
reset is completed during your drive, and 
c a n  b e  i n t e r r u p t e d  a t  a n y  t i m e .  W h e n  d r i v i n g  
resumes, the reset is continued automati-
cally. The indicator lamp goes out after the 
system reset is completed.
Message for low tire inflation pressure
The warning lamps come on in yellow 
and red.  An acoustic signal also sounds. 
There is a flat tire or substantial loss of 
tire pressure.
1.Reduce speed and stop the vehicle with cau-
tion. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers.
2.Check whether your vehicle is equipped 
with normal tires or Run-Flat Tires.The symbol identifying Run-Flat Tires 
is a circle with the letters RSC on the 
sidewall, refer to the Owner's Manual for 
Vehicle.<
Normal tires
1.Determine which tire is damaged.
If this cannot be determined, contact 
your MINI Dealer.<
2.Repair the flat tire or change the damaged 
tire, refer to page122.
Run-Flat Tires*
1.Cautiously reduce speed to below 50 mph/
80 km/h. Avoid sudden braking and steering 
maneuvers. Do not exceed a speed of 
50 mph/80 km/h.
Do not continue driving if the vehicle is 
not equipped with Run-Flat Tires, oth-
erwise a serious accident could result.<
2.In the event of complete tire pressure loss, 
0 psi/0 kPa, you can estimate the possible 
distance for continued driving on the basis 
of the following guidelines:
>With a light load: 
1 to 2 persons without luggage: 
approx. 155 miles/250 km
>With a medium load: 
2 persons, cargo area full, or 4 persons 
without luggage: 
approx. 90 miles/150 km
>With a full load: 
4 persons, cargo area full: 
approx. 30 miles/50 km
Drive cautiously and do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph/80 km/h, otherwise an 
accident may occur. In the event of pressure 
loss, vehicle handling changes. This includes 
reduced tracking stability in braking, extended 
braking distance and altered natural steering 
characteristics. 
If unusual vibration or loud noises occur during 
the journey, this may be an indication that the 
damaged tire has finally failed. Reduce the vehi-
cle speed and stop as soon as possible. Other-
wise, sections of the tire may come loose and  
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cause accidents. Do not continue driving and 
contact your MINI Dealer.<
Malfunction
The small warning lamp flashes in yel-
low and then lights up continuously; the 
larger warning lamp comes on in yel-
low. 
 No punctures can be detected.
This type of message is shown in the following 
situations:
>If there is a malfunction
Have the system checked.
>If a wheel without TPM electronics has been 
mounted
>If TPM is temporarily malfunctioning due to 
other systems or devices using the same 
radio frequency.
Message for unsuccessful system reset
Both warning lamps come on in yellow. 
The system is not reset after a tire has 
been changed, for example.
Check the tire inflation pressure and 
reset the system, refer to the Owner's Manual 
for Vehicle.
Declaration according to NHTSA/
FMVSS 138 Tire Pressure Monitoring 
Systems
Each tire, including the spare, should be 
checked monthly when cold and inflated to the 
inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle 
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. If your vehicle has tires of a 
different size than the size indicated on the vehi-
cle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you 
should determine the proper tire inflation pres-
sure for those tires. As an added safety feature, 
your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pres-
sure monitoring system TPMS that illuminates a 
low tire pressure telltale when one or more of 
your tires are significantly under-inflated. 
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale 
illuminates, you should stop and check your tires 
as soon as possible, and inflate them to the 
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat 
and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also 
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and 
may affect the vehicle's handling and stopping 
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the 
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire 
pressure, even if underinflation has not reached 
the level at which the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined 
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the sys-
tem detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash 
for approximately one minute and then remain 
continuously lit. This sequence will continue 
upon subsequent vehicle startups as long as the 
malfunction exists. When the malfunction indi-
cator is illuminated, the system may not be able 
to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. 
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of 
reasons, including the installation of replace-
ment or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle 
that prevent the TPMS from functioning prop-
erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale 
after replacing one or more tires or wheels on 
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or 
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to 
continue to function properly. 
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Fog lamps*
1Fog lamps*
2Rear fog lamp*
Press the respective switch to turn the lamps on/
off.
Fog lamps*
The parking lamps or low beams must be 
switched on for the fog lamps to operate. The 
green indicator lamp comes on when the fog 
lamps are switched on.
Depending on your vehicle's equipment, the fog 
lamps are switched off when you activate the 
headlamp flasher or switch on the high beams.
If the automatic headlamp control is acti-
vated, the low beams will come on auto-
matically when you switch on the fog lamps.<
Rear fog lamp*
The low beams or parking lamps with fog lamps 
must be switched on. The yellow indicator lamp 
comes on when the rear fog lamp is switched on.
Instrument lighting
You can adjust the brightness of the instrument 
lighting only when the parking lamps or the low 
beams are on.
Increasing brightness
Press and hold the button until the desired 
brightness is reached.
Reducing brightness
Press the button briefly.
The brightness decreases every time the button 
is pressed briefly.
Interior lamps
The interior lamps, the footwell lamps* and the 
cargo bay lamp are controlled automatically.
To avoid draining the battery, all lamps 
inside the car are switched off about 
30 minutes after the ignition is switched off, 
refer to Start/stop button on page39.<
Switching interior lamps on/off manually
To switch the interior lamps on/off.
Press the switch.
To switch off the interior lamps permanently, 
press the button for about 3 seconds.