Manual transmission, Automatic transmission* with steptronic – Mini 2008 Cooper User Manual

Page 43

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, page

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

Move the selector lever to position P.

Switch off the engine.

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.