Mini-Cooper Warning Lights and Meanings
Complete guide to Mini-Cooper dashboard warning lights and symbols. Learn what each indicator means and what action you should take when they illuminate.
Understanding Mini-Cooper Dashboard Warning Lights
Mini-Cooper vehicles are equipped with an advanced diagnostic system that monitors various components and systems. When an issue is detected, a corresponding warning light will illuminate on your dashboard.
These warning lights are color-coded to indicate the severity of the issue:
- Red: Indicates a serious issue that requires immediate attention. You should stop driving as soon as it's safe to do so.
- Amber/Yellow: Suggests a less urgent problem that should be checked soon, but doesn't require immediate action.
- Green: Usually informational, indicating that a system is active or functioning normally.
- Blue: Usually informational, indicating features like high beam headlights or coolant temperature.
- White: Usually informational, indicating that certain systems or features are currently active.
Below you'll find a comprehensive list of warning lights that may appear on your Mini-Cooper vehicle's dashboard.
Mini-Cooper Warning Light Categories
Critical Warning Lights
These red warning lights indicate serious issues that require immediate attention.
Service Warning Lights
These amber/yellow lights suggest issues that need attention soon but aren't immediately critical.
Information Indicators (Green)
These green lights simply inform you that certain systems are active.
Information Indicators (Blue)
These blue lights indicate that certain features or systems are enabled.
Critical Warning Lights
Airbag System Warning Light
Airbag system and belt tensioner are not working. Have the vehicle checked immediately by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Brake System Warning Light
Have the vehicle checked immediately by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Brake System Warning Light
Braking system impaired. Continue to drive moderately.
Car On Lift Warning Light
● The starter has failed or the ignition has malfunctioned. ● The lighting system has failed. Low beams/tail lights and brake lights are still operational but other lights failed. Have the system in question checked immediately. The engine cannot be restarted. Depress the brake to restart the engine.
Check Control
This symbol indicates that Check Control messages have been stored. Check Control messages can be viewed whenever it is convenient.
Convertible Top Locked Indicator
The convertible top is not locked. Fully open or close the convertible top before continuing to drive.
Door Ajar Indicator
A door is open.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
The engine is overheating. Carefully bring the car to a stop, switch off the engine, and allow it to cool down. Do not open the hood; otherwise, there would be a risk of injury due to scalding. Contact your service center.
Hood Open Indicator
The hood is open.
Parking Brake System Warning Light
The parking brake is set while driving. Release the parking brake.
Pedestrian Warning
If a collision with a person detected in this way is imminent, the symbol lights up and a signal sounds.
Safety Belt Reminder
Indicator light flashes or is illuminated: safety belt on the driver or passenger side is not buckled. The safety belt reminder can also be activated if objects are placed on the front passenger seat. Make sure that the safety belts are positioned correctly.
Service Requirement Warning Light
Service is due. Arrange a service appointment.
Service Requirement Warning Light
Service is due. Arrange a service appointment.
Service Due
Service due Arrange a service appointment. Note: Lights up in yellow: The engine will start the next time the start/stop button is touched, possibly without the brake or clutch being depressed.
Tailgate Open Indicator
The tailgate is open.
Transmission Oil Temperature Light
The transmission is overheating. Bring the car to a stop and move the selector lever to position P. Allow the transmission to cool down. You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise due caution. Have the system checked if the situation reoccurs.
Transmission Warning Light
Transmission limp-home program active with a restricted range of gears, possibly with reduced acceleration. You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise due caution. Have the system checked immediately. Gears can be engaged without depressing the brake. Always depress the brake to engage a gear. Automatic selector lever locked: Manually unlock the selector lever lock.
Service Warning Lights
Acoustic Pedestrian Protection Inactive Light
Acoustic pedestrian protection defective. Have the system checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Active Cruise Control
The number bars shows the selected distance from the vehicle driving ahead.
Adaptive Light Control Failed Indicator
The Adaptive Light Control has failed.
Anti-lock Braking System Warning Light
Have the system immediately checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Anti-lock Braking System Warning Light
Braking force boost may not be working. Avoid abrupt braking. Take the longer braking distance into account.
Check Gas Cap Indicator
The fuel cap is missing or loose. Make sure that the fuel cap is correctly positioned and close it until it clicks audibly. Do not jam the strap between the fuel cap and the vehicle.
Convertible Top Control Failed Indicator
Convertible top drive overheated! Allow the convertible top drive to cool.
Cruise Control System Failed Indicator
The cruise control system has failed. Have the system checked.
Dynamic Stability Control OFF Indicator
Dynamic Stability Control is deactivated or Dynamic Traction Control is activated.
Drive Power
The drive power is reduced, for instance due to a heavily discharged high-voltage battery.
Dynamic Stability Control Indicator
The indicator light flashes: DSC controls the drive and braking forces. The vehicle is stabilized. Reduce speed and modify your driving style to the driving circumstances. The indicator light lights up: DSC has malfunctioned. Have the system checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Dynamic Stability Control Warning Light
If the indicator lamp flashes: Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) or Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) is controlling drive and braking forces. If the indicator lamps are on: DSC or DTC is fully deactivated.
Dynamic Stability Control Warning Light
The DSC or DTC is malfunctioning. Driving stability limited during acceleration and cornering. You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise due caution. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Emission Light
The warning light lights up: Emissions are deteriorating. Have the vehicle checked as soon as possible. The warning light flashes under certain circumstances: This indicates that there is excessive misfiring in the engine. Reduce the vehicle speed and have the system checked immediately; otherwise, serious engine misfiring within a brief period can seriously damage emission control components, in particular the catalytic converter.
External Temperature Warning Light
Illuminates if the temperature falls to around +3C / 37F. A signal will sound and this warning light will come on. This is to warn you to drive cautiously. This also signifies an increased risk of sheet ice on the roads.
Headlight Beam Throw Adjustment Failed Indicator
The headlight beam throw adjustment has failed. Have the headlight beam throw adjustment system checked.
High-beam Headlight Indicator
A high-beam headlight has failed. Have the high-beam headlights checked.
Key Fob Malfunction Indicator
The remote control is malfunctioning or is not detected in cars with Comfort Access. The engine cannot be started. Have the remote control checked, if necessary.
Lamp Out Indicator
A bulb of the exterior lighting system has failed. Have the exterior lighting checked as soon as possible.
Low Battery Key Fod Indicator
The battery in the remote control is discharged. Use the remote control for a longer journey or, in cars with Comfort Access, replace the battery.
Low Coolant Level Warning Light
The coolant level is too low. Add coolant immediately.
Low Washer Fluid Indicator
The windshield washer fluid level is too low. Add washer fluid as soon as possible.
Low-beam Headlight Failed Indicator
A low-beam headlight or front fog light has failed. Have the lights checked as soon as possible.
Park Distance Control Failed Indicator
The Park Distance Control has failed. Have the system checked.
Rear Fog Light Failed Indicator
A rear fog light has failed. Have the rear fog lights checked.
Rear Spoiler Indicator
The rear spoiler is extended. Before driving into the car wash, retract the rear spoiler.
Roadside Parking Light Indicator
The roadside parking lamps are still on. Switch off the roadside parking lights.
Roll Away Potential Indicator
Selector lever position P is not engaged. The vehicle is not secured against rolling.
Service Requirement Warning Light
Service is due. Arrange a service appointment. Check the service requirements.
Service Requirement Warning Light
The engine will start the next time the Start/Stop button is touched, possibly with‐ out the brake or clutch being depressed. Check the service requirements.
Shift/ Start Lock Indicator
The engine refuses to start. Depress the brake or clutch to start the engine.
Sliding Convertible Top Indicator
Failure of the convertible top/sliding sunroof control. Close the convertible top/sliding sunroof manually. Contact your service center.
Speed Limit Indicator
The set speed limit was exceeded.
Steering System Light
The steering system in some cases not working. Have the steering system checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop. The steering assistance has failed. You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise due caution. Markedly different steering response. Have the system checked as soon as possible.
Tire Pressure Monitor System Light
The indicator light illuminates. The Tire Pressure Monitor reports a low tire inflation pressure or a flat tire. Observe the information in the Check Control message. The indicator light flashes and then illuminates continuously. No flat tire or loss of tire inflation pressure can be detected. ● Interference caused by systems or devices with the same radio frequency: after leaving the area of the interference, the system automatically becomes active again. ● TPM was unable to complete the reset. Reset the system again. ● A wheel without TPM electronics is mounted: have it checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop as needed. ● Malfunction: have the system checked by a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop.
Transmission Oil Temperature Light
The transmission is too hot. Avoid high engine loads. You can continue your journey, but moderate your speed and exercise due caution.
Transmission Warning Light
Automatic selector lever locked: The selector lever is locked in position P with the engine running or the ignition switched on and the brake depressed. The brake signal is malfunctioning: A gear can be engaged without depressing the brake. Have the system checked as soon as possible. Manually unlock the selector lever lock. To engage a gear while the vehicle is at a standstill, always depress the brake. Before leaving the vehicle, move the selector lever to position P and switch off the engine.
Trunk Cover Indicator
Trunk cover in the MINI Convertible The convertible top cannot be operated. Move the trunk cover into the required position
Vehicle Detection, Active Cruise Control
Indicator lamp illuminates: a vehicle has been detected ahead of you. Indicator lamp flashes: the conditions are not adequate for the system to work. The system was deactivated but applies the brakes until you actively resume control by pressing on the brake pedal or accelerator pedal.
Information Indicators (Green)
Bad Weather Light
Bad weather light is switched on.
Cruise Control
The system is switched on. It maintains the speed that was set using the control elements on the steering wheel.
Front Fog Light
Front fog lights are activated.
High-beam Assistant
High-beam Assistant is switched on. High beams are switched on and off automatically depending on the traffic situation.
Lane Departure Warning Light
The indicator light lights up: the system is activated. At least one lane marking was detected and warnings can be issued.
Parking Lights, Headlight Indicator
Parking lights or headlights are switched on.
Rear Fog Light
Rear fog lights are activated.
Speed Limiter
The indicator light illuminates: the system is switched on. The indicator light flashes: the set speed limit has been exceeded. If this happens, a signal sounds. Reduce speed or deactivate system.
Turn Signal Indicator
Turn signal switched on. Unusually rapid flashing of the indicator light indicates that a turn signal bulb has failed.
Information Indicators (Blue)
High Beam Indicator
High beams are switched on.