There's a warning icon that comes up when the wheels are slipping. It shows the rear of a MINI leaving behind a few s-shaped tire tracks. I see it nowhere in the manual. It obviously has something to do with traction control or DSC, but does anyone know exactly what it signals?

 

That triangle shaped warning lot shows you that the traction control (DSC) is currently working. Pretty easy to have it come on when you're trying to launch fast on a less than perfect road surface.

 

it signals that y're teetering on the edge, man. That's the DSC nanny kickin in

 

So it means the DSC is actively moderating the power to the wheels?

 

steering, brakes, engine power, DSC is the nanny sternly correcting the problem child that dares to push the envelope. I usually leave mine turned off unless there's lots of rain (hydroplaning)